(In)Security

[Z010 Union]

11 members and 3 noobs were there. The three noobs didn't get the whole we don't use cuss words every other word thing. That is not the direction I want this club to go. Obviously those people didn't think that their actions were universal, when they are sitting with us, they are.

Now onto to the Spectrum's insecurity specialists. Despite what we were able to do last time, this time security came over and told me no streamers after the first goal. Fair enough I thought, I'll go speak to the Front Office at the end of the 1st quarter. However, the Kixx kept scoring and someone from the far end of the row, had a roll they hadn't thrown.

Here's the part where it gets stupid. The security guard proceeded to respond with at least 3 other guards menacingly close and came and yelled in the face of one of our members. I SAID NO MORE STREAMERS....NO MORE! Here's the thing, our member that got yelled at is a 13 year old girl.

Despite the fact that we had the front office respond after that, the fun had been ruined for my group by the security and the drunk noobs who will not be invited to participate in future SoB events. For what it's worth, the guard still wouldn't admit he was wrong and offered a half-hearted apology. Congrats KiXX a $8/hour worker lost you at least 15 tickets a month, but more likely 30+. Not to mention the fans in our vicinity that seemed to enjoy the atmosphere we create and the fans that asked if they could stand with us last night

Here's my vote for never going to another KiXX game.

Your Sunburnt Tailgate Pal,

BJ

[ChrissMari]

excuse me?

not quite.

[Z010 Union]

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but I thought Chris's behavior before the match even started was bad enough that a guard came over and spoke to him about language before the match even started. And that does reflect on me and all the Sons of Ben.

Last night was bad from the onset. It was nearly impossible to generate an atmosphere in that empty stadium, and it was further hindered by security and a confrontational attitude.

[sccaflagger74]

Security was a joke. I found it rather humorous that while you were talking with the cadre of security the Kixx scored and some kids threw our 2nd-hand streamers from the upper deck right over the security cabals heads. Wonder if security ran after them? Not to mention that the streamers were a hit with all the kids at our end of the arena.

Also, during the 4th period 4 guys down along the sidelines all took off their shirts and yelled the rest of the game. No one told them to put their shirts back on, unlike to the new guy in our group. And what about the British guy in the box behind us (Chicago owner maybe?) who was cursing most of the game including a rather obvious time at the end when the music was off and he was cursing out the ref, though that was kinda humorous as he was calling him by first name. I agree that the new guy (Dave? sorry, terrible w/ names) should have been more thoughtful with the language given that the game was basically populated by elementary school kids. Not sure if an outright dis-invitation is warranted, unless something else happened that I'm not aware of. Perhaps just a chat letting him know we prefer to stay family friendly. Of course that is up to Bryan and whomever else makes these types of decisions.

On a positive note, Lucas had a great time despite his sunburn today (bad parent! lol). Thanks for everyone kicking the ball about with him. And yes, he loved Socceroo. :D We also have a bunch of streamers leftover for when we get an MLS team here. Now an ownership group really has to choose blue and yellow for team colors. Hopefully the streamers don't fade in the years we have to wait. :)

Bob

[Z010 Union]

I don't want to preclude anyone from membership. I guess next time more pregame reminders of the type of atmosphere we want to create would be important.

I think you can work clean and still be intimidating and supportive.

[Dills]

it sounds like we need to self-police ourselves better. if incidents like this are going to happen when there's a dozen or so people, we need to be prepared for when there's 50, 60, 100, 200 people ...

sucks i couldn't be there, but sounds like it was a good one to miss. i assume this means we weren't interviewed??

[Z010 Union]

No interviews thankfully. We wouldn't have been very impressive.

[Z010 Union]

Security was a joke. I found it rather humorous that while you were talking with the cadre of security the Kixx scored and some kids threw our 2nd-hand streamers from the upper deck right over the security cabals heads. Wonder if security ran after them? Not to mention that the streamers were a hit with all the kids at our end of the arena.

I agree that the new guy (Dave? sorry, terrible w/ names) should have been more thoughtful with the language given that the game was basically populated by elementary school kids. Not sure if an outright dis-invitation is warranted, unless something else happened that I'm not aware of. Perhaps just a chat letting him know we prefer to stay family friendly.

Bob

OK, level headed now. Streamers were supposed to be fine the whole time. Obviously KiXX management didn't pass that gem on to security.

About the language, I think anytime sports are involved there will be some angst caused expletives, but personally, the bile spilled before kickoff was so bad that my son, who was right in the thick of it last time, came and sat over by me and a family moved out of our section.

The leaders of the group must ensure that we self-police and I think I was over the line with the "not invited back", but I am very serious that behavior like that reflects on all of us. Even members who weren't there.

Who kicked the ball at your van? I don't know but they had SoB shirts on.
Who said **** ********** ******* ******? Oh that's where the Sons of Ben were.

[sccaflagger74]

About the language, I think anytime sports are involved there will be some angst caused expletives, but personally, the bile spilled before kickoff was so bad that my son, who was right in the thick of it last time, came and sat over by me and a family moved out of our section.


I was pretty surprised the dude was so riled up as well and agree it was not a good way to start the game. Unfortunately, lot's of people these days don't have the trigger that tells them what language is appropriate and when. Not excusing his shouting at all but maybe he'll take a step back and look at it and decide he can still hang and be more civil.

[ChrissMari]

Who kicked the ball at your van? I don't know but they had SoB shirts on.



That was your son who kicked the ball at the van btw.

[Z010 Union]

I know and it could still possibly reflect on us. I'm not blameless. That's why I mentioned it. Anytime there is a large group, there is the potential to assign blame or praise to the actions of the entire group.

[Z010 Union]

I think fan behavior and our reputation go hand in hand. I want to have a solid symbiotic relationship with the eventual owners of the Philadelphia MLS team. Creating a positive and vibrant experience from the word go will reflect well on us and the club. Remember it us supporting them, not the other way around.

Examples of positive relationships with clubs and negative relationships with clubs exist all over MLS. DC's supporters struggle with trying to keep all membership in check as witnessed by the smoke bomb on the field two years ago against Chicago, but have been able to overcome that through communciation and self-policing. Meanwhile, NY's supporters who were just as big (maybe even bigger) at one point, were summarily killed off by horrible security and rogue fans who were not reigned in. So this is a big deal.

I want to create a gameday like DC's 3 groups and like Houston's groups. The atmosphere sometimes trumps the soccer in terms of what keeps people coming back. During the years DC languished, the support stayed strong and attracted new fans. The successes have been so noticed. RBNY is trying to re-energize their fans and create a proper atmosphere. Yesterday afternoon, in the worst April weather I remember, the ESC was loud and noticable in an otherwise empty mausoleum.

[Dills]

even though the initials of our group has a 'negative' connotation, it is a play on words and a somewhat joking reference to the reputation philadelphia sports fans have. that said, i hope we don't get the reputation of being a group of abusive individuals without any respect for our fellow fans. it's one thing to shout at the players on opposing teams, but when it becomes offensive to those around us, a line has been crossed.

we, as a supporter group, can only be better the larger, louder and more passionate we become. in order to do so, we need people to WANT to be part of our group, ask how they can become an SoB, support our (hopefully soon-to-be-announced) MLS team, participate in our boisterous festivities, and add to the in-game atmosphere. if we're inadvertently turning people away by our actions and conduct, then we're doing something wrong.

and on a personal level, i won't tolerate violence, extreme levels of abuse (especially verbal) or any form of "ism" (racism, sexism, etc) during SoB events.

[N-I-C-H-O]

I agree completely. I was in DC for the home opener. All three of the groups . were loud, boisterous and well behaved there was very little cursing going on. I was totally impressed. I definitely hope we have that environment.

[DaMunk]

Bryan,
Did you get a sense of how many of the people who showed up heard about SoB through the blurbs in the papers?

[SoB Bolton]

Bryan,
Did you get a sense of how many of the people who showed up heard about SoB through the blurbs in the papers?

Approximately 0.

Still, it gets the word out, even if people didn't come.