|
| ||
Ultras21.11.08
The Ultras movement, or simply Ultras, is the name given to organized supporters' groups for sports teams, mostly Europe and South American supporters of football teams. This fan sub-group appeared in Italy during the late 1960s when football teams reduced ticket prices on certain areas of the stadiums. Not to be confused with the British football firm and Casual cultures, although some of their supporting style is imitated. Although violent acts might occur, hooligan acts are more the exception than the norm. Common grounds Ultra groups are surprisingly homogeneous. They are usually organized by a core group , surrounded by smaller groups, formed by location, friends group or political stance. The material is also almost the same: standards , flags, both regular sized and large and banners, usually large, durable plastic fabric painted and decorated with the name and symbology of the group it belongs. Most groups also sell their own goods like scarves, hats and jackets, and their sale can go across borders for collectors or fans. Ultra culture The Ultra culture is a mix of several supporting styles, from the scarf-waving and chants of early English stadia, Brazilian Torcida and the original Italian style. An Ultra group can be composed from few dozens to hundreds, mixing several parts of the community, claim entire sectors of the stadium for themselves and get involved in the team rather more often than regular fans. Four points are the core of a ultra mentality: Never stop singing during the whole match, no matter the result; Never sit down during matches ; Follow as many games possible, regardless of costs or distances; Loyalty to the Curva . There are several recurring imported or pop culture icons used on banners. Alex DeLarge from Anthony Burgess' novel A Clockwork Orange A Clockwork Orange is one of the favourites, Uga, the logo of the University of Georgia Bulldogs Georgia Bulldogs American football team is also used by several groups across Europe in addition to corporate brand logos and catchphrases, whether real or mock-up. Probably the most important part is the called vocal support. Each group has several football chants, mostly to their team, others for players and staff and finally, some reserved for their rivals. With the melody taken mostly from popular music such as Guantanamera, some chants are copied from other groups and the names changed. Before big matches most groups prepare a big choreography to be displayed as the teams enter the field. Ranging in size as the financial capabilities of the groups allow, the giant choreographies can take from the complete top where the group is located to the complete stadium. Materials used range from small sheets of plastic or paper distributed by seat, either forming a pattern or just to colour the stadium , balloons, paper rolls, huge painted blankets, flares or smoke signal pots and even more recently, giant dolls . These choreographies are one of the finest displays of love to a club, since they can take up to months to plan, the days before the match to prepare and cost a small fortune to make, despite the ultimate risk of failure. There is also big animosity towards the so-called modern football. All-seater stadiums, games at Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays at late hours, unlike the traditional 3 o'clock Sunday match, more expensive tickets, fan-favourite players being sold like merchandise, replaced by players who don't "love the shirt" and the excessive commercialization of football are a common plea among Ultras. No al Calcio Moderno is a common phrase seen in Italian grounds, and spread across Europe. Fanzines play also a big part in the movement, and have a huge market inside communities. Usually A5 ISO 216, as professional printing costs decrease they have started to be of more professional quality than the crudely typewriter-duplicated or photocopied fanzines. Each group usually edits a fanzine with information on upcoming games, stories and news, and there are several generalistic publications, the most popular being the SuperTifo. Ultras - club relationship They usually have a representative who speaks with the club's bosses on a regular basis, mostly regarding ticket and seat allocation, and use of storage facilities. Some clubs provide the groups cheaper tickets, a warehouse to store material, access to the stadium before the match to prepare choreographies. Some of these relations are criticized by fans of the club, who can see the Ultras as nothing more than troublemakers who do the club more harm than good, or when a club has more than one group, some might not agree with favouritism given by the board to a group against another. There exists within the ultras fanblock a loose hierarchy. In most cases, a capo, or group leader, often using a megaphone, coordinates the various activities of the entire group, including chants, songs, and banner drops. Hooliganism Although Ultras groups can become violent, unlike hooligans most games go with no incidents or minor scuffles with the local police force. Unlike hooligans, Ultras follow to support their team rather than go head to head against locals. Another difference between Ultras and hooligans is that the hooligans like to be inconspicuous when they travel as to avoid detection by police, whereas Ultras are the opposite as they like to be more conspicuous when they travel and like to arrive en masse, which allows the police to keep a close eye on their movements. When trouble does break out it very much takes the form of a political riot similar to the ones in Italy in the 70's and the Carabinieri use the same tactics towards the Ultras as they did against political activists in the 70's. Politics Many Ultra groups are associated with political factions, rivalries appeared and alliances were forged just based on the political premises. While SS Lazio S.S. Lazio's Irriducibili and Real Madrid's Ultras Sur are known for more than occasionally displaying celtic crosses Celtic cross and swastikas, on the other hand there are groups like Livorno A.S. Livorno Calcio's Brigate Autonome Livornesi who show the Red Star, the Hammer and sickle Hammer and sickle, the Anarchist symbol Anarchist symbolism or flags of Che Guevara. Fans of Ajax Amsterdam frequently use the star of David and Israeli flags, to fire up the team, and regularly chant Joden!Joden!, dutch for Jews! Jews!. Some groups refuse to carry any political symbols on their material or allow their members to display them in the group's context. Knowing the "recruitment potential" of the groups' sectors, many extremist groups try to distribute propaganda. While this is accepted between politicized groups, in neutral/apolitical groups this can cost the extremists dearly, as it can be seen as an invasion, and thus elicit a violent reaction from the neutral group. Rivalries Fierce rivalries between football clubs and its Ultra groups can be found all over the world, though most of the big ones are located in Europe and South America. A lot of big rivalries are from Italy, where rivalries between Ultra groups, and up to some degree between cities in general, have a long tradition. While some happen mostly for animosity towards the opposite side, mostly in derbies , others exist mostly due to politics. However, it's also possible that rivalries fire up from isolated incidents. Some rivalries might also happen between groups of the same club, either by disputing the lead of the curva or when one of the groups is a splinter from the older groups. It is common for a firm to uphold a special grudge against another firm, their "arch-enemy", which normally dates back ages, to a time where the teams of these two firms had a particularly longlasting period of rivalry. Examples of these include Chelsea vs. Tottenham from England, or Rangers v Celtic from Scotland, or Brøndby vs. FC Copenhagen from Denmark. In Holland the rivalry between Feyenoord and Ajax ultras is often followed by fights between them, fights which are scheduled by phone and many times involving firearms. In Poland rivalry between two Kraków's clubs supporters Wisla and Cracovia is considered to be most famous, and is often very violent. Feuds between these "arch-rivals" will often prove more intense than normal, as the firms will often take an almost religious zeal to these particular fights, seeing these as the true proofs of their superiority. Rivalries often mean, at less, more offensive chants, phrases or banners towards the other groups themselves, while the fiercest rivalries often include physical confrontation and capture of "enemy" banners. Losing a banner to a rival group is considered a big humiliation. The group that loses the flag is sometimes disbanded as a last act of honour. Detractors Like any other organization, Ultra groups have their share of detractors. From the most simple, related to how they follow the game, never sitting during matches while displaying dozens of standards affecting the view of those sitting behind these groups, to more serious criticisms like theft from highway service stations, physical assault or intimidation of "regular" fans and even murder of other groups' members. In Spain, ultra is understood primarily as ultraderechista , while there are leftist and separatist supporter groups. The use of neo-Nazi symbols like spelling Ultras Sur with runic Sol (goddess)SS Schutzstaffel and violence against supporters of other clubs, including the murder of a Real Sociedad fan, has made Spanish authorities very concerned about ultra activities. List of groups This list include many groups not traditionally called ultras. The South American groups for example has not at all an "ultras style" to them. Albania: Tirana FAN-atics Argentina: La Doce Los Borrachos Del Tablón Australia: The Gate The Reds Army Marinators Blue & White Brigade The Squadron The Shed The Den The Northern Element The Cove Austria: Ultras Rapid Wien 1988 Verrückte Köpfe 91 Nordpol Innsbruck Brigata Graz Ultras Unione Bulldogs Fedayn Vikings Linz Inferno Kneipenterroristen Stahlfront Pyromanen Linz Blauhelme Superiors Supras '96 Belgium: Ultras Inferno Publik Hysterik Black White Storm Ultras Ultras Bryggja Drughi Genk Coal Boys Kustboys Ultras Wolf-Side Mauves army Brazil: Galoucura Gaviões da Fiel Mancha Verde Torcida Tricolor Independente Torcida Dragões da Real Young Flu Raça Rubro Negro Torcida Jovem Geral do Grêmio Leões da Fabulosa Os Fanaticos Mafia Azul Bulgaria: Sofia Zapad Blue Warriors Lauta Hools Neapolitani Trakia Front Canada: Ultras Montreal Ultra Serbs Southsiders U Sector Chile: La Garra Blanca Los de Abajo Los de Abajo Los Cruzados Colombia: Comandos Azules Distrito Capital Resistencia Norte Guardia Albi-Roja Sur Los Del Sur Frente Radical Verdiblanco Costa Rica: La Doce Ultra Morada Garra Herediana Croatia: Bad Blue Boys Torcida Split Armada Rijeka Demoni Cyprus: Orange fans Gate 9 Denmark: Rebellerne Aarhus. Academic Ultras Akademikos Fanatikos Odense Ultras Urban Crew Ecuador: Mafia Azul Grana Muerte Blanca Sur Oscura Boca del Pozo England: Heed Ultras Jorvik Reds Stanley Ultras ST Ultras Red Blue Army Ultras Whites Celt Clan Burnley Ultras Holmesdale Fanatics The T-Enders Stretford End Flags, Heaven's Devils The Mockney Mafia Thames Valley Casuals Frat Boys Hell's Saints Major firms: Arsenal: Gooners Aston Villa: Villa Youth, Steamers Barnsley: Inter-City Tykes, Five-O Birmingham City: Zulu Warriors Blackpool: BRS , Seaside Mafia, BTS Bolton Wanderers: Tonge Moor Slashers, Mongoose Cuckoo Boys, Billy Whiz Fan Club Bradford City: The Ointment Braford PA: The Strollers, PA Brighton and Hove Albion: Headhunters Bristol City: Inter-City Robins Burnley: Suicide Squad Cambridge United: Cambridge Casuals Cardiff City: Soul Firm Carlisle United: BCF Chelsea: Headhunters Chesterfield: CBS Darlington: Darlington Casuals, Bank Top 200, The Gaffa, The Under-5's, The Townies Derby County: DLF Doncaster Rovers: DDR Exeter City: Sly Crew, Greacian Spooners Fulham: Thames Valley Travellers, Cottage Traders, West London Symphonia, Epsilon Project Great Yarmouth Town: The Ultra Greats, The Bloated 1's Grimsby Town: CBP Hereford United: ICF Huddersfield Town: HYC Hull City: City Psychos, Tiger Front Leeds United: Service Crew, White-bhoys Leicester City: Baby Squad, MMA, Mathew and Marks Alliance, BIF Leyton Orient: Artful Dodgers, The Mockney Mafia Lincoln City: LTE Manchester City: Maine Line Service Crew, Guv'nors Manchester United: Inter-City Jibbers, Cockney Reds,The Men in Black Middlesbrough: Frontline Millwall: Bushwackers , The Treatment Newcastle United: Bender Crew, NME Northampton Town: NAA Nottingham Forest: Red Dogs, Naughty Forties, Trent End Boot Boys, Forest Executive Crew, The Loggers Oldham Athletic: Fine Young Casuals Oxford United: Warlords Peterborough United: PTC Plymouth Argyle: Central Element, Pilgrim Chiefs Portsmouth: 657 Crew Reading: Berkshire Boot Boys, Royal Arseholes Rotherham United: Rotherham Casuals Sheffield United: BBC Sheffield Wednesday: OCS Shrewsbury Town: EBF Slough Town: The Bombers, David Brent Crew Southampton: Inside Crew, The Uglies, Surburban Casuals Staines Town: Massive Stockport County: The Company, Hit Squad Stoke City: Naughty Forty Sunderland: Vauxies, Seaburn Casuals, Boss Lads, The Redskins Swansea City: Swansea Jacks, Jacks Army Tottenham Hotspur: Yiddos, N17s Tranmere Rovers: TSB , The Birkheads, TWC West Bromwich Albion: Section Five, Baggy Hoody Rude Boys West Ham United: ICF , Green Street Wolverhampton Wanderers: Subway Army, Bridge Boys Wrexham: Frontline, Sheepshagger Militia York City: YNS Finland: Sissiryhmä Sinikaarti Ultras Jokerit France: Orsi Ribelli Kop De La Butte Blue Angels Ultras Auxerre Bastia 1905 I Guerrieri Turchini Malherbe Normandy Kop 96 Red Tigers Kop Sang et Or Supras Libourne Dogues Virage Est Rijsel Spirit Merlus Ultras Bad Gones Lugdunum's Nucleo Generation Grenat Horda Frenetik Inferni Ultras Monaco Armata Ultra Butte Paillade Brigade Ultra Brigade Loire Brigade Sud Armada Rumpetata Collectif Embriagoun Gladiators Commando Ultras '84 South Winners Yankees OM West Fanatics Marseille Trop Puissant Dodger's Ultras Genabum Boulogne Boys Supras Auteuil Lutéce Falco Tigris Mystic Authentiks Puissance Paris Ultrem Kop Rouge et Blanc Joyriders Banda Ultra Ultra Boys 90 Kop Ciel et Blanc Magic Fans Green Angels Germany: Schickeria München The Unity Ultras Frankfurt Ultras Düsseldorf Ultras Duisburg Commando Cannstatt 97 Ultras Essen Ultras Nürnberg Suptras Rostock Ultras Dynamo Red Kaos Chosen Few HH Poptown Diablos Inferno Cottbus, Ultima Raka Wilde Horde Ultras Hannover Ultras MG Szene E Ultras Braunschweig Ultras GE Harlekins Berlin Natural Born Ultras Ultras Fürth Generation Luzifer Pfalz Inferno Frenetic Youth Phoenix Sons, Armata Fidelis Horda Azzuro Cosa Nostra Ulras Mannheim Filmstadtinferno Wuhlesyndikat Boys Bielefeld Ultras Bochum Blaue Bomber Ultras Chemnitz Saalefront Wismut Offensive Ultra` Sankt Pauli Inferno Lok Leipzig Ultras Leverkusen Ultra` Kollektiv Blue Generation Violet Crew Boys Saarbrücken Commando Ultra` Red Kaos Munichmaniacs 1996 Greece: Thyra 13 Thyra 7 Thyra 21 or Original 21 Thyra 10 Thyra 4 Thyra 3 Hungary: Ultra Viola Bulldogs Green Monsters Commandos Szívtiprók Ultras Debrecen Ireland: SRFC Ultras Commandos 84 Shed End Invincibles Briogáid Dearg Israel: Green Apes Ultras 96 Ultras Hapoel Italy: Boys Roma Ultras 1972 Fedayn Ultras Romani Ultras Roma Primavalle - San Lorenzo Tradizione Distinzione Giovinezza B.I.S.L Lady B.I.S.L Brigata De Falchi Offensiva Ultras Antichi Valori Orgoglio Romano Fronte Romano S.P.Q.R Hardcore Ultras Banda Noantri Ascoli Piceno Ultras Settembre Bianconero Arditi Warriors Drughi Arditi UTS 1976 Fossa dei Leoni Brigate Rossonere Commandos Tigre Brescia 1911 Curva Nord Irriducibili Boys S.A.N CUCS Roma Irish Clan Fedayn Ultras Tito Collettivo Autonomo Viola North Side Sconvolts Hooligans Teddy Boys Friulani Al Seguito Nord Kaos Desperados Vigilantes Sparuta Minoranza Japan: Black and Blue Korea: Grande Bleu Suhoshin Lithuania: Pietu IV Kaunas Ultras Pirmoji armada Rude Boys FCV Sektor Vakaru frontas Šiauliu fanai Macedonia: Majmuni Komiti Malta: White Warriors Ultras Mexico: La Adicción La Monumental La Rebel Libres y Lokos Tito Tepito La Irreverente Legion 1908 Montenegro: Varvari Netherlands: Varkens 410 Ultras Vak P Groningen Fanatics Brigata Tifosi Extreme Nieuw Noord Westside Ultras Legio Noviomagum Tifosi del Castello Ultras Mestreech Brigata Tifosi Vak 113 F3R Norway: Stabæk Inferno Gjettum Ultras Viking Ultras Ultras Nidaros Sønner av Kadda Unge Enga UFC - www.ultrasfeltc.com KGGsc Team Scooter Paraguay: Mafia Negra La Pandilla Ultrasur Comando La Plaza La Raza Peru: Comando Svr Trinchera Norte Poland: Nieznani Sprawcy Opravcy Wisl@cy '01 Torcida N@fciarze Ultras Lech '01 e-Widzew Ultras Arka Psycho Fans Orange City Boys '03 Elite Ultras Group Netforce Nabojka Mlode Wilki Fuoco Brigade '03 Ultras GieKSa Portugal: Juventude Leonina Torcida Verde Directivo Ultras XXI Super Dragões Colectivo 95 No Name Boys Diabos Vermelhos Insane Guys White Angels Panteras Negras Bracara Legion Red Boys Mancha Negra Fúria Azul South Side Boys Máfia Vermelha Tuff Boys Romania: Ultras Nuova Guardia Guardia Rosso-Nera Blue Lions FANS Russia: Fratria Reaktive United Front Scotland: Drum Beat Mafia The Green Brigade Red Ultras The Blue Order Major Scottish firms: Aberdeen: ASC Arbroath: Soccer Crew Celtic: Celtic Casuals Dunfirmline Athletic: CSS Heart of Midlothian: CSF , Hearts 'n' Bluds on Sleeves Hibernian: CCS , iRISH Brethren Montrose: No Casuals, Portland Bill Seaside Squad Motherwell: SS Glasgow Rangers: ICF St Johnstone: FCF St Mirren: Love Street Division Serbia: Grobari Delije United Force Red Firm Taurunum Boys Despoti Spain: Boixos Nois Frente Atlético Jove Elx Ultras Sur Orgullo Vikingo Biris Norte Ligallo Fondo Norte, Colectivo 1932 Ultra Yomus Riazor Blues Herri Norte Taldea Peña Mugika Supporters Gol Sur Brigadas Blanquiazules Celtarras Sweden: Hammarby Ultras Bara Bajare Söder Bröder Ultra Boys Ultras Nord Sol Invictus Ultras Göteborg Helsingborg Hardmongo Yellow Fanatics Borås Ultras Gulsvart Ultras Inferno Västerås Fanatics Peking Ultras Boys Norrköping Supras Malmö Inferno Malmö Boys Örebro Royals Örebro Fabriken Stockholm UCS Inferno Örgryte Gårdapojkarna Gefle Blue Boys Västra Läktaren Fedayn Aspudden Ultras Rossobianco Boltic Ultras Ultras AFF Turkey: Genç Fenerbahçeliler KFY Grup CK UNIFEB Çarsi AcademY ultrAslan Gecekondu Anti-x Alkaralar Yali KSK Çarsi Texas Tatangalar Hodri Meydan Nalçacililar Mekansizlar 07 Gençlik Sirinler Çilginlar 38 Kizilcikli-Ayder Nefer Yigidolar Tarzanlar Çamlik 57 Gençlik USA/Canada: Sam's Army Westside 109 Legion 1908 Triangle Soccer Fanatics Section 8 Chicago Centennial Firm Legion 04 V-Army Fort Knox La Barra Brava Screaming Eagles La Norte Fan Club United Inferno Texian Army Mystics Galaxians LA Riot Squad Ultimate Fan Organization Dark Clouds Midnight Riders Timbers Army Loyalists Jesters Rogue Cavaliers Brigade Empire Supporters Club Raging Bull Nation The Crew Morocco: Frimija-Winners Omega-Green boys Ultras Askari Ultras: List of groups: Brazil Guarda Popular Camisa 12 Super FICO new and emerging ultra groups are the Barnet Massive and enfeild curva. Source: Absolute Astronomy Tiger Woods - Jesus Walk4.10.08
It’s fun when you see major companies really begin to understand the nature and cultural ins ands outs of your particular subculture. Despite the fact that YouTube has grown over the last couple years and is a little large to be called a subculture, the majority of corporations out there wouldn’t know what to do or where to begin if they saw something with the potential to turn into negative publicity surface on YouTube. We’re starting to see more companies that do, though, and Electronic Arts is one we can add to the list. A user took some video screen capture of a glitch in the Tiger Woods golf title from EA showing how the ball could be played by walking over a water hazard and swinging as if the pond were dry land. The savvy folks at EA noticed the video, then produced and posted the following as a video response. Tiger Woods 09 - Walk on Water Tracking Twitter and running Google Alerts for negative press from the blogosphere and the general populace of the social media set is one thing, but if you want to live the Chinese cliche of turning danger into opportunity, this is the way to do it. EA has successfully navigated what could become a negative demerit amongst the hardcore fans of the game franchise into a widely talked about marketing move. It’s all about caring what your customers think and being smart about how you respond. All of us, myself included, can learn something here. Source: Mashable
|
||
Search |
Categories [+] |
Archives [+] |
Copyright © DataNull 2008-2020 All Rights Reserved | Template by Vasco Coelho | Best viewed with IE at 1024x768 Resolution | ||
