You can tell the season has still not started. 20 pages of crap about some clown with spray paint had turned into an us and them debate. There is no us and them there is only us. We should be united behind the club and get behind the team Ultra, Brigantee, Riversider it does not matter. We are all Wigan fans.

So are you seriously saying your only option is to sit on the back row of S2? I am getting the impression that seem to just want to create a problem. I respect the fact that you don't want the constant repetitive pounding in your ears but nobody is forcing you to sit next to or near the drum. So yes it is 'simples'.

By the way Brett we're not of the far right extremist variety if there was a sneaky suspicion that you might be interested.

Tell you what Brett. How bout u pay me £5 a week and you can watch the game at mine on the net with no noise and no atmosphere?

Alternatively, I hear NASA are looking for astronauts

Was there ever a "sneaky suspicion"?

What a completely stupid post with content amounting to thinley veiled (if veiled at all) libel.

Say someone stuck tory/labour stickers all over your house, would that be acceptable? im guessing no?

I thought the coalition was tory/lib dems?

dont be so ridiculous! we all know whos pulling the strings

in all honesty, ive tried to read all the posts in this thread that have been made since Friday but to be quite honest, its bored the ar$e off me

the 'Brigantes' have taken it upon themselves to 'try' and create a better atmosphere at Wigan games. Im willing to bet that not one single member thought to take a poll of other the Wigan fans (season ticket holders would be the best starting point) to find out whether they wanted a change or not

have they not considered that many wigan fans may be quite happy with the atmosphere at games and not want a lot of mindless, football copying, drum banging noise to be inflicted on them?

dont get me wrong, i used to be a ST holder in the south (before my toddler stole all my money) and i did enjoy a good sing song throughout the game.

BUT

Wigan has a diverse age range for its fans and the old gent who lives on my street and is still a ST holder (although he prolly sits in the west stand) might not want to have a load of noise shouted at him from the other 2 home stands. indeed, he might find some of it quite offensive

to me, it seems that the 'Brigantes' think they are doing something that every Wigan fan wants and this clearly isnt the case. you/they need to be careful about alientating yourself/themselves from, what is the majority (and i admit i dont know your membership numbers) of Wigan fans as you will begin to be viewed as outsiders or 'ultras'

I have read NOWHERE that this group wish to get everybody onboard. I think you ought to give yourself a shake and get the twist out of your knickers... The group don't have to ask anybody anything, and you don't have to join in... Your attitude comes across as "I don't like, therefore they must be wrong"

Once again, i am in no way connected to the group.

I differ from you Gareth. I love an atmosphere at games and I'd bet that the majority would rather watch a game with the atmosphere of derby day than the atmosphere of a quins v catalan match.

I've helped the Brigantes/Ultras with a few things in the past and put some suggestions to Jukesay about a few things too. Overall I'm happy with what they do but unfortunately they will attract some nobs which will give them a bad name. Recent history is littered with isolated incidents which have given opposition fans the ammunition to have a pop at all fans.

Wire fans baiting Wigan fans at the Catalan v Wigan semi final
Wigan fan pushing a girl over at Leeds resulting in a broken arm/wrist
Leigh fans throwing bottles onto the pitch in a pre-season friendly v Wigan
Some Wire morons, who may not have even been at the game, attacking a Wiganer on his way to the train station

There are many more incidents but it doesn't mean they're all idiots.

With regards to them thinking they're better fans. I'd put that down to other peoples insecurities rather than a superiority complex from the Ultras. Except of course Rogues Gallery. He probably is a better fan than most, but then he's had a lot more time to practise.



I don't have a problem with a drum in moderation, but then I am 60 yards away from it.

Your always never going to please every one, long before the Brigantes where formed there was always a little close to the bone songs going round depending on who we were playing and like wise the away fans gave it back, so lets not get to thinking that this has only started in the past couple of seasons, back in the good old days at Central Park there was nothing better than the atmosphere of singing for a full 80 mins, and there was a drum there as im sure Binder had it,

as stated there is always going to be the odd idiot who takes it too far but as long as there dealt with either at the time if possible or as soon as possible .

i think you know me well enough to know that i have not problem with a loud atmosphere at games (the drummer in the south stand needs a few music lesson tho). indeed, i dont remember half the games ive been to due the enjoyment of the ocassion and a few too many sherberts...

the point im making is that not EVERYONE will be on board with what they are trying to do and they should expect to recieve some comment/criticism.

RL is a family sport and accomdation needs to be made for ALL fans, whatever they point of view.

Inflicting noise on people is always going to draw conflict, i should know given the loudness of the tools who live either side of me

Not quite as I would have written it lol (infact in round aboutr way could be me.....



ish) but I understand your point about attracting the wrong folk shall we say and agree THIS is the issue and this always will be the issue

However, the true adults and those with a big of nogging will ensure these people are told whats for, not to single them out but to ensure they calm down and grow up and I really wish people woukld accept that

We had idiot fans long before the Brigantes were even thought of so blaming them for it now is just a kop out. We will always have the odd idiot here and there and just because they choose to hide behind the Brigantes shouldnt blind people from the facts that the Brigantes dont encourage this sort of thing.

The brigantes have helped to enhance the matchday experience for me and i have also noticed a lot of the players have mentioned the atmosphere a lot more since they started this group.

It would be a shame if their good work is tarnished by people jumping to the wrong conclusions.

I don't really have an opinion on the brigrantes, but that is one ty attitude you've shown right there.

What he said.

The names 'Brigantes' and 'Ultras' are both childish and potentially provocative IMO. Why can't you just be Wigan fans? The fact that these groups were created in response to fans of other clubs winding you up about not singing, making enough noise or leaving early just goes to show how much these fans have succeeded in getting to you. Do you think the same opposition fans are going to react any differently?

The danger is that in bringing this kind of gang mentality into RL (however well-intentioned), we will see other groups start up that are covers for hooligan elements. Clearly lots of other Wigan fans are uneasy about the message these gangs send out - 'we have the hardest fans' 'you lot are all soft compared to us ultras' etc. Even if the group wasn't directly responsible for graffiti it is evidence that the wrong message is being sent out to some of the more impressionable young fans. And going around posting stickers in the ground of another SL club is just further provocation and incitement. Carry on doing these things and it won't be long before the club is forced to ban the group. It has already been proven that you can't control what is done in the group's name.

Better to go on with the flags without the silly names which seem to be attracting idiots from within the club, and risks inspiring idiots at other clubs to start their own gangs with silly names. It's a slippery slope IMO.

As someone who has been asking questions about the use of the name ultras and raising a few issues with those involved, I have to say that your post is nonsense.

what a load of cobblers re the intent of the Brigantes.

they are forcing NOTHING on anyone....they arnt doing something they think every fan wants.....they are doing what THEY want...and are giving out an open invitation for others to join in if they wish, or sit well away if they prefer quiete............and its the right of every single person who supports the brigante thing to do as they please..as long as its within the law..which it is.

take a vote....what you drinking?

a very well thought out and constructive post

the Brigantes can do whetever they like and the rest of the Wigan fan base have to put up with it whether they like it or not

Thanks Mrs Thatcher!

Despite Mrs T we still live in a free country... And until they start breaking the law, which i can't see happening, they will have my blessing. Not that thats worth much.

well all the badges sold out..... all the scarves sold out..... money flew in for all the flags.....

dont need me to tell you the Brigantes has been a success so far and im sure it will continue to be, bitching and cheap digs aside... good work folks.

see you sunday week folks, [size=50oh i canny wait for that Leeds game the following Saturday, its Edinburgh Warriors round[/size



Keep the Faith

Cut the Brigantes some slack - the original plan was to increase the atmosphere and make watching Wigan better - and that still is the plan.

Not intimidate and make people feel uneasy.

I'm not involved with the Brigantes at all but i can honestly say they have improved my enjoyment at the game. The atmosphere in the away end at Widnes in the playoff semi final last year was fantastic and made me proud to be a Wiganer - thanks to the Brigantes.

Cheers lads and lasses - i appreciate what you are doing.