Benched

March from the pub to BlueTongue.

In 2007, a preseason friendly between Victory and Adelaide in Launceston drew 8061 ppl. This seasons match drew 6238. Yes disappointing, however shows there is interest. Wollongong had an NSL team, and when they won back to back titles in 1999/2000 they struggled to get crowds over 3000. I don't think Wollongong is ready, yet. It's Rugby League central there.

Tassie team would never survive, neither city has a big enough population to sustain a team and it wouldnt work making it a tassie team cos its a massive trek between the two major cities. can't expect half the fan base to travel 2+ hrs for every home game I dunno mate. I reckon they'd get 10k odd at either venue with individual, city based fans. Hawthorn get more to games in Launceston, and Hobart regularly gets 12000+ to Test matches.

Something we've been working on for a while with the powers that be. A live site and full street closure for the Sydney Derby and we'll get the same for our finals match at Parra. It's all been okayed now. Yeehaa. http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/03/01/a-league-live-site-set-for-parramatta-as-sydney-derby-sells-out/

I would dare say population base is inextricably linked to potential corporate support as well, not just bums on seats. It's all well and good looking outside your backyard for a major sponsor (like CCM and Masterfoods) however a lucrative revenue stream is selling out those corporate boxes for $30K each, signage, player sponsorship, matchday programmes etc etc. In saying that, I do believe Canberra has the strongest potential atm. The Brumbies and Raiders do quite well, average around 12/15K with the odd bumper crowd. An interesting development is Canberra United is to field a team in the NYL from next season (that is their aim). It's a baby step to getting HAL inclusion. For all of the above points, that's why I believe a Tassie team would also survive. Sufficient population, sufficient commercial/ industry infrastructure to secure sponsors and would no doubt be well supported as Tassies 1st genuine national Comp team. (forget Sheffield Shield). They could do a share arrangement between Launceston and Hobart initially, basically see who supports them the most. Further, I think the aim for the FFA should be to have 2 teams per capital City (so another Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane side). However, that does seem a way off. Implementing the FFA Cup will help identify and fast track those clubs who could step up.

If you log on to buy a CCM active bay ticket, you still get offered a seat in row B. FFS! Yeah Ando, you gotta love Johnny. Had the privilege of meeting him several times and actually have an autographed copy of the book. Complete with red wine stain from getting on the piss with him. Great memories.

For those interested, Wanderers away bay at CCM is now 9 bays full and still selling. Will be more like a WSW home game.

Jezz have a womans whinge why don't you. It's just a joke mate get over yourself. It's not a very good joke! I laughed. So you're both racist cunts!

Well done boy's, and girl's. Great crowd, and you beat the smurfs. Respect from West Sydney.

Jezz have a womans whinge why don't you. It's just a joke mate get over yourself. It's not a very good joke!

^^^^^^Now that's funny!

Personally, that video is a fucken disgrace. I can't stand these pricks who say they are 'taking over' and have maps of Australia in Lebo colours. This is one thing that really gets me fired up. They can fuck off, coz that is not RBB. RBB is about everyone being together, from all backgrounds, but we are still Aussie. Our latest chant is.... "these colours unite us all... All the places we're from..." That video makes me angry. Do not stereotype us because it only makes you look fukn stupid. I'm sure we could drag video's up re. Melbourne portraying similar crap. However,TokyoSpoof, we have better things to do.

Wow. Don't know where to start. Guy's, believe me, we aren't perfect. As much as you think we are the media darling etc, we've copped a fair bit of shit off them this year as well. You know what fucken shits me the most though. You blokes saying wait till they have a bad trot, it's the 1st year blah fucking blah. We've had a decent losing streak to start the season (anyone remember it). We lost 5 home games in a row as well. Plus, I actually think it's a credit we've built such decent support in our 1st year. We started rocking up to matches in pre season. Doing the rounds of the suburban grounds when we had less than half a team signed. From that day we made it clear every fucker standing in the RBB has to sing for the 90, or fuck off to the grandstands. We are still enforcing that policy. We had the rock throwing bullshit and the Sydney United episode which basically could've killed the RBB. We copped a fucking pasting in the Sydney media. We've had nearly 20 blokes banned already. We've had massive issues with Parra Stadium, police and secco's. It hasn't been, "here's your team, do as you please". I actually think at times being owned by FFA has worked against us. BTW, we don't have a fan charter, and we never will. I ask you this though. What was your active support like in season 1? Has it improved since then, dropped off or status quo. I've said it before. I couldn't care less if you have 50 blokes or 500. If they put the effort in you should be proud. It's not the size that makes the quality, it's the substance. Oh, as for the bandana's over the faces, it's coz they've run out of proactive!

^^^Yep, and I reckon the numbers will surprise you.

Well, I hope you guys smash Victory. While you're at it break Thompsons leg, the ponce. And then roll Muscat in the carpark.

This is from round 3. You can see the genesis. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9bts8Keevk

Thought you guy's might appreciate this.

I know it's a big call, but I think you guys will come out firing against Victory and win 1-0. To be honest, probably a good time to meet them. They had a very easy win over East Sydney, and as usual, think their shit doesn't stink. You guy's have a point to prove. I actually don't think you've played that bad this year, you're one of those danger teams (like us, WSW) that when you put it together, you can beat anyone. You created a lot of chances against us and to be frank were very unlucky not to score at the death. Covic was a fucking demon that day. You had a couple of decent chances. Give your midfield a complete rocket, get them to focus ( in a derby no problems) and I think you guys can win this weekend.

Guy's, just wondering, are you not giving enough credit to the Wanderers? They played an absolute blinder and would have beaten pretty much anyone on the night. In saying that, your midfield was the crux of your issues. Seemed to be getting over run, out enthused and out thought. On top of that, just simply could never find the completely existent overlap once Mooy was subbed for LaRocca.

Initially, when they were 1st used, yeah, they tried to ban the whistles as well. Basically, we just kept using them and security seemed to relax. I gotta say though guys, we meet pretty regularly with the club, cops and stadium, and we talk to the club sometimes a few times a week nutting shit out. Personally, I'm a bit sick of it all because really basic stuff like instruments and oversized flags was a complete bastard to get okayed by the stadium. The cops cracked down on our march and our home pub and then we get hauled over the coals by the club for indiscretions by people who are just fuckwits and shouldn't be in the home end. However, if it wasn't for the fact that we do communicate with all the relevant parties, we'd have no where near the home end we do have now. Has nothing to do with being owned by the FFA. Has a lot to do with us fixing shit and organising shit. Creating a register for all match day gear, getting RBB members to volunteer to be marshalls to assist in controlling the march, having our 4 liaisons sit down and discuss issues on a regular basis. We've got 2 blokes who meet with the cops prior to every home game to smooth them over and ensure we don't get over policed. We've dealt with a lot of problems in our 1st season and it could have gotten ugly very quickly.

We'll, we negotiated with the coppers, stadium, FFA and WSW. We had the total ban reduced to no tifo's (pullovers), no confetti display, maximum 5 instruments (3 drums, 2 megaphones) and 10 oversized flags. No whistles, hooters etc etc. To be reviewed each game to hopefully be allowed to have a pullover for the Sydney Derby.

haha, you need to learn to understand context. That was the whole point.

When they deem we have been responsible and have 'control' of the terrace. Read into that what you may. As I said earlier, I reckon we'll be sweet for Oz day, except the tifo's/ pullovers.

Thanks. Bragging, hmm. I would dare say it's the honeymoon period and we are still just bloody stoked to have our own club. Believe me though, we are not lying down over this. Part of getting our so called 'privileges' back, is doing a bit of good PR for our terrace. Hence the post on our forum. It's already having the desired effect. I know for a fact the cops have contacted the club and are heartened by our sentiment so far. One of our big problems is actually the stadium. They fucking hate us. It's a Rugby League stadium (even though it's actually owned by the NSW Government) and we had to fight to get all our match day gear approved. The stadium actually has a no musical instrument and no megaphone policy in their conditions of entry, for any sport. We had some very lively debates to get what we have atm. I remember our 1st game, we just said fuck it, and we all rocked up with our gear. Should've seen their face when they saw our giant bass drum that's so big it gets wheeled in on it's own frame! Anyway... Believe me, I think you'll see come Australia Day, all we'll be missing is our tifo's. I can cop that for a couple of weeks.

Kontra, you state... "But at the same time, it seems RBB don't have a problem with their 'club' being run by the national body and this is the consequences.. NRMA FFA WSW" I don't know how you make that assumption. Believe me, we are anything but happy, however, this is the cards we were dealt to get our club. What do you expect us to do? Boycott games until they get a private investor? Great way to sell a club that! I could drag up all the bullshit that we've gone through, however, that will do none of us any good. I could also raise the very serious question as to why Frank and his cronies fucked us around so long with a Western Sydney team, whilst his little project East Sydney had exclusive rights. The fact they stuffed Football NSW around with the original bid of Sydney FC which was to be based in Parramatta. The dubious dealings that went on which eventually led to Football NSW withdrawing support for the team once Frank insisted they play out of Allianz. The lack of support for the Rovers bid then only to have to bankroll the entire club themselves.Ultimately, we have to put up with what we've got for the time being. Support the team, be passionate and vocal and in turn we hope the investors come knocking on the door. Just the past week Primo Smallgoods came onboard as a sponsor. I think they (the Lederer family who own Primo and are massive Football fans) are very much potential owners. It doesn't hurt they are best mates with Uncle Frank, however, so be it.