Ultras

**Red Army** · 19/05/2008, 5:28 PM

I don't think the size of your group matters small groups have pulled off some great tifo in the past so I think Connor H's post about the size of your group is irrelevant. But there are a lot of lads in Ireland who are calling themselves ultras and don't really understand or have the mentality there is more to being ultra then just using a few flares and flags. It's more then that it's a way of life.

What I would say is and it's been pointed out already but this site wouldn't be the best place for advice on ultras. Just keep doing your thing in time you will gain the respect from those who matter there will always be people who are ignorant to the scene but their opinions don't really matter.

**bray boy** · 19/05/2008, 5:43 PM

11 lads from Bray,waving 6 flags,banging 3 drums and blowing 2 Air horns are NOT an ultras group

is that a joke? .......Either way size is irrelevent

Theres more to being an ultra then looking up wikipedia.

Agree with you 100%

there are a lot of lads in Ireland who are calling themselves ultras and don't really understand or have the mentality there is more to being ultra then just using a few flares and flags. It's more then that it's a way of life.

How come you think its not a way of life to us?

**Red Army** · 19/05/2008, 5:56 PM

I never said Bray

**Stevo Da Gull** · 19/05/2008, 7:24 PM

Originally Posted by Joey Killester

Theres more to being an ultra then looking up wikipedia.

I'm sorry, perhaps I should spend all day ringing around the leaders of Europe's elite ultras and asking their advice on the situation. I'm well aware that there is more to being an ultra than sitting in front of a computer

**Martinho II** · 19/05/2008, 9:06 PM

i know from section os experience that the club have bein on our back practically all season.. where we all got the problems was the athlone town match when a few young scuts from our side went behind the goal to taunt athlone fans. this also occurred at half time and after the match in the car park.. myself and a few of the older section o lads got severe hassle after the game from the club they were practically screamin in our faces.. they literally wanted section o to run section o which is stupid...

the only way i could do this was write a letter of complaint to the longford leader not only was it published but it was discussed at the board meetin and the club secretrary rang me apologised to me and a resolution was resolved... couldnt believe how nice the stewards were to us on sat night! section o dont have to run section o.. result!

**Seagull** · 19/05/2008, 9:11 PM

Originally Posted by Stevo Da Gull

I see what you're saying. As far as I'm concerned we are Na Fanaithe. Basically an independent supporters group who embrace many of the ultra's ideals - from wikipedia :

The four core points of the ultra mentality are:

* never stop singing or chanting during a match, no matter what the result
* never sit down during a match
* attend as many games as possible (home and away), regardless of cost or distance
* loyalty to the stand in which the group is located (also known as the Curva or Kop).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultras

The Carlisle Curva!
What's wrong with the obvious, talk to the club and find some middle ground- seeing the club as the enemy isn't getting anyone anywhere...

**HarpoJoyce** · 19/05/2008, 9:12 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

....... section o dont have to run section o.. result!

Martinho II you are a credit to how to support a football team and that maybe why younger fans are attracted to your side of the stadium.

But if you don't control the fans around you, especially if they are likely to listen to you. Who does and who should?

**Rovers1** · 19/05/2008, 10:32 PM

am i the only person who cringes at the word "Ultra"?

we recently set up Forza Rovers (www.forzarovers.tk), as far as im concerned, were the crowd in the Jinks that sings and waves flags,bangs drums etc...

With fines etc. for displays usin pyro, its hard for "Ultra groups" to thrive in this country.

**Da Real Rover** · 19/05/2008, 10:49 PM

We do what we can, a few flares now and again, a few smoke bombs etc.
But as Rovers1 said its hard to do anything proper when you have constant fines being fired out and the board constantly on their back (understandibly I might add).
Anyway do what you can, singing, support etc, and see where ya can go from there. If it grows all the better.

**Joey Killester** · 20/05/2008, 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by Rovers1

am i the only person who cringes at the word "Ultra"?

we recently set up Forza Rovers (www.forzarovers.tk), as far as im concerned, were the crowd in the Jinks that sings and waves flags,bangs drums etc...

With fines etc. for displays usin pyro, its hard for "Ultra groups" to thrive in this country.

Am I the only one who cringes at the name "Forza Rovers" as a name for a group? Also, an ultra group shouldnt have to rely on pyro for displays. Saying its hard to be an Ultra group in Ireland because of fines for pyro is incredibly ignorant. We have only used pyro once this season and that wasnt even for a display and we've had a display practically every match.

And as far as Na Fanithe calling thelselves ultras, I personally wouldnt call a group of lads who spray their hair green for matches ultras.

**Straightstory** · 20/05/2008, 9:12 AM

Even by the standards of stupid made-up Irish names, 'Na Fanaithe' is particularly embarrassing.
Saw the Bray lads at recent the Drogheda game. Made lots of noise and were pretty colourful. Didn't look as they were going to riot in the streets afterwards. Best of luck to them.

**superfrank** · 20/05/2008, 10:35 AM

There'll be a meeting at the club tonight between the SC and Na F�naithe. We'll see how it goes.

**osarusan** · 20/05/2008, 1:27 PM

Here's a bebo page I found from googling 'Na Fanaithe'.

http://secure.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=6216452643

I'm not suggesting that this page is representative of your ultras in any way, but doesn't create the greatest of impressions either.

Your sister is mother, your uncle is your brother, your fcuking one another, the rovers family

Them bohs, them bohs need herion, them bohs , them bohs need herion.

**Stevo Da Gull** · 20/05/2008, 1:46 PM

Originally Posted by osarusan

Here's a bebo page I found from googling 'Na Fanaithe'.

http://secure.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=6216452643

I'm not suggesting that this page is representative of your ultras in any way, but doesn't create the greatest of impressions either.

I'll mention that at the meeting tonight if no one else does

**HarpoJoyce** · 20/05/2008, 1:46 PM

Nice find,

Originally Posted by osarusan

Here's a bebo page I found.......

Did you share the Luv, Osarusan.

anther quote from the site
"Its not about knowing the history, knowing the team that played in the 1980 cup final,knowing last season stats thats makes you the best,
makes you a fan.....
Its about being their for your team,....

I heard that John Regan, or whoever, who scored a hattrick in that match is a Top Man.

**Paulie Bleecker** · 20/05/2008, 2:14 PM

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

My personal view is that supporters groups should avoid using the word 'ultra'.

Whether we like it or not, the word 'ultra' has developed clear associations with the problem of football hooliganism across Europe. To pretend that isn't so is niaive, as it would also be to think that the word can be 'saved' from this negative connotation by a handful of Irish football fans. It would be asking too much of human nature in general, and journalists in particular, to expect the wider world to be able to or to even want to differentiate between 'good' and 'bad' ultras. It's therefore just so much easier to avoid the name full-stop.

It's like the word 'Republican' in Ireland. I am a 'Republican' in the original sense of the word - in that I believe in constitutional democracy over any form of monarchy as the political structure of a state. In Ireland that word morphed firstly to describe those who support a United Ireland (you could have a British Republic without the Queen !), and then more lately to describe those who propose a militant path to securing that United Ireland. Hence - Unionists who would be happy without the monarchy are 'Republicans' in the original sense of the word, but not in its new meaning in Ireland. Words change meaning over time.

No doubt I'll get barracked for this, but it's my personal view on the word 'ultra'. The English and Irish languages are full of suitable words and names to call supporter groups. There is absolutely no need to use one that has clear associations with football hooliganism - even if it's to name a group that will have zero association with hooliganism itself.

Plus 'ultras' is a sh!t Euro-pop name that sounds daft in the English language, and refers to washing detergents in a non-footballing context.....

I came on here just to post that.

Calling yourself "Ultra's" immediately gives you a reputation that you don't want.

And it's just not good enough to say "well nobody has a clue what Ultra's are about" because that's not the point.

People don't have to educate themselves about your group. Alright, the Gardai should but you're more or less making their minds for them calling yourselves Ultra's.

It'd be like me setting up a group called the National Front then complaining about the negative associations.

In this instance it seems ye've been hard done by, but you really only have yourselves to blame.

**Rovers1** · 20/05/2008, 2:24 PM

Originally Posted by Joey Killester

Am I the only one who cringes at the name "Forza Rovers" as a name for a group? Also, an ultra group shouldnt have to rely on pyro for displays. Saying its hard to be an Ultra group in Ireland because of fines for pyro is incredibly ignorant. We have only used pyro once this season and that wasnt even for a display and we've had a display practically every match.

And as far as Na Fanithe calling thelselves ultras, I personally wouldnt call a group of lads who spray their hair green for matches ultras.

when i said its hard to to displays, i meant pyro pyro displays, fair enough, we can use our tifos.

but by the look of your signature, you look like you know all...
so ill keep quiet.

**dcfcsteve** · 20/05/2008, 2:43 PM

Originally Posted by joey4ireland

Ffs sake they shouldn't be harrassed just cause they are called ultras. If they cause trouble then yes they should be paid attention to by the authorities but they never did do anything so there should not be a problem with them

Its extremely niaive to think a football group can call itself 'ultras' without some people in the media and elsewhere associating them with the negative side of Ultra culture elsewhere in Europe.

It's just a lot easier to avoid the name, and then people won't be able to amke a lazy assumption about your group. Is the name 'ultra' that brilliant a title for a fan's group that it must be used regardless of the negative connotations it brings.....?

**Martinho II** · 20/05/2008, 2:47 PM

Originally Posted by HarpoJoyce

Martinho II you are a credit to how to support a football team and that maybe why younger fans are attracted to your side of the stadium.

But if you don't control the fans around you, especially if they are likely to listen to you. Who does and who should?

i discussed this with the secretary last week the club have a very good idea who the culprits are... they will have a quiet word with them as they come in from outside the ground and told in no uncertain terms that they will be not welcome again.. and a letter to be sent to their home address.. secretary didnt agree with us patrolling ourselves harpojoyce he said that stewards are the ones that have bein trained.. he did say do that if we notice anyone untoward immediately to go to a steward and they will take the necessary action against these individuals...

**Rovers1** · 20/05/2008, 2:58 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

i discussed this with the secretary last week the club have a very good idea who the culprits are... they will have a quiet word with them as they come in from outside the ground and told in no uncertain terms that they will be not welcome again.. and a letter to be sent to their home address.. secretary didnt agree with us patrolling ourselves harpojoyce he said that stewards are the ones that have bein trained.. he did say do that if we notice anyone untoward immediately to go to a steward and they will take the necessary action against these individuals...

i might be a bit behind here Marty, think you may have even told me yourself the last time SRIWFC was in Longford, but what happened exaclty?