10 Years of Union FS

[Union FS]

29th December 2013, The Old Horse pub: Seven lads fed up with all talk and no action on improving the atmosphere down The City decide enough is enough - it's time to take matters into their own hands. They issue a rallying cry to anyone who wants in to meet them for a chat - and a couple of pint of Everard's - before what would turn into a 5-3 thriller against Bolton. Union Filbo Spirit (Union FS) is born.

Ten years on, we're going strong and have now grown to an active base 10 times our original number, determined to make sure Leicester's the place for non-stop support, creative tifos and a revived sense of pride in our club, city and county.

There have been challenges, of course. Whether it's from jobsworths, the Spanish Police or the people who we've constantly had to prove wrong about what active and organised support can achieve - we've faced them down and overcome these trials.

But we can look back on our first decade with immense pride after showcasing our skills in the UK and beyond, on the biggest stage, fighting for the rights of our fellow fans along the way. And we did it all with our own hands and hard graft (unlike many of the jokers who claim to be part of the English "scene").

We'll keep doing what we do because we believe in it, not just for ourselves, but for future generations of Leicester supporters who will come after us. It's not only our passion - it's our duty.

 

Here's to the first 10 years and all who've been part of that journey - Up The ****ing City!

 

 

[coolhandfox]

Keep up the good work!

[Motty]

Hi 

I am wondering what your actual Nos are as there seems to be more than 70 of you on match days.

Over the years I have had heated debates with you over various topics.

 I know how  hard you work to do the tifos.

Also the food bank collection.

So good luck for your next 10 years.

 

 

 

[Guest BlueBrett]

Happy anniversary lads. 

 

 

What a wild ten years it has been for us all.

 

 

 

 

 

[The_77]

In addition to UFS’s work in the stands and in the community, you’ve filled the void of advocacy for fans and taken on real leadership on behalf of those who are shut out of supporting their club in person. Cheers on ten years— I think your next ten years will be your best yet!

[Jackubu]

52 minutes ago, Motty said:

Hi 

I am wondering what your actual Nos are as there seems to be more than 70 of you on match days.

Over the years I have had heated debates with you over various topics.

 I know how  hard you work to do the tifos.

Also the food bank collection.

So good luck for your next 10 years.

 

 

 

It's not easy to put an exact figure on member numbers as we don't really have a formal membership scheme like other Leicester fan groups may have (sign up here, entrance fee etc). I think 70-80 is what the group relies on for day-to-day activities whether that be banner/tifo making, replying to emails, media, meetings with the club or the wide array of other bits that go on in the background. On matchdays or other events that number inflates significantly with friends of the group or those looking to get involved before getting more attached. 

[Motty]

1 minute ago, Jackubu said:

It's not easy to put an exact figure on member numbers as we don't really have a formal membership scheme like other Leicester fan groups may have (sign up here, entrance fee etc). I think 70-80 is what the group relies on for day-to-day activities whether that be banner/tifo making, replying to emails, media, meetings with the club or the wide array of other bits that go on in the background. On matchdays or other events that number inflates significantly with friends of the group or those looking to get involved before getting more attached. 

OK thx for the info.

[ozleicester]

25 minutes ago, Jackubu said:

It's not easy to put an exact figure on member numbers as we don't really have a formal membership scheme like other Leicester fan groups may have (sign up here, entrance fee etc). I think 70-80 is what the group relies on for day-to-day activities whether that be banner/tifo making, replying to emails, media, meetings with the club or the wide array of other bits that go on in the background. On matchdays or other events that number inflates significantly with friends of the group or those looking to get involved before getting more attached. 

I consider myself a member of UFS... based on the 2 games i stood near them in 2015

Congrats UFS... you have much to be proud of.

[CrazyKopCorner]

You’re doing great lads. Keep up the great work.

[Trav Le Bleu]

3 hours ago, Union FS said:

29th December 2013, The Old Horse pub: 
Ten years on, we're going strong and have now grown to an active base 10 times our original number, determined to make sure Leicester's the place for non-stop support, creative tifos and a revived sense of pride in our club, city and county.

 

 

 

I thought you were going to say "an active base of 10 members"

 

 

Edited 29 December 2023 by Trav Le Bleu

[Dr The Singh]

well done

[SemperEadem]

I really hope the group can navigate the next ten years, particularly the stadium expansion and ever increasing beast that is modern top flight English football.

[Nugent]

Stood right next to the section between 2014 and 2019 before I moved up north, made attending home games fun again! Cheers boys and keep it up!

[Out Foxed]

never been a fan of everards. the old horse is good though. 

[foxy tiler]

Well done to UFS and its members keep up the good work. 👍

[Voll Blau]

Been some rollercoaster. Never dreamt it'd have this lifespan, or be able to achieve some of the things it has, but it really is hard to think of matchdays without the group there now. Every home game feels like an event - something worth going to. It rarely did for quite a few years before that for me.

 

I really do wish we had more of an organised fan scene at Leicester (and in England overall) - and I'm talking independent fan clubs (based on locality, pubs, areas of the ground or whatever) as well as groups based on active support like UFS. The sense of camaraderie would be so rewarding for many fans who just attend in ones or twos right now - plus it would greater strengthen our ability to collectively fight for our rights as supporters. We could achieve so much together if we organised better.

[Bob Hazels shorts]

21 minutes ago, Voll Blau said:

Been some rollercoaster. Never dreamt it'd have this lifespan, or be able to achieve some of the things it has, but it really is hard to think of matchdays without the group there now. Every home game feels like an event - something worth going to. It rarely did for quite a few years before that for me.

 

I really do wish we had more of an organised fan scene at Leicester (and in England overall) - and I'm talking independent fan clubs (based on locality, pubs, areas of the ground or whatever) as well as groups based on active support like UFS. The sense of camaraderie would be so rewarding for many fans who just attend in ones or twos right now - plus it would greater strengthen our ability to collectively fight for our rights as supporters. We could achieve so much together if we organised better.

What 'rights' are supporters not achieving and need fighting for?

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Genuinely superb work and keep it going lads and lasses  

 

I hope to grab my lad from up north at the end of January so will try and get a seat as near as possible (he loves the atmosphere and so do I) for the Swansea home game 

[Voll Blau]

 

 

10 minutes ago, Bob Hazels shorts said:

What 'rights' are supporters not achieving and need fighting for?

Off the top of my head: Cheaper ticket prices, more convenient kick-off times, better transport to and from games, the campaign for General Sale to be reinstated, better policing/stewarding, the ongoing fight against the Euro Super League, greater representation for fans within the structures of the clubs they support, introduction of standing areas etc.

[Wymsey]

What's their relationship with the club like?

[Sol thewall Bamba]

Genuinely the only reason I go to games still. So many say the same which is why it'll keep going for a long long time yet.

 

Proud that we've done it our own way, on our terms and got so many involved. 

 

To the next decade 

[Sol thewall Bamba]

2 minutes ago, Wymsey said:

What's their relationship with the club like?

Fluctuates as you'd expect, but workable at the moment. 

 

A few (ex) members of club staff really tried to derail the whole thing, but they're gone and the group endured which says a lot.

[Motty]

18 minutes ago, Voll Blau said:

 

 

Off the top of my head: Cheaper ticket prices, more convenient kick-off times, better transport to and from games, the campaign for General Sale to be reinstated, better policing/stewarding, the ongoing fight against the Euro Super League, greater representation for fans within the structures of the clubs they support, introduction of standing areas etc.

Never going to affect kick off times,as when u sell ur soul to the devil he calls the tune

[Voll Blau]

5 minutes ago, Motty said:

Never going to affect kick off times,as when u sell ur soul to the devil he calls the tune

Fans managed to get rid of Monday night kick-offs in the Bundesliga. It can be done if the required level of  willpower and organisation is there.

[Motty]

7 minutes ago, Voll Blau said:

Fans managed to get rid of Monday night kick-offs in the Bundesliga. It can be done if the required level of  willpower and organisation is there.

The level of investment in English football vastly outstrips the levels in Europe. As seen by the ridiculous kick off times over the xmas period. It will only get worse as the Internet platforms take over.