I am a ST holder but wasn't at the game on Saturday. My nephew bought tickets for Bath RUFC v Northampton at a charity auction and invited his Dad and his two uncles to go. Ordinarily I would've said no because of our game but as others have said in recent weeks, I've been finding it more difficult to get excited about going and so it made it easier for me to say yes to this invitation (we also stayed overnight in Bath so that we could have a drink). I've been to Twickenham a few times but never to a RU Premiership game. But in my view there is a massive amount that football could and should learn from Rugby both on the pitch and off. Let me say first of all that the Recreation Ground isn't a brilliant stadium - it felt a bit like I was in a temporary prefab building, particularly underneath the stand. But here are a few things that struck me: - Rugby Union drinking culture is very different from football. Fans drink, including during the game and yet it remains a friendly,convivial atmosphere. I was surprised how many kids were there and whilst I'd have said it's not appropriate for drinking around kids in that way it really wasn't a problem. If anything those drinking were more friendly and supportive towards them. - It helps that the Rec is so close to the town centre but there was a great atmosphere in the town and the whole area of the ground in particular. - VAR is quick and visible to everyone and the referee explains their decision. - Physios etc come on to administer treatment whilst the game is going on. The game was only stopped once when there was a risk of the guy who was down getting trampled. There's no incentive to faking injury as a result. And there's certainly no diving. - Players warm up on the pitch when play is at the other end. I get that football is a bit quicker though and there's a risk subs encroach on play. Proper queueing systems that work for toilets and refreshments. These were manned and managed really well - despite the concourse being much smaller than at Oakwell. There were many more staff working than there are at Oakwell btw. At the bar at HT I 'd estimate 25 staff (some filling up pints, others just handing them over) which was the reason it was so quick. - Respect from the players towards the officials. Any disrespect is quickly dealt with. - Great application of the rules. Bath had a player sent off for a high tackle (after a VAR review). And Northampton had two players yellow carded late on. I do like the sin bin idea. All in all I really enjoyed the experience and would go again. We had phones out checking the score at Oakwell throughout and as you can imagine was happy with the decision I made.
The Rec may be more The Wreck but it’s a great place to watch rugby. Terrific atmosphere. Like watching top class rugby at your local rugby club. The huge tent behind the East Stand (the one that’s like a temporary stand with no roof) is a great place for a pre-match pint. And you’re right: footie and its players could learn a great deal.
Funnily enough I was only discussing the difference between football and Rugby Union on my way to the game on Saturday. I was at Twickenham a few years ago to watch Leicester v Northampton and the match experience inside and outside the ground, the way fans behaved in the local pubs and the way they mix inside the ground is the polar opposite of football. It was a fantastic experience but sadly the way some football fans behave it just wouldn't be possible for football to adopt a similar approach.
Went to MK the other year on some free tickets and got to say it was a great atmosphere inside and out the ground. What struck me was most of fans from both sides got on buses at a park and ride, got off and had to walk through a load of under road walkways, mingling with each other, no stewards or police in site. Same with Twickenham, parked at pub mile up the river, pub full of fans, all walked down side of river to match.
