London-born Mark Harris is not a West Ham fan. I was disappointed to learn this after talking with him and his wife, Cathy Wasilewski, while they waited in line this last Saturday to have their 2025 Timbers Axe Portrait taken.

And though the conversation got worse before it got better—I have nothing against his first team, QPR, but I think I heard the word “Chelsea” mentioned among his regular childhood haunts—more important bonds were formed as we talked about their kits (The Clive for Mark, 2022 Heritage Rose for Cathy) and history with the club we both love.

Mark has been coming to 1844 SW Morrison Street since 2001, making him the longest-tenured fan I met that day and giving us some good common ground. After all, who can’t overlook EPL-affiliation shortcomings in someone whose also seen this place as Civic Stadium, as PGE Park, as Jeld-Wen; with baseball cutouts on the turf and Thirsty Thursdays in the stands; whose been here for Timbers Jim and Joey, Diegos Valeri and Chará?

Then there’s NASL Jimmys Conway and Kelly. As we talked, I also learned Mark played in the Greater Portland Soccer District with them and others like Brian Gant and Bernie Fagan.

I got the feeling we could become friends, despite our initial differences.

This hunch was solidified as I watched that day, as people came through the Tanner Ridge concourse at Providence Park to get their axe photos, representing the team they love with the people they love.

As I talked with Mark and Cathy more—they were patient enough to entertain my questions; even though, the questions were the only thing keeping them from a Coco Donut—I quickly gathered more of their story, which, in many ways, is our story.

I eventually agreed to stop asking questions, and Mark agreed to let me check in with him this season to get his opinions on how the 50th Anniversary Season is going from the perspective of someone like us, someone who holds this team and this place close to his heart and has for quite some time.

So we’ll both get to hear more from Mark in 2025.

Until then, however, here’s to the game and club that’s brought us together over the years:

Whether it would be your first or fourth time, if you have not yet had your 2025 Timbers Axe Portrait taken, you can this weekend, January 11-12. (Click photo below for details.)

#RCTID