European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 18, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine a customized leather covering embellished with a Pittsburgh Steeles Motif adorns the Hood of Russell finches Van. A amps Jim der football fanatic getting a Boot out of the Steeles by Mark wonders staff writer Webster s new world dictionary defines Quot fan Quot As Quot. A person enthusiastic about a sport pastime or  it goes on to define Quot fanatic Quot As a a. Unreasonably enthusiastic Overly zealous Quot Russell Finch is a Pittsburgh steel Erst fanatic. Finch 36, who lives in Heidelberg West Germany has amassed More than $2,000 Worth of Steeler Memorabilia Over the past 20 years. This includes modification costs on two custom vehicles. The sergeant first class assigned to natos Central army group is not quite sure How his collection started. Quot i done to now think it was anything intentional Quot says Finch the non commissioned officer in charge of Cen tags a g-1 reproduction Section Quot its just  Finch has typical items fans collect buttons mugs to shirts and autographs of the players. But two custom vehicles each bearing a Large reproduction of the Pittsburgh Steeles Emblem and an official nil helmet Are standouts. Finch acknowledges his interest is More than a passing fad Quot i knew it was serious when i began needing More space to put the things  from that first item a a Steeler poster purchased in the 1970s a to his favorite a Matching set of super bowl mugs commemorating the team s championship seasons his collection is a tribute to i�s7jimwh0�?Tm the great Steeler teams that have since vanished into the record books. The collection has always been a family Effort says his wife Linda. Quot half of that a mine. Don t let him kid you Quot she jokes. Finch who has about 100 items in All says he has spent the most Money on his vehicles. He worked on the first a 1979 pickup truck while assigned to fort Bragg n.c., in 1985. During his off duty hours he customized the truck gave it a couple of layers of Steeler yellow paint and added the team s Emblem. How do today a powerhouse san Francisco 49ers stack up to those Steeler teams of old Quot the Steeles of the 70s were better a far and away Quot Finch predictably states. Quot defense. There a not a defense in the nil today that compares to the Pittsburgh Steeles defense of the �?T70  with his collection and his current Steeler Van a customized vehicle which replaced the truck Finch keeps alive Steeler tradition. A Vinyl cover with a Large team Emblem decorates the vans Hood. It often draws some funny looks and comments. Quot it happens a lot of times. In a never without a Steeler hat or to shirt and people will Stop me on the Street and ask me if i Ever saw that Guy with the Russell Finch an army no stationed in Heidelberg has been amassing Steeles Memorabilia for 20 years. Steeler Van Quot he says. Quot i be never had any negative comments. There s a lot of Steeler fans around  Finch believes Steeler fans Are different. Quot they re not like regular football fans. Steeler fans Are More verbal. They re real proud. Real die hard fans. They Don t half step. I honestly believe that if you put two Steeler fans in a room with 15 san Francisco fans Well Well do More  Finch predicts that Steeler fans will have plenty to talk about this year. Quot two things. They la need to win at least four games within the division and go 5-3 during the first eight games. The first eight games will Tell the Story because they play five playoff teams within the first two months. But if they make it through this and on to the playoffs they la go far. Quot Linda has agreed that if the Steeles go All the Way and win a record making fifth super bowl can get a mural of the Steeles painted on the Side of the Van. Well find out in  yes. Russell Finch is a  tuesday september 18, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 13