Last week, I swapped messages with a top bloke called Chad, who lives in the States and writes a blog all about European football.
As Wolves are his adopted team, I asked if he’d be kind enough to do a post for us about his experiences following the old gold from afar.
Here’s what he kindly sent over:
It’s 6:56 A.M. on a hazy Saturday morning in State College, Pennsylvania.
My cell phone vibrates furiously on my nightstand. I turn the alarm off so as not to wake my roommate, who’s probably still dreaming under the influence of various alcohols at this point.
I take out my laptop, fire up my illegal television streaming website of choice, put on my Matt Jarvis jersey (which may or may not be worn backwards at first), wipe my sandy eyes and strap myself in for another 90 minutes with Mick and company
I’ll be fortunate to not wake my slumbering friend, as assorted whimpers of disgust and triumph will undoubtedly be seeping from my mouth like a dog that desperately needs to relive himself on the oak tree in the backyard.
This is my typical experience watching Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club as a 21 year-old college student from across the Atlantic. I have never been more than 20 miles out of the United States, much less seated in the Stan Cullis stand (I will make it there one day, mark my words). In fact, the name Stan Cullis means very little to me, a neophyte in the world of European football.
Ashamedly, I was once one of those typical Americans who only cared about ‘soccer’ when the U.S. national team was doing well in the World Cup, which meant I didn’t give a damn about the likes of Ronaldinho, Steven Gerrard, or any other incredibly talented footballer or athlete that didn’t play in the U.S.A at the time.
I never really played football at even a semi-competitive level as a kid. I did, however, play youth soccer. Youth soccer in America is sadly more about the “soccer mom” culture, in which everyone gets a trophy and the halftime orange slices and juice boxes are more important than formations and offside traps.
It’s sad, really, to think that many Americans who dismiss soccer as “for pansies” or “boring” don’t get to see what I see every Saturday morning; a true team gathered together with one purpose — to put in a shift.
Sure, games like last week at Villa happen, and the typical American footy-phobe may feel as though I wasted two hours of precious sleep, but I never feel cheated, never feel bored, never feel unsatisfied (even when I have a massive headache from having one too many Keystone Lights the night before).
Games like that, where one strike of the ball can determine the outcome, leave me on the edge of my seat, sometimes shivering from sheer nerves.
It is an excitement that no other sport has been able to produce for me since my childhood days rooting for MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers or the NFL’s Miami Dolphins; I am a fan reborn.
My love affair with Wolves began with music and video games, strangely enough.
I was a tad obsessed with Led Zeppelin coming into college. I now own posters, t-shirts, and a replica of Jimmy Page’s Danelectro guitar that I taught myself to play (poorly, but nonetheless).
Around the same time, my buddies and I were introduced to the FIFA series, which we have been playing nonstop ever since.
Long story short, I wanted an English team to pledge my allegiance to and Robert Plant is, of course, a huge Wolves supporter. I put two and two together, and, well, here I am.
Supporting Wolves for the past few seasons has been one of the more enjoyable experiences of my fandom. The best part about it is that as I’m relatively new to the sport, I’m discovering new facets and facts every day.
I’ve learned almost all I can about basketball, baseball and American football—for me, becoming a Wolves fan has been like falling in love all over again, only this time my girlfriend wakes up extremely early, bakes cookies in a 4-4-2 formation (finally), and is as versatile as a certain left back in the, ahem, sack.
You can read Chad’s blog – Balls in the Box – by clicking here.
Welcome to the Wolves family Chad.
Pleasure to have you on board – and top blog mate.
Haha, excellent. Although I don’t want to know how you learnt of Stephen Ward’s versatility in the sack…
I may have worded that a bit awkwardly…
Welcome mate as we say around these parts,or bostin to have you on the
wolves blog from The Good Old US of A…Perhaps you may be able to contact
Clive from Houston expat Wolverhampton lad through this site…
Looking foreward to reading your blog in the future.
Hi Chad, you don’t know this bloke do you? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrAdJIRnI3Q
Doesn’t that guy have something to do with the site theoffside? They used to have a good Wolves page – not checked for a long time though.
its still on (the offside) i only read this one and that one which i stumbled upon by accident whilst looking for this on my phone i think its very good
I have not had the pleasure, unfortunately. Seems like he’s somewhat near my neck of the woods though.
You supported Los Angeles and Miami? Couldn’t get further apart! Surprised you didn’t choose Man United haha. In all seriousness welcome!
Haha I know. I hate Philadelphia for the most part, that’s why I’m not a Phillies or an Eagles fan. My favorite uncle was/is a Dolphins fan and I saw the Dodgers in spring training when I was little and impressionable.
welcome aboard friend …. you know , sometimes it can be painful having the wolves as your team . but like i said WELCOME !
Great Post,
I heartily sympathize as a Wolves supporter here in Kansas!
Loved reading this as I relate to it so well. Also 21 living in Perth, Australia. Wanted to find a team eight or so years ago and didn’t want to be a glory hunter, chose this team with a cool logo and colours. Coincidently found out that my English relatives live in the area.
Anyway well done on choosing the greatest team and perhaps one day you will have the amazing experience of not only seeing Wolves play live but have them train pre-season somewhere near you. In 2009 they did just that in Perth!
Good one Chad.
But Robert Plant a wolves fan ????????????
you might like this JOKER.
http://fatronaldo.net/2011/08/15/o-albion-remains-sleeping-now-to-rise-again/
Wtf? Robert Plant is not only a Wolves fan, he’s Vice President of the club!?!
Bloody Feds.
Anyhoo
Wtf? Robert Plant is not only a Wolves fan, he’s Vice President of the club!?!
Bloody Feds.
Anyhoo…
Great blog chad, glad you can see how a tight 1-0 victory is far more entertaining than a sport where you need an abacus to count the score. And not only that, but how following a team that has to strive and fight for every point is much less vacuous than following an expensively assembled team who effortlessly brush aside weaker opposition every week.
Victory tastes so much sweeter following bitter defeat.
Welcome Chad.
Exciting times to be a Wolves fan.
Robert plant is a wolves fan! Hes on the board of directors mate!
Robert Plant has been a Wolves supporter since his childhood. Knew him at Kidderminster Tech and he was a fan then…..
Nice blog Chad, you have indeed chosen the best team in the land.
I have a similar cross- Atlantic obsession with the Chicago Bears who I follow due to relatives who live in Chicago. I stay up into the wee hours watching the bears for similar thrills, but a different sport. I’ve been lucky enough to watch the bears at soldier field and hopefully one day you will have the chance to see the mighty Wolves at Molineux.
Also looking forward to seeing the Bears at Wembley in October!
This post hits home for a Wolves fan in Utah. Waking up, hungover, between 5-7 a.m. and pulling out the laptop since fox soccer rarely shows Wolves live. Although I had a less logical way of coming to love this team.
On a different subject, looks like our striker come left back is back to his best –
“Almost immediately after Doyle’s shot, Russia wasted no time in exposing Stephen Ward on the left side of the Irish defence. The Wolves’ man was time and time again caught way out of position and too far infield.”
See here for full article http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/6614/
Good evening, Chad, and welcome to the madhouse/insane asylum that is being a Wolves fan.
I am in Houston, it’s 10.37 at night, time for my last Boddingtons of the evening, ( as they dough export Bonkss yet) so more to follow at a more reasonable hour for this old fart.
Ward for President.