It’s guest blog time again and today we see the return of Samantha Palmer who tackles the thorny issue of drums at football, and whether one should be permitted inside Carrow Road.
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The hot topic among City supporters at the moment, away from the non-event of the transfer window, is the idea of introducing a drum into Carrow Road – specifically to the Barclay End.
So, the question is, will the team, fans and stadium benefit from this?
Many fans have been on social media have been raving about ‘the man with the drum’ and if you don’t know the story, one fan has been taking a drum to the away grounds that allow it, and the Y’Army has gone crazy over it.
It has boosted the atmosphere and chants and kept everyone excited throughout every minute of the game, and has brought fans together just like, in an ideal world, the game itself would. Having someone to drum to the rhythm of everyone’s favourite chants has made a massive improvement to most fans’ enjoyment of the game.
It’s been shown that it can increase the volume of supporters, especially so during City’s win at Vicarage Road. It kept the fans singing loudly and consistently throughout the match, keeping them behind the players for the whole 100+ minutes. The atmosphere was in part helped by a poor performance from Watford and Josh Sargent’s outstanding brace, but the drum played its part too.
So it’s clear it can help, but now it’s a case of getting one inside Carrow Road!
Many supporter groups are calling for one in the Lower Barclay, which clearly is the part of the grounds that has the best overall atmosphere (inhabitants of the Snake Pit may disagree – Ed).
Block E already sings with little or no encouragement, so having a drum in Block B or C could boost support in the right side of the Barclay and through into the Snake Pit. The general consensus is this will improve the fan experience, especially for those who are experiencing their first game, or can’t attend home games very often.
A boost to the volume aided by the drum could be just the thing needed to spur the players on to even greater heights over the upcoming eight ‘cup finals’. If the players are constantly feeling motivated and supported by the fans each game this can only be a good thing going forward as we enter the most vital stage of the season. A booming atmosphere could be just the thing the Canaries need for a positive result in the race for Premier League survival.
It’s evident that the players are behind this idea. Todd Cantwell said via Instagram – prior to his loan move to Bournemouth – that he would put a good word in, and it’s fair to assume other players are also supportive of the idea.
Having a hyped-up atmosphere will always motivate players to push for better results – Tim Krul is always motioning to fans to pick up the noise and get behind the team – and a loud home crowd can always serve to intimidate away players too, as well as drowning out the noise of away supporters and decreasing the motivation of the visitors.
I believe it is not too late to turn Carrow Road into a fortress this season, especially if we can have a roaring atmosphere from the second ‘On the Ball City’ ends and through to the final whistle.
A drum would be a fantastic addition to both home and away games alike and could improve both results and the general fan experience, especially for those new to Carrow Road.
Personally I’ve always loathed drums at grounds and have always viewed them as the preserve of stadiums with no atmosphere (e.g. Selhurst Park). I’m also not sure we can extrapolate player support based on one Instagram post.
I fear the tide of social media is against me however. Still, Its a no from me.
Hi Samantha
It’s a big old NO from me, I’m afraid.
I remember the large gentlemen drummers from both Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday respectively who used to really cack me off with their static marching bass drums when those clubs were in the PL and came to the Carra.
I’m in my early 60s and sit in the UB so I guess I wouldn’t be too affected by it and each to there own but I wouldn’t welcome it myself…
…unless we could reincarnate Keith Moon, John Bonham and Cozy Powell in which case I would listen with great interest.
Nice light-hearted read.
As I’m in the River End, I’m not too bothered, but I’d hate to have one just behind me (although that’s not possible, since I sit on the back row of the lower tier).
I’ll add Gene Krupa to Martins list, though.
Hi Jim
Dad was a wannabe drummer and a massive swing fan who moved on to jazz and he really rated Gene Krupa so I grew up listening to him quite a bit. Another guy Dad liked was Jerry Allison from Buddy Holly’s Crickets.
Being one of those dads who stayed in his own time musically the only drummer he liked from the prog era was Billy Cobham from Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Probably the only time he said *can I hear that again* rather than *turn that damn thing down – sorry Alice, it was appropriate.
Bang it baby love it always loved the sheff weds home game made for a better atmosphere even though the football was cac sometimes 😄
A big no from me too. I love to hear singing and chanting and wit and banter, but a monotonous banging for 90 minutes would drive me nuts. Whilst on the subject of noise, I don’t know if it is because we sit near the speakers but the volume blasting out pre match is almost painful and means you have to shout to have any kind of conversation with those around you. If they are doing it to crank up the atmosphere before the game could they reserve it for 5 minutes before kick off or something? Part of going to football is meeting up with those around you and having conversations and building camaraderie and for me that is being spoilt by the booming tannoy. What Todd Cantwell thinks is now irrelevant. If the players show fight, as they did at Watford, the fans will get behind them. We don’t need a drum in my opinion, we need passion and fight and quality on the pitch, which we have been getting.
Couldn’t agree more about the over-loud speakers. I sit near people I only see at Carrow Road, but we’ve been in the same seats for years, and it’s good to have a chat and catch up with them, but no chance with that noise (and the choice of “music” is pretty awful too).
A big no from me too….
And when did we ever recently get to the real and proper end of On The Ball City…..
After the Hurrah, there are words to indicate that we’ve scored a goal.
Rare this season I know, but they were written!!
O T B C
Continuous drumming would send me bananas, same with trumpets and horns. However several times during the game to get the singing going and lift things up a notch or two is fair enough.
I’d be a fan of the drum at Carrow Road as anything to boost the atmosphere and create an intimidating place to play for the away team has to be good thing but the club has just turned down the request for a drum.