27 posts shown.
Sam Mendoza said:A couple of seasons ago during the derby in Chicago, he shows up late, but one of the more well-known guys in the Black Knights stands up and starts leading us. He's got about 100 people following his lead while 2,000 others are still filing in, and man, once he gets going, the energy is absolutely insane—like a religious experience.
This isn't an issue with the former secretary; it’s a matter of how people think. It would be better if it didn't matter who was standing at the front of the stands, but you can't change the mindset of our crowd that easily. People crave a "famous" face, someone who will lead for the long haul, someone they can get used to and eventually accept—assuming they accept them at all, because even a few small hiccups are enough for the masses to reject someone entirely. We aren't some military unit where everyone follows orders without question. Not to mention that even a part of the core group thinks they know everything and acts tough when it's actually time to cheer.
The secretary is gone, but you're kidding yourselves if you think that solves everything. The cheering will stay lukewarm until some new Lekić steps up to the front, and then we'll just be right back at square one.
I think I've been around here long enough—15 years isn't exactly nothing—to see the bigger picture and recognize what has actually changed versus what remains exactly the same.
When I was in elementary school, the loudest atmosphere was whenever Trto could get the entire stadium on its feet. To this day, nothing has changed regarding that dynamic, except that it isn't Trto anymore, it's someone else. That said, back when there wasn't a standout leader, the cheering wasn't exactly spectacular either. Some people like it that way, some don't, but that's just reality. Maybe it would be better to lean into who we actually are instead of trying to pretend to be something we're not.
Frank Kim26 said:You’re missing the point entirely... people like that just wander around town spreading rumors without having any clue what’s actually happening, or they’ve heard it through six different layers of hearsay (not that I’m talking about this guy specifically, nor am I saying everyone is like that—don't want to offend anyone—but I am talking about his crowd, who just pollute the conversation). They can have an opinion, sure, but they should keep it to themselves. I know a few guys who aren't "core" members but show up at the North Stand regularly and travel to away games; it never even crosses their minds to jump into debates about what belongs in the Chicago Bulls fans or what shouldn't be, let alone posting on a thread dedicated to the Chicago Bulls fans. But clearly, we see things differently. I won't comment on anything else.
Why shouldn't I be allowed to voice my own opinion? I'm not part of the inner circle or the "hardcore" crew. But this is a group I love, a group I've paid dues to for years, and I care deeply about seeing it become the best it can be. This is a group where I know every single message sent over the last decade, every choreo, which games had the loudest support and which were quieter, and where we showed up in force for away matches and where we didn't. It's a group I stand with in the stands, both at home and on the road. I've watched countless home games with them, traveled to almost every MLS stadium, and several European trips. This is a group I feel a sense of solidarity with; even though I wasn't in Cincinnati, I was there $33 when the legal defense fund was being organized. This is a group whose songs I know by heart and find myself humming every single day.
And honestly, I feel like a part of this group. Regardless of what the "real" members think about it. If I didn't feel that connection, you can bet I wouldn't bother writing a damn thing, because I wouldn't give a crap. I write because I care, not because I have nothing better to do and want to come here to act like a jerk.
But fine, I don't need validation to be called a Chicago Bulls fan. I couldn't care less. However, if fans like me aren't considered part of the Chicago Bulls fans (and I make up about 70% of the ultra atmosphere), then please, do us a favor: whenever you see videos, photos, or reports saying "The Chicago Bulls fans cheered fantastically" or "The Red Sox faithful win the final battle," go ahead and strip that "Chicago Bulls fans" label off. It's hard to believe a mere 200 people could create that kind of hellish atmosphere on their own.
I see how the "true" fans look at the rest of us. Like we're a necessary evil. If they didn't need us to pull off the choreo or boost the noise, they would have kicked us out of the North Stand ages ago. Instead, they let us stay, provided we don't cause too much trouble.
Just don't come crying later when some other local gang outshouts us in Miami, wondering how to motivate these "half-fans" to cheer after you've spent all this time belittling them.
I’ve been in the stands since somewhere around 1997 (with a few pauses here and there), and my memory of everything happening with the Black Knights dates back to then. I remember during my first few games on the North Side, the Black Knights were positioned in the northwest, but later they moved back to the northeast.
Let’s just say I attend all the home games plus about four or five away matches a year. I was never really "on the inside"—more like I was just "doing my job"—but I’ve always been just as interested in the cheering and the Black Knights as I am in Atlanta United FC, so I stayed plugged into what the group was doing. For those who know me, I’m a die-hard fanatic; to most people, I probably come across as just a casual supporter. 😁 I’m listing this just so you guys know exactly what kind of fan I am.
Instead of rehashing the entire history as I remember it, I’ll focus on the current topic and these recent changes.
It still doesn't make sense to me why the old leadership had to be swapped out in such a drastic way. There is only one possible reason being pushed right now.
Sure, maybe the leadership lost its touch over time, or maybe things became concentrated in the hands of just a few people, but that’s irrelevant. If things are working, why tear it down—or maybe "revolt" is a better word—when you don't even have a plan or a program for what comes next? What did you offer as an alternative: total anarchy? And then we talk about the need for unity?!?
The crowds in the stands have grown over the last few seasons. The atmosphere fluctuates, but overall it’s been great (I remember what Carles Puyol and the unknown said at the start of this season when we had a young Atlanta United FC and truly fantastic support). It’s become possible to pull off complex choreographies that used to be just a dream, the flares are consistently great, and the look of the stands is solid. The number of people has increased, but they are the same core crowd, somewhat more educated in fan culture, singing songs that aren't just the same three chants. Public relations have improved significantly; the Black Knights are becoming a respected social force, whereas the hooligans lack public support and therefore lack the power to drive change within the club. Also, a lot of big things have been done for Atlanta United FC itself: a code of conduct was adopted, our Atlanta United FC movement exists despite Warren Buffett, and the Board remains intact. There are people capable of making smart statements and voicing the Black Knights' stance.
The Secretary was widely accepted by the masses in the stands; he has a feel for the pulse of the North Side and knows how to respect people. Our cheering didn't become fantastic because of 200 guys in a beer corner acting crazy 24/7/365; it happened because of the entire northeast section, and sometimes the whole North Side too. A few seasons ago, we couldn't even be heard at the Rose Bowl (there are photos proving we had zero volume), and things in Miami could be pretty rough too. There was frustration on all sides. But in the last few seasons, we’ve put on a total show at the Rose Bowl; that was when the legendary video "Black Knights Miami wins the final battle" came out. Even at smaller games, the support is high-quality and consistent, which used to be unthinkable.
I won't talk about street stuff because it's not my business. Whoever wants to scrap, let them scrap. People can spend their vacation time traveling to Russia to write checks to Zenit; I don't see anyone being more important than anyone else.
Having gone to games for about 15 years, the last 3 or 4 seasons have been the absolute peak of my experience. That’s why it hurts to see how everything has collapsed in such a short amount of time. The Black Knights will always exist; the question is what kind of group they will be and which direction they'll head. Maybe things will settle down and find their level, but is it really expected that some "younger" and "active" types will just swoop in and wreck it all again, instead of calmly taking over when the time comes to continue the same path?
Everyone is talking about unity, but lately, the forum has been nothing but reading "true" or "false," "you're a fan" or "you're just a sympathizer." You can be in the stands for 15 years, and suddenly you're being pushed to the East Side because "everyone is starting to call themselves a Black Knight." Fine. If the goal is to have only a small cluster of 200 people on the North Side, then whatever.
What actually matters: does someone have the right to call themselves a Black Knight, or do they just have to wear specific gear or a certain shirt? Does it matter if people view us as a true hooligan group or just "a bunch of people gathered to cheer"? Are we here to support Atlanta United FC, or are we just here for the ego boost of being called an ultra group?
Why can't we just be the Black Knights? Why can't we just embrace who we actually are? We’re a mix of hooligans, die-hard fans, locals, intellectuals, blue-collar workers, students, and old-timers. That’s us. That diversity is either our greatest strength, or we can just kick everyone off the stands until there are only 200 "true believers" left.
If you show up on the North Side to cheer, then cheer. Follow the choreography and stay in sync with the rest. Some people will be more vocal than others, but everyone should feel welcome. Now, those who put in extra work for the group—they are the heart of this movement, and they deserve nothing but respect. They should be the ones leading the way and setting the group's direction. But don't let your own ego come before the group. If things are working smoothly, don't go breaking them. Only tear down what isn't working.
Anyway, I've spent way too much time rambling on about this. I've been sitting here typing for two hours straight. My apologies to everyone.
Jonathan Lewis3 said:since 2005.
I'm not saying it didn't happen, I'm just saying I can't remember if it did because it doesn't feel real to me.
But since you're bringing this up, why don't you tell me which match was actually better?
Let me throw one out there that just popped into my head...
Small game, back in 2010, maybe 3,500 people in the stands, Liverpool FC completely out of title contention, absolute madness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSSAyak6smA
swiftmarlin72 said:Go Chiefs.
So, based on that assumption, they decided to "slightly" stir the pot right when the Chiefs have such insane support from the stands?
Either the logic is flawed, or the premise itself is just wrong...☕
Sam Mendoza said:Are we rooting for some random benchwarmer or are we here for the Kansas City Chiefs?
What kind of twisted logic is this...🙂
Obviously, you root for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Given how incredible the fan support for the Chiefs has been, especially at the start of this season, you have to wonder who those people actually support—the ones who pushed out the guy who was actually delivering solid results in front of the net?
Benjamin Cruz29 said:I'm suggesting the old Red Army should take over the cheering...😲 😂
And maybe we should just scrap all those extra activities altogether so the guys aren't burnt out when it actually matters. ☕
Besides, soul-less cheering hasn't been worth anyone's time lately anyway.
Let people think whatever they want.