''Sing Wurzel, Sing''
Here's a small item of not so revolutionary thought for too many sat in the Atyeo "SUPPORT THE PLAYERS"! Ever thought that it may not benefit the likes of mini me that he just knows there will not be a collective groaning from the Atyeo as soon as his first pass goes astray. The lads and odd Laddettes in the Dolman G and Williams E do their part despite the fluorescent health and safety Nazis monitoring how loud they breathe. Sure Dolman G and Williams E are not exactly loud but they are giving it a go. It is always struck me that when the Atyeo does pipe up with the odd ironic "City till I die" it is never as loud as that sad collective outpouring of negativity which hangs around that stand. Come on boys give it a go you might even find it livens up your day.
Now what about the rest of us, how can we recreate a little of that eighties feeling without the flying Dolman seats and dark anger in fans minds. It seems blatantly apparent that any initiatives have to come from fans not the club to improve the atmosphere at Ashton Gate. The club have been approached and the response apart from red and white nights has been pretty enlightening. The club don't always quite understand the benefits a vibrant and noisy ground would bring BCFC. It will get better when we start winning they say, fans do not appreciate how loud Ashton Gate really is [ho ho!], the East End does not create atmosphere, why don't you all move to the Atyeo [where?], unreserved seating may appear in the new East End in ……. My Dog has been sick on the carpet and on it goes.
So red and white followers of Gods own it has to come from fans and maybe a few of the following might just create a bit more life at our comatose ground.
Do not even bother with EVERYWHERE WE GO" drones on and on till the line "WE LOVE TO DRINK AND WE LOVE TO FIGHT" of course sung by those who would have to wear incontinence pants at the thought of ever throwing a punch. We have our own songs and have no need for crap casts off from Chelsea's shed [oh yes it is!]. Whatever happened to Tom Thumb, dust it off, everybody knows the words at least and it annoys everybody except our fine selves.
DRINK FOR CITY there is something morally wrong with any fan who has not smashed back a few pints of cider pre match. Any good Doctor will reliably inform you cider loosens vocal cords.City have an anthem, it's synonymous with our club and it is not silver lining or that hairy Amarillo idiocy. You all know in your hearts that "drink up thy cider" is the Kiddie for all seasons. Let's belt the mother out then. Let's have a similar routine to England fans. At internationals the support sing God save the Queen not only before kick off but just after, just before half time, just after half time and just before full time. Why not the same with our own highly desirable ditty about cider & football? Lets extend it a bit by starting with the immortal "smell my fingers" leading into "we are the people" drop the crap "scumdiddlydeedee" line and instead start up the dulcet tones of "drink up thy cider for tonight we will merry be"…….. It can work and if "smell my fingers" is too much information for some or too un pc there is always theAtyeo.
"Sing"!
Drop the silly Anglo French stuff from Anfield along with the ring of fire lets get back to basics. Wurzel songs, blackbird, combine harvester and yes of course drink up thy cider all so more eminently suitable. What have the Gas got? Well a doleful dirge about a women with gonorrhea sang by some bloke not even from Bristol [America actually] called Fartus Leadbelly.
Bing back the ever so succinct "ONE TEAM IN BRISTOL" chant because the Gas need to be reminded of Bristol's natural order of centuries past.
Marigolds c'mon if nothing they create a feeling in the stand that we know Ciderheads do not take themselves too seriously and are anything but precious.
G block slow the songs down anybody over sixteen has not got the lung capacity to keep up.
Bring back that megaphone, it is just ideal to liven up those who are not taking part by screaming give me a "CCCCCC" into their middle ear.
Together fellow Ciderheads and Ciderettes we can smash the Gate like library ONE TWO, THREE……CHEER UP PAUL TROLLOPE, OH WHAT CAN IT BE, TO A SAD GASHEAD BASTARD AND A SH*T FOOTBALLL TEAM……………………
Editorial note - Written prior to the opening of the East End by faithless Blockheads but parts are still relevant.
Cidererheaded Factus maximus - John Cabot discovered America on board his Ship the Mathew which sailed from Bristol. On board the Mathew were hundreds of pounds of salted cod and dried biscuits, eight barrels of rum and sixty nine flagons of natch. IT IS A FACT!
City abroad Croatia V England [Zagreb]
