Who Are Terminus Legion?

Discussion in 'Terminus Legion' started by Dr. Dogfish, Apr 30, 2014.

  1. Dr. Dogfish

    Dr. Dogfish Member

    Aug 1, 2011
    Heart of Darkness
    Club:
    Atlanta
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    From all I've heard you guys are doing a great job going forward. I know you have a website and I'll do a search for it in a moment - but can you guys do, perhaps, an info thread that stays at the top of this forum for those of us who are curious and would like to know who the guys are and maybe a bit of history.
     
  2. danielofthedale

    Jun 12, 2009
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I will try to work something up for this idea in the next week.
     
  3. Dr. Dogfish

    Dr. Dogfish Member

    Aug 1, 2011
    Heart of Darkness
    Club:
    Atlanta
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That'd be great. Many of us are curious and probably have a lot of questions that might be answered by an inclusive intro-thread.
     
  4. danielofthedale

    Jun 12, 2009
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You or anyone post some FAQ type of things and I will work on getting answers for as many I can.
     
  5. Dr. Dogfish

    Dr. Dogfish Member

    Aug 1, 2011
    Heart of Darkness
    Club:
    Atlanta
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Some of these I know the answer to but will post them for the record:
    1. What's up with the name?
    2. When were you guys founded? And by whom?
    3. How were TLeg organized? Did a plan exist or was it mostly spontaneous. If a plan formulated, did you have a model from another supporters group? Did you do research/make calls? Send emails?
    4. What sorts of events does TLeg attend as get-to-gethers?
    5. What - if any - does TLeg do with Silverbacks?
    6. Does TLeg favor any local pubs/bars? Does a hq organically exist or are you waiting to see which one presents itself?
     
  6. paynomind

    paynomind New Member

    Apr 17, 2014
    ATL
    Club:
    Atlanta
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    1. What's up with the name?

    Back in the early years of the country, the railroads linked the river cities and the coastal cities. It just so happened, many of them crossed in one particular location. The railroad called this huge switching station the end of the line, or the terminus. The area spawned a city, called Terminus to start, eventually changed to Atlanta. So, we chose Terminus to show we are deeply about the city, and to pay homage to the history. Legion is a great term for the grouping of soldiers, and when we came up with it, there wasn't a supporters group who used the name.

    2. When were you guys founded? And by whom?

    in 2004, there was a petition drive started under the name ATLwantsMLS. Quickly it grew, and some of the most engaged and passionate fans in Atlanta were identified. In January of 2014, we transitioned into a full supporters group, and we consider ourselves co-founded by a group of 7

    3. How were TLeg organized? Did a plan exist or was it mostly spontaneous. If a plan formulated, did you have a model from another supporters group? Did you do research/make calls? Send emails?

    We had a great head start with the 3k+ we had on our contact list for ATLwantsMLS. The transition into a supporters group started with the name, a member-created logo and branding, then an email to direct possible members to the social networks. EVerything has grown from there.

    4. What sorts of events does TLeg attend as get-to-gethers?

    We like to say that anywhere Atlanta and the sport of soccer intersect, we will be there. Right now, our schedule is heavily Silverbacks games and watch parties. We also have festivals, WC Watch parties, and community service times on our calendar.

    5. What - if any - does TLeg do with Silverbacks?

    We support them, as they are soccer in Atlanta. The FO has been supportive to our cause, and had allowed us to tailgate and congregate in a section. We has a "sub-group" for their support, known as the Silverbacks Battalion. We fully expect that group to continue to operate as long as there are Silverbacks in town to support. It is our hope that will entail decades.

    6. Does TLeg favor any local pubs/bars? Does a hq organically exist or are you waiting to see which one presents itself?

    Very well phrased, and I think it matches exactly with our concept. We are currently "on Atlanta tour," trying out different bars throughout the city, looking for places our members like, who are receptive to what we do, and just feel like a "fit." We have enjoyed going to different places and hope to see even more. Having 2 1/2 years, we want to get into as many different places as possible and let a fit naturally occur.

    We above all else tout our values; 100% positivity and inclusiveness. We want casual fans to learn more, passionate fans to meet other fans at their level, and to bring new fans into the fold. If we can help each level of soccer fan progress to the next level, then we are fulfilling our goal. We strike to make a difference on and off the field, and to make a difference in our community, from youth through the highest level of professionals.

    Despite what may be said elsewhere, we are truly grassroots, member led, passionate, knowledgeable fans who love our city and the game. And thats whats important to us.

    If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to discuss!
     
  7. Dr. Dogfish

    Dr. Dogfish Member

    Aug 1, 2011
    Heart of Darkness
    Club:
    Atlanta
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Excellent answers. I like the way TLeg is allowing its identity to emerge organically. Overall, the impression is one of real authenticity.
     
  8. RAL_United

    RAL_United Member

    Nov 1, 2011
    Raleigh
    Club:
    Carolina Railhawks
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well, I guess this blows the "real authenticity" out of the water... looks like they are trying to create something that is not there. North Carolina wants nothing to do with Terminus Legion. We have our own team(s). Thanks, we're flattered you are interested, but... no thanks.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. GaSouthern

    GaSouthern Member

    Nov 19, 2013
    Club:
    Atlanta
    I expect you will be surprised the amount of fans that develop over the years in NC.

    Most people in NC identify more with Atlanta than they would DC United from a geography and demographic standpoint.
     
  10. RundaddyFC

    RundaddyFC New Member

    May 15, 2014
    Holdin' it down in A-town
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Hi there -- newbie to this forum, but not to soccer or ATL soccer. (Silverbacks STH and TL member, also member of ATL Spurs - official supporters club of THFC.) I had nothing to do with the graphic, but I saw it as an invitation, not a command or demand. It's a big tent and if you will be traveling to watch MLS in Atlanta, or just watching the matches on TV, this SG is for you. That's my take on what this means.

    Take a look at the MLS club map and notice that right now there is a big dead zone east of Houston and south of DC. Florida, of course, is being reclaimed by MLS. But unless the league expands in neighboring states, Atlanta will be the top-flight club of the (non-Florida) South. (Already I have met a few Silverbacks fans who regularly travel from Alabama for games.)

    Look at it this way. Sure, there are the Durham Bulls and the Asheville Tourists and other pro baseball clubs in NC. But fans of most of those teams also follow the Braves, and many travel to Turner Field for at least one game.

    It will be the same in 2017. Of course, the Carolina Railhawks and Charlotte Eagles (etc.) won't be going away, nor would we want them to. Support your local! But if you want to see Michael Bradley, DeAndre Yedlin, Graham Zusi, et. al., you'll probably be hopping on the Interstate. And if you want to stand with TL, chant, sing and wave flags? We'd love to have you -- we don't care if we've never seen you before and may never see you again.

    I love the territorial passion (and as a Silverbacks supporter, there are few teams I love beating more than the "Failhawks") but in terms of an MLS supporters group, TL is intended to be far bigger than Atlanta Metro, or even just Georgia. There's no need to take offense. (And there's also no need to speak for an entire state.)
     
    Eleven Bravo, mls2atl and GaSouthern repped this.
  11. RAL_United

    RAL_United Member

    Nov 1, 2011
    Raleigh
    Club:
    Carolina Railhawks
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Its funny that Atlanta thinks of themselves as the mecca of the South. Maybe you are shining beacon of hope for the rest of Georgia & Alabama and maybe SC. But here in NC, people are fairly indifferent toward Atlanta*.

    Also, with the way we have access to information these days (thankfully after Atlanta invented the internet and bestowed it upon us southerners!), I venture to say that the majority of NC MLS fans will continue to support the teams they already do - even if those teams are farther away. A new team 400 miles from me doesn't change anything for me.

    *Except, recently TripAdvisor ranked Georgia as the best state for BBQ. Huh?
     
  12. RundaddyFC

    RundaddyFC New Member

    May 15, 2014
    Holdin' it down in A-town
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    RAL_United, unless you are in possession of some research I haven't seen, you don't know jack about what NC MLS fans (and potential fans) will do come 2017. You can only speak for yourself. You want to stay home, root on your Failhawks and pretend Atlanta doesn't exist? Go right ahead. For everyone else, the door is wide open.

    No one "thinks" Atlanta is the mecca of the South. It's simply a fact. Biggest city, largest economy, busiest airport and most transplants. (And I say this as someone who loves mountains, string bands, vinegar-based BBQ and Cheerwine... and would move to Asheville in a heartbeat if I had fewer family ties here.)
     
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  13. RundaddyFC

    RundaddyFC New Member

    May 15, 2014
    Holdin' it down in A-town
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Also, possession of the region's ONLY first division team (no, Flori-duh is not "The South") only further cements Atlanta's status as regional hub. If ATL's MLS side draws *zero* NC fans I'll happily (shudder) wear an Arsenal shirt in public.

    (Me, I'd happily trade the whole regional-hub thing for less traffic, more transit/walkability and a higher quality of life, but dems da facts.)
     
  14. RAL_United

    RAL_United Member

    Nov 1, 2011
    Raleigh
    Club:
    Carolina Railhawks
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yes, I could've believe how many people were walking down the street this morning saying, "My golly gee whiz, have you seen how busy the Atlanta aeroport is?" And the usual response was "Of course! They do have such the goshdarn largest biggest city and the bestest economy I seen on this side of the moon."

    All joking aside, occasionally we actually do hear Atlanta mentioned when some accident causes our interstate to become a parking lot. And the news usually reassures us that we could have it worse, we could live in Atlanta.

    I'll keep supporting DC in MLS. Can I ask who your current MLS team is?
     
  15. RundaddyFC

    RundaddyFC New Member

    May 15, 2014
    Holdin' it down in A-town
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    After last season? That's some dedication, bro.

    I have an NASL team (which is going to beat yours this Saturday ;)) but don't have an MLS team. Why would I, when I always knew the ATL would get one? :p

    I do have MLS Live and watch almost all the matches (either live, archived or condensed). I've been following TFC (for Bradley, Defoe and our ex-Silverback Bloom, a nice young man who replies to my tweets), Seattle (Dempsey, Martins, Evans) and DCU (my brother lives there)... but I wouldn't call any of those "support" per se.
     
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  16. RAL_United

    RAL_United Member

    Nov 1, 2011
    Raleigh
    Club:
    Carolina Railhawks
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I thought we were just supposed to look at a map and pick the closest team. Isn't that why you thought Atlanta should be NC's team?

    Also thanks for the laugh. Silverbacks beating the RailHawks in WakeMed Stadium? Ha. You are obviously just as much a newbie to knowledge about NASL soccer as you are to this forum.
     
  17. RundaddyFC

    RundaddyFC New Member

    May 15, 2014
    Holdin' it down in A-town
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Reading comprehension fail. Teams I'm just interested in watching via my MLS Live Roku channel does not equal support.

    I get that of the soccer diehards in NC, a good chunk of them already support DCU (whoa, hey, isn't that the closest club on the map??) But ATL will indeed be the choice of many others, maybe the majority. (Though maybe not you.) Mark my words, and if you're that sure, just go ahead and buy me that (gag) Arsenal kit.

    Last I checked you have only 7 points from 5 games. That's hardly an unstoppable juggernaut.

    (And yes, I know we have six but we're rounding into form)
     
  18. RAL_United

    RAL_United Member

    Nov 1, 2011
    Raleigh
    Club:
    Carolina Railhawks
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    RailHawks have not lost at home in 18 straight matches. The RailHawks at home are an extremely different team from the RailHawks on the road - for unknown reasons. Silverbacks are 6-4-9 since last summer. Yep, almost as many losses as wins & ties combined. Goal differential during that time: -14. Ouch.

    Anyway, I'll let you get back to your Terminal Lesion discussion. Us NC residents will stay out of it as we were.
     
  19. RundaddyFC

    RundaddyFC New Member

    May 15, 2014
    Holdin' it down in A-town
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You're more than welcome to stay out of it. You should get those delusions of statewide authority checked out, though.
     
  20. CHHSfan

    CHHSfan Member

    Oct 30, 2010
    Chapel Hill
    Club:
    Carolina Railhawks
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This idea that an ATL MLS team will be an equivalent of the Braves is ridiculous. This isn't 1970. You won't be on our TVs. There is no deep rooted connection. We aren't your feeder teams. Why do you expect anyone in NC to care about ATL MLS more than, say the Atlanta Hawks or the Thrashers?
     

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  21. RundaddyFC

    RundaddyFC New Member

    May 15, 2014
    Holdin' it down in A-town
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Please go back again and read what I said. I never claimed equivalence to the Braves. That's a unique situation, as you pointed out. TBS Superstation and all that. (In fact, due to the exposure back then, the Braves still have fans in places like Houston and Chicago, which is both amazing and never to be repeated.)

    I'm just pointing out the common-sense notion that a first-division pro sports team tends to cast a wide geographic net. When I lived in Columbia, SC, people tended to root for the Braves... and they generally rooted for the Falcons and Hawks until the Panthers and Hornets came along. (The latter example dates me a bit. Yes, I'm old.)

    Will all of NC turn into a state going nuts for MLS Atlanta? Probably not. (For one thing, it's far enough north for DCU to have claimed some of the diehards.)

    But will MLS Atlanta have fans from NC, even some who travel for a good handful of games? No doubt. And I don't quite understand what is quite so offensive about throwing out a supporters-group welcome mat for them.

    ...

    On another subject (and while I am not a member of said group), I hear the Atlanta Ultras are coming to WakeMed this weekend. That should be fun. :eek:
     
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  22. ArsenalACE

    ArsenalACE Member

    Oct 22, 2007
    Rome, GA
    Who knows they could burn the whole place down!
     
  23. CHHSfan

    CHHSfan Member

    Oct 30, 2010
    Chapel Hill
    Club:
    Carolina Railhawks
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It feels like a welcome mat was thrown out over our faces. The picture seemed to be "claiming" NC, and we just pushed back. On the other topic, the Ultras should be (relatively) well behaved. They aren't stupid enough to mess up now and jeopardize more sanctions (one would hope).
     
  24. snahdog

    snahdog Member

    Mar 31, 2006
    Atlanta
    Them Carolina boys sure is sensitive.
     
  25. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

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