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Chelsey
19 Sep 2005, 11:43 AM
A drum during this offseason.

We did not have one this past Saturday, and it would have been nice to have had one.

I'm also thinking of investing in a tent/tarp contraption like the Nextel one the OSU kids have.

Any ideas of where to get either of these items at decent price?


And on an un-related note: Where the **** was Crew Groove this past Saturday? Someone really ought to tell McCullers or someone else in charge to place them behind the opposing fans' section. Whoever came up with that idea a few months ago was a genius, in my mind, and it would have been nice to have had them there on Saturday.

There was a definate lack of presence without the OSU kids there and the other "regulars"... I was very embarrassed and disappointed. Heh. This reminds me of that "V-Army is a daycare" thread Zipster made last season.

We really need to get our **** together folks. I realize this has been said time and again.. But this is the time to do it. I never thought there could be a supporter group in which one of the people who feel like they should step up(me) drives as far as I drive and is as new to the supporter scene as I am. But I will if necessary.


The fact that without Wittler and some OSU kids(the one's with the press passes and what-not) that 137 can be reduced to what it was on Saturday. I am extremely disgusted. But, I'm not going to bitch and bitch about how we lacked atmosphere. We've got to become a progressive section instead of regressive. AND LEGION KIDS IF YOU DARE STICK YOUR HEADS IN HERE AND TRY TO TELL OTHERS HOW TO RUN THINGS . . I just won't have it.

((If anyone needs cliff notes for the rest of this, let me know..))
What do I want from a Supporter’s club, or moreover, from the entire section?

(Disclaimer: I recognize that in the past I have used certain Supporter’s threads to openly display my bias against a few select Crew fans. I’ll forthrightly apologize for that, and state that none of that will occur in my following post.

Also, I comprehend that I may not have known much about the topic at hand in which I spoke about and, again, I must assert that everything below is a genuine opinion of mine.)


I. Tailgate – I think progress is currently being made in regards to showing Crew fans that you don’t have to be:
A. Drinking and/or drunk. :D
B. A college-aged kid
C. A fan who stands in 137

But I still reckon that the tailgate is not being brought to more fans’ attention. A supporter group’s tailgate, in my view, is a key recruiting tool. Fixing up the flaws in our tailgate could transfer to fixing flaws in the stadium; i.e. bodies.

I understand that some feel the tailgate should not be posted on Bigsoccer because “everyone already knows about the tailgate and where it is located”. Sorry, but no, they don’t, and Crew has a “Supporters’ Board”; why not use it?


II. The “it didn’t work before, so it won’t work now” Debate.
Vets use this a lot. Stop. Please.

III. The FO Situation
We really need support from the FO to truly prosper.

IV. “We’re Columbus, and we can’t be like anyone else” Debate
I know we're not Chicago; I realize we're not DC. We're mostly just white kids(I use this term losely) who watch a soccer club in Columbus. But just because we can't carbon copy other supporter groups(hell, why would we want to?), does not mean that we can't take good ideas that they have used to build strong sections.

An education professor once told me that the best teachers are the best thieves. We could use this for our supporter group as well.

V. Pettiness in 137 Has To Go
Basically, just because you don't like so-and-so, does not mean you can't chant in 137. There are people I don't care for in 137, but I'm still there.

VI. Columbus ‘til I die
I don't know where I was going with this point.. I started these points months ago. If it comes to me; I'll post it.

OH! It may have to do with wearing the colors in the section. Possibly.

VII. Good representation on the Boards
I think this is something I attribute to a few veteran, V-army folk.

VIII. Organization through Internet
This is also something that is truly lacking in our current group. I think Internet is a big resource that at present time, Columbus supporters are wasting away. In the current V-Army yahoo group, when was the last email sent out? June? Seriously. This situation has hit rock bottom.

Bigsoccer could even be used as a tool. Tell people about the boards. Let them read about how many of us are dedicated to Crew. (Including those who do not sit in 137) I know from experience that once one reads through the boards and continually does so; they become more obsessed with the club and are open to following the team on a different level.


Sorry so long folks. Just needed to get all of that out. It took a hiatus for me to come up with it, and again, I apologize for the length.

ZipSix
19 Sep 2005, 04:51 PM
Chels,

I'm sorry last Saturday was so awful. I know what it's like to have completely disappointing nights in 137. You allude to a post of mine from 2004, so you know I understand how you feel. It's dispiriting to be presented with the arguments about why 137 can't be all that it should be.

God knows we've been presented with them time and time again, and they come mostly from people who used to champion 137.

Without the OSU gang it must have been tough to get anything started or going. I know that when I'm there Andrew, Mike, Erin, ripman and the rest of their crew really live and die for 90 minutes with the team. That fact is reflected in the chanting and singing. I do not know why the old guard lost interest in the section but that is a fact. Even the big name posters on here don't sing with us anymore when they're in attendance, and who knows why that is. I don't (or I suspect its for a 1,000 different reasons.)

I'll be there on 10/1 to close up shop for the season. I wish I could have attended more this year, as my drive is probably comparable to yours, if not shorter, but I got caught up in work related things. My promise to you is to be as loud as possible on 10/1. As for 2006 we'll have plenty of time to discuss our plans this extended off season.

ripman88
19 Sep 2005, 08:34 PM
Drew did a very good job at starting chants and NOT losing his cool when pushed. It is different when you don't have Mike/Wittler there to start things. I was still impressed with the size of people standing there. Not all of them were chanting but just in people there, it didn't look too bad.

ToledoCrew
19 Sep 2005, 10:11 PM
I was there on Saturday with a couple of newbies. Fortunately Saturday did not scare them off (actually they think that Chelsey standing up to the Fire morons was quite cool). I'm actually ashamed at myself. Other than trying to help start and keep going a few chants like "Piss on the Fire". I should be there on 10/1 with these newbies to hopefully put up a better performance against Chivas. I'd like to say that Chelsey, thanks for having heart and standing up for us.

Note: I've been a lurker on these boards for a while since I really haven't gone to games much this year (distance, lack of cash). Next year I definitely want to help out if possible (at least by being in 137 on a more consistent basis). Maybe I'll try to start a NW Ohio brigade for V-Army.

Kryptonite
19 Sep 2005, 11:18 PM
And on an un-related note: Where the **** was Crew Groove this past Saturday? Someone really ought to tell McCullers or someone else in charge to place them behind the opposing fans' section. Whoever came up with that idea a few months ago was a genius, in my mind, and it would have been nice to have had them there on Saturday.

I called Crew FO today to talk about a number of different things. One of which was the absence of Crew Groove. Ryan Smith didn't know where they were. I thought they were somewhere near the away section, but they weren't over there.

I remember sharing that idea with a few other fans, and that's something that should be looked at. One of the first times Chicago came to town, they got a whole HS marching band just to play random songs. Not just a drum section, but an entire band. That was fun.

He also said the confetti cannons aren't going away any time soon, the larger than 4x6 Fire banners were checked at the gate and approved.

Zak
19 Sep 2005, 11:45 PM
weren't people calling for Crew Groove to be drawn and quartered earlier in the season?

ripman88
20 Sep 2005, 07:03 AM
weren't people calling for Crew Groove to be drawn and quartered earlier in the season?
I do believe so

ZipSix
20 Sep 2005, 11:06 AM
weren't people calling for Crew Groove to be drawn and quartered earlier in the season?

I'm still calling for that. Drawn and quartered. Or banished to the "party on the pitch"nick tables. Either one.

Chelsey
20 Sep 2005, 12:07 PM
I'll be there on 10/1 to close up shop for the season.
You've just made my week. :)
weren't people calling for Crew Groove to be drawn and quartered earlier in the season?
Again, they wouldn't be bad if they were behind the opposing fans..
I was there on Saturday with a couple of newbies. Fortunately Saturday did not scare them off (actually they think that Chelsey standing up to the Fire morons was quite cool).
We'll be glad to have them back anytime they feel like standing with us, kiddo. :)


Another side note:
David (ripman), you have done a wonderful job with the photography this season. Infact, even this past Saturday you captured some of my favorite shots of the season (Drew flicking everyone off; Me, Drew and his buddy chanting "Piss on the Fire" in the faces of F*re fans). You never get much credit for what you do, but I just wanted to let you know that you kick a**. :D

Zak
20 Sep 2005, 01:22 PM
You have to remember that putting CG behind the opposing team's fans only works twice per year. Once when Chicago comes, and once when DC come. If I had to guess I'll think you'll see the whole thing scrapped after this season.

I'd thank Dave but he hasn't taken nearly enough photos of me this season.

ZipSix
20 Sep 2005, 01:34 PM
Where are these shots?

I only see 5 on v-army online.

Zak
20 Sep 2005, 01:41 PM
I've got to say I've seen a new low, a "Frankie deposit jersey here sign", and Szetela dressed like he's about to be a host on Queer Eye. Shocking.

Chelsey
20 Sep 2005, 01:41 PM
I'd thank Dave but he hasn't taken nearly enough photos of me this season.
That's because you haven't been around, part-timer.

Where are these shots?

I only see 5 on v-army online.
photos.yahoo.com/varmyonline

Zak
20 Sep 2005, 01:42 PM
That joke went completely over your head.

Chelsey
20 Sep 2005, 01:53 PM
That joke went completely over your head.
Hehe.. yes it did; I can't help it. I have Philosophy in my head right now..

But I "get it" now.

Speaking of which, when are you gracing us with your presence again, babes?

Zak
20 Sep 2005, 01:56 PM
Not sure, it depends if I go to BG homecoming on Oct 1. Dashboard is playing BG that night as well. That said, the home finale looks likely as I'm traveling the two preceding weekends and will have business here to look into after being gone for two weekends on the trot.

Chelsey
20 Sep 2005, 02:04 PM
Well, I hope you catch one of the last two matches. I know you are sorely missed.

Kryptonite
20 Sep 2005, 04:33 PM
You have to remember that putting CG behind the opposing team's fans only works twice per year. Once when Chicago comes, and once when DC come. If I had to guess I'll think you'll see the whole thing scrapped after this season.

Why not just bring them in when opposing fans come? Chicago is good for a travelling contingent whenever their team comes, and DC is good for a few fans at least once per year.

"Crew Groove - Our mission is to be a nuisance to the opposing fans."

BBBulldog
20 Sep 2005, 05:22 PM
"Crew Groove - Our mission is to be a nuisance to the opposing fans."

your loudspeaker system does much better job of that than buncha kids with drums that are gonna have nightmares from verbal abuse and grow up to hate anything related to soccer :)

ripman88
20 Sep 2005, 09:33 PM
Another side note:
David (ripman), you have done a wonderful job with the photography this season. Infact, even this past Saturday you captured some of my favorite shots of the season (Drew flicking everyone off; Me, Drew and his buddy chanting "Piss on the Fire" in the faces of F*re fans). You never get much credit for what you do, but I just wanted to let you know that you kick a**. :D
Thanks, I have many more of that, ummm, incident but I didn't want to put them up because it shows the F!re fans and I didn't want to show their faces on my site anymore. I'll send them to you sometime.