After Schalke’s 1-1 draw with Union Berlin, the Royal Blues’ first point of the season but 20th game without a win, around 80 #S04 ultras demanded to speak to the team.

Their biggest concern: next week’s derby against Borussia Dortmund.

Thread:

According to @SPORT1’s @berger_pj [], contact was made via the #Schalke SLO and the whole squad, including coach Manuel Baum and sporting director Jochen Schneider, met the ultras outside the arena, where the capo addressed them:

#S04

“That was ok today but you need to do more in the derby. It’s the most important game of the year. You can lose, but it depends on the manner. If it’s not at least as good as today, we’ll see each other again and it won’t be as peaceful. Understood?”

#S04

Head of professional football Sascha Riether: “It was motivational. The fans have got the players fired up for the derby. It’s normal that it can get a bit heated after so many games without a win. Steam that needed to be let off.”

#S04

The Ultras Gelsenkirchen, one of Germany’s biggest ultra groups, have had dealings with their team before. Ahead of the 18/19 season, they presented the team with a “Nordkurve” captain’s armband, but then demonstratively confiscated it after a 0-4 home defeat to Düsseldorf.

#S04

They said: “It was about how we were playing and the behaviour of the players ... the keg was getting fuller and fuller and eventually overflowed against Düsseldorf ... a signal had to be sent to wake the team up ... it was nothing personal.” [Erlebnis Fußball #81]

With over 160,000 members, #S04 are Germany’s second biggest football club. They are also one of only four #Bundesliga clubs which remain 100% member controlled with no out-sourced pro team. The fans matter, and the ultras are the most vocal.

More here:

https://amp.dw.com/en/the-schalke-slaughterhouse-furious-fans-demand-change-after-season-of-scandal/a-53967463

Throughout the #coronavirus crisis, the #Schalke ultras have been active around the city of #Gelsenkirchen, including following campaigns:
- “Warm through the night”: donations for food & clothing for those in need
- Packages containing goods for people quarantining/shielding ...

- #HelpGelsen: selling t-shirts to raise money for local small businesses suffering from the pandemic.
- Completion of a €100,000 artificial pitch for a children’s home.

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They also produced one of my favourite ever banners on the final day of the 16/17 season:

#S04 https://twitter.com/matt_4d/status/865988182613143552