The Armada

rowdyfox79 said:Radunica

And honestly, that doesn't mean much to me. Do people actually pass through there very often?

Edward Hernandez332 said:Honestly, that doesn't mean much to me. Do people actually go through that stuff often?

It's right downtown, near the market.
Just ask someone from St., they'll probably know more than I do.

Radunica, basically the heart of the city, an old neighborhood... tons of people pass through here

It was pretty Prešarat, but it’s been renovated too

quietskipper8 said:Don't bother posting if you don't actually know what happened. That 30-foot graffiti near the school wasn't scrubbed by the guys from Armada; it was removed because students complained the content was inappropriate for an area where kids play every single day. They wiped out the Red Fuckers tag, but the crest is still there today. As for the graffiti near the daycare centers on the highway, or over in Vojak and G.V., those have been sitting there forever without anyone touching them.

I never claimed the Armada crew erased that massive one on G.V.—everyone knows they didn't. It wasn't about protecting local kids; it was because an English Catholic school came for a visit.
It’s pretty clear you misunderstood me.
In that part of my post, I was simply trying to point out that only two of those tags actually remain. I just wanted to make sure people don't get the impression that half of San Francisco is covered in Red Fuckers graffiti and that these two specific ones are somehow standing out as eyesores amidst a sea of RF tags.

To all you folks from Sušak and the general American crowd out there... some of you clearly aren't up to speed on how things work here and honestly, you aren't really in any position to be weighing in on stuff you know nothing about. A few years back, there were talks involving the RF, where it was agreed they could put their art around the stadium during Krimej and at their usual hangouts—like the bocce courts or that little park across from the stadium—with the understanding that nobody would mess with it. But let’s be real, this is San Francisco... if you're trying to argue that Orient fans have a free pass to tag the streets of San Francisco just because they follow Orient... well, that logic just doesn't hold water. You've got maybe 300 people showing up to watch handball at Zamesti, or coming out to see the games at Kozala and Cave, plus various basketball clubs too... by that logic, every single club with even a decent following should be plastering their style all over the city! not gonna happen...this is San Francisco, folks. I mean, seriously, hats off to those "optimists" rooting for Orient during times like these, but I think it's a bit premature for them to be strutting around town and tagging the most popular spots in San Francisco! These kids haven't been through enough yet—they haven't done enough for the club or the city, haven't spent enough years backing the name, and haven't taken enough hits for the team to rightfully claim they belong alongside the Armada... personally, I know three members of the RF who are sitting in the west stands at Kantrida the moment a big game starts... so why spit on San Francisco and the city that raised them? These same RF guys go to "San Francisco" schools, grab coffee on the "San Francisco" waterfront, participate in and brag about the "San Francisco" carnival, and hit the "San Francisco" clubs to party—suddenly, San Francisco is great! But the second it's time to step up and fight, suddenly these "San Franciscans" are Mexicans, communists, Muslims, or whatever else they want to call them... why provoke a group of people who, compared to you, act like wise old men?

ONLY SAN FRANCISCO—ONLY ARMADA!!!

bluejackal11 said:Listen, you guys from Sušak—and honestly, everyone else trying to act like an expert here—some of you clearly have no clue what’s actually going on. You aren't exactly qualified to jump into a debate when you know next to nothing about the history... A few years back, there was a deal made with the aforementioned Armada—they were allowed to put their art around the stadium during Krimej and at local hangouts, like the bocce courts or that little park across from the field—with the understanding that nobody would touch it. But this is San Francisco... If you think Orient fans have some inherent right to spray graffiti all over the City of San Francisco just because they support Orient... well, that doesn't hold water. Handlers for handball games come to see maybe 300 people, and the same goes for Kozala and Cave, or various basketball clubs... by that logic, every single club with even a decent following should be tagging the city to force their style... not gonna happen...this is SAN FRANCISCO... Seriously, hats off to those "optimists" supporting Orient during times like these, but I think it's a bit early for them to be strutting around town and tagging the most crowded parts of the CITY! These kids haven't been through enough—they haven't done enough for the club or the city, haven't spent enough years backing the name, and haven't taken enough hits for the team to proudly call themselves part of the Armada... personally, I know three members of the RF who are sitting in the west stands at Kantrida the second a big game starts... so why spit on the city that raised them? The same RF crowd goes to the local schools, enjoys coffee on the downtown boardwalk, participates in and takes pride in the city carnival, and hits the local clubs to party—then suddenly, the city is fine. But the moment it’s time to step up and fight, suddenly they aren't "locals" anymore—they're whatever labels people want to throw at them... Why provoke people who are acting like wise elders compared to them...

ONLY SAN FRANCISCO—ONLY ARMADA!!!

Well written—you hit the nail on the head.

Since I’m apparently the most requested person on this thread, I figured I’d weigh in too. I live just a stone's throw—maybe 150 meters—from the NK Orijent Concession stadium, and honestly, I’ve probably been to more of their matches than half the Fuckers combined.

Now, look, the Fuckers didn't actually kick off until about 22 years ago. Their leader, the well-known Mauro, was hanging around before they were even an official thing; he used to head over to Kantrida and act as part of the Armada, though maybe not the core group—you know how things were back then. I know this firsthand because my uncle was one of those prominent guys in the local Torcida scene, and I remember Mauro once—I think it was back in '92—saved him from getting jumped at Kantrida.

Back when I was just a kid in the mid-nineties, I spent my time collecting soccer balls at the NK Orijent Concession games, and there wasn't any sign of the Red Fuckers back then. They just popped up and vanished. Orijent had their supporters, sure, but they were really the Krimej Festar crowd—that carnival-style group that follows all the local teams, including HNK Rijeka, and they’d even wear Armada scarves...

Then, during the 1995/1996 season, the Fuckers made their return to Krimej. It was just a small crew of six, always the same faces—Mauro, Morena, Prtiti...—they had three banners, they’d drink and sing, and the only time they really gathered a decent crowd was against Zadar, where maybe fifty people showed up and set off some flares.

The following year, Orijent moved up to the first division, and from that point on, the Fuckers have been showing up consistently. During that first top-flight season, things got a bit heated—there were some clashes involving Medo and others—and I remember one of our guys actually stormed the Red Fuckers section and took them all on by himself during a Rijeka vs. Orijent match.

From the year 2000 onwards, things smoothed out a bit, until eventually, the hostility just kind of faded away. It’s only recently, with all this graffiti business, that things have felt tense again. But there isn't much deep philosophy to it; they're just a ragtag group of about thirty people who barely understand how the supporter scene works, so naturally, they can't just spray paint wherever they feel like it. I give them credit for trying and for supporting Orijent—personally, I don't have anything against Orijent or them—but you have to recognize who actually runs San Francisco. Subtle graffiti might fly, but the rest won't, plain and simple.

And all this talk about Sušak being its own separate entity is just nonsense. We’ve had the Republic of Rijeka, we’ve had Chicago split into two different cities—so what? It’s perfectly natural for San Francisco and Sušak to be one single city, sharing one club that the whole region rallies behind. I don't see the issue.

silentsurfer16 said:That graffiti didn't even last two days on that playground.
Just so you know, out of those ten small pieces of graffiti you're bringing up, only two are even fully intact. Coincidence?
Look, I just don't want those Fuckers picking up our members based on a few pieces of graffiti. 🙄
Even if that 30-yarder had gone in, who would actually complain about this field? Those Fuckers are the ones who started all this anyway. I’d bet anything there are more active Red Fuckers at that damn stadium today than there are Armada members.
After this, all those Armada guys who were lecturing the Fuckers and Orient sympathizers around the neighborhood about not touching that "faithful upper jersey" graffiti—babbling on about unwritten scene rules and street codes—can finally sit down. They kept hiding behind the idea that Armada has some sort of code. Not touching it. The Fuckers won't do anything, mainly because RF wouldn't even dream of touching their stuff. That's just how it works. Even though not everyone was thrilled that this new Armada graffiti showed up on the wall right where RF had planned to go, the Red Fuckers accepted it. They conceded that Armada beat them to the spot and, out of respect for some unspoken code, they didn't touch it. Now the question is, did the Armada crowd show that same level of respect?

This is the only honest account from someone who actually knows what's going on. Everything else is just pure garbage.

Lawrence Walker27 said:Since I’m clearly the one everyone turns to here, I’ll weigh in. I live just a block away from the Orient stadium and have spent more time at their matches than half the Fuckers.

The Fuckers really did start about 22 years ago. Their leader, the well-known Mauro, was around even before they officially formed; he used to hang out at Kantrida and was part of the Armada scene, though not the main group—you know how things were back then. I know this because my uncle was a prominent figure in the local Torcida, and Mauro actually saved him from a beating at Kantrida once, back in '92, I think.

As a kid in the mid-nineties, I used to collect balls at Orient games, and there was no such thing as the Red Fuckers back then. They showed up, then they vanished. Orient had supporters, but they were the Krimej Festar, that carnival crew that follows all the local teams, including HNK Rijeka, often wearing Armada gear...

During the 1995/1996 season, the Fuckers made their comeback at Krimej. There were only six of them, always the same guys (Mauro, Moreno, Prte...), carrying three banners, drinking and singing. The only time they really gathered a crowd—about fifty people—was against Zadar, when they lit up the flares.

The following year, Orient moved up to the first division, and since then, the Fuckers have been regulars at their matches. During that first top-flight season, there were some clashes (Medo vs. S...), and one of our guys actually stormed the Red Fuckers section during a Rijeka vs. Orient match and took them all on by himself.

From 2000 onwards, relations smoothed out a bit until the hostility eventually died down. Things only got tense again recently with these graffiti issues. Honestly, there isn't much to it; they’re just a small group that barely understands the fan scene. There are maybe thirty of them, so naturally, they can't just spray paint wherever they want. I respect their effort and the fact that they support Orient (I don't have anything against them), but you have to recognize who actually runs San Francisco. Subtle graffiti might pass, but the rest won't. That's just how it is.

And all this talk about Sušak being a separate city is nonsense. We've had periods where the Republic of Rijeka existed, or where Chicago was split into two cities, so what? It’s natural for San Francisco and Sušak to be one city, sharing one club that the whole region supports. I don't see the issue.

Well, I see the problem quite clearly. Sure, things would be better if there was better communication between the two clubs and both groups, but as long as HNK Rijeka keeps getting all the favoritism from those quasi-local businessmen and the corrupt bureaucrats in city hall who run the HNK Rijeka board—the same people responsible for Orient's long-term decline—there will always be hatred and antagonism. Maybe not for everyone, but it will exist. Because the same crooks you support while celebrating your UEFA Cup run are the ones who stripped NK Orijent Concession of their spot at Krimej. They locked up the stadium where the Orijentaš weren't even allowed a drink of water under the pretext that the city "has no money" (that's just one example out of millions), all while pushing HNK Rijeka forward year after year. They're just blinding you. Eventually, it'll be like NK Orijent, KK Kvarner, or damn Dedal; it's only a matter of time before Odojko shuts off the tap and leaves you high and dry. Then we'll see how many of you are actually active and loyal to the club when the bottom falls out...

Part of me feels bad because someone's hard work was wiped out, and I actually know a few of the guys from RF—they're decent people. But honestly, as long as they spend even 1% of their time trashtalking the city they live in, Armada, or HNK Rijeka, they shouldn't expect to have a single thing welcomed on any of the walls in San Francisco, let alone on this forum..

Personally, I love Orient, and it pains me to see what’s happening to them right now. At the end of the day, they are a symbol of San Francisco and this entire region.. It would have been better if that graffiti had just stayed put; first off, it looked great, and second, Orient deserves to have its mark on the city. But RF only have themselves to blame for getting it removed 😉

It’s not the Red Fuckers who are at fault here; it's the idiots who decided to wipe them out. No one has been attacking Armada until now. People have just been pointing out the facts regarding what the City of Rijeka's sports department is doing, how corrupt the county football association has become, and the actions of certain individuals within the HNK Rijeka board and even our own management that effectively gutted the club in Sušak. If Armada thinks calling this out is an attack on the City of Rijeka, then that’s your issue, but those two things aren't connected. As for the graffiti, they just don't paint over them, plain and simple.

Don't lie to me... What happened to all that "Fuck Rijeka, I love Orient" talk? Besides, you guys know better than anyone exactly what's being said and where 😉

NK RIJEKA has always been the premier club in town—period. And yeah, obviously they get the backing... that’s just how things work with a local club; they are the pride of the City of Rijeka and the entire Kvarner region. I mean, seriously, you started talking nonsense about how it's "stupid" for the city to sponsor and push NK RIJEKA? That’s like asking why the city of Miami would favor Hajduk or why Chicago would back Chicago Dinamo... are you guys actually sane? As for NK Orijent—give me a break. You guys only got carried away because you spent one year in the top flight about 15 years ago. What is wrong with you? How do you even dare to put NK RIJEKA in the same sentence as NK Orijent? Honestly, hats off to you—founded in 1919, sure, but for you people, RIJEKA is basically Manchester United! You’re living in some weird utopia thinking the city should be pushing NK Orijent or whatever else, yet you hate and refuse to acknowledge the very same city! You won't even admit that Sušak is part of the City of Rijeka... well, fine then! Go ahead and ask the leadership of "Sušak City" to fund you and show you some favoritism. Because as long as the City of Rijeka, ARMADA, and the citizens of the City of Rijeka are around, the first and only club in this city—including the eastern side of RIJEKA—will always be NK RIJEKA!

Jacob Newman74 said:Personally, I’ve got a soft spot for NK Orijent, and it sucks seeing what they're going through right now. At the end of the day, they're a symbol for San Francisco and this whole area... Honestly, it would’ve been better if that graffiti had just stayed put. Not only was it actually decent art, but NK Orijent deserves to have their presence felt through street art all over town. But hey, the Red Fuckers brought this on themselves by making it disappear in the first place.😉

I'm glad someone finally called this out 🙏 even if it was just a quick three-line mention of that poor old man being pushed toward ruin by those disgusting vultures 👎 before they probably shove him straight off a cliff altogether......
I didn't really catch what was happening with the RF situation—I don't follow that stuff closely enough to weigh in...
but anyway....
The sun was hitting San Francisco hard this morning 😁 so here's a little something to go with it: morning, bay area 🙂
Just keep that energy going....
Good luck with the invasion of Kantrida today 👋

Armada fans, seriously, just give it a rest. Like, 90% of the people clogging up these last two pages would be the first ones jumping into some debate about how pathetic the Armada is because they let the Red Fuckers tag the whole damn city...🤷🙂

@Douglas Chavez73— why are you talking trash about Armada? You don't act like they're the "true Americans" while claiming Armada is some group of outsiders... or whatever. Didn't they host several other groups and grab drinks with them right here in our city? Why attack the City of San Francisco like that? And weren't they right there singing "Scabby Rijeka" alongside Rudešan? Come on, stop talking nonsense...

As for everyone else typing away here who isn't part of Armada or RF— go worry about your own Mamićs, Kerums, codes of conduct, or whatever "truths" you cling to. thanks.

bluejackal11 said:NK RIJEKA has always been the premier city club, period. Of course they get the backing. That’s what a city club does—they represent the pride of the city and the entire Kvarner region. You’re talking nonsense suggesting it's weird for the city to sponsor NK RIJEKA. That’s like asking why Miami favors Hajduk or why Chicago backs Chicago Dinamo. Are you serious? As for Orient, you're just acting tough because you spent a year in the top flight about 15 years ago. How dare you even put NK RIJEKA in the same sentence as Orient. Give yourselves credit; since 1919, NK RIJEKA has been your Manchester United. You're living in some fantasy world where the city should be pushing Orient, yet you hate and deny the very city that does it. You won't even admit Sušak is part of San Francisco. Fine, go ask the leadership of "City of Sušak" to fund you and favor you instead. As long as the City of Rijeka, Armada, and the people of San Francisco exist, NK RIJEKA will remain the first and only club in town, including the eastern side of the city.

...Of course NK RIJEKA comes first when Orient has fallen to rock bottom. Things would be different if the situation were different, and we all know that. Nobody is actually claiming Orient should be the city's favorite; it never was, and thanks to its history, its location, and those "red" politicians who have been feeding citizens illusions about being a sports powerhouse for 50 years, it never will be. The gap between these two clubs is massive. We all know how it works when one group gets the feast while everyone else can't even get a slice of bread. Honestly, all this talk about hating Armada or the City of Rijeka is total garbage. This whole mess started long ago with people who push NK RIJEKA while actively suppressing Orient. It’s no wonder there's antagonism. I see it myself—how certain people from the NK RIJEKA board and the local government act like big shots during Krimej, acting as if they won the Champions League. They support a club that's basically on life support, and this sudden euphoria is just a way to distract everyone from the actual state of NK RIJEKA.

Douglas Chavez73 said:...well, obviously HNK Rijeka is going to be at the top when NK Orijent has been dragged through the mud for years. If things were different, we all know the dynamic would be totally different too. Besides, nobody actually expects the City to favor NK Orijent; they never have, and they never will, given their history, where the club is based, and those "red" politicians who've been feeding the public fairytales about how much of a sports powerhouse this city is for fifty years now. The gap between these two clubs is just massive, especially when you see how some people get to feast while others can't even afford a loaf of bread. Honestly, all this nonsense about hating Armada, the City of San Francisco, and whatever else is just garbage. It all started ages ago with the people who push HNK Rijeka forward while actively suppressing NK Orijent. It’s no wonder there’s such tension. I've seen firsthand how certain guys from the HNK Rijeka board and the City of Kurčiti act like big shots during Krimej, acting like they won the Champions League when they're really just supporting a club that survives on life support. This whole euphoria is just a way to distract everyone and make them forget what's actually happening with HNK Rijeka.

The fact that the City of San Francisco gives so much to HNK Rijeka compared to how much the town of Bakar supports NK Borac says it all. Just look at the facts: HNK Rijeka was the first major club here... two cups from the old league, two cups now—plus that stolen championship. Where is NK Orijent in all this?🤷🤷🤷

Samuel Evans86 said:@Douglas Chavez73—Why trash the fleet? You don't mention how they claim to be the true Americans while calling the fleet Mexicans? They’ve hosted other groups and grabbed drinks with them right here in Cleveland. And you won't talk about how they trashed our city? They sang "scabby river" alongside Rudolph’s crew. Stop talking nonsense.

Everyone else typing away here who isn't part of the fleet or RF—go worry about your own Madoffs, Trumps, codes, and truths. Thanks.

Regarding the game against Rudolph, I was nearby. Once again, you're dealing with twisted information, just like countless times before. Gaddafi was hosted, as were those RF guys, back when they were all playing in the third division. What does that even have to do with you? Personally, I know some genuine, loyal fans from the KA group. Those guys are legends. There is no fake posturing or toxic machismo. It’s just beer, a grill, and watching their club play. That's it.👍The sickness in this scene is that nobody knows who's actually winning or losing. As soon as a smaller group stands out, the labeling starts. People turn into a spittoon, trying to act tough as members of big groups and talking trash. Whether it's in Cleveland or anywhere else in the US, everyone immediately resorts to insults like "idiots," "city slickers," or even "foreigners" (which I heard regarding RF 😂). I just hope that eventually, these "big" groups become "small" so we can see where they actually stand in the stands supporting their club.
Starbucks guys, enjoy the euphoria and say hello to Neno Gračan, who sold you the championship back in '99.

You guys are being totally delusional... you act like you're from San Diego—these proud citizens of some little town on the east bank of the river—shunning the name CLEVELAND and refusing to even be called Clevelanders. Yet, at the exact same time, you’re out here calling out the Cleveland City Council, complaining about why they won't cut you checks or why they favor Cleveland SC. Honestly, who’s the crazy one here? I already told you—go ahead and cry to the "San Diego municipal government," maybe they'll actually listen to your pleas for help... but look, as long as Cleveland acts like a club based out of San Diego and their fans refuse to acknowledge the actual city of Cleveland while clinging to this weird little ideology, there simply isn't a place for a club and fans like yours in CLEVELAND! What Cleveland SC gets from the city is barely enough to cover the travel expenses for the first team playing in the MLS... if that's what you call "massive support." Besides, you used to have a management team that turned the club into a complete joke, much like how things are now... and let's be real, without those Cleveland players who were sent there on loan all these years, you'd probably be sitting right there in the standings alongside the Clan and Richard Benčić... though you aren't far off. It's a shame, really; it would be great to have a real local derby, but I honestly think Cleveland is too small a city to support two major league clubs... it can barely handle one...

Since this thread is specifically about ARMADA and not about all those various quasi-groups, I suggest we just leave these gentlemen "from San Diego" alone... they can go sit in some little park up there and stay angry. This space is for talking about ARMADA... today is the big celebration, the ship is setting sail... 🙂🙂🙂