New Revolution Supporter's Group, "The Rebellion"

Riders don't sit separate from everyone. We sit in the fort, which is General Admission, and constantly put our organization of songs, chants, walk-ins, seating, etc aside to accommodate other fans sitting in the same area. We don't try to "run" or "own" the fort, we contribute to it, as do we all.

We do have a separate tailgate area, but its not like we put up walls or anything, anyone who comes over to hang out that are not part of the group (of which there are many, every single game) partake in food and drinks that we're happy to share.

I obviously can't speak to any culture that was in effect prior to my joining the group, but my first few games I hung out in the Riders lot and had such an awesome time that I joined the group and bought season tickets for the Revs after only a couple of attendances. Anyone who has had poor experiences with any individual members of the group in the past, I'm very sorry to hear that, its not how we act as a group overall and I encourage you to come by and say hi if you feel like it, we love meeting new people.

you are right, but until you know that, outside looking in.... how do you approach? what do you know about them? etc? not ever one is willing to walk up to, what appears to be 400 nut cases that appear to be part of a giant group and say "hi". It can be pretty intimidating.

They truth is they don't exactly reach out and get their message out to the fans about who they are and what they do as well as they could.

And all the credit to the rebellion for seeing that and trying to do something. IMO that is one of the things I am most excited for about the rebelllion is that they seem to want to aggressively expand the SG culture.

The riders, I'm not sure if they are complacent of if they just aren't aggressive about growing the culture. It appears that they do kind of just grow on their own. My guess is that it's the later rather than the former.

This is another reason why I think the rebellion is good. Jumpstart the culture and get everyone moving.. a little friendly competition is good.

The worst thing that could happen would be that the rebellion is just current and former riders members and be more of the same. In fact if that does become the case, I think they will ultimately fail. I want and hope they bring something new.

After reading through some of the posts the only thing I get out of this is that we all need the season to start. I wish I could make the event tonight.

And just for the record, the more supporters the better.

In all fairness to both the Riders and the Rebellion, I'm inclined to think that the creation of the Rebellion has come about as a result of certain Revolution fans realizing that, while they'd like to be part of a Revolution supporters group, that the Riders aren't necessarily the best fit for them. So rather than being the equivalent of square pegs trying to fit into round holes, these fans are looking for a better fit, the right fit.

I personally have high hopes for the Rebellion, in that, they provide an alternative to the Riders for those people looking to be part of a group, but one that is more reflective of who they are and what they're about. I hope that they define themselves less as being in opposition to or a breakaway from the Riders, but rather, a group looking to create their own identity whereby both groups can be mutually distinctive, without necessarily being mutually exclusive.

Has criticism of the Revolution front office served to push some people away from the Riders and towards the creation of the Rebellion? That seems to be the case. Has some criticism been justified? Yes. Has some criticism been unjustified? yes. In some ways has such criticism held back, hindered, or actually hurt the Riders, especially in terms of soliciting concessions from the club? Absolutely.

I've been a member of the Riders since year one when I was 22 years-old. I'm now pushing 37, and I've seen the group go through incredible changes over the years, some of it for the better, some of it for the worse. The same can be said for the Revolution organization both on and off the field. That being said, the number of originals who've been part of the Riders since the beginning I can probably count on one hand... maybe two at this point, with membership and overall group demographic changing dramatically over the years; I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss a ton of those people who are no longer part of the Riders or who don't come to games anymore.

Understanding this, the creation of the Rebellion, or any future supporters group, was, and remains inevitable. I'm not the same type of fan I was at 22 that I am now at almost 37, and I find it hard at times to relate to the 22 year-old members of the group, much as a 22 year-old now may find it hard to relate to me.

There's space for everyone, and I believe it can be done with civility and respect. It's happened between members of Rev Army and the Riders, and it can happen again this go-round with the Rebellion and/or the Barra.

The situation is not unworkable, but it does take work, and in general I believe that every Revolution supporters group wants to make things work. people can be different, but that doesn't mean we can't work towards a common good, and that we can't work together towards a common good.

- Evan

this guy is awesome.

At the supporter's summit today I specifically asked Brian Bilello about the claim that Rebellion will be allowed to have extended tailgating hours and/or kegs in the lots. His answer was that neither of those things is true to his knowledge and no supporters group is being given any privaledges that are being denies or withheld from others.

I talked to Kyle about this and what he told me is that the Rebellion WILL NOT HAVE EXTRA TAILGATE TIME. The extra time that has been rumored is time to set up the tents that the Rebellion is planning on having for their musical acts/DJs. IT IS NOT EXTRA TAILGATE TIME.

Also to address the issue of the kegs. There will not be kegs in the lot, nor will there be free beer per say. The talk is that Rebellion are trying to get a sponshership with Narragansett beer. The deal at this point seems to be that if the Rebellion can have 100 or more members and the sponsorship goes through, the brewery will provide a certain number of free cases for each game and a tent with the Narragansett logo on it. That is all that is happening, no kegs, no security, no fenses/walls/gates.

I hope this clears up some of the misinformation that is out there and I am sorry to Kyle and Josh for posting this out there, but I feel that everyone has a right to know and neither of you guys are actually answering any of the questions that are being posed to you on these boards.

I believe you can, in fact, have kegs in the lot if you are a fan of shitty beer.



ohh, this should stir the pot!

Well that's very dissapointing to hear. The extra tailgating time and the atmosphere was pretty much the main reason I had interest in joining any group. The beer thing would pretty much be useless because it's not even that good of a beer and everyone brings beer anyway.

Jeez that's a small glass. Trick marketing there!

no, the glass and keg are full size. The person just has giant hands

Where did the kegs question even come from?? I don't remember Kyle or Josh ever saying that kegs would or might be allowed....


As far as the "extra" tailgate time.....I'd argue that the Revs allowing a "set up team" to go in early and set up tents, tables, grills etc IS extra tailgate time! And I'm sure if the Riders request it the Revs would grant them the same permission...


If supporters get to the lots at the designated time and already have tents and grills etc. set up and running...that would get us "tailgating" much faster!

Good idea IMO!

I'm going to guess N'gansett will not do this in the end. The liability of supplying free beer? Sure, it's not their responsibility to enforce the drinking laws, but if a minor ever got into that and something happened? the lawsuit and press that would follow? If someone got to drunk and crashed on the way home?


Some type of other arrangement? Maybe. I could be very wrong, but.. If I was N'Gansett's lawyer- I'd be telling the company they'd be out of their mind to do this.

He did say that the Riders could do this as well if they wished.

I agree. It does not seem like a logical idea for them.
I think an SG should focus more on providing food to the masses instead of beer. Many times when I go to a match, I am running late and don't have time to get food and supplies, sometimes not even enough time to fire up the grill and cook. So getting some big ass grill and making some special food for each match would be cool and more people would be interested. I can grab some beer very quickly on the way to a match and don't need to prep it. Also, everyone has different taste in beer and there really is no one beer choice that would make everyone happy.

Let me first say I am not a MR nor am I joining the Rebellion….

I have been “trolling” these boards for a while and never posted but this insanity has made me break my silence. I have watched this story develop over the last few months and it gets more and more petty. The original argument was the Midnight Rider’s were “old” and “not welcoming”…. Sad news fellas those kids were right! Have you guys read the last 30 something pages?

It is PATHETIC! I do not know Josh or Kyle personally I think I might be able to recognize their faces if I met them, but I also know most of you people who hide behind screen names on a message board. Far as I can see The Rebellion is a group of kids who want to go out and have a good time and celebrate the Revs, something the Midnight Rider’s claim to do and then bad mouth them on this message board. Can you blame some kids for not wanting to hang out with their parents? You guys act like there can only be 1 and only one SG. I am a Revs STH I tailgate right outside the Rider’s lot and you know what… They are right, you claim to be open but you are not you have little groups that no one can enter and its very intimidating for a person to walk in there with a group of die-hards.

The arguments from the MR end are petty and show they have no care for the team as they focus on proofreading and tailgates. Seriously? From what I have read in this thread is that they (the Rebellion) were taken off guard and you demanded information and feel they are holding secrets. Did you think that maybe they were keeping silent so they could avoid all this Big Soccer BS… I have emailed them and they have answered every one of my questions and they always say we are still working on this or that.

As far as tailgating if all you care about is tailgating more than the Revs go be a Pats fan and get out. This is soccer most other counties do not tailgate. Also, I have not found the word keg used by them at all. I am not trying to defend the Rebellion right now but if they said they had longer tailgates maybe it was their wrong or maybe they had some bad information, but the pressure you MR’s put on them to explain everything proves their point!

I say to the MR’s let the kids play and have fun leave them alone. Welcome them help them get started, work with them to make the Fort a better, louder, and crazier place!! This is their Thread NOT a MR thread LET THEM DO THEIR THING! All of this is making you look older and more pathetic than you already are. The more I read the more I hope the Rebellion takes over….

I believe in their first post they said they DO NOT WANT TO STEAL YOUR MEMBERS! So where is the threat to you that you guys have to act like grumpy old men and women? SHAME ON YOU ALL

I really do not think many of the people here make statements while "hiding behind there screen names" as most people on here know the people behind the screen names.

Well a Rebellion founder did grant a fairly provocative interview to a "media" person and it was published for all to see. He could have easily avoided that interview and they probably would not even be mentioned anywhere on this board until they wanted too. So you can't say they were taken off-guard.
Yes, they have answered my few questions very quickly when I emailed them, but nothing has really sounded official as they are still working on everything.

The majority of people on here care much more about the Revs than the tailgate, but the tailgates are awesome and it's a great addition to the match. Most other countries (which we are not, we are the USA and we support the Revs, not ManU or Milan) hit up the pubs before and after the match because tailgating really is not available. I have brought family of friends visiting from England and Germany to Revs games and they absolutely love the tailgate idea and wish it was common over there.

The MR's have hundreds of members, the MR's as a whole seem to be welcoming of the Rebellion and, judging by the supporters summit, are looking to work with them.
Be careful not too generalize one or two people's comments as reflective of the Rider's as a whole.

p.s. I was an MR member for the last few years, mainly for the tailgate access. I am very casual as far as SG activities go, so if I do join a group this year, it will be both, not one.

I was there at the supporter's summit last night, in the flesh. Where were you?

so because you parked near them and no one came out and invited you in they are all jerks.

Listen, I'm not a rider either, but I can tell you..

yes, you have to put yourself out there a bit, but go introduce yourself to monty. he's a nice guy. I got introduced to them through a friend who sat in the fort and just started talking to them. He introduced me. I went to a riders meeting about 6 yrs ago or so. Had people just come up and introduce themselves. I'm still friendly with many if not most of them. I went to their holiday party this year, everyone is friendly and very very cool.

This myth that the riders are horrible people is just silly.

I'm not a member of the local Sam's Army or The Outlaws either (there is a massive overlap in the member ship of these 3 groups). I went to watch a USNT at the P landing. Everyone is open and friendly. I had a great time.

This is just ********ing silly at this point.



Yes, change is hard to come by in a large organization like that. But these guys are in there singing their asses off game after game and when the team is on the field, they are 100% behind this org.

but you make several assertions that I don't think are fair or well informed.

Sorry bro.


and another assertion that pisses me off is that it's not ok to be critical of the revs fo.

Do you people listen to sports radio? they second guess the decisions of every other team in this town and take hard critical looks at everything.
yet here on big soccer, if you do the same thing tens of millions of sports fans do everyday, you're not a real fan.

fuck that.

Ok I haven't spoken up once during this thread really - I was a midnight rider last year - and enjoyed it - I met great friends, that I will 100% continue to be friends with (Monty, Joe, Fran, Nick, Seamus, Etc) - BUT....

I am a bit younger than everyone else, which is fine - I didn't mind but I felt like some other people wouldn't really accept me because of it - maybe It was in my head but I felt it was hard to get into conversations, etc and I tried - I don't know if it's because I'm 23 or because I don't eat meat or what but I always would try to talk soccer (whether it was MLS, or EPL or whatever) and I just never felt comfortable - Also I became a MR in it's 14th year? So I don't really blame anyone for not treating me like a brother or something.

When Kyle asked me to help out on the Rebellion with some design stuff I was really interested and agreed, but now I am becoming more and more involved in decision making and being one of the first members / board members. What i like about The Rebellion is that I have a strong say in what happens and have an opinion + can help shape the group as opposed to being a faceless youngin' ya know?

I love the riders, and everything they do - it's WONDERFUL in a way that barra/army arent. This is just a good spot for me as a supporter right now -

That being said, only a little road (15 feet?) separates us and I fully intend on going over to the riders lot and having a beer with my friends - and I hope for the same, lets all play nice!

Who wants to make a Riders/Rebellion chant that involves both names

KIDDDDDDDDDING GUYS

I really am kidding it just reminded me of that when someone mentioned the MR being "old" - I never got that impression, the ages seemed pretty varied ranging from 20-40

rep!