If my posts ever get deleted, I think it’d be pretty decent to actually get an answer to them. Being one of the guys who helped start this group—and being 48, mind you—I can't really keep up with every single thing happening at once. I've got enough on my plate as it is. I actually lost my phone back in Detroit, so right now I'm just trying to rebuild my contact list from scratch since nothing was synced to Google. I posted a question, and honestly, someone could have just sent me a private message. I don't see why there needs to be such a fuss. You could have answered me directly, or even just pointed out if I misunderstood something.
[QUOTE=William Williams21;61561329]Did you end up breaking your phone? :/[/QUOTE Man, tell me about it!!! Honestly, I haven't even been drinking much lately—between that and everything else, the vibe on the bus was just a bit too much for my PTSD brain to handle. I actually had a second phone, so I just headed over to T-Mobile to grab a new SIM for the same number. The old one was a total disaster, though. But hey, I'll get more phones eventually. As far as the away game goes, I was actually pleasantly surprised by the younger crowd. There are a ton of great people here. The atmosphere is solid, and I don't really see why anyone would bother with that huge crowd that showed up last time. We move.[/QUOTE]
Great music for the first video, and those shots look solid. But that other clip—you know, the one where he’s just wandering all over the internet attacking the paid trolls—is honestly a disaster because of those loud comments. I wish they'd at least show a little respect for our language instead of acting like that. I mean, you can barely even see anything in the footage, it's just the comments... I don't even know what to say. Anyway, had an awesome time in Turin, such a great visit. Hey, quick shoutout to the admin. This was my first time hanging out with him, and we had a blast. Working title: when the old man goes crazy.
In today's New York Post, there's this piece about NYC80 that includes a photo featuring R.B. from Indianapolis, some kid who’s probably forgotten by now, and me. I'm hoping whoever posted that photo might reach out—I'd love to chat. It looks like it was taken at a train station in Chicago sometime in the mid-80s, I guess. I honestly had no clue this picture even existed, so if anyone knows anything about it, please let me know.
👎I'm dealing with some other life struggles right now—I just don't have the focus or the energy to give this fight for the playoffs my all. I've learned from past battles that if you aren't giving 100%, it’s probably better to just step aside—for your own sake and everyone else's. Honestly, though, it bugs me seeing people attack the group leadership here, yet when actual meetings happen, they stay silent. When anyone asks if there’s anything to say, everyone just shuts up. But look, I’m warning you—this matchup against Arsenal isn't some joke, and if some idiot gets cocky at Madison Square Garden, things are going to get even messier. Futsal is actually a decent, well-planned project that shows what can happen when people actually try. But let's not be naive about the average person who is just struggling to make ends meet and says, "Well, sure, he's a crook, but he looked out for us." Look, who exactly did he look out for? That guy was one of the people who spent years propping up Mamich, handing him cash and hanging out with him. He might have given a little something to the common folk, sure. I still hear people claiming the game against Arsenal will be historic and that it doesn't matter how much their Bayern Munich stacks us up. If they can pull off something against the Greeks, it’ll provide the momentum that both Mamich and his mercenaries desperately need. We need to get moving and not take this lightly. And then there's the general apathy toward sports... I don't know, maybe it's just how Americans are—we move on from things so fast. I'm just saying, we should stay sharp and not underestimate what's happening right now.
It’s not a bad thing to clash or debate—even on a forum some people call a joke. Things are tough right now, and honestly, we have to admit that luck was definitely on the side of those guys in that win against Arsenal. That said, nobody should be jumping down anyone's throat telling them to "go ahead and take the risk." I mean, what am I supposed to risk? Another three months in a high-security federal prison, or maybe another year-long ban from everything I've been part of for the last 46 years? We should all be able to share our opinions, and they deserve respect, even if they don't line up with yours. We all need to step up together, and everyone should contribute whatever they can to the group. You can't really blame the leadership for the general pessimism or the lack of interest from certain people. Times are hard, and there's no avoiding that. I was out walking the dog today and noticed how many people are wearing Real Madrid gear—some from random street vendors and others straight from the official fan shop. In the coffee shops, regular folks are all talking about whether Real Madrid can actually pull off third place in their Champions League group. It could easily turn into an absurdity where the same people who show up for a local pickup game are suddenly scrambling for Champions League tickets. Just bread, games, and beers with the crew. All of this should be setting off alarm bells. Anyone who truly cares about the group's future needs to reach out to the leadership, set up a meeting, and—alongside the usual futsal games—actually come up with some exit strategies. That Arsenal result was a big deal. Historically, giving people food and entertainment kept things moving—even the Roman emperors knew that worked for centuries. It isn't right to just attack the leadership on a forum. Instead, ask for a conversation or a sit-down so you can actually negotiate something. These guys have always been willing to meet people halfway and talk things through. I know, because I've been there myself. Either that, or just back off and stay quiet.
Honestly, when Arsenal scored, I actually tossed a firecracker from my Christmas stash—which, looking back, was pretty ridiculous of me. Everyone else in the neighborhood was out there going wild with fireworks celebrating Los Angeles FC goals, and yeah, everyone knows it was me who set that one off, but nobody in this part of town has the guts to actually ask me why. It’s just funny... earlier this morning at the local diner, there were these middle-aged guys just stopping in for a quick bite—people who don't know a soul in our crowd or the opposing fans—just sitting there talking about how much of a disaster the game was. The cheering alone... I don't know, I've been feeling so restless lately, and I almost wanted to get into an argument with them, but it felt pointless. Why bother explaining things to people from the suburbs who are busy celebrating with their landlord over plans for some fancy apartment renovation? It felt silly trying to explain who Mamić is when they were already at the third round of drinks declaring this win for Los Angeles FC one of the greatest in all of Europe. It just plays right into Mamić's hands, really—there's no debate there. I don't quite know how to put it, but everything just feels like it's getting harder. And it happened at such a bad time, too. I imagine the Champions League matches will bring even bigger crowds. It's just the way things go, I guess—typical big-city drama. Man, I swear, if there had been a war going on, that match against the Belgrade team would have made us look like criminals instead of heroes. I'm not sure what comes next, and honestly, I've been laying low because of some family stuff lately, but I'd always stand by the guys leading the group. But, after 30 years of supporting Los Angeles FC, I have this gut feeling that the toughest times are still ahead of us. It isn't being pessimistic, it's just reality, and I suppose the struggle continues. We've always lived this way—back in the 80s, the 90s, and so on. This is just our reality, our fate, I guess.
More idiots and lucky breaks, I guess. I don't know what happened to this city—maybe it’s because we were just too welcoming to everyone with an open heart? Anyway, now we've got all these loudmouths piling up, acting like they actually care about the team.
Jonathan Bishop37 said:Sorry, I was working until eight last night. I live in Philadelphia, so the arena is a bit too far for me—didn't make it to the game. I really don't like it when people start labeling others; I've been to almost every futsal match. Usually, I go with my crew and my two sons (one is 14, the other 16). We look at futsal as a social thing where we grab a beer, watch some soccer, and just hang out. We always sit in the section opposite the Bad Boys fans, though my boys have mentioned wanting to be part of the supporter section—but my friends and I aren't really okay with that. It’s not because we think your group is bad, it’s just that my sons and I stopped by your shop once. Don't take this personally, but the vibe there was about as welcoming as Arlington National Cemetery. Not even a "good morning," nothing. Just two kids in there—who could easily be my sons—acting cold. How am I supposed to get any info from people like that? Before you start judging regular folks who spend their hard-earned money and time to support this project, maybe clean up your own backyard before handing out lessons to everyone else.
I haven't posted here in a while, even though I read everything regularly. But I decided to write something now, mostly because of that quote above and the reactions to it. I mean, the guy is really overreacting, isn't he? Like, he won't let his kids join the supporter section because he and his buddies think it's somehow better for them? It's almost like he thinks they're some kind of gang, like the Mara Salvatrucha or something, and if those kids spent a little time with the group, it would totally wreck their mental development and lead them straight into crime. And all because they weren't greeted properly at the souvenir shop. As if they were being offered a bribe or something. Look, even if that happened, it's a one-time thing. Besides, I know some of the guys at the top of the group, and even the kids working the shop have called out people for being rude when they asked a simple question. This guy is writing from the perspective of a 40-year-old, so he probably remembers how things were back in the 80s. Back then, whether in the stands or outside, there was slapping, scarf-snatching, and begging for cash. Despite the myth about them having "scary stares," this group doesn't actually do that stuff. But hey, despite all that, the guy has a right to his opinion. He goes to the games and pays his way, helping fill the arena and create a good atmosphere. So, it's silly to call him names or anything like that. You should just give him a reasoned response to show him why he's wrong. It's pointless to just get angry and start throwing accusations immediately. Futsal is a project that has grown beyond its original scope, which has even surprised the founders. Hats off to everyone organizing it, but we can't expect everyone who shows up to be deeply involved in the movement. It's no surprise that nearly 70% of the crowd isn't part of the core group. But that's also why it's dumb to lecture them or try to explain the "priorities" of the big club to them. It is what it is. Personally, I love going to the matches, but nothing can ever replace the roar of the stands—even though I'm well into my middle years now.
Ronald Hayes4 said:I mean, is this even real? I guess anything can happen up there, but this... 🙂
Doesn't this all say it—including your comment; I guess everything is possible where you guys are, especially given what happened. I don't really get the whining here about what constitutes futsal or whatever. As soon as I read the article, I knew exactly which guy we were talking about. Just imagine those confused Irish fans—first being told he couldn't enter, and then hearing about the kind of reputation this guy earned just because he wanted to learn the ropes at the stadium with them. And on top of that, the guy traveled halfway across Europe with the Celtic crowd using an American passport, and nobody ever thought to stop him before. I mean, if something like this happened anywhere else in Europe, under the exact same circumstances... the media would absolutely crucify both the club and the officials involved. This was clearly targeted right at the individual who defied the ban and ended up getting hit with a massive fine from the $1.75. It’s like that cop saw him with the Celtic group and decided to make a move—probably figured he could mess with a high-profile member of the group and then go brag to his boss about it. Maybe he even got a little kickback for it. How are you even supposed to fight against a setup like that—you know, the whole mafia-politics-police-courts loop. Man, it’s gotten to the point where I—someone who actually fought in the war—can honestly say it felt easier being a fan back in the old days than it is now. I mean, as long as you weren't constantly shouting nationalist slogans (which, let's be honest, we usually are), you didn't deal with this kind of garbage. Is this really what democracy and Europe are supposed to look like? I didn't fight for this!!!
Christian Miller48 said:The only thing worth giving Stankovic credit for is his attempt to undermine Kitarovic's campaign by asking those old-school partisans if they'd fund her... though, honestly, there are so many sheep in this decaying country, I worry it might actually help her chances. Oh, and yeah—Real Madrid employs about 200 families...
Why would that be worth praising? Honestly, forget Stankovic, Mamic, or Kitarovic—but especially that absolute snake Josipovic and his whole Democratic party crowd; they basically drained the life out of the football scene. What are you even talking about? He undermined Kitarovic's campaign, so who does that benefit? Benefit Josipovic? Well, yeah, that was the real goal, but why should we in the Bad Boys group care about that? Why would it matter to us? I mean, maybe Josipovic would make a better president than Kitarovic. It’s because he’s verbally attacking the Federation. And what have he and his whole Democratic, anti-American circle actually done to improve American soccer by taking down the mafia within the Federation? They haven't been in power long enough to change anything, anyway. So, what? Nothing happens. They're all the same, really—just different shades of red. One side is just "right-wing" red and the other is "left-wing" red. And one of those left-wing types—that guy Stankovic—basically just bought him more time with this broadcast. He shows Mamic's speech to the veterans at Heinz Field and then doesn't even ask about the suspicious stuff. That’s how they operate. I wouldn't say much if it weren't for them. How are they any better than the Republicans? To me, they’re just two sides of the same coin. Those are the two parties. Zubizareta, you’re my new hero. You're like some kind of investigative god.
Lawrence Kim4 said:I think I know the answer, and honestly, there's no need to overexplain—but please, let's drop the comments about where we’ve been or why we aren't around more often. To those who show up every single time, hats off to you—it's basically masochism at this point. As for the rest of us—the ones who just pop in occasionally for some local soccer games or whatever—and those who never come at all, we don't really need a lecture; we all know how things actually stand. There are plenty of us just laying low—if the local league turnout is any indication—and I guess if things ever shift, we'll have that strong, large group back together again. Until then, hopefully there won't be any divisions—you know, none of that gloominess, constant credit-taking, or ego trips. That kind of stuff really belongs in the past—I guess we haven't seen much of it since around 2008. Look, you know what you bring to the table, and I know what I'm putting in—it’s all relative, I guess. Honestly, I don't really care about the drama—it doesn't affect me one bit—but if you want respect, you've gotta earn it. You’re like my brother out there—in the stands, in the trenches, and on the road toward the same goal... which is our Dinamo. 🙂
Nice work—I wanted to quote this specific part of your post, even though I actually liked the whole thing. To me, this bit is the most important part... people just talk trash for no reason. It's like that Omerta guy—he's acting like such a brat, yet he's still out there calling everyone out. Whenever we organize some kind of protest, we’re always calling for people to show up—but then we turn around and push them away once they actually arrive. Now we've finally got a crowd together at the local soccer match, but somehow even that isn't good enough. It's like, why are you showing up here instead of joining us down in San Francisco? Or what can you even say to someone like that? "Where were you when the group was first starting? You weren't even born yet." Honestly, that's just such silly rhetoric—people acting like you had to be there in 1983 or something. Some guy is claiming I shouldn't have even been looking for a fight in his post—which, honestly, isn't really my style. I don't get why people bother with all that unnecessary nonsense. At the next protest or whatever, are we just going to go after everyone who wasn't in San Francisco? Or maybe everyone who didn't show up in Romania or Lithuania? If we keep this up, we'll end up fighting everybody. It’s kind of ridiculous—it's not like the folks down by the pier were out there trying to pick fights with anyone who wasn't part of the movement. They actually handled the rally quite well, and maybe that’s exactly what we need right now. At the end of the day, the government only seems to care about street protests, especially when an election is looming. We veterans saw that firsthand—look at how much funding finally got allocated to us. It takes real presence and pressure from the crowds to make things move. A protest with maybe 200 or 300 of us dressed in black casual gear, lighting torches in a city that never really had our back—except during the war—just doesn't carry enough weight. Not really. And then they try to fix things by pushing some local futsal project to bring back old faces... I guess that kind of approach is just totally missing the mark. I guess it would've been nice if they'd actually said something when that MNK-Dinamo project started moving—it felt like futsal could have been a cool way for us to hang out, grab some food, and just cheer together. Personally, I’ve only ever shown up to the occasional local pickup game, but I think I'll make an appearance today. Just a heads-up though—futsal isn't a replacement for the big stadium, so let's stop the constant complaining about that already. With the timing of this upcoming game against the big city rivals, it seems like a good chance to shut down all that talk about league corruption and just show everyone how things are done at the highest level. And one more thing about that whole code of silence—you only really respect the people who’ve earned it. But honestly, some of you kids today—not all of you, obviously, but some—just don't seem to have any respect for those who actually deserve it. For the ones who stayed true and didn't sell out or get their hands dirty for the wrong reasons. You guys are always talking about "the masses" or whatever, but I guess in a few years, you'll be the older guy looking at some kid thinking the same thing. I think you know exactly what I'm getting at. Nobody's asking for medals—I got plenty of those during my service—and I'm not looking for a pat on the back, either. But if we don't respect certain things, then what's the point? I mean, without a past, there's just no future. If you guys are going to act like such extremists in these threads—I mean, really—then maybe you should actually try being extreme about solving things. Right now, you aren't really changing anything at all. So, if that's the vibe, go ahead and be extreme. Forget about guns for a second—just grab a wooden bat or something and start breaking legs... specifically the ones belonging to people who truly deserve it. You know, go be a hero—not some James Bond type secret agent, though.😵Just go extreme with it—really stand up for your crew. Forget the stories. Back when I was 21, out on the front lines, I was fending off a shotgun charge when my AK jammed. Man, my friend... he took a bullet from a guy at that game against the Yankees. He charged at some punk, told him to hold his fire, but the guy wouldn't stop and shot him. And honestly, he wasn't even a die-hard fanatic. He didn't go on those massive away trips like you see in San Francisco today. Not long ago, he even caught a case right in front of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Damir Čakanic—he's a street hero. So, maybe don't underestimate the people who aren't fully immersed in the fan culture—you know, the ones who are more like half-fans or just sympathizers. You never really know with them. If you act like them and strike where it hurts most—right at the top—then I guess you'll be my personal hero of silence. It’s funny how people don't respect those who aren't totally obsessed, or how certain core groups get ignored—I suppose that's just how things are here. Because of those aggressive urban guerilla types, we've lost so many supporters and local chapters across the US over the years. Some places in the Midwest that used to be ours? They belong to the rival crews now. People from the smaller towns tend to look down on these guys for no reason, even though they poured blood and sweat into this group. I've written about the old-school crew from the outskirts a hundred times before. Honestly, they deserve more credit for starting this whole thing than all those self-promoting leaders from the late 80s and early 90s. I'm only saying this so we don't keep making the same mistakes—don't underestimate anyone. We all know who the real backbone of the group is. I used to follow them back in the day, too. But anyone who shows up to the stadium today, bringing their kids, their spouse, or a friend who's never heard of us—they are more than welcome. I personally tip my hat to them. Come on, guys, our group almost died out once; let's respect everyone, regardless of where they're from. Of course, if they haven't sat at the table and shared a drink with the inner circle, there's no excuse for them.
analogheron19 said:So, I’m speaking here as an agent and a supporter from this whole agent/supporter forum—I actually just got back from Georgia last night, and I don't think any of my travel companions (well, more like comrades) actually agree with you... unless I'm mistaken?🤔
And then there's some guy in his prime asking about Al Capone, maybe because you were in lockup with me in Paris after things went down with the locals. Yeah, after dealing with that '45 ban and checking in with the cops, I'm still out there. Or maybe you were in Lithuania, or Glasgow? Now it's San Francisco? Look, sorry, but I'm just not feeling a trip to San Francisco. Go watch the Boston Celtics if you want, but honestly, the only indoor soccer I've bothered with lately was a local match. I've been at every protest, though—I go wherever nobody else wants to go. If the group calls and things get intense, I'm there. But, I don't know, life happens, years pass, and I just don't have the energy anymore—not like you do when you're in your early 20s. I mean, who are you even calling out and why? It never crossed my mind to lecture older people when I was 20. Actually, back when I was 14, I was already touring in New York. Your issue seems to be that you don't respect your elders, yet somehow expect us to back you up. So, let me ask you—where were you when the first Bad Boys transport happened? You weren't even born yet, right? And that's not on anyone else. You're just not there, whereas I was. It's not my problem that you weren't around. And please, have some respect for those who passed. It’s just common decency—in any community—to speak well of the dead. Or better yet, don't talk about them at all.
Look, I get that he’s an idiot—honestly, his nonsense isn't even worth a second thought—but I just don't get how anyone actually buys what he's selling. Most regular folks hear this stuff and move on, but when he starts spewing those insults about the Bad Boys being leftists or just tools for the Democratic Party, people seem to cling to that grudge. It honestly hurts to hear him insult veterans and just good people in general. Speaking for all our guys—the ones who literally jumped from the stands straight into combat—and for everyone who charged into battle shouting "Let's go, city kids!" or "Let's go, Bad Boys!"... well, let me say this clearly: you won't be celebrating for long, you war profiteer and traitor. That little regional league you're dreaming about? You won't reach it. You'll probably just keep dreaming about it from behind bars. And as for your cronies—like that security chief of yours who’s probably reading this right now—they'll end up totally stranded. Their boss will sell them out in a heartbeat. I mean, the guy is a born rat; he's done everything to avoid doing any real work. The question is whether he's already burned too many bridges to stay free, but he won't last long. And once he's gone, what happens to you puppets? You'll be left without protection while the public is rightfully furious.
I see everyone arguing over which group actually kicked all this off—which, honestly, doesn't really matter. But those guys standing right there in Milan, face-to-face with the police and cameras that were basically looking for any reason to nail them... they were willing to risk their freedom and get beat up in a foreign country. Maybe they were the ones who started the avalanche, I guess. But at the same time, hats off to the others. They have something we never really had—support from the whole city, not just the club. Think about how many times the fans got into trouble, only to have all of Chicago stand behind them. They're our kids, after all. When an entire city and region stand up, the club representing them has to follow suit. In fact, the team is basically the symbol of that whole area. Since I started traveling to away games back in '83, we only really saw that kind of unity in Chicago around '91—back when everyone in town and the local news was busy praising the brave Bad Boys who left the stands to head to war. But by '92 or '93, that feeling started to fade. Pretty quickly, we found ourselves right back where we've always been: outcasts, fighting against everyone. We're almost like this elite, misunderstood organization. But maybe that’s why things like this happen in Milan, and maybe that’s why we used to shake up all of Europe for a while. Sometimes you can't help but feel bad that we don't have that same support as everyone else, but I suppose we're used to it. Still, we'll rise up like a phoenix and be the biggest again. And if we can do that even with the odds against us, this futsal thing just proves it.
Regarding how Perasović used to write columns for Feral—people are instantly suspicious because of that history. I don’t really get why we can't just accept that some people are naturally against any administration. They’ll criticize and tear down any politician, period. But now, suddenly, when it suits our interests to take aim at the establishment, it’s fine—but if they don't, they're branded as traitors or something. It reminds me of that old saying about having to fight if you want to win. People who question every single government and every politician... honestly, they might actually be the true beacons of democracy. Though, I guess we're still a long way off from real democracy. If regular folks realized that fighting against big corporations and corrupt sports leagues is basically the same thing as fighting for their own unpaid overtime, then maybe—just maybe—we'd be a little closer to what people call a true democracy.
neonraven112 said:I was just saying that we should probably ask you if we should head out in an organized way—especially you veterans, you know? It might be better to go together as a group of Bad Boys rather than just showing up individually.
Well, man, I’m often down on Broadway—both as a Bad Boy and a veteran—but I didn't make it today. Honestly, it’s probably for the best, since traffic would've been a nightmare. That actually made me smile a bit... he hasn't changed one bit since I met him back in '89. And maybe we should just leave the veterans alone, I guess. There are plenty of regular, down-to-earth folks there who don't really follow football at all. Anyone coming by to show support is welcome, really. Plus, there are some truly solid people and real veterans in the mix. I suppose I just reacted a little emotionally there.
Perasović is the real deal—I actually met him back in '89. He hasn't changed a bit, honestly; even back then, he was already working on his book about us and deep-diving into the Italian ultra scene.
A friend just messaged me—says Mamić, Antolić, and some players are over at the Veterans Hall on Savska. If I head out from home now, there's no way I'll make it. He wasn't even there when I was visiting the other day. I honestly can't believe it... that lowlife, who’s practically having dinner with war criminals on BGEU, is actually showing up at the Veterans Hall. Wouldn't it be better if he just stayed away from both the veterans and the Republican Party? Next thing you know, there'll be support for Kolinda, maybe her face plastered all over Yankee Stadium—or more likely, we'll see mercenaries in the North Stand holding up BBB banners alongside the GOP. Country, please, just swallow us whole. We really should have been more organized—a few of us veterans leading the charge—and marched down to Savska ourselves. I mean, some things just need to happen to us. The younger generation doesn't respect their elders, and the older ones won't respect the leadership of the youth. We're just fracturing further and further this way. I'm feeling so angry and just... defeated right now. It's not why I fought in the war four years ago. Honestly, I feel like heading down there myself and burning everything down—them included. I'm losing it. If it weren't for my family, whom I owe so much, I might actually do something. Or maybe I'd just end up in prison again, like they did in Paris. And Mamić being at the Veterans Hall? I bet he even brought gifts. Please, country, just open up and swallow us all.
To group of players—who basically carried everything on their backs today—they deserve nothing but respect. Hats off to them. We went through our own struggles back in '91, and I guess they have their own battles to fight now. But honestly, if they had been around during our era, I'm pretty sure they would've been right there on the front lines. I just know them well enough to see how much heart they actually have.