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The followers of Livingston are able to support their team without resorting to misbehaving and only recently, whilst travelling across Europe, were given back a good-behaviour bond from a ferry company before they even began their journey, when the company realised it was ‘Livi’ fans they were dealing with.
The drums that are heard at most games are by now, well-known all around Scotland and are almost as famous as the team! The main difference is that these drums were not brought in by the board like at Ibrox, but by fans who took it upon themselves to add to the atmosphere at games.
The reception given to the drums by other teams supporters is varied from happy to hear them to sometimes less than polite! But by far the majority of Livingston fans are very supportive of them. Indeed, recently, more drums have been added to the South/East stands by supporters in those stands who felt it was time to take the atmosphere there up a notch or two! Flags and banners are on the increase at the games with the Official Supporters Club having their large banner on show at most games, home and away. St Andrew’s Cross’ and even a cheeky wee ‘Skull and Cross-Bones’ have been brought to games recently. More recently the larger DBM banner and the smaller(!) FOSSA banner have been on show over seats and surfed under. People really do seem to be realising that making a bit of noise and adding colour at the football games can make the whole experience more satisfying.
The idea for giving a name to the Livingston fans dedicated to generating more noise and raising the atmosphere at ‘Livi’ games was decided upon after it was realised that what we currently have here at Livingston is unique to Scottish Football.
The name ‘DRUM BEAT MAFIA’ (DBM) was decided upon after much discussion on a name that wouldn’t come over as being associated with football hooligans or politics in any way. The DBM name was already used loosely to describe the guys who actually play the drums, but it was felt it was time that this should be used to encompass all the fans that take part in the singing and general noise making.
The DBM has been mentioned in the Press at National and Local level and the Matchday Magazine. On supporters Web-sites the DBM has been the subject of much discussion, with fans encouraging fellow supporters to get more involved and make more noise. If you enjoy singing along to the DRUMBEAT and can encourage others to help raise the atmosphere at the games, then consider yourself a member.
The ‘DRUM BEAT MAFIA’ is only going to get bigger, as the fan base grows and word of mouth spreads about the atmosphere being brought to grounds by the DBM who follow Livingston, home and away.
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