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Aspiring to Be Ultras - An Analysis of Unofficial Fan Groups of S. League Clubs

This paper investigates the formation of unofficial fan groups in the S.League, Singapore’s professional football league, and their fascination with the term ‘ultras’. Using data drawn from interviews with members of two unofficial fan groups in Singapore, and incorporating the perspectives of one team manager, the focus of this study was to establish if the self-described ultras fan groups in Singapore fit the defining characteristics of ultras in Europe, based on definitions in the established literature. The complementary secondary objective was to outline the motivations and opinions of these unofficial fans to understand the basis of perceiving themselves as ultras. This paper arrives at the conclusion that unofficial fan groups in Singapore will not be able to attain the full extent of the ‘ultras’ tag. The findings presented in this paper may be useful for football clubs in Singapore to develop stronger ties with different fan groups.