Blog

John 3:7 and Football: The Story of Frank Hogan the Fanatic of Two FAITHS

A sign with the legend "John 3:7" is often seen at Gaelic games stadiums in Ireland. The sign refers to a verse

in the Gospel of John and has been displayed by fan Frank Hogan at matches for at least two decades. It featured in the national media in August 2009 following its disappearance: Hogan launched an extensive, and ultimately successful, media campaign for its return before the next match. During that brief disappearance, the sign's second, bookmakers offered odds as to where it might next reappear and Paddy Power offered to purchase a replacement. The sign is so recognisable that, according to Hogan, "everybody wants to steal it or buy it. People regard it as a trophy."^[1] However, this recognition would also make it difficult for anyone else to display the sign in the event of its theft.^[1]....

While Frank brought the sign to the GAA games, Shane O'Brien took it to various events around Ireland like the Rose of Tralee, Galway Races, Cork Jazz Festival etc.... After about 25 years of doing this he started recruiting a team to work with him on the streets at these festivals, and at weekends in Dublin. Some of this team also bring signs to GAA games which Frank can't make it to. Since 2008 this team has been spreading to other cities in Ireland and Britain. They just stand there on the streets with the signs ready to talk with anyone who stops to ask.

In June 2010, Frank was banned from displaying the sign in Croke Park. However stadium Peter McKenna said this was a mistake and Frank and the sign would be welcome in Croke Park any time ^[2]

ou see, even though this Nicodemus was a very religious man he didn’t know the true and only way to heaven. Jesus therefore told him that it was essential for him to be born again in order to go to heaven. A New Birth or a New Start is vital for all of us; without it no-one can see the Kingdom of God (heaven). So whether you are religious or not, Frank Hogan’s banner confronts you with the same crucial question, Surely you have felt the need for a new start in life. Perhaps you have come to realise that there is no real purpose, direction or meaning in your life? Perhaps you have tried some sort of religion but only found it to be a burdensome set of rules and regulations? Maybe you are still weighed down with fear and insecurity about your future destiny? Possibly you can remember many of those New Year resolutions that you have made and failed to keep.
I’m sure that you find that making any kind of new start is very difficult. You do your best to change things (e.g. in your family relationships), maybe you succeed for a short time, and then fall back into the old ways. As the poet Edward Young put it, “ At thirty a man suspects himself a fool; knows it at forty and reforms his plan; resolves; and re-resolves; then dies the same”.

Will you bring the banner of John 3:7 to your next Soccer "Church" Service