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From across the pond and right in the thick of the red-and-white buzz, ReggieGee The Tallahassee Bee drops into Tampa’s Fan Fest to soak up the sights, sounds and soaring European dreams of Brentford fans Stateside

More than 7,000 fans from all across the U.S. flocked to the Armature Works in Tampa, Florida, for the first day of the latest Premier League Fan Fest. 

Tampa Premier League Fan Fest

NBC, the network that broadcasts league matches in the U.S., invited fans to watch their teams play on big screens during the live broadcast. About 30 Brentford fans arrived, bleary-eyed, at 7:30 a.m. to witness the Bees’ scoreless draw with Fulham together.

 

This is the 12th Fan Fest. Previous ones have been held in Washington, D.C., New York, Boston, Austin (Texas), Miami Beach, Los Angeles, Orlando, Philadelphia, Nashville (Tennessee), Chicago and Kansas City.

These events have become the places to be seen, especially with the rising popularity of English football in the U.S, the ease of following matches globally with today’s technology, and the World Cup kicking off in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in seven weeks time

Brentford player Fabio Carvalho at the Tampa Premier League Fan Fest

Some of the clubs in the Premier League send representatives across the pond to put on various activities and events. For this one, Brentford set up a very popular “Long Thow-In” booth at the Fan Fest which could be identified by the club’s signature Bus Stop in Hounslow sign. Brentford even sent two of their senior squad players, Antoni Milambo and Fabio Carvalho, to meet with fans and conduct interviews. Both players had suffered season-ending injuries late last year.

Carvalho signed for Fulham in 2020 and played for our West London rivals for two years before transferring to Liverpool in 2022, before signing for Brentford in 2024. He told me he was disappointed the Bees didn’t get the win against his former club, but he feels very positive about the remaining matches and even mentioned the E word.

“We need to get into Europe, whether it’s Conference or Europa League,” Carvalho said. “Yeah, we need to get into Europe, and I think we will.” 

Brentford also sent one of its ambassadors, former player Marcus Gayle, who credits the club’s entire staff for the team’s success this season. In 7th place and on the cusp of a possible European tour seems like a dream.

“It’s been a great year. It unfolded before our eyes with the games,” Gayle said

“But that’s what people need to expect. It’s the new normal at this level, and I think that’s richly deserved. We’ve not done anything by chance. We do things with precision and deadly execution.”

Marcus Gayle, Fabio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo at the Tampa Premier League Fan Fest

In total, nearly 100,000 fans have attended the previous 11 Fan Fests. This is my third. And even though they’re super-commercial, the best part for me is being able to meet up with fellow Bees fans and hear what they have to say.

Chris from Tampa is hoping Christmas comes early this year, even though the remaining matches are against difficult opponents.

 

“I’m really disappointed that they couldn’t get the win against Fulham this morning,” he said. 

“That would have been a really important three points, but I would love, love, to watch games at Brentford next year on European night.”

Bruce Muni flew down from New Jersey with his wife, Sarah. He said he would like the Bees to qualify for the Europa Conference League because of the fewer group stage matches (six as opposed to eight in the Europa and Champions leagues). But he is concerned about the rigors of playing in Europe and how it might affect our league form.

“Look at (Nottingham) Forest this year,” he said

“Forest is going to the semi-final. They probably won’t get past (Aston) Villa, but they’re in the relegation mix.”

Rebecca Lowe and Robbie Earle at Brentford’s Bus Stop in Hounslow at the Tampa Premier League Fan Fest

Nicky Brocato, AKA Nicky Bee, is thinking positive about the end of this season and predicts Brentford will get back to their winning ways.

“I think Chelsea is going to choke,” he said.

“I think we’re going to get back on. I think we’re going to get back on top and get some wins. I’m tired of these draws. We need the three points. I think we finish sixth.”

Brentford fans at the Premier League Fan Fest in Tampa

Michel Cowdery flew down from Atlanta for the Fan Fest. As a longtime Brentford fan, he said he is loving every minute of every season in the Premier League.

“Just the fact that we are even contemplating playing in a European competition is ridiculous.”