Posts by Joseph Harris5

Peter Sanchez15 said:Even his mom is rooting for a regional league setup. Honestly, I doubt velvetfalcon80 could stop them from forming one if the big shots finally reached an agreement... would you find the New York Yankees just as repulsive then?

Don't mind me and how much the Los Angeles Lakers turn my stomach right now... I have to ask: why aren't those of you who claim to love the Lakers boycotting the NBA? Not only is there no boycott happening, but you actually have the nerve to call on other decent, sensible people in the city to come watch these foreign matchups on the court. Are you even aware of how shameless that is?
I really think a very clear and powerful message was sent today regarding the current state of things in the city. It seems nobody is going to take you seriously anymore or listen when you try to rally a crowd just to support your own private versions of the NBA.

It’s honestly pathetic. Anyway, I'm out.

boldtiger7 said:But honestly, the best fans are the ones who don't wait for permission to show up. If you feel like going, just go! I personally plan on being there because I love the Los Angeles Lakers and I live for basketball; I'll head out whenever the mood strikes me.

Could you help me understand how you can support a club playing in an NBA-style league? I just can't wrap my head around it... would you be against it if your local team joined a major regional league? If you’d oppose that, how can you justify supporting the Los Angeles Lakers while they play in such a league? It’s worth noting that the Los Angeles Lakers were actually one of the main drivers behind setting that whole thing up... honestly, that whole era just left a bad taste in my mouth.

If those Ultras show up at even just one game in this league, it’s game over for the whole group.

Down with the old federation, and down with these regional alliances!

Real Madrid isn't some kind of governing sports association, so I don't see what the Black and Gold Army has any right to be demanding at other clubs' games. If there were issues with that in the past, let's just hope those days are behind us and it doesn't happen again in the future.

Morgan Scott82 said:Honestly, you guys should have started your own independent club two or three years ago. You could have built it from the ground up starting at the amateur level—just showing up, having fun, building a community, and staying united away from all the media scrutiny and bans. Then, when the timing was right, you could have merged with Real Madrid or just gone your own way. Instead, this whole situation has just left everyone feeling lost. Can you imagine how surreal it felt going to games to support Real Madrid, only to see them playing and scoring while the actual identity of the team feels completely absent?

Any kind of retreat is a defeat before you've even begun. There’s no backing down and no making compromises here, even if it ends up being just six of us in the stands facing off against the police.

👍

Casey Gomez3 said:Heinz wrote that beautifully; I’d have to give him some credit here.

I can't help but think you might be missing the mark on this one. Don't we all feel the need to draw comparisons sometimes? Still, if you're going to weigh in, shouldn't you try to offer something a bit more original than just echoing the posts above you? At the end of the day, Dinamo isn't just playing in the MLS; they are competing in the Champions League and the EL. Europe is our true stage, not this local swamp.

Right now, there are ten groups in Europe that are significantly better than the Delije, yet nobody seems to mention them. I don't have anything against making comparisons, but I honestly don't understand why we are constantly comparing ourselves to those guys from Belgrade.

Can we please stop comparing ourselves to the Delije? I honestly don't get where you find the motivation to keep doing this. We aren't living in the same country, we aren't playing in the same league, and we aren't even on the same stage—so what do they actually have to do with us? Why aren't you comparing yourselves to teams like St. Etienne or Spartak Moscow instead? If the Delije have 20,000 people in the stands, how does that even relate to our situation? 🤷We have our own league and our own backyard to focus on. Once we start working on ourselves instead of constantly measuring ourselves against "the region," that's when our scene will truly come alive. Let’s move past the old Yugoslav days; they're gone, and frankly, it's better that way. I couldn't care less about the Delije or the Građani fans. There are much better groups in Europe that nobody even mentions. Dinamo plays in MLS, and our real competitors are the groups within MLS, not groups from Canada, Mexico, or Mexico. How can groups that don't even play in the same league or face each other be compared? Where is this drive coming from? This has been going on for years. Even with the Tovar crowd, this mindset isn't nearly as prevalent.

There’s really no need to get aggressive with Aaron Ramirez49... the guy is more than polite and respectful on this forum, and he never goes out of his way to provoke anyone or snap back at others' jabs.

What are we even talking about here? 🤦 Nobody is forcing you to train, but seriously, have some backbone. Face your opponent directly instead of hiding behind props and gear. Here’s a suggestion: if nobody on our local scene wants to put in the work, then fine—just stay exactly as you are, but fight purely for the sake of the sport. Everyone is constantly obsessed with how the guys in Poland or Russia do things, but who actually cares? We aren't even in the same country, let alone playing in the same league. We might cross paths once every decade, yet you've spent years criticizing their style when it doesn't even touch our local scene.

You don't need to master a martial art or live in a gym just to step up for a sake match! Just find some courage and get out there on the field without all the extra equipment.

boldtiger7 said:So, if you had to make a call, would you be the first one to throw hands at Lech, or would you wait for them to swing first?🙄

The issue isn't really about Lech; it’s more about why our players seem to struggle against teams from all over Europe—whether they're playing against anyone from the North America or beyond. Why does it feel like we can't maintain that intensity? If we want to get better, we have to be honest with ourselves: there just isn't enough high-level, physical contact in our domestic scene to prepare us for the real grind. We need to look the truth right in the eye, don't we?

stormybison9 said:Hold on a second, everyone. People keep complaining about the lyrics, the beats, the wording, the rhymes—you name it.

Back when people were actually suggesting things years ago, way back in 2007, everyone would just wave them off or tear them to shreds. Yet, that was the exact same year the group Bad Boys became a total phenomenon; people were absolutely obsessed with tracks like "Roma Roma Roma" or "Vola Lazio." When some guys suggested our own songs that could work just as well in the stands (exactly like "Vola Lazio"), they didn't just attack the music, they attacked the artists and even the people making the suggestions...

And then you get these complainers flying in, wondering why so many people seem to hate us... Well, you can't even articulate it clearly without tripping over your words, let alone sing it out loud...

What was missing from those old hits? Maybe we needed more restrictions, like those classic lines where someone sings "you aren't mine anymore"...

I remember a guy posting on an old forum ages ago, trying to rally the fans, saying something like, "Come on, Blue Crew, cheer them on! All you city folks... I'd give my life just to be born again for you, who else would my heart beat for if not for this team..."

Just please, don't claim everything is a rip-off. Half of the recent tracks are basically inspired by the classics from Rome or Rapid...

No hard feelings...

We have two ears and only one tongue for a reason—to listen more and talk less. So, maybe instead of constant criticism, we should listen more to those who actually have something insightful to say.😉

Exactly right.

The reality is that for a group like ours, something like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poyx95zDHyU is pure science fiction.

boldtiger7 said:Come on, let’s not start fighting about who stands where.

Of course I'm not suggesting anyone should get into a fight just because someone stood an inch to the left or right! My point is simply that while we're in the East Stand, it might be more practical to set up a barrier between the yellow lines. Isn't it much easier to lead a chant when everyone is lined up front-to-back on a flat section rather than being spread out side-to-side? There’s really no ill intent behind this suggestion, just thinking about how we can coordinate better.👍

Henry Grant51 said:If you have any ideas for a new anthem (as long as it isn't some cheesy folk stuff...), feel free to reach out to the guys at the supporters' club, on Fifth Avenue, or just catch us in the stands...
Any kind of progress—especially moving in the right direction—is a win... and this feels like one.
It was honestly such a blast and a refreshing change of pace for once.

Honestly, we'll probably change our team name and the club we support before we actually manage to upgrade the songs and the melody in the stands. In our case, fighting for better chants feels like tilting at windmills. Our attendance numbers are incredible, but since the crowd is split on what to sing, the sound gets lost. It’s because the section is so flat; you can’t hear anything clearly when everyone is spread out. That’s why I suggest we all pack into the corner along the stands, from one end to the other. It’s much easier to lead a chant and the sound carries way better when people are grouped together rather than scattered in a straight line. 👍 👍 Thanks again to everyone who showed up..

rustyangler122 said:Look, I’ll be the first to admit it—I’m acting like a total fool lately, just biting at every little hook thrown my way. I guess I’ve just been feeling a bit more sensitive than usual recently. Is that alright?🤷

No harm done! At the end of the day, this is a forum—a place for us to write, share our experiences, and swap ideas. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Why shouldn't people engage in a little healthy discussion? What's the harm in that? 😉

Larry Baker3 said:Joseph Harris5, I really hope you remember how it felt when you first started showing up to the stands. Just like some neighborhoods have a deep-rooted spirit while others only send a handful of people to games, it’s all part of growing up. When you're young, you aren't necessarily a hardcore supporter right away; you don't know the whole crew or who you'll be traveling with for away games. It's just a natural progression. First, you're just thrilled when the home team scores, then you start noticing the flares, then you look up to the older fans like they're legends. You get to know the veterans, meet the big personalities in the section, and start learning the ropes. Eventually, based on that experience, you decide if you want to be part of the Black Knights or just a casual fan. For me, being in the stands is vital, but let's be honest—most people don't actually follow every player closely, and you aren't exactly devastated after a loss against a small club like Shelbourne, are you? 🙂 Regarding what you said about the supporter culture, I think you're missing the point entirely. That doesn't mean we shouldn't communicate with or educate the casual fans, because you still need them sometimes (like for a big stadium choreography), right?

I am certainly not bashing casual fans, nor do I have anything against them. I am simply pointing out that there is a clear distinction between an "Ultras" member and a "supporter." In fact, many casual fans attend more matches, go to more away games, and even get into more scraps than some Ultras! But they will never truly be Ultras because they lack that specific mindset. This doesn't make one group better or worse than the other; I'm just stating that they belong to different mental categories. To me, organized groups like the Black Knights or an Ultras group are distinct entities, not just a collection of fans who happen to have hundreds of away games under their belts. 😉 And honestly, if someone tells me they don't care who is standing in the Black Knights section, then in my eyes, they aren't part of the Black Knights. How can you not care about that?

rustyangler122 said:...no hard feelings, but the guy starting threads about🙏Soviet electronics in the defense industry, South Korean engine deals, the historical distinctions between Mexico and Republika Srpska, and the assassination of Dzhokhar Dudayev while trying to give advice to the Black Knights😲
...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA😂:lo l:😂 👋
...man, what a mess, but hey, don't throw stones in my well 😕

I’m not actually handing out advice; I’m just discussing the Ultras mentality. I haven't once commented on your specific issues or personal drama. But can someone who considers themselves part of a group really claim they don't care about the group's dynamics? You're either in or you're out—it applies to everything. As for my own interests, if you knew me personally, you'd know how much they vary. What does that have to do with this topic? Does it? 🤷

coastalangler16 said:I’d love to give you a full response here, but it's getting pretty late and I have a busy morning ahead, so I'll write a bit more tomorrow. I completely see where you're coming from on certain points, though I don't quite agree with everything you've laid out. 🙂

Sounds good, I'll check for your reply in the morning. 😉

Walter Jones8 said:Joseph Harris5... You're acting like a fan, but you don't need to list out your own club's roster? Where on earth are you getting that from? I mean, does anyone actually ask for the starting lineup before they head into a crowded stadium?...
I honestly think you're totally off base here, and you're saying it publicly too...
Why would you say that?
Best regards.

I didn't write that, nor am I saying anything incorrect. Every one of you knows exactly what I'm talking about. It’s about those moments when your adrenaline spikes so high that you care more about winning the battle in the stands than watching the game on the pitch. It's when, during the match, you find yourself staring at the opposing supporters' section, desperate to outdo them, instead of actually watching the players. It's when you're so busy waiting for the rival crowd to pull up a banner just so you can counter it, that you completely miss your own captain getting a red card.

Being a die-hard supporter doesn't mean being detached from your club; it actually means much more than that. When the club performs well, the fans are more focused on their own identity. But when things go south, the fans shift their focus back toward the club to help correct the course. That connection between the supporters and the organization happens during that period of "correction." Once the club stabilizes, the fans return to their usual ways. If the club's issues become too massive, some parts of the fanbase end up working for the opposition!

That’s why it really bothers me when someone tells me they don't care who is leading the charge in the North Stand or who is running the show. Seriously, how can you call yourself a member of this group if you don't care who the leadership is? It’s like living in a huge family where you're just a kid going to school and doing your thing, but your dad is an alcoholic and your mom is selling out the family for a burger, and you just say, "Eh, I don't care what they do, I love my family, I'll just mind my own business and go to class." Well, let's be real—it doesn't work like that!

Jose Kern11 said:Then you have this complete contradiction where someone claims to know exactly who’s playing defense, who smokes tobacco, and who wears a hat, yet they can't name a single player on the roster.
Being a fan is a complicated thing, especially when you support the Yankees and belong to the Rockettes (who are honestly one of the best groups in the world right now).

Does a supporter really need to be able to list every single player on the Yankees (or any other club)? It sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? But it’s the truth. You can say whatever you want, but just think back to how your own ultra lifestyle started. None of you became part of the Rockettes because of an overwhelming love for the Yankees specifically; you joined because there was something deeper burning inside you. It was about proving yourselves, competing with other crews, showing who’s tougher, who cheers louder, the visual identity, the sheer grit... all those things that go far beyond the boundaries of football, or what some might call having true "heart." I have a friend from the stands who has been around for years, and just two years ago, he didn't even know what a defensive midfielder was—he just thought a winger was anyone playing on the left or right side. Yet, he could recite every single action of the American supporter scene, knowing exactly who was where and when. For our fans, the connection is about much more than just the game itself. Even when our people move abroad to live in Europe, they often end up joining local supporter groups there. That's what I mean. An "ultra" feels it early in puberty, doesn't he? Is he more pumped when his neighborhood crew dominates another group, or does he feel more joy when the Yankees beat the Dodgers on the field? It's a thin but massive distinction! I remember exactly when the "ultra" spirit took over me from being just a Dodgers fanatic (back when we were just a local crowd). I realized that the adrenaline hit harder when I was standing with my group than when I was actually watching the club play.

Being a member of the Rockettes and being a Yankees fan aren't the same thing. There are Yankees fans who have traveled for away games ten times more than some Rockettes, who remember scores from thirty years ago, and who show up to every single practice, but they will never truly be "tifosi" because they simply haven't awakened that specific part of themselves.

Larry Baker3 said:It feels like a lot of unnecessary drama is being stirred up lately, and honestly, I don't see much reason for it. Every group goes through highs and lows, including ours. Instead of looking for answers here just because we aren't sure what to do, wouldn't it be better to actually organize some local neighborhood flag football tournaments, social hangouts, or meetups to get everyone on the same page? We’ve always had all sorts of personalities—the party animals, the die-hards, the troublemakers—but at the end of the day, we're all here for the same thing: our love for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the fans in the stands. Why don't we all work together to embrace our culture? Whether it's the choreographies, the away trips, the flares, or even the grit, this is who we are. We aren't a massive metropolis, so it shouldn't be hard to figure out where to find support for those things. Let's step up together. LONG LIVE THE NFL ULTRAS!

If someone claims they don't care who is running the show, they can't really call themselves an NFL Ultra. That is the fundamental difference between being part of a dedicated supporter group and just being a casual fan. Both groups love the Los Angeles Dodgers—and I truly respect a casual fan who knows their history and can name players from fifty years ago—but being a true supporter is on a whole different level. It involves different rules, different relationships, and a completely different mindset. If you claim to be an NFL Ultra but couldn't care less about the leadership, then you simply aren't one.