Sons of Ben (MLS supporters association)

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Sons of Ben

Motto	Ad Finem Fidelis
Team	Philadelphia MLS team and Philadelphia WPS team
Location	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Established	2007
Membership	2,681 Unpaid
Leaders	Bryan James Dave Flagler Mark Dunfee Tom Roletter Matt Ansbro Brad Youtz Ethan Gomberg Mike Naioti
Website	sonsofben.com

The Sons of Ben (abbreviated as SoB) is an independent fan club for the future Philadelphia Major League Soccer (MLS) team. The Sons of Ben group was created in January 2007 by soccer fans form Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and their surrounding suburbs, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware, using such existing MLS fan clubs as the Empire Supporters Club, La Barra Brava, Texian Army, and Section 8 Chicago as models.^[1]^[2] The name of the club alludes to Benjamin Franklin, who was one of the most well known Founding Fathers of the United States and a particularly iconic figure of Philadelphia.

1 History
2 Logo
3 Motto
4 Philanthropy
5 References
6 External links

[edit] History

Bryan James, Andrew Dillon, and Dave Flagler officially founded the Sons of Ben supporters club on January 17, 2007 to coincide with Benjamin Franklin's birthday. Philadelphia soccer fan, Ethan Gomberg, suggested the name. SoB is the first Philly MLS supporters club. The club utilizes the colors of blue and gold, from Philadelphia's city flag, but may assume the official team colors when they are announced.

The Sons of Ben began during a flurry of rumors regarding Major League Soccer's negotiations with investors regarding a team located in the Philadelphia region. The group currently boasts membership of over 2,500 and ran a season ticket drive, attracting 2,800 requests. Both State and County governments have agreed to partially fund the Rivertown project along the banks of the Delaware River in Chester, Pennsylvania^[3]. This mixed-use development will be anchored by a 20,000 seat soccer-specific stadium (Chester Stadium) just south of the Commodore Barry Bridge. On February 28th, 2008, Philadelphia was confirmed to be the league's 16th team, meaning that their initial goal has been accomplished.^[4] The Sons of Ben can now concentrate on the most important mission of any supporters club, supporting the local team. The team will begin play in 2010.

At the "Meet the Owners" event held two days before the official MLS press conference in Chester, the Sons of Ben wore nametags with handwritten numbers intended to read 2010, that were mistakenly interpreted as "zolo" by team co-owner Nick Sakiewicz. This led to the Philadelphia MLS team being referred to as the "Zolos" in a series of inside jokes by the group.^[5] In addition, the club will also support the new Women's Professional Soccer Philadelphia franchise that will start in 2010 as well with a spinoff group named "Daughters of Betsy" (or "DoB" for short, honoring Betsy Ross, who sewed according to legend the first American Flag,) a nickname that was originally anointed (sarcastically) by the Red Bull New York supporters group, Empire Supporters Club to SoB.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Logo

The group's logo, designed by founder Andrew Dillon, incorporates various components alluding to the region's history and the achievements of Franklin^[6]. The oar and scythe represent Philadelphia's nautical and agricultural roots. Franklin invented bifocals, while the key, lightning bolts and lozenge-shaped kite symbolize his exploration into the nature of electricity. The crack in Franklin's skull resembles that of Philadelphia's famous Liberty Bell.

[edit] Motto

Ad Finem Fidelis - "Faithful to the End"

Emblazoned across the bottom banner of the "Jolly Franklin", this Latin phrase describes the true spirit of Philadelphia and soccer fans while reminding Sons of Ben of their mission, supporting the Philadelphia team to the final whistle and beyond, both on and off the pitch.

[edit] Philanthropy

December 2007 marked the Sons of Ben's first philanthropic effort, The Sons of Ben Help Kick Hunger. Help Kick Hunger is a canned food and donation drive aimed to benefit The Bernardine Center in Chester which opened as an Emergency Food Cupboard. The Center designed the model Super Cupboard program in 1987. This program seeks to break the cycle of poverty and dependence for low-income mothers by providing weekly sessions that include nutrition education and life skills workshops. The Super Cupboard model has been copied extensively throughout Pennsylvania.

The 4Q07 drive raised $1,500 and 561 pounds of food for the Center.

The 1Q08 campaign raised $1,500 worth of Easter hams and an additional $1,000 for the Bernardine Center.