From a 'sort of' fan...

I'm "sort of a fan" kind of fan,

This annoys some people, they feel that as a football fan I simply MUST support the 'Nix (I struggle with this sometimes as you either feel a level of connection or you don't) whereas most people are mostly not fussed either way.

Like any group of fans (even my own LFC types) there are people who annoy me, who see fandom as making them superior and from a few interactions, this is how i judged 'Nix fans and in a big way, put me off.

Recently though, through this forum, a few great game day experiences and interactions (of all places) Twitter, the home of the troll, I have found myself engaged by the 'Nix, by the fans and just how much they love the game and love their team and for this, I commend them.

This comes with no small touch of guilt as I sometimes feel that if the "sort of fans" like me can be pushed a touch further, we are the ones to make the difference that the hardcore fans have been searching for and trying to achieve for so long.

I feel the grief (via the likes of Jono Newton, Yakall and Tegal) mostly via Twitter, but also in conversations in the street but also a huge sense of wanting to help make a difference and help the hardcore fans (and in fact any fan) keep the team they deserve and that the city deserves.

I think I can now safely call myself a 'Nix fan, in small part because of the club and the team, but mostly, due to the passion and intensity of the fans that surround them and hold them in such high regard. I may not make a lot of games, I may feel like somewhat of an imposter or bandwagon jumper sometimes, but if I ever feel that way, I know it's only because I'm comparing myself to those who can say "Since 2007".

(and to those fans, I plead, please make us Johnny-come-lately fans welcome - help get us off the fence and help us enjoy your backyard and then hopefully make the difference in the "metrics" that DICKtator Gallop holds so dear).

EDIT: I'm well aware these sentiments have been mentioned before and I hope it's taken in the best sense possible, that the fans are the ones really making the difference here. 

Well written, I also agree that every fan should be made to feel welcome whether you have supported the team from day 1 or it is your first game watching the Nix. We want everyone to take part because most of all we love the team and the game!

...last time I went, a night at Bethel Woods after the game was brilliant  and an amazing atmosphere and so many fans wanted to help me become more of a fan. Playing cricket all day on a Saturday means that Sunday's are often often family time but once the wee one is old enough to come along and not lose the plot, I'll hopefully be more present. 

Good stuff. Lets hope others realise how good it is to support a team from your own city before it's too late.

I love Arsenal and have supported them since I was a young kid; but would choose the Phoenix in an instant if given the choice. It's just not the same supporting a club from the other side of the world, despite the football being of higher quality.

Wouldn't worry about the 'since 2007' brigade, just look at Patrick...

Yeah I like to think that brigade who go around telling kids off for bringing an EPL blanket to games are in the minority. Most nix fans are really welcoming and will have a chat to anyone if you come say hi (as you seem to have experienced at bethel woods after a game). 

No fan is 'better' than any other imo. 

I've been called "not a real fan" by someone for choosing to watch the cricket world cup final instead of the nix, so I know what you mean to an extent. It was easy for me to brush (and laugh) it off, but can see how someone doing that would make others feel alienated.

So what I'm hearing is LFC/Nix half and half scarves? I'll have 3. 

you only need 2 to get both combinations....

I'll need one for games, one for day to day wear and one for bed. 

i been round since 07 but do not  pick on other fans or visitors to the stadium so not really any point putting us all in the same basket.as in life there are good and bad people in any group or orgaisation so not really fair to lump everyone who has watched the nix since 07 into that same basket.

I've been a Nix fan since 2004

Pretty simple really - there are fans and there are non-fans.  Black and white.  Those that dish out shark for "EPL towels / scarfs" or "hardcore etc" are just fudgetards.  Anyone that thinks they are part of a fan hierarchy need their fudgeing heads read.

brigade is often used as slang to describe group of people...

I wasn't trying to insult either group or even attempting to define either into groups, was in fact attempting the opposite by pointing out that one of the most passionate supporters who devotes a lot of time and effort to this fan group was not a fan in 2007.

I've been a fan since 2010-2011 or 2011-2012  after leaving Adelaide United. No Wellington fan has questioned me and I love it. You really feel like you belong here, despite me being Australian.
I love the Yellow Fever, they make the club what it is. Welcome!

What you're an Aussie... Get out of here, we don't take kindly to your type in here!

End of the day we all love our Phoenix and who ever thought that a football club in New Zealand would generate the interest we have this week.FKN unbelievable.

2009 for me . strangly I wasn't much of a sports fan until that year . not sure why I think it was because I liked weed much better . Football is my drug now tho

 LFC/Nix scarfs!! Sound like the greatest thing since sliced bread

I'm keen to head along to the game next Friday. Can someone explain how the YF section works? (strange question from someone who's in the forums a decent amount I know)

Can anyone get a seat in there? If not, how do you get one?

This is all very new and exciting. 

There is an FAQ thread somewhere but pretty much just ask for a Fever Zone ticket when you buy it.

General rule of the Fever is squeeze in wherever you want but if someone has the ticket for the seat you are standing in move over and let them in.

• Is there a secret handshake?
• If I have to take my shirt off, how do I hide the hip flasks gaffer taped to my chest?
• What happens if I accidentally say "this is a great soccer game"?

Leigh, it was the news of craft beer that finally won you over.  :P

Since when do beer and football have anything to do with each other Andrew? Can't imagine anyone would want to drink while watching...

Alcohol makes you feel warm - important when we're winning.

But in actual fact, you feel warm because of the alcohol dilates the capillaries and warm blood from the core of the body rushes to the larger capillaries closer to the skin (where your nerves are). This heat dissipates and actually reduces your body's core temperature.

Quit sciencing up my drinking. 

Look, you will blow some minds next to you drop this science bomb on your inebriated colleagues.

And think of all the birds you'll pull!

You get beaten in to the FZ and beaten out.

#oldschoolhazing

.

Get the harmonies on Home & Away right and you'll be sweet

Read and understood. 

Aussies Eunt Domum

The hipflasks have flares in them. It's a double bluff...

That's next level.