Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans head to Calgary to see football 'destiny'

The last time die-hard Ticats fan Steve Bolton went to Calgary to watch his heroes play a game, they lost 60-1.

He'll be one of many Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans travelling over 3,000 km out to Calgary to see their team play for the Grey Cup Sunday — and hopefully take home a win for the first time in 20 years. 

Bolton, who booked his flight and tickets right after the Cats claimed the east, believes karma is on his and Hamilton's side.

"The stadium owes us one," he laughed. "[My friends and I] sat there for the entire game...so we're going back to get revenge."  

The Ticats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers will face off in the 107th Grey Cup on Sunday in Calgary's McMahon stadium.

Bolton and his friends are season ticket holders — a group of guys that grew up east of Kenilworth Ave. and continue to share a love for the team. When the friends aren't sitting in section 111, they're off on a road trip to watch the team, proudly wearing their "eastend" stamped jerseys.  

Like many fans their loyalty to the team crosses generations. Bolton got this passion from his grandfather, who took him to his first game when he was seven. 

"[My grandfather] told me if you want to go to football games you have to get up and scream when they score and all this stuff," he said. "So I did that, and he would say, yup — you're going to be a football fan." 

He's gone to a few Grey Cups already, but seeing his team in the finals lifts the experience to a different level. 

"To me, number one is the Tiger-Cats — and all the other sports teams come after them," he said. 

'It's destiny'

When Hamiltonian Stephen Ross got a call for some contract work out in Edmonton, he thought it was incredible that it would match up with the Ticats' run for the Grey Cup. And when they emerged victorious during the Eastern finals, he jumped online to buy tickets and secured his trip down to Calgary.   

Like a lot of fans, Ross says that this year feels different and that a bit of fate is at play. He said that "milestones" the team was hitting — like a good performance out west, their bounce back from losing quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, an undefeated home record, and a CFL-best record of 15-3 — all point to a season that goes out on a high. 

"It's kind of like destiny," he said. "It reminds me back in '99 and '89 when they won, where you knew the team wasn't going to lose...you could just tell by the determination of the team." 

"It's all coming together...it just feels like one of those years." 

Ross has never seen the Tiger-Cats win in person. The first time he saw them become champions was in 1972 when the team won playing at home in Ivor Wynne Stadium. His TV broke and he had to run next door to watch at his neighbour's house.  

He remembers learning that Ticats quarterback Chuck Ealey lived down the street, and joining a hundred other kids to crowd his front yard and get autographs. He also remembers selling undesirable peanuts and coveted hot dogs at Ivor Wynne, and playing catch with players on the field.

Ross says being around people like him, with the same deep-seated passion, will be a highlight of actually being there for the game. 

"When you go to the Grey Cup, everybody loves CFL," he said. "Everybody's there because they have the same passion. That's a fantastic experience — to meet people all over Canada that have the same passion for CFL as you." 

Among the fans headed there are the iconic Box J Boys — the kilted, boisterous and dedicated long-time fans of the Tiger-Cats, who say it's Hamilton's turn to take the cup home.  

"I think it's really important that we win it for the city of Hamilton this year," said Joe Spilotro. "For 20 years we haven't won the Grey Cup, so everybody in the city is really pumped up and looking forward to a victory this year."   

Angelo Messina echoed Ross' sentiments that this season was a unique one. 

"It's a special vibe that we got going on this year, and I think we're gonna take it home," he said.   

The Box J Boys also sent a warning out to Calgary that there's going to be a lot of noise and a lot of lifting fans for each time Hamilton scores. 

"Be prepared," said Franco Fortino. "It's going to be a good time." 

Viewing party

Ticats take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 107th Grey Cup on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. 

For fans watching in Hamilton, the city is hosting a viewing party at Tim Hortons Field, where Ticats will play on the big screen. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the city asking that attendees bring non-perishable food items to support Hamilton Food Share.