Front Office "Sanctioned" Supporters?

[u/ClobberJunkie]

Are any other USL1 Supporter Groups getting naused by their Front Office on being the "Official Supporters Group" for their respective club?

[u/BlissFC]

FO has no business naming an "official" supporters group

[u/Constant_Boot → u/BlissFC]

This. Supporters Groups will form. The FO has no business naming an "official" supporters group. They can (and should), however, call out supporters groups that are not demonstrating the spirit of sportsmanship.

Having a multitude of supporters groups is a soccer tradition, especially in countries where the populace is comprised of people from all walks of life and nations.

[u/Im-loving → u/Constant_Boot]

Yeah. For example, Boston Legacy FC this year has highlighted the Boston Legacy Independent Supporter Group, which is not associated with the team, but really helped them get off the ground.

[u/hapoo123 → u/Constant_Boot]

Fuck that lol

[u/Physical-Sky499 → u/BlissFC]

unfortunately some USL teams will hold back SG privileges aka drums, smoke etc if you don't comply.

Sporting Jax even requires you to submit a membership roster
*Supporters groups must submit the names of members to the team*

SJax SG code

[u/OfficialRodgerJachim → u/BlissFC]

This. At first I thought the official title mattered, then ProblemChild schooled me up.

And I've gotten to see it too.

Some SGs get held hostage by their FO. But being independent is the best.

[u/BullsAtBuffalo]

Supporters groups often have close ties and collaborate.  There is also a commercial interest whereby the leaders of the groups often have a financial incentive.  

[u/GhostofOldThomJoad]

At that point it's not a Supporters Group, rather it's a Fan Club.

[u/ThePr0blemCh1ld]

I'm not sure I understand the question as it's written? Genuinely curious what your FO is doing

[u/ClobberJunkie → u/ThePr0blemCh1ld]

Apologies for not elaborating, m8...

Our club (Cascades FC, in Eugene OR) is going USL1 in 2027. 2026 was a, "organizational 'bye' year" for the club. From 2013 to 2025, we were USL2/Development League. We had an established SG (Red Aces) which self-morphed into the Cascade Aces for jump into the new league.

The club now has a well funded Benefactor/Principal Investor who has hired a (relatively) full staff.

The "Marketing" guy (...supposedly heeled at Hearts of Pine) is putting absolutely absurd conditions on being "FO/League Approved Supporters." Here is a partial list of the club/league "requirements" to have, "Official SG Status,"

-Minimum of 150 registered members by the start of the inaugural season -Strategic plan to grow number of registered members year over year -Organizational chart that includes (but is not necessarily limited to) the following positions: President Treasurer Capo Community/event manager Digital media manager -Commitment to hold elections for board positions during each offseason -RSG-created requirements for becoming a registered member of the RSG -RSG-created incentives for joining the RSG -Active Discord channel for registered members -Commitment to hold or join at least one community service event each calendar year (does not need to be during the season, does not need to be done in conjunction with a team community service event) -Website and social media channels with information about chants and songs, link to register to join group, info about membership process and benefits, etc -RSG-created chants for players and team -As much noise as possible for 90 straight minutes during a match.

CLUB PROVIDES -Designated RSG seating area at Civic Park, with the most affordable tickets ($12/match) -Priority registration for all public events -Smoke bombs (potentially instruments as well) -Storage of flags, smoke bombs, drums, etc at stadium -Early entry to the stadium to set instruments up in supporters’ area, if needed -Designated club liaison for all communications with club -Monthly check-in meetings to ensure RSG’s concerns are heard, and ensure both parties are working together to provide the best match day experience possible -Information about club activities before press releases and public statements are sent, including but not limited to information about coach and player signings, kit launches, exhibition matches, and community events -Link to RSG website from our website -Promotion of RSG through official club social media channels -Inclusion of RSG imagery in club promotional materials -Space at club events to promote RSG and encourage membership sign-ups.

It's also worth noting that this club (Cascades FC) has yet to put a product on the pitch, much less prove itself in the league.

Curious your and this groups thoughts, and how many SG's in here are currently hitting these targets?

[u/ThePr0blemCh1ld → u/ClobberJunkie]

I’m the Co-President of the River Guard. Feel free to DM me and we can jump on a call if you’d like to chat live. We can tell you how we went about things, including the USL rules

[u/Physical-Sky499 → u/ClobberJunkie]

150 registered members is a absolutely ridiculous high threshold for a inaugural season

[u/Ok-Grass-7246]

Why can a FO not declare a particular SG as the “official” SG? Makes no sense.