These Noisemakers Are FC Tampa Bay's Biggest Fans

ST. PETERSBURG - Many pro sports teams have fan clubs made up of ardent, vocal supporters. But how many organizations have their very own mob?

St. Pete’s own NASL soccer club, FC Tampa Bay, does.

Ralph's Mob started out as six big-time fans whose loyalty dates back to the team’s first practice game in March 2010. The group has steadily grown into 426 strong, and counting.

Fans can become official members by paying a small fee, which allows them to get discounts on tickets, merchandise, and food and drinks at Crowley's.

Or people can just join the Mob on Facebook or at the games free of charge; at least 35 people joined after witnessing the Mob in action at last week’s home opener against the Montreal Impact.

“It’s almost organic,” Mob president Steve Holler says of the group's magnetism.

The Mob – named after the original Tampa Bay Rowdies mascot, Rowdy Ralph - meets at Crowley’s on Central Ave on home game days and marches over to Al Lang an hour prior to the game. You can hear them coming.

Once inside, the group uses coordinated chants, a booming bass drum, waving flags and non-stop cheering to show their support for the team. Nothing subtle about them, Ralph's mob is easy to notice and hard to ignore. Members green their faces, hair and beards. Noise also is a big part of their support.

Holler, an attorney who claims that running the Mob is more taxing than his full-time job, says the reason behind the group’s – and the team’s – popularity is obvious.

“When the (Major League Soccer Tampa Bay) Mutiny went under (in 2001), it left a hole, because there is no MLS team in the Southeast,” he said at Crowley’s prior to Sunday night’s game against Puerto Rico. “This is a very soccer-starved area. “

By utilizing social media marketing techniques such as Twitter and Facebook, direct marketing tactics like hanging Rowdy scarves and schedules on sign posts around town, and good old-fashioned word-of-mouth, the group’s membership is expanding on a weekly basis.

St. Pete resident Greg Dupes decided to join Ralph’s Mob after attending the home opener.

“We need to join Ralph’s Mob,” he told his buddies after witnessing the Mob in action. “When you go to a Rays game, it’s so boring and quiet. This is exciting.”

Fans sitting in the stadium seemed to agree.

“It gives the game a little European flavor. I kinda like it,” Tampa resident Travis Robinson said from his seat, located a few rows in front of the Mob. His 8-year-old son Julian wanted to sit next to them after seeing – and hearing them –last week.

One prominent local resident who has the Mob’s back is St. Pete Mayor Bill Foster.

Sitting in the stands toward the end of the game – which FC Tampa Bay lost, 2-0 – Foster is glad to have the Mob backing the team.

“It gives the whole ambience of the game real soccer flair. I think it’s great," the mayor said. "They’re a well-organized Mob and their our Mob, so nobody better say anything bad about them.” 

“I just hope we don’t run out of beer,” he added.

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