This is a very short post to nail my colours to the mast, and say that I’m a fan of the clappers that Huddersfield Town have been putting out for every home game this season. I’ve seen a lot of snarky comments about them from both Town and opposition fans but I’ve not heard a convincing argument against them.
Typically they’re described as tinpot, embarrassing, or plastic. For anyone that’s sampled the atmosphere that’s been created at the John Smith’s Stadium this season, they know that there’s nothing fake about the enthusiasm from the stands, even if the decibel levels are increased with the help of a few thousand bits of folded cardboard.
Spine-tingling atmosphere on all four sides of the pitch
I understand that the clappers aren’t the only reason there’s a good amount of noise generated in the stadium on match days. In fact, they’re far from the main reason, but they do contribute in getting all four sides of the stadium participating.
I sit in the lower tier of what I call the Revell Ward stand. I’ve sat there for going on twenty years and I love my seat. However, before the last twelve months there’s been little to no atmosphere generated in this part of the stadium. It’s mostly old men grumbling and parents taking their young kids along.
The clappers are part of the cacophony that helps spread the atmosphere from its epicentre in the south stand to the more sedate bit that I sit in. Singing and clapping with your hands helps to get this going too, but the ability for every person in the stadium to make a racket is part of the reason why I think they’re effective.
Cold weather and gloves
Yesterday’s 2-0 victory over Brighton was the first time I used a clapper consistently throughout the game. Previously I’ve been able to create a decent amount of noise without much assistance. But yesterday was the first time I’ve worn gloves at a game this season and definitely won’t be the last.
Clapping with gloves on makes a muffled noise that doesn’t travel very far, like a old-lady falling over onto carpet in a distant room (I probably need to work on my similies). Using the cardboard clapper meant I could make plenty of noise and keep my fingers warm in the process.
Call me a wimp but this reason alone makes the clappers worthwhile to me.
Embed from Getty Images
Noise = success
The atmosphere inside the John Smith’s Stadium for home Premier League games is something to behold. If the clappers contribute even 5% to this noise then they’re money well spent. Imagine how many millions it costs to improve the playing squad, when a few thousand on something that makes many fans happy can also contribute to the team’s success.
OK, as I’ve said above, I know that clappers aren’t the reason Town are doing well in the Premier League right now. However, our home form is ridiculously good at the moment, and I’d strongly against doing anything that might change that. This includes getting rid of the clappers.
If you don’t like them, don’t use them
I think I might get a bit of stick for writing this article because a vocal minority of fans seem to be dead against clappers. My message to those people is to leave your clappers under your seat and let everyone else get on with their lives. There’s no pressure to use them if you don’t want.
Let other people enjoy themselves
I’ve seen plenty of people taking their clappers home with them as souvenirs, so for some they’re important mementoes of a special time in Town’s history. Personally I’ve no idea where people find space to store them, but I think it’s nice that they value something they’re given for free.
Contemplating wallpapering a wall with all the clappers the little lad has collected 😅🔵⚪️ #htafc pic.twitter.com/xfvhJb5hvg
— Mabel Bluebell (@MabelBluebell) July 8, 2017
I get a bit sick of grumpy people trying to tell other people the way they’re enjoying themselves is wrong. It’s just like the opposition fans that accuse us of going over the top with the celebrations when we win a game. They’re mostly doing it because they’re jealous.
Really well said…..can’t understand why you should receive any “stick” for posting this article but like you I feel sure you will.
I too used the flapper at the Brighton game for the very first time and for the very same reason you highlighted – because I was wearing gloves and felt I wasn’t contributing towards the ever usual extraordinary atmosphere. Many people around me use the clappers every match with incredible effect. I like to use my hands but each to their own is what I say….and whilst I don’t usually use the clappers for goodness sake please, please keep them!!!!!!!!!!!!