mjake1234

Tony99 - in answer to your question. Like KSK-49 says (and as paraphrased from JFK), the real question is, ask not what we can do but ask what CFG should be doing - to make us want to do something. If just encouraging friends to join is the sole measure, well I've done my bit and have directly got 6 others to join up and numerous others. However I went further and spent a fair bit of time in thinking about how the club could engage its members and promote itself to the community. I then put these ideas to the club with the offer of help. These suggestions were graded with some of the ideas utilising the club's support base so that none or minimal work was required by the club itself. After 10 months of frustrating emails and one personal meeting the sum result was …..........nothing. So what do you do from there? We all agree that the on field performance is what is the ultimate glue but there are still many other ways that this club could package the product attractively and provide the emotional attachment. Like: Advertising, advertising, advertising Signing a name (even if it's a recognised name coach) and promoting them properly Making the game day experience better (other than the on field stuff) Publically engaging and getting on board smaller soccer clubs Publically giving promotion time to school and kids teams Offering game or membership tickets as prizes particularly to kids (just like McDonalds do) Involving members in all sorts of events and activities Listening to its members Rewarding its members Show and give support to active (I'm not an active member but, by gosh, they are good for the club and game day experience) The list goes on and on and none of it is hard. Belaguttman hits the nail on the head, when he says the trouble is this club operates on the “old media” model ie its very paternalistic - we know what we are doing and we will treat the members like incidentals. I would presume that, like me, we all joined with enthusiasm, hope and a desire to work together to produce a club that we would all be proud of. I bloody well hope that the new Membership Officer is more dynamic, more willing to listen and is committed to making this club an icon. After that rant I really do believe that next year will be better (as was last year and the year before that and ...)

Whilst I don't condone cheats this is a sad day for soccer and a sad day for the game in Perth and WA. For the sake of the game I hope PG survive as a coherent team.

Murphy - I love how elegant, eloquent and precise your posts are. It is comforting to see that I am not the only one who has got the "can't be bothered" attitude. I have missed more games this season than I have over the past 4. The failure of CFG to develop our enthusiasm is absolutely due to their lack of connection with members. We are well aware of their notable blunders but their singular determination not to talk to the members and to maintain their level of secrecy shows that just don't understand that the game is different here. There is no doubt that we are thankful they have sorted out a lot of the teams off field problems but they have totally ignored the psychology of membership connectivity. Most of us on here can all see what needs to be done and, if they don't tap into this wonderful resource, I fear that we will float through another year of low interest level. Come on CFG get off your ivory tower, talk to us and let's make this club something special

Are 2 more letters really that hard? Sorry TESLA. That was a slip. I also hate abbv's.

When was there ever a split in Yarraside? The closest thing was when we sent all the left wing guys off to bay 16, but it was still one group. FWIW I doubt this splinter group is going to last, probably just some attention seekers throwing a hissy fit. Honestly, now that we're at the end of the season, Melburnians have exceeded my expectations for what would happen after Yarraside disbanded and have done pretty well. Totally agree Tes. It has had some poor days but for the most it has been good. For a new(ish) group, trying to show support for a team that makes you cry they have been the highlight of the day. Congratulations to all of you. Onwards and upwards.

6,720 at the Wellington game. What a great job this club has done in dropping attendances. Seeing as they obviously have no clue I wonder if the survey will help. But then when have they listened to us?

How about a chant "I'll do it mooy way"?

FWIW, just what was the "fan engagement" this season? A survey that didn't really touch on the issues that people want to discuss? Several FRG meetings from which we see no official - and I stress official - minutes or even the attendance list distributed by the club - if it wasn't for the valiant efforts of TA we wouldn't even know the FRG existed? A weekly sanitised e-mail? A training session for Premium A members? Forgive my cynicism but that doesn't constitute "fan engagement" for me. The club has never been good at engaging fans and making them feel part of and passionate about the organisation. And don't forget that they should also be doing things to engage potential fans - before the game, at the game and after. I'm, except for some pretty week programmes as mentioned by JW, there has never been any real attempt at engagement, ever. Besides getting results on the ground, so much more could be done to make us proud to belong and excited to attend. Maybe I should apply for the job?

Does this mean that next year we might finally have a fan engagement officer?

9,288 for all home non-derby matches. Includes the two "David Villa matches." I'll give a full wrap of the five seasons after the last home game against WSW. Just been checking the spreadsheet that I have and tidying it up. Thanks JW. Wow. That's a massive increase, however you alluded to the fact that the Villa games have probably distorted the numbers a bit. When you give us the final stats how about two numbers ie one including the Villa games and one without.

We can now go to games and not have palpitations every time the ball gets near the keeper. Tando PLUS the improved back line has been the best improvement we have had this season.

And what is our average for this season so far. Until we get over 10,000 on a regular basis I don't think we have "made it"

JW for fan engagement officer

Where the next coach comes from is immaterial. However I would worry if he is from a top league and used to buying whoever he wants. The qualities we need in a coach are: 1. Be flexible and able to work with what you have got 2. Be a good motivator 3. Be able to plan for the future and develop the team. I don't see any of these in JVS

I have always been of the belief that winning is only one component towards generating attendances and membership. There also has to be entertainment in the game and also before and after the game (the stuff that goes on at half time etc, involvement, presence). There also needs to be some real fan engagement and some substantial community stuff. The experience with Del Piero and then Villa has utterly shown the value of getting a name - and don't start talking about "fair weather" supporters. We have to get people through the gates before we can convert them. And, goodness me, it isn't my profession, so if it is the bleeding obvious to me as well as us on here, what is it that the idiots at the Latrobe HQ thinking/doing. Oh, that's what it is. As John Cleese said "the problem is that if you are stupid you do not have the intelligence to realise it" Come on CFG let's get some fire and spirit into this sad club.

Our PR has been horribly bland for months now - and this explains it and also why Munn and Didulica have been muzzled. Improvement is need quickly IMO to try and revive the faltering public interest in Melbourne City. Faltering? Mate it's well and truly faltered.

Yes, flares are dangerous when they become projectiles, as do most other objects, eg a chair. That doesn't mean they're particularly dangerous in any other state. But chairs don't burn at 1,300C, produce dangerous fumes, have the potential to incite panic, obscure the view of other members etc.etc. Sadly it seems we also have the 15% of people who see no problems with them.

Quickly

Flares are stupid, dangerous and make us look like the idiots the tards are. The media love this stuff to show what a rabble football supporters are.

This

This club is still running on Heart attitudes - just turn up and "if we win....". Until we clean out the old "players" and, above all, the old "management" we are going nowhere. So what do we suffering supporters do? You either go to the match and show your anger OR you don't go to the match and help the crowd numbers to shrink even further. Either way this club needs to be shown loud and clear that we are over it. My 4 mates and I will not be going but we cannot miss it completely - We are now looking for a local sports bar. Anyone know a good one in the Eastern suburbs (Box Hill way)?

No way did I say that I have no faith in CFG. In fact the redeeming point with this club is that CFG have a huge amount of experience in football. The problem rests with the old Heart people who continue to imbue this club with a lacklustre attitude.

"Oh what a pity. It's all too easy, At Melbourne City." It's just that. It's all taken just a little bit too easy. Under Sidwell it was like that, and unfortunately it's so far the same under CFG. No-one is pushed hard enough - administration, "fan engagement", coaches, players - for results. Inputs and process is seen more important than outcome. WTF cares what brand of water the players drink or who our foreign exchange partners are? The focus should be results on the field, and so far it isn't and never has been. The whole organisation under-performs from top to bottom. This +++

Agree but disagree. Agree there needs to be a real clean out of people who set and promote the pathetic attitude of this club Don't agree that it's not JVS's fault. You make the best of what you have and JVS has no idea how to do that. Most people on here would do a better job. CFG have got to move in and take some hard decisions. I do not agree with waiting until the end of the season. Show some balls and show the supporters that this is a team worth following.

What is it with this guy. If I remember correctly he also handballed in the penalty area last week. Lucky the ref didn't see it.