bt50

Friday February 15 Any interest in this one at all??

yeh good fun, we'll win on the road one of these days!

Is anyone coming to thr rose and crown?

No I'm not haha but I don't think it would be a major issue anyway ie. get blokes to bring girlfriends and they bring their friends etc. I'm sure most wouldn't give a shit what the function was if it was reasonably priced and it didn't drag on. I'd not even bother with tables, just make it a dressed up get together with a band and bar!

Nah I'm talking a mid-season thing maybe early February. I think it could be a real winner if ran correctly

Does the club do anything like this?? A lot of country footy clubs and that sort of thing have an Annual Ball as a major fundraiser. Surely it wouldn't be out of the question and would be a popular option amongst fans if it could be arranged? Make it a formal dress night with finger food, no actual formalities, just a live band, tickets $60-150 depending on whether or not you had alcohol included and let the fans mingle with the players in a social setting?? I don't think the Heart are too big a club yet that the amount of people at the function will provide too much of a hassle to the players and ultimately I think most players at Heart would be happy to attend. Just an idea! What are people's thoughts?

Bondi YHA Heading up on Jetstar Saturday Morning

Signed the mrs up and bringing down three others! Fuck 8,000, i want 10k+ tonight! I think a non derby record is a definate possibility!

footballism and myself are looking to do this trip IN +1. Away trip virgin

For those that went up to Parra back in November, how was it?? Pre match pub?

Considering this one. Will play if we are there!

Definate IN +1 for this one

may the star city casino look brightly upon you this weekend then!

Im out of the running for Sydney on the 13th but am going to make an away trip debut at this game in a fortnight. Are there many still going?

I've been a member for a couple years now and yesterday was my first day in the yarraside, pretty keen to pop up on sunday for a first away trip although i'd be on my own. where is everyone staying??

I was about 10 minutes behind you guys and could here the Yarraside singing from the corner of Spring and Flinders. Inspiring stuff!

The media would have us believe that all is dire but really our attendances are actually growing and I think interest in Heart is at an all time high. It's easy for people to look at our crowds and say we are not doing any good but most will compare them to AFL crowds and to be honest, that sort of figures will never occur in Melbourne. The problem Heart have and were ALWAYS going to have is that Victory got first bite at the apple. Anyone that had a mild or greater interest in soccer were instantly going to follow the Victory when they were started. Most Aussies are fairly loyal to their clubs and won't simply change teams (unless you are under the age of 10 maybe) and most of the ones that followed the Victory originally are going to be Victory supporters til they die. The market Heart were left with primarily were those that had never given the ALeague or soccer much thought and then those that were disenfranchised with Victory. There would be very few imo that would fall into this category. What Heart need to do is appeal to those who have previously not followed soccer, or at least Australian soccer. I'm an AFL man first and foremost but began following Everton about 7 or 8 years ago and never had any interest in ALeague until a mate offered me to come down to a game v Gold Coast in Heart's first season. I enjoyed it but only had a passing interest until I decided to attend a derby when i was hammered one night about 6 months later. I got amongst the Yarraside for a bit of a laugh and loved it, bought a shirt and all. Since then I signed as a 5 game member last year and then a full member this year. Saturday is the first game in Melbourne I've missed this year (work break up) but I regularly try to bring a mate or two or even the missus if I have to but they are at least all taking interest in Heart now and would probably call themselves Heart supporters, just as I was at the GC game. Perhaps they'll sign as members next year, who knows?? My point being that we just need to focus on getting as many people to come along as possible and show them a good time when they come. It won't be instant 10,000 crowds but it will happen over time if they enjoy it. We are on a good thing and I don't think the club is doing a bad job, they just need all the help they can at developing and converting members. Welcome everyone and especially important, try and bring mates that don't foillow soccer as much as possible!