Meet the fan behind the flags at Wanderers Grounds. And no, it's not Callum Watson.

Wanderers fan Mike Campbell celebrates 50 matches of flag tradition

If you’ve ever attended a Halifax Wanderers match, chances are you’ve seen Mike Campbell’s handiwork: he’s the man behind the national flags draped along the grandstands.

Mike ritualistically arrives at the Wanderers Grounds anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half early on match days, a national flag representing each roster player folded neatly in his backpack.

“I enjoy it and speaking to some of the people in those sections, they’ve kind of become proud of it,” said Mike ahead of Halifax’s match against Forge FC. “I always enjoy when the photographers have them show up in their backgrounds for the photos of the game. It’s been fun.”

It usually takes him about 30 minutes to move along the grandstands, securing the flags in groups.

He said he was inspired by a clip he saw online of a fan doing something similar for their MLS club and decided to adopt the tradition as his own. He started at the end of the Wanderers 2019 season.

And on Friday, Mike sent out a Tweet celebrating— in tribute to the famous Tragically Hip song — his Fifty Mission Cap, meaning he’s attended five Canadian Championship matches, two Island Games watch parties and 43 regular season CPL matches.

"The only game at Wanderers Grounds I've missed was, ironically, the Vaughan game in 2019," said Mike, who admits he was surprised by how quickly he became a passionate fan of the club. “And maybe this year, we’ll have a playoff game to attend."

There’s no denying he’s part of matchday culture as Wanderers founder and owner Derek Martin acknowledged Mike’s achievement by adding Fifty Mission Cap to the pregame setlist.

Mike said he checks in with players to see which flags they want to represent them and over the years, he’s amassed nearly 40 flags from an ever-changing roster.

“Usually, if the player is active on social media, I’ll reach out to them directly. If they’re not, I’ll reach out to the club and ask that way,” explained Mike. “But Trinidad and Tobago has been there, of course, since the beginning. And I think it’ll always be there. I think that’s a forever flag for Wanderers Grounds.”

Many of the Canadian players opt to have flags representing their family history.

For example, Mike said attacker Wesley Timoteo asked for a Portuguese flag to represent him; head coach Patrice Gheisar opted for an Iranian flag while youngster Armaan Wilson requested Kenya's colours.

Coincidentally, Friday was also New Canadians Night at the Grounds, an event put together by the Wanderers to send 500 new Canadians to the match through community organizations.

Mike said he was telling one of the usher’s a story before kick-off against Forge about last year’s event where a family attending the match was overjoyed to see a Somaliland flag, representing Mo Omar, on display.

The family took a moment to touch the flag and took a photo in front of it; a moment of connection they might not have expected.

“And another Somaliland family came by tonight and were very happy to see it and were taking some photos. I think it made them feel a little more welcome,” said Mike.

Although he didn’t say how long he expects to keep the flag tradition going, Mike said he’s enjoying the journey with this year’s edition of the Wanderers and their improved playing style.

And there’s always his other club to worry about.

“For my sins, I’m an Everton fan. It’s a thrilling ride every year,” he said with a smile.

Cover Photo Credit: Trevor MacMillan / Halifax Wanderers FC