Anyone with a Camera - Burnley game?

[villa1]

Can't knock them for trying to do something. Few comments i'd make though:

Should have been discussed with the club. Get them onside and it'll help.
Comments on your site about 'acab' just single you out and will make you even more of a target for them.
See if there is somewhere you can hang your banner permanently.

How many of you were in your group last night?

[We Love You]

About the 4 wavers looking like schoolboys, thats because they are you ******. So what? I'd much rather be a schoolboy with passion for his/her team then an old man who sits on his arse all day and may get exciting to clap. About us looking embarrassing, that's just laughable. I presume your one of them who moan when no one sings then moan when people try to do something at YOUR club. Get a grip ffs. Villa1- There was 18 of us.

[We Love You]

Anyway, ANY pictures?

[TimTheVillain]

About the 4 wavers looking like schoolboys, thats because they are you c***. So what? I'd much rather be a schoolboy with passion for his/her team then an old man who sits on his arse all day and may get exciting to clap. About us looking embarrassing, that's just laughable. I presume your one of them who moan when no one sings then moan when people try to do something at YOUR club. Get a grip ffs. Villa1- There was 18 of us.

About the 4 wavers looking like schoolboys, thats because they are you c***. So what? I'd much rather be a schoolboy with passion for his/her team then an old man who sits on his arse all day and may get exciting to clap. About us looking embarrassing, that's just laughable. I presume your one of them who moan when no one sings then moan when people try to do something at YOUR club. Get a grip ffs. Villa1- There was 18 of us.

Hey, why don't you mail the General asking for the club's support in this - there is a General Krulak threadathon above.

Good luck in your endeavours, anything to improve the atmosphere at VP !

He may influence the club to support you guys.

[VillaZogmariner]

About the 4 wavers looking like schoolboys, thats because they are you c***. So what? I'd much rather be a schoolboy with passion for his/her team then an old man who sits on his arse all day and may get exciting to clap. About us looking embarrassing, that's just laughable. I presume your one of them who moan when no one sings then moan when people try to do something at YOUR club. Get a grip ffs. Villa1- There was 18 of us.

Bit harsh.

What we need is the club to play some Bob Marley -

[We Love You]

Was a bit harsh yes, just ennoying, children/kids/young men (as they were) can't have passion either?

And good video.

[Legion]

About the 4 wavers looking like schoolboys, thats because they are you c***.

Cut out the personal abuse.

[We Love You]

Done, doesn't look like people got many/any pictures, we got a few before the game so they should be up soon.

[Mark H]

Well if that was the one in the North lower then I can tell you I could see it from the Holte but other than in my minds eye I dont have any pictures of it sorry

[We Love You]

Alright mate, no worries. If i remember some one was going to take a pic was a slz professorial camera or something a long them lines. Quick question, as the players came out, could you see us clearly?

[Smithy]

Okay, could someone who saw it at least draw us a picture?

Crayon will do.

[Mark H]

Yes you could be seen when the players came out - I had not read the thread before I went to the game so I saw it clearly enough to think I wonder what that is !

[lordmcgrath5]

Interesting that this is being tried at the Villa. My gut feeling is: good luck to you lads, the ground could do with a bit of a boost to the atmosphere.

I saw the Ultra movement go from almost nothing to being a major presence at virtually all grounds during my time in Germany between 1998 and 2005. As has been pointed out above, Ultra groups vary enormously, and yes some of them do have a large hooligan element or political links (on the left and the right). But in most cases they're all about creating atmosphere in the ground and a more organised form of support for  the team, including banners, choreographies, constant singing, buses to away games, etc.

Naturally, it's a lot easier for ultras to get together in Germany because of the standing areas at almost all grounds. And yes, many of them have at least reasonable relations with the clubs themselves, and are able to arrange things like bringing in large banners or choreographies involving thousands of coloured sheets of paper.

A word of caution, though. Ultra groups tend to get most of their support from younger fans, many in their teens or early 20s - nothing wrong with that in itself. But older fans can start to get pissed off if they feel that ultras and their idea of what constitutes proper support are taking over. One of the most pertinent criticisms to be voiced in Germany is that ultras often carry on with their programme of songs and flag-waving regardless of what's happening on the pitch. Traditionally, events on the pitch are the key determinant of a lot of singing and atmosphere - but in ultra-dominated grounds, other fans who might otherwise start a song don't get a look-in, creating resentment.

Other Ultra-related paraphernalia that can aggravate people: smoke bombs, fireworks and "capos" who stand with a megaphone directing the singing and their back to the pitch. All of the above very unlikely to be an issue in England, though.

All the best, Brigada 1874, with getting behind the team. I'll be very interested to see how you get on.

[Chris Smith]

It's Villa, we should get people joining in everywhere, there shouldn't be a particular stand that sings etc. Should be everywhere, i know its not like this but.

Each of the stands needs their own songs so that they have an individual identity. The Holte already has plenty so may I suggest:

Trinity - Common People
Doug Ellis - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go
North Stand - Welcome to the Cheap Seats

[Dante Lavelli]

Good luck with what you're trying to do.  I think everyone will appreciate it if you can really get things going...

Do you have a long term strategy?  Surely the problem is that with season tickets etc it is hard to get the group together in one place.  Do you have plans to arrange it so that you're all based in one location next season.  I think to make it work - easily - you'll need the club's support in some capacity.

Again - Good luck with it all.