In the first of an ongoing series on supporters groups, we talk to Chicago Fire’s Section 8 about their club’s traditions and why Columbus is just a suburb of Detroit

Team: Chicago Fire Soccer Club

Supporters group name: Section 8 Chicago — but we’re not a supporters’ group with membership or dues or anything like that, we are the Independent Supporters’ Association, more or less an aggregation of supporter groups and independent fans.

When was the group founded? In its present form, circa 2003, but “Section 8” harkens back to the early days of the club at old Soldier Field. Fire fans have been undertaking organized support since the club’s founding in 1997.

What’s in the name? The section of old Soldier Field where Fire supporter groups Fire Ultras 98 and Barn Burners coalesced was Section 8. The name has stuck despite moving to different stadiums over the passing years. Yes, it also means a person who is unfit for military service.

What’s special about this team? Tradition, Honor, Passion. Our club represents our city on the world’s stage.

What’s unique about your supporters group? Its structure, diversity, organization (I’ve heard it referred to as “anarcho-syndicalist” which I quite like), and DIY nature.

Do you have an emblem and/or motto? As far as an official motto for S8, no, but the club’s motto “Tradition, Honor, Passion” is all we’ll never need to stay true.



Chicago Fire Supporters group Section 8 Photograph: wikimedia

Popular chants: Fire Anthem (Other teams’ fans can’t stop talking about it!), Tetris, Just Can’t Get Enough

Chants or songs specific to your team: Don’t Stop Living in the Red, Hot Time in Old Town Tonight, Urbs in Horto Magico (with a hat tip to the supporters of Panathinaikos)

Who are your biggest rivals: Everyone, but I think most would agree we reserve special hatred for Columbus and New England.

Favorite (family friendly) chant about a rival: (To the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”) Columbus is a suburb of Detroit [clap-clap] / Columbus is a suburb of Detroit [clap-clap] / Columbus is a suburb, oh Columbus is a suburb, oh Columbus is a suburb of Detroit / DE-TROIT SUCKS DE-TROIT SUCKS DE-TROIT SUCKS

Cult heroes: The Ring of Fire: Nowak, Klopas, Kubik, Wilt, Bradley, Armas, and Brown. Speaking for myself, I’d add guys like Chris Rolfe, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Gonzalo Segares, and Jon Busch.

Cult villains: There are dozens, but the name that reflexively jumps into my mind? Taylor Twellman.

Best moment following the team: For me, having only been around since 2006, I would say either the US Open Cup title in that year (at my first match) or the 3-0 playoff victory at home over New England in 2009.

Worst moment following the team: The game following the 3-0 vs New England — going out on penalties to Salt Lake in the MLS Cup semifinal. Last year’s season with its 18 draws was a long, drawn out slog that was also the worst, but in its own special way.

Tell us a piece of Section 8 folklore: There are tall tales of the aurora borealis appearing entirely localized within certain sections of stadiums where the Fire happen to play. These tales are based on unsubstantiated rumors and allegations, however. No one can say what really happened — though it might be related to the Peoria Fog.

Section 8’s Dan Martin was talking to Graham Parker