It was like a blind date.
TheFerret, Loosegooner, England1966 and around 75 others, each exchanging awkward but knowing glances, in a pub close to Oxford United's Kassam Stadium ground.
From Newcastle, Liverpool, Birmingham and Cirencester they had come, eager to get a glimpse of Ebbsfleet United, the team they had invested their £35 in, in action against Blue Square Premier league rivals Oxford.
After a little Dutch courage, this fraction of a community of more than 23,000 football fans worldwide began to mingle.
For several months, these MyFootballClub members had spent hours each day pondering whether a club owned and managed by thousands could really prosper.
The same conversation was repeated across the pub, that of re-kindling love for the game and a unique opportunity to get close and personal with a football club.
During this week after the website's proposed takeover of Ebbsfleet was announced, the world's media have also had their say.
In the main it has been positive, hopeful that it could work.
Even Ian Holloway, in his column on these pages, calling it an "absolute load of old poppycock" somehow felt like an endorsement.
At the ground, we sat with the Ebbsfleet supporters, with the club's directors dotted around.
Four long-lens cameras were trained, not on the action on the pitch, but at this unlikely rendezvous in the stand.
Reporters from all the major national newspapers were out in force as well.
Voyeurs perhaps, but they were not alone as a crowd of 4,655 people had turned up.
Presumably some MyFootballClub members felt it a bit too forward at this stage to sit with the Ebbsfleet fans.
It was quite a relief when the football started.
Reports from the club's training ground and treatment room during the week was of Ebbsfleet's players with a spring in their step.
It showed during the game, though the 0-0 scoreline betrayed what was an entertaining match and one which most agreed Ebbsfleet deserved to win.
By all accounts, Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish was in jovial form during the post-match media conference.
He told the assembled hacks his wife has become a MyFootballClub member, and that she's looking forward to giving him advice online.
If anyone can make this planned union between fans, players and coaching staff work, it is Liam Daish. He is both bright and brave.
606: DEBATE
The feeling of goodwill appears to be spreading. A Texan has phoned up and sponsored a player for £500.
This week, film crews from Russia, China, Sweden, Holland and the United States plan to visit the training ground.
At this stage, everyone must remember it is a deal in principle.
But should everything go to plan, myself, 23,000 new owners and the club's staff will be doing our utmost to ensure there are no broken hearts.
For our second date, we are invited back next Saturday to Ebbsfleet's place at Stonebridge Road.
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~58~RS~)