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Author Topic: Being the 16th player  (Read 480 times)

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guest694

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Being the 16th player
« on: Saturday 04-Jan-2020, 21:09* »
I thoroughly enjoyed the Big Game last week. Despite the result and the impact on my wallet it was a great day and my first Big Game experience.
However, I was more than a little surprised at how quiet ‘we’ Quins were given the attendance.
It was also noticeable how the usual battle cry of ‘Harlequins! clap-clap-clap’ was lost without the assistance of the aluminium stands to amplify the stomping.
The famous Klaus Voormann flute rallying call seemed to get lost before it developed momentum and it isn’t sung without prompting.
I did my best to try to build a bit of atmos with the more technically difficult ‘COME OOOOON YOU QUIIINNNS’ but I felt like the people around me didn’t know the words.

I don’t want us hurling abuse or snarling obscenities. I enjoy a jovial and respectable atmosphere that is distinct from the neanderthal soccer terraces, but surely there’s something else we can do to be the 16th man even if only to keep warm!

Comet

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Re: Being the 16th player
« Reply #1 on: Saturday 04-Jan-2020, 21:36* »
Yes, it isn't the Stoop! The calls began, as you said (and led) but were definitely diluted.

Oh well, we can practise against Clermont and then raise the roof against Sarries! The boys need a bit of love from us, for sure.
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gbrangers24

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Re: Being the 16th player
« Reply #2 on: Saturday 04-Jan-2020, 21:49* »
The games against Sarries are the only ones I feel we have a proper rocking atmosphere, otherwise feel it can be a bit flat. Doesn't take many Exeter fans to outdo us any time they visit, even if their chants and identity are complete nonsense in my opinion.

A222Quin

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Re: Being the 16th player
« Reply #3 on: Saturday 04-Jan-2020, 22:06* »
I feel it’s a bit chicken and egg. The atmosphere was better during the Deano/COS years. If the players give us something to cheer things can get noisy and in the Sarries game things often get going as mentioned. Over the past 3/4 years (aside from one or 2 games here and there) the performances just haven’t given the crowd much to cheer vociferously about. 

Personally I’m no fan of the flute. Usually precedes an overthrown line out or a free kick/scrum penalty against us.
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guest694

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Re: Being the 16th player
« Reply #4 on: Saturday 04-Jan-2020, 22:58* »
I feel it’s a bit chicken and egg. The atmosphere was better during the Deano/COS years. If the players give us something to cheer things can get noisy and in the Sarries game things often get going as mentioned. Over the past 3/4 years (aside from one or 2 games here and there) the performances just haven’t given the crowd much to cheer vociferously about. 

Personally I’m no fan of the flute. Usually precedes an overthrown line out or a free kick/scrum penalty against us.
Nothing raises a player more than chanting and singing their name. Nothing turns a team on more than a wall of sound.

I agree about the flute! It seems haphazard or an afterthought. We have a three line chorus, but it’s not an anthem is it. We can’t even be bothered to repeat it!
I grew up with a season ticket over the Hammers so I’m aware that my heritage isn’t necessarily congruent with those at fortress Stoop. However, a lively, jovial and animated crowd will always raise a game and even leave a smile on faces of fans regardless of the score.

You Shall Not Pass

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Re: Being the 16th player
« Reply #5 on: Saturday 04-Jan-2020, 23:12* »
I think the loudest I've heard us is singing the 'Harlequin Chop' when Exeter visit.
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guest694

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Re: Being the 16th player
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 05-Jan-2020, 00:24* »
I think the loudest I've heard us is singing the 'Harlequin Chop' when Exeter visit.
There’s not even any words and it’s better than we have!

Any player with four syllables goes into Guantanamera. - Cavubati, Kunatani, Ibitoye, you get the idea.
Any player name with three syllables goes into a variety of chants to the tunes of: Volare, Here We Go, The Banana Splits
Any two syllable name goes into an even more rousing chant to the tune of Amazing Grace.

Don’t we owe them that at least? (Forget yesterday)

For want of a better adjective, we don’t have a ‘gobby corner’ that can start them with some momentum like Glaws have the Shed. I bought seats in the south in the hope it was the lively end. I’d happily kick a few songs off but I suspect the Waitrose brigade in my immediate vicinity would choke on their foie gras.

A222Quin

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Re: Being the 16th player
« Reply #7 on: Sunday 05-Jan-2020, 07:25* »
Ah a fellow Hammer HFF. Why do we do it to ourselves? I was an ST holder over there for a few years and even that place changed IMO. There were still great occasions - Ipswich play off semi final springs to mind. The noisy corner in the Centenary/Trevor Brooking lower did grow up and started some noise in the latter seasons I was there!

I do feel that since I’ve had my ST (05/06 season) the atmosphere And crowd makeup has changed and with that the crowd has got quieter. Way more people treating it as a social occasion now. I remember games like the Stade drop goal game and various games against Leicester when they were the side to beat were rocking.

Recent years, not so much. We haven’t had a game like that in a while (Maybe that wasps champions cup game?) and in most cases there doesn’t seem a sense that the team are going to pull through and the crowd doesn’t get going. We seem to be a crowd that needs some encouragement!
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Quinky

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Re: Being the 16th player
« Reply #8 on: Sunday 05-Jan-2020, 09:15* »
Ah a fellow Hammer HFF.

There are a few of us on here... 😁
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