I starting to think that it may be a good idea to let the town of Harrison in on our plans. Probably better than a bunch of us drunk ass hole$ getting arrested for creating a disturbance (even though it's an abandoned lot). It's also probably a good idea to show the town that we are excitied about the project and that we are not Milwall West, rather a group of people looking forward to spending time and money in their town. I was planning on calling the mayors office tomorow and requesting an assembly permit. Does anyone object to this. High Noon seems like as good of a time as any.
Another idea: This may be taking it too far (NJPsycho take something too far? nooo), but can someone make cheap T-shirts saying, "JUST BUILD THE DAMN THING ALREADY"? Hell, I'll take a marker to a t-Shirt if I have to.
I think it's a good idea. Let him know the Metro fans are eager to show support and make a statement in a positive, but light-hearted manner. Nothing rowdy, no hooligans, but we are enthusiastic fans who want to turnout for a High Noon in Harrison Day annointing of the ground.
Why not take a slightly less negative tone with the t-shirts (and the whole proceeding)? Something more along the lines of "if you build it we will come." We'd still get the point across to Metro and others that we're sick of waiting, but also be received more positively by the locals, I think. In any case, count me in. Jeremy
One for Hizzoner, the mayor: H-A-double-R-I S-O-N spells HARRISON. All of the Metro fans are praying That's where Metro will be playing! H-A-double-R-I S-O-N for sure! If you've got the footy blues, And you're dyin' for good news, Then Harrison's the cure! (to an old tune: "Harrigan, That's Me")
Donations ($5 each) should be collected by the ESC from al its members and the money would then be donated to the "Build our stadium fund". It wouldn't be much but everyone who donates can say they helped pay for Metro's new stadium.
Money's not the issue, bro. We spend enough of our money on them, and will be more than willing to spend it in Harrison, too. Maybe if we all kick Nick in the a$$, then we'll be able to say that we helped get the new stadium built.
This is the best thing to come out of the MetroStars board since DeceptikonLazerBeak or whatever he was calling himself. You go guys! Make sure you take plenty of pictures.
If you guys are really serious about making this happen (it'll take a little organization, but probably not too much), PM me and we'll work on getting some notices into the ESC emailshots, so you'll get the attention of more than just the people on these boards.
Update 1/30/04 Okay, I have contacted that police chief of Harrison. He informs me that we need to write a letter to our new friend, Mayor Raymond S. McDonough detailing who, what when and why. He will then contact the Chief and instruct him to issue a permit. I have no problems writing this letter this weekend. I need help from some others with better conections to the media and the club to make this successful. Lets get this going. I've been in the mood to sing since October. So the plan as I know it right now (please correct me if I'm wrong): 1) Meet up at Cape May St and Frank E. Rodgers Blvd with drums and fanfare and do the whole press/rally thing for about an hour. As it seems right now, we will have an easier time if we stay on the sidewalk and not close off the street. 2) Make our way into town without drums and fanfare and explore some of Harrison's 100+ bars and public esablishments. Let me know if you guys have anything to add Thanks
jane havsey will gladly cover this i'm sure...as will ives..... as for this whole plan, sounds great...but you have to make sure more than 12 people show up....otherwise it'll look stupid.... T-Shirts that say "If you build it, they will come" on the front and "HARRISON 2006" on the back is a great idea
Cape May and Frank E. Rogers at noon -- or 11:30, so we can march to the site by noon? I'll check the map, but can anyone say where that corner is relative to the PATH station?
I'll put together a press release that can be sent out to the various media types. Does anybody still have that list of addresses for Metro beat reporters and sports departments?
Mapquest indicates that it's about 2000 feet, the railtracks on the map for "Cape May St and Frank E. Rodgers Blvd" in Harrison show it to be closer than thought.
Alcohol and t-shirts and permits sound all good ( i think ) but also to give the ceremony some solemnity, you could get some fake sacred water, and a cross here and there (or other religious stuff) in order to "anoint" the place...Father Ted I am sure will be there to officiate the ceremonies....Might as well make it look serious.... Just kidding, you guys have brought up great points and ideas.... (if the following is too big a quote,please edit it mods w/ my apologies) U-23 team begins bid for Olympics http://washingtontimes.com/sports/20040130-113437-6987r.htm " Stadiums galore! — Major League Soccer announced last week that Bridgeview, a suburb of Chicago, had agreed to build a $70 million, 25,000-seat soccer stadium for the Chicago Fire in conjunction with Anschutz Entertainment Group, which operates D.C. United and four other MLS clubs. AEG also is set to unveil plans for a new stadium for the MetroStars in the next 30 days in the New York area. Meanwhile, the Dallas Burn, operated by the Hunt Sports Group, will break ground next month on a 20,000-seat stadium in Frisco, Texas. In Denver, entrepreneur Stan Kroenke is set to build a stadium by 2006 for the Colorado Rapids. Kroenke's facility will be modeled after the Home Depot Center, which AEG built for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Carson, Calif., last July. So what is happening with D.C. United? "We continue to have conversations in Maryland and with the [D.C.] Sports Commission," United general manager Kevin Payne said. "We think we have a good concept in D.C. The possibility ties in very well with the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative — we would have training facilities and recreational fields on both sides of the Anacostia." For years the Sports Commission and United have discussed building a soccer-specific stadium on Parking Lot 8 at RFK Stadium. A site in Maryland also is an option. "Whichever one makes sense is where we will go," Payne said. The San Jose Earthquakes also are seeking to build a stadium in that area. AEG, which runs the team, may relocate the club to Santa Clara, Calif., if a stadium deal cannot be arranged. The Columbus Crew became the first MLS team to build a soccer-specific stadium when they opened the $28.5 million, 22,000-seat Crew Stadium in 1999. "
I don't see what is stupid about building a stadium in a neighboring town when the home town won't? Isn't that what all the other teams are doing? LA -- Carson (outside LA) Dallas -- Frisco (outside Dallas) Chicago -- Bridgeview (outside Chicago)
Hey, even as a United fan, I think this is a terrific idea. Its a great way to show positive support to the team, the stadium and the community. It could also generate a significant amount of publicity. The agenda could be something like this: 1. Assemble some distance from the site. 2. March singing and druming with banners through part of Harrison to the site. 3. Hold a brief "Groundbreaking" 4. Set up a small field and play an opening game for 15 minutes (or longer). 5. Go on a Pub crawl announcing Harrison 2006. Sounds like a fun afternoon...... Hey wait a minute maybe we should do something that in Parking Lot 8.....