Sep 23, 2024
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) werent so brilliant on Sunday losing 26-7 to the Denver Broncos.But for 115 fans from across the pond, it was still an amazing weekend at Raymond James Stadium.The atmosphere is absolutely incredible, David Cambridge, a Bucs fan from the UK, said. Its a real entertainment experience. For those of us who follow soccer in the UK, its about the sport. Here, its an event. Its just fantastic.The Bucs UK Fan Club is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Formed in 1984 with only six members, it is the longest-running NFL fan club in the UK.It started as a newsletter of the press coverage that came from the States, Bucs UK founding member Gareth James said. It was put together by the guy who founded the club. He would send it out to members so we could stay in touch with what was going on.These fans could have picked any team in the NFL to support, but they chose to root for a franchise that had lost its first 26 games.James became a Bucs fan in 1981 when he bought a creamsicle t-shirt at 10 years old.I didnt know who they were, but I thought the colors were nice. The creamsicle orange was nice, he said. "Then I found out how bad they were at the time. The first few years I supported them they were 2-14 and 2-14. I thought they got to get better eventually.The Bucs did get better with two Super Bowl championships.Today the club has around 500 members.Ive been a Bucs fan since 2007, Alan Taylor said. We were on a family holiday. We came to a game. Loved it. Weve been coming back every year ever since.These fans are dedicated. They have to be. Theyre tuned in to every game, no matter what time Tampa Bay kicks off.Primetime doesnt even start at half past one in the morning here, Cambridge said. "Were up, were watching it live. Its over at five in the morning, then off to work two hours later.Its amazing. Its true fandom, Buccaneers COO Brian Ford said. "Weve built friendships over the years. These fans are like our normal Buccaneer fans. Theyre passionate, and we are very grateful for it.
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