I just have a question, you guys obviously get alot of fans everygame, but which game was it where you had almost 60,000 people.. also are there any fans clubs besides the proposed section160 or whatever?
The July 4th game... they have a huge fireworks show after the game, which usually draws a big crowd. There was also a double-header game in April, with the US Nats taking on Mexico... I think there were 45-47K for that one. Someone else would have to answer the fan club question... I think there are a couple semi-organized efforts out there, but I don't know any details.
thanks alot.. yeah double headers on july 4th seem to draw huge crowds for anything... i bet if you promised a double header with amatuer slug racing and pro. slug racing and had a fireworks show at the end you could draw 20 grand... but im glas that many people came out for soccer..its a great step forward for our sport...
a new club has started called the GVPV X-Side. we have four members, but we've just started before the upcoming 2003 season, more members will join. http://www.gvpv.com check out the site if you want, there's more info on there about us.
Very interesting. But as anti-front office as you are, if you guys grow you're going to need quite a bit of their help if you want to all sit together and do your TIFO thing without having the Flanders family (Simpson's reference) get stadium security on your case.
Great to see the roots of another group. I'd like to think that everyone, regardless of what group they associate themselves with, will take advantage of lower-127 and plant themselves there. With as few vocal supporters as there are these days -- not to mention overabundance of hand-sitters -- it seems to make sense to get everyone into the same area. And I'd love to see big green smoke bombs and flares but in all honesty you won't get that to happen (more than once) without cooperation from the team and stadium security.
OUTSTANDING! GVPV X-Side reads like a great place to be! Doesn't sound like you'll care much about security getting on your case either. Keep coming back for more. This is the first thing I've read that makes me want to come back next year and chant my lungs off...
it's good to know that we are accepted. heh. i know that there will need to be cooperation with the Front Office Staff, but we don't want them doing anything for us as far as making stuff for us, and we want full control of what our groups decisions are, and things like that. we are trying to keep the group as independent as possible. we would like to try and work out something with the stadium and front office staff about fireworks. i know that clubs in Czech Republic and Poland and other countries, the fans have cooperation with the stadiums to do this...but only certain individuals have access to fireworks in the stadium. we would like to also get flag poles back inside the stadium again. the best way to create atmosphere is with a lot of flags and banners, and smoke bombs and other fireworks. it's fun too!
That would be really cool. I think it's awesome when fans in italy, germany, eastern europe, etc. light up flares during games. I tried to buy some a couple of years ago, but couldn't find any. I like the idea, but I get the sense that even if you get the go-ahead from the front office on this, stadium security and the like will freak out. Stuff like that just isn't done in in other sports here in the US.
Ahhh yes but lawyers only exist because of the persistent need to find a liable party for every little problem that pops up. They've got lawyers scattered throughout Central and South America, but even in the worst cases -- namely people getting trampled to death -- you never see cases related to soccer getting to court. Unfortunately, most of those governments simply shake their heads and claim that people knew what they were getting into by attending a soccer match. European governments and stadia seem to approach the halfway point a bit more, by declaring no liability for a variety of things that "may happen during the course of the match," especially if you're in certain sections (stadiums throughout Italy and Germany have large disclaimer boards when you enter notorious areas). In as much as European stadia may allow fireworks, flagpoles, and (gasp) standing, they also disallow many things which American stadia fully welcome -- such as being able to drink a beverage at your seat or wear the colors of your choice. And of course, no matter what the policies of club, league or country may be, talk to any families of the Hillsbrough victims and I'm sure they'd agree with every single stadium security policy present here in the States. Their lawyers didn't get too far. Lawyers or not, with regards to any sort of pyrotechnics in the stadium the reality is that too many people -- be they club officials, stadium security, or fans themselves -- are too concerned that someone will get hurt as the result of another's actions. And the concerns over terror attacks doesn't make it any easier, either.
that's sad, i know that happens too. i have family in Venezuela, and i think a lot of the time they shake their head is because they simply don't care or because they are busy fighting civil wars, mass poverty and severe economic problems. i think they're running out of ideas on how to get rid of notorious football hooligans, hooligans that care very little for the sport, and care very much for the violence. it's one way of protecting innocent people i think. i honestly don't see how those are advantages, all i care about is supporting the Rapids. not to mention that most fans in Europe don't care too much about drinking during the game either. it's sad, but it's because of hooligans. the problem, i believe, was hooligans. i've talked to some hooligans in europe, and MY GOD! they'll do anything for a fight, and they get off on violence. i don't think i'll ever understand it. but it's a severe problem, that has proven difficult and even mind boggling. i agree with that, but i think an agreement "could" be made. making certain people do the pyrotechnics, puting the fireworks in the supporters section assuring that no children and other people are hurt. they've done this succesfuly in the Czech Republic, very simply. no injuries, no problems, except dud fireworks. besides, fireworks aren't everything to do with supporting the team, and i don't care if they're accepted or not. once or twice a season would be cool though. but big banners, big flags, baloons, etc; that's where it's at. and the group will have to grow first to do the things that are planned. if anyone is interested in joining, go for it. drop me an email. forza Rapids!
Doesn't the Chicago Fire have a deal with a supporters club that allows them to use a huge smoke machine? I think they do, I've seen pictures of their section covered in thick smoke with flags and stuff....it's pretty impressive. I don't know how expensive these are, but if the Rapids would allow it, it might be worth looking into.
(with regards to the ability to drink in the stands in America versus in most stadia in the world) This is just my point -- the most passionate, attentive fans are going to care less about things like eating or drinking in the seats. But in this country the passionate fans are the minority, and always will be. Regardless of the sport. Americans demand the ability to eat and drink at their seats during entertainment events. For many, the biggest attraction is that it keeps the kids occupied. Not to mention, when I've traveled abroad with Newcastle supporters they go apeshnit when they have the opportunity to drink at their seats during the game. And at the Germany v USA friendly in Rostock, I didn't see too many fans that didn't have a beer in their hand. That said, I dig where you're coming from and glad to see that you agree that there needs to be an effort to coordinate with the FO and the stadium so that the group can display the appropriate visual support. Figure the Rapids do bring a cannon into the game every time, a licensed smoke machine shouldn't be the worst thing in the world. (just pricey)
to be honest, we have a smoke machine and should have flares next year as well not to mention flags on sticks
And to be honest, Rapids fans are regularly told by security to sit down -- even when in the dedicated supporters' sections -- as well as not allowed to bring in violent items such as small drums and (gasp) tamborines. The one time Rapids fans attempted smoke bombs (green ones), the entire section was threatened with arrest and ejection from the stadium for the entire season. The Fire have a GM who actually listens and speaks with supporters, both in person and on BigSoccer (and I'm guessing through email and other conduits as well). Oh, and we were once allowed flag poles. For about 3 months. Now you can't even bring in a 12" flag stick. No joke. Not saying it's hopeless in Colorado, but a slow-to-act FO that's kicking butt in ticket sales isn't about to rock the boat with the stadium situation, let alone go to the mattresses in support of a handful of fans.
you are dead on, our gm works with us... and we also work with him but it doesn't matter if aren't willing to make concessions to get what you want we have all these things (and flares next year, provided everything is still cool with the naperville fire department & police forces, plus training for whomever does this)... but if we screw up, they get taken away... and have we aren't allowed smoke bombs, one got used at the san jose game this year, and that combined with section 8 getting the crowd to chant "************ you ref" for 30+ minutes got our flags (giant ones and ones on sticks), podium for our chant organizers, drums, and smoke machine taken away probably the biggest reason all of this is allowed is because we have pushed all of our support into one force, and i don't mean just section 8... all of our supporter clubs work together to create the best atmosphere... as a result, management listens because we represent a solid portion of their fan base... if we get irritated, we pull out... and we come to everything fire related that we can (not to mention buying tons of paraphanelia) and management will work with us, provided it stays the line of being productive towards their wants... if we become more of a pain than we are worth... they'll stop working with us, but the same thing can happen to them and we have had huge security problems... liam has been arrested for allegedly beating up a security officer, he never did anything of the sort (and if you would ever meet him, you would soon realize he is not the physical or even intimidating type)... a friend of mine has been arrested for doing nothing (along with a 16 year old that was in tears for having done nothing as well) in both cases, the charges were dropped, but it just goes to show that problems do arise (hell, we were threatened with being kicked out and arrested for saying a swear word... be it in a chant or not) you need to make supporter groups as large as possible and to have them fight for this, whether or not every member of these groups is into standing supporter sections or not... (i would imagine most barn burners hardly ever reside in section 8, yet the barn burners are our largest supporter group.. and their efforts for section 8 have been incredible... they've realized the value of section 8... for the team and for their own and others enjoyment of the atmosphere) hell, enlist the help of groups elsewhere in this country... ask their heads to contact whomever in the rapids front office... plead with the writers that cover the rapids for the local papers to cover this story but never, ever give up
i agree all the way with you. that's why i respect the Chicago fans so much. this season, things will be different for Rapids fans. maybe the GVPV X-Side and the River Ratz and any other group, can unite together to get things organized, and to get things going for us. i think as long as we don't fight and beat people up (like we have hooligans anyways), we'll be alright. there was a lady from the FO that emailed me, and we have been talking about flag poles being put back into the stadium. she said that she also wanted to see more support from fans. i guess i'll have to see how this turns out. so lets unite under our flags, whatever our groups may be, cause the one thing we have in common is our love for the Rapids.