Offside Set

GweedsOSS · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 519 Location: Northcote

Philly asked on another thread the question that we all have to ask ourselves.

Is there an OSS? And frankly we all have to admit that really OSS as originally intended is no more. In fact can I say that it never was able to take off the ground, despite valiant attempts.

We tried hard but I think it was a case of 'we fought Telstra Dome and Telstra Dome won'. If we were able to establish ourselves in the 'South East Terrace' at Olympic Park then it would have been good, but the architecture of TD conspired againts us.

Also, ironically the success of Melbourne Victory has placed us in difficulty. More people wanted to go to the games but wanted to sit and be quiet making our 'striking on our own' difficult.

Now I will be honest here. I think that one of the main reasons why we were not able to organise ourselves was because we were not organised enough or our lifestyles are not conducive to being organised.

A special honourable mention has to go to CLM who attracted angry stares and looks from people who wanted to sit and she placed flags everywhere to stop them.

But if we are not there early, to claim our ground we either will have 'our areas' occupied, or we can't find each other.

Personally, especially on Sundays and Saturdays I can't be there hours earlier because I need to be at home doing stuff. And I am sure others have similar issues.

Even the established groups have issues about 'others' invading their patch.

I sensed that this year there isn't that sense of urgency about making OSS work anyway. Daydream, Rollins, Tropher (who I think has stopped posting here) CLM etc. seems to be happy to sit/stand wherever they feel confortable. And it is not a big deal being together anymore.

OK I can hear you say. So should we pronounce OSS dead and buried?

Well....not exactly. Because there is still some value in the beast.

Now I speak from the heart, personally but I really like everyone I have been watching football regularly with. I don't know what others think but it would be a shame if we are all in the same place watching the football and not meet together.

I think we should abandon the idea of OSS as a crew like BWB and all the other myriad of splinter crews and factions that seem to have occurred recently.

If people still value the idea of sitting/standing together for the football then we should be just that.

However if some of us want to belong to either the north end and the south end that is fine as well and we can meet up for a catch up at half time.

I think the only chance we have to be together is to meet somewhere outside the venue and walk together in the ground. Trying to meet ten minutes before kickoff at the ground is not going to work.

And if someone can't make it and has to watch the match at another place well, better luck next time.

What do you think?
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Philly09 · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 115

sounds good Gweeds, love your post Smile

Rollins · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 454

Thought OSS was already reduced to a meeting place for a group during the off season.
The fact that i don't have to turn up 1-2 hrs early to get into the home end has made the decision harder.
Want to sing for 90 mins so im happy to stand in either home end for now, will wait & see what happens with the so called 'muzzas'.

Daydream · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 663

As I said before, I hate the north end and am going to move back as close as I can to our old spot, I was happy there. I am also going to promote getting some kids together at half time out on the concourse for a 15 minute kickabout, so anyone who would like to join us, feel free. Bluedragon is bringing his little ones to the next home game, so there's 4 kids for a kickabout already....
I've started hanging out with Rob (not on any forum) and his son Rory (8yo, keeper) and some of their mates. Rob's great at getting chants going, he has a big loud voice and gets well stuck into people who don't "get behind your team, STAND UP!!!!"

GweedsOSS · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 519 Location: Northcote

Philly09 · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 115

i am still not sure were i will be standing (well more then likely i will be sitting) on the 28th
going to see if the kids want to get close to the fence for this game, as all the dads are away on their end of season trip, so it is up to the kids, for this game.

Daydream · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 663

Let's meet at half time for a kickabout on the concourse Philly, around the Wurundjeri Way side, behind Gold members?

Philly09 · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 115

Rollins · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 454

Even though im sure ive suggested this before, somewhere on l3 would be the best & now possibly the only option for a 50+ group containing families.

Daydream · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 663

Just started a thread on the darkside to see if anyone with kids wants to meet for an informal kickabout on the concourse at half time. We will be returning to the very first spot that OSS was at last season, so will be around the south end bit of the concourse, Gate 7 I suppose....

GweedsOSS · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 519 Location: Northcote

GweedsOSS · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 519 Location: Northcote

Rollins · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 454

Daydream · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 663

I went south end today, not where we used to be, but more over towards the big runway thingy (excuse me it's late and I've had a few).
DD jr. and I sat by ourselves and I HATED it, but there was HEAPS of room, and I STILL THINK, having sat in the north and sat in the south, although I haven't ventured up to level 3 yet, that our original spot is excellent. ESPECIALLY since we aren't attracting the same crowds to games as we used to, and YES, all given that are is a quiet spot, but I can see there are people who WANT to chant.....ARRRRGGGHHHH, I feel I'm trying to convince people, but, oh well. I'm going back there, and i'm going to continue to have kickabouts at half time (have met random strangers and invited them to bring their kids for kickabout at half time outside gate 7), so we'll see what happens.

Rollins · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 454

I was happy with l3 support tonight, for me the only downer is it's almost impossible to drink. my mate enjoyed the moshing etc.. will see what happens in future when/if others move up.

Philly09 · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 115

we ended up in the south end for this game and loved it. i think we have finally found our spot, loved the chants, loved that we do not feel like we should not be there (felt that way in the north end), also loved it that we are close to the away supporters.
kids loved chanting with people we do not know, they even started some chants, and had some of the guys laughing at them but also joining in Smile

they forgot to do the Danny chant, but i am sure they will have another chance to do it Rolling Eyes

Daydream · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 663

Told ya South end is the place to be!!!! I even hear on the grapevine that within the actual thick of the south end some people have been bringing their young ones. I've always had a soft spot for them fellas, was so nice to see them all again, i got lots of hugs.

GweedsOSS · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 519 Location: Northcote

Daydream · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 663

Well, is anyone interested at all in getting back to our old area? There' no need to save too many seats, especially if people want to stand, the kids always seem to end up running down to the fence anyway....and all the adults end up standing up the back.

CLMV · Joined: 14 Oct 2006 Posts: 654

For some reason, lately I have not been able to post in here, though I have been reading.

Philly - I was so convinced you were in the North End last game, it did not even occur to me to look for you in the south.
We had a large group in aisle 23, inc me and Gweeds and 12 others, and another 6 loosely connected a bit further down.

The South End was quiet, and we had no trouble getting a spot in the middle of it.

As far as any co-ordinated decisions about where we go - I think I am no longer in a position to promise anything.

My kids now have their own agenda - other people they want to meet up with etc - and I can no longer volunteer to go somewhere to meet any of you, and expect to have them come with me. Nor am I willing to leave them.

Also, our attempts to plan where to go never quite seem to work out, and we end up having to make a decision on the spot.

So I think the best I can manage for now is to say I am more than willing to SMS anyone who is looking for company, and let them know where we are.

That is likely to be in the south end, or on the edges of it.
The kids like to head down towards the fence, and I prefer to be able to stand where I can see the screen - so not right at the back - and not have to negotiate with others about standing. And I like to be able to chant without hearing the sound of my own voice.

I would prefer the north end - I prefer the music, I hate the sexism and homophobia of the south end, and I like flags. But we find it too hard to get a spot in the home end where we can meet up with the people we want to meet up with.
So I think we are likely to be going south most of this season.

GweedsOSS · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 519 Location: Northcote

Daydream · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 663

That's why we had our thing off to the side, far enough from the south end to do our own thing, and we could still do the banners and stuff. I don't think that the "south end" would have ANY ISSUE AT ALL with us doing banners and instruments and things, they never had before, they've been nothing but supportive, in fact everyone I've spoken to about the apparent demise of OSS has been GENUINELY surprised and sad to hear.

Buttttt, lets see what happens.....

Philly09 · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 115

hehehe it is so funny that we are all back in the south end, i know i know DD you can say it now (DD- "i told you so") Razz

hate it that we have to wait two weeks until a home game Crying or Very sad

CLMV · Joined: 14 Oct 2006 Posts: 654

I wouldn't describe where we have been the last couple of times as 'back in the south end'.

With OSS last year we were trying to stay out of the South End - ie we were at the southern end of the stadium, but consciously off to the side, so that we would be out of the South End, and therefore could choose to do different chants if we wished, and have flags etc.

The place I have been last couple of games is right in the 'South End' - British culture zone.

If someone manages to establish a flag-friendly standing area somewhere else, I'd give it a go.

But for the moment I have to run with showing up to the game a bit later than I intended, collecting all the various teenagers I am supposed to be supervising, and finding somewhere loud to be. And the South End is looking like the best bet.

Daydream · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 663

On other ooptions for hanging out/getting together, anyone interested in coming down to Kensington for the Saturday social kickabout, kids are welcome, just watch out for them near Rob.....

Also, I'm going to keep going with the half time kickabout outside Gate 7, once you go out the gate, turn right into the open space on the concourse. I will be there at EVERY half time for EVERY home game.