Like others on here, I made donations to the "Fanatics" to facilitate displays. Like others I am annoyed and dismayed that those funds, given in good faith, were not put to the purpose for which they were donated. So, I was suspicious and somewhat reticent about making more donations to the re-emergence of the group, albeit now under the Yellow Army banner. I made that point to them and sourced my own streamers for the Peterborough game.
I am now aware that
@John Lennon is running the show and this does give me more confidence. I know Joe (his real name) and have worked with him previously at the start of the OUSP - at that time both of us served on the panel, both of us now do not.
For those, like
@MustardYellow and others who are still doubtful, I will say this: I can happily vouch for Joe as being a true supporter and someone who does care, a great deal. Granted, he has had events in his past that, shall we say, might be less than expected of a pillar of society but, how many of us are not totally innocent? He had issues that caused him some personal problems and, wisely, withdrew to look after his family. Much like many of us have experienced, as adulthood arrives with responsibilities, it's more likely that our "participation" in the usual footy antics is less enthusiastically met.
That said, here he is fronting up the Yellow Army and eager to make the match day experience something special. Well done. And, if he can galvanise others to help and bring back those displays and crowd activities then he should get our backing. The OUSP are happy to back him, the club are happy and what we have seen so, far appears to be working.
As to "knowing" who the Ultras were, I have no idea. It would be wrong to suggest that we all knew them. I don't know who the Fanatics are, or were, either. I can empathise with those who find a bunch of people taking up their allocated ticket seat space an irritation. It is a problem that won't really be resolved until we have safe/rail standing and designated home fan areas as part of our new stadium. Hopefully, the new gathering will be guided by those with experience and assisted with the right way to make friends. (is that a diplomatic enough stance to take?)
After all that went wrong for the Ultras, all the obstacles put in their way, all the disillusionment that they must have felt surely, anything which brings back an atmosphere at games must be encouraged.