Supporters Groups
SECTION 8 CHICAGO INDEPENDENT SUPPORTERS' ASSOCIATION
Chicago Fire supporters' groups mostly occupy an area in TOYOTA PARK known as "Section 8" stemming from its original location at pre-renovated Soldier Field. The name has stuck, despite changing stadiums and section numbers. At TOYOTA PARK Section 8's physical section numbers are 117/118. Fire supporters are well known domestically for their non-stop chanting, colorful tifo displays and undying support of the club - showing a spirit and devotion typically associated with fans of large clubs worldwide.
Section 8 Chicago, the Independent Supporters' Association (ISA) for the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, works on behalf of all fans - affiliated supporters' groups and independent fans alike - to foster a true soccer community. The vision of the ISA is, "To unite all
Chicago Fire fans, to create a dominant in-stadium force unseen in any American team sport and to establish a home field advantage whenever the Chicago Fire play.
The ISA exists to supplement the efforts of independent fans, coordinate between the supporters groups and act as liaison between all fans and the Chicago Fire Soccer Club. As a non-profit organization, a board of directors is elected yearly at the Annual General Meeting in February by the assembled supporters.
In 2008 the ISA had an operating budget of just over $100,000, using money raised and donated to offer discounted road trip packages to encourage fans to support the team away from TOYOTA PARK, produce section related merchandise, pay for in-stadium tifo displays and made considerable charitable donations as platinum donors to FWFK and Nothing But Nets.
For complete and up-to-date Chicago Fire supporters information please see section8chicago.com.
Media note: Delineation should be made between "Section 8 Chicago" (the ISA) and "Section 8" (the physical section supporters occupy on match days).
Website: http://www.section8chicago.com
Active groups affiliated with Section 8 Chicago:
ARSONISTS
Established in 1998, the Arsonists originally occupied Section 16 at old Soldier Field. They have come and gone several times from Section 8 proper, but remain a respected fan group to this day.
Contact :: Rich Balabuszko, rich_balabuszko@baxter.com
BLITZER MOB
Blitzer Mob is a group dedicated to a consummation of passion for the City of Chicago, industrial music and the beautiful game.
Contact :: Dave Hansen, creativefire@gmail.com
Website :: http://www.blitzermob.com
FIRE FOR EFFECT
A supporters group for veterans, service members and family members, current or former service. Anyone with a Military ID or Honorable Discharge is welcome. If you are or were in, or have a close family member that was, you belong here, no matter what country you or they served in.
Contact :: Jason Kekeis,
commander@fire-for-effect-chicago.com
FIRE ULTRAS '98
The most notorious of supporters' groups, Fire Ultras 98 is a group of Polish fans, both recent immigrants and transplanted natives, dedicated to supporting the Chicago Fire Soccer Club in the traditional "ultras" style common in their home country and across Europe.
Established in 1998, FU98 members known for their harder edge in support of the Fire at home and away; identifiable by their orange jackets, scarfs and fervent vocal and visual support. Originally residing in Section 9 at Soldier Field in 1998, they merged into Section 8 for the 1999 season. This group is responsible for the original visual style of Fire fans: wearing of scarves, displaying large banners, and waving flags.
Contact :: info@fireultras98.org
Website :: http://www.fireultras98.org
HUSARIA
Named after the "Winged Hussars" elite knights of the Polish Army between the 16th and 18th century; Husaria is a predominantly Polish group of Fire supporters organized at the end of the 08' season Dedicated to support the Chicago Fire in the style of the European Ultras.
Contact :: husariakibice@gmail.com
Twitter :: @husariakibice
Website :: facebook.com/husariakibice
PARTISANS
The Partisans are a group of Chicago Fire supporters that also take an active interest in leftist politics.
Contact :: Will Smith, will@partisanschicago.com
Website :: http://www.partisanschicago.com
RED SCARE
The Red Scare were established in 2006 with origins (but not limited to) the Joliet area. Hardcore Fire supporters that live for Saturday.
Contact :: Brandon Vonesh, bvonesh@yahoo.com
SECTOR LATINO
Sector Latino are a Central/South American 'barra'-style group of Hispanic Fire fans, established in 2005.
Contact :: Jesse Munoz, pelotero03@hotmail.com
THE WESTERN FRONT
The Western Front was formed in 2006 to organize supporter activities for Fire fans from Oak Park to Naperville and all points in between. WF seek to provide opportunities to share your passion.
Contact :: Jim Kline, twf@cyberonic.com
Website :: http://www.twfchicago.com
ULTRAS RED-SIDE
Formed in 2003, inspired by FU98 to bring the ultras spirit to fans of other nationalities and formally introduced the European concept of organized visual support (referred to as "tifo") to Section 8.
Contact :: Eric J. Kekeis, pezkoreaddict@hotmail.com :: Matt Bono, urs@ultrasredside.com
Website :: http://www.ultrasredside.net
WHISKEY BROTHERS AUGHT FIVE
Established in 2004. Wasted potential, lucky strikes, whiskey, foreign policy, and the beautiful game. Not neccessarily in that order.
Website :: http://www.wb05.info
Contact :: Karl Schuster, kgschuster@gmail.com
Regional Groups
EAST BANK FIRM (St. Louis)
East Bank Firm are a collection of Fire supporters from St. Louis and the surrounding region.
Contact :: big_fish_1986@yahoo.com
OHIO FIRE FANS (Ohio)
Fire fans located thought Ohio with the largest contingents being in Columbus and Dayton. OFF makes regular trips to Chicago, is at every Columbus game and most other roadtrips.
Contact :: Matt Coyle, ohiofirefans@yahoo.com
BREW CITY FIRM (Milwaukee)
Brew City Firm are a loosely organized group of Fire Fans from Wisconsin, but are based in Milwaukee.
Contact :: To Be Determined
Inactive groups formerly affiliated with Section 8 Chicago:
BARN BURNERS 1871
The oldest and onetime largest group, established in 1997 before the Chicago Fire Soccer Club was founded. The Barn Burners were the original occupants of Section 8 at old Soldier Field.
Contact :: N/A
Website :: http://www.barnburners.com
LADDER 97
A group of Fire fans organized in 2005 who bring a taste of traditional English football support with a Chicago flavor.
Website :: http://www.ladder97.com
THE LAST WARD
We welcome one and all. We support the FIRE by any means necessary. If anyone thinks they can come to Chicago and take points from the Fire they must go through us, all of us. All Chicago. All Together. We are involved in numerous activities outside the stadium including pre-game tailgates, organizing road trips, section outings, and busses from The Globe Pub to all home games (1934 W Irving Park, Chicago).
Website :: http://lastwardchicago.com
Contact :: thelastward@gmail.com
MIKE DITKA STREET CREW
First recognized as a supporter group in 2002, MDSC are Fire fans with a decidedly skin/mod influence and an abiding love for their city; and count former GM Peter Wilt as a member. While many members still come to games, the group is now defunct.
Contact :: Andrew Mason, amason@gmail.com
Website :: http://www.mikeditkastreetcrew.com
SHANDY SISTERS
The Shandy Sisters share not only a passion for the Fire, but a common interest in music, ideals, aesthetics, etc. --"…it's not just boys' fun!"
Contact :: shandysisters@yahoo.com
Website :: http://www.myspace.com/shandysisters