I attended the Yoof semi-final on Wednesday which was a very pleasant evening and three quid well spent. One really interesting aspect of the evening though was to see the remarkable feat by a group of about a dozen teenagers within a 9,000 crowd who actually managed to generate an atmosphere.

The stadium was open for about two thirds of the lower tier only. Plus the six or so people in Club class and a pretty full directors box. Tickets had a block number but no specific seat numbers were allocated so effectively you could sit where you liked or move where you liked.

Right at the back of a block in the corner of blue quadrant (the north-east corner) a smallish group of about a dozen kids initially made themselves heard. This grew throughout the match to about 250 or more as other like-minded teenagers joined them. They were what would have been regarded in the days of terracing as trainee North Bankers or Clock Enders.

It was quite a laugh watching this group grow and the stewards attempting to direct those enthusiastically joining them further down the terraces away from it's epicentre, I say terrace - you know what I mean though. It was a bit like the Old North Bank - Clock End days where you could roam at will and join up with your mates. Which is exactly what these kids did, they joined up with like-minded fans who wanted to make a noise and it worked very effectively.

English stadiums would all be far louder if such groups could develop naturally as they used to on the terraces. If atmosphere is of any importance to those in authority then standing sections would appear to be an essential aspect in that regard.

Clearly not all fans want to sit as if in a theatre whispering to the row in front in order to stop them eating their toffees too loudly. Even amongst those who have never known the joys of open terracing. One of the best things about attending Yoof games is the sheer enthusiasm generated by all the many youngsters attending. Squeaky 6-year-olds screaming 'Stand up if you hate Totnumb' on full throttle may shatter eardrums but are far more preferable than some moaning old fart slagging Bendtner or Denilson for 90 minutes. Teenagers enjoying themselves and letting off steam unaided by knives or guns is also a good thing.

Make a noise and they will come.