San Jose Ultras
28 Feb 2008, 02:26 AM
http://www.thebaysoccer.com/sjpre2.html#1906ultras
San Francisco, Sunday Feb. 17, 2008
"One minute of applause for what you've done, then you'll be forgotten and forever gone"
http://www.thebaysoccer.com/Pre2pics/Ultras2.jpgIt is with these words written on a giant banner that the 1906 Ultras welcomed the Houston Dynamo yesterday night at Kezar Stadium.
According to Napoleon, a member of the group, the line was in reference to the fact that, even after moving to Houston, the former Earthquakes (now Dynamo) remained appreciated and loved by the San Jose fans. In 2006, the Ultras even went to LA to support the Dynamo against the Galaxy!
With the new Earthquakes in San Jose, the fans needed to make it clear that this period is over. They are now fully commited to San Jose and the Dynamo is just a opponent as any other MLS team.
http://www.thebaysoccer.com/Pre2pics/Ultras3.jpg"A new rivalry may even start", Nap. stated "and this will probably last until the last former Earthquake player leaves Houston."
Indeed, unlike Ryan Cochran who moved back to San Jose, a lot of former Quakes are still part of the Dynamo's roster.
A few hours before Saturday's match, we met the 1906 Ultras on the grass area between Kezar stadium and Golden Gate Park, busy painting their banners.
Yesterday was a very special night for the Ultras, with a high level of emotion, for at least 3 reasons: the match was at Kezar stadium where some members of the group used to support the California Victory last year; Yuri Morales (former Vic.) started the math and didn't forget to thank his long term fans; the first minute of applause was the last one adressed to the Dynamo.
For those reasons, we thought we had to help you discover who they are. Tony and Dan, two leaders of the group, accepted to answer a few questions to help us understand who they are.
- Tony, Dan, Your energy has already been noticed during the first pre-season match in San Jose, How did you manage to keep the group together during those 2 1/2 years without the Earthquakes?
"We are actually the result of the merging of two groups: the Ultras, long-term supporters of the SJE and the 1906 (refering to the year of the big Earthquake) who supported the California Victory last year. We all kept in touch, mostly through the Internet.
- How many members do you have?
"50 already and we keep growing. We will reach 200 before the end of the first season."
- How are you going to support the team?
"We want to bring the European Ultra's Culture to San Jose. Dan is Romanian and a former fan of Steaua Bucarest. He's bringing us his experience but we are all hardcore fans. Anyway, look at and listen to us tonight, you'll make your own opinion!"
- One last question: what are your relationships with other SJE supporters groups?
"There's only one, The Casbah...They are family friendly, we are not. again, we are hardcore fans and if you are at Kezar tonight, you will see what it means!"
http://www.thebaysoccer.com/Pre2pics/Ultras4.jpgSo, what did we see during the match?
We saw, and mostly heard, a very determined group of supporters singing to encourage their team, insulting to impress the opponent, jumping to remain warm in this cold evening, and creating the atmosphere all along the 90 minutes. Their goal is obviously not to be politicaly correct, but their support will probably be precious to the SJE!
Want to know more about 1906 Ultras? www.sjultras.com (http://www.sjultras.com/)
Story and Interview by T.H.
Photos: Nap - The Project (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theprojectfc/)
San Francisco, Sunday Feb. 17, 2008
"One minute of applause for what you've done, then you'll be forgotten and forever gone"
http://www.thebaysoccer.com/Pre2pics/Ultras2.jpgIt is with these words written on a giant banner that the 1906 Ultras welcomed the Houston Dynamo yesterday night at Kezar Stadium.
According to Napoleon, a member of the group, the line was in reference to the fact that, even after moving to Houston, the former Earthquakes (now Dynamo) remained appreciated and loved by the San Jose fans. In 2006, the Ultras even went to LA to support the Dynamo against the Galaxy!
With the new Earthquakes in San Jose, the fans needed to make it clear that this period is over. They are now fully commited to San Jose and the Dynamo is just a opponent as any other MLS team.
http://www.thebaysoccer.com/Pre2pics/Ultras3.jpg"A new rivalry may even start", Nap. stated "and this will probably last until the last former Earthquake player leaves Houston."
Indeed, unlike Ryan Cochran who moved back to San Jose, a lot of former Quakes are still part of the Dynamo's roster.
A few hours before Saturday's match, we met the 1906 Ultras on the grass area between Kezar stadium and Golden Gate Park, busy painting their banners.
Yesterday was a very special night for the Ultras, with a high level of emotion, for at least 3 reasons: the match was at Kezar stadium where some members of the group used to support the California Victory last year; Yuri Morales (former Vic.) started the math and didn't forget to thank his long term fans; the first minute of applause was the last one adressed to the Dynamo.
For those reasons, we thought we had to help you discover who they are. Tony and Dan, two leaders of the group, accepted to answer a few questions to help us understand who they are.
- Tony, Dan, Your energy has already been noticed during the first pre-season match in San Jose, How did you manage to keep the group together during those 2 1/2 years without the Earthquakes?
"We are actually the result of the merging of two groups: the Ultras, long-term supporters of the SJE and the 1906 (refering to the year of the big Earthquake) who supported the California Victory last year. We all kept in touch, mostly through the Internet.
- How many members do you have?
"50 already and we keep growing. We will reach 200 before the end of the first season."
- How are you going to support the team?
"We want to bring the European Ultra's Culture to San Jose. Dan is Romanian and a former fan of Steaua Bucarest. He's bringing us his experience but we are all hardcore fans. Anyway, look at and listen to us tonight, you'll make your own opinion!"
- One last question: what are your relationships with other SJE supporters groups?
"There's only one, The Casbah...They are family friendly, we are not. again, we are hardcore fans and if you are at Kezar tonight, you will see what it means!"
http://www.thebaysoccer.com/Pre2pics/Ultras4.jpgSo, what did we see during the match?
We saw, and mostly heard, a very determined group of supporters singing to encourage their team, insulting to impress the opponent, jumping to remain warm in this cold evening, and creating the atmosphere all along the 90 minutes. Their goal is obviously not to be politicaly correct, but their support will probably be precious to the SJE!
Want to know more about 1906 Ultras? www.sjultras.com (http://www.sjultras.com/)
Story and Interview by T.H.
Photos: Nap - The Project (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theprojectfc/)