Vancouver Southsiders
Encyclopedia
| Southsiders | |
| Motto | "We're blue. We're white." |
| Team | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
| Established | 1999 |
| Membership | 700+ |
| Leaders | John Knox Chris Deal (Tractor Boy) Michael McColl |
| Website | vancouversouthsiders.ca |
The Vancouver Southsiders is an independent supporters group for Vancouver Whitecaps FC that play in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. The group was created in 1999 by soccer fans from Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
and its greater metropolitan area
Lower Mainland
The Lower Mainland is a name commonly applied to the region surrounding and including Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As of 2007, 2,524,113 people live in the region; sixteen of the province's thirty most populous municipalities are located there.While the term Lower Mainland has been...
to support the former Vancouver Whitecaps FC of the D2 Pro League
USSF Division 2 Professional League
USSF Division 2 Professional League was a temporary professional soccer league created by the United States Soccer Federation in 2010 to last just one season. The twelve-team league was formed as a compromise between the feuding United Soccer Leagues and the North American Soccer League...
. The name of the group alludes to the south side of Swangard Stadium
Swangard Stadium
Swangard Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Central Park in Burnaby, British Columbia. Primarily used for soccer, football, and athletics, the stadium is home to the Simon Fraser Clan football team. The stadium was home to the Vancouver Whitecaps of the NASL...
, where the supporters first started to congregate.
History
Beer garden
Beer garden is an open-air area where beer, other drinks and local food are served. The concept originates from and is most common in Southern Germany...
behind the goal at the south end of Swangard Stadium
Swangard Stadium
Swangard Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Central Park in Burnaby, British Columbia. Primarily used for soccer, football, and athletics, the stadium is home to the Simon Fraser Clan football team. The stadium was home to the Vancouver Whitecaps of the NASL...
. They originally called themselves "The Carlsberg Crew" in reference to the sponsor of Swangard's beer garden, Carlsberg Beer. The following season, the group renamed itself as the "Canterbury Chorus" following a change in the team's beer sponsor between seasons. It was finally renamed to "The Southsiders" to avoid the need to change names every time the sponsor changed.
In 2004, the Southsiders worked with the supporters' groups of Portland and Seattle to establish the Cascadia Cup
Cascadia Cup
The Cascadia Cup is the name of the trophy created in 2004 by supporters of the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which is awarded each season to the best soccer team in the Pacific Northwest. The Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps have roots dating to the days of the...
. The cup is awarded to the team that does the best in the season series between the three in the Pacific Northwest. Southsiders president John Knox has said that it is "hugely important".
The Southsiders have not always had a positive relationship with the team's ownership. Feeling marginalized, The Southsiders began depositing empty beer cups onto the grass in protest in 2003. The relationship improved as a dialog was opened. It has improved since Vancouver received the MLS expansion team
Expansion team
An expansion team is a brand new team in a sports league. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues, but is applied to sports leagues worldwide that use a closed franchise system of league membership. The term comes from the expansion of the...
. Images of the Southsiders are featured prominently in Whitecaps’ marketing campaigns. The group's board was invited to the invite-only launch of the kits and logo to be used in MLS. The expansion has also led to an increase in membership; it had grew from about 40 paying members to 100 in July 2010. As of the group's annual general meeting held in December 2010, paid membership was tabulated at just shy of 200 members. The president of the Southsiders also believes there is no reason why the Southsiders cannot outdo the Seattle Sounders' Emerald City Supporters
Emerald City Supporters
Emerald City Supporters is an independent supporters' group for Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC.-History and name:Emerald City Supporters was founded in 2005 by the supporters of the now defunct Seattle Sounders soccer team that played in the United Soccer Leagues First Division...
.
Culture
The Southsiders originated as a group of fans that enjoyed a European-style experience over a traditionally family-friendly atmosphere during matches. They have been described as a "rabid supporters group".Along with adding color and atmosphere, the group sings various chants during matches. Their theme song is titled "Boundary Road" sung to the tune of John Denver
John Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
's "Take Me Home, Country Roads
Take Me Home, Country Roads
"Take Me Home, Country Roads" is a song written by John Denver, Taffy Nivert, and Bill Danoff and initially recorded by John Denver. It was included on his 1971 breakout album Poems, Prayers and Promises; the single went to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100...
", it references Swangard Stadium
Swangard Stadium
Swangard Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Central Park in Burnaby, British Columbia. Primarily used for soccer, football, and athletics, the stadium is home to the Simon Fraser Clan football team. The stadium was home to the Vancouver Whitecaps of the NASL...
's location on Boundary Road
Boundary Road (Vancouver/Burnaby)
Boundary Road is one of the most important traffic corridors in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It runs south from Burrard Inlet to the Fraser River separating Vancouver from Burnaby....
in Burnaby, British Columbia.