i was wondering where you were Andy





youve missed it all



Seriously though, i know the majority of the fella's that run the Brigantes club and ive even helped raise some dosh for the flags (mines a pint) i can also be seen wearing a brigantes scarf and badge

crackin set of folk and i honestly canny imagine Brian, Chris, Paul, Dave, Roy or Andyy to name but a few running about sticking stickers on lamp posts balaclava'd up





Great stuff and keep up the good work lads

what a very interesting thread, BK you are a legend

I'm always here.



I actually like what they've done/do, but this thread is not really putting some of those attaching themselves to the group (one way or another) in a particularly good light. I'm sure some of the originators will have their head in their hands at some of the stuff put in this thread.

Right. My final post on this thread. If you have any ideas how the atmosphere can be improved at Wigan games then come to the next meeting, post it on the Brigantes board or send an email to wrlbrigantes@hotmail.co.uk it WILL be discussed.

Right. My final post on this thread. If you have any ideas how the atmosphere can be improved at Wigan games then come to the next meeting, post it on the Brigantes board or send an email to wrlbrigantes@hotmail.co.uk it WILL be discussed.

Using what happened at Bradford to some how make a point about your little group is ing disgusting.

Edit - just seen that Andy has already mentioned it.

Agreed. Defo last post

I'm with you conroy. We will do our best to make sure this never happens again, it is not something we agree with.

We will also do our best to continue to support the team in the way we love doing, we hope you will join us.

Anyone with any questions, negative or positive questions, please do not hesitate to PM me, I would even be happy to meet for a chat or speak on the phone.

Please feel free to come to our next meeting which will be posted on the website.

And my point proven entirely. You see, the magic word here is CONTEXT. When you take the Bradford Fire out of the context in which it was used, then yes, its use to defend a group would be rather unsavoury.

HOWEVER, when IN CONTEXT the point that is being proven is not anything to do with the Brigantes, Ultras, but is rather about how images and words are percieved then it is perfectly acceptable.

You take the first image of the bradford fire out of context and show it to someone who hadn't seen it before (and in my case, up until 3 years ago i hadn't ever seen actual images of the fire) and say only "This is a football match", their first impressions are "football hooligans doing what hooligans do", but when you see what the outcome of that image is, then it's very easy to see that your initial impression was incorrect.

That is no different to what is occuring with the name Brigantes and Ultras, taken out of context from Rugby League then you may be right to gather the first impression that the Ultras group is a group of hooligans who are out to cause trouble, but when you slide the Ultras name in to the Rugby League sport, and see that it's a new concept and a concept that The Brigantes are trying to develop and protect, then it goes a very long way to prove that much of the critisms purely because of a preconceived impression of a word are unjustified and playing purely on stereotype.

Listen mate, quit your patronizing tone.

I could not give a flying about your perceived opinion on how the other view the group "out of context".

Boo ing hoo.

A very close friend of mine lost his father at Valley parade when he was 5 years old and i have been on training courses when in the Navy run by an ex fireman who was onsite that day. Let me tell you now that that poor cries himself to sleep thinking of what went on.

To use that particular example, frankly boils my .

I like the idea of the Brigantes in principal and have offered to donate flags in the past. I tell you what though after listening to some of you (dare i say "younger"icon_wink.gif members on this thread then i can only suggest that some older members give you some "polite" guidance on how to conduct yourself on here.

You seem from your response to be blissfully unaware that your choice to use the Bradford stadium fire and images of it could cause distress, upset and maybe even anger amongst others. To use images of a tragedy that resulted in the deaths of innocent people to try to put across some point about taking things out of context is crass in the extreme. The use of such images in the context in which you chose to use them will be offensive to many but does it not occur to you that fans other than Wigan supporters read these boards. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that people who were either at that fateful football game, or that have friends and relatives that were could see this thread and your post. The least you could do is to apologise for offence caused by using the images you did in the manner you did and acknowledge that it was not appropriate.

I'm going to go very off topic now but I remember watching the footage of that tragic fire for the first time a few years ago, and "football hooligans doing what hooligans do" was not something that ever once crossed my mind, and I'm really baffled at how you can try and use that to "prove" your point. Infact I don't see how anyone could come to that conclusion from seeing that photo or the footage footage.

Even when taken out of context. that fire had absolutely nothing to do with hooligans or ultra's or anything like that.


Why cant you just accept that people have their pre-conceptions/stereotypes about the whole ultra thing? Rightly or wrongly people who will have those views, they don't know you at all, so they have nothing else to base their judgement on other than the stereotypical view of what happens a lot with "ultra" groups. that's just life.... and it's the same for every stereotype the world over....

with time, more people will learn about what you do, and will know and understand that you are a good group of people just supporting your club with banners and by being vocal. I really dont think getting overly defensive on an internet forum will change anyones pre-conceptions.

I'm sure the Brigantes are exactly the same as all other groups of human beings. Some are nobs but the vast majority are nice.

And I am not speaking as a member of a group. I am speaking as someone who watches this forum and see time and time again as people, or groups are slated because of something they are, or they call themselves. It's beyond banter and into what has become a deliberate attempt at insult. I am sick to the back teeth of people using stereotypes to brand other people based on absolute claptrap. It's a sign of a complete lack of intelligence when you have to use someone elses opinion as your basis for judgement.



That would make me the same age as your very close friend.

And at no point did I ever say the fire was caused by Ultras, or even that an Ultras scene was present in Bradford. What I said is that when I was first shown that image 3 years ago in a fire safety awareness course in work the presenter asked me the question "What do you see when you look at this image". To which I replied, "Looks like a football match, i'd say hooligans invading a pitch". He then pressed play and showed the full extent of the fire. Now if i would've cropped that image to show just the front of that stand, and not said that it was the Bradford fire, i strongly doubt that any of you would've been any the wiser of what it was an image of, and would've drawn to the same conclusions. Is that my fault that you'd feel that guilt? The fact is, in proving my point, I put the image into context.

There are eye witness accounts from the other end of Hilsborough where they said that 'they thought it was a pitch invasion and got annoyed'...'until we saw the blood' does that make them sick and disgusting? No. Does it make them feel guilty that they thought that to start with? Yes.

Oh wait, now i've used Hilsborough as an example, i'll just have to go and stone myself wont I.

Now, I will not apologise for using the examples that I have used, in context they are harmless and they prove the point that I was making. If anyone cannot see that, then I am afraid that's their problem, and not mine. The Internet is a very powerful research tool, some should start using it to brighten their horizons.

I will not make another post on this forum. I'm through with the petty tripe that is repeatedly spouted here.

Given your form on this thread, it's likely to reduce considerably now.

My post seems to have been lost on you, I'm not going to reiterate what I said. If you can't understand that labelling yourselves as 'Ultras' is going to attract unwanted or unwarranted criticism & that certain people who just want to cause trouble will attempt to latch onto your group for just that reason - then you are a deluded person.

19 pages and the circles continue at the end of day we are all Wigan fans some support the team one way some in other ways

What's the big deal

Wigan fans moaning for the sake of moaning all rather sad really

They should make it a sticky

Be a long season this!

who drink cider and frequent the back of the south stand.........now they will probably tag along with the Brigantes and give them a bad name.

im 100% behind the brigante thing.....creating atmosphere at away games, and now attempting the same at home games.....i just think it might backfire on the name, moving into the south..and im betting loads of active flag fund members are still going in the East ?

3 or 4 years ago a bunch of young fans tried something similar with the PIe Army thing.......got spoiled by South stand chavs, and older fans who saw them as a hooligan thing....Brigantes need to be careful they dont end up in the same boat

im a "mature" (old fart) fan btw.

ps..ive no idea how i read 7 pages without replying

what the hell is wrong with a balaclava?
i wore one when i was about 5........was a keep warm must........if its cherry and white..so what?
in fact its a cracking idea and im trying to get hold of one

It comes across as very intimidating and is unnecessary when its in the middle of the summer. It was seen a few times towards the end of last season and isn't really needed.

Add in to the fact people's perceived notions of what Ultra's are and it doesn't really help the matter. For them it is only going to make what they believe worse.

I was only giving a few suggestions on this thread about how it can be improved, but as other people have found, its been taken to heart.

It might be a good money spinner for his Nan knitting a few more

I can't believe I have just read 20 pages of repetitive misunderstandings and resisted posting until now. I am truely amazed that some people are assuming that the Brigantes are trying to elevate themselves above other fans. Nothing could be further from the truth. The group have been very welcoming of anyone wanting to join in the singing etc. How about I start a new thread about the non-brigantes assuming they are somehow better than the Brigantes? That would be rediculous of course and so I won't. I don't agree with all aspects but I know that all the initiatives are well meant are come from a passionate desire to improve the atmosphere at games which it has achieved.

I have to admit that I personally don't particularly like the Ultras tag simply because it conjures up the wrong image in some people's eyes (whether it is true or not). I also don't agree with the stickers as this could annoy other fans and potentially trigger an unwelcome reaction at future games. Concentrating on building the atmosphere at games is what the Brigantes should concentrate on and what they have done well so far. Oh and I personally don't like the C&W balaclava idea simply because it can create the wrong impression from some quarters.

As for the drum

, I always found it a tad annoying but now my son plays the blasted thing I have ended up next to it! It was a ironic that he burst it himself before the Saints play off game because he had worn a hole in it

. For those who can't bear it and would threaten to burst it all I would say is go and sit somewhere else. The grounds are big enough. I don't particularly want to sit next to someone in the West stand who doesn't want to sing and make a noise and so I choose not to. My choice. Simples. Conversely if you want to join in the singing created by the Brigantes then choose to sit in S2. If you want to start your own songs then feel free to do so. If they are good then others including S2 will join in.

Just to throw my opinion in while everyone else is....

Although not a "Brigante" myself I can perfectly understand why the name came about. When trying to raise money it is important you have an identity and this name has provided them with the platform to do so. They have been able to market themselves to raise money. I believe this was their pure motivation and not one to try and separate themselves from everyone else.

Unfortunately this does leave them open to ridicule but it is a price I think they have to pay in order to raise money.

I'm happy they are trying to improve the atmosphere at home games (although I probably won't be joining in) and away from home.

As one who has stood at away games singing away and hoping that everyone would join in prior to the Brigantes I can see only good that more fans are now joining in.

I'm a bit bewildered by why a 15 year old Latics fan would pay money to come and watch Lockers' testimonial but will give the benefit of the doubt.

As I said a week ago and quite a bit last season....why can't we just all get along??!!

Fair post that Woody.
I know that you were there pre-Brigantes trying to get an atmosphere going and that you still do it.
As for not getting along. I think we've seen a fair few people seizing the opportunity to have a go here. If it wasn't over this issue, it would've been anything else, sooner or later. One or two have had their feathers ruffled with an increase in the Brigantes popularity whilst others (including a Mod on here) have clashed with members in the past and have had their s handed to them on a plate over certain issues so they have decided to weigh in too. All good fun. It'll still be the Ultras Brigantes at the end of the season.

Not quite as "simples" as you make out though is it?

Why should I be forced to move on account of someone who has no consideration for the fact that someone might actually want to watch the game without the constant repetitive pounding in their ears. There is a massive difference between normal crowd created atmosphere and this monotonous racket.

Nice to see you have read peoples concerns over the "Ultras" tag.

Why don't you go and watch Football? You would fit right in there.