New to Main Street Hooligans? Who we are, how to find us at the stadium, and how to join in.
Who we are
We are the Main Street Hooligans, AFC Ann Arbor’s core supporters’ group. Founded in 2015 alongside the club we love, we’ve wandered through every era of AFC Ann Arbor soccer, cheering on our players past and present. Leagues change, opponents come and go, and rivalries form and fade, but who we are has never changed:
We love our players
AFC Ann Arbor plays in USL League Two and the USL W League, so players come and go from year to year as they reach different points in their development. No matter their age, skill level, or where they come from, we adore our players. We sing and chant their names, celebrate their victories with them, and cheer their accomplishments with the team and beyond.
Many of our players have gone on to play for bigger clubs, and we always keep a close eye on their careers. We like to say that once you join the AFC Ann Arbor family, you’re part of the family for life.
We represent our city
Ann Arbor is many things. For some of us it’s home, for others it’s where we come to hang out, and some of us went to school here (high school and beyond) or grew up here. It’s full of people of different ethnicities, orientations, religions, and political views. That melting pot is reflected not only in how our team operates, but in our own values and how we represent ourselves. You’ll often see pride flags and colors among us, and the occasional Rosie the Riveter cosplay, and you’ll find us out in full force for the men’s and women’s teams alike.
We’re also proud to give back to our city through charities and volunteer groups. You can read more about the groups we support.
We are respectful
AFC Ann Arbor is a family-friendly club, and we do our best to uphold those values. We may yell, curse, and complain at the refs quite a lot, but most of it is in good fun. We want to try to maintain a balance between being very passionate about our team, while still exemplifying good behavior.
We don’t:
- Insult anyone for their race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, or identity.
- Verbally or physically threaten any players, coaches, or officials.
- Get overly obscene in our chants or gestures.
- Cheer or continue chants when an opposing player is injured.
We do:
- Try to set a good example for others.
- Get loud, obnoxious, and straight-up annoying at times.
- Encourage and respect our own players.
- Follow the rules and guidelines set by the team, the stadium, and the league.
If you see a member of the Main Street Hooligans, or any other fan, acting out of line with these values, feel free to speak up.
Your first match
Where we play
AFC Ann Arbor plays its home matches at Hollway Field at Pioneer High School, on Main Street across from Michigan Stadium. Parking is free, and doors open an hour before kickoff. Your ticket lets you sit anywhere in the stadium, and the Main Street Hooligans usually sit near the bottom middle of the home stand.
How to join
The Main Street Hooligans aren’t officially part of the club, so joining us is as simple as showing up. There are no membership fees or dues, and nothing to sign. Look for the row of scarves hanging off the bottom railing, along with our banner and flags. And if you spot one of us in the concourse, don’t be shy about saying hi!
What to wear
Wear team colors! Scarves and other merch are sold at the stadium and on the team store, and season memberships from the club sometimes come with merch too. The seats aren’t covered, so dress for the weather: a rain jacket on wet days, sunscreen on sunny ones.
Schedule and tickets
You can find the schedule and buy tickets once they’re available ahead of next season.
Our traditions
Like many other supporters’ groups, we’re proud of our traditions.
March into the stadium
Our numbers have dwindled since the early days, but we’re hoping to bring back the tradition of marching into the stadium from the parking lot starting in the 2027 season. More to come as we get it organized.
No national anthem
AFC Ann Arbor doesn’t play the national anthem before matches. Beyond the political, social, and practical reasons for skipping it, we at the Main Street Hooligans believe that everything we do is for our players. And since each year’s roster is a racially and culturally diverse group of men and women from across the country and around the world, playing an American anthem before every match makes even less sense.
“Mighty Oak” (Théoden’s) Battle Cry
Right after kickoff, one of our members starts the “Mighty Oak” (Théoden’s) Battle Cry to rally our troops, both on the field and in the stands. It leads straight into our other chants.
Goal count
After every goal we score, we do the “We Want More Goals” chant, borrowed from University of Michigan hockey fans. In past years we’ve put our own spin on it for the Goals for Trees initiative, and we may again, so keep your ears open if the chant changes.
#COYMO
Around the 66th minute, one of our members starts the “COYMO” chant. See the FAQ below for what “COYMO” means.
Postgame
Before the final whistle, our group informally votes on the player of the match (POTM).
At the end of the match, win or lose, we always sing “We Love You Mighty Oak” first. Then we call over the player we voted for and present them with a POTM medal.
Get involved
Showing up is all it takes to be one of us, but if you want to do more, here’s how.
Stay in the loop
Follow us on Bluesky and Facebook, and join our Discord (the links are at the top and bottom of every page). You can also sign up for our newsletter.
Come to an event
Besides match days, we get together for watch parties, socials, and volunteering. See what’s coming up on our Events page.
Learn the chants
The fastest way to feel at home in the stands is to sing along. Every song and chant is on our Songs & Chants page.
Bring the noise
Scarves, flags, and your own drum or other instrument are all welcome. (See the FAQ below about our drums.)
Give back
We support local charities and organizations through giving and volunteering. See Who We Support for what we’re working on.
Lend a hand
Want to help with banners, the march into the stadium, or something else? Get in touch. We’d love the help.
FAQ
What does “AFC” stand for?
AFC stands for “Association Football Club.”
In fact, it’s where the word “soccer” comes from. In the 1880s, linguistically creative students at the University of Oxford distinguished between “rugger” (rugby football) and “assoccer” (association football). The latter was shortened to “soccer” (sometimes spelled “socker”), and the name quickly spread beyond campus.
What does “COYMO” stand for?
COYMO stands for “Come On You Mighty Oak,” which has long been a main tagline for AFC Ann Arbor and the Main Street Hooligans. You’ll often see it as a hashtag on social media from the club and its supporters.
Do I need a membership to join?
No. The Main Street Hooligans are an informal supporters’ group, not affiliated with the club, so there’s no membership. The only thing that unites us is that we love soccer and our team enough to drive us crazy!
Are smoke and flares allowed?
They were allowed or tolerated in the past, but under Hollway Field’s current policy, smoke and flares are NOT allowed. You’re welcome to set them off in the parking lot, but not inside the stadium.
Can I play the drums?
We kindly ask that you not play our instruments, but you’re always welcome to bring your own and play along with us. The more the merrier!