Meet NGS
Who we are
The Northern Guard Supporters are an independent supporters group for Detroit City Football Club. DCFC is our passion, and we support them every way, and everywhere, we can.
We are a diverse group, coming from a range of backgrounds too numerous to mention. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, the only thing that matters to us is that you sing for City.
Where we come from
Founded in 2012 by brothers Ken and Gene Butcher, the Northern Guard Supporters were created as a Detroit City FC specific supporters group. The Butchers, along with Drew Gentry, started bringing drums, flags and smoke bombs to matches in an effort to create a raucous environment that was both fun for supporters and intimidating for opposition. Before long, supporters joined them in droves and the group has been growing in numbers and volume ever since.
NGS was founded with Detroit City, and only Detroit City, in mind. Since the group’s inception in 2012, our vocal support of Detroit City FC and strident criticism of anything that isn’t DCFC has helped us grow in size and notoriety, to become one of the most influential supporters groups in North America.
What we’re all about
We keep no membership rolls and charge no dues. The only requirement for you to be able to call yourself a member of the Northern Guard is that you support Detroit City FC. Whether you stand with us on match day or support from afar, if you’re with City, you’re with us.
We come from all backgrounds, beliefs and traditions. We vehemently reject racism, sexism, homophobia and anything else that makes anyone feel unwelcome in our stands. The only two things we hate are hate and Oh*o. No matter where you come from, if you support City, we support you.
Our initiatives
When we’re not supporting City, our members are working tirelessly to find ways to support the community. We support charitable initiatives large and small year round, with some of the most notable programs that members of our group have started being Prideraiser , Let’s Make Roots, and NGS Cares.
NGS Cares
The Northern Guard Supporters Community Involvement (NGSCI) mobilizes NGS to volunteer their time and resources and donate resources to champion the communities that Detroit City Football Club calls home: Detroit and Hamtramck. NGSCI supports existing organizations and initiatives focused on community & environment, social services, civil & human rights, and youth development & education.
You can find more information about NGS Cares at noonelikes.us/ngscares
Prideraiser
Started in 2017 by members of the Northern Guard and Chattahooligans (Chattanooga FC supporters group), Prideraiser helps supporters groups nationwide support LGBTQ+ organizations in their communities. The initiative works by helping the SGs collect pledges during the month of June for each home goal their team scores. In 2018 Prideraiser helped supporters raise more than $50,000 for local LGBTQ+ organizations.
You can find more information about Prideraiser at prideraiser.org
You can make a pledge for our 2022 Prideraiser
Let’s Make Roots
Let’s Make Roots started in 2016 with a simple mission: to help members of the Hamtramck community who might otherwise not be able to attend a DCFC match get into the game.
Members of NGS started by gathering spare tickets and distributing them to local kids so they could have a chance to join in the fun of a City match.
The initiative has grown over the years and the group now partners with Detroit City FC to help gather and distribute tickets to members of the community.
For more information about Let’s Make Roots, follow the program’s Twitter account at twitter.com/letsmakeroots
Our story
On March 11, 2015, NGS co-founder Ken Butcher spoke to the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology, telling the story of how the Northern Guard came to be.