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.

Maggie would have been an Ultra, can just see her and Rogues arm in arm on an away match terrace singing about the Wigan Way.

And there in lies the beauty of our society!

You are free to do what you want and we are free to put up with it whether we like it or not and god damn anyone who ebjects eh?

This.

As far as I'm concerned the Brigantes are not some kind of separate fan cult which intends or has intended to remove themselves from other Wigan fans and become a separate entity.

The Brigantes are Wigan fans = Wigan fans are Brigantes. We're one in the same. I've seen comments on this thread suggesting that by waving flags and having banners with "Brigantes" written on makes this collection of inspiring Wigan supporters in some way different from any other Wigan fan. I don't believe this to be true nor are these people pretending to be.

As fans we choose to support our team in different ways. Some fans like to attend the matches and sit/stand quietly and observe the spectacle. Others enjoy singing/chanting. Others enjoy waving flags and using drums as percussion. There is no "I'm better than you because I wave a flag" culture which is suggested in this thread. I would argue that Wigan fans partaking in this find these suggestions nonsense. Outsiders looking in who have come to this conclusion have clearly misunderstood what the "new lease of life" Wigan fans have is all about. This "new lease of life" whether it be displayed in creative and artistic flags or new songs/chants can only be positive to the Wigan matchday experience (particularly away matches).

As a regular attendee of away matches I can say categorically that the Wigan away matchday experience has improved considerably (and it was good before) since this collective group of supporters came to together with some new ways and ideas.

I honestly cannot believe a thread with this subject matter has continued for so long. This stigma and negativity towards the movement has IMO developed from a misunderstanding by outsiders looking in and by "outsiders" I do not mean Wigan fans looking in on the Brigantes, I'm referring to opposition fans in particular.

I will concede and say the cherry and white balaclava I have seen on a photo does look intimidating and a bit ridiculous but that's one person and we probably shouldn't judge them without any evidence of any wrongdoing.

I was resisting temptation to post on this thread but have given in due to what I believe is a level of injustice directed towards the Wigan fans who have injected this refreshing wave of colour and songs to our matchday experience and to Wigan's collective support.

This +1

I've got my brigantes scarf on at Salford. Hope that doesn't mean I'm going to get my head kicked in.

I am pro Brigantes, my only comment on this thread was relating to a rather "misjudged" example a now ex poster made.

But at no point in this entire topic has anyone said that violence will be dished out to members of the Brigantes.

So why would you post that?

No, it means you are a violent thug with a paint can silly!!!

No, no, no, no you've got it all wrong, it's you who hands out the beatings! Now get that scarf wraped around your face and start kicking some ar*e's!

Again i can see no post on this thread where anyone has said that the Brigantes are violent thugs?

Its been the inference.......

Only in the minds of those who wanted to use things such as the Bradford fire etc to make a ridiculous point that didn't need making in the first place.

It hasn't though.

Its been implied that some people "may" perceive you as wrong un's, but nobody has said or implied that you actually are.

It hasnt at all.

The inference, and i repeat inference, had been that the Brigantes/Ultras, are/will be a focus/magnet for unwanted/raucous/intimidating behaviour. Whilst they may not have defended themselves in the best ways at times on this forums, some peoples critcism of them has been typically knee jerk. But the drummer does need some lessons to be fair...

The actual Brigantes drummer is a very good drummer. It's the regular South Stand chav drummers that need a lesson or two...

Are the Brigantes/Ultras coming to the LSV on Friday?

I hope so as it sounds like you lot have a good time and make a good atmosphere, and it makes a welcome change to have the South Stand open for away fans, us Leythers make a lot of noise home and away, we may not have has many fans as you but we always have a good time and our away following in our league is very good as is yours in SL, hope to see some of you at the match.

a slap, chucked in the canal! bit extreme for graffitti! and i imagine against the law.

seriously however, who decides what is acceptable behaviour? letting off flares, wearing balaclavas = no action
graffitti = life ban


who decides????



this is not a dig, setting up a club within a club has it's problems especially in light of recent changes in the law, what happens if a member of your ultra/ brigantes commits a crime whilst at a match? the law can arrest other members who just stand by and watch. hence the question who decides what's acceptable in your group and what's not?

(p.s. i cannot imagine rogues in a balaclava throwing missiles whils holding a flare under any circumstances)