Forget the team--what should the fans be called?

[chapka]

Okay, it's always fun to speculate about what the team's name, colors, and so on should be. Why not think about names for the supporters' group, as well?

Given MLS's history of (1) giving teams trendy, stupid, generic and/or corporate names and then (2) changing them every few years, there's no reason we should wait for a team name to choose a club name. Trust me on this one; I helped organize the Casbah back when the league was getting started, and then had to explain to people why a team called the Earthquakes had a supporters' club called the Casbah.

I think we'd be better off with a supporters' club name that reflects the city and can roll with the punches when an ownership change in 2012 renames our team from "NeoAtom Delaware Valley FC" to "The Wallmart Pricefallers of Philadelphia."

Plus, a named supporters' club might help make the MLS-to-Philly group more noticeable. A few road trips to DC-NY games with a banner that says, "You both suck! MLS in Philly now!" might raise the profile...and, of course, as with any supporter's club, it'd be an excuse to get together, watch soccer, and drink, which is especially important in a World Cup year.

So let's brainstorm. What should the diehard Philly MLS fans call themselves?

[SoccerPrime]

Just random here (but I think this is a good concept):
Independence
Liberty Hall
The Brotherhood (City of Brotherly Luv)

New MetroScum ;)

[chapka]

I like "The Brotherhood."

How about "Ben's Army" (with a picture of Ben Franklin)

[skyscraper]

I like "The Brotherhood."

and have a picture of big, sweaty teamsters as the logo.

[Theo]

Gino's Philadelphia FC :D

[Sachsen]

C'mon, you guys just gotta incorporate Rocky in there somewhere. The Italian Stallions? Please? :D

(And I'm only being slightly facetious. I LOVE Rocky.)

[SoccerPrime]

I like "The Brotherhood."

How about "Ben's Army" (with a picture of Ben Franklin)
I like that, Ben's Army. Too close to Sam's Army?

[chapka]

C'mon, you guys just gotta incorporate Rocky in there somewhere. The Italian Stallions? Please? :D

Okay, then, incorporate the only two things most people know about Philly sports:

The Rocky Bal-Booers

[SoccerPrime]

Jersey Boyz

[chapka]

With the possibility of the team being in Jersey and possibly not even having a Philly identity, I think a strong Philly supporters' club is even more important.

So keep those name suggestions coming...

In honor of our Regional Media Market Identity, I suggest:

"The DV"

[SoccerPrime]

The Gloucester County News called our www.phillysoccer.com group the "Delaware Valley Supporters" the other day.

[n4100]

The Gloucester County News called our www.phillysoccer.com group the "Delaware Valley Supporters" the other day.
They would, afterall, they don't want to stir up the name debate themselves.

[ZipSix]

and have a picture of big, sweaty teamsters as the logo.

HEY! That's OUR logo.

[chapka]

Serious suggestions so far:

The Brotherhood
Independence/Independents
Liberty Hall
Ben's Army

Any more?

[tastephens22]

Depending on how the team name swings there's some options. Ben's Army works if its a Philadelphia team with a historical nickname.

I really like the union imagery though. I could support The Brotherhood.

Although for a team name I personally would go for a more marketable approach...a Philly based name with a more standard nickname, i.e. Philadelphia Riverhawks, Colonials, Atoms, etc... I have thought of supporting some unified regional names that are more standard soccer specific names (euro-influenced). So here's one idea I've been mulling over all night.

How about PSJ Union? Team mascot "Rebels" and the fan club called "The Brotherhood". PSJ evokes soccer heritage (psv) and includes both Philadelphia and South Jersey, although it does run the risk of being cut up by the media like NY/NJ was. Also "Union" stands in for "United", shows the cross state love, and provides imagery of the tough union history that both Philly and S. Jersey are known for (especially the historical soccer hotbeds of S. Philly and NE Philly where much of S. Jersey migrated from.) The Rebels name offers a nickname that any American would understand and is easy to cheer for.

I could certainly cheer for the PSJ Union Rebels. And best of all the fan club sounds tough and could play on a lot of local union imagery. The Brotherhood could be led by a Boss and each stadium section of season ticket holders could be a "Local 113", 114, 214, etc. etc.

Maybe the logo could be the BF Bridge outlined in the background to show both states and in the middle of that would be the figure of a burly, angry union rep with a hammer raised up in one arm. Just a thought?

[Looper121]

Maybe the logo could be the BF Bridge outlined in the background to show both states and in the middle of that would be the figure of a burly, angry union rep with a hammer raised up in one arm. Just a thought?

http://www.footballcrests.com/ColumbusCCrest1.gif

[chapka]

Depending on how the team name swings there's some options. Ben's Army works if its a Philadelphia team with a historical nickname.

But the idea is for an independent Philadelphia supporter's club independent of the team--not a team fan club. Part of our job would be to show that there is a fan base for a team if MLS can get one here.