For me, I don't really care about Wigan's atmosphere, but it made me cringe when your lot come out with things like 'Ultras'. It comes across as arrogant, then when we beat you, we only ever hear things like "our fans were well better" and "you only sing barmy army, we were making atmosphere since half six". If Wigan fans decided to decorate their stand a little, or decided they wanted to form a choir-esque area of support for fans to sing, then fine, but when you start calling yourselves Ultras, and end up ramming down opposition fans' throats that your singing is the dog's nuts, then most fans will go out of their way to have a pop. Look at Liverpool in the football, many Liverpool fans are deluded in the belief that our fans are the best fans in the world, yet the majority of away fans that go to Anfield will sing "your support is f*ing sh*t" and "you only sing when you're winning", largely because all they ever hear about is the famous Anfield atmosphere, but it's very rarely there any more, it hasn't been there consistently since the stadium became fully seated. If fans swan around saying "we're the best this" and "you're only jealous of us for this", expect to have it rammed down your throat at every given opportunity.

I think you have summed that up extremely succinctly.

I think you could add that there is an element of them bragging about running, when they haven't even learned to walk. Membership, I believe, is down on last year, they have already been stung with the 'ultras' name and changed it to their, equally as embarrassing, new name and they have very embarrassing flags, which are copies of those in Europe.

The bragging makes it sound like there is an actual movement and force to be reckoned with that dwarfs all other support, when, in fact, most crowds are as loud or louder and the number of people associated with the group is dwindling. Just look at that picture of the flag wavers. Most look dead or bored (and that is the key group, at the biggest game of the season)

It is a true embarrassment and it sounds like the big boys bragging about their 'no girls clubhouse'. It is just a bunch of people trying to inflate their ego with very little to shout about.

Good post. The use of the term Ultras should be questioned. It is also the name used by the most feared set of football hooligans in Europe.

Throughout the European, and to a smaller extent South American, Ultra scene there is definitely a move away from the term Ultra.

I believe the real hardcore fanatics are now preferring to label themselves "bum bangers".

Membership down? Where are you getting that information from? There are 150-200 people behind those banners seen in the photo. The banners were 10 rows down from the back. The core of the group has grown from 5 or 6 last year to about 25-30. Those are lads who are constantly involved, not just faces you see at most games. That's the core. The number is doubled most weeks and at your game it was 150-200. That's progress for us, not a dwindling movement as you put it.

And the name hasn't changed. We never dropped the Ultras tag. It's just before Brigantes we didn't have a name for the group.

I'm also curious as to why it's suddenly embarressing and cringeworthy again when you've sent me a PM in the past praising the idea and saying that you wish Wire would do the same. If it's jealousy mate, just say so.

Why is John Cooper-Clarke the face of the S2 Ultras?

I believe I said that I wished there was better support for Warrington home games, as there are many who just go to stand and read texts or talk through matches. I would embrace a more organized support at Warrington. However, the adoption of a hooligan name and the constant dick measuring and testicle showing that seems to emanate from Odem and, to a certian extent, you, I would not embrace. In the grand scheme of sport the 'Wigan Ultras' are small potatoes and in rugby league they are as vocal and fanatic as the 10 away fans Huddersfield get and the 2-5000 Away Warrington get. It is just you have flags and an inflated ego.

I do apologize about the numbers mistake though. I had heard from some that numbers were down a while ago. I don't venture into your board more than 1 or 2 times a month. I am glad to see it is a success and increased numbers and support is great for the sport. However, as much as I applaud the sentiment, the execution has left a lot to be desire from me, personally.

I hope I have clarified.

I think your friend Dropkick Murphy would disagree, when you won the league leaders against us last year your celebrations were muted all through the second half by the Wigan end, when we were 20+ points behind!

Oh dear, oh dear Mr Rocket, looms like somebody really has been doing some "bum banging" doesn't it

look... everyone here is massively jealous of your skull and crossbones flags.... and your vocal welsh choir like singing.

happy now?

Why is there more women than men in the wigan ultra group ?

Reminds me of a bunch of school kids on a day outing at the seaside

For a start, there isn't its made up of lads from the age of 16-45. As thats already been stated, them flags were situated about 13 rows down from the back of the stand so unless you can see through the banners you couldn't possibly see who's behind them on the picture.

And how would you know anyway? You've met everyone have you?

I'm just going off what the school headmaster said

It wasn't really. If you think it was it is sad.

I admit you were vocal (as every away support that comes to the HJ is) but we were not muted.