Amazing choreos are practically the norm at Eintracht Frnakfurt’s European home games, and the game vs. Liege was no different.

This choreo, though, deserves some proper explaining.

On ultras, pop culture, the city of Frankfurt and anti racism.

Buckle up... #SGE (Thread, 1/15)

First, the basics.

This choreo celebrates the 20th birthday of an Eintracht Frankfurt ultra group called Droogs 99.

The text reads: “20 years, side by side.” 2/15

What you need to know about the Droogs: Fan-culture wise, they’re known to be particularly creative and well organized. Politically, they’re associated with the left. They also take a clear stance against discriminatory chanting in their buses, as listed on their website. 3/15

Let’s talk about pop culture and film history.

The name Droogs is a reference to Clockwork Orange, a book by Anthony Burgess later turned into a legendary film directed by Stanley Kubrick.

In the book/movie, the term “Droogs” is slang for a group of friends. 4/15

This isn’t the first time the Eintracht Frankfurt ultra scene makes a reference to Clockwork Orange.

Back in 2013, as #SGE took 12,000 fans (a record back then) to an away game vs. Bordeaux, the whole away end wore orange.

The motto: “Orange chaos international!” 5/15

This wasn’t it.

As the Droogs celebrated their 15th birthday in 2014, a choreography was seen in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nordwestkurve, where #SGE’s hardcore fans are stood.

“ #SGE ultras: 15 years of Hessen-made Clockwork!” 6/15

Now, let’s talk about the choreo vs. Liege. 7/15

In the middle of the choreo is an interpretation of the Frankfurt coat of arms, the eagle. It’s likely drawn inspiration from the 1925 version of the Frankfurt Eagle, related to a planning program called “New Frankfurt,” that created affordable housing for FFM’s residents. 8/15

The Droogs’ “New Frankfurt” eagle includes several references.

Its hat and eyelashes are clear references to the Clockwork Orange movie poster. 9/15

The eagle holds a black-white flag, and a Geripptes, the special glass in which the local Hessen apple wine is being served (my favorite alcoholic drink and a must try if you’re in Frankfurt or Hessen). 10/15

More Clockwork Orange references? You got it:

The choreo’s middle is full of clockworks.

On the left hand side: The groups with which #SGE’s ultra scene have friendships with. Atalanta, Diablos (Chemie Leipzig) and others. 11/15

On the right hand side: The Droogs logo (again, hat and eyelashes), as well as #SGE’s, and of course Ultras Frankfurt 97’s. 12/15

Also notice the font used for the banner: Exactly the same one from the movie’s poster. 13/15

So, we’ve had pop culture, the history of the city of Frankfurt, some bits about the club’s ultra scene and its anti-racist stance.

Then go and tell people that supporter culture is exactly that: Culture. 14/15

Credits for the photos and information: http://Sport.de , @Eintracht, @FasziFankurve, http://droogs99.de .

I'm sure the #SGE fans on Twitter are onto more motivs that I've missed, so Sektion Hessen, go for it :) 15/15

Some extra Eintracht Frankfurt-Clockwork Orange connections by the knowledgeable @JohnBalluff. https://twitter.com/JohnBalluff/status/1187676546116608000

More background re the Frankfurt coat of arms and its history. Thanks, @kmnd: https://twitter.com/kmnd/status/1187729074871046144?s=21

And some more footage of Eintracht Frankfurt fans going full orange, courtesy of @LarsWienand: https://twitter.com/larswienand/status/1187876961399562240?s=21