Soccer Thread

[Gamblor]

Thought I'd stop cluttering the Fulham thread with BPL banter. Bringing banter over here. Feel free to use the thread to ask any questions you like, I'm a big believer part of advocating soccer here on the First Coast is to help new converts get a grasp on the game.

To get the conversation started lets begin with this photo....

[JaxByDefault]

I do love kicking MUFC while they are down.

[Gamblor]

I do love kicking MUFC while they are down.

Me too 




So to keep this somewhat close to a Jax topic, I'd like to introduce a group of American soccer fans. I'd really like to see the Armada be able to develop a supporters group this dedicated and loud. Meet the Timbers Army...


http://www.youtube.com/v/NRSEyLqOpZw


Thoughts? Anyone with good ideas on how to engage the local artist community? Thoughts on Capo style fan support vs. English style?

[JaxByDefault]

The Timber Army is by far the best supporters group in the MLS.

There are good and bad aspects of both supporter styles, but I'm bit more laid back so overall I prefer the English fan experience. I like the organic swell of the stands to capo-style cheerleading. But there are big differences in the BPL, too. Craven Cottage has the best match day experience--especially the walk through Bishop's Park and the tiny wooden seats of the Haynes Stand-- but the fans are a bit quiet. Stamford Bridge is a model for a stadium and a quiet residential neighborhood coexisting (pubs, transit, restaurants, parks all within 100 meters of the Britannia Gate). Nou Camp lets you bring in amazing sandwiches sold by the nearby shops and has a good mix of horns, drums, and songs. Most raucous fans I've ever been in the stands with were Wisla Krakow: so much singing, stomping, and flares. The military-grade smoke canisters on the field to cloud the goal end was especially over-the-top. Besiktas threw a heck of an impromptu street party after their 2009 Turkish Cup win that was fun to get caught up in. 

I'm also a fan of the lack of commercials, announcing, music (except immediately before the match and at the half) over the loudspeakers, and jumbotrons at games abroad. Everyone is there to watch the match and sing -- that's it. (This could be because alcohol isn't allowed in the stands in England -- something that seems like a tragedy to fans from elsewhere.)

In England, there's a family pen for people who want a more staid environment. (Ironically, it's right near the most vocal supporters at Craven Cottage.) The stands of MLS are more sanitized to be family friendly and there's a lot that lost in not being able to have some sweary fun at the expense of the other side. MLS has actually been paying fan groups not use a certain (albeit not very clever) sweary chant during goal kicks. Watching  a 9 year-old let loose --with very prim Dad's permission-- to say "naughty words, just for match chants" is perhaps the most hilarious thing I have ever watched as a soccer supporter. That said, I'm glad the stands in the US are overall less abusive/racist than in some international leagues.

Seing as how I do some art law, I'm now keeping an eye out for clients who can paint tifo.

Armada's supporter group First Coast Syndicate has some great guys getting things started, but they need more help. If you're interested, Gamblor, send me a PM and I'll put you in touch with their board of directors.

[Gamblor]

The Timber Army is by far the best supporter's group in the MLS.

There are good and bad aspects of both supporter styles, but I'm bit more laid back so overall I prefer the English fan experience. I like the organic swell of the stands to capo-style cheerleading. But there are big differences in the BPL, too. Craven Cottage has the best match day experience--especially the walk through Bishop's Park and the tiny wooden seats of the Haynes Stand-- but the fans are a bit quiet. Stamford Bridge is a model for a stadium and a quiet residential neighborhood coexisting (pubs, transit, restaurants, parks all within 100 meters of the Britannia Gate). Nou Camp lets you bring in amazing sandwiches sold by the nearby shops and has a good mix of horns, drums, and songs. Most raucous fans I've ever been in the stands with were Wisla Krakow: so much singing, stomping, and flares. The military-grade smoke canisters on the field to cloud the goal end was especially over-the-top. Besiktas threw a heck of an impromptu street party after their 2009 Turkish Cup win that was fun to get caught up in. 

I'm also a fan of the lack of commercials, announcing, music (except immediately before the match and at the half) over the loudspeakers, and jumbotrons at games abroad. Everyone is there to watch the match and sing -- that's it. (This could be because alcohol isn't allowed in the stands in England -- something that seems like a tragedy to fans from elsewhere.)

In England, there's a family pen for people who want a more staid environment. (Ironically, it's right near the most vocal supporters at Craven Cottage.) The stands of MLS are more sanitized to be family friendly and there's a lot that lost in not being able to have some sweary fun at the expense of the other side. MLS has actually been paying fan groups not use a certain (albeit not very clever) sweary chant during goal kicks. Watching  a 9 year-old let loose --with very prim Dad's permission-- to say "naughty words, just for match chants" is perhaps the most hilarious thing I have ever watched as a soccer supporter. That said, I'm glad the stands in the US are overall less abusive/racist than in some international leagues.

Seing as how I do some art law, I'm now keeping an eye out for clients who can paint tifo.

Armada's supporter group First Coast Syndicate has some great guys getting things started, but they need more help. If you're interested, Gamblor, send me a PM and I'll put you in touch with their board of directors.

Great post. I tend to be kind of a mix of the English and capo. We don't have capos at the Emirates, but someone can shout a keyword, and then you'll hear that section start chanting/singing. Pretty soon the whole stadium joins in. We're very much the stand and sing types, not the sit and clap though (although since the move this is less true unfortunately, but the team is looking to get back to more of the old way). Of course experience wise, Highbury was the best ever, but I was there after she had been standing for a hundred years, and the fans knew what sections were family, and what were Gooner. I do agree though there is nothing funnier than watching a father give his son the nod that it's okay to join in a sweary chant (I have seen it a few times when we start in on "We won the league, at sh%te heart lane")

You're totally right about the experience of being there to just stand and sing really having a better feel than a lot of what we get here, where jumbotrons and loudspeakers too often take over. I do think the MLS needs to be a little more careful about the family stuff though. I know it was their bread and butter for years, but as the league is now shifted so drastically to the younger generations, they are going to need to open things up a bit.

As for the Syndicate, I met a few of them at One Spark and I think I scared the heck out of them. I may have been a little over zealous, but hey they need guys like me. I just don't think they realize that yet. Seriously I had the zeal in me at the moment. I know back in North London when someone has the fire I had in me that day, we take their name , number, give them a free ticket and tell em were gonna need their support every match ... But in all seriousness we ended up having a nice long conversation about Liverpool/Suarez, Man U falling off a cliff (we lol'd at that for 20 minutes),  and of course what's going on at Fulham before I had to run off to watch the FA cup match against Wigan. They have some good ideas though, but I hate the name. A buddy of mine came up with a great name, and I suggested it to the syndicate but they didn't seem to like it. I don't know if they got all the connotations of it though, but you'll be welcome to join me and my soccer pals in SquidRow, ByDefault, even though you're a Chelsea fan. Lol just kidding, I hang with one Chelsea fan already. The rest of us are gooners though so don't bring up the 6 nille 

Oh and the scariest crowd I have ever been around was PSG in the late 90's... Seriously frightening. I'll save that story for later though...

[JaxByDefault]

I do agree though there is nothing funnier than watching a father give his son the nod that it's okay to join in a sweary chant (I have seen it a few times when we start in on "We won the league, at sh%te heart lane")

That chant is brilliant.

I do think the MLS needs to be a little more careful about the family stuff though. I know it was their bread and butter for years, but as the league is now shifted so drastically to the younger generations, they are going to need to open things up a bit.

Agreed -- they are starting a policy of overkill that is going to further dilute the supporter experience.

As for the Syndicate, I met a few of them at One Spark and I think I scared the heck out of them. I may have been a little over zealous, but hey they need guys like me. I just don't think they realize that yet.

Fairly certain I scare them, too. They're good guys; all very young. I'm not hot on the name either, but they are absolutely and intractably sold on it. They do need guys who are interested and willing to help shape the org. I'm an advisor to the organization -- if you're interested, I'll make sure you're invited to their next meeting.

you'll be welcome to join me and my soccer pals in SquidRow, ByDefault, even though you're a Chelsea fan.

Awesome. I'm "carefree wherever I may be," but I'll see you in SquidRow. 

[JaxByDefault]

OMG, Arsenal actually won a trophy.

This invalidates half of all English football memes on the Internet.

[Gamblor]

OMG, Arsenal actually won a trophy.

This invalidates half of all English football memes on the Internet.

We tried our best not too!! The first ten i thought i would die...Great game though and hats off to Hull. They fought hard. Okay i would banter more but I was just doin quick site check. Time to party and let some 9 year old demons out.

[Gamblor]

Yesterday I was doing some research on Orlando City SC and I have to say I am quite impressed. They are doing some really smart things. To illustrate one example of this, and not to clutter the boards with soccer jargon not everyone understands, here is something we can all probably dwell on.  Orlando recently changed their logo. Here is a short video on it

http://www.youtube.com/v/CXpJyyNyWfY


While I think this is at least a pretty solid shield, what really smacked me in the face was this genius, 1 day of art/activity that followed shortly after the unveiling to celebrate their new shield...

http://www.youtube.com/v/6Swnl8dj_4E


I know some walls that could use some beautifying/marketing Jags, Sharks, Suns, Armada.... Lets get on it!

[JaxByDefault]

Gamblor, I saw this today and instantly thought of sharing it with every Arsenal fan I know.

Behold, the footy quote of the year from Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria:

"Many things were said, sometimes you think a lot and it hurts you when you are trying to always do your best for a club and then it comes out that you might be going to Tottenham."

[http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2080459-angel-di-maria-mocks-tottenham-as-he-aims-to-stay-at-real-madrid]

Wouldn't we all feel that way, Angel?

[Gamblor]

Gamblor, I saw this today and instantly thought of sharing it with every Arsenal fan I know.

Behold, the footy quote of the year from Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria:

"Many things were said, sometimes you think a lot and it hurts you when you are trying to always do your best for a club and then it comes out that you might be going to Tottenham."

[http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2080459-angel-di-maria-mocks-tottenham-as-he-aims-to-stay-at-real-madrid]

Wouldn't we all feel that way, Angel?

He was already near the top of the summer shopping list, now he has to be the priority purchase! 

[Gamblor]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but Orlando officially revealed what there new stadium will look like. Here is the quick video

http://www.youtube.com/v/Ug8hRoKDkeo

Here is the long video of the conference. It's worth a watch in my opinion. Got to love a club that proudly says we are building a world class 20k stadium downtown and NOT adding one parking space...

http://www.youtube.com/v/cmgJzXusBkQ

Also Ajax, if you see this I keep meaning to hear your thoughts about this guy. I'm sure they are full of love like mine, but I always like hearing dutch talk about him with such pride. I would have pm you but thought it might be better for others who may have caught the soccer bug over the last few weeks to hear.

http://www.youtube.com/v/70X8goHkONk

[KenFSU]

^ Nice little stadium, and a steal for Orlando at only around $40 million out of pocket after the team's contribution and state subsidies.

[Gamblor]

In honor of Man U, the most storied team in modern English soccer losing to MK Dons, a team in England's third tier today....

http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/325029/report

[JaxByDefault]

Just under 8 hours left for Arsenal to NOT get any striker business* done this transfer window.

*Jermain Defoe would not count as striker business.