Should vuvuzelas get the red card?

nlnews@archant.co.uk
30 July 2010

WITH a a new Premier League season soon kicking off, Arsenal and Tottenham have become two of the first teams to ban the vuvuzela, with Arsenal officials saying they want to "ensure the enjoyment and safety of supporters on matchdays".

Yet while the sound of South Africa's World Cup will not be heard at the Emirates or White Hart Lane any time soon, the FA has announced it has no plans to ban the plastic trumpets from Wembley ahead of the Community Shield match between Chelsea and Manchester United on August 8.

But is the sound of the vuvuzela a tuneless drone, blighting matches and drowning out the fans, or does it help to create a lively atmosphere? Reporter TOM MARSHALL and photographer TONY GAY went to Archway find out what people of think.

HEATHER McKIBBIN, retired, of Hornsey Lane, Archway, said: "I don't think we should have them over here. It was fun in South Africa and they created a great atmosphere - but they should be kept there."

DAVE ADDISON, 60, of Caledonian Road, Islington, a lifelong Arsenal fan, said: "I'm glad they've been banned - don't you think all that noise spoiled the atmosphere? I just can't believe they're allowing them at Wembley - it's ridiculous!"

DOMINIC WHITE, 44, an actor, of Sunnyside Road, Archway, said: "Instead of enhancing the atmosphere they take it away. I'm a great believer in traditional singing and chanting - audience participation that's not just noise! During the World Cup countries lost their identity when all you could hear was that drone. And they make a bad game even worse!"

BRIAN ROCHE, 58, of Bovingdon Close, Archway, said: "They're OK as long as you're not next to them! It's a bit like the Mexican Wave - it shows the football must be boring. But I haven't been going to games since Don Howe was the Arsenal manager - he put me off football."

BILL BEIRNE, 53, who works in Archway Tower, said: "I'm not concerned either way - football's so expensive nowadays I don't get to many games. But I'm worried about them being used as a weapon more than the noise."

JASON BRADBROOK, 21, a maintenance worker in Archway Tower, said: "They're awful really. At the World Cup you couldn't hear the fans and I think it put off a lot of the players. Now the kids down my way have got hold of them. They're making a lot of noise I don't even know where they got them from!

COLLEEN MURPHY, 61, a civil servant, of Finsbury Park, said:

"They drive me crazy! I'm glad they've been banned. It's just a particularly annoying noise and the atmosphere at the Emirates is great as it is. It's maybe a bit quieter than Highbury but I still wouldn't want any vuvuzelas!