Ralph’s Mob leading the cheers for Rowdies

Posted Mar 20, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Mar 20, 2010 at 03:25 PM

The Philadelphia Union has the Sons of Ben. The New York Red Bulls have the Empire Supporters Club. The Chicago Fire has Section 8.

The FC Tampa Bay Rowdies have Ralph’s Mob.

Founded by Paul Peluso, and named after the old Rowdies mascot Ralph Rowdie, the independent supporters club has been a loud presence at the first three Rowdies preseason games. On Sunday afternoon, the group will meet at MacDinton’s Irish Pub on Howard Ave. at 2 p.m. to discuss plans for the upcoming season.

Among those plans are a coach trip to the Rowdies first game against FC Miami on May 1, and getting more people signed up for season tickets in what will be the group’s official section of the stadium, Section 203.

Carrie Wininsky, who is one of the members leading the group, said the club itself and partner Playbook Management International, led by ticket sales manager Evan Mitz, have been a great help to the supporter’s club as the season approaches.

“Even has been amazing,” Wininski said. “I’ve met with him already twice, and the team is really working with us to not only help us, but they know we’re going to help them in the long run too.”

The group currently has 90 members. If you’d like to join, you can join their network, or become their fan on facebook.