Re: Message to all Aris Salonika fans
charliebigspuds said:
it was quality, I'll put my hat on for this but does anyone think that its because the game in England has been diluted somewhat, with too many women (I know I'll get pelted) and lightweight supporters who like a prawn sandwich from time to time. I remember standing in the Kippax with my dad in the late seventies and it swaying whilst in full volume. Its just the crap plastic, no soul atmosphere over here. Also if you go abroad the fans get into the ground hours before KO and drink, sing, smoke basically do what they please and build it to a crescendo for KO, the atmosphere we witnessed tonight doesn't happen by accident, it would be interesting to hear the opinion of a Aris fan to see what they say.
I'm not Aris fan, I'm not even from Greece but I can assure you it's not an accident.
Greek and Turkish fans are probably the biggest fanatics in Europe but the stuff you saw tonight is pretty much the regular thing in most games around the Europe. Not at all of course, specially in smaller leagues as there are matches with extremely poor attendance due to low standard of people living in some countries but on big matches is 10x times better than on any English match you would pick.
These groups are well organized, they have hierarchy like some politic parties. They have their leaders, memberships that hey use for choreography and stuff, presidents, secretaries etc. etc.. they don't buy tickets for away matches online like you do on your official website, they buy their tickets through the representatives of their firms. Everything is connected with firm, in some teams and firms there is biggest feeling of loyalty to the firm than to the club. They love the club, they'll "die" for it and swear the club is on the first place but still I don't believe them, I think that loyalty to their firm mates is on the first place.
And, with such military/politic type of hierarchy, everything is better organized - their personal and collective motives, their loyalty to group and group leaders, their connection with club etc..
And results are what you saw tonight from Aris fans.
I don't see anything from that in England, specially since I came hear as I did not know the English fan scene so good before. You lack the basic forms of organization, you lack the leaders. When or if you make that homework, than you'll have more space to talk with team officials, to look for special area of CoMS where most heavy supporters could stand together and make an atmosphere.
I'm not sure if most of you are ready for that as that would be a revolutionary thing for current English standards, I'm not sure if that's possible with current English fan laws but if you can make that, I'm pretty sure that there are firms who can help you with their experience to make it right. You're good now with Poznan and Aris supporters, there were no any problems between those fans and you, so they would probably be happy to give you some advices how to do it.
I would be very happy if City fans would be the first in England that could change this current theater atmosphere and bring some real football one on English stadiums.
