I decided to open this thread right here so I don't have to ruin other fan groups threads. Who we are? We are still on the way of establishment! As of right now we only have a facebook page which can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ultra...Ultra-Salt-Lake/117360508281185?v=wall&ref=ts Our Goal? To unify "Ultra" orientated fan groups under one banner to increase atmosphere without the majority of using drums. Where we will be? This is still in discussion! We would like to join with other fan groups and leave into Section 206 (upper deck). We do know about the complicated situation with the FO (Front Office) and other fan groups. So the section is still to be decided. Why now? Don't we have enough fan groups? After the Seattle game it become obvious that our fan scene is lacking! The loudest we have are our Lations. Respect to that but we don't have any loud chants. RCB, Salt Lake United and other groups are too little to create good atmosphere and they are to far away from each other. We have a lot of fan groups already, that is true. The purpose is ,once again, too unify other groups under one banner. Any other questions? Concerns? Post them! We will be more than happy to answer. Cheerz, Ulta' Salt Lake - JOIN THE MOVEMENT!
Well, I'm still not sure it's necessary to start a whole new group, but I understand what you're getting at and I hope that you have some success in talking with the FO. In any case it's always good to see more dedicated fans.
I understand you concern about another group! Which is 100% right! but this is just a group that wants to unify other groups let me give you an example of where I am from! In my home town we got a lot of different groups Blue-Genertaion Elbstadt-Supporters Commando Eastside Now all of these groups support under one big banner called BLOCK U (Block Ultras)... Another group would just not make any sense to me either....Plus I want the support of RCB and Salt Lake United as well as others...I do not want to destroy them or take people away just unify them... Just someone needs to make a move, I can't stand the atmosphere anymore at Rio Tinto thats why I called in Ultra' Salt Lake! That's what the mission of Ultra' Salt Lake is! Cheerz mate!
Why use the moniker Ultra? What exactly does that mean, and why does every team have to have an Ultra or a Firm? People talk about Real Salt Lake being a Euro poser name, but no one calls out the supporters groups that steal Euro and latin names. Barra, Firm, Ultra, etc. Personally, I think you should make the name represent your group. Loyalists were the first (IIRC), and were named for the loyal fans. FCB was named after Frank Castle (someone likes the Punisher!). Etc. If it works, whatever. I've just never understood why the supporters groups get a free pass from mockery for stealing other groups names. Best of luck with forming everything. The more fans the better.
I think it would be a lot more practical to sit in the south end where there are already 100s of us with season tickets. you can yell at the goal keeper real proper like, you can see us on TV, there is plenty of room there. we can unify our voice a whole lot better if we actually unify and not split ourselves between 2 sections. We just need to chant louder than the drums, not move because they are too loud. I think the S end is the best place for supports and there really isn't any reason to move.
Definition of Ultra': Ultras are a form of sports team supporters renowned for their fanatical support and elaborate displays. They are predominantly European followers of football teams. The behavioural tendency of ultras groups includes the use of flares—primarily in tifo choreography—, vocal support in large groups, defiance of the authorities and the display of banners at football stadiums, which are used to create an atmosphere which intimidates opposing players and supporters, as well as encouraging their own team. Yea thats out of Wikipedia....I didn't wanna type to much! Basically the point of having a ultra formation is to do support. Good loud vocal support. Ultras always come to the game no matter what they give 100% and walk through thick and thin. I love the Ultra movement, I'm form Europe and I would love to have it for Real Salt Lake, it would truly change a lot in the way we support our team. It is an option! @earthlib Section 206 is only and idea. I don't personally like that RCB, Salt City United are spread out in two sections and in the first rows that no atmosphere....and yelling at the goalkeeper doesn't do to much, believe me. I'm a goalie myself and I love it when people yell at me...I do participate in the chants though... Now my idea is to at least come all into one section and stock it up to the top. Than get a cappo (Chant Starter) and get the whole section going with clapping, flags, smoke bombs, chants and etc. You also mentioned there is not a real reason to move... now with La Barra and their drumming in the back do you really think anybody can really hear us? I mean the goalie can but the east, west and northside will just hear drums....that's what I think is the problem but we should all meet up next week and discuss the situation properly and figure out a way. Cheerz, Ultra Salt Lake
I think staying in the South end is the best way to go. I think the south end be louder after the stage is set up if at all(any heard of any concerts at the RioT this year?) When everyone well be pushed in closer. That is also why the RCB and Salt Lake elite are split between sections. I think the may 1st game could be better since the RCB is working with the FO to get a chant leader in front of the section.
so you guys pushing to stay in the south goal, how are you going to be louder than the latino supporters and how are you going to not make it sound like a yelling contest? ultra has a point, the more noise down there just gets all clumped into one loud, not anywhere near cohesive, background noise
THUMBS UP! It's exactly what I'm saying....it will be a huge not matching yelling and drum contest....that's not the solution...surely a chant leader in rcb's section is a start but with the latinos in the back no long time solution....
Don't get too excited because you get support from the BigSoccer crowd. The streamer salute was supported here and the FO even provided streamers. Look how well that went. My opinion is that the few dozen fans who visit here are not particularly influential with the FO--except for those who have an additional avenue of contact. That is important. You need to find a way to work with the FO, if only to see how they react to your plans. Even if you don't want SG perks or recognition. (I think you would want some of the perks if you knew what they were, even if it means getting under the umbrella of another group. It's more that $25.00 of a season ticket.) The FO and the SGs have history and not all of it has been harmonious. I predict serious problems if you all buy tickets in Section 208 and start doing your thing. You may be resurrectng battles that have been fought to their conclusion and put in the past. You may also unwittingly be creating issues for the SGs who have been working with the FO for years. I see two main problems with your plans. First, the stadium rules have been somewhat relaxed in the South stands. There are things you can do and say there that will not be allowed elsewhere. There were problems between security and the police last year. I believe that the FO has been working with both sides so security knows not to be so strict there and the SGs know that there are still lines that can't be crossed. Which brings me to my second observation. The Southeast corner is where many of the sponsors' employees, families, and other VIP-types sit. Last season Trino called in the SG leadership and told them that sponsors and potential sponsors had complained about what they and their families are exposed to. That is a problem. To their credit, the SGs were able to help reduce Trino's concerns. People who buy tickets in the South stands are warned what they are getting in to. In the South stands they have to put up with standing, constantly yelling, rude fans. In the other sections the standing, jumping, etc. fans have to be considerate of the other fans. This may put a big enough cramp to your style that you may want to find a way to fit in the South stands. I'm not saying that it won't work. I'm not trying to discourage you. Therse are just my opinions based what I have seen since opening day 2005. I may be wrong. What I am trying to do is encourage you to find some way to communicate with the FO so you don't get started on the wrong foot and end up five years behind the other groups in frustration levels.
i personly think you should go the the north end on the top! you stay away from the barra drums and you can still hear yourself very well because of the roof.
Well said. I would point out, though, that a lot of the problems between SG's (the RCB in particular, at least up at Rice Eccles) and the FO were in large part due to a difference in opinion on the role of supporters, and the infancy of RSL as an organization. Obviously, we still don't always see eye to eye with the front office, and particularly the more conservative elements. But the FO, and people like Brent and Davy in particular, have made real changes in the way that the organization views hardcore supporters. You bring up a lot of good points, and any new group should definitely pay attention to what you're saying and address those concerns with the FO directly if they want to get things done. But I don't think that they'd end up being "five years behind" where we are now, because the culture of RSL as an organization has changed quite a bit since the early years. Good post though. Ideally that'd be cool, but I can't imagine the FO wanting a group like the RCB anywhere near the "family section."
the more I think about this, the more it sounds like a feasible thing NEXT YEAR. I would love to just move my seats to the upper deck with no questions asked, but that aint going to happen. For this year, we should focus on working things between the SG's so that they can gel better. If in the end, it is still like it is now, then the move could happen. This is not to say I wouldnt support going to the upper deck for the toronto game just to try it out, but I dont know how its going to work for the rest of the season... Working with the FO a couple weeks into the season likely isnt going to have the best results. Talk to them now, however, and get the ball rolling. If they are open to the move of some SG's, then take full advantage of it. But if they come down on you with "we have this section for you guys and you dont want to use it? Why do we even give you the perks that we do?!" response, dont be surprised. I went to the town hall meeting that involved the sg's last season... its not all love and happiness between the fo and the sg's.
i think the FO would be more than a little perturbed if the whole south end was empty. i really think we should work on making the South End better for now.
Okay I must honestly say I was not very well informed about the "problems" with the FO. I have mentioned a lot of times why I think Section 206 would be great, BUT you made it pretty clear with your observations that this would be something that is impossible because of the loose rules of the south stands! So i conclude that section 206 will be impossible to get to because of the FO and other circumstances. Now what can be done to increase the atmosphere in the south stand in regards of the vocal chants? We all can't and don't want to stop La Barra form their way of supporting and I think we call can come to a common agreement that the Latino support is well accepted. Now there are more than a handful people who would like to increase the vocal support in the south stand! How can this be done, when to Latino Groups left and right are drumming....there is just no way! That's why I came up with section 206.... I would really like some other ideas? @M.O.E North Goal won't work! Why? Because the Ultra movement includes language, swearing and other not so family friendly things. Plus we stand all game!
How much effort has been made to work together with the Latino supporter groups? I am not a part of any of the supporter groups so I might be way off on this but the problem now seems to be communication between the groups. Is there any chance that you can talk to them to see if they will stop drumming during part of the game so you can do your chants? Invite them to chant along with you. Then they can go back to their drumming and you can join with them? I mentioned this in a different post but I think each supporter group in the south end should have a chant leader. Then those leaders can work with each other to coordinate what everyone is doing. Break the game up into segments and let each leader lead all the supporters from all the groups during that segment. The only question would be if all the supporter groups would buy into this. If not, it will fall apart quickly.
That is my other option! All groups should at least work together it would be way more fun....everyone is doing is own thing! At least that is what I also observed!
Define hardcore supporters. I don't think the FO has any problem with hardcore supporters, I think they have a problem with vulgar and unruly supporters. Have you considered operating like a high school pep band. I played the drums for my high school pep band, and we were only allowed to play at certain times, and we had to switch off with the other school's band. You could try talking with the Latino groups and figure a way to alternate between drum chants and vocal chants. If you insist on the not so family friendly things, you're going to run into the same problems that the RCB & Loyalists had. Why not make the chants more friendly in order to bring in the Loyalist voices (or did they get moved out of the South End?)? Shout your profanities between chants, but keep the chants family friendly and easy. It think if you did this, you'd get more people chanting. Which chant is the loudest and gets the whole stadium going? The "R-S-L!" chant and the "Ole" chant. I never understood the south end chants until MLS Cup, and then I realized why they aren't very loud at RioT. Think of the majority of people that come to the stadium. If you want to be loud, figure a way to include everyone (this includes the large amount of youth that attend games). Just my 2 cents.
Yea consider talking to LB and UR could help that is very true and definitely should worth a try! Now the family friendly thing. Soccer as we know is a harsh sport and of course yelling word like Sh**T or damn should be allowed. In Europe it is normal for those to appear here and there in chants BUT you right it doesn't have to be in any chant and so far there are only 2 chants that include these words, which I personally think is totally appropriate. But everybody is different so we gotta compromise on your differentiations! Thanks for your comment though! It's great debating about this idea!
Define vulgar and unruly. One person's definition of "good fan" meets another person's definition of "drunken asshole." My point was that the FO has in some ways moved on that spectrum since the problems we had with them in the old days. Not to mention that as annoying as the Riot's security can be on occasion, they're nowhere near as bad as the Orange Shirts at RES. So that helps too. I think you're right about not just buying tickets somewhere in the stadium and then acting like we do in the south goal. But I wouldn't discourage Ultrasaltlake from talking to the FO. At the very least, they will probably receive a reasoned response these days. And who knows, it might wind up being constructive.
