With the curtain drawing shut on the 2021/22 Premier League season, plans are well underway for the next season. That means new season tickets, new shirts, new players and maybe a different mood within the seemingly depreciating King Power atmosphere. Everyone seems to have a view on how to improve the matchday experience on social media, so Foxes of Leicester thought we’d offer their thoughts on the atmosphere at Leicester City.
Leicester City’s issue
In 2014, after a 10-year Premier League absence, City returned with a voracious atmosphere that struck fear into opposition players. Eight seasons later (and a whole lot of stories in the bag) the mood appears to have turned: noise seems to be coming mainly from the away end, with murmurings of discontent and even boos coming from the foxes faithful. Fans are even turning on each other with some complaining about the lack of faithful involvement. Things need to change – and quick!
The singing section returns
Under close consultation with the club and some successful trial runs in European games, the singing section will return to SK1 for the whole of the 2022/23 season. This will mean some relocations for many that have called SK1 their second home over the past 2 decades and no doubt lead to some disgruntlement.
This is an initiative that has been driven by the hard-working people at Union FS. They maintain they are simply trying to improve the experience and atmosphere – which was once one of the most feared stadiums for visiting players and supporters. I’d love to see even more TIFO displays make a return to the LCFC fans as well.
No Safe Standing……yet
I was expecting that this returning section may have coincided with the club taking up the option of safe standing. This will not be the case and as only five clubs across the Premier League and Championship have taken up this trial with findings still being collated. But with the stadium expansion close to being greenlit by the local authorities, it would be a surprise if the club isn’t already factoring this into their future plans.
Are you a happy clapper?
Oh, clappers!! Not the bane of my life, but mainly the nightmare of my Twitter feed. Much of the Blue Army are absolutely obsessed that the clappers are the worse things created. Personally, I think they’re just taking all the opposition fans’ banter to heart and trying to display their ‘true fan nature’ in a misplaced fashion.
That being said, we have had clappers for a long time and they can’t be doing a great deal for our carbon footprint. Maybe the club should consider reducing them maybe to only certain sections of the ground. Maybe even make some hardwearing versions available from the club shop and give the supporters the option of having one or not. It would certainly be interesting to see how we make noise without them, seven years after they were first introduced.
The silent supporters
In defence of the clappers, they were initially introduced to turn up the volume a notch as the club looked certain for a deflating immediate return to the championship in 2015. This was because there is a fair share of Leicester City fans who only want to watch the game and not really get involved.
That’s not really a dig, but especially the older generation of fans (who I happen to sit near -some lovely people!), but they just don’t have the energy to be up singing all game. So the clappers were a happy medium, helping them to make noise and be involved. Likewise, the young kids who are still finding their way into football matches needed a push to make some noise.
But to the ones with plenty of energy and years on their side, who have no interest in singing or making noise, what exactly are you adding to the atmosphere? Do you only have energy for booing and criticising players you don’t like? I’m sure many have good reasons for not getting involved, but we need the crowd behind those players if we want them to get results.
This is likely where a feeling of a lack of togetherness comes from, we need to encourage each other to get involved and not be too harsh if some don’t. But if you can, turn up the volume!
Get the music right
Although purists would argue that music spoils games, the facts are that its been around for decades and enhances atmospheres. Just go to Anfield or Celtic Park to hear how much a famous song can get fans up for a game. But LCFC has lost a bit of its identity over the years. The rousing video display before the game certainly helps, but a great tune is needed to accompany it.
Jersey Budd’s rendition of “When you’re smiling” is a step in the right direction, but with no words on the big screen you’re going to struggle to get many fans to sing along. Also the old fan version of the song was normally followed by a chimed chorus of ‘We’re Leicester’ sandwiched between several claps. The club needs to help the fans get this back underway.
Also as much as I enjoy Kungs “This Girl”, I feel it might have run its course, but I’m sure many would disagree. Kasabian still has plenty of amazing songs in their back catalog and I’m sure they wouldn’t mind hearing more of their songs being played before a game and after a victory. May I suggest that we keep local music in the mix and promote as much as we can
Before a game – “Underdog” by Kasabian
After a goal – “Fire” by Kasabian (the trimmed version we used to play)
After a victory – “LSF” by Kasabian
Give us some help guys
The above is all well and good but if the players aren’t making much happen on the pitch then any atmosphere is going to struggle to get going. It’s a two-way thing guys! So less of the ponderous football and more of the high pressing, quick passing and attacking and you’ll get that support right behind you.
Additionally, Brendan Rodgers might want to try and ingratiate himself to the supporters a little bit more as well. He doesn’t have to give Jurgen Klopp fist pumps or Claudio Ranieri-style screams to the crowd to get involved, but he needs to be more present and not so passive. Next season will be huge and we’ll all need to work hard to make those little differences for City where we can.