Arguing between hockey and soccer is an argument between a cult favourite and an international megastar. Sure, we here might like our hockey, but there's just no contest which way the average person will fall in that debate.
Besides, let's be honest here. Even most hockey fans won't watch a game unless they're invested in at least one of the teams or the game is otherwise of the absolute highest level, like an olympic or Stanley cup playoff game. Heck, considering how much the Stanley Cup Finals ratings vary, it's pretty obvious many NHL fans don't even watch that if their team is not playing. Let's not even talk about how popular an olympic game between two minor countries is.
In comparison, tons of people will tune in to a group stage match between South Korea and Ivory coast in the World Cup even if they don't watch the sport much otherwise. Or they'll take time to watch the Champions League final even if they don't know who's playing before they open the TV.
Arguing between hockey and soccer is an argument between a cult favourite and an international megastar. Sure, we here might like our hockey, but there's just no contest which way the average person will fall in that debate.
So calling soccer boring is inane and has nothing to do with fan culture.
As for whether or not you can manufacture a louder fan culture, I've seen it happen here in Finland, so I don't see why why it could not be done in Canada.
I like the idea but it would be difficult for it to gain traction here. It has to grow organically out of the local culture and you can't manufacture it.
This thread reminded me of a video I found of EHC Biel/Bienne fans's tribute to Reto Berra.
So calling soccer boring is inane and has nothing to do with fan culture.
If you're going to get defensive any time someone criticizes soccer for being boring, you probably shouldn't be reading any North American sports forums...
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As for whether or not you can manufacture a louder fan culture, I've seen it happen here in Finland, so I don't see why why it could not be done in Canada.
Clearly you've never been to Ottawa.
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Between the 10-15 guys I grew up playing Hockey and cheering for the Flames avidly with, I'd say we've collectively managed to attend less than 20 regular season games where we weren't in the nose bleeds.
I don't get this, you said you were avid Flames fans? Is it a money thing? Or you think you physically can't get tickets because 'corporations' have them all? Curious.
I think this is a great idea. All it would need to be is a section where fans are allowed (and expected) to be a little rowdier then the rest of the building. Standing and cheering are acceptable throughout the game and won't be met with annoyed looks.
The atmosphere of the whole building would be better. It would be much easier to start chants or cheers when you know you are sitting in a section of people that would join in with you.
I feel like you've posted this exact thing before word for word. Soccer is not boring, and you are wrong about everything else you say...hey look! I've just contributed something as useful as you did to this thread.
Soccer is boring, very boring.......
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Captain James P. DeCOSTE, CD, 18 Sep 1993
Corporal Jean-Marc H. BECHARD, 6 Aug 1993
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So calling soccer boring is inane and has nothing to do with fan culture.
As for whether or not you can manufacture a louder fan culture, I've seen it happen here in Finland, so I don't see why why it could not be done in Canada.
Just because soccer is popular does not mean it is any good.
The Biebs is popular as well........
I wonder if they should do a U of C only section?
There is a rugby team in Otago that has a Uni only section and it is a full on party every game.
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Captain James P. DeCOSTE, CD, 18 Sep 1993
Oh damn. Now that you've worded it that way, you have me convinced!
So anyway, how would any Calgarypuckers who think this is a good idea feel about emailing the Flames about doing something similar? Maybe a 10 game-pack worth? Which section would be ideal? I think that 2nd level Flames scoring zone would be ideal.
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"Correction, it's not your leg son. It's Liverpool's leg" - Shankly
Arguing between hockey and soccer is an argument between a cult favourite and an international megastar. Sure, we here might like our hockey, but there's just no contest which way the average person will fall in that debate.
Joe Satriani is a cult favourite.
Justin Bieber is an international megastar.
Justin Bieber is not a better musician or performer than Joe Satriani.
Just because the masses like something, does not mean it is better. It just means it has a better marketing machine behind it, and appeals to the lowest common denominator, which is typically the largest portion of it.
Hockey is the most popular religion in Canada and fans certainly hate their rivals. Look at the hatred for the Canucks and Oilers here.
This is Canada. There is nothing we are more passionate about than hockey.
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Originally Posted by pylon
Joe Satriani is a cult favourite.
Justin Bieber is an international megastar.
Justin Bieber is not a better musician or performer than Joe Satriani.
Just because the masses like something, does not mean it is better. It just means it has a better marketing machine behind it, and appeals to the lowest common denominator, which is typically the largest portion of it.
Uh, in Canada hockey is the sport that appeals to the lowest common denominator.
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Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
Uh, in Canada hockey is the sport that appeals to the lowest common denominator.
Uh, yeah, it kinda is. I am not embarrassed to say that. Hockey appeals to every denominator in Canada.
But at least it isn't a lowest common global denominator like soccer.
That's the best I can do.....I guess I walked into that one. Damn.
Either way, the gigantic mass appeal of soccer is heavily based in poverty. I am not saying that it is a bad thing. But there is not a country in the world that cannot afford 4 goalposts and a raggedy old ball. And that is the whole basis of the whole "Most popular sport on the planet." thing.
Soccer is not hugely popular because is it an exciting game. There are many other sports vastly more enjoyable to watch and participate in, that aren't named hockey. If singing, dancing, and rioting are what makes a great sport event, I guess you can count me out. I am more interested in what is going on in the field of play, rink, velodrome, track...whatever. Than some donkey 15 Guinesses deep pooping his pants, and throwing fireworks at other spectators and participants.
If singing, dancing, and rioting are what makes a great sport event, I guess you can count me out. I am more interested in what is going on in the field of play, rink, velodrome, track...whatever. Than some donkey 15 Guinesses deep pooping his pants, and throwing fireworks at other spectators and participants.
If intently focusing on the play on the ice/field is what it's all about, how is the live experience superiour to a well-produced televised experience?
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Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
I like the idea but it would be difficult for it to gain traction here. It has to grow organically out of the local culture and you can't manufacture it.
I think you can manufacture it to some extent.
I'm a Whitecaps season ticket holder and it's definitely manufactured here; but that grows as more people get into it, get familiar with the chants etc.
A lot of fans want to enjoy this sort of atmosphere, but it's hard to start a section like that or chants on your own. If the manufactured section is big enough to get it going, I think a lot of the general arena would join in too.
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Oh damn. Now that you've worded it that way, you have me convinced!
So anyway, how would any Calgarypuckers who think this is a good idea feel about emailing the Flames about doing something similar? Maybe a 10 game-pack worth? Which section would be ideal? I think that 2nd level Flames scoring zone would be ideal.
You just can't manufacture atmosphere. It has to be organic to sustain itself. I recall some posters on this site trying to develop chants and get them going at games. That failed. The Flames have brought in Super fans to try and drum up some excitement and it just comes off as contrived.
The problem is that the fans are just too damn conservative in North America for the most part. We are culturally programmed to conduct ourselves in certain ways. Doing the whole singing and chanting thing just doesn't appear to be in our fanatic DNA. We'll do it at church, but not at a hockey game.
Good on Ottawa for trying something like this, but I think they are going to find it is a waste of seats and money. I doubt a team with a big fan base can afford to take up that block of seats. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
