Our fans...

[Sammy h]

Me and a couple of lads stayed over after the game last night. We know a Northampton fan and it has become a bit of a tradition to do a stop over and a have a night out whenever we play each other.

A mate of mine came along who used to watch us years ago back when I was at school. He used to love it, he had some great times at CP, but as many do after they leave school interest is lost and other commitments get in the way. He's got a few kids and he's been mentioning for ages about bringing them down to Morecambe and I've been telling him about the free kids promotion etc and trying to talk him into coming down. Unfortunately he is a Man United fan and has been toying with the idea of taking them to Old Trafford or The Globe.

After yesterday I think we made that the decision for him.But it's not what you are thinking. Yes the performance was spineless, gutless and weak. They are just three of one thousand words that could be used to describe it. But it wasn't the performance that is going to stop him coming back. It's us lot, the fans. Do we have any normal fans left anymore or are they all hitting 100% on the weirdo-meter?

It has been a concern of mine for quite some time, but it is getting beyond a joke now. I know the lads mean well and fair play to them they go home and away every week, but it was cringe worthy stuff sitting in that away end yesterday and listening to some of the moronic drivel coming out of their mouths. The songs rarely have any relevance at all, what ever happened to the songs that got behind the team? We had to move away from them in the second half it was that bad.

Just a couple of examples:

- 'You're just a giant green dildo, a giant green dildo' (Sung to their keeper who was wearing an all green Northampton strip)
- 'They're here, they're there, they're every f***ing where, empty seats, empty seats' (The only empty seats in the whole ground were in the away end, the home end was almost a sell out)

There are many, many more idiotic examples, but I have gone on long enough.

We play at home Tuesday night apparently and for the first time since I started following the Shrimps I am genuinely considering on whether to go or not. I've had enough.

[Kendalshrimp]

Agree there's some absolute idiots that follow us away, bury away last season for example. Losing 1-0 with 10 minutes to go then a a few idiots start singing to Jim you don't know what your doing, by the time the final whistle goes when we've come back and won 2-1 the same people were signing he's magic ya knowwww to make things worse these people were in fancy dress, the biggest moron of the lot being dressed as Jesus !

[John L]

How pathetic... as if things aren't bad enough on the pitch, some people are now turning on fellow fans.

[George Dawes]

bare in mind people like to have a drink and people do tend to be silly and loud when they're with their mates in a group with beer down them. no different to other clubs, unless you're on a Sunday School trip.

Morecambe compared to the majority of other clubs are very mild mannered, whose support is mainly family orientated, with the rest of the support made up with middle aged men and pensioners.

there is a big gap missing with 18 - 30yr olds, who normally at other clubs make most the noise and create an atmosphere like where use to seeing at other clubs and on TV.

[outsider]

Agree there's some absolute idiots that follow us away, bury away last season for example. Losing 1-0 with 10 minutes to go then a a few idiots start singing to Jim you don't know what your doing, by the time the final whistle goes when we've come back and won 2-1 the same people were signing he's magic ya knowwww to make things worse these people were in fancy dress, the biggest moron of the lot being dressed as Jesus !

Not sure what you problem is with me, But I can assure you I wasn't shouting "You don't know what your doing," The one's shouting it weren't in fancy dress they we just sat near us!

As for the Jesus costume it was Easter Monday, I had a sign saying " I'm back". Get a life it was a bit of fun, Same as the Nun and Cardinal....

[Seasider9601]

Didn't we/you cover this event last season Kendalshrimp?

It's done and dusted with. Move on.

[Sammy h]

bare in mind people like to have a drink and people do tend to be silly and loud when they're with their mates in a group with beer down them. no different to other clubs, unless you're on a Sunday School trip.

Morecambe compared to the majority of other clubs are very mild mannered, whose support is mainly family orientated, with the rest of the support made up with middle aged men and pensioners.

there is a big gap missing with 18 - 30yr olds, who normally at other clubs make most the noise and create an atmosphere like where use to seeing at other clubs and on TV.

I'd had a few beers and even I wasn't joining in with some of the stuff George. I've been there, the 'rowdy singing' group goes through eras doesn't it? It used to be me and my mates, but most of them don't watch us anymore. I like to think that even when we were that young we didn't embarrass the club as much as the current crop do now. Not only are we losing fans because of the crap we watch week in week out, we are losing fans because of the way our own fans act.

How pathetic... as if things aren't bad enough on the pitch, some people are now turning on fellow fans.

I agree John. It is pathetic turning on fellow fans. I was singled out yesterday by this mob and had songs chanted about myself. The group targeted me and bullied me. It was all very distressing.

[BerlinWaller]

I haven't been to an away game for a few years now because I started a family and my Wifes working hours but before that I travelled away regulary. I started to notice the demise of our away support when people started creating factions and cliques. I was even branded a "glory fan" when I made the short trip to Stanley by some bloke that has only been watching Morecambe since we moved to the Globe!

I feel for the lads who travelled everywhere before we got in to the league(we were non-league once) and created a really good name for the club. The northern humour was brilliant and they really made the club proud.

[George Dawes]

I'd had a few beers and even I wasn't joining in with some of the stuff George. I've been there, the 'rowdy singing' group goes through eras doesn't it? It used to be me and my mates, but most of them don't watch us anymore. I like to think that even when we were that young we didn't embarrass the club as much as the current crop do now. Not only are we losing fans because of the crap we watch week in week out, we are losing fans because of the way our own fans act.

Hi Sammy, I was also referring in general and to Kendal Shrimp, with his pop at people in fancy dress.

and I know what you mean, I have sat near the crowd you're referring to, I admire their passion, they just need to channel it, they need older fans telling them the do's and dont's

when I went to Carlisle away they were all chanting we hate Carlisle, I met a few Carlisle fans later on who I know, and they joked where's all that come from, we've no History with you lot, and I just shrugged my shoulders and said young one's what they like eh?

[Christies Child]

I may be 65 and an old fart but in the early 60s there was a good sized bunch of us who used to congregate in the old Lancaster road shed prior to its demise and sing nonstop for 90 minutes along with a Claxon that used to be used on a local boat.. The only trouble we had was self inflicted due to the nature ( at times it was crude and did in retrospect cause offensive) but we weathered the storm, got some respect and a few of us are still around today, safely seated in blocks "C premier and B' wishing for the Good.


Those where the good old days.

[Wild Bill]

Have to agree with Sammy H. The problem is we seemed to fragment as a fanbase with the move to the Globe.

Back in the early days of the Conference we had a 'hardcore' (perhaps nearly 50% of the crowd) that gathered behind the goal and really got behind the team. There was a real mix of ages and backgrounds, but most of the chants were started by a couple of dozen 20-40 year-olds who all took the game with great humour and generally kept things positive.

Lots of young 'uns got involved (myself included) but we were led by the older fans. Morecambe soon got a reputation for being a great bunch and most fans prided themselves on keeping this, even when segregation came in and we eventually made it into the league.

When we moved to the Globe, lots of people were very disappointed with the home end as it felt like a backwards step from the North Stand. This led to a good number of the traditional hardcore to move to the PMG or more often stop going completely. The void was filled by enthusiastic younger fans, but without the mix of older fans to lead and influence, our chants became less humorous and more juvenile.

Being a guy in my 30s I am still happy to get involved with some proper chants, but singing childish playground crap will only lead to me and most fans cringing and keeping quiet.

[Loyalsupporter]

Agree there's some absolute idiots that follow us away, bury away last season for example. Losing 1-0 with 10 minutes to go then a a few idiots start singing to Jim you don't know what your doing, by the time the final whistle goes when we've come back and won 2-1 the same people were signing he's magic ya knowwww to make things worse these people were in fancy dress, the biggest moron of the lot being dressed as Jesus !

Not sure what you problem is with me, But I can assure you I wasn't shouting "You don't know what your doing," The one's shouting it weren't in fancy dress they we just sat near us!

As for the Jesus costume it was Easter Monday, I had a sign saying " I'm back". Get a life it was a bit of fun, Same as the Nun and Cardinal....

I can 100% say that Outsider was not the one who shouted "Taxi for Bentley". I was stood next to the guy who shouted it, I know who he is and he also does not post on here.

You owe Outsider an apology.....

The football was bad that day and people were frustrated and desperate to see us change the way we play.

least he had the balls to call out - most just b!tch on here

[halftimeresults]

Have to agree with Sammy H. The problem is we seemed to fragment as a fanbase with the move to the Globe.

Back in the early days of the Conference we had a 'hardcore' (perhaps nearly 50% of the crowd) that gathered behind the goal and really got behind the team. There was a real mix of ages and backgrounds, but most of the chants were started by a couple of dozen 20-40 year-olds who all took the game with great humour and generally kept things positive.

Lots of young 'uns got involved (myself included) but we were led by the older fans. Morecambe soon got a reputation for being a great bunch and most fans prided themselves on keeping this, even when segregation came in and we eventually made it into the league.

When we moved to the Globe, lots of people were very disappointed with the home end as it felt like a backwards step from the North Stand. This led to a good number of the traditional hardcore to move to the PMG or more often stop going completely. The void was filled by enthusiastic younger fans, but without the mix of older fans to lead and influence, our chants became less humorous and more juvenile.

Being a guy in my 30s I am still happy to get involved with some proper chants, but singing childish playground crap will only lead to me and most fans cringing and keeping quiet.

have to agree
The fans we had from the early conference days Were fantastic and we gained a real reputation through out the conference. Loud and proud.
football has changed a lot since then and I think most clubs struggle creating atmosphere these days.

[Kendalshrimp]

Agree there's some absolute idiots that follow us away, bury away last season for example. Losing 1-0 with 10 minutes to go then a a few idiots start singing to Jim you don't know what your doing, by the time the final whistle goes when we've come back and won 2-1 the same people were signing he's magic ya knowwww to make things worse these people were in fancy dress, the biggest moron of the lot being dressed as Jesus !

Not sure what you problem is with me, But I can assure you I wasn't shouting "You don't know what your doing," The one's shouting it weren't in fancy dress they we just sat near us!

As for the Jesus costume it was Easter Monday, I had a sign saying " I'm back". Get a life it was a bit of fun, Same as the Nun and Cardinal....

I can 100% say that Outsider was not the one who shouted "Taxi for Bentley". I was stood next to the guy who shouted it, I know who he is and he also does not post on here.

You owe Outsider an apology.....

The football was bad that day and people were frustrated and desperate to see us change the way we play.

least he had the balls to call out - most just b!tch on here

Well I looked behind me that day saw a load of drunk people in fancy dress having a go at Bentley and it looked as though it was him and I thought this even more as he kept going up n down the stairs with people chanting Jesus at him and seemed to be loving the attention. If it wasn't you outsider then sorry for calling you and idiot but the people you was with that day are the ones that need to get their act together slagging the manager off then singing his name 5 minutes later. I was sat there with a couple of friends I talked into coming that day and they said on the way out the ground I don't think I could sit with them lot every away game I feel sorry for some of the real supporters. I'm all up for making abit of noise and getting behind the team and haven't got a problem chanting things about the opposite team players or even the referee, but fans slagging the team/management off then singing their names in the same game need to sort their heads out !

[outsider]

OK ta.

I also think some of the chants are not needed, and have myself spoken to my lads who chant silly stuff, I am also guilty of this at times, But I do think it has a lot to do with getting caught up in the moment.

[Kendalshrimp]

OK ta.

I also think some of the chants are not needed, and have myself spoken to my lads who chant silly stuff, I am also guilty of this at times, But I do think it has a lot to do with getting caught up in the moment.

Fair enough I'd understand if we was in a relegation battle that day and getting tonked 3-0 but it was probably the result that day that set us up for our best finish under Jim, I know the performances haven't been great this season but we're still on course to go one better than last time round and with people slagging the manager off in games like that, it's also fans acting in that manner what can have an impact on other fans not coming back again just like the 2 lads I brought with me that day said they wouldn't be in a hurry to return because of the behaviour of some so let's just make as much noise possible in the right way and not slag the team/manager off, that's what this forum is for

[Pandashrimp]

It's sad but I am 100% in agreement with Sammy.

I have recently moved to Manchester so only made a few away games this year. Rochdale away in the JPT was one of the best nights i've experienced with Morecambe in recent years. Yes I know winning makes it easier but there was a great turnout of fans. A good mix of ages and good, positive songs being sung.

The resounding memory of Fleetwood away was the shameful Jihadi John and IRA chants.

York away was just embarrassing. Similar situation to Sammy.. took a mate who has not been in years, By half time we paid an extra pound to go in the stand just to get away from some of the cringeworthy shouts going on behind the goal! It's really sad as I completely get they are just getting behind the team. And I suppose better embarrassing shouts rather than the stuff I heard at Fleetwood but it is embarrassing. This club is as high as it's ever been but in some ways as low as ever.

I WILL continue to get to games whenever I can, I will always follow and support my team but I certainly am not filled with the same pride when I talk about the team as I used to be.

[chipbuns]

It was a different bunch to the idiots who have been banned who were there on Saturday and i think they go all the time. Fair play to them and I feel they could be schooled in the right kind of songs, but this weekend they were pretty bad. Singing "you're usless and f*****g s**t" to a team who were tonking us, doesn't exactly make us look like the most intelligent bunch really.

The "fooligan factory" lot who turned up at Fleetwood are the ones who seriously put me off. Singing about the IRA when they don't even understand any of it? Come on. The constant goading to opposite "school kid firms" is just plain cringe and they just run away if the opposite kids turn up for abit of hugging anyway. Keep them banned, it doesn't bring anything positive to the club.

Just learn a few basics. Make sure the songs actually make sense, they actually fit into the original lyrics, give them a bit of thought and hopefully it's positive to cheer the players/team on!

And for the love of God, no more songs using Pitbull.

[KenH]

The foul language is the main reason I don't go in the Omega anymore. Took my young son in it a few times, and was very embarrassed, so we won't be repeating that experience. Considering the club heavily promotes itself as being a family club and encourages children with free entry, etc., the language and behaviour is pretty disgusting and needs to be addressed.

[ShrimpStudent]

First post on here.
Been following Morecambe for the past 3 years since i moved up here to Lancaster uni, so me and a couple of friends from Uni decided to get behind the local team and now we get to most home games and a few aways from time to time.
The problem for me with our fans is they forget where Morecambe have come from and what is the realistic aim of the club.
From what I can gather the club is operating on one of, if not the smallest budget in the whole football league so survival will always be number one goal. I understand that everyone (myself included) would love to see the club have a real go at promotion and this seasons squad for me is the best the club has had since i started coming to the globe in September '13 so i'm quite surprised and disappointed by the current league position. As much as we would all love promotion you have to ask yourself would the club be able to survive financially in League 1 with the current attendances and sponsorship situation? Wages would rise and probably the length of contracts given would have to be longer i'd imagine to bring in a decent calibre of player, gate receipts probably wouldn't rise by a significant amount to make a massive difference to funding available, the club would then probably be relegated again and have players on league 1 contracts playing in league 2 which would more than likely cripple the club.

One last thing i have noticed with the fans of Morecambe is that quite often, particularly away games it is the younger lads, driven by the terrace wear hooligan culture who are doing all the derogatory singing and targeting opposition fans rather than getting behind the team. Tranmere away last season being the main one, the young lads are prepared to run their mouths off to opposing fans but run away when they actually get confronted (i am not for one minute condoning the behaviour of tranmere fans and i also think Kev Ellison had a lot to do with winding Tranmere fans up this game as well). The message being for the so called hard knocks - if you are going to talk the talk then be prepared to walk the walk, otherwise just go to get behind the lads and enjoy the football like the rest of us as football hooliganism went out of fashion in the 80's.

Apologies for quite a long first post but they were just a few of the things that sprung to mind whilst reading this post. Now hopefully we can all get behind the team tomorrow and get a much need 3 points to keep us within touching distance and give us a slight glimmer of hope for the play offs.

[Shrimpy]

Wages would rise and probably the length of contracts given would have to be longer i'd imagine to bring in a decent calibre of player, gate receipts probably wouldn't rise by a significant amount to make a massive difference to funding available, the club would then probably be relegated again and have players on league 1 contracts playing in league 2 which would more than likely cripple the club.

The only way this would happen would be if the club started spending recklessly beyond it's means. If we can't afford what a typical League 1 player commands in wages then we don't sign them. If that means that we have a squad full of players on League 2 type wages and get relegated then so be it, at least we wouldn't find ourselves in financial ruin.

I'm sure for example there are numerous players in non league that earn more money than plenty of our players do. What we spend on wages should be set by the money the club has available, not what division we play in.

[Keith]

First post on here.

Welcome on board!

I hoped those fans would quickly grow up but it would appear that is a desire that isn't happening They could & should be an asset to the club, not an embarrassment. We previously had a great reputation for friendly, albeit a bit daft, fans. The old guard would pass on the mantle to the new, youngsters, who would carry on a tradition to be proud of. Somehow, there has become a disconnect, where there are some idiots who think football 'support' is about abuse? Not sure what the answer is now?

As for the promotion/relegation argument, I remember the concern expressed by a then board member that being promoted to the Conference would be the death of the club as we wouldn't be able to afford wages and national travel. Then we had people express the same concerns regarding promotion to the Football League. The increased FA money, TV & sponsorship, as well as massive increases in away support would make it worthwhile. Also relegation 'parachute' money would help avoid a crash if relegated. We may even re-awaked support in the town too?

[George Dawes]

just a quick question for people to chew on

Football traditionally is suppose to be a working Mans games, and grounds do have sections of the ground for Families for that reason.

could you imagine taking little ones into the old Cop at Anfield, or Shed at Chelsea.

[Amnesia]

Me and a couple of lads stayed over after the game last night. We know a Northampton fan and it has become a bit of a tradition to do a stop over and a have a night out whenever we play each other.

A mate of mine came along who used to watch us years ago back when I was at school. He used to love it, he had some great times at CP, but as many do after they leave school interest is lost and other commitments get in the way. He's got a few kids and he's been mentioning for ages about bringing them down to Morecambe and I've been telling him about the free kids promotion etc and trying to talk him into coming down. Unfortunately he is a Man United fan and has been toying with the idea of taking them to Old Trafford or The Globe.

After yesterday I think we made that the decision for him.But it's not what you are thinking. Yes the performance was spineless, gutless and weak. They are just three of one thousand words that could be used to describe it. But it wasn't the performance that is going to stop him coming back. It's us lot, the fans. Do we have any normal fans left anymore or are they all hitting 100% on the weirdo-meter?

It has been a concern of mine for quite some time, but it is getting beyond a joke now. I know the lads mean well and fair play to them they go home and away every week, but it was cringe worthy stuff sitting in that away end yesterday and listening to some of the moronic drivel coming out of their mouths. The songs rarely have any relevance at all, what ever happened to the songs that got behind the team? We had to move away from them in the second half it was that bad.

Just a couple of examples:

- 'You're just a giant green dildo, a giant green dildo' (Sung to their keeper who was wearing an all green Northampton strip)
- 'They're here, they're there, they're every f***ing where, empty seats, empty seats' (The only empty seats in the whole ground were in the away end, the home end was almost a sell out)

There are many, many more idiotic examples, but I have gone on long enough.

We play at home Tuesday night apparently and for the first time since I started following the Shrimps I am genuinely considering on whether to go or not. I've had enough.

Of all the excuses stated on here recently not to come to the matches anymore, this takes the biscuit. For Christ's sake, ignore the idiots and support YOUR team!

Many years ago in the NPL/Unibond there was an old 'gentleman' from Sheffield that used to come to away matches and he relentlessly used to shout 'I hope you die in a car crash' to the opposing players!!

Now that's embarrassing

[RedRedWine]

I think there's a couple of different issues getting confused here with Sammys opening gambit:

The casual clobber clan - don't think Sammy is talking about them in this instance; but others are referring to them in replies - are a group of yoooooofs that are banned from home games and now only go to local away games. They were creating a good atmosphere at home games, but took it too far by chanting about the IRA and the pope and causing trouble before and after games.

A group of mainly young lads who get behind the club travelling near and far supporting the team, but can sometimes be a bit silly and chant random things which they find funny. I don't think anybody should discourage theses lads from supporting the club in their own way, because quite frankly we'd have no away fans otherwise! Its up to the older ones, or fans with more imaginative or appropriate songs to chirp up and perhaps give them a hand - but as mentioned this demographic seems to have stopped coming to home games, let alone aways.