I posted about his in another article but felt it warranted its own thread... it makes me cringe every time i see or hear it as most football fans will rightly make the connection to the infamous Roma Ultras notorious hooligans that stab rival fans up the arse with knives etc. Our niaive board was encouraging it as they obviously failed to see the link and thought it would hype the atmosphere at games etc. I'm all for singing but whoever came up with the name could have only gotten it from the Roma connection and the last thing we need is for our youngsters to know about that sort of thing and think its cool or acceptable. with hooliganism on the agenda again who thinks this is a stupid name that should be changed? giving the danny fackin dyer burberry 14yr old hard man brigade a platform they don't need in my opinion.
The term 'Ultras' means more than just a group of Roma fans... "Ultras are a type of sports fans renowned for their fanatical support and elaborate displays. They are predominantly European followers of football teams. The behavioral tendency of ultras groups includes the use of flares (primarily in tifo choreography), vocal support in large groups and the displaying of banners at football stadiums, all of which are designed to create an atmosphere which encourages their own team and intimidates opposing players and supporters." From wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultras Now the article does mention the relationship between 'Ultras' and 'Hooligans'; "While ultras groups can become violent, the vast majority of matches go ahead with no violent incidents. Unlike hooligan firms, whose main aim is to fight fans of other clubs, the main focus of ultras is to support their own team.[13] Hooligans usually try to be inconspicuous when they travel; usually not wearing team colors, in order to avoid detection by the police. Ultras tend to be more conspicuous when they travel, proudly displaying their scarves and club colors while arriving en masse, which allows the police to keep a close eye on their movements. However, there appears to be a degree of crossover in some countries between ultras and hooligans. In Italy, when English club Middlesbrough played a match against AS Roma in March 2006, three Middlesbrough fans were stabbed in an attack that was blamed on Roma supporting ultras.[14]" I think it is one of those things were we shouldn't go changing names etc because a group of violent idiots use it. For one, i'm glad we have the 'Toon Ultras', and i'm happy in the knowledge that just because they share a name with some hooligans, it doesn't mean that they are, or will be. Now, 14 yr olds in Burberry on the other hand. That's a whole different kettle o' fish!
If I am honest I haven't heard of Toon Ultras much. I'm glad there is no songs with it in its name! I do agree with your concept though. All the 'chavs' will connect this to Roma and already know about hooliganism and 'how cool it is' from the ****e films of Greenstreet and Football Factory (I ****ing hate Greenstreet, its gash!)
jesus, i see what you mean but you wouldn't want to call your singing section the 'toon triple k' or the 'toon nazis' would you? our youngins may never aspire to be like that but it doesn't stop the name from being linked to something which is fundementally bad by most. I reckon if you asked most footy fans what they connected the term 'ultras' with would overwhelmingly make the connection to Roma hooligans rather than the nice wiki definition.
I call Godwin's Law! Aaanyway. I know what you're getting at, and it is true. The term Ultras has an association with hooligans. But it also has an association with supporters who love thier club and support it 'fanatically'. Now this could very possibly be true. And it is sad. The reason that this would be the case is because of the media, pure and simple. They'll happily report that 'The Ultras' acted like hooligans, but won't say a peep if they support thier team properly - Because that isn't good news (well, it is. But it's not a good news story...) In my opinion we shouldn't let terms by hijacked by 'bad people' and how the media report the news. The name Ultras is just a name. And an association through that name is meaningless *if* the groups are different. Personnally i associate 'Ultras' with good support, because of the toon fans. But I wouldn't want them to be called 'The Toon Nazi's', you're right there...
the toon ultras are mainly found in Level 7 and gallowgate/eaststand corner for cupgames due to the new seating arrangements the toon ultras will now most likely get split up seemingly the end is near anyways. However toon ultras were basically the defination from Wiki and 17-28year olds mainly
haha So because they are called The Toon Ultras. People will automatically think of hooliganism ? No offence, but get a grip mate!
