"Very hostile atmosphere in Glasgow"

[Naelifts]

Thought this needed a thread of its own. Alex McLeods comment re the above being a reason for fans staying away from Old Firm fixtures is, to my mind, an anachronism. I have attended many matches in Glasgow throughout ICTs history ( hardly missed any probably) and have never found this to be the case. On the contrary, especially at Parkhead, the pre-match banter is excellent and hostelries are mostly very accommodating. Part of this is probably down to the fact that we are not seen as a threat to their lofty status ( the facts and figures may prove otherwise). The downsides for me are the way we are corralled into a corner, kept back after the game and overcharged for the privilege. But Rangers and Celtic both have fantastic stadiums and the fixtures have never lost their gloss for me. Getting one over these guys has you on a high for weeks. The animals can fight amongst themselves as much as they want...........it doesn't bother me........and they never have. My car has never been touched and, I am sure that, even if Mantis took his, it would remain likewise. Indeed, now I come to think of it, the only things that have been shouted at me after a game are "well done lads" or " you deserved that". It is a shame that our attendance has dwindled so much over the years............the team deserve a better support when they are down there. The quite pathetic levels attending now must be for a whole range of reasons. So what are they? Lets do a survey?

I can assure you that if you are staying away for fear of trouble then you are being misled.

Edited October 29, 2010 by Naelifts

[Iain]

A lot could be down to commiting to getting a ticket in advance. When you take into account postage on top of the over inflated ticket prices - it's bloody costly!

[MabawswaRichie]

I've always thought 'what are you on about?' when folk have said to me 'I never go to Parkhead/Ibrox, it's a horrible place and overall a horrible day out'. I really enjoy going there and have never seen/heard any trouble any time I've been there. They can sing all the rubbish they want - It isn't directed at me and I'm not offended by it as a result.

Outside the stadium before and after, none of the home fans even look twice at you and just bustle about like any other fans would outside their stadium. The stewards inside are quite lenient (not suprising with it being an OF stadium) and the catering is usually really good.

[SMEE]

Maybe its just because the OF fixtures have lost their appeal now that we pretty much play them each 3-4 times a season, for the last 5-6 seasons (bar one) as opposed to once in a blue moon in a cup game, as the overwhelming underdogs. You know the saying...familiarity breeds contempt!

[Charles Bannerman]

On the contrary, especially at Parkhead, the pre-match banter is excellent and hostelries are mostly very accommodating.

But, with the East End getting done up for the Commonwealth Games,the London Road Tavern, Springfield Vaults and Turnstiles might, with any luck, find their rather less than aesthetically appealing sites "redeveloped".

[Ronaldo]

I was in the clubdeck with my son a few seasons ago at ibrox and we stuck out like a sore thumb, especially when Dargo put us in front!

I had no problems that day, I think the Rangers fans around us were fine. I had some of them agreeing with me that the Dargo goal was a beauty.

[KingBeastie]

If I didn't have a band rehearsal I'd be there.

Although I do not agree that you never get any hassle, I know ICT fans who have been spat at outside ibrox. Myself, Govan Jaggie and Red Card had some manky, junkie skank try to start an argument/fight with us in the london rd tavern after the last (6-0) game at parkhead and I've had comments such as "where's yer f**kin super Caley go ballistic noo sheep shaggers?" walking away from parkhead.

But I'll probably keep going, like you said it's a great feeling when you win and it is a good day out despite all else.

[Granty24]

That post at parkhead is really annoying! I don't really class the OF games as important for us. Just a day out and any points gained is a huge bonus IMO

[Scotty]

I am sure Kirishima can testify that Parkhead is not always fun !!! Wrong place wrong time and walked into a fist if i remember correctly ... someone else in the same spot at the same time instead of him would have suffered the same fate as it was a random act of violence rather than a reaction to any provocation.

Having said that, I never had any bother the 2 or 3 times I went to parkhead (never been to Ibrox so cant comment).

[Bramble 5]

Can't travel down this weekend, but had been hoping to be there.

No trouble the last time we [family] went to Ibrox [iCT won again!], but we did take off our scarves before joining the long subway queue just in case.

The best one was after a midweek cup game at Parkhead [iCT narrowly lost] and afterwards 2 Glasgow polis motor cycle cops escorted our supporter buses up to the motorway, clearing the traffic along the way, and then at the last traffic lights, got off their bikes and saluted us as we passed.

Soooperb feeling!!

[Probably Highland bobbies, but even so.]

[Govan Jaggie]

Was there when someone got spat on at Iprix. We had taken a point and one person took offence to this. However the only real place I have had any real trouble was Ayr. Maybe I am bias but prefer Iprix to the Tattie Bowl. I will be there tomorrow with bells on loving every minute of it. Would love to have so many more ICT fans down. It is the small numbers that probably breed the intimidation. 100 people in a stadium with 50000 odd is a bit strange but hey, lets just sing and not give a dam.!

I think the small numbers are a reflection on the another away game fact. We will have the same numbers as we have at Dundee or Killie but we just dont get heard so well. These games should bring more but oh well.

Edited October 29, 2010 by Govan Jaggie

[DornochCaley]

Fans from outwith the Old Firm take this type of thing waaaay too far. The Rivalry between the two now is not even that violent. Yes, you get the odd ****** on both sides. More than you do for ICT because both have larger fanbases. But, because they have a few idiots does that mean we should be classed as racist due to some racism i hear at TCS?

No fan, of any club should ever start a fight with another fan. I get veeeerrry angry at oppisition fans but i would not start a fight. I do the same to them after all.

In regards to the "Wheres your super Caley now ya sheep shagging *******".... C'mon. We say things like that to County supporters all the time. Such as "Wheres your Scottish Cup gone now ya gypos". Football banter though i think the Old Firm to get things like this held against them at times. I bet this wouldn't both anyone as much if it was a Hibs fan that said something similar.

[KingBeastie]

The comment did not bother me at all DC, I merely added it in response to this part of the original post:

Indeed, now I come to think of it, the only things that have been shouted at me after a game are "well done lads" or " you deserved that".

[DornochCaley]

The comment did not bother me at all DC, I merely added it in response to this part of the original post:

Indeed, now I come to think of it, the only things that have been shouted at me after a game are "well done lads" or " you deserved that".

Oh, ok. Sorry about that

[Naelifts]

Spot on Roger. Ayr a good few years ago was the only confrontation I can remember. I have travelled in the subway from Ibrox after a victory. Sandwiched in with a zillion huns, wearing my scarf, and not a word said.

But anyway , back to Ayr..........a scuffle just before the bridge on the way out of the ground......could you put a date on that?

[Govan Jaggie]

Ours was last season. The 5-1 game in October. I am guessing yours was before that.

[CaleyD]

I wouldn't say hostile, but for the less savvy fans it can be a little intimidating due to the gulf in numbers between home and away fans.

Feb 8th 2000 probably did more to help me get over that feeling than any other game. Came out of the ground expecting problems/trouble, police/stewards were going to great lengths to keep fans segregated etc, but other than a couple of our own fans who got chased off for trying to noise up the Celtic fans, things couldn't have been more amicable.

It's probably one of the areas in which being such a "new" team benefits ICT. We don't suffer any hangovers with other teams from the days when organised casual/hooligan elements went looking for trouble. We've also gone about our business in the proper manner and earned a fair bit of respect for getting to where we are through (mostly) honest graft...compared to the likes of Livi who tried to buy success and who's fans had delusions of adequacy, and are widely disliked as a consequence of that.

[dan_ict]

I can remember in the 1-5 victory in Ayr, two guys snuck in to the caley end. They were kicked out having achieved nothing apart from embaresing themself's. Thats the only confrontaition ive had from 6 years watching caley home and away

[ictchris]

I kept pretty quiet walking back from Ibrox after the last time we beat them.

[TopSix]

I can remember in the 1-5 victory in Ayr, two guys snuck in to the caley end. They were kicked out having achieved nothing apart from embaresing themself's. Thats the only confrontaition ive had from 6 years watching caley home and away

I think I spoke to those 2 post-match. They seemed pretty hammered with the buckfast. In regard to the visit tomorrow, I'm filling my pants. Glassgow is one scary place - compared to genteel Edinburgh.

[alternative maryhill]

[ In regard to the visit tomorrow, I'm filling my pants. Glassgow is one scary place - compared to genteel Edinburgh.

Aye, but some people just attract trouble...

[Yngwie]

The nearest thing to a confrontation I can recall was on the mixed terraces of Alloa of all places, where a dozen or so of their skinheads were trying to provoke and intimidate our fans.

[TopSix]

I think the main factor for people not not attending games against the infirm is the fact that they get our hard earned dough. I really grudge giving either of them my money.

[PaderbornCaley]

Regarding Naelifts reason for starting this thread - I agree... it's not as bad as folk make it out to be. It's the opposite in fact. It's not just football. It's in every day life. I work in one of the most deprived areas of Glasgow (Easterhouse). I was warned about the 'dangers' of working there and the crime levels when I took the job. Some peope stay away from places like it. But reality is, it's not as bad as folk make out. This is very much the same with Ibrox, Parkhead etc.. it's almost like an hysteria. Folk in Easterhouse are shocked that i'm gong to Brechins Bar in Govan pre/post match and they think the area is a no go area!!! anyway sorry slightly off topic so.... TERRY and MO!!!

[Alex MacLeod]

Personally I've never had a problem with either but I do know many fans of other teams who will not go because they feel intimidated. Mostly at Ibrox when they have to walk by the buckie brigade.