This article was initially published in Issue 3 of The Steelmen Dispatch Fanzine. In the interests of transparency, and the furthering of a positive football culture in Scotland and Motherwell, we decided to publish this so those who didn’t buy Issue 3 can also gain this insight into the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of the chants and displays in Motherwell.
Fanaticism, Not Hooliganism
At 3PM on a Saturday, the match-going fan sees a corner of Fir Park transition from silence to vibrancy: flags of legends are waved, songs of glory are sung, and the stadium itself is lifted as the cry of Hawns is belted.
What the match-going fan doesn’t see is the paint-stained hands at midnight, the frantic waving of hairdryers on a canvas hours after his shift has ended, or the eyes of suspicion from those who swore to protect them.
The late, great Bill Shankly once said that “Some people assume football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it is much more than that.” One group that personifies this quote is Block E: the Ultras group named after the part of the stadium they reside in. Prior to Motherwell’s resounding win over Kilmarnock, Declan sat down with Ben, Jay, and Alan to find out more about Block E and the trials and tribulations that come with being an ultra in Scotland.
In a myth-busting article such as this, it is likely wise to start with a definition. When thinking of Ultras, some may immediately think of Green Street and the hooliganism that plagued British football throughout the 70s and 80s. Although that connotation is convenient for
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