NFL Fan in England

At Wembley Stadium

Simon Myers, 42

Longtime Miami Dolphins and NFL fan living in the UK

From High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK

Now located in Ipswich, Suffolk, UK

Twitter: @SimonNMyers

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What is your forte?

I’ve been a long-suffering Dolphins fan for over 30 years!

What is your day job?

I work for Willis, a Global Insurance broker.

When you were a child, did you conceive of doing this sort of thing when you grew up? What did you want to be?

I always knew I’d be a fan once I started to watch the NFL but never did I think in my wildest dreams I’d be watching regular season games at Wembley Stadium.

That’s a giant Union Jack

Do you belong to any organizations?

I’m a member of Dolfan UK – the officially recognized fan club of the Dolphins in the UK, and a Season Ticket holder for the International Series games at Wembley Stadium.

Apart from being an NFL and Miami Dolphins fan, I am also a Fantasy Football junkie. I’ve been a member of the same League for the last 15 years, with other players around the World in the UK, Europe and US (I have even met some of them). It’s a very competitive league and I am pleased to say I have won the Championship twice. This might not seem many considering the number of seasons we’ve been playing, but consider that no one else has won the league more than two times.

I’m also a member of the Tuesday Morning Football Live Fantasy League (@TMFootballUK), which is a League run by the UK based podcast of the same name. This League also contains some ‘celebs’ such as Mark Hunter (GB Olympic Gold Medalist – rowing), Nat Coombs (UK TV Broadcaster/Presenter of Sunday Night Football Live and a weekly highlights show, plus host of the Americarnage and The Extra Yard podcasts), plus Author and NFL Superfan Adam Goldstein (Tailgate to Heaven).

I also take part in a work Fantasy League with some colleagues who are based in New York.

What personal attributes must someone have in order to be able to be this kind of fan?

One needs to have a lot of patience when supporting the Dolphins.

“I used to set my alarm so I could wake up in the middle of the night at 2 AM to listen to the game on Armed Forces Radio, which was usually a dodgy signal.”

What made you interested in American Football in the first place?

My Dad introduced me to the NFL.  The first game I watched was the Dolphins vs. the Chargers, and I liked the way the Fins #13 kept throwing the ball waaaaaaayyyyy down field. The Dolphins lost in overtime but I was hooked.

How did you learn about the sport?

My Dad taught me the basic rules when he introduced me to the sport back in the mid 1980’s. If he hadn’t done that, who knows whether I would have taken such an interest. Not many of my mates are fans of the NFL so I rely on banter with my Dad, who is still a fan (the Raiders, oh dear!) at 71 years of age.

Father and son bonding

How many hours do you devote to following football per week?

Three hours every Sunday evening watching Live games or Red Zone (love the Octobox!), following the Dolphins games on NFL.com Gamecenter, plus many more hours catching up on Twitter and other NFL sites. I listen to Miami Dolphin games on the NFL Audio Pass which is free outside of the US to anyone who downloads the NFL Mobile App on their Smartphone or Tablet.

Do you do this year-round? Is it seasonal?

All year round, there is always something going on.

Do you travel as part of this pastime?

I travel to Wembley Stadium to watch the International Series games, to London for the Super Bowl party hosted by @TMFootballUK, and to London again for the annual TMF Live Fantasy League Draft.

A view from the stands

If you could change one thing about being a fan from a different country, what would it be?

I’d change the kick off times! The time difference can be a killer, especially for the late Sunday and mid-week games. So nowadays, if the Dolphins games are on TV at these times I tend to record them on my Satellite box (I think Americans call it Tivo? [DVR – Ed.]) and watch them the next day. I go on a sports blackout to try and not find out the score which doesn’t always work!

What do you typically wear when engaging in this pastime?

My personalized Miami Dolphins game jersey numbered #13.

How does technology impact your ability to be a fan?

Without the Internet, I don’t think I’d be able to follow the NFL as much, and I certainly wouldn’t be playing Fantasy Football.

Do you use any particular tools specific to this pastime?

Satellite TV, iPad, iPhone and an Internet connection.

Have you received any injuries connected to being a fan? If so, what?

No injuries as such, but my camera broke once. I went to Miami in 2002 with my brother and my camera broke before the game. I have no photos (only memories of a defeat to the Bills) and I haven’t made it back to Miami since.

Are there any words or terms used in this pastime that you could share and explain?

Any fan of the NFL would know all the jargon and terminology used. But, in my opinion, “New York Bozo” is better than “Omaha.”

What are the biggest misconceptions people have about what you do?

Anyone in the UK who doesn’t follow the NFL tend to think there are too many breaks in play and many complicated rules.  I would say to them give it a chance and you might enjoy it.

What is the hardest part of being a fan of American Football?

Watching your mediocre team, year after year.

Mr. Myers sporting his jersey

Is your pastime ever mundane? Do you ever stop doing it?

Watching the NFL or supporting the Dolphins is never mundane.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?

Watching the Dolphins play well, or seeing my Fantasy Football team do well!

What is it you love about being a fan of football?

Just being a fan and following your team hoping that one day they will come good and be Champions.

People would be surprised to know that:

As a kid, if the Dolphins were playing on Monday Night Football, I used to set my alarm so I could wake up in the middle of the night at 2 AM to listen to the game on Armed Forces Radio, which was usually a dodgy signal. Despite having school the next day of course.

Without fail, I used to put my Miami Dolphins sweater on when I got home from school, each and every day for a year. That is, until my Mum nabbed it and put it in the wash!

What advice would you give someone interested in taking up this pastime?

Stay loyal and support your team through thick and thin (mostly thin in my case!)

Can you please share an anecdote about being a Miami Dolphins fan?

The first of my two trips to Miami to see a game was in 1999 where I would finally get to see Dan Marino play Quarterback for the Dolphins. He was my all-time hero.  He got injured 6 or 7 weeks before I was due to travel, plenty of time to recover I thought. I travelled all that way to Miami to watch Dan play and he didn’t recover in time.  He returned to action the following week when I was home. I was gutted.

Firefighter

Thomas Louis D’Andrea, 41

City of Pittsburgh Firefighter

Years on the job: 9

Prior to becoming a Firefighter, I was a Union Building Trades Carpenter.

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When you were a child, did you conceive of doing this sort of thing when you grew up? What did you want to be?

I never for one moment thought of being a Firefighter.

What training does someone have to have to be a firefighter?

An applicant must successfully complete a civil service exam. This consists of an academic, physical, and background examination. The entire training academy is very valuable to success as a Firefighter.

What personal attributes must someone have in order to be a firefighter?

A will to serve your community and bravery (or as some say, “balls and water”).

“At firefighting, the limit is endless. A lot of things can burn.”

What advice would you give someone interested in being a firefighter?

Come in with no preconception about what you think you’ve heard about this job. Definitely form your own opinions.

What does your work consist of?

I work on an aerial ladder, or “truck.” We are each a part of a team. Four people to each rig. As a firefighter, we are also EMT’s, so we perform a lot of basic life support duties.

How many hours are in your working week?

Typically, 48. However, sometimes 60 or more.

Where are you based?

I am assigned to 14 Truck, which is located in the Oakland section of the city. I do however work in different parts of the city on what would be an overtime shift.

Do you listen to music while you work? If so, what?

No. It would not work out very well.

What do you typically wear to work?

We wear an assigned uniform.

What raw materials do you work with?

At firefighting, the limit is endless. A lot of things can burn.

How does technology impact your work?

We use several technologies that the general public never gets to see. Different thermal imaging apparatus. Different gas and vapor meters. Forcible entry tools. The list goes on. This technology aids us greatly in our work.

Do you use any specific tools?

Many. An axe, Halligan tool, and pike pole, which would be basic hand tools. We also use a thermal imaging camera, and gas meters. A thermal imager allows us to crawl in a vision impaired environment and be able to spot people or fire.

This bad boy 

Have you received any injuries as a firefighter? If so, what?

I have. While fighting a third floor apartment fire, due to lack of ventilation, all of the smoke and combustibles ignited at once. This is referred to as a flashover, or backdraft. My crew and I received mostly second degree burns to our head, hands, and face.

What are the biggest misconceptions people have about what you do?

Many people believe that we are all 300 lbs., and lay in recliners all day and night.

What is the hardest part of being a firefighter?

A really good fire is the most physically taxing things that anyone could ever hope to be challenged by.

What is the most mundane part of being a firefighter?

Waiting for calls to come in.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?

Rescuing a victim, or mitigating hazards that would have otherwise destroyed someone’s entire existence.

What is it you love about being a firefighter?

Basically, everything.

Is there anything else you would like to share with Forte readers?

Peace and Love.

Train Driver

Russell Burridge, 57

Train Driver 

(Locomotive Engineer in US parlance)

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What does your work consist of?

I drive (operate) passenger trains worth about $2 million per car/carriage, at speeds of up to 110 mph, along what is now Britain's busiest 4-track mainline railway. We share the tracks with Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Trains franchise which operate tilting Italian-built ‘Pendolino’ trains. At London Midland we operate mostly German-built Desiro trains which can be 4, 8 or 12 cars in length, depending on the service level.

Desiro train

How long have you been a train driver?

Almost 13 years, but I also worked as a Train Driver/Engineer many years ago in my early 20s for five years. I used to work on the Ffestiniog Railway in North Wales and was a driver there for 10 years from 1978, but only three of them full time, the remainder as a volunteer during holidays. The trains there are narrow gauge, only 24 inches between the rails instead of the normal 56 ½," so the engines and carriages are that much smaller.

“…if we weren’t any good at stopping, then we couldn’t stop a 500-ton, 240 yard-long train within 6 inches of a stop board in a platform…”

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?

Getting a busy commuter train into London on time, or a minute early in the morning rush hour.

When you were a child, did you conceive of doing this sort of thing when you grew up? What did you want to be?

Yes!  I always wanted to be a train driver from when I was about four years old. At 21 I was a Train Driver, so you could say I achieved my lifetime ambition a bit too early. However, I came back to the industry after a 20 year gap and had to learn a whole different ball game!

Aboard Linda, 1978

Where are you from?

I'm originally from Bournemouth, on the UK south coast. It's a very cosmopolitan town of over 1/4 million.

Where are you located now?

I'm now based in Milton Keynes about half way between London and Birmingham, the UK’s second-largest City. I operate trains between those two Cities, plus other routes.

A tiny bit of North Wales

Do you work for a company or organization — if so, what?

I work for a Franchised operation, currently 'owned' by GOVIA, a joint French/UK company who also run other UK-based passenger railway franchises.

What other lines of work have you had?

I worked in the IT industry for 19 years until I got bored of drifting into a Management-only role. I enjoyed designing and programming various systems with my Team until short-sighted senior management put it out to (more expensive) third-party contract work. I’ve also worked as a metal workshop machinist using lathes and milling machines, and also as a Fabricator/Welder.

What training does someone have to have to be qualified to drive a train?

You have to pass a series of aptitude and psychometric tests to even get on the training course, which then lasts between 10 and 12 months depending on various factors, usually down to availability of Instructing Drivers. Nearly all training is undertaken by currently qualified and practicing Train Drivers who all know the trains, tracks, and station stops inside out. Indeed, after qualification, newly-qualified Drivers are expected to undertake exactly the same work as a Driver who might have 40 years’ experience.

What personal attributes must someone have in order to be able to do this line of work?

You have to like, or put up with, shift work, including some very early starts and late finishes. Early turns can start anytime between 04.15 and 11.00 at our Depot. Late turns usually start after midday and can finish around 01.00 or 02.00 AM. As a Driver you do not get much chance to interact with others so you have to be good at keeping your own company, and stay alert for periods of up to two hours at a time. You have to be able to manage your home and family life around work. It is often looked upon as a vocation and as such it has its own special considerations.

What lesson was the hardest to learn about driving a train?

After learning and retaining over 400 different rules and regulations, and with updates to many over the years, along with changes to train times, signaling, the trains themselves, and new and improved safety systems, the hardest thing initially is remembering all the varying places along the line where the brakes are applied. Depending on the weather conditions, which can vary each day, to enable each train to stop accurately at each station requires the driver to remember about 8 to 12 ‘braking points’ for each station depending on which line and direction is being used.

What advice would you give someone interested in being a train driver?

Think long and hard before deciding, but if you do you will be well paid in an industry where many are not.

How many hours are in your working week?

35 hrs in a 4-day week, but the hours differ each day, with an average of 8 ¾ hrs per shift. Some are less (6+ hrs) or more (up to 10 hrs). It’s a full time job with approx seven weeks (28 days) off per annum. 

Would you consider this a job, a vocation, or a sideline?

It’s a vocation for some, simply a job to others. Anyone who treats it as a sideline wouldn’t last long in the grade – it has to be taken very seriously, but it does have its light-hearted moments.

Where is your work located? One place or various locations?

Between London and Birmingham, but I always start and finish work at Bletchley Station, just across the road from the famous wartime Enigma code-breaking centre at Bletchley Park!

Do you have to travel as part of this work?

Sometimes we travel as a passenger to another station before starting driving, but we are on duty for all hours, traveling or driving.

Do you work alone or as part of a team?

I work alone, but am part of a ‘link’, a team of about 30 who work similar rosters, hours, routes. There are other links at the same location, so in total I work with about 200 others. Added to that number are another 140 Train Guards/Conductors.

Do you listen to music while you work? If so, what?

It’s forbidden, and is a sackable offence, as is using a mobile/cell phone.

If you could change one thing about your work environment, what would it be?

The early starts – why do folk want to travel so early in the morning?

What do you typically wear to work?

A uniform, but it varies between a two-piece suit type to a more casual Harrington jacket with polo-neck shirts. Safety shoes are de-rigueur.

What raw materials do you work with?

Electricity! Usually supplied at 25,000 volts A.C.

At the mobile office

How does technology impact train driving?

Our latest trains, like modern aircraft, are fly-by-wire, so there are computers on board that we interact with via various cab-based controls, such as a combined Power/Brake controller. Each train of 4 cars is a Unit, and as such has its own on-board Ethernet network to connect all the equipment. When another Unit is coupled to the first, that Unit’s network connects to the first Unit’s network, and so on, up to 3 Units coupled. So, when the Driver calls for power to be applied via motors to the wheels to move the train, all Units move together.

Do you use any particular tools specific to this work?

Not really, but we do have some specially-shaped ‘keys’ which are used exclusively on UK trains for unlocking the control desk, and hence operating the train.

What are the biggest misconceptions people have about what you do?

They think it’s all computerized and we do nothing except monitor stuff. NO! If the driver did nothing the train wouldn’t move, and if we weren’t any good at stopping, then we couldn’t stop a 500-ton, 240 yard-long train within 6 inches of a stop board in a platform, at the same time as braking from over 100mph to zero!

Have you received any injuries connected to your work? If so, what?

No, not yet, and I hope not to, although if you are not careful you can trip over obstacles, or fall off the cab access steps whilst climbing up or down from your cab when not next to a platform.

Are there any words or terms used in your line of work that you could share and explain?

The UK Railway scene is full of acronyms. If it wasn’t then you’d take all day explaining something to a colleague. So terms get shortened, and 3 and 4-letter acronyms are the norm.  A few examples are OHLE, Overhead Line Equipment; GMRS-R, Global Mobile Radio System – Rail; HST, High Speed Train; We also use the Phonetic Alphabet for all spoken communications. Accuracy of comms is very important on the railway, especially in a emergency situation.

What is the hardest part of beign a train driver?

Staying as alert at the end of a 10 hour shift as at the beginning.

What is the most mundane part of being a train driver?

Sitting around when you are a ‘spare’ driver. Spare drivers are always needed to cover for sudden or unplanned absence or sickness.

What is it you love about what you do?

Not sure, but changing scenery, the fact that it isn’t a typical desk job, and that every day is different, might be contributing factors.

The age of steam!

Can you please share an anecdote about driving a train?

Always have a spare set of keys with you. When you drop your only Driver’s Key on the track in the rain at night you don’t really want to go searching for it amongst the filthy, wet ballast. 

Where can you be found online?

My work doesn't appear on-line, and as it is a safety-critical occupation we are not normally allowed to have anyone with us in our Driver’s Cab unless they are our own management, or railway infrastructure engineers. Bit like today's airline cockpit protocols as regards visits, security, etc.

People would be surprised to know that:

You don’t end up taking your work home with you. All there is to worry about is what day and time you are next at work.