Do we "Sing when we're winning" or has it "All Gone Quiet Over There?"

Despite coming away with a point from the last two games, there's been little need for the ear-plugs at Withdean lately.

But is the set-up at Withdean ever going to allow the volume to be turned up to truly acceptable - let alone ear-splitting - sound levels?

The creation of a so-called "Singing Section" in both North and South Stands seems to have had a perverse effect on those performers who opted for seats in those sections and I'm really not surprised. Despite sitting in the South Stand Singing Section myself.

As soon as people are neatly organised and told what they'll be doing and where there's every chance things will backfire. Fans don't automatically buy into every good idea that the management come up with and the singing section may turn out to be an idea that flopped.

In theory it's a very good idea to have a singing section. A separate section gathers together those members of the "Choral Society" known for their imaginative, if not always tuneful, renditions of classic numbers. And when there's lots of them, all quite literally singing from the same hymn sheet, the effect should be impressive.

A singing section also protects the ears of little ones from the dreadful and profane language presumed to accompany every song and chant. Put them up the other end of the South Stand and apparently, it'll be like a tea party at the vicarage in B Block.

I can understand parents wanting some sort of moderation language-wise even though, by junior school age, children can usually out-cuss their parents. Having to sit in front of someone whose only descriptive words are few, four-letter and unprintable here is a pain and I've been there.

But the bloke in question was never heard to "sing" a note and there are no guarantees that putting the singers together necessarily takes the swearers with them. If it's unsuitable for B Block, is serious effing and blinding automatically acceptable in H Block? Not if you read the rules on the back of your ticket it isn't.

Other people like to watch games with a tartan rug and matching tartan flask stored handily in the way of anyone trying to get to and from their seat. They almost always tend to be the most intolerant. Of everything. They love a good grizzle and the demise of the Goldstone's West Stand has left them rootless, forcing them to infect areas of Withdean like an irregular rash.

A season with this cheery bunch persuaded many to opt for the singing section. As much as anything to be able to enjoy a game rather than sing themselves silly.

As for the North Stand singing section, with the exception of those divas who warbled away on the cult classic CD "Thatz Zamora" the best they can do is pop up with "We're the North Stand..." every now and again, but awesome isn't the adjective I'd use to describe their impact.

Somehow, singing comes naturally at most away games. It may be because of the roof over our heads. A roof guaranteed in these heady Division One days. Or it may be the camaraderie and travelling spirit. But the really notable feature of away games is the lack of segregation between singing and non-singing Albion fans.

We didn't need to be categorised at the Goldstone. The "Grizzling Section" knew exactly where they stood - or rather sat - and the old North Stand never fell into anything remotely categorical.

Of course Withdean is a very different place but people have a way of overcoming differences and I think all this "official" singing undermines the experience for everyone, singers and non-singers. It also makes you feel seriously guilty about going home with any any sort of voice left, tuneless or otherwise!

Roz South edits Brighton Rockz fanzine. Email roz@southspark.co.uk