Both Sides of the Fence - The FC Community Often Found Off the Stands

https://www.timesargus.com/slider/both-sides-of-the-fence-fans-flock-to-green-fc-events/article_d6f14b7a-80d9-44c1-ac23-a7f13e536bfc.html

Opposing teams enter on August 2nd to compete for one trophy.

Before a single player touched the turf, Virtue Field in Burlington was already surrounded by onlookers in anticipation of the ensuing clash. Thousands attended the USL2 Championship game between Vermont Green FC (VGFC) and Ballard FC, but the community behind VGFC has expanded beyond the capacity of the stands. Some of this was due to physical limits, forcing many fenced out spectators to utilize step ladders, hurdles, or a loved-one’s shoulders. But the community backing VGFC goes far beyond the pitch.

“You had probably more people outside of Virtue [Field] than inside,” explained Jimmy Hogan, a member of the official fan club of VGFC - the Green Mountain Bhoys (GMB). As the Vermont team took the victory, 2-1, over 5,000 fans watched on the front lines: Hogan estimates half of which were off the field, along with their club’s tent.

“Everybody meets up, has a meal beforehand, and then you go watch the game,” Hogan said, and he meant everybody, “Ballard FC out of Seattle had a pretty large contingent of fans come out, which was really cool to see. But they had a couple people meet up after the game because they saw the tent… incredibly nice people, really down to earth, and then we ended up hanging out with them Sunday after the game.”

In 2022 Hogan was one of about 10 people at the first meeting at Burlington Beer Company. Now with the 55 members of their Slack group, they are able to coordinate and mobilize to carpool for away games, learn the teams’ chants, or simply discuss their interests between Star Wars and Premier League.

“It’s just like one of those third spaces, right,” Betsy Martin, Hogan’s fiancé and another member of GMB, questioned while referring to their pregame ritual, “it has been awesome meeting all these people that you otherwise wouldn’t have met.”

Both Hogan and Martin hold season passes to ensure their consistent occupation of the games’ forefronts.

“It was pretty electric,” Martin described the energy at the south end of the bleachers, the normal spot for GMB to cheer from. “I basically lost my voice for two days because we were just chatting, yelling, and cheering on the boys the whole time”

Without a season pass, the buy window was allegedly short to pre-purchase a ticket. Burlington local, Christopher Hood, “knew it was going to sell out in four seconds, so I didn’t even try.” He rode his bike five minutes to the game and shared the collective idea that the tickets would be difficult to get.

No one I talked to outside the game even tried to buy tickets.

“By the time I realized, it was too late,” said Dennis Dowouna, another viewer outside of Virtue Field. Dowouna started following the team in January when he moved to Vermont from Miami, but he originated from Ghana. What brought him to the states was the Miami FC, a league in USL, where he mainly played as a central midfielder. He expressed excitement toward the game, and seemed to hold no complaints while using a track & field hurdle as a chair.

Dowouna rests his New Balance-held feet while those around him focus on the match.

Out of Chittenden bounds is the Barre Social Club, a venue to one of 43 watch parties listed on the VGFC website. About 20 individuals gathered in the space on game-day, explained the establishment’s co-owner Nick Allen.

“One member brought several pizzas from Pearl Street, and we have this table here and sort of set it up as a buffet,” Allen gestured while explaining outside food is always allowed; a different member, “baked cookies and brought them.”

They gathered around a screen broadcasting the game, which was both available to watch through WCAX Channel 3 News or through SportsEngine Play, according to the VGFC’s website.

The watch-party space within the Barre Social Club on August 7th, missing the extra chairs that were needed for the accommodate the game-day attendance.

While normally Barre Social Club access is for members only, events like the championship game (or the Kentucky Derby) are open to the community. “I’d say probably 75% were members,” Allen explained.

For members though, this is their third-place.

And a versatile one too. When there aren’t events you may find someone reading their book in a study nook, having a drink in the social space, or inviting a friend to brunch from ten to one on Saturdays… which is open to the public as well.

“This space is available to rent by the hour, so we have plenty of parties with non members,” Allen explained, in-case you are interested.

Niklas Herceg, goal-keeper for VGFC, spreads his arms during a break in play. An out-reached hand resembles a supportive wave.

For a season pass holder that may have to watch from afar, both GMB and VGFC try to make it easy for them to share their pass. For the one game this season that the Hogan & Martin couple missed, GMB put them in contact with a family that was looking to go.

Hogan explains that, “the [Vermont Green Football] club makes [the ticket transfer] incredibly easy… the week before the game they post your ticket, so you can log in and there’s just a transfer option, so you can enter somebody’s email and send it.

Whether you’ve got a season pass, a spot on a step ladder outside the fence, or a seat at a watch party miles away, the Vermont Green FC community makes it clear that the game is bigger than the stadium. Shared moments - from chants echoed on the bleachers to laughter over pizza at a sports bar - prove that it truly is about the friendships we made along the way.