Even if you have tickets come by the tailgate.  We will be showing off our new design ideas for the 2010 Offical Casbah scarf. 

See you there!

This season has taken it’s toll on alot of us.  We’ve lost a few members due to the economy and the team has looked more like the Clash than the Quakes.  But as this season begins to come to a close I’ve been looking ahead to next season and the new and exciting changes that will be happening.  Next season we will be sharing our section, 109 with the Ultras.  With the two supporters groups cheering in unison side by side, I’m expecting that we’ll be able to energize the whole stadium and strike fear into the hearts of our opponents. 

Casbah Section Season Tickets next season have been drastically reduced to $204.  Our goal is to fill our the Casbah next season so please let all your family and friends know about these new discounted tickets.  With the two groups sharing 109 (and part of 108) be sure to tell your ticket rep that you want to be with Casbah.  This will ensure that you will be standing with your fellow Casbah members and not mistakening placed among the Ultras.  There will also be a number of exciting Casbah off season events taken place as well as general meetings.  Stay tuned for further updates and be sure to also checkout the Under the Blue Banner website for further info.

(Our Infamous former leader Guy, Drumming up some support; Image from Nap, The Project FC)

In light of the recent comments from our owners group spokesman Lew Wolff.  I thought I should share a fan’s perspective.  I am personnally very encourage by the attendance numbers.  (Thanks to our outstanding front office staff.)  We’re still keeping the stadium at minimum 70% full despite the biggest recession in many years, the team not winning games, and a revolving door of players some of whom fans had already grown attached to from last season.  That’s alot more than at other stadiums in MLS (including Houston at times, thanks to their ridiculously hot and humid weather and despite winning two championships in the last 3 years.) I’m not normally a half full kind of guy, that’s ussually my better half.  But I look around the stadium and think this is our core fan base.  At the end of the day, these are the fans that will stay with the team no matter what.  Some of these fans have grown up with the Clash/Quakes and have already seen the best of times and worst of times.  Now imagine that you are able to tap into the more casual sports fan i.e. a (non-core) sharks fan who really knows nothing about hockey but loves to support a local team (that’s posting a winning record).  Add to that converting your football fan who follows the EPL or La Liga.  Get them to care about (or even be aware of) their local team, and I know that we can pack any size stadium the ownership decides to build.  We need to be courting these fans.  And when I say we I mean both the front office and us core supporters, Casbah or otherwise.  Afterall we have invested and are as big a part of this team as Lew Wolff, SVSE, or any other investor. This is our club, and it is our responsibilty to grow it.

The stadium I think is the key element to getting some buzz about the team.  We did get some buzz when the team was brought back into the league, but recently we’ve lost steam due to many to fans’ personnal economic hardships (I know more than a few that have been laidoff) and the team performance.  Building the stadium brings a new opportunity to get a buzz going about the team.  I don’t like the Giants, I’m an A’s fan but have gone to the new stadium and it’s a great experience.  A new stadium with good ammenities and a good location attaches more than just the core supporters. Lew I know understands this or he wouldn’t be trying to build a new stadium for the A’s that already have one.  If I’m a casual sports fan in San Jose or anywhere in the Bay and there is  a brand new stadium I think I’d go at least out of curiousity.  Even if I didn’t know anything about soccer.  And if it was a good experience I think I would probably return and be willing to spend some hard earned money to watch the team.  It’s not going to be as easy here as in Seattle or Toronto.  Those markets have very little competition from other forms of entertainment.  Here in the Bay Area and on up to Sacramento we’ve been blessed with two NFL teams, two MLB teams, two NBA teams, one NHL team as well as beautiful weather nearly year round and so many other things to do for entertainment I’m not even going to try to list them all.  All the Seattle Sounder fans I know talk about how most of those fans are disgruntled Sonics fans.  Most Quakes fans I know have been following the team for years.  I still believe in the team and know that we will continue to grow the fan base but as Lew said this is a marathon.  It will take time to bring in these new fans. 

So Lew don’t lose the faith, we are with you but first you must build it….and they will come.

All here’s an update on the game day events for Saturday.

Game Day Information & Updates

• Parking: Parking is $25 and the gates will open at 3PM.
•  Official Tailgate: The tailgate is for season ticket holders only, but Casbah member with their membership cards should also be able to gain access to the tailgate.  Food will be provided by New Mecca Cafe, but it’s BYOB. 
•  Casbah Booth:  The Casbah will have a booth in the official tailgate area.  Come by, pick up some Casbah gear, song books, and meet up with fellow Casbah members.
•  March into the Stadium:  At 4:30 the Casbah along with other Quakes fans will be leading a march into the stadium. 
•  Kick-off Times:  Quakes/Crew Game kicks off at 5:30PM; Barca/Chivas Game kicks off at 8PM

What a game…that’s all I really have to say after the Quakes completely disected and dismantled the Seattle Sounders.  The guys played with skill, heart and confidence.  Everyone had a great game, but I was especially impressed with Shea Salinas who took full advantage of the opportunty that he was given to start on the right.  Let’s hope we see more of that from him on Saturday as the Quakes take on the Columbus Crew.  And now I guess Saturday’s game can truely be called the Night of Champions. 

If you haven’t purchased tickets for the game, I believe there are seats still available in the Casbah section, Lower Reserve Section 38.  Please contract your ticket representative or Anthony Perry with the front office 408-556-7712.

If you’re a season ticket holder please come by the official tailgate on Saturday see details below.

“Quakes Season Ticket Holders,

 With the big doubleheader just ONE WEEK AWAY we want to give you more information about the exclusive Verizon Wireless Season Ticket Holder Ultimate Tailgate! The party will start promptly at 3:00 pm when parking lot gates open. There will be music, entertainment, and most importantly free food provided by New Mecca Cafe! The catering will include a buffet-style assortment of Mexican classics; burritos, enchiladas, chips and salsa. Please feel free to bring your own tailgating food and cookout gear!

 *BYOB: Bring Your Own Beverages!

 Come out and enjoy the Earthquakes inflatable’s and your favorite Quakes supporters groups providing the fun! All Quakes fans will be led into the stadium by our enthusiastic supporters groups promptly at 4:30 pm.

 Please contact Montez Harrison at 408.556.7725 or mharrison@sjearthquakes.com if you have any additional questions or still need to purchase a parking pass for this exclusive lot! Buck Shaw stadium parking passes will NOT be accepted.

 Would you like the chance to watch an official FC Barcelona practice? This Friday August 7, 2009 at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco at 9:00 AM the stars will be out! All fans are welcome; there will be a small donation at the practice field to the Earthquakes Community Fund to watch FC Barcelona training session.”

For the 1974 NASL Quakes reunion the following events will be taking place this weekend to celebrate the 35th anniversary.  To commemorate the event Casbah has will be wearing Red (the original Quakes color) this Sunday.  So please bring a red shirt to the game.  We will also have a limited number of these special retro Quakes t-shirts available for $5 both at our booth in the vendor area and at the Casbah section (109). 

FRIDAY, JULY 31: REUNION PARTY & CELEBRATION (NASL)

173 W. Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113
The Britannia Arms Pub 7:00 p.m.
 
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1ST: NASL EARTHQUAKES REUNION MATCH  (NASL)

San Jose State University – Soccer Practice Field

Across 10th Street from Spartan Stadium
San Jose, CA
11:00 a.m.

Come out and watch many of the former NASL Eartquakes as they participate in a reunion match at the SJSU Soccer Practice Field. (Seating will not be provided, please bring a lawn chair if desired.)

SUNDAY POST GAME PARTY: Double D’s Sports Grille (MLS/NASL)
354 N. Santa Cruz Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030

The weekend of August 2nd is also the 35 year reunion of the NASL Earthquakes.  To mark the occation the Casbah will be wearing the original Quakes red. 

So make sure you have red on or you can pick up one of the limited number of Casbah retro shirts for $5.