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.