Drums are a HUGE no-no then! How can Sunderland’s Stadium of Light atmosphere be improved?

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I am a season ticket holder at Ajax and they have one each side the ground, the atmosphere is 100% better with the drum.

But it isn’t banged continually and for no reason, it’s coordinated with chanting.

Damien Taylor

Despite the fact that the vast majority of replies were in opposition of the drum, there were a few replies that offered a positive take. Damien noted Ajax’s approach as an example to consider.

Don’t mind a bit of choreographic support for fan singing, it works many places. Has to be the right songs, and not duplicating other fan songs (there’s enough songs out there), but please no drums! Can’t abide the England band, should be arrested for crimes against music!

Christopher Welsh

Christopher argued the need for some kind of fresh approach to coordinating the fans’ vocalisations, but wasn’t keen on a drum.

NO WAY. I’ve been going to watch Sunderland for 55 years. Illness, death in the family - nothing would stop me. But this would. Couldn’t stand the incessant noise.

Pat Ross

Pat was adamant that a drum would be enough to put her off going to the match! A bold statement, echoed by other fans, too. Would you stop going if a drum was present?

We need better home performances to get the supporters singing, not a drum.

John Short

John also echoed a popular sentiment among the hundreds of responses we received for this article. He believes that the atmosphere will find its way back once home performances improve to a suitable standard.

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Twitter

It’s a fake atmosphere! A crowd should be spontaneous & react vocally to what happens on the pitch. The “Roker Drumroll” replacing the “Roker Roar”? Next it will be a Steel section! We need an intimidating atmosphere, not a pit band! Will be like Palace’s dreadful “Ultras”.

Alex Campbell (@Alexcampbell12)

Several replied suggested that a drum creates a faux atmosphere. Do you agree with Alex’s statement?

I think a drum works in a good atmosphere, but it doesn’t create one, it merely contributes.

At Celtic and other clubs who already have the atmosphere it works, on the flip side watching the likes of Reading or England, the drummer just highlights the lack of it.

Les (@LDNMackem)

Les offered an interesting point of view. Would a drum help generate an atmosphere, or could it perhaps highlight a lack of one?

Moving the away fans back to the lower tier is what’s needed for atmosphere.

Glen Anderson (@GlenAnderson_)

Glen’s opinion was another than was popular across social media. Moving the fans back into the lower section of the stadium could well help to generate a better atmosphere as both sides respond to the other’s proximity. Another suggestions that popped up several times was that of safe standing - could the club do well to consider both?

Officially now a miserable old fart & having experienced drums at other grounds I find them the most irritating thing imaginable. If the team doesn’t drive me to drink, a drum certainly would! Also find the England band intolerable when watching the games on TV & turn sound off!

Ann Coldwell (@ColdwellAnn)

Ann’s opinion was that of many others’. Simply put: drums are annoying. Agree?

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Roker Report Website

Err – rather than a drum I’ve thought for a few years that we need some new songs. The traditional ones are smashing, but singing the same 3 repetitively feels a bit monotonous sometimes – and can be a bit habitual and uninspiring. Think there is a need to come up with one or two new ditties each season. Have been struck at some matches by the catchy toe-tapping songs of other fan groups – we need imagination beyond the (hum)drum – just saying.

Humble1

Humble and James (below) acknowledge that the atmosphere inside the ground could certainly change for the better. Do we need a concerted effort to improve our atmosphere in the SoL?

I’ve sat at the back of U37 in the centre of the Roker End for 5 years now, and to be fair there is a massive issue.

Songs are sung disparately, and never in unison. Not for a lack of effort, there is simply far too much fragmentation emanating from U14 by the family zone over to the SWC.

I think a drum would solve this immeasurably, but so would another number of factors. Bringing the away fans down (as competition naturally breeds competition) into the SEC, moving the family zone to the North Stand, filtering out fans who do not contribute, and so on.

Work needs done, but we are going in the right direction.

James Nickels

On the other hand, Paul doesn’t really agree. He thinks a drummer would actually hurt the atmosphere in the Roker End. Could a drum elsewhere in the ground be a decent idea then? Or should we simply move on?

As I said yesterday there is nothing wrong with the atmosphere in the Roker end; therefore, why would you introduce an annoying drummer to disrupt that?

If there is a massive support for this stick it in the north stand to improve that atmosphere. But I still say no drums anywhere.

Paul1973