Over that past few years I've been visiting this and other soccer forums and I've seen countless entries about having an Atlanta Soccer Supporters Club. We've discussed how it could help aid the effort to bring MLS to Atlanta like Sons of Ben did for Philly, we've come up with a thousand different names that we could use for this nonexistent club, and we've never once made any progress toward getting any closer from what I can tell. (Aside from BKs previous effort before moving) I would like to see if there are enough interested parties to get this thing going. If it's something we would just prefer to talk about then actually do then fine, so be it. However, IF we want to actually have an organization that could have a purpose and have an impact then lets start today. Step 1: I would like to know there are enough interested parties that are willing to contribute to the dialog to help make this a reality. I would like to see 15 - 20 people reply saying "yes, I want to help". And if you have any particular skill sets that could aid the organization to great. Step 2: At the same time we need to discuss the best way to communicate and work through this process. For example, I think this forum is valuable for dialog and getting insight from other organizations that have already gone through this process. However, we would need a separate way to track members, data, etc. I'm not saying we all need to create ASSC accounts everywhere and start Eviting each other for dialog dates. Just some thoughts. Time line. If we can't get 20 people in 3 weeks then I personally would be willing to stick a fork in it and call it done. We need to have milestones and time-lines to keep moving forward and not get bogged down in a 3 year discussion around names. So... who's with me??? And who knows how to get a sub category "Atlanta Supporters Club" created without cussing out a moderator to get their attention?
Hey I would be glad to help in anyway . I have recently moved to atlanta and I wanted to meet some fellow united supporters .
My first suggestion would be to have the initial meeting in person. Then have subsequent meetings weekly (or firther apart) on skype. You can make them voice or text meetings. We have met weekly on skype since Jan 2007. We use our weekly meeting to plan PR, events, and coordinate efforts.
Yes...I'll help anyway I can from DC. I still have alot of connections in the soccer community in Atlanta so I can at least contribute that.
www.westside109.org An organization that's been around for years with a collection of talented and dedicated fans. Why not check it out? As for me I'm probably too old and busy to be much help.
Yeah, it would be good to get them involved...assuming they would support MLS. I'm not so sure about some of the late-W109 members
With the Silverbacks gone (and at no fault of MLS), you will find most if not all of them more receptive. For everyone it's all about getting (and retaining) the best possible team. But a good fan is like a good husband: you don't just dump them or even hope they die so you can take up with one that's a little flashier. It's especially stupid when you aren't sure the new one will stick around. Someone who would betray like that never loved their team (or wife) in the first place and perhaps is incapable of love/trust. If someone asked a good husband/fan to do so (while their team/spouse was still around), wouldn't you agree they might reasonably find the suggestion a bit offensive? I'm still not sure Atlanta can support an MLS team, but now that the Silverbacks are gone I can think about MLS without feeling like I'm betraying an old friend. Perhaps others will agree. You should ask. And be respectful.
I agree....I think the main thing is trying to unite the Atlanta soccer fans. It is absolutely a FACT that there are enough of us in Atlanta. I've personally seen the Brewhouse packed to standing room only to watch the Premier League at 8:00 Saturday mornings. I've seen nearly 15,000 hispanics show up for an un-publicized game at Herndon Stadium. And I've seen 2,000 show up for an amatuer men's Caribbean league game. There are currently very independant factions in the Atlanta soccer community that are very strong and need to be united.
With MLS to Atlanta getting some serious press, where are we in terms of organization among the fans? Has anyone done anything yet? It'd be nice to have something in place and hit the ground running when our time finally comes.
Bruce Springsteen is in town...sweet. Kidding, from an SoB to all the BOSS it would be great to have team in the south instead of another team in Canada or mid-west. Make the push guys. BTW, Southern Phoenix sounds like a drink.