What's Your Reason: Fans Of Naples

[NapoliNewJersey]

Why are you a fan of Naples?

What's your story?

What was your first experience?

For me ... I'm a fan because both my parents were born there. But that's not just it. My cousin came to america when he was 15, I'm 6 years younger, all he talked about was Napoli and the soccer. Maradona and Bianchi. I looked up to him and now Napoli is by far my favourite team in anything other than the Italy National team. I'm a huge Raiders fan and Mets fan and my thing for Napoli puts both of those teams loyalties out the door. My first live game came three weeks ago and I almost cried walking into San Paulo ... I'm going back in March for 2 weeks hopfully to see 2 more games live.

[joeginto]

Why are you a fan of Naples?

What's your story?

What was your first experience?

For me ... I'm a fan because both my parents were born there. But that's not just it. My cousin came to america when he was 15, I'm 6 years younger, all he talked about was Napoli and the soccer. Maradona and Bianchi. I looked up to him and now Napoli is by far my favourite team in anything other than the Italy National team. I'm a huge Raiders fan and Mets fan and my thing for Napoli puts both of those teams loyalties out the door. My first live game came three weeks ago and I almost cried walking into San Paulo ... I'm going back in March for 2 weeks hopfully to see 2 more games live.

Mine is pretty similar. My parents and sister were born and raised there. I lived there as a kid in the early to mid 70's so I have a few memories of the team itself. My Uncle has always been a huge fan and in the past few years I've been reunited with him and heard his stories about San Paolo and the wild tifosi. So now as an adult man I've spent time going back and trying to learn the history of the team and its great players. I know I take a lot of pride in Napoli being the only truly Southern Italian team to win the scudetto.

Country before Club all the way...but I'd say I've gotten to the point where I'd rather hear a Napoli game on the radio than watch a Bears or Cubs game. Now let's kick some Crotone ***!

[Napoli_In_A_2006/07]

My father was a napoli fan since birth. He was born in Napoli and came to New York in 1973. Ironically, that was the year the Mets went to the World Series. Most of his new friends were Mets fans and thats why he became one. I was born on March 17, 1983. EXACTLY 9 MONTHS AFTER GLI AZZURRI WON ITS 3rd WORLD TITLE!!! COINSIDENCE??? I THINK NOT!!! LOL!!! Anyway, I was born in 83 and my father was still a Napoli fan, especially since 1 year after my birth, Diego Maradona became a Napoli player. So I have been a Napoli fan since birth. Prior to February of 2005, I have only been to Napoli once...in 1984! I remember NOTHING of that trip....seeing as i was only 1 year old. But I DO remember glimpses of the 1986 WORLD SERIES and the 1896/87 SERIE A CHAMPIONSHIP.

In February, I visited my Graceland. You can say my dreams came true as I WAS ALLOWED TO WALK ON THE SAME FIELD MARADONA WON 2 CHAMPIONSHIPS ON!!! STADIO SAN PAOLO. My cousin Elena is an environmentalist, and she works for the man who runs the grasskeeping for San Paolo, Francesco Marrone. I got to walk on the field, visit the locker rooms and visit Marano, the training facilities. AND I ALSO MET THE PLAYERS, COACHES AND AURELIO DE LAURENTIIS' SON! IT WAS AMAZING. and of course we saw Napoli-Spal 1-0 GOL DI PAMPA SOSA!!! Until the day my son was born, only 4 months later, IT WAS THE GREATEST DAY OF MY LIFE!!!

[mookhead]

I can't believe I over looked this thread.

Posted byNapoliNewJersey Why are you a fan of Naples?

My father was born in Napoli and grew up there following the big players of his day Sivori,Altafini Juliano. He came her in the mid 70's. He was big Napoli fan and still remains a big Napoli fan to this date. When I was growing up Napoli
was always #1 followed by the White Sox, Blackhawks, Bears and Bulls. I would tell people who my favorite athlete was(Maradona), and my peers and teachers would look at me like I was from a different planet. That made me even more of a fan sine I was part of something unique.

I also like the underdog feeling of being a fan of Napoli. It was always great beating Inter, Juve and Milan(Verona as well just because their fans are a** holes) knowing that Napoli was not supposed to win those games.

What's your story?

I have yet to go to game at Stadio San Paolo. That is one my things I would like to do before I die. When I go to Italy it's usually in the summer when no games are taking place. I wouldn't seeing a few renovations done to the stadium to make it more pleasing to the eye. Either way a packed stadium with fans cheering for Napoli is always good to, no matter what the stadium looks like.

What was your first experience?

Watching Napoli on RAI Sunday mornings. It was great watching them win
and beat the big teams during my early years. The game was always preceeded by a meal of pancakes made by my nonna.

To this day I still find the color "Napoli Blue" to be my favorite color, and color that means a lot to me.

[indestructible]

My father was born in Caserta (not to far from the city of Napoli) my mom was born here in Montreal, but her parents were from Campobasso. My family was always big into soccer and as i young boy all i could remember was Maradona, Maradona, Napoli, Napoli. I followed the team blindly just because we were of Napolitan origin. It wasn't till years later where i actually watched tapes of the team playing in the 80's where i became a big fanatic. I only started to follow the team closely in the 95/96 season. I'll never forget when Napoli lost to Vicenza, in the coppa italia final in 97. I cried! The only time i've ever cried for a sporting event was when Italy lost the Brazil (mind you i was 9 then).

I'm in love with the city, and the region. People from Campagna are particular. I think the Napolitan language is beautiful and in our house we must speak it!

When i lived in florence for a while i would take frequent trips to my dads hometown in Caserta. One weekend I begged my cousins to take me to the city to see Napoli play Salernitana. They knew there would be trouble between the ultras groups and told me it would be wise if we didn't go. So that's the closest i came to watching a game.

Serie A, B or C, the Napoli fans live and die with the team.

Napoli forever

[CalcioNapoli]

My parents are both from the outskirts of Napoli, and I remember getting into Napoli as a kid as they had their best years in the late 80's.

I haven't really followed Napoli for many years now, but they finally seem like they have got their stuff together and are serious about getting back into Seria A, so I started following them again.

[mookhead]

I thought I would give this thread a bump since we got some new posters.

[timeisonmyside]

my reason is I was born in Napoli, and Napoli is in my blood!!! I never gave up on them even when they were in C and if one day *knock on wood* they even were in D I'd still be proud of them!!! cause Napoli is my city and the Napoletani are my people.... Forza Napoli....:D

[joeginto]

My parents are both from Napoli and I lived there for a few years as a young boy. I don't remember a ton about the Napoli squad other than how much of an 'event' Sunday afternoons were when Napoli played. We moved back to the states when I was 8 and I didn't get a chance to keep up the team as there was absolutely no coverage anywhere. A few years ago I picked up a copy of Gazetta Della Sport at the train station. It stirred memories I hadn't felt in a long time and I got hooked again.
Italia's run to the WC this year really sealed it for me and then I found these boards. Now I chat with my cousin in Napoli about the squad and I can't get enough. I think boards like this really help to stir the passion as well. It's fantastic to hear from fans all over the world.

[indestructible]

oops, wong thread, delete this post