Red Patch Boys
Encyclopedia
| Red Patch Boys | |
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| Team | Toronto FC Toronto FC Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.... |
| Location | BMO Field BMO Field BMO Field is a Canadian soccer stadium located in Exhibition Place in the city of Toronto. The open-air structure can seat up to 21,800 spectators, depending on seating configurations. It is owned by the City of Toronto, and managed by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd... : Sections 111, 112 |
| Established | 2006 |
| Website | redpatchboys.ca |
The Red Patch Boys is an officially recognized supporters group for Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
's
Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
. The group was founded in late 2006 by football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
fans in
the Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
area immediately after the announcement of Toronto FC's creation as Canada's first MLS franchise. An official identity, dedicated website and message board, and formal organization of the group later emerged, and the group has grown to become the largest supporters group for Toronto FC.
At Toronto FC home matches, the group is primarily based in sections 111 and 112 of BMO Field
BMO Field
BMO Field is a Canadian soccer stadium located in Exhibition Place in the city of Toronto. The open-air structure can seat up to 21,800 spectators, depending on seating configurations. It is owned by the City of Toronto, and managed by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd...
which has been named the "The Bunker", though RPB members can be found scattered all throughout the stadium. The mandate of the Red Patch Boys (RPBs) is to support and promote Toronto FC and the sport of soccer throughout Canada, and to help contribute to the atmosphere at all TFC home games. Along with the other supporter groups in Toronto, they have gained widespread notoriety for showering opposing players with streamers during corner kicks and goal celebrations. In addition to activities in their home stadium, several members also take part in away games at other MLS venues; notably Columbus, Chicago, and Foxborough. The group's name is a homage to the Red Patch Devils, a nickname given by Axis forces for the 1st Canadian Infantry Division
1st Canadian Infantry Division
The 1st Canadian Infantry Division was a formation mobilized on 1 September 1939 for service in the Second World War. The division was also reactivated twice during the Cold War....
which fought across Europe during the Second World War. The visual identity is based on the unit's badge which features a stylized Canadian Maple Leaf
Maple leaf
The maple leaf is the characteristic leaf of the maple tree, and is the most widely recognized national symbol of Canada.-Use in Canada:At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the settlements of New France had attained a population of about 18,000...
.
away-game viewing parties, arranges road trips to Toronto FC away matches, and takes part in various flag-making and chant-creating sessions with other Toronto FC Supporters. They are also involved in several charitable events and sponsor amateur youth soccer teams. The group's message board has been noted as a very important communication tool for all Toronto FC fans. The group maintains national and international links as well, and boasts several members from across Canada and around the world.
RPB Supporters Choice Award
At the end of each MLS regular season, the Red Patch Boys conduct an online poll for the annual Supporters Choice Award. The award is presented to a single player on the Toronto FC senior roster in recognition of their contribution to the success of the club and to the community over the course of the season.| Year/Season | Award Recipient |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Jim Brennan Jim Brennan Jim Brennan is a retired Canadian soccer player. During his playing career he gained experience playing extensively in Europe and North America, most notably with Bristol City, Nottingham Forest, Norwich City and Toronto FC.He also played 49 times for the Canadian national team, was... |
| 2008 | Carl Robinson Carl Robinson Carl Robinson is a Welsh footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Wolverhampton Wanderers:... |
| 2009 | Dwayne DeRosario |
| 2010 | Stefan Frei Stefan Frei Stefan Frei is a Swiss footballer who currently plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:... |
| 2011 | Joao Plata Joao Plata Joao Jimmy Plata Cotera is an Ecuadorian footballer who plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer on loan from LDU Quito.-LDU Quito:... |