EPJr
August 26th, 2009, 02:09 PM
SONS OF BEN HIT 5,000 MEMBERS SEVEN MONTHS BEFORE FIRST KICK
By Andy Jasner
Rewind back to 2006. It was then when Bryan James, Andrew Dillon and David Flagler got together at a bar in Philadelphia and discussed the concept for the Sons of Ben.
They were sipping on adult beverages and merely tossing ideas around. At that point, there was no team here, just rumors. The announcement that Philadelphia would get one was still about two years away. And the unveiling of Philadelphia Union and its crest, nearly three seasons away. Just three guys in a bar talking ‘what ifs’.
Sometimes, that’s how the best ideas are developed. And the Sons of Ben was on its way.
“Honestly,” James said, “I was hoping we’d get to 100 members one day.”
Well, you can add another 4,900-plus members. On Aug. 17, 2009, the Sons of Ben secured its 5,000th member. The supporters group continues to grow every day, and their popularity has been evident throughout the region and beyond at Philadelphia Union press conferences, charity events, MLS matches, the CONCACAF Gold Cup and many other events.
By Andy Jasner
Rewind back to 2006. It was then when Bryan James, Andrew Dillon and David Flagler got together at a bar in Philadelphia and discussed the concept for the Sons of Ben.
They were sipping on adult beverages and merely tossing ideas around. At that point, there was no team here, just rumors. The announcement that Philadelphia would get one was still about two years away. And the unveiling of Philadelphia Union and its crest, nearly three seasons away. Just three guys in a bar talking ‘what ifs’.
Sometimes, that’s how the best ideas are developed. And the Sons of Ben was on its way.
“Honestly,” James said, “I was hoping we’d get to 100 members one day.”
Well, you can add another 4,900-plus members. On Aug. 17, 2009, the Sons of Ben secured its 5,000th member. The supporters group continues to grow every day, and their popularity has been evident throughout the region and beyond at Philadelphia Union press conferences, charity events, MLS matches, the CONCACAF Gold Cup and many other events.