At any home game of Monterey Bay F.C. at Cardinale Stadium, fans fill the bleachers. There is one fan no one can miss: Dan Devlin, known as Superfan Dan. He stands out with a colorful hat and rainbow cape and fires up the crowd with his portable drum and leads chants of “Let’s go Union,” or the call and response “MB!” “FC!” He also leads a parade of the youngest fans around the stadium, part of the experience for many of the children who attend games.
For the past few weeks, the spirit at the stadium has been duller. On one hand, the team is facing the worst outcome since its inception, with seven wins, nine draws and 14 losses so far in its third season. The losing streak prompted changes on the coaching staff; MBFC parted ways with head coach Frank Yallop and hired Jordan Stewart in August to replace him. Despite the changes, the team’s performance has not improved.
That dampened the moods of some fans, but so has Devlin’s presence. While he has still attended home games, he was missing his colorful costume and drum at two. He wore regular clothing and stayed in the stands until Sept. 28, when he was back, but in a more muted form.
This odd behavior has sparked controversy among fans wondering why he wasn’t energizing the spirit at the stadium. Some have been showing up to games wearing T-shirts with the slogan “I stand with Superfan Dan.” Some regulars are even starting to wonder if it will be worth it to buy season tickets for next year.
Devlin declines to speak about the circumstances that led him to the sidelines, and MBFC officials are vague in their explanations. On Sept. 26, MBFC released a statement calling it a misunderstanding. “Superfan Dan has always had the support of the club,” it read.
According to MBFC, no one from the club has shared negative remarks about Devlin and his fandom, and MBFC leaders have talked to him. The team claims a third party “made terrible, untrue and unsubstantiated claims from the club towards Superfan Dan,” a spokesperson writes via email.
“The club fully supports and enjoys the Superfan Dan parade and the excitement that it brings to our young fans each home match,” MBFC adds.
MBFC’s regular season ends on Oct. 26. Their next game takes place on Oct. 4 against Phoenix Rising FC in Arizona. Just one home game, against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, remains on the calendar for this season, on Saturday, Oct. 19.
(5) comments
I stand with Superfan Dan. He makes the games so much more fun
First, we were to understand it was a “misunderstanding.” Now it’s the fault of a “third party.” All I see is an organization refusing to accept responsibility and apologize for “terrible, untrue and unsubstantiated claims” made about Dan, the most visible, joyful, inclusive, and positive fan in the stands. First timers to Cardinals Stadium would be forgiven to assume Superfan Dan was an official mascot. However, Dan is not employed by MBFC and therefore owes the club NOTHING. He has given so much and doesn’t deserve the disrespect. I stand with Superfan Dan.
I’m a Super Fan Dan fan! It’s wild that the MBFC statement is an admission wrapped in a lie. A third party comment wouldn’t have caused all of this.
So they're acknowledging that they're aware a despicable comment was made, but they deflect any responsibility and blame a "third party". Maybe it was a disgruntled janitor who happened to be in the room? A lost hiker passing through the office? It could never have been the angelic Mike DiGiulio! Absolute farce of a club. Get rid of the toxic management.
I stand with Superfan Dan
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