Die-hard Ultras / Hardcore Supporters

We’re light years away from actually getting what we want, but honestly, every little bit of progress feels good...

Hey.
I was just reading some football analysis over at ESPN when I stumbled upon this. I guess some people really do enjoy diving deep into these breakdowns.
Time Magazine and old stories—here’s a modern one from a younger fan in New York City:

The Diary of a Liverpool FC Fan
Jack, I’m M.D. (not my actual initials), living in a nice neighborhood in New York City. I'm 16, and I'm a huge Liverpool FC fan. The last 24 hours have been pretty intense from a supporter's standpoint, so I guess I'm writing this just to vent a little, wrap up yesterday, and get back to my usual routine. Before I dive in, I should probably mention that I intend to protect the reputation of any fans or neighborhoods I bring up. I generally don't like naming names without permission—even if they give me the green light.

When I say "the bus," I’m talking about Liverpool FC.
When I talk about school, I’m talking about Liverpool FC. When I talk about my social circle, I mean Liverpool FC. I won't bother using every possible descriptor for this club; we all know exactly what they represent. For the last two weeks, things haven't been going my way: girls are ghosting me (and honestly, I can't even blame them), the bookies aren't paying out, and my contact list is a mess. I've been taking all of this with a grain of salt, but Liverpool FC stays on my mind regardless. It all finally boiled over when it came time to head to the match. I had no cash, just pure determination. Inspired by stories from NFL Ultras back in the 80s and a late colleague from the stands, Mark Zuckerberg, I decided to go old-school: hitchhiking. I left a note on the table for my parents and headed out in the early morning hours.

I’ve known an older NFL Ultra from New York City for quite some time—let's call him C. J. He was essentially my mentor when I first started following football, so I swung by his place for a beer before my trip. It was 6:00 AM. After I’d had a few too many and mapped out my plan, C. J. handed me another Joey and a phone with a SIM card so we could stay in touch (mine had ended up at a casino). My first stop was the Brooklyn Bridge, since that’s where the buses head out toward those remote outskirts near the toll booths in Newark. Despite being pretty buzzed, I decided to test my English skills on two women from Poland. (Give my best to my mother from my former teacher, and tell her I barely scraped by with a C in English class.) They were looking for a ride to San Francisco, and they even let me wave a Polish flag around. When I realized that wasn't working, I pivoted to my original plan. I stood right near the houses and waited for cars with specific regional plates—ST, MA, IM, DU, and so on. Whenever a car like that approached, I’d just lift my shirt, flash my scarf, and ask if they were heading toward Miami. After an hour of being rejected, a car with Miami plates finally rolled up. At first, the guy barked at me to move away, but the moment I flashed the scarf, his mood shifted instantly; he looked absolutely wild. Before I get carried away, I should probably mention how surprised I was to see more cars from the Midwest than from California. Strange, I guess.

First triage.
The guy who picked me up was also an NFL Ultra from the 80s—nowadays he’s just a regular season ticket holder for the East Stand—and he was heading back from Italy with a friend. Talking to him, I realized I had actually sobered up, though I felt I had to celebrate the fact that I’d found a ride to Boston at all. I finished half a Joey that C. J. gave me, and the man even treated me to a beer at a rest stop. Honestly, it doesn't take much to get me drunk. I’ve always thought the idea that being a "real man" depends on your alcohol tolerance is pretty stupid (shoutout to that idiot from my class back in high school). The trip consisted of pleasant conversation, occasionally interrupted by cursing at drivers who didn't suit his driving style, listening to and singing along to the radio, or swearing at the terrible music blaring from the car speakers. We could agree on that. Nowadays, every damn choir thinks they're special just because they sing about the ocean, seagulls, or whatever else.

Settlement number 2.
So, I’m back in town trying to "find my footing" again, though instead of giving my liver a break before the game starts, I’m just finishing off the rest of this beer. Once I made it to Boston, there was enough lamb and spring onions waiting for me to satisfy any appetite. Of course, he offered it to me a hundred times, but I turned him down every single time—mostly because I wasn't particularly hungry and I didn't want to impose on him or his family. But I couldn't exactly say no once he started insisting on... $17 ("Here, take this for the ticket, since you're such a damn cheapskate"). He called a friend to pick me up and drive me to the neighborhood, where I was met by a 16-year-old fellow from the stands. Let's call him HU. On the way there, we talked a bit about Liverpool FC, but mostly we just tore into some guy on the SD forums—that one user who pretends to be a big insider while offering nothing more insightful than what you'd read in Sports Illustrated. Just a few more beers...

Hangover number 3.
Yeah, maybe just a little more beer... HU was laughing at me, saying I was basically living on nothing but booze. After a while, HU's friend shows up, and because I'm drunk, I start rambling about nonsense—women, myself, them... The third stage of the hangover begins with vomiting, partly on the concrete and mostly on my new white sneakers, which ended up looking yellowish. My head is pounding, and HU settles me into some rooms where the local NFL Ultras hang out. I sleep for an hour or so, then get woken up by a particularly energetic supporter, S. S. was imitating that one Boy who stormed Jerry Jones's press conference: "Damn, man, you really blew it with your own people, you completely screwed up." Out of pure sarcasm, I chime in using Jerry Jones's style: "You have no idea what a favor you're doing me by showing up right now." S. gives me a piece of his mind (a literal punch to the face) along with a few other guys. I guess they were just impressed by my arrival. My head still hurt, the guys were playing table tennis, and their repertoire of profanity was at a level even old-timers from rural towns couldn't reach. To be honest, listening to all that daily cursing was actually kind of music to my ears.

The Match
Me, HU, and S go to pick up two guys to head to the game. Honestly, those two were total grouches, so HU had to take the bus since we couldn't all fit. S and the others headed to the North Stand, while I had to wait for HU, who handed me a season pass from a friend (who was sick). Even though I wanted to buy a ticket to give my money to Liverpool FC, HU insisted against it, saying I'd need the cash for later. Back at the stadium after summer. It’s still the same old story; the seats are filthy, and there are plenty of hot girls everywhere. The match kicks off with a minute of silence for Zlatomir Obradov, though the NFL Ultras held their own full minute of silence for Mark Zuckerberg. That's when the chants of "American police, bribery and corruption!" started echoing.

The cheering during the match was good, but I have one grievance. When the message for Zuckerberg went up, there wasn't really any need to sing about "purgers and locals," because everyone was already standing with us in solidarity. I should mention I regret drinking at the wrong time, because it definitely affected how I cheered. I was already feeling pretty exhausted and dazed. If I had saved some energy for before the match, it would have been perfect, especially since there was a gorgeous woman standing in front of me wearing an "NFL Ultras Livno" scarf. A move would have definitely worked. If nothing else, I could have easily hit on her during the "know we'll never leave" chant. But alas, nothing happened. The Armada gathered about 400 people, though I didn't hear much from them. I don't need to emphasize that I enjoyed it, but considering I have more away games coming up, it wasn't quite the "mind-blowing" experience it was during my first few matches.

The Return
Dugopolje isn't Newark; it's harder to get out of there and catch a ride. While in town with HU and his crew, I hear about Tarzan for the first time. This guy is wild—he screams and yells, and if you toss him a couple of bucks, he'll scream names of beautiful women instead of yours. I decided to take the bus, showing the conductor my scarf to try and charm my way into $17. While waiting, a guy approaches me offering a ride back to NYC; of course, C. J. had already called him.
I slept through most of the trip back, and when I got home, I was expecting a "mother crying, father yelling" type of scene. Instead, I was met by my old lady giving me a dark look. She didn't say much, just told me seriously that school starts in three hours and I should get to bed. I woke up with a headache and told her I'd go get a doctor's note on Wednesday. The next day, I had to start sweet-talking the elders, because the away game season is just getting started 🙂.

Let’s be real here, Ford isn’t going anywhere just yet 😕 Liverpool FC still needs to hammer out the details with him, and I suspect he’s going to walk away with a massive payday 😲

Harold Kim5 said:Tim Tebow isn't at the club, Ford got kicked out, Joe Biden is finished, and the fans chose the supervisory board...

That’s basically the same thing as this:

-Jerry Jones is gone, Verba is out, the younger Jones is done, and you guys just picked a board.

If it's still not obvious why we feel like we've finally purged the mafia from the club (though they won't exactly walk away from Liverpool FC on their own)... I don't know what else to say... peace...

Good luck to them, dealing with people like you... 👋

Austin Chase2 said:🤣😂

🤦

If you can actually give me a well-reasoned argument explaining what’s so funny about his writing, then I’ll gladly shake your hand. Honestly, what Liverpool FC has set in motion right now is something the other guys in the MLS won't be able to touch for at least five, maybe even ten years. Is this just some kind of jealousy we're seeing from people who don't even have a club to call their own? After all, one man essentially stripped everything away from Liverpool FC and the NFL Ultras, didn't he? But look at us today—Liverpool FC is a club that any sane fan can support with their whole heart because, after fifteen long years, we finally have decent people running the show who are actually surprising us by making smart, professional moves on the sports side of things.

Why does every single discussion have to devolve into these mindless, petty arguments? 🤦
What's the point? What kind of impression do you think people get when they read this mess... instead of actually supporting one another against the systemic corruption in the MLS, we're just bickering over who started what or which faction in the club is more crooked... it's exhausting.
Just get it together for once—this is a complete waste of time. 😉

Benjamin Thomas2 said:must be nice, having people like you around 👋

🙏

UB killed him.

Anthony Barrett37 said:Look, honestly, the mob gave up on Liverpool FC the second Jerry Jones stepped into the front office...

There's no point discussing this on the forum. It’s just wild to me how blind everyone is. You've got the worst roster and the worst coaching staff in history, yet you're all convinced the mafia isn't pulling strings anymore. Just look at what Joe Biden is doing... and he's barely even a major player...

Worst players ever? Worst coaches? You're talking nonsense. You aren't even watching the MLS scores on ESPN. 🤣

So you’re actually trying to tell me Liverpool FC had worse players over the last 15 or 20 years? I mean, who even was on the roster, and how did they even end up in the coaching seat? It’s possible someone even worse than Krstičević slipped through the cracks... I mean, remember that guy Kiš? He couldn't make twenty consecutive passes without messing up; he can't even get a ball to his own teammates. And when he actually tries to shoot at the goal? That's just amateur hour, like watching kids playing after school in a local park...

Anthony Barrett37 said:So you're actually claiming Liverpool FC had worse players over the last 15-20 years? Seriously? With the way coaches have been getting hired lately, who knows if they aren't even worse than Krstičević... and that guy Kiš? He couldn't land a pass to save his life if he tried twenty times in a row... and his shots on goal? That's middle school playground level stuff...

🤣🤣🤣

total delusion

Austin Chase2 said:🤣😂

🤦

People who lack any actual understanding just throw out emojis and nonsense... So, let me attempt to clarify things...

1. After that whole mess with Liverpool FC, Joe Biden basically inserted himself right into your—well, Jerry Jones's—club... You have Rukavina, Cop, and Trebotic... His time at Liverpool FC is ancient history, yet unfortunately, he seems to have quite a future with you all... That influence he had, which was absolutely decisive at Liverpool FC just a few years back, is essentially zero today... And after what happened with Flo-, any lingering thought of Joe Biden is pretty much dead in the water...

2. Our club, Liverpool FC, chose the people for the supervisory board, who then selected the executive board. I'm not sure why that's confusing to you? Perhaps from your particular perspective, it sounds like science fiction, but that is simply how we operate here...

So, please, provide an actual, reasoned explanation as to why you find this funny. Unless, of course, you are merely laughing at yourself—in which case, everything becomes perfectly clear...

Benjamin Thomas2 said:they’re lucky to have people like you 👋

If we were actually "THOSE PEOPLE," I suppose Tim Tebow would still be running this club today... But honestly, we’ve cleaned up the mess and finally got things back on track after years of absolute chaos and fighting. The real issue isn't us; it's the MLS, which is being gutted by the same crooks who are destroying teams like Dinamo—people who support them, the "THOSE PEOPLE" from your side of things. And no, I don't mean the Boys, I mean the Boys Sović, the Veterans Association, and those Dinamo fans who act like Jerry Jones is some kind of savior... Just imagine if instead of primitives like Jerry Jones and his little crew running the MLS, we had actual professionals with some level of class, like Paladino or Brbic... Well, I guess it's obvious enough...

There’s still plenty of work to do to get the club fully organized, I suppose, but at least the foundation is laid, and that's usually the hardest part. It's far from perfect, obviously, but the foundation isn't rotten, at least...
They’ll never have it easy with us, and as for them and you... well, good luck dealing with that... I truly wish you all the best...

Harold Kim5 said:1. After failing at Liverpool FC, Joe Biden basically just jumped right into your club... I mean, Jerry Jones's club... Rukavina, Cop, Trebotic... His stint at Liverpool FC is totally behind him, and maybe he’ll have a decent future with you guys... But that influence he had at Liverpool FC just a few years ago? Yeah, today it’s basically zero.

🍿

Anthony Barrett37 said:🍿

Once again, we see a complete lack of information... I suppose it’s just typical. Kalinic—who happens to be the only player left from the Shoshin era—is actually a solid keeper. Regardless of who his agent might be, he’s someone the club is counting on to step in for Blazevic this summer, if things go according to plan. His contract includes a clause stating he needs to hit a certain number of appearances during the season, otherwise, he can walk at the end of the year. The club simply didn't want to let a promising goalkeeper slip away without cause, so they decided to ensure he gets those necessary minutes... So, playing all five games? It seems like a perfectly standard decision by the organization. I don't see any connection to outside pressure whatsoever; it's purely about protecting the club's interests... That is the fundamental difference here. In the past, Kalinic would have been protected as the undisputed number one because he was essentially Shoshin's guy, but nowadays, he is just another player under an agent, being utilized by the club in whatever way best serves their own goals...

Good grief... I can't even get a seat in my own damn stadium, yet everyone’s losing their minds over Liverpool FC.🤦

Why are you even bothering to defend someone who’s clearly talking nonsense? I guess we're pretending Jim Morrison had twenty touches, when in reality, every single one of them hit him right in the foot. 🤣 I mean, I didn't watch the guy miss three times in a row just to let this guy claim he missed because he was unlucky. He got into a shooting position once, and Hercules stepped in to block him immediately. 🤣 The Kansas City Chiefs have more talent playing backwards than they do moving forward, which is probably why they keep selling off their top prospects for a few million bucks—a move we haven't seen at the Rose Bowl in years. 🙄

But hey, maybe you're just trying to defend some local pride in the middle of the night or something. Who knows? 🤷

Harold Kim5 said:There’s still a mountain of work to do to get this club organized, but at least the foundation is laid, and that’s the hardest part. It’s far from perfect, I suppose, but the groundwork isn't rotten...

Who are you even trying to convince, Frank? You're talking to some guy who was basically hand-picked by that old smoker from the previous administration to sit right where he is—you know, our resident entertainer who's always ready for a laugh. 🤣

Christian Moore41 said:Good grief... People can't even mind their own business without obsessing over the Kansas City Chiefs.🤦

God, what a joke.

Christian Moore41 said:Good grief... I can't even step foot in my own stadium, yet people have the nerve to obsess over the Kansas City Chiefs. 🤦

Who the hell do you think you are acting so smart? If you were actually in our shoes right now, you’d be out of business by now.

Anonymous said:why the hell are you acting like you're so much smarter than us? if you guys were actually in our position right now, you'd be out of business already

🤣🤣😂

This is going down in the annals of this forum—truly legendary stuff. Honestly, why don't you focus on how you'll even manage to step onto your own stage (assuming you can?), how you'll rally the troops, or how you'll actually get people to show up at the stadium? Just leave us alone. Nobody is bothering you.

Those guys have an endless list of bans, and I’m pretty sure over a hundred of them are barred from entering the stadium—even without any active court orders hanging over their heads. Yet, here you all are on the Ultras thread, trying to lecture people about how things supposedly work at the Kansas City Chiefs' club...
Just a heads-up: you're out there embarrassing the very group you claim to represent on this forum, even though you aren't actually part of it.
Over the last two seasons, you've managed to climb the ranks on this site, even surpassing that legendary online brigade known as "the toughest guys on the internet."
So, do us a favor and stop the warfare. If you're so desperate to bicker about football, why don't you just move to the adjacent subforum?