Meet the 8th Notch, super fans of El Paso Locomotive FC

Every sport has its die-hard fans, but soccer supporters are known as some of the loudest and most passionate fans across the entire sports landscape.

And even though El Paso Locomotive FC has not yet played an official regular season match, they still have extremely dedicated fans.

A group knowns as the “8th Notch” has already assembled to provide energy, enthusiasm, songs, chants, drum lines, smoke grenades, and more during Locomotive matches this season.

“That’s what a supporter group is. You’re the one that causes the stadium to get to the level that it needs to be to help the boys, you know, pull through,” said Chad Middleton of the 8th Notch.

In case you’re wondering, the 8th Notch refers to the last tick of a throttle on a train. So, a train in 8th notch is said to be at full-throttle. And the fans are ready to keep the atmosphere full-throttle before, during, and after every match.

“I think it’s almost been a year now (since the club was announced). So, yeah, it’s been a long wait, but it’s been a fast wait,” said Middleton. “These last few weeks have really started to go by.”

Middleton added that the 8th Notch will be leading a variety of chants that he promised would get stuck in the minds of other fans at Southwest University Park.

“The main one…they will be saying it for days upon days afterwards because it’s that good,” he said.

And while the fans are excited to see the team as they play OKC Energy FC Saturday, the players are just as excited to see the fans.

“I think the thing that I’m looking forward to most is to see the fan base on Saturday,” said Locomotive midfielder Richie Ryan. “And like I said, hopefully we can give them a big win, and they’ll be happy on Saturday night.”

To support the 8th Notch or to learn more information, you can follow them on social media:

Facebook: Click here

Twitter: @8thNotchEP or @8thNotchEP_ESP (Spanish)

Instagram: @8th_notch_ep

Snapchat – @EP8thNotch