Crew Union

The supporters of the Columbus Crew have a long history that can seem somewhat bewildering. Much like the early Christian church, there have been divisions and separations, relocations and unifications. In order to avoid the cloud of confusion, the major history of the past and more detailed history of the recent days shall be recounted here.

When Columbus Crew Stadium opened in 1999, the ardent vocal (some may say "hardcore") supporters of the Columbus Crew found themselves a home in the north stands. Some went to the northwestern corner near the players' tunnel and others congregated in the middle, directly behind the goal. Sounds of drums, trumpets, vocal song and chant, praise and heckling, as well as cries of joy, sadness, and astonishment could all be heard coming from these supporters.

More recently, in 2006, a vast majority of the hardcore supporters had found their way to section 137 behind the goal. Due to a clash of styles and a desire for a new sightline, the group split in the 2006/2007 winter off-season. A new group formed in section 103, calling themselves Crew Supporters Union: Local 103. The group remaining in section 137 took upon themselves the name of Hudson Street Hooligans. Much unknown to these groups, a grassroots effort in the Columbus Latino community would bring about the unexpected formation of a third supporters group in the northeastern corner called Turbino Amarillo (translates to "Yellow Turbine").

The 2007 season was a good season for the supporters, as more and more people seemed to want to join in on the action of lending their vocal chords as best they could to supporting the Crew through a difficult season. Rumors, however, began to circulate like a snake in the brush during the season. A permanent concert stage was to be built behind the north goal, dismantling sections 136-138, and turn the Hudson Street Hooligans into refugees.

After talks between groups and the front office, a decision was made to populate the lower half of the northeaster corner of the stands. Because this would require a move, Local 103 would no longer reside in section 103. After much discussion and debate, it was decide to change the 103 designation to the main Columbus area code, of 614. Crew Supporters Union: Local 614 has now taken on a naming standard that will allow for fellow supporters in other cities to form additional union groups that will be affiliated with CSU: Local 614. See our list of brethren in cities outside Columbus who do their all for the Crew from long distance.

In 2008, when the gates open and the supporters come marching in with the Crew, they will be taking over the corner from the edge of the stage in section 139 to section 101. The three groups will provide a unified front from this corner and move the Crew on to victory. Come be a part of our new history in section 101 (where CSU: Local 614 will be located).