The HF are a big loss to the club. For those saying the atmosphere was good before are talking BS. I had a season ticket near the front of block C for a few years in the early 2000’s around the time the HF started.
Prior to the HF, the back of block B would sing a little bit. No more than that. It was mostly ‘Eagles’, ‘Red n blue army’ and crap banter aimed at the away fans, who at the time were housed at the near end of the AW. The HF transformed things massively over time and have bought in tifo’s, passion, a constant din and numerous new chants, many of which have stuck (also many which never caught on).
The move to block E hasn’t really worked, but I understand the logic and intentions in moving to the middle, and under the roof to help spread the noise - like they have done so well at Wembley. I think the reality is that their forced move to displace other fans pissed off a few and backfired a bit.
I suspect (and hope) they come back as they make the Selhurst Park matchday a far better experience. My long term expectation has been that once the new stand opens, many of the quieter fans will move there for improved facilities which will free up space for the likeminded ‘singers’ to congregate in the middle of the lower tier/around the HF.
I’m one of those who loves singing for 90 minutes, but the usual outcome is that no one joins in, I become a nuisance and eventually lose my enthusiasm for it. I much prefer cup games as I can usually buy a ticket near the HF with other likeminded fans.
For those criticising them for not joining in with others - this is totalling inaccurate. Firstly, when you’re in the middle of it, you can’t hear what other parts of the stadium are singing. Secondly, the chap at the front with the megaphone actively tries to join in if he notices it - the reality is that by the time the HF join in, the chant has already finished because the typical English football fan can’t seem to chant for more then 20 seconds without a consistent drum beat to stick to - it just speeds up quickly and peters out.
I for one would love them back, but agree with others on here that they need to keep politics out. Whether you agree with them or not, it’s divisive. We should all just be united in supporting Palace.
England