citypool Posted November 3, 2019 Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 Winning games check Likeable manager check Playing young players check Play attacking football check loud active area check what’s missing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr MO Posted November 3, 2019 Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 48 minutes ago, citypool said: Winning games check Likeable manager check Playing young players check Play attacking football check loud active area check what’s missing? Consistency in performance Attractive players in visa/marquee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
playmaker Posted November 3, 2019 Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 (edited) Ibrahimovic, that's how. At his 1st game we would probably fill the MCG. Edited November 3, 2019 by playmaker 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rass Posted November 3, 2019 Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 Could be worse - you could be following victory. For all the concern over our support and crowds, just look at those clowns as a reference point - playing shit football, in front of shit crowds at a shit venue. Muscat leaving tore the soul out of that club and watching their pathetic display on Friday gave me a good laugh on the weekend. In comparison to them and most other clubs, i am quite happy where we're at right now tbh... 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate Posted November 3, 2019 Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 Low crowds bother me too but by the same token, I'm part of the problem given I lost interest and only watched games very sporadically over the past two and a bit seasons. Obviously it isn't entirely reflective, but the official Melbourne City facebook page has 230k followers suggesting we have a pretty sizeable base - meaning the main problem isn't attracting new fans but reconnecting with old fans from both Heart and City eras. Between the underwhelming on-field performances of Heart, the messy takeover and rebranding by CFG, the absence of club-supporter communication largely up until this season, the David Villa guest stint and Lampard non-signing, the Joyce appointment, lack of capitalising Tim Cahill, the Fornaroli fiasco and the wider apathy towards the entire A-League, it's really no wonder why there is such a notable disconnect still despite the brighter optimism this season. I think it's also important to recognise that people mostly have better things to do in the Spring/Summer than watch us play in perhaps not the greatest timeslots, so the only thing we can really hope for is continued success and entertaining performances which is what we've seen under Mombaerts so far, and continued communication and relationship building/repairing with fans. Matchdays have still been great though, I should really stress and the City Terrace has been really strong in atmosphere-building despite the obvious lower numbers and should really be commended. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 11 minutes ago, Nate said: Low crowds bother me too but by the same token, I'm part of the problem given I lost interest and only watched games very sporadically over the past two and a bit seasons. Obviously it isn't entirely reflective, but the official Melbourne City facebook page has 230k followers suggesting we have a pretty sizeable base - meaning the main problem isn't attracting new fans but reconnecting with old fans from both Heart and City eras. Between the underwhelming on-field performances of Heart, the messy takeover and rebranding by CFG, the absence of club-supporter communication largely up until this season, the David Villa guest stint and Lampard non-signing, the Joyce appointment, lack of capitalising Tim Cahill, the Fornaroli fiasco and the wider apathy towards the entire A-League, it's really no wonder why there is such a notable disconnect still despite the brighter optimism this season. I think it's also important to recognise that people mostly have better things to do in the Spring/Summer than watch us play in perhaps not the greatest timeslots, so the only thing we can really hope for is continued success and entertaining performances which is what we've seen under Mombaerts so far, and continued communication and relationship building/repairing with fans. Matchdays have still been great though, I should really stress and the City Terrace has been really strong in atmosphere-building despite the obvious lower numbers and should really be commended. Sums it up nicely. I'll add another factor as well - seemingly never-ending disruptions to Melbourne's public transport and poor country rail services, both especially on Sundays, mean that sometimes it's just too fucking hard to get to the match and home again, despite one's best intentions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris p Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 I'm not sure there's anything more tedious than talking about crowds 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Latchford Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 3 hours ago, citypool said: Winning games check Likeable manager check Playing young players check Play attacking football check loud active area check what’s missing? A key issue is the keyboard warriors that were screaming for all these ingredients are still not showing up. Getting a world-renowned star to come in will bring a short term attendance boost but doesn't guarantee success in the same season. E.g Del Piero. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imtellingyou Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 Club doesn't have identity. Hence, there is no large crowd. Size of the Active area is not an issue. There are no attractive foreign players (Villa). No one cares about JM and likes to start coming to stadium. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citypool Posted November 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 20 minutes ago, Chris p said: I'm not sure there's anything more tedious than talking about crowds I’m sure a lot of people feel that way but we are in a position where we can get overtaken by western United when they get their stadium. I want this club to be successful off the field as well as on it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mus-28 Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 Moving in the right direction this season but it'll take time to win back fans after the last 2 seasons that were wasted. Having a few of the players who aren't in the matchday squad at Gosch's Paddock every game would help. My oldest is 6 and hasn't really shown an interest but after meeting the players pre and post game now he wants to come to more games, surprisingly so does the wife after meeting Macca and Bouzanis. Even small things like giving 20 community clubs a family pass every week to raffle or give away on facebook will at least help spread the word that we're playing at home. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jovan Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 1 hour ago, Chris p said: I'm not sure there's anything more tedious than talking about crowds Agree, We are going to end up being the hipster/jazz type club. Very well informed but too smart for our own good, hence reluctant to blindly follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icantthinkofacoolname Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 Just for reference, here's every single home game we've had over 10k (not counting home derbies). Predictably, there definitely appears to be a correlation between winning and crowds. Also, recognisable names seem to help, as seen by the large amount of games over 10k when we had Cahill. MHFC 10/11 Round 1 vs CCM: 11,050 - First ever game 12/13 Round 2 vs Wellington: 11,007 - Derby win in previous game 12/13 Round 22 vs Sydney: 13,752 13/14 Round 27 vs WSW: 10,003 - Last game as Heart MCFC 14/15 Round 2 vs Newcastle: 15,717 - First home game as City + David Villa 14/15 Round 4 vs Adelaide: 13,083 - David Villa 15/16 Round 13 vs Sydney: 10,140 - 3rd on ladder at time 15/16 Round 16 vs Wellington: 10,825 15/16 Round 27 vs Adelaide: 11,454 - Last game of season 15/16 Elimination Final vs Perth: 11,273 - Final 16/17 Round 4 vs Adelaide: 10,053 - 3rd on ladder + Tim Cahill 16/17 Round 8 vs Wellington: 10,644 - 2nd on ladder +Tim Cahill 16/17 Round 12 vs Perth: 11,269 - Tim Cahill 16/17 Round 14 vs WSW: 10,731 - Tim Cahill 16/17 Round 21 vs Sydney: 10,706 - 3rd on ladder + Tim Cahill 16/17 FFA Cup Final vs Sydney: 18,751 - Cup Final + Tim Cahill 17/18 Round 5 vs Sydney: 11,034 - 1st on ladder following 4 game win streak 18/19 Round 2 vs Sydney: 12,086 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr MO Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 4 hours ago, Bob Latchford said: A key issue is the keyboard warriors that were screaming for all these ingredients are still not showing up. Getting a world-renowned star to come in will bring a short term attendance boost but doesn't guarantee success in the same season. E.g Del Piero. I think that it requires consistency in getting Star players. Not just in one season or for a couple games. This needs to be the norm to get more people through the gate. We are a little naive to think that all damage is forgotten after 4 rounds, these keyboard warriors and the general public need a little more time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeartFc Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 7 hours ago, citypool said: Winning games check Likeable manager check Playing young players check Play attacking football check loud active area check what’s missing? We're a shit club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baka1 Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 It’ll take a few very good seasons and a big trophy to get us up. That’s all that’s missing. Consistency 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imtellingyou Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 14/15 Round 2 vs Newcastle: 15,717 - First home game as City + David Villa - top deck was opened for league non derby match Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CityWildcat Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 Sadly, we have 6000-7000 CITY FANS and another 3000-5000 ''football fans'' who will come and watch City when someone they have heard of is signed by us. Then those same people vanish when the marquee name leaves/retires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imtellingyou Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 Clubs inside the same city should gravitate to parts of the city. What works for the first 'and only club ', doesn't work for us. In fact, if United has got the stadium in the western suburbs they would already surpassed our home crowd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fensaddler Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 8 hours ago, jw1739 said: Sums it up nicely. I'll add another factor as well - seemingly never-ending disruptions to Melbourne's public transport and poor country rail services, both especially on Sundays, mean that sometimes it's just too fucking hard to get to the match and home again, despite one's best intentions. Yes, this. Getting from Richmond to Southern Cross takes longer than the trip back Geelong way after evening matches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afif Adam Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 free tickets won't hurt anyone, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisphantomfortress Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 Surely the idea "free big macs if city win" is worth another try? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 Of course, we wouldn't be discussing this if we played in a stadium of 10,000 capacity... Notice how good Sydney's crowds look now that they're playing at Kogarah or Leichhardt (both 20,000). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HughJass Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 9 hours ago, thisphantomfortress said: Surely the idea "free big macs if city win" is worth another try? They been doing it this season 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Originalmeme Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 results will get people through the door, win the league they will stay! simple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisphantomfortress Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 2 hours ago, HughJass said: They been doing it this season Have they?! I haven't got the emails (or haven't read them more likely) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 11 hours ago, jw1739 said: Of course, we wouldn't be discussing this if we played in a stadium of 10,000 capacity... Notice how good Sydney's crowds look now that they're playing at Kogarah or Leichhardt (both 20,000). Yep put a little boutique stadium at Bundoora. Then lobby the state gov to get onto the Bundoora part of the suburban rail loop asap. but on another point I think that we are a bit of a barometer for the feeling of the league as a whole. The league is in a slump across the board and our crowds reflect that malaise imo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HughJass Posted November 4, 2019 Report Share Posted November 4, 2019 1 hour ago, thisphantomfortress said: Have they?! I haven't got the emails (or haven't read them more likely) Yeah 1000 vouchers after the game if they win, not sure if in the email but they do advertise it at the game Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted November 5, 2019 Report Share Posted November 5, 2019 3 hours ago, Dylan said: Yep put a little boutique stadium at Bundoora. Then lobby the state gov to get onto the Bundoora part of the suburban rail loop asap. but on another point I think that we are a bit of a barometer for the feeling of the league as a whole. The league is in a slump across the board and our crowds reflect that malaise imo Run buses from the nearest station on match days? But I still believe that all these things will make only a marginal difference. We are still seen as the Antipodean Branch Office of a Manchester-based football club. Only when people identify us with Melbourne do I believe that we will reconnect with the fans. Not one of our four directors is Melbourne-based. They make decisions based on CFG corporate interests, not specific Melbourne City interests. Doesn't mean that I don't support the club - I've missed only a handful of home matches in 9+ seasons, as did my wife until she became seriously ill, but I see this as the major stumbling block in our development. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjake1234 Posted November 5, 2019 Report Share Posted November 5, 2019 (edited) 5 hours ago, Dylan said: Yep put a little boutique stadium at Bundoora. Then lobby the state gov to get onto the Bundoora part of the suburban rail loop asap. Actually not a silly point. The exact location of the stations has not yet been decided on. As you say, start planning the location for a stadium and lobby the government for the station close by - maybe CFG can offer a sweetener. Would make it very easy to get to for a lot of people - including those in the South East eg Cheltenham! Edited November 5, 2019 by mjake1234 Add Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted November 5, 2019 Report Share Posted November 5, 2019 5 minutes ago, mjake1234 said: Actually not a silly point. The exact location of the stations has not yet been decided on. As you say, start planning the location for a stadium and lobby the government for the station close by - maybe CFG can offer a sweetener. Would make it very easy to get to for a lot of people - including those in the South East eg Cheltenham! From the past plans I have seen there is definitely one proposed at Latrobe in Bundoora Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fensaddler Posted November 5, 2019 Report Share Posted November 5, 2019 1 hour ago, mjake1234 said: Actually not a silly point. The exact location of the stations has not yet been decided on. As you say, start planning the location for a stadium and lobby the government for the station close by - maybe CFG can offer a sweetener. Would make it very easy to get to for a lot of people - including those in the South East eg Cheltenham! It would be even more hideous to get to from Geelong than AAMI. No thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr MO Posted November 5, 2019 Report Share Posted November 5, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, mjake1234 said: Actually not a silly point. The exact location of the stations has not yet been decided on. As you say, start planning the location for a stadium and lobby the government for the station close by - maybe CFG can offer a sweetener. Would make it very easy to get to for a lot of people - including those in the South East eg Cheltenham! Our stadium location is fine don’t you think. We belong in the City as our name and crest suggest. Invest those millions in other things and the top deck will open in a couple seasons. 1 hour ago, Dylan said: From the past plans I have seen there is definitely one proposed at Latrobe in Bundoora A small stadium for youth, NPL and W-League perhaps? That’s very common nowadays in Europe to have this next to the training ground. Edited November 5, 2019 by Mr MO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate Posted November 5, 2019 Report Share Posted November 5, 2019 I ain't going to Bundoora, did plenty enough of that throughout my La Trobe days lol. AAMI Park is a great stadium that we shouldn't take for granted, just focus on boosting attendances long-term and we'll eventually grow into it better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr MO Posted November 5, 2019 Report Share Posted November 5, 2019 14 minutes ago, Nate said: I ain't going to Bundoora, did plenty enough of that throughout my La Trobe days lol. AAMI Park is a great stadium that we shouldn't take for granted, just focus on boosting attendances long-term and we'll eventually grow into it better. It’s only a matter of time before AAMI will be rebranded to Puma or Etihad Stadium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiko Posted November 5, 2019 Report Share Posted November 5, 2019 Most important thing is to keep winning, re-establishing the brand. The marketing department needs to schedule a series of events and unique promotions. For example maybe they could send a free double pass to anyone who has ever been a Heart/City member to the Perth Friday night match in December. Just see what the take up rate is first of all and then try to re-engage from then on. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Embee Posted November 5, 2019 Report Share Posted November 5, 2019 Winning is the key really, and not just bits and pieces, but sustained success and proof that you can put your belief and faith into what the club is carrying out on the field. Establishing an identity from an ON-FIELD standpoint is important too. The off-field stuff will grow organically over time, but finding our own niche in terms of on-field product and structure is easier to to develop in the short term. Personally, I feel a greater focus on youth (which we seem to be seeing at the moment) and the attacking football we were originally promised will help to set us apart and develop a brand that people can attach to/be attracted to. I'd much prefer to see a team full of Metcalfes, Arzanis, Atkinsons and the like to a team full of over the hill VISA's with name value. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icantthinkofacoolname Posted November 5, 2019 Report Share Posted November 5, 2019 9 minutes ago, Embee said: I'd much prefer to see a team full of Metcalfes, Arzanis, Atkinsons and the like to a team full of over the hill VISA's with name value. Yep 100%. We need to make sure can hold onto these players for a few years too - if we still had Arzani I reckon that'd help heaps for crowds. I'm still quite disappointed he left so quickly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted November 5, 2019 Report Share Posted November 5, 2019 13 minutes ago, Embee said: I'd much prefer to see a team full of Metcalfes, Arzanis, Atkinsons and the like to a team full of over the hill VISA's with name value. So would I. But you and I are rusted-on. I still think that you need one big name to get the latent support into the stadium. David Villa and Del Piero proved that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Embee Posted November 5, 2019 Report Share Posted November 5, 2019 43 minutes ago, jw1739 said: So would I. But you and I are rusted-on. I still think that you need one big name to get the latent support into the stadium. David Villa and Del Piero proved that. They proved that those signings lead to a short term increase, once they both left though their impact had almost no ongoing legacy. I think a successful focus on youth and positive football would have a greater long term impact 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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