Maybe it never happened and this was all a dream

Using soccer ultras groups as role models? Have we really come to this? I think the answer is, no - except for a tiny minority of immature fools. The problem is that when, not if, trouble breaks out as a result of the kind of immature, ill-judged and in part downright illegal behaviour shown on the video it will be Wigan fans generally and their club that will be tarred with the same brush. Thanks for nothing, lads.

I have been a supporter of the Brigantes and the excellent work they have done in raising the atmosphere both home and away, and I really hope that this confrontational behaviour isn't the direction the group as a whole is heading in.

You really have to be an idiot of the first order to think that blocking the traffic, singing songs telling people that their home town is and that you'll do what you want is in any way acceptable behaviour.

I've always been proud of my sport and my club but if that video is a sign of things to come I'm worried sick.

I just hope the video has been removed due to the fact they realised it was embarrassing and had potential to cause problems and trouble.

Im not too concerned that its been removed so long as we dont see anything like it again.

Hopefully those within the brigantees will realise that this sort of behaviour just drives a wedge between them and the genuine fans of the club and that if they continue to act in this way they will be castigated and ostricised by the genuine majority. Alternatively, they can continue to do the good things they have done like the flags and songs in the ground and make sure they are thought of highly by the rest of the fans, who will then be more likely to want to engage with them and participate in their activities.

If the brigantees want to be a success they need to be a true representative group of the fans of the club and have their support, and I hope they realise that things like this wont achieve that aim - Lets just hope that this is the end of silly behaviour like this and we can all continue to support the club we all love in a way that isnt likely to cause offence or trouble. Everyone makes mistakes and so if those who have acted like this are man enough to hold their hands up, realise this, and ensure this doesnt happen again that's good enough for me.

This thread is sad and pathetic to be honest. They haven't done anything particularly wrong apart from enjoying a good day out. I proceeded to chant walking round St Helens town centre in a Wigan shirt but I wouldn't think my behaviour was disrespectful and giving Wigan fans a bad name. Its such a stupid over reaction from people who love to point fingers at others. I am in no way connected to the Brigantes but just don't understand the abuse they've receiving for doing nothing wrong. LIGHTEN UP PEOPLE!

The point people are making is that its not about how you see yourself, its how other perceive you.

You ask people to lighten up, i might suggest the you grow up...

I'll say something along the lines of what I say every week on which ever brigantes thread is doing the rounds...

I love what they do In the ground and whilst I have no doubt that the people involved have no intention of causing trouble and are all about creating atmosphere and "being lads" it's disappointing that some people don't seem to get the point of what people are saying in that it could antagonise others and as usual coming out all defensive.

It only take's one drunken idiot to take offence to that sort of behaviour (and I wouldn't blame them if they did) to then react and you have trouble on your hands.

The way the people in that video are behaving however is no different to what you see at other clubs, but that doesn't justify it. Other clubs fans don't seem to record video's of it to then glorify it online either. (not to my knowledge anyway)

After good friday there was a group teenage saints fans stood outside the stand acting in a similar way, Hurling abuse at Wigan fans singing the usual anti Wigan stuff and that was exactly the same, I walked past saying to a friend what a pathetic bunch of tommy ten mens they looked like. Of course I just ignored it but on another day, other people may have reacted. It's just not want you want to see (or expect) at a rugby league game.

If you want to keep chanting and acting like you do in that video, Then fine. It's a tad cringeworthy but your intentions are atleast good and upto now you've done no harm. But don't come on here crying and acting all innocent, complaining about being treated "unfairly" if eventually someone gets offended (and rightly so imo) and gives you an over the top reaction.

If you cannot see why us real Wigan fans are embarrassed about this, then I suggest you no longer support our great & traditional club. They are giving the club a bad name, and by association, the rest of the fans a bad name also. So they haven't ACTUALLY broken the law. Fair enough, nobody said they did. It is the image that is what is bothering us.

Out of interest, what do you class as a 'real' fan?

And no, I'm not in the video.

I know that the majority of the Brigantes have good intentions and on this occasion were just being lads looking forward to the game. However, posting a video like this was plain stupid as it can be misinterpreted. Consequently a number of replies on here are quite defensive wondering what the fuss was about but those people need to step back and really try to see things from the perspective of others. It is inappropriate behaviour outside the ground and does the group no favours whatsoever. Everyone agrees that the efforts to decorate the ground with flags and get new songs going is fantastic. The charity fund raising from the group has also been very commendable and unfortunately not had enough publicity. A video of one of the charity givings would be a far better video to post on youtube! Perhaps that should be considered to recover some lost ground.

Outside the ground after the Saints game there were some small groups of fans (NOT Brigantes) from both clubs chanting at each other as the crowd dispersed. There were some incidents that the Police had to intervene with to stop things kicking off. Tensions are always high at Derbies especially after the game when the result is known and people have had a few drinks. The incidents that I witnessed just illustrated to me how easy it is for things to be misinterpreted and kick off.

As much as the Brigantes believe what they did was just lads having fun they would be well advised to concentrate their efforts on what happens inside the ground. Also to make sure that the songs concentrate on positive things about Wigan. I am happy to join in with songs about Wigan but refuse to support chants about the opposition or any songs containing swear words.

Good point Conroy...
Too many people on all sides here are claiming to be "genuine" or "real" fans. Thats not the point at all, what is, is the good name of the club and Rugby League. People are entitled to think that an overly vociferous support outside the ground is not quite the image we need. I have always supported the Brig's in all they have done, but i don't think the behaviour seen in the vid is appropriate. Then, you may say i'm an "old fart", well maybe, but i was a young plonker too, we all were.

I might be involved with the group, but believe me we have our differences in opinion.

who gives you the right to say who are and who are not real wigan fans am part of the brigante group and been going to nearly every home and away games for 12 years so what gives you the right to suggest that i am not a REAL WIGAN FAN

Rightly so...

I hope you realise that i have always been very positive about the group, and i'm not in it...

its his opinion, I donate to and donated half the we are wigan flag and 2 flags on the gantry. I to think it looked out of order, looked childish.

I understand that it is his opinion but he shouldnt be posting comments condemning the people who was there and saying they are not real wigan fans when they are there week in week out at home or away friendly games and even going into the ground early to watch the youth game

Hard to class really. I just know the guys in that video aren't.

Not seen the video, so I won't judge it.

But I'm truly sick of the FAN BASHING on this site. We are all Wigan fans, all of us are real, all of us follow Wigan in our own way. So why the need to analyse who the most deserving type of fan? And where does the desire to criticise each other come from?

Christ we have even had people make threats of violence because they don't like certain points that have been made.

Get over yourselves, concentrate on supporting the club in which ever way you choose and leave others to do the same.

Crap like this makes me sad.

Not happy to judge the video, but happy to judge everybody else.... Thats big of you, thanks..

Can't see the video, so can't judge it!

But hey, don't let that spoil your day. I can judge the posts and the people who have made them because I've read them! Now do you understand? Or should I make things simpler for you?

You seem to do "simple" quite adequately.

It works for you, so thought I'd give it a go. Not keen to be honest, think I'll go back to corresponding with someone a little more intelligent.

Perhaps you should go comment on something else you have not seen, i'm sure your views will be much appreciated.

Where have I commented on something I have not seen? You really are making a complete numpty of yourself with statements like that.

Read my first two posts on this thread, I'm commenting on the FAN BASHING and the posts questioning who the "real" fans are etc. you seem to want to make this into a personal attack, more than willing to oblige you and continue posting in response.

Now do we carry on in the same vane or get back to the real issue?

But the thread [uis[/u about the video.... And how some fans think people are making themselves look a little silly. If you wish to take a really balanced view of people opinions, how can you do it without having watched the video? But it seems you have already made your mind up without seeing it.

And lets all thank the lord for that.