Each Tuesday, Nasl.com will be doing a feature on one of the many supporters groups in the NASL.

Today the NASL features Triangle Soccer Fanatics, supporters of the Carolina RailHawks.

Triangle Soccer Fanatics (TSF) is an independent soccer supporters club based in the Raleigh-Durham area that supports the Carolina RailHawks and the United States national teams. Created in 2003, the group is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their founding this year.

Years before the formation of the Carolina RailHawks, the group was created by founder W. Jarrett Campbell as a means to find other passionate soccer fans in the area.

“I started a YahooGroups mailing list to connect U.S. soccer fans in the area,” recalled TSF founder Jarrett Campbell. “That mailing list eventually grew into a blog, [then a] website, and ultimately, the Triangle Soccer Fanatics supporters club.”

Following the creation of the RailHawks ahead of the 2007 season, there was an extra bit of personal motivation for Campbell to continue to grow the club.

“I wanted my children to have an opportunity to grow up attending professional soccer matches in a stadium with an atmosphere like I experienced when I had traveled in Europe for work,” said Campbell. “I thought that forming a supporters club would help foster [that matchday experience] with our local teams.”

Standing in section 309 of WakeMed Soccer Park, nicknamed “The Lonerider 309 Depot,” over 100 members of Triangle Soccer Fanatics assemble to chant and cheer the RailHawks on to victory for the duration of the match.

Before the match, TSF meets for tailgating activities, and afterwards “[retires] to a local bar for a little post-match revelry, which is often joined by players and staff from the Carolina RailHawks.” 

What sets the club apart from other supporters groups in the NASL, or any other league in the country, is their acceptance of all types of soccer fans.

“I've made wonderful friends through the group with folks half my age, and twice my age,” says Campbell.

“There's no pretension or definition of how ‘hardcore’ you need to be to participate in TSF. From folks at their first ever soccer game, to those of us that have been doing this for decades, all soccer fans are welcome to be a part of our club.”

Previously covered on Nasl.com:

Atlanta Ultras (Atlanta Silverbacks): http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3767

Flight 19and The Ultras (Fort Lauderdale Strikers): http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3722

Ralph’s Mob (Tampa Bay Rowdies): http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3740