This season, the Premier League's US Instagram account, @PLinUSA, has been highlighting the passionate, diverse PL fandom from coast to coast, in the series Premier League passion in the US: Fans' stories.
Meet Watford fan Dan from Duluth, who’s finding happiness through the outdoors and his club in the Great White North.
Dan
“Living in Duluth, you have to find joy in being alone. Especially during the winter, you’re going to be by yourself quite a bit of the time. And If you don’t like the cold, you’re going to have a rough time up here.
"On the flip-side though, this is my first time living in a place where if you want to enjoy the city, you have to take in the outdoors. I’ve come to really appreciate that aspect of living here.
"I was born and raised in Los Angeles and lived there for 18 years. I’m still getting used to being away from a major city, but I’ve used it as an opportunity to find my happiness in other sources of life.
"Following Watford is similar. I chose Watford for a couple of reasons. I picked them because I didn’t want to go straight for a front-runner that most people already support. I liked the name.
"I liked the family feel that they push forward, and from there I just sort of fell in love."
"I’m a big Elton John fan, that kind of swayed me as well. So I was like, cool, probably not going to be competing for titles every single year, or any year for that matter like my friends' teams, but that’s not really what it was about for me. I liked the family feel that they push forward, and from there I just sort of fell in love.
"You don’t see a lot of other Watford fans in the United States, but I’ve learned to embrace it. I’ve seen one guy wearing a Watford kit at the Minnesota State Fair, but that’s it so far.
"Honestly, I kind of love it. It’s fun being the one all your friends text if Watford pulls an upset.
"I host my friends at my house every other Saturday to watch Premier League games. They’re mostly Liverpool fans but they follow Watford now too. Even though I’m the only Watford supporter I personally know, I feel like I’m a part of something bigger.
"Kind of like how I’ve grown comfortable being alone in nature up here. I started cross-country skiing last year. It's the best thing to do in the snow. You warm yourself up and you get to see beautiful scenery the entire time. And of course there’s so many great hiking trails up here, it’s gorgeous.
"Duluth has given me an appreciation of winter. You don’t have to hunker down and think of it as a lost season. You find beauty in it… and I connect to that as a Watford fan. It’s about being in the moment and enjoying what’s in front of you.
"But whether I’m watching them alone, or with friends, being the only Watford fan in Duluth isn’t as lonely as it may seem."
More stories in this series
Premier League passion in the US: Fans' stories
