Question (from someone who started going in 95).. did the pitch feel smaller back then (with the smaller stands etc.) or did it not really feel any different? I realise this is subjective but interested in your thoughts @Jimmy viz. Was looking at your posts in the nostalgia section only yesterday, wouldve loved to have seen a match in the old ground.
I can't speak for others, but I've always felt that the pitch feels smaller now it's a lot more enclosed. A boxed in kind of feeling. When we had smaller stands and an open away end, it opened the place up and made it feel bigger. But I've moved too, so that could be part of it. In the 70s I stood in the Ponty facing the open end, and now I'm in the East Stand.
It did feel bigger, but more intimate in the stands as during big games you were sandwiched in like sardines. The pitch was also in much better condition because the old set up allowed much greater air flow. But looking back, it was all kinda primitive……
Yep..exactly same..ponty in 1970 now in Upper East..it did feel bigger back then as only the West had 2 levels, the view from the Ponty across to the kop away end looked like miles
“She” wasn’t beautiful but like some old girls she did smell of piss. The current East stand is no Natural History Museum but is a damn sight better than that old leaky, drafty edifice.
I used to love it there - first went in there as a nipper in the Iley out days and stood right at the front about half way between the 18 yard line and half way line at the end nearest the ponty. As I grew taller moved back onto the wooden terrace under cover usually around the edge of the centre circle. There was something magical appearing at the top of the steps for a night game and seeing the pitch all illuminated. And when Glavin got the ball and set off .....ah Memories
I’d probably echo what’s been said here that the pitch feels smaller and more enclosed now. It’s certainly much warmer and less windswept than it was. It had advantages and disadvantages but on balance it’s better now. If they out safe standing in I think it would help get the lost atmosphere back as that’s certainly got less and less after going all seater and filling the sides on would help as well
