That's partly to do with the differences in the designs of the stadia and the relative fullness of the grounds though. When you had proportionately the same crowd (same number of people per seat of capacity) there was very little difference in atmosphere.

In other words, a small stadium near capacity is always going to have a better atmosphere than a large stadium with the same number of fans in it.

The Boulevard was intimidating for the opposition because it was an extremely unpleasant place to visit. It looked like it was going to fall down, the visitors changing rooms looked like it had never been repaired after the blitz and the visiting team had to run a gauntlet of hate when they came through the tunnel.

In the last 5 years of the Boulevard (1997-2002) the only games where the atmosphere was anything like what it had been before the old 3d was demolished were

1997 rovers in the league - first derby for 3 years, big away following
1998 Leeds and Bradford in the league - good away following, closely fought games
1999 NONE
2000 Wigan, cup game
2001 St Helens play offs
2002 NONE

5 games over 6 years. Is that what so many lament back to?

The Boulevards atmosphere was as flat as a pancake for the vast majority of games unless you were actually within the 3d standing, which the majority in the ground were not.

This myth needs to be put to bed once and for all.

Even when the end were so far from the pitch?

if the team are performing the KC is noisy...and crowds will naturally rise. Its hard to compare the Boulevard in the 80s when we were good to some of the drab games we've endured the last 2 seasons at home.

Yes.

The proximity of the side stands to the pitch, the tendency of the noise to travel more easily to other stands, and the close proximity of supporters all tends to add to the perceived atmosphere.

That does not mean that stadia like the KC are 'sterile' or incapable of generating a good atmosphere - it just means that you need more people to do it.

I salute you.
Remembering specific atmosphere over 6 years of football. A truly remarkable effort. You should contact Norris mcwherter

For some reason it seems a lot harder to get excited and make a lot of noise when you are sat down rather than stood up. I am sure there is some physiological reason for it! Same thing happened when Wembley changed to seats.

Also we used to stand around in Winter so singing and jumping around was a good way to keep warm!

Summer rugbys made you all quiet pansies!

The last game against New Zealand was a flat atmosphere was it? Was you on glue? For gods sake, the game against Batley where Chico went 90 yards was a better atmosphere than most are now. The game against Huddersfield when we sang at Schofield until he was beating his fists on the floor to our rapturous applause. Was that flat? The game against Sheffield that kept us up and we all ran onto the pitch and held the players aloft. Was that boring? These games aren't myths.

The Sheffield game was after the club trip to Blackpool as well was it not? What a weekend that was

Some people have over romantic memories. The Boulevard was generally a crap atmosphere except a small area in one stand. The KC is an better stadium by a long way.

Come off it.

kc is a great ground but it hasnt got the fear factor that the boulevard once had

Good.

Oh and if you mean on the rugby field, the only things the players were scared of where the facilities. The atmosphere was only scary if you were stood in the 3d stand.

It was a great ground in terms of history, it was a dump through in reality. To move with the times and get the crowds and atmospheres we have now, Hull FC had to move to a stadium like the KC.

Does anybody else think the flat atmosphere recently might have something to do with the Rugby been played?

In it's later years I agree the atmosphere was, on the whole, very poor. But during the late 70's and early 80's it was the most intimidating ground in rugby league, some of the toughest teams just turned to jelly when met by the wall of noise that was the threepenny stand. Sadly when the old stand was demolished the atmosphere that made the place so special went with it.

Totally agree.

How? Caravan Park is always full but their atmos is rubbish. Having said that it's still probably better than KC.

Pap.
As smallears says bring out Norris. And as raggy says, stay off the glue

Why? Its completely spot on. The atmosphere at Boulevard was one of the worst in the league, EXCEPT if you were in the 3d stand where it was generally very good.

Been watching Hull home and away for many years and I have to admit that the Bradford play off in 2006 is as good as anything I have experienced at any ground, Boulevard included.

Sorry but you are simply wrong.

Why is it that former players always harped on about the "magnificent" hull fans and the fact they could often be a 14th man? Cos it was a s4it atmosphere?
Just face facts that the KC, magnificent stadium as it is, is more often than not sterile

And yet the current players make the same comments regarding the fans and the atmosphere.

Agreed.

cliched media release #4?

falls right between "this is the hardest pre season ever" and "this is the club I dreamed of playing for when I was a kid and I want to win silverware here" (actuslly given Carvells recent comment that last one should be a few places higher).

Stating that the boulevard was the worst atmosphere in the league is one of the most ridiculous statements I have ever read.

Try visiting the Sin Bin.



I don't agree with that view of the atmosphere at The Boulevard personally. I also don't agree that it was always better than the atmosphere at the KC. I think that the truth, as usual, lies somewhere in between.

Atmosphere, or lack of it, can be a very individual thing. How you are feeling on the day, how the game plays out, whereabouts in the stadium you are, the type of stadium, the people nearby - these all play a factor.