Slow Hand Clapping

[HertfordBee]

I was recently reading a report by George Sands on a game at Griffin Park during John Docherty's time in charge in 1975/76. The report says that the crowd began to show their displeasure at the performance when the slow-hand-clap started in the second-half.

I can remember that happening quite often when I was a boy and in a strange way, I remember it being quite effective. No booing or verbal abuse... just all sides of the ground slow hand clapping.

I can't remember when crowds stopped doing it though. Or does it still happen in some places?

Anyone else remember that?

 

[Wise old Bee]

I was recently reading a report by George Sands on a game at Griffin Park during John Docherty's time in charge in 1975/76. The report says that the crowd began to show their displeasure at the performance when the slow-hand-clap started in the second-half.

I can remember that happening quite often when I was a boy and in a strange way, I remember it being quite effective. No booing or verbal abuse... just all sides of the ground slow hand clapping.

I can't remember when crowds stopped doing it though. Or does it still happen in some places?

Anyone else remember that?

It usually started on New Road iirc. Not sure when it died out but possibly in the 70s, probably pre-Dodgin.

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

Would get confused with that Icelandic thing these days and finish up full speed ahead.

 

[HertfordBee]

It usually started on New Road iirc. Not sure when it died out but possibly in the 70s, probably pre-Dodgin.

I used to stand on New Road back in the seventies so it's probably why I remember it so well!

 

[mhead bee]

I was recently reading a report by George Sands on a game at Griffin Park during John Docherty's time in charge in 1975/76. The report says that the crowd began to show their displeasure at the performance when the slow-hand-clap started in the second-half.

I can remember that happening quite often when I was a boy and in a strange way, I remember it being quite effective. No booing or verbal abuse... just all sides of the ground slow hand clapping.

I can't remember when crowds stopped doing it though. Or does it still happen in some places?

Anyone else remember that?

I remember it, I also remember the whole ground singing "what a load of rubbish".

 

[HertfordBee]

I remember it, I also remember the whole ground singing "what a load of rubbish".

... Frequently!!

 

[ruislip bee]

I remember it, I also remember the whole ground singing "what a load of rubbish".

Ah happy days......

 

[sonofabee]

I remember it, I also remember the whole ground singing "what a load of rubbish".

Early 70’s it was a frequent chant and the old moaners in the New road were so much happier when we were rubbish

 

[TW3Bee]

I remember someone in NR holding up a sign that just read OUT.
Can't remember who the manager was at the time.

 

[ruislip bee]

I remember someone in NR holding up a sign that just read OUT.
Can't remember who the manager was at the time.

It didn't really matter who......

 

[HertfordBee]

I remember someone in NR holding up a sign that just read OUT.
Can't remember who the manager was at the time.

I remember a New Road banner when John Docherty was manager, saying "Stop the Rot, Sack the Scot".

 

[Paul O'Brien]

I think it was when we had the (younger) Tom Finney around 1984 that the crowd started singing "We're so bad it's unbelievable". Nearly stopped going as a result of that reaction.

 

[seanrs]

I think it was when we had the (younger) Tom Finney around 1984 that the crowd started singing "We're so bad it's unbelievable". Nearly stopped going as a result of that reaction.

I remember that chant from home game against Bradford - one of Fred Callaghans last games in charge. Andy Rollings made his debut (and possibly only appearance) at centre back, Paddy Roche had just won player of the month and then let one in straight through his hands and Danis Salman played when he was no more than about 20-30% fit and was out paced by an aging Terry Yorath for the first goal. We lost 3-0 I think and we really were so bad it was unbelievable ?

 

[westwing]

Remember the slow hand clap throughout the 80's and 90's

 

[Nottsbee]

Early 70’s it was a frequent chant and the old moaners in the New road were so much happier when we were rubbish

They still are!

 

[8corner]

I remember someone in NR holding up a sign that just read OUT.
Can't remember who the manager was at the time.

That was probably our innovative investment in mobile signage - signing the exit. We do things differently at this club.

 

[simmo]

The good old boys standing in the NR in the 70s had seen us play at the top level pre WW2, so many thought that there was so much to moan about! The slow hand clapping and stamping of feet certainly was so loud you could not just ignore it, didn't seem to inspire our football at the time though

 

[ruislip bee]

The good old boys standing in the NR in the 70s had seen us play at the top level pre WW2, so many thought that there was so much to moan about! The slow hand clapping and stamping of feet certainly was so loud you could not just ignore it, didn't seem to inspire our football at the time though

That's a good point. My dad certainly had. Stamping of feet on the old wooden terracing in the back NR was quite effective.

 

[sonofabee]

That's a good point. My dad certainly had. Stamping of feet on the old wooden terracing in the back NR was quite effective.

It was noisy but can’t imagine how anyone thought it might inspire the players to do better.
New Road as a really young kid was an education late 60’s with blokes in their 50’s in long coats and lots of flat caps smoking and yelling abuse at our own players more or less from from start to finish with silence and anticipation when Ollie Mansley was on the ball.
Evening Standard man, Peanut seller, Rosette and Badge seller, Football League review with a paper programme, walking all the way around the ground, Royal Oak and a New Road that also went back far further than now. Jumpers for goalposts anyone but very happy memories.

 

[ruislip bee]

It was noisy but can’t imagine how anyone thought it might inspire the players to do better.
New Road as a really young kid was an education late 60’s with blokes in their 50’s in long coats and lots of flat caps smoking and yelling abuse at our own players more or less from from start to finish with silence and anticipation when Ollie Mansley was on the ball.
Evening Standard man, Peanut seller, Rosette and Badge seller, Football League review with a paper programme, walking all the way around the ground, Royal Oak and a New Road that also went back far further than now. Jumpers for goalposts anyone but very happy memories.

Indeed. Part of my education.

 

[BEEcool]

I'm a proponent of the slow hand clap still today, especially when an oppo player is milking treatment on the pitch. It's becoming increasingly difficult to get people to join in though.

 

[TW1Bee]

It was noisy but can’t imagine how anyone thought it might inspire the players to do better.
New Road as a really young kid was an education late 60’s with blokes in their 50’s in long coats and lots of flat caps smoking and yelling abuse at our own players more or less from from start to finish with silence and anticipation when Ollie Mansley was on the ball.
Evening Standard man, Peanut seller, Rosette and Badge seller, Football League review with a paper programme, walking all the way around the ground, Royal Oak and a New Road that also went back far further than now. Jumpers for goalposts anyone but very happy memories.

Not to forget standing on a box right doen the front to avoid wet feet from the moat that was always there. Ahh the memories. Shedding a tear already a year in advance.

 

[TW3Bee]

I remember a New Road banner when John Docherty was manager, saying "Stop the Rot, Sack the Scot".

Now seen at every Scotland game.

 

[JCMcBee]

Now seen at every Scotland game.

....mind you don't get the 'clap' making comments like that!

 

[Idaho Bee]

I'm a proponent of the slow hand clap still today, especially when an oppo player is milking treatment on the pitch. It's becoming increasingly difficult to get people to join in though.

Yep, that's what I remember. Slow hand clapping to let the referee and opposition know we weren't happy with the timewasting. Most effective it was too.