The Enfield Town ULTRAS!

[Robsven]

Ok ... this may be quite a long winded post, but please bare with me.

 

Background

It has been noted by several posters on this forum that the atmosphere at some of our games has been lacking. There are severable contributable factors to this ... such as being 4-0 down on a cold, wet and miserable tuesday night for example. However, even when we're winning on a rather nice day, there does seem to be a lack of vocal effort from behind the goal. PLEASE do not feel offended by this statement if you prefer to watch the game in peace. I will never criticise anyone for not wanting to join in with singing and chanting if they don't really want to - the fact that you turn up to watch games in the first place is heartwarming. However, I believe I can organise something which could really improve the enjoyment for spectators, add a bit of spice to games, and hopefully boost the players and management on the pitch.

 

Solution

There have been several ideas with regards to this, such as online polls, matchday music, entertainment etc. These are all valid suggestions, but something I can't really act upon. However, I believe the formation of an "Enfield Town Ultras" section is something I could very easily organise and contribute to. Let me make it quite clear that I do not wish to replicate the "Ultras" of some European and South American countries where violence and intimidation is at the forefront. What I do wish to replicate, however, is the unity in singing/chanting, the banter, the loyalty, the away days antics - and most importantly - the undying love of the club that we all helped to form back in 2001. 

 

Who can get involved?

Well ... literally anyone who is like minded. You don't even have to actually know anyone who attends matches at Enfield Town FC - for the record, I usually attend matches on my own and have only got to know people through standing in roughly the same area every game and chatting to regulars in the bar afterwards. There are no age limits with regards to being too young or too old (although we won't buy you beer from the bar if you're underage!). If blue and white runs in your veins, then you are welcome.

 

How will it be organised?

Well, via the Internet to begin with. What I propose is that everyone interested in joining this idea is to email me, and we can start off with a little newsletter in which everyone involved will recieve. It'll be the place to quickly introduce ourselves, tell each other ideas of how to improve the atmosphere or any songs you want to sing, and eventually it'll be where we arrange exactly when and where we will meet up before the games. We can even debate where this Ultras section should stand at games during away games, but I think the standard practice for home games should be behind the goals as near to the centre as possible. But this can be debated.

 

Will it cost anything?

Absolutely zero. Unless we decide to get our own large flag printed up or something (but that's something to decide in time to come) then all you need to worry about is your own finances.

 

So, how will it work?

Quite simply... those on the email chain will recieve an email in the days preceeding a game. For home games, a rough time of when people will be arriving at the bar (and roughly whereabouts) will be announced. Then those who are intending in meeting up for a drink can confirm in a reply email. This will give us a rough number. Those who can't make it for drinks or don't really want one can meet us behind the goal. Then during the game, we sing, chant, have a bit of a laugh and hopefully enoucarage our team on to victory - through unity. If people who aren't in the chain email wish to sporadically join us during the game, then excellent. Those who do not wish to join in, and have no intention of joining in, then that's fine too. We shall try not to upset anyone. Then after the game, we retreat to the bar and have a couple of drinks - or if you wish to leave straight afterwards, then no problems. The key here is to ensuring we have a hardcore of around 10-15 people stood together behind the goal mutually supporting each other in song. For AWAY games, we can organise to travel on a train together (and take advantage of group travel discounts) - or arrange a time/meeting place near or in the opposition stadium, or at a local pub.

 

Are there any rules?

Not really any rules for us to create - they're already laid out by the club and the Football Association - and to a more extreme extent, the law of the land. But we'll need to effectively police ourselves. So no random pitch invasions, flares, causing damage, violence or threats of violence, racism, homophobia, sexism and so on. Things that people already know isn't acceptable. Any remember, we are representing Enfield Town FC and do not want to give the club a bad name of any sorts. We should also have some sort of official communication with the club should they have any requests for us, or for us to gain permission for anything we might wish to do (such as using a drum).

 

When will it start?

From the beginning of next season. Until... well, forever.

 

And that's about it really, not sure if I've missed out anything. Like I said, this is an attempt to get a group of like minded individuals standing together behind the goals to make as much noise as possible and become the 12th man. It's not a lifetime commitment - you can join us for one game and decide it's not for you, or you can join us one game before the season ends. Or you can float in and out of the group throughout the season. It also creates a social aspect to the game so that people can have a drink with a few people before/after the game to discuss football - when otherwise they might have been drinking on their own.

 

If you are seriously interested, please email me at r0bsven@hotmail.com - or reply to this thread - with maybe a little bit of information of who you are. I'm not looking for a life story - just that when I send the first email out in a few weeks time, I can introduce everyone to each other. Plus, if I'm seriously going to organise this then it would be good to get the basics of your name correct should this go further. 

 

Hope this takes off. If not, I'll crawl back under my rock.

[thecoldend]

Good stuff Lee. 

 

I think it's a great idea. Clapton (of the ESL) have formed THE CLAPTON ULTRAS of late and have seen crowds go from 10-20 (one man and his dog) to 80ish with lots of singing etc. I know 80 people isn't a lot but compared to what they were getting it's a vast improvement.  If we could add 60-80 to every gate it would make a massive difference. They have a website - http://claptonultras.tumblr.com/ which I don't think would take too much time to run if someone was willing to create an Enfield Town one as it's just mostly uploading pictures.

 

They have produced some excellent artwork (as shown below).. It would be great to get some made (someone must be clever enough) to put up around the shops, pubs, clubs, offices of Enfield and surrounding areas to raise the profile of our club.   I reckon if you did a survey in the Town centre and asked about ETFC a good percentage of people wouldn't know we're at Donkey Lane.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Robsven]

Just need an uptake ... I can confirm that I will be getting a large "Enfield Town Ultras" flag created out of my own cost. I'll also set up a website similar to the Clapton Ultras site which will primarily have photos and videos.

 

We need a motto ... suggestions?

 

"Enfield Town Ultras - RIFLING through the veins!" Geddit? Enfield/Rifles/Rifling ... ba dum tish! I'll get me coat. Actually I quite like the sound of that. Hmmmmmmmm. With a couple of added pictures of old Lee-Enfield rifles in the corner of the flag. GENIUS!

[StoneCold]

Great idea and I believe that by generating an atmosphere with plenty of signing etc it will lead to more fans wanting to attend games for the pure fact of the atmosphere.

 

Speaking from experience & I'm sure Baz will agree with me when, we first started going to watch Enfield back in the late 80's it was the excitement of being able to watch local football at a ground where the atmosphere was great and in the later years we would follow home & away nearly every game and moved from right behind the goal (as kids) to the back of the stands joined a few regulars who at the time also followed every game and got involved in the signing. I will never forget Slough away signing Georgie Borgs blue & white army for virtually the entire 2nd half when we won the league.

[thecoldend]

Agreed 100% with Sonecold there. . Slough away was brilliant even though we had heard the rumours we weren't going up due to the in-famous "irregular balance sheet"

 

We need a new "genius player" I think so we can sing the famous Richard Cherry song.

 

Get back to the good old days.

[Monkey8]

Great idea...I love the sound of The Enfield Town Ultras!

[Robsven]

_{My thoughts exactly - the first game I ever went to with Enfield was against Hayes at home ... I think we drew 1-1 (either way it was a really boring game to be honest) but the singing and atmosphere was what seriously got me hooked. I want it to be like that again.}

 

_{As you have all replied to this thread, you have de facto become members of the Ultras. Whether you like it or not, muu ha ha. Send me a private message on here, or an email to r0bsven@hotmail.com and I'll keep you updated with plans.}

 

 

_{Enfield Town ULTRAS - formed May 2013.}

_{"Rifling through our veins!"}

Edited May 2, 2013 by Robsven

[StoneCold]

You only have to look at the impact we had in our first game away at Lewes this season. A big following, the BHP crew were in attendance and virtually created a good atmosphere for the game with plenty of signing. Yes it probably helped that it was the 1st game in Ryman Prem, an away day by the coast on a sunny day and plenty of beer flowng but I believe that this went a long way in turning the game around with us winning 2-1. We just need to create this at every game now both home & away 

[thecoldend]

 

So there not the best of designs as I am only an Amateur but thought I'd share these... 

 

[Enfield United]

Lee,

You obviously have a lot of passion on this topic and have generated support for The ETFC Ultras on this site, I think you should take it upon yourself to drive it forward with a couple of right and left hand men with the rest of us pushing the topic and giving it the word of mouth promotion and publicity and as Lee say's get 15ish enthusiastic energy burning supporters behind the goal every game will just grow to bigger numbers.

 

How about getting your big New Ultras Flag photographed before the Pre Season Aston Villa friendly and getting it in the local paper?

[AzzaETFC01]

I would join in as usual behind the goal, I go to away games most the time and I sing 1 or 2 songs behind the goal by myself and looking like a idiot, also i can hardly be heard so if we can get a group of around 10+ to come along to most games that would be good to make noise where ever we go, also i reckon people would want to come to games more often Home and Away if they see that the atmosphere is good.

[Robsven]

Encouraging stuff so far - I've had some very good resposes both on here and via email.

 

So far we have several people who have said they will join us behind the goal - all voicing the same reasons as I did about why they don't join in with songs at the moment (either due to not knowing anyone, or there not being an active organised group of people to sing with).

 

These are the things that I will be doing:

 

1. Purchasing a large "Enfield Town Ultras" flag to be placed where we stand at every home/away game to signal to supporters where we are.

2. Setting up a website for photos and videos to be uploaded onto.

3. A twitter and Facebook page.

4. Organising an "Ultras" party in Butlers Bar at some point before the season (before one of our pre-season games, most likely against Beveren) to meet and greet, drum up support and share ideas. All will be welcome to this party, and hopefully we'll have a good old sing-song to get us in the Ultras mood before the game.

5. Keep this thread updated with goings on so it's consistently near the top of the page.

 

And most importantly, encourage you all to spread the word to anyone you know who used to regularly support Enfield but no longer do, and get them to join the Ultras section for a game. They will fall back in love - not with us, but with the club!

 

Stand by for an email from me if you've already contacted me via r0bsven@hotmail.com - if you've not emailed me already, send me a message!

[spotteddog]

Good luck to the Enfield Town Ultras !

 

Our own Clapton Ultras have breathed new life into the club and are certainly getting Clapton out there, which is what we have needed after many years 'under the radar'.  The atmosphere at the Hullbridge match was said to ave been the best at the Dog for many seasons. see video

 

I am sure that if you contact them, (through me if you wish) they can offer advice and you can exchange ideas.

 

Incidentally, my first ever Clapton match was at the Old Spotted Dog in the 1972/73 season. At the time I was an E's follower.  Silk scarf and all!   Enfield had a good team then - Andy Williams, Tony Turley, John Payne,Ken Gray etc.  I never thought that years later I would have been the Hon Sec of the Tons and now a member of the Friends of Clapton FC.

 

It would be great if the Tons to re-emerge to Isthmian league level.  There are some good signs and the Friends have received help and advice from Supporters Direct.  They most certainly know the score at the Old Spotted Dog 

 

There are bridges to cross but, an important start has been made.

[Arthur Salisbury]

I take my hat off to the Clapton Ultras - I was at the game against Hullbridge Sports, and they made an awful game great fun to watch. Particularly admired the Antifa flag, ought to get myself one of those.

Good luck to the Tons with the Old Spotted Dog situation, hope to see you back in the Isthmian soon

[King Crimson]

True, the banter and singing behind the goal has dropped noticeably lately, but it only takes a little bit of encouragement to get going again. As I remember from our previous Ryman adventures with Enfield, it was the fact that we all used to travel on the club coaches and drink a minimum of 4 pints in the bars beforehand that started the atmosphere going. I like the idea of traveling in a group and am certainly up for more noise as I do think that is what puts the opposition off (which is what its all about). Posters around the Town and local area might bring in a few out of curiosity too. Lets do it!

[AzzaETFC01]

If you have not yet followed the Enfield Town Ultras account on Twitter please do so the link is https://twitter.com/ETFC_ULTRAS

[Badger]

I'll be joining  in behind the goal from time to time.  I don't get to all the matches, and sometimes have several young kids in tow, but I'll be there when I can.

[Mr Happy]

I think Badger made an important point there. He will be bringing some children. In our ESL days, any of the more vocal youngsters who used foul language were asked to tone it down. That appears to have stopped and sometimes the language is pretty awful. There are a number of children from the primary school where I work who come to games and if we want to keep these families then we need to change some of the chants and some other older fans need to get rid of the OTT abuse of opponents and officials. Leaders of the Ultras well done to you but please take note of this post.

[Arthur Salisbury]

I get your point Mr Happy, but part of what's so awful about modern football is the sanitised atmosphere. I imagine parents who take their children to the game know what to expect, and will it really stop them from coming again? It hasn't stopped Badger. When I was about eight, my dad took me to a game at the Beveree, and the keeper said something I really shouldn't post here, but it never put me off football. Obviously, don't just hurl abuse for the sake of it, but I'm not sure how much harm a few choice words at the ref does actually do.

On an unrelated note, maybe we should put in for some stickers to be printed and stick them up near the ground/at the station etc. à la Clapton Ultras. C.U. have also made some pretty cool scarves (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=323567561110218&set=a.293626874104287.1073741828.293623664104608&type=1&theater), wonder how much 20-30 ETFC ULTRAS scarves would set us back?

[AzzaETFC01]

I agree with Arthur and the scarfs look like a good idea one side 'Enfield Town FC' an the other side maybe 'Donkey Lane' or 'Donkey Dome' ? Just a suggestion.