Mairangi Murray from the terraces!

How do you create an environment where passion and spirit can be allowed to develop and foster over time?

Whilst sat at the game at the weekend I witnessed something that I had never seen at Harbour to date. Some Passion! The kicking of a chair, the scream of 'Come on Harbour, your killing me here" and the proverbial stomp off to get beer in sheer disgust at the quality of what was on display. As I chuckled to myself - using that to hold back the suicidal thoughts I was having at watching such sh*t again - I surveyed the stadium.

Harbour Hill (soon to be named this) was alive with families who were enjoying a day out, getting from Harbour what they wanted and needed. Down at the front of the main stand, the lads who continually don the Harbour coloured overalls and wail and scream to support their team were there and then those who were there to support their team who sat back and encouraged and jeered when required.

It struck me there and then, maybe Harbour need to look at creating different areas of the ground for different types of fans. Almost like enclosures or sections for different sections of society.

Close your eyes and imagine:

• A family enclosure for the kids and those who are there to introduce the kids to the game whilst enjoying a nice civilised environment.
• A comfortable area for those who have age against them and a need for a softer chair and a warmer seat.
• A 'Welcome to Hell Section' for those who want to get tanked up on Speights and let themselves go from the stresses of the world outside. As Mac Daddy said, get back to the days of the cauldron type atmosphere when teams and fans took their lives in their hands to come to Harbour. I don't suggest that it needs to be like a Galatasary v Fernebache (Istanbul football derby game) where fans are dying on the terraces and flares go off like bombs in the stands, but at least an area where the fans can intimidate the opposition and give their team a 16th man.

Should we create that type of environment then maybe the team will feed off of it. Maybe they will enjoy the songs created by the 'Crazy corner' (who spent hours making up words to old tunes that we can all sing to), maybe they will accept that the sh*t they spoon fed us week on week this year is not good enough and take the banter that they get from the stands. Maybe the families will flock back, knowing that their kids have a good environment to play and watch. Maybe, just maybe, we can build and atmosphere "we love a party with a happy atmosphere" (sing along).

If Harbour are to bounce back on the pitch, maybe the union need to look at ways to help the fans bounce back for next year.

Where are Harbour's version of the bucket heads, the cow bells of Waikato, and the students of Dunedin screaming on Otago??

Lets try and get this show back on the road. A New coach, new brand of rugby, new players, new passion and new atmosphere = New Era at North Harbour!

I am looking forward to it already.

Mairangi Murray!