Given the predicament that Leeds are in over the South Stand and after reading the discussion and ted comments on here I decided to do some of my own investigations as to whether the club should make the South Stand all seated or not. Bit of an Angela Powers style trip around the grounds, however not looking into useless items such as baby changing facilities, much more the atmosphere and appreciation of the supporters. This will continue on a weekly basis and score updated accordingly.

[uWeek 1: Wigan[/u

So after Friday nights bore and lack of atmosphere, I ventured down to the JJB yesterday to see what the supporters of Wigan could offer.
Well, the atmosphere before the game was electric, and the 14000 strong crowd gave their team all their support throughout the game. The Wakefield fans were in good numbers and were also vocal and added to the superb atmosphere at the JJB.

One thing I did note was the outstanding reception given to Wigan and GB legend Ian Lucas at half time when he was invited onto the pitch at half time to conduct the golden gamble draw. As opposed to the half time at Headingley Carnegie, where the South Stand was asked to sing Happy Birthday to Harry Jepson, Current Leeds President, a tireless worker for the club and the game, and Leeds legend, and all of 4 people sang, there was more noise from the North Stand than there was from the “Hardcore Barmy Army!” From my point of view, this was embarrassing, and I was embarrassed to know people in the South Stand that evening. Mr Jepson deserved a much better act of appreciation.

After the game, the Wigan supporters (those that were left) applauded the Wakefield team off after their outstanding efforts in extremely difficult conditions. A very nice show of respect and sportsmanship in my opinion, which is sometimes lacking in modern day sport and society. In this, our family orientated game, this should be applauded, well done Wigan fans.
Well enough of the arguments for this weeks edition, Round one goes to the all seated stand, as the JJB offered much greater sound amplification and atmosphere, as well as appreciation for their clubs’ legend.

South Stand 0 – All Seated Stadia 1

What did the pies taste like?

Good for Wigan

and when Wigan AFC want there pitch again Wigan Warriors will get kicked out again

Own Ground 1 Shared footy staduim 0

in my opinion, they contained around 20% too much beef connective tissue. Take that out, a dash of salt and a small dollop of heinz ketchup and this situation is resolved!

I am really glad you've brought this up. It was, as you say, a complete embarrassment. To call the effort of our "legendary" Southstanders half hearted would be a gross exaggeration.

The fabled atmosphere from the Southstand is a complete fallacy. Knock it down and replace it with an all seater stand so we can earn extra revenue and have decent corporate facilities.

Probably worth noting that in my experience you usually can't hear anything on the pA at half time in the South Stand, unless it's improved a lot. All you see is a few blokes stood near the North Stand with no idea who they are or why they're there or what you're supposed to do about it.

Might not have made a difference, but functional public address systems are not an exclusive perk of an all-seater stadium.

On a related note, the comparison you're drawing doesn't work as a judgement of all-seater vs standing stadia, if that was it's aim. The JJB is a shiny new ground, the South Stand is about 75 years old. A comparison with the Halliwell Jones would be fairer. Even then, much of your comaprison is actually of the attitudes of two groups of supporters, which you would have a hard time persuading me was largely a reflection on the physical attributes of the stadium.

What you're attempting is a nice idea, but a bit flawed in it's brief and methodology.

Very different views from the Wigan fans on cherryandwhite.

The BBC report also said they booed the team off at half time. Which doesn't sound like giving the team all their support. Or the BBC reporter lied, which is not impossible I suppose.

That's a very good point. I couldn't make it on Friday, but, in general, the people around me in the South Stand are usually left saying "what" whenever an announcement is made on the PA; its usuallly impossible to hear clearly what is being said.

What I don't get is every now an again it works fine, so I don't know what makes it so poor the rest of the time.

Never heard any announcement in the SS about singing happy birthday. If I had, I wouldn't have sung it.

well done for announcing yourself as a know nowt t!

I was in the south stand on friday and didn't hear the announcement either but that is not suprising as I was barely able to hear the soprano for all three songs prior to kick off.

You cannot compare the two types of stadia due to there difference in age. I have said for many years that Leeds fans sound louder, away at Wigan, than they do at home. This is due to the way the two roofs are designed. At Wigan and Warrington, even huddersfield, the roofs camber upwards allowing the sound to echo out. In the south stand the sound gets reverberated inside the low and double peaked roof. This makes it sound loud in the stand but nowhere else in the ground.

Loz was ill the other day, so the barmy army didn't have the same conducting skills!

I was amazed when I watched the rerun on the telly on Saturday that the atmosphere sounded quite loud. I sit in the Carnegie and could hear very very little from the southstand on Friday. The Welsh boys in the Carnegie were making more noise.

Although I do have to say, I never heard any mention about anybody's birthday on Friday or any singing from anywhere to do with a birthday. (although the PA in the Carnegie stand did not seem to be working properly on Friday)

Ditto.

Only heard Wigan fans once and that was when players came out

I wouldn't have thought the pie-eaters were that Liberal. Good on them.

I do hope you enjoyed singing happy birthday! Did it make you feel really good?

Harry Jepson - Hunslet to the core.

Not sure the comparison stands up as Leeds were only playing their round 3 fixture while Wigan are already playing their round 17.

what does singing happy birthday or applauding a retired GB palyer have to do with whether the stand is an all-seater or not?

Suppose now AP has moved on we need someone to troll the Leeds fans.

pi55 poor effort though!

Harry Jepson - Rugby League to the core.
Even in his late 80s walking to Oulton from his home in Rothwell to watch grass roots rugby.
He continues to contribute interesting, erudite articles to the matchday programme.
I was in the Carnegie Stand and I heard the announcemt that he was celebrating his 89th birthday.
I did not sing, I don't think those around me would thank me for inflicting that on them. I did, however, applaud.

I think if you are going to look at other stands and what would work for Leeds, you need to consider things like access for getting in and getting away from the stand, number of toilets, proximities of bars and food establishments etc.

Valid point. I mean at alot of these new lardy da stands, you can't even get a burger. I mean what the hell is going on? It's all pastry and tinned hot-dogs. New Stand = No Burgers = Unhappy BB.

OK

getting in and away = quick
number of toilets = a few
proximities of bars = close
food establishments = enough