Thanks to Classy Carolina Fans

[JoeW]

I'm not one of the lucky few who accompanied DCU to the Carolina Cup competition. So I've had to rely on the various PBPs (be careful Lanky--your reputation as a curmudgeonly cynic is slipping with such acts of graciousness) and especially on the feedback of those there. Especially welcome has been the very good comments of the various Hammerhead and Battery fans. As objective, unbiased observers, your insights have much appreciated. I want to thank everyone one of you who posted and the even larger numbers who treated our fans well in your presence and made the competition so appealing.

It sounds like...
--you've been gracious hosts;
--you've been classy competitors;
--you've been some welcome eyes for those of us that can't be there;

I do hope that DCU returns to the Carolina Cup next preseason. It's a good idea and a well done competition.

[fatbastard]

As one of the 3/20 roadtrippers, I'd like to second that. Great bunch of folks in SC.

[Red&Black]

second all this--especially JBG Bribe Taker, Mickey Mouse, Buck and of course our hosts with most Tony and Nigel!!

[Darth Norteño]

I went on the previous trip for the Charleston-DCU match, and yes, the Battery organization and fans are a model of class and hospitality. I wish I could've made it for the Crew match, but I'm definitely looking forward to another trip to Charleston.

[JBG - Bribe Taker]

We were glad to host you and your fans throughout the week. You brought a lot of enthusiasm to the stands and to the pub and would love to see you again in the future, hopefully, this summer in the USOC.

We know we're very fortunate here to have an owner like Tony Bakker and a staff run by Nigel Cooper. They're both English and they bring that traditional European style to the table but also having lived in the US for over 20 years, they blend in the American sports scene as well. What we have is a soccer experience that's first class and anyone from a purist to a kid just wanting to play on the playground will enjoy. If you didn't make it down for the Cup, try to swing by during the summer and enjoy some beach action, fishing, seafood, etc. and catch a Battery match. And be sure to let me or Mikey Mouse know ahead of time so we can take care of you.

[Mikey mouse]

Thanks guys and we enjoyed having you all down.

Just to piggy back on Bribey's comments, Tony and Nigel, plus all the hard working staff deserve a lot of credit, not just on the Carolina Challenge Cup, but on the whole organization. They built a private funded soccer specific stadium, built a quality run organization, put together a "soccer experience" that just about everyone can enjoy and to top it all off gave us our own little soccer mecca in the Three Lions Pub.

As a fan of soccer since the late 70s, having lived in europe for 6 years and seeing countless matches "over there" I appreciated what they have done for us here in the Lowcountry. So if anyone plans a trip down here, I am more than happy to show off our little slice of heaven and do what I can to help them out.

Mikey

[Red&Black]

i just want to extend an invitation to Mikey and JBG to come visit us in La Barra Brava sometime this season. We have a great tailgate and you all are welcome to be my guests for the weekend. You'll see how we really do it at RFK...

[revelation]

Visiting Charleston and Blackbaud Stadium was fantastic... Spontaneously editing our chants was rather fun. The version of "who's your father" was very humerous. We even got fans around us to get into the DC United basic chant.

Thanks for having us and I look forward to visiting for the next pre-season matches. Unless they schedule US Open Cup on a weekend and we draw the Battery...

[GrillMaster]

Just so y'all don't think I lost my manners, I thanked the Battery fans in their discussion forum. In case you've never been over there, check out their discussion forum: http://www.usldiscussions.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=28.

GM

[Dave Brother]

The Carolina folks sound like a class bunch. Hope they can road trip up here for a match this year. The Scum match would be a good one. I'm dissapointed I couldn't make any of the trips there. Hopefully I can make the next one. Sounds like a really fun time.