Some things are just so interesting, that you have to take a stab at it. No this doesnt refer to the kill spots on a pig/human as illustrated in the movie Gangs of New York, but rather about blogging.
I am a brand spanking new blogger, hoping to see what is so great about this trend among the internet. First let me introduce myself:
My name is Jon and I have been a member of the 1906 Ultras, for what seems like the beginning, but has really been for less than a year. I am born from Brazilian and Portuguese parents, so I naturally have a love for the beautiful game. I wish I could say I have been an Earthquakes fan since 1976, or 1996 for that matter. I was not pulled into the world of the Black & Blue (rather just Blue back then) until about 2002. Having the Quakes back last year made me extremely excited, but to find this group was that much more. The energy in section 101 is amazing, and that is way I am going to focus on most about on this blog…atmosphere.
Many don’t know or understand the Ultras movement. Many only see the violence in Italy and other European countries and the occasional swear word. They don’t see the passion and committment towards the team.
Ultras is a type of support that relies on the voices of its members and visuals (called ‘tifos’) to support their respective team. To follow suit exactly like how Italian or Romanian Ultras groups do is practically impossible in the United States, with its younger soccer history and higher security. However, the 1906 Ultras take the essence of the Ultras movement, being the most hardcore fan in the stadium and chanting our lungs out for our team, and do the best that we can.
Thanks for taking the time to read my first ever blog post. I’ll try and shorten it up and a bit more entertaining next time. Ciao
Gr8 post Jon! my 2 cents:
The Ultras are there to get behind the team for 90 mins by way of chants, tifos, banners, n the like and overall galvanise the fans/spectators in the stadium to get behind the team thereby having the effect of the 12th man on the field.
However as our numbers are relatively low; as a group we are often mis-interpreted and the fans en masse are unaware of the soccer-support-your-team culture, the 12th man effect is relative to our section and not as significant as a lot of stadia in Europe.
As they say, “Hope is the last to die” , so we believe that with our efforts and with time, more people will take notice and join the numbers to get behind the team for 90 minutes and be one of the most difficult away games for visiting teams in terms of the team on the field and atmosphere in the stadium.
Congrats on the blog, Jon! I look forward to reading it. I’m in section 110, just below where the away fans are this season. So far, it’s just me, my husband, and an unrelated family of four in the next row as vocal, regular supporters yelling our brains out. We really appreciate the Ultras’ spirit, (and the Casbah, too), to not feel so alone in our chanting! This year, I’ve committed to streaking my dyed-black hair w/blue for every match. AND to screaming for the full 90, no matter how much the uninitiated stare - they just don’t get it. Keep it up!!!
Oh, and LA sux.
Nice blog! Hi Juliana - I’m Chris, “Dad” in the family of four you mentioned. I want to make our section very noisy. There are a lot of good fans there, just quiet. Are you and your husband going to the game in Oakland this weekend?
@ Chris - Hi! missing the Quakes v Galaxatives at this very moment (came down w/a cold) Hope this 1-0 lead stays, or even grows… Might go to viewing party in Milpitas next week; see you at the next home game!