A fantastic turnout here at 7am from Brann fans for the Norwegian Cup Final

Speaking of feeling welcome, I hope you were able to join us here at the Football Factory last week where in honor of our first year at Legends, appreciation was shown for your loyal commitment in the form of an open bar.

The celebration continued throughout the weekend where league play resumed. In addition to your clubs competing again, Sunday, November 20 was the 2011 MLS Cup. And because of your support and consistency, the Football Factory was proud to host a viewing party as your 2011 MLS Pub Viewfest Winners.

The MLS Pub Viewfest was a MLS contest which encouraged soccer fans to check-in to official MLS pubs through the location-themed social network Foursquare, across the US to enter to win. In winning this competition, we were the official place for the 2011 MLS Cup Viewing Party! Not only did we win the competition, we annihilated the rest of the competition by a whopping 47-percent of total check-ins.

As stated in the New York Red Bulls website: “As a result of collecting the most check ins, Legends will receive an MLS sponsored viewing party for the MLS Cup, complete with official MLS swag, coasters, MLS Cup gear, pint glasses and more.” We thank those of you who were able to join us and New York Red Bulls star, Dane Richards, as we watched the LA Galaxy hoist the trophy. Either way we thank you all for your support throughout the competition.

As great as the MLS Cup was, it was not as educational as the last championship match I witnessed at the Football Factory. Prior to the league competition hiatus, I had the privilege of spending Sunday, November 6 with the SK Brann’s New York City Supporters Club; Brann US.

On that quiet Sunday morning, I joined 31 Brann Supporters at the Football Factory to watch the Norwegian Football Cup between Brann and Aalesunds FK. Even though we witnessed Brann valiantly lose 2-1 to Aalesunds, the education I received about the club and the passion behind their supporters was more than worthwhile.

Personally, I’ve concluded a long time ago that even if I dedicated myself to simply learn about every club, I wouldn’t be able to achieve this feat in a lifetime. So to have supporters such as Brann US as a member of our Supporters Club family is simply awesome because I have the opportunity to not only ask questions but also observe how they support their clubs.

Brann US was founded in 2006 by Terje Brattelid, who delighted in the use of the internet feeds and a few Samuel Adams. Since then no matter the number, there’s always Brann US supporters watching a match.

While this unique Norwegian Supporters Club may lack the numbers of other clubs, their football knowledge rivals the best of us. Along with their knowledge, there’s a confident defiance about their supporters that captivated me.

Prior to the match, some of the patrons explained to me that Brann was a club formed because they didn’t like the way the status quo in Norway dictated and controlled the football scene. Frustrated with the current state of how local football clubs were governed in Bergen, Christen K. Gran and Birger Gjestland who, along with eight other men, met a local café in Bergen and decided to form a new club.

Nothing like a Full Irish Breakfast to cure those early morning blues.

So on September 26, 1908, Ski- og Fodboldklubben Brann (Ski and Football Club Brann) was named and formed. Over time, the clubs name was changed to Sportsklubben Brann (Sport Club Brann) and has remained that way since.

“Brann means “Fire” in Norwegian,” explained Terje. “You can tell if a Norwegian supports Brann by simply asking them where they’re from. If they reply Bergen, then you know that they’re a supporter of Brann.”

“Brann is from Bergen and our club was founded in 1908. Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and for many of us, Bergen comes first before Norway. Since 1919, our matches are played at Brann Stadion. We don’t want a new stadium and the owners are well aware to not even consider changing the stadium’s name,” noted Terje.

“One way we demonstrate our rebellion is by having our own hymn,” Terje proudly noted. “It helps that the rest of Norway loves to hate us,” laughed Terje. “What we don’t have in championships, we more than make up with personality and fire”

Currently playing in the Norwegian Premier League Tippeligaen, Brann has won a total of three top flight championships since 1937. Their 2007 championship had been their first since 1963 (44 years).

Despite losing in the championship match of Norwegian Football, Brann US supporters have nothing to be ashamed of because a record 31 supporters attended. Prior to the championship match, a couple of Norwegian publications in Norway had written articles about Brann US.

For a supporters club that may not be recognized in the United States, it’s an accomplishment when you’re recognized for your commitment by your native country, or in the case of Brann – city. This is a supporters club where the generation gap is noticeable. With older members welcoming new members both young and old, both generations can teach the other their customs and history of what it means to be a Brann Supporter.

“Our Hearts in Fire and it’s in NYC,” stated Terje. “Ultimately we want to grow and we welcome the younger generation. We want their enthusiasm and energy because they can teach us elders how to chant and support. We’re passionate fans but we’re also pretty shy.”

The next time any of you are watching your match and there’s a Brann match following yours, join Brann US. They’re our Norwegian football relatives and their history is amazing like the rest of yours.

To learn more about Brann US: Brann.us (Website/Facebook) and the Bergen online paper BT.no

Cesar Diaz is a freelance soccer writer for several online publications. If there’s a soccer topic you believe needs to be written about, please feel free to contact him. Easily accessible, you may contact him at *protected email* and @CoveringSoccer.

We have been delighted to be the NY Canaries home away from home

The NY Canaries joined the Aston Villa supporters (New York Villans) for Saturday’s enjoyable match. The week before Saturday’s match, members from both Supporters Clubs met and talked about their clubs season. So during Saturday’s 3-2 Aston Villa win, you heard both sides cheering and groaning throughout the match.

Both sides were respectful of each other’s club and the NY Villans played the role of an excellent host as they made the members of NY Canaries feel welcomed. Following the match, both sides debriefed about the match.

While matches and results will always be important in our love for football, we’ll always encounter people with unique stories and accept them as friends. One specific person who I had the privilege of meeting was Mike Shattock.

He was in town from England so he could run the New York City Marathon. Recently, Mike started following me on Twitter, and in return I’ve started following him. One of the perks of following a club like Norwich City has been the friendships I’ve made with the Canaries supporters who live in New York or are here for a holiday.

Prior to meeting Mike last Saturday, I went to his site on his Twitter account. It was there I learned about the Yellow Beetle Challenge and the meaning and motivation behind it.

On January 2, 2010, Mike’s wife Samantha (Sam) suffered a cardiac arrest at the age of 41. As a result, she has been left with serious brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen and has been cared for at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney, London.

The story behind the name Yellow Beetle Challenge is that Sam was known for driving a yellow Volkswagen Beetle around town.

You can follow Mike on Twitter via @BeetleChallenge

As stated in the website, “The Yellow Beetle Challenge is to complete three BIG events in three continents within a twelve month period, and hopefully reach a fundraising target of £10,000 for the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability.”

These three challenges consist of the London-to-Paris cycle ride, which he completed in April; the New York Marathon, now also completed; and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in March 2012.

Engaging in this series of challenges is Mike’s way of coping with his family’s situation. Along with being a husband, he and Sam are the parents of two teenage boys aged 15 and 13.

On the day before the marathon, I met Mike here for the first time in person before the Norwich and Aston Villa match. To be honest, I didn’t add two and two together initially, but when he told me his name, it all came back to me. I didn’t know how to address it, so I simply assured Mike that I’ve seen his site and think what he is doing is inspirational.

He joined us and the rest of the NY Canaries members as we unfortunately watched Norwich fall in a hard-fought match to Aston Villa. I had a fantastic time chatting with Mike. Some of us had ran the marathon in the past, so we tried our best to give him some pointers.

During our conversation, I promised I would write about meeting him and inform others how they can help. Just before he left, Mike asked me if I had a NCFC jersey. I told him no, and he literally gave me his shirt off his back and handed me his 1959 retro NCFC home kit.

Without a shadow of a doubt, this is the best kit I’ve ever received. Bottom line is that there’s a sentimental value to it. Whenever I’m asked about it, I have a story that goes with the story. More importantly, I can make others aware of the Yellow Beetle Challenge and how people can become involved in an inspirational cause.

Mike did finish the NYC Marathon with the time of 5 hours, 12 minutes and 46 seconds. In anticipation of heading out to England in 2012, I intend to return the favor to Mike when I head over to Carrow Road for a match.

Who will I meet next time? Or who will you meet the next time?

The only way we’ll find out is by showing up.

For more information about the Yellow Beetle Challenge, go to YellowBeetleChallenge.com and @beetlechallenge

Cesar Diaz is a freelance soccer writer for several online publications. If there’s a soccer topic you believe that needs to be written about, please feel free to contact him. Easily accessible, you may contact him at *protected email* and @CoveringSoccer.

The NYC Rovers continue to grow in size. As does the distain for Mr. Kean

One tweet that caught my attention was one from Grafton (@RagingSoccer). Grafton tweeted and I quote, “To any sportswriter/talking head that feels the need to explain how to “fix soccer” in America: see, @FFactoryNY. We’re good, thanks.”

Grafton, well said! I agree with you one hundred percent. Let the Supporters promote the game and explain their passion to everyone else. I’m sure sportswriters such as Zac Wassink (@ZacWassink) of Yahoo and President of the NYC Valencia Supporters Club Cesar Benoit of FirstTouchOnline.com will also agree.

Manchester United is annihilated 6-1 against Manchester City. Chelsea is stunned as they lost 1-0 to QPR. After watching that match, I don’t recall a time when I’ve ever seen an MLS officials dole out red & yellow cards against one team like that.

Over in La Liga, Barcelona and Real Madrid may rule the league but Levante is occupying the top stop! With all the “Occupy” protests going on worldwide against the wealthiest 1%, it’s fitting to see the poorest and oldest average-age club occupy the top spot of La Liga.

Last weekend I enjoyed talking football with members of the Toon Army NYC, NY Blues, PSG NYC, Brann US, and the sole member/President of the NYC Valencia Supporters Club. Plenty of games were watched and analyzed… life is good!

And that’s the beauty of the atmosphere here at the Football Factory… the diversity. Different clubs, supporters, culture but collectively we speak the language of football, while we understand the passion an individual may have love for their club and hating their rival.

The Supporters Club I profiled last week was none other than the New York Blackburn Rovers Supporters Club, the NYC Rovers. After numerous attempts to start a supporters club, NYC Rovers was finally able to be established.

One more, perhaps unwelcome, addition for NYC Rovers

Now up and running thanks to the combined efforts of Jay Manning-Laisne and Steven Bradley, this new and ever-expanding supporters club includes the dedicated support of Tim Conley, Anna Swanby, Neil Fitzpatrick and Brandon Beckstrom.

As Jay stated in their website,

A few months after moving to NYC I got really tired of watching matches alone, Football becomes so much more significant when you feel like you’re not the only one that cares about it. I had tried unsuccessfully a couple times to get Rovers fans in the NY area together, but when my mate Jimmy (who is the first American Rovers supporter I’d met) suggested that we put something together for the Burnley match, it finally caught on, and I haven’t had to watch a match alone since.

The clubs recent string of losses and managerial decisions of Steve Kean hasn’t deterred their commitment to BRFC. While the club hasn’t performed to the expectations of their supporters, Jay and Steven have continued to follow the club’s motto, “Arte et labore”, and the club’s translation which is “By Skill & Hard Work”.

Follow them on Facebook/Twitter and you will see the marvelous job they’ve done in keeping everyone updated. Along with their updates, they’ve also demonstrated their creatively wicked sense of humor. Their “Kean Out” movie posters are worth following them on Facebook alone.

Looking over their website, I was impressed by their Wall of Fame page. Basically, if you watch a match with them, your name will be added to the list. Fantastic! Not only will a football fan have the opportunity to join the NYC Rovers for a match, they’ll be honored for it.

While the club’s current state in the Premier League may not be enticing to watch, it’s that optimism that they’ll be able to avoid relegation that makes BRFC worth watching. Will Steve Kean be sacked? Will the Club maintain a lead for an entire match following a decent first half performance? Which top-team will either tie/lose to the Rovers?

Who better to have these discussions with than the NYC Rovers? These guys are approachable and they should be supported for making their commitment to meet. It’s their hope of the removal of Steve Kean that makes following the Rovers interesting. With the Premier League season still young, it’ll be fun to watch if the Rovers are able to turn around their season.

Being a Norwich City supporter, I hated the fact that we faced the Rovers this weekend. While their record may not reflect their effort, I believed Blackburn were capable of upsetting the Canaries at Carrow Road.

The game finished in a thrilling 3-3 tie, which suited me perfect on the day. I couldn’t have been happier to have made some new great friends and I will very much looking forward to join in with them at the Football Factory again soon.

Blackburn’s next game is away this Saturday at 11am vs. Chelsea, so feel free to stop by The Football Factory and join the NYC Rovers.

Premier League Standings as of Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011

1. Manchester City (9-1-0, 28 pts); 2. Manchester United (7-2-1, 23 pts); 3. Newcastle United (6-4-0, 22 pts); 4. Chelsea (6-1-3, 19 pts); 5. Tottenham Hotspur (6-1-2, 19 pts); 6. Liverpool (5-3-2, 18 pts); 7. Arsenal (5-1-4, 16 pts); 8. Norwich (3-4-3, 13 pts); 9. Aston Villa (2-6-2, 12 pts); 10. Swansea (3-3-4, 12 pts); 11. Stoke (3-3-4, 12 pts); 12. Queens Park Rangers (3-3-4, 12 pts); 13. W.B.A. (3-2-5, 11 pts); 14. Sunderland (2-4-4, 10 pts); 15. Fulham (2-4-4, 10 pts); 16. Everton (3-1-5, 10 pts); 17. Wolverhampton Wanderers (2-2-6, 8 pts); 18. Blackburn Rovers (1-3-6, 6 pts); 19. Bolton Wanderers (2-0-8, 6 pts); 20. Wigan Athletic (1-2-7, 5 pts)

Football Factory Supporters Club Table as of Saturday, October 21, 2011

PSG NYC – Paris Saint-Germain P10 W7 D2 L1 PTS23
NY Hammers – West Ham United P12 W6 D3 L3 PTS21
NY Reds – Manchester United P8 W6 D2 L0 PTS20
NY Foxes – Leicester City P13 W5 D4 L4 PTS19
Toon Army NYC – Newcastle United P9 W5 D4 L0 PTS19
NY Blues – Chelsea P8 W6 D1 L1 PTS19
NY Villans – Aston Villa P9 W2 D5 L2 PTS11
NY Gooners – Arsenal P8 W3 D1 L4 PTS10
BCFC NYC – Bristol City P12 W1 D3 L8 PTS6
NY Rovers – Blackburn Rovers P8 W1 D2 L5 PTS5

*National Team, Empire Supporters Club, and Brann US weren’t included due to schedule differences.

*Cesar’s Record at the Football Factory G3 W2 D1 L0 PTS7

Cesar Diaz covers Soccer for LatinoSports.com and 5 Points Press. He also writes for USSoccerPlayers.com; your source for American Soccer news brought to you by members of the U.S. National Team. Easily accessible, you may reach Cesar at *protected email* and at Twitter at @CoveringSoccer.

The geordies can’t believe Newcastle haven’t found a late winner against Spurs

In a way to spice things up here, I’ve decided to create a Football Factory Supporters Club Table. I’m fully aware that many of these clubs play for different leagues. The only logic behind this table is because I want to follow all of your clubs on a regular basis.

Last week, I had the privilege of joining the New York Newcastle United Supporters Club, Toon Army NYC. Even if you’re not a Newcastle Supporter, I would still make the recommendation of watching a match with them.

If you’re in the mood to chant, drink a few pints, eat, and make new friends, then you won’t go wrong with the Toon Army NYC. I had so much fun watching the Magpies rally for a 2-2 draw against Tottenham that I joined the Toon Army NYC again on Saturday where we watched the Magpies win 1-0 over Wigan Athletic.

All you have to do is arrive to the Football Factory and ask for Dougie, Dino, Paul, or Rod to name a few. Along with their sense of humor, they have plenty of colorful stories about Newcastle. Wearing their black & white Newcastle United jersey, there’s at least 30 Toon Army NYC members at every game.

The only thing I would recommend for anyone is that they don’t make the mistake of wearing a Sunderland jersey. I have no idea what the consequences are for wearing a Sunderland jersey nor am I even going to ask. The only thing I know is that Sunderland or the Mackems, as Rod pointed out, is their most bitter rivals.

One thing captivating about the Toon Army is that they’re more than a Supporters Club. Historically, Newcastle United’s last major championship was in 1969 when they won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup 6-2 on aggregate over Hungarian foorball club Újpest FC.

With the Magpies current major championship drought, it’s easier for their supporters to simply love them out of passion rather than basing their loyalty on the number of championships they’ve recently won. With Newcastle United and their Supporters, it’s about having something to prove.

The Toon Army NYC along with Cesar Diaz and our own Jack Keane

Whether the club wins a championship or not isn’t the issue. They real issue is demonstrating that they’re a club who will compete hard against any opposition while their fans proudly cheer them on to the very end. While the wins would be nice, Toon Army NYC will support and chant regardless of the outcome.

With a nice and colorful selection of chants one will hear throughout a match, it’s impossible to stay quiet because they’re such an infectious bunch that you can’t help but want to join in with on their fun.

From my interaction with many of their members, I can see they consider each other family. Whether you’re new to the Toon Army NYC or you’ve been one of the four original members since 2001, you’re welcomed with open arms and cheers.

For more information about Toon Army NYC: ToonArmyNYC.com and @ToonArmyNYC

Other Premier League Results from Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011

Wolverhampton Wanderers played Swansea City to a 2-2 draw.
West Bromwich Albion won 2-1 over Aston Villa.
Sunderland won 2-0 over Bolton Wanderers.
Newcastle United won 1-0 over Wigan Athletic.

Premier League Standings as of Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011

1. Manchester City (7-1-0, 22 pts); 2. Manchester United (6-2-0, 20 pts); 3. Chelsea (6-1-1, 19 pts); 4. Newcastle United (5-4-0, 19 pts); 5. Liverpool (4-3-2, 15 pts); 6. Tottenham Hotspur (4-1-2, 13 pts); 7. Norwich City (3-3-3, 12 pts); 8. Stoke City (3-3-2, 12 pts); 9. Aston Villa (2-5-2, 11 pts); 10. West Bromwich Albion (3-2-4, 11 pts); 11. Arsenal (3-1-4, 10 pts); 12. Sunderland (2-3-4, 9 pts); 13. Swansea City (2-3-4, 9 pts); 14. Queens Park Rangers (2-3-3, 9 pts); 15. Wolverhampton Wanderers (2-2-5, 8 pts); 16. Fulham (1-4-3, 7 pts); 17. Everton (2-1-4, 7 pts); 18. Bolton Wanderers (2-0-7, 6 pts); 19. Blackburn Rovers (1-2-5, 5 pts); 20. Wigan Athletic (1-2-6, 5 pts)

Football Factory Supporters Club Table as of Saturday, October 21, 2011

PSG NYC – Paris Saint-Germain P10 W7 D2 L1 PTS23
NY Hammers – West Ham United P12 W6 D3 L3 PTS21
NY Reds – Manchester United P8 W6 D2 L0 PTS20
NY Foxes – Leicester City P13 W5 D4 L4 PTS19
Toon Army NYC – Newcastle United P9 W5 D4 L0 PTS19
NY Blues – Chelsea P8 W6 D1 L1 PTS19
NY Villans – Aston Villa P9 W2 D5 L2 PTS11
NY Gooners – Arsenal P8 W3 D1 L4 PTS10
BCFC NYC – Bristol City P12 W1 D3 L8 PTS6
NY Rovers – Blackburn Rovers P8 W1 D2 L5 PTS5

*National Team, Empire Supporters Club, and Brann US weren’t included due to schedule differences.

*Cesar’s Record at the Football Factory G3 W2 D1 L0 PTS7

Cesar Diaz covers Soccer for LatinoSports.com and 5 Points Press. He also writes for USSoccerPlayers.com; your source for American Soccer news brought to you by members of the U.S. National Team. Easily accessible, you may reach Cesar at *protected email* and at Twitter at @CoveringSoccer.

PSG fans delight as their team take top spot in Ligue 1

Thanks to the power of social media, the global coverage of football is more accessible than ever before. Don’t worry, I’m not here to criticize social media and cry about how it’s denigrated our intelligence as football fans. In fact, I support social media and its flow of information.

Ironically, every tool has the potential of becoming a weapon. In the case of social media, it’s our intelligence that’s attacked. We’re provided words which are supposed to translate into information but the question I have is, who is actually reporting the information in person?

With all the match recaps circulated throughout the World Wide Web, I would love to know the percentage of “reporters” that were actually at the venue to watch it live. If you’re watching a game from the telly and you write about it, did you actually cover the match or write a review? Which fan, player, or manager did you interview? Or better yet, do you even have permission to use the club’s logo & match photos while receiving an official match recap from the club?

What’s wrong in admitting to your audience that you saw the match from the comfort of your home or bar? What’s wrong with admitting that you knew little about the club but thanks to the Supporters Club, you have a better understanding?

I’m fortunate that Robbie Kennerney and Jack Keane of the Football Factory at Legends understand my vision in provoking change in how football is covered. With all the coverage going around, do I really have to produce the same boring, assembly-line, cookie-cutter of a match recap?

I don’t think so because it would be insulting your intelligence. What I intend to do, is rightfully acknowledge the Supporters Clubs here at the Football Factory. In addition, I intend to learn about their Supporters Culture and passion for their selected club.

If I’m going to interview anyone following a match, it’ll be the Supporters. While my profiles may not consist of poached quotes from managers and players, it’ll be organic and honest because at the end of the day, it’s the supporters’ passion & memories that provide life to any football club.

In layman terms, my football education will be jumpstarted by the Supporters Clubs I profile. As part of my Football Darwinism, I look forward to receiving the kind of soccer education that will be based on Supporters knowledge and passion.

PSG fans look on anxiously against Lyon

With that said, I’m honored and proud to hopefully usher in a new era at the Football Factory. I’m also honored to report that the first Supporters Club I watched a match with was Paris Saint-Germain Club NYC (PSG Club NYC) as they watched their beloved team take first place in Ligue 1 with a 2-0 home victory over the Olympique Lyonnais.

PSG Club NYC was established in 2006 by Julian Stein; President/Founder. As stated in their website, “the club has continued to grow with the support from fans all over the United States as well as around the globe. While for most games we may be anywhere from 10-20 supporters, the “Classico” and big game of the year against Marseille will bring together over 100 supporters of Paris Saint-Germain.”

This was an experience I enjoyed because the atmosphere at the Football Factory was at times jovial while at others anxiety appeared to have circulated the space. Personally, it’s easy supporting a club I have no clue about with their Supporters because my mind isn’t clouded with personal prejudice.

Watching the match from the bar, I concluded that the Kobe Sliders and Stella were the most popular items ordered that day. I also learned that while I may not understand French, I clearly understood the universal cheers and groans during the match.

By wearing their Supporters t-shirts, it was easy to identify members and they were extremely helpful in educating me of the significance of PSG’s match. Some of the people in attendance were tourists. When asked how they heard the Football Factory was showing the match, they stated the PSG Club NYC’s website was their source.

Following PSG’s victory, I spoke with PSG Club NYC Supporter Pierre Waitez. When asked about PSG’s victory, he answered, “This is a good victory for us. To earn three points and be in first place in Ligue 1 gives us reasons to believe this may be our season.”

With the combined ownership of Colony Capital and Qatar Investment Authority, Waitez made it clear that their intention is to make PSG a club that will join the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Milan, and Barcelona as a pillar of European Soccer. He believes the team has the players to produce a championship.

Throughout our conversation, Waitez educated me how the current ownership played a role in eliminating the hooliganism which some of the PSG supporters were notoriously famous for. While this is a topic I didn’t ask about, I commend Waitez for addressing it and insisting that the majority PSG Supporters don’t condone hooliganism.

He made it clear that PSG Club NYC is open to anyone who wishes to be a Supporter. Even though they have a healthy relationship with the club itself, Waitez informed me that they’re an independent Supporters Club. By selling their scarves and t-shirts at cost, PSG Club NYC’s motivation isn’t to make a profit; it’s to welcome new members as they grow.

As our conversation drew to a conclusion, Waitez invited me back to watch the “Classico” on Sunday, November 27, 2011. More than likely, I will be in town to watch the match at the Football Factory. If you’re in the area, please show your support for PSG Club NYC.

For more information about PSG Club NYC go to: http://psgclubnyc.com & @psgclubnyc.

Cesar Diaz covers Soccer for LatinoSports.com and 5 Points Press. He also writes for USSoccerPlayers.com; your source for American Soccer news brought to you by members of the U.S. National Team. Easily accessible, you may reach Cesar at *protected email* and at Twitter at @CoveringSoccer.