Ok now we have broke the ice, and got the unpleasantrys out of the way, lets learn a bit about each others team, fans, rivals ect. Our biggest rivals are Derby County. They play about 15 miles away, there is a mutual hatred between the two sets of fans. Forest has approx 50 anti sheepshagger songs, and I sure the sheep have as many anti Forest songs. Our next biggest rivals are Leicester City. Again no more than 20 miles away. Over the last couple of years rivalries have started with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United. Most older Forest Fans still hold a very special hatred for Liverpool FC, due to the rivalry when we were competing with them for domestic and European honours. We average around 24,000 home gates, and can take anything from 2500 to 4000 supporters to an away game. The atmosphere at the City Ground is often flat and quiet; this is due mainly to the all seater stadiums that are now the norm in the 2 top divisions in England. More noise and atmosphere is generated at away games by Forest fans. Fans are ejected from the ground if they refuse to sit down, and have their season tickets confiscated Now you know a bit about who our rivals are, tell us a bit about yours?
Nothing but love for Notts County though, eh? Our biggest rivals are the New York/New Jersey Metrostars. They get all bent out of shape when you call them the New York/New Jersey Metrostars, which we do when we're not using more industrial language. We do not like the New York/New Jersey Metrostars. The Los Angles Galaxy are no friends of ours but they're not the New York/New Jersey Metrostars are they? We avearge around 15,000 a game depending on who you talk to. The crowd is rarely at or below 10,000 or above 20,000. The atmosphere at our games is pretty good for an American ground. Sometimes it's downright brilliant, but it rarely reaches the fevered swell of a serious British derby. That said we've had our moments. On the plus side it's about 100X easier to get a beer during our games. Two of the bigger supporter's groups (Screaming Eagles & La Barra Brava) sit on the east side of the stadium, which will probably seem unusal to a European supporter. There's on group (La Norte) behind the north goal. As you can tell there's a bit of mixing of European and Latin American flavors. While some of the supporters groups travel we don't get quite the numbers you get in Blighty owing to some very long travel distances. The closest teams are the New York/New Jersey Metrostars (4 hours), Columbus Crew (6 hours), New England Revolution (10 hours). Everything else is over a day's drive (IIRC the Chicago Fire is 16 hours). For famous fans we have....er.....Ian Plenderlieth who you might know from "When Saturday Comes".....um...I think Placido Domingo is supposed to favor the black & red.......um.................did I mention it's really easy to get a beer? BTW the first ground I ever saw in England was City Ground. How's that for a not very interesting coincidence?
Well, the first division (MLS) here in the US is only ten teams, and it's a big country, so our biggest (and nearest) rival is the New York/New Jersey MetroStars (probably best known now as Tim Howard's first club - since they've never won anything, that's about all they could be known for). They play about 250 miles north of here. We also have an intense rivalry with the LA Galaxy - we beat them in two of the first four league championship matches, and, due to a whole lot of reasons I won't get into now, over the past five or so seasons, a lot of Salvadoran fans have come to our stadium whenever LA comes to town to support the visiting side - those matches usually end up with a more highly-charged atmosphere than any others, even though LA is 3,000 miles from DC! Our home gates have historically averaged around 17,000. The highest was about 22,000, and last year was a record low (it was our fourth year in a row of lousy results) of just under 16,000. Still, we have the largest season-ticket base in the league (over 7,000 season tickets sold last year), and with the signing of wunderkind Freddy Adu, attendance will almost surely be back up this coming season. The atmosphere at RFK is good for the U.S., but not up to English standards most matches. Still, there are several vocal supporters groups, and despite the fact that our stadium is an "all-seater," the supporters are allowed (some would say required!) to stand for the full 90 minutes. Also, we have "beer men," who walk around with cases of beer, and will sell you cold brews right at your seat, up until about the 75th minute of the match. Can't beat that! For road matches, supporters usually do several trips per season. Distance and expense usually keep the numbers down, but trips to NY usually get between 60 (for a weeknight match) and 120 (weekend). We're still working on building a tradition of road support. Hope that satisfies some of your curiosity!
our suporters groups all stand during the game. the choir also stands. they used to fight with security and other fans to defend the right to stand in their section. la barra brava and the screaming eagles stand together in two sections and essentially function as one unit during the match singing/chanting. we have a large drum section which is loud and plays with our songs/chants. you can see a lot of photos of both sections at http://www.barra-brava.com go to photo gallery. the screaming eagles organize excellent trips to away matches and genously invite others to join them at very favorable prices. we also have a large group who might travel independently, especially when we have cup or exhibition matches which tend to be closer than most league matches. usually coordinating some sort of "car pool" and "tailgating". though our crowds have dwindled a bit--we used to be the class of the league but have fallen off some--we have a very large (for an american club) and active fan base. the whatever teenthousand there that night will be loud and passionate. the distance between the clubs really waters down the rivalries a bit. it is long and usually expensive to make the trips. i am not sure how familar you might be with tailgating. the custom began, i think, with american football games at universities. students and supporters gathered in the parking lot and grilled food and drank beer before the game. most outdoor (and some indoor) sports feature tailgating before the match. we take that pretty seriously at United matches, both home and away. we show up 3 or 4 hours before the match to grill food and have beers and shots, rain or shine. the three biggest supporters groups each have a tailgate at different parts of the parking lot. each has its own style and character. many of us gather at one or another bar around DC for road matches, especially those with limited broadcast. we also have a lot of fans around the US. DC is a tranistional area, a lot of people move in and out of here for work or school and may pick up an attaction. we also were the strongest team at the begining of the league with a nice style of football and i think this attracted some folks as well. this board i think is important for a lot of folks who don't live in the area. we certainly don't have the media coverage or broadcast pentration that british football does. our tv package is growing but often one must go to a very particular bar or something to see an away match. we also don't get a ton of media coverage. our largest local papers do a good job covering the team but american football (both college and pro), basketball (college and pro) and baseball still get the absolute lion's share of the coverage. we have a few anti-sheep lover songs, but they are particular to john spencer the scottish forward for colorado. our rivalry with the scum (new jersey) is dominate for us. we usually get a decent (for us) group of them down here and vice-versa. in our last trip their we silenced their fans with our singing the pasting our boys gave theirs on the field. i think there is also a lot hatred of particular players in the league. the former US goalie tony meola being one.
Tailgate parties are also almost a necessity at many Stadia around the US (no matter what sport) because the Stadia are built far away from anything resembling a bar/restaurant/etc... DC's home stadium Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is in a primarily residential neighborhood without pubs - however, the stadium is accessible by the Metrorail (our version of the Underground) and quite a few people hit bars a few Metro stops away. However, this is no where near like going to Highbury in London and having dozens of pubs in the immediate area or Millerntor in Hamburg, where the entire "red light district" is only feet away.
Unfortunatley I wont be coming over for the pre season tour, however I will be in Washington late April before flying onto San Francisco. We are in Washington for a few days only. We will be staying near Dulles Airport. I would like to visit and wander around your ground. Is it hard to get to from that area? You can buy ale inside grounds, however you have to drink it before you can go to your seat. You are not allowed to be able to see the pitch and drink at the same time. This includes in the executive boxes.
There are some people over here that don't stop drinking until they can't see the pitch. I can see where they might have some trouble with the rule
on the 24th of April we host Chicago at RFK if you are in town that weekend. if you are here then, and are able, join us for a tailgate party and stand with the Barra Brava, i have extra tickets so its no problem.
they won the european cup a couple of times. i believe they had a very strong team in the lates 70s. i began following soccer in 75 or so and they were the most talked about team for a while. i seem remember the timbers once had a guy who had some connection to them, but i can't recall who it was, maybe clyde best? i think they are still a "big club" regardless of league they play in, i think it is a big deal to get them here, whatever division they play in next season. a 1st division english team is a more than worthy opponent.
thanks, and then i checked out the smack fest (?) on the thread about the game, it was already discussed at length. Didn't know they had such a history
If you have your own car, no - if not - a bit more. It's a nice area, but it is a long way from the city. You'd have to take a cab to the East or West Falls Church Metro stop (or hotel shuttle, who knows), then the Orange Line train takes you right to RFK (Stadium/Armory). Not 100% sure they'll let you just wander around, but you never know; if you act like you know what you're doing, I doubt they'd think to stop you. The pitch is first-rate, the stadium not so much, but it has alot of character. If you can make it on the 24th, that would be the best, you can even scout the team. It'll be the 4th game of the season, 2nd home game.
Unfortunalty we arrive on the 26th and leave 0n the 28th April. But thanks for the offer's and information. We dont pick our hire car up until we reach San Francisco. Are you playing in any of these City's on these dates? May 1st, Los Angeles May 8th, New Orleans May 15th, Chicago May 22nd, New York If you are playing at any of these I will come along and watch.
Thread about schedule is here... https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=93648 But I'll save you the look up time: May 1 - San Jose vs. DC United May 8 - DC United vs. Cowlumbus May 15 - DC United vs. Kansas May 19 - DC United vs. Los Angeles May 22 - Colorado vs. DC United (Wow, I didn't realize that we have a nice mid-May home stand 8th - 19th - perhaps I need to put these games into my calendar...) So FOReST til I die, it looks like you might be out of luck unless you can sneak down to DC for the May 19 game (DC is only about 3.5 hours by car from New York).
We hold the world record for the longest unbeaten run. 42 league games unbeaten In the late 70's early 80's we were among the top 5 teams in Europe, again the late 80's bought us some success domestically. The ban of English clubs in Europe in the eighties meant we wern't allowed to compete when we won our league cup two years running. In 1992 we were relegated from the Premier League, and things have gone badly downhill since. We had one Manager (head coach) from 1975/76 to 1992, In that time we have played England's and Europes top teams and beaten them all. Since 1992 we have had seven different managers. Millions of pounds have been squandered in an attempt to regain Premiership status and we are now feeling the effects of certain managers inability to get us promoted. We have had to sell our best players, all our best young talent have had to be sold to ballance the books. That is why we find ourselves in the position we are in at the moment. The good news as far as we are concerned is, the financial situation at the club has stabilised and we are no-longer forced to sell our better players to make ends meet. The club is slowly rebuilding and in time we will be in a position to mount a realistic promotion push. Players who have played for Nottingham Forest, who you may know include: John Harkes and Ben Olsen.
Our children arrive in Chicago on the May 14th, and we have to return the car in New York on May 22nd. I think the only plans we have in between is a trip to Niagra Falls. So I may be able to talk the Mrs into another visit to Washington.
Just make sure on your first visit here in April that you miss something really important to see... BTW - if you get a chance, visit the Old Post Office Tower on Pennsylvania Avenue - roughly the same height as the Washington Monument (a bit lower but not much) with a similar view but NO LINES...
I'll second that and add an explaination for the urban character of DC: no building in the District of Columbia (the Federal District that includes Washington, Georgetown, Anacostia, etc.) is allowed to be taller than the Monument's 555 feet. Which is why the nearest Big Buildings (such as they are) are clustered on the Virginia side of the Potomac River in Rosslyn... Oh, and I'll make an offer for the "important thing you missed in DC the first time around:" A behind-the-scenes tour of the National Museum of American History, one of the museums that grew out of the generous bequest of a pis*ed-off Englishman over 150 years ago. And (in keeping with my well-earned reputation as making the Grand gesture) I'll pay the admission fees for you and your bride. Only two restrictions: 1.) The tour must be over before the tailgating at RFK ends, and B.) Somebody has to point out to you that admission to the Smithsonian museums is free. Seriously, though. PM me for details/setup. dadman
Thanks, Lowe. (Hey don't I owe you a beer?) In any case, I hope you can make it for the game. LA was strong last year and took the MLS Cup in 2002. We should slap them around pretty well. And there's the ever-appealing possibility of a beer shower and free nachos. dadman
We are definitely the best team to see but you'll be in San Fran - which is close to San Jose, they won the league last year and have Landon Donovan - Los Angeles has a very nice stadium even though their team sux - Chicago plays good ball and has a very good crowd to see a game with, and the stadium is relatively easy to get to. There is no soccer in New York, except in the parks.
MAY KNOW! hah! by the way forest til i die, thanks for coming on here, its nice to see good conversation going transatlantic. hopefully we can keep this thread from involving either war or how usa/mls is underrated. on that, i bid you Adu.
you really have no luck at all. You miss DC United on the 24th because you arrive in town 2 days too late, and on May 1, 15, and 22 when you are in those MLS cities, all 3 of those local home teams will be playing on the road. What crappy luck.