Time Makes No Difference

Photo credit: Morgan Paar/Nomadic Frames 2014

            It’s hard to explain loving something that you can’t control. The loyalty and passion that come with being a fan of any sport isn't for everyone. Sometimes no matter how much you believe, how much you pray, hope, and the extent of your crazy pregame rituals—you just don’t win. As a sports fan you live it, you love it, and sometimes, you completely lose it. In times of triumph it’s easy to support a good team, but it’s those who stand by their clubs no matter how many wins, points, or trophies who really believe in what they stand for. Soccer, or Football as it is known to the rest of the world, has some of the most passionate fans on the planet. Many of us often say “I’ll do anything for my club,” and every game we feel like we get to prove it.

            It’s a very rainy night in London, but the five degree weather doesn't stop the football fans from gathering at the Emirates Stadium in Islington. Arsenal Football Club is preparing to take on cross town foes Queens Park Rangers. There is a buzz around the stadium of nervousness and excitement. Both sides are desperate for the win and the three valuable points added to their tally in the Barclays Premier League. Even with all the rain, there is something about seeing the pitch for the first time that evokes an adrenaline rush for many fans. As they pile in, Arsene Wenger, the manager of Arsenal, goes through final preparations for the game. The home crowd and away support combine for over 59,000, and they begin to sing as time ticks closer to kick off. Soon, the players take the pitch with the referees. They tighten their laces tight while the referees take their places, everything is set. There are first timers and regulars with hopes and dreams on the line; and they are proud of who they support. The game kicks off in London and Arsenal fans all over the world tune in, including New York City.

            Just like all the supporters in Islington, plenty of New Yorkers dress in their red Arsenal jerseys and perform their special game day rituals before kickoff. They have a few meeting places to choose from: The Blind Pig, O’Hanlon’s, both located on East 14th Street in Manhattan, or Woodwork, located in Brooklyn.  It’s not a common thing to do at a 12:45pm on a Saturday, but with the same excitement held around Islington, members of Arsenal NYC begin to cheer as the game kicks off on TV. Just as at the Emirates Stadium, there are new comers and familiar faces, friends from other Boroughs or friends from out of town. Whoever you are, you’re always welcome as long as you support Arsenal. Even though no one directly from the club asks us to wake up for games as early as 7:45am in New York (or 4:45am in California and 2:45am in Hawaii) we do it anyway, times makes no difference for us. We might have to put up with terrible refereeing, bad managerial decisions, and forgettable games, but we do it. We do it because we love it. We do it with loud voices and incredible atmosphere. They can hear us next door, they can hear us down 14th street, and we like to believe that they can hear us in Islington.

            Overall the United States population doesn't love Football the way many other countries do, but many people choose to get up for different clubs other than Arsenal. Various other clubs have supporter’s bars across New York City and while my allegiance remains forever with Arsenal; my motto is “I may not like your team, but I love our sport.” Between the World Cup, Major League Soccer, and the off-season friendlies of major European clubs in the summer, the wheels are turning and they don’t look likely to stop. When they have reached full speed we need to be able to look back and see what it was like to raise a culture of Football fans inside a country that didn't realize what the game was about. And that’s where I come in. From now, and every Thursday following, I want to show you what this sport means to myself and so many others in New York City. And if ever you should have some free time on a Saturday morning, I encourage you to look up a fixture list, or schedule as you might be more accustomed to hearing.