| We all have one thing in common,
an insatiable need to watch and follow the Cleveland Browns!
Most of us are born into the life (like Wyatt, on the right)
others are converted when they see how exciting the Browns can
be and how passionate the fans are. Nothing can compare to the
Dawg Pound!
Before the betrayal, there was an official
local chapter of Browns backers for Bradenton - Sarasota, which
used to claim a membership of several hundred if not over a
thousand or so fans, would descend weekly on the Airport
Holiday Inn and take over the place for 4 hours.
After the 3 year hiatus, this organization
regrouped about 100 members and we met at the Rusty Rudder for
the 1999 season. All in all this wasn't too bad but it wasn't
the same and sometime after the season this bar was sold. For
the 2000 season, organizers decided to have 2 meeting locations
- 1 in Sarasota (Crazy Ted's) and 1 in Bradenton (Bradenton Ale
House) this further split up what was left of the Browns backers
of the area Not to mention that sometimes the group leaders
wouldn't even show at either place, opting instead to meet at a
private farm in Myakka.
News Flash - Meeting in a barn is NOT
FOOTBALL !!!
A few of us disenchanted fan
decided to attempt to resurrect
the fan base for Browns fans in the Sarasota area for the
promising 2001 season. We visited 3 potential locations and
decided on the Sports
Page Bar & Grille for 2 main reasons - 1.) At least one guaranteed
TV 2.) They serve excellent (a bit pricey) food. The Sports Page
has about 12 TVs and shows all games simultaneously.
Our goal to become an "official"
chapter of the Worldwide
Cleveland Browns Backers was achieved on Dec. 31, 2001 when
we received our certification from the Cleveland Browns
organization. We hope to bring the fans back
together much the way it used to be. Once we had
sufficient numbers we wanted to find a location to accommodate us as a
permanent home. We found a great place near Gulf Gate
called T.P. Hans. they were wonderful hosts of the 2002 season
giving us 2 large TVs and half of their main dining room and one
small TV outside (for smokers). Unfortunately, the restaurant was
sold and we were again "homeless". 2003 we
found FinDaddy's who were looking to bolster their football crowd
with regular patrons. We work out a deal to get 1 big-screen TV
and 1 small TV in an area that seats about 40-50 people. Seating
is tentatively reserved for Browns Fans until about 15 minutes
after kickoff. Since then the relationship
has grown stronger between Findaddy's and the Sarasota Browns
Backers and only promises to get better. We consistently draw 25 -
40 people each week and on opening day and Pittsburgh weeks we
draw 60 or more. One of the best things
is to meet the many out of town Browns fans who stop by to catch
the game with us.
|
Wyatt
Special Thanks to:
FinDaddy's
&
Smokey's:
Dan Henson & Mike Granthron
Bob, BC, Debbie, Sean,
and the rest of the
Sports Page Staff
T. P. Hans;
Craig Bridges, Manager,
Crystal, Tiffany and Nina and the rest of the Staff |
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