Returning to action over the last number of weeks has been special for York United FC. But, playing the first eight fixtures in a different city a couple of thousand kilometres from home can be isolating. Separation from family, friends and fans is a challenging thing to navigate.

Despite the distance, supporters have rallied. Whether that's been sending messages of encouragement to players across social media or passing their best wishes to the club directly, the level of engagement and interaction has been immense.

Some have even gone the extra step, like Centre of the Universe (COTU).

"We're not a traditional York United supporters group," they say.

"We’re a dedicated group of people who support York United and rally our support primarily from Toronto. We don’t take ourselves too seriously and simply want to support local football."

"Fittingly, the group itself formed in a unique way. In the lead up to the Canadian Premier League launch, many of our now-members got together in the hopes of a club playing within and representing Toronto one day. York United FC isn’t exactly a Toronto-based club but The Nine Stripes were the closest team to many of us and York Lions Stadium the easiest location to watch Canadian Premier League matches. In the spirit of supporting our local football club, members of the current group met at games very early in that inaugural season in 2019. They naturally began to feel closer to the team and then decided to officially get behind them around the same time as the York United rebrand: which was a commitment from the club to represent both the green of York Region and the blue of Toronto."

Before every CPL fixture so far this season, the group has hosted a virtual pre-match meet-up via Zoom where fans can connect and chat. Already, the club's CEO/President & GM Angus McNab has dropped by to mingle, while other front-office staff have done likewise. Prior to Sunday's 1-1 draw with FC Edmonton, Rob Marchese - who's with the squad in Winnipeg - dialled in from pitch-side so fans could watch the player warm-ups. Another York United FC Supporters Group, Northern Corridor, is a consistent presence at these gatherings too.

It's a communal experience and a place where friendships can be fostered ahead of the team's eventual return home.

"York United is very much a community club and within community clubs it's quite easy to feel a much deeper connection than with an organization that carries a greater profile," according to COTU.

"York United is an approachable club and extremely easy to form a relationship with. There is a great sense of pride when your club performs well, especially when you have that close relationship. It's also quite exciting when you bump into someone else that's also wearing York United gear, as you immediately know they likely have the same ambitions and aspirations about local football as you do."

"One of our ambitions is to simply support local football. We're all very much hoping to see York United grow as a club and within the community, and for the league as a whole to succeed as well. We're of the belief that a club is not complete without a strong supporter base. We hope to do our part in helping push York United forward, to be successful on the pitch and to consistently win trophies."

Follow Centre of the Universe to get details of virtual pre-game events.

Share this Story