HAMILTON -- For years they were known as the rudest and crudest fans in the CFL, and probably the loudest, at least per capita.

But Blue Bomber head coach Mike O'Shea says that tag may no longer belong to fans in the Steel City.

“I would challenge that,” O'Shea said as the Bombers arrived Saturday. “It would be interesting to see some Hamilton fans come out and see what they do in Winnipeg. Or what they do in a couple other western cities. Because it's pretty loud where we are, too.”

One of the reasons might be the switch from old Ivor Wynne Stadium to the more polished Tim Horton's Field.

“They've gone through some changes in terms of the type of fan and the type of experience that you get here in this stadium with (owner) Bob Young," O'Shea said. "But they're still rowdy.”

O'Shea's comments aren't likely to make things any quieter on Sunday, when the Bombers play their first game at the new facility, which opened last season.

In the past he's told stories of being pelted with batteries, money, even warm milk when he was a visiting player with the Argos.

It was all part of the experience at Ivor Wynne, which O'Shea says he'll miss.

“You always knew you were in a game. It was fun,” he said. “A lot of fun. To me, that's the way it should be.”