Over the past five years, we’ve been thrilled to see so many other UK-based Twitter accounts promoting Major League Soccer and its individual teams on British shores.
Ahead of Orlando City SC‘s game against Chicago Fire this weekend, we chatted to “Fire Fans of the UK” (@cf97uk), a Twitter account born in September 2016 and supporting the Fire for much longer.
The creation of a Chicagoan himself, Giaco, Fire Fans of the UK exists for the wider Chicago Fire community online but particularly those based in the United Kingdom.
Sharing a lot in common with our own aims here at Orlando City UK, the Fire Fans of the UK group includes British Chicago Fire supporters Tony, Emma, Jason and James.
Spread throughout England and Scotland themselves, we spoke to the quadruple about their Chicago Fire love affair and just what they’ve made of the club’s controversial rebranding this off-season.
Why did you start supporting Chicago Fire?
Tony (Edinburgh): I read about every team, watched every team and in the end, I fell for Chicago Fire.
Emma (South London/Kent): A friend told me tales of Chicago Fire and that the club was all about Tradition, Honor and Passion.
They do so many great events surrounding equality and community.
Jason (Sunderland University): I had been a Chicago Bears fan for about three years previously and one off-season, I decided to watch a couple of Chicago Fire games.
I’ve been hooked ever since.
James (Glasgow/Edinburgh): There’s a long story involving the MLS Draft, Twitter and me being bored as hell one afternoon.
Ultimately, Fire Fans of the UK were first to claim me and it has snowballed from there.
What is your favourite thing about Chicago Fire?
Tony (Edinburgh): We’re always the underdog but we still fight.
Emma (South London/Kent): The fans and the amazing friends I’ve made within the Chicago Fire community, particularly Section 8.
Jason (Sunderland University): The fanbase and community surrounding the club are unbelievably welcoming. This was easily one of the reasons I fell in love with the Fire in the first place.
James (Glasgow/Edinburgh): There’s not one particular thing I can put my finger on as being my favourite thing about Chicago Fire.
The support (in general) is a big part of it though and they’ve really helped cement my love of the club.
Do you think there is good access to following Chicago Fire in the UK?
Tony (Edinburgh): It could be better.
Emma (South London/Kent): When Chicago Fire have done pre-season training in Britain, we’ve had difficulty getting to see them.
The needs of overseas fans haven’t really been catered for in terms of TV coverage.
Jason (Sunderland University): There are options but I think there should be better opportunities to watch more of MLS in general.
For someone who hasn’t got Sky Sports, it’s even more tough but you can just about get by with dodgy internet streaming and betting site coverage.
James (Glasgow/Edinburgh): Not legally, no. Sky Sports tend to regularly show everyone bar the Fire!
The best chance we normally have to see them on TV is if they play the LA clubs or Yankee Man City!
Tell us something about Chicago Fire we wouldn’t know
Tony (Edinburgh): Chicago Fire has an Edinburgh fan base – yes its alcohol!
Emma (South London/Kent): Have you heard of Malört? Well you’re going to wish you hadn’t!
Jason (Sunderland University): That’s a good one.
I’ll leave that to the other responses as they’ve had far more opportunities to experience the club first hand than myself.
James (Glasgow/Edinburgh): Not only have I heard of it, I’ve drank Malört.
This is a personal one that most people wouldn’t know but a childhood friend of mine, Kenny Deuchar, made his Real Salt Lake debut playing against Chicago Fire with Cuauhtémoc Blanco scoring a late, late winner.
What is your favourite memory following Chicago Fire?
Tony (Edinburgh): Logan Pause’s final game.
Emma (South London/Kent): Walking up the stairs at Toyota Park and knowing I was home.
Jason (Sunderland University): Visiting Germany for Bastian Schweinsteiger’s testimonial game against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.
It’s easily the best away day I’ve ever had! Lots of beer, lots of laughs and a brilliant overall experience.
James (Glasgow/Edinburgh): The home opener in 2017. It was my only trip to Chicago to see the Fire in person. What a trip!
Be honest, have you warmed to the new crest or not at all?
Tony (Edinburgh): It’s’s growing on me.
Emma (South London/Kent): Nope! It looks like it was made in Microsoft Paint and is a retrograde step when there is such fantastic iconography within Chicago.
Jason (Sunderland University): I still don’t like the design at all, but I’d rather focus on results.
The signings we’ve made are making me excited this season. I’d love for the badge to be changed but it’s not the most important thing now the season has begun.
I’ll just hope it’s sorted by this time next year! There are so many fan-made logos which I’d love the club to use instead.
James (Glasgow/Edinburgh): I don’t think the new logo is half as bad as people make out.
OK, it’s not a classic but if you pick apart most football club badges, they are all a bit ridiculous. Even some of the most iconic badges in global football can look weird when you take them in isolation.
Ultimately, 2020 is essentially an ‘expansion’ Fire. The old look is dead and buried – and largely stinks of failure – so a new coat of paint isn’t a bad thing!