CC Mariners: memberships, communication and the "Community Club"

[midfielder]

Article from University of Auckland Business Review about the power of the a fans forum in many ways ...

The opening of the article states ...

Football franchise the Wellington Phoenix owes much of its success to tech-savvy fan community the Yellow Fever, say Alex Natelli and David Pauleen. The broader lesson: there is no substitute for genuine enthusiasm amongst consumers

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http://www.uabr.auckland.ac.nz/files/articles/Volume17/v13i1-die-hard-fans.pdf

 

[krusty]

I have just renewed my membership and have also signed my son up as a member. I have also convinced 2 guys from work to sign up for the 6 game membership.They came to a few games last year and liked it. My issue is that they had no idea about the memberships at all they didnt know about the 6 and 3 game deals. Unless your a member or mad football fan people on the cost dont even know about the memberships. I know they dont go on sale to the 1 Aug but shouldnt the club be out there advertising it. I think we need to get out in peoples faces lets be seen have membership drives at our shopping centers. I am sure this would not cost much if a few of us helped which im sure we would.Have some players there the kids would love to get a photo and shake hands with their idols{even the bigger kids}. We just need to get out there be a part of the community and make this year the biggest and best year for the mariners.

 

[shipwreck]

I have just renewed my membership and have also signed my son up as a member. I have also convinced 2 guys from work to sign up for the 6 game membership.They came to a few games last year and liked it. My issue is that they had no idea about the memberships at all they didnt know about the 6 and 3 game deals. Unless your a member or mad football fan people on the cost dont even know about the memberships. I know they dont go on sale to the 1 Aug but shouldnt the club be out there advertising it. I think we need to get out in peoples faces lets be seen have membership drives at our shopping centers. I am sure this would not cost much if a few of us helped which im sure we would.Have some players there the kids would love to get a photo and shake hands with their idols{even the bigger kids}. We just need to get out there be a part of the community and make this year the biggest and best year for the mariners.

I love your enthusiasm Krusty and I couldnt agree more! Setting up membership stands in Erina Fair and Tuggerah alone would add enough awareness around the two areas to generate more interest. I have no idea how to go about organising such things but I imagine it would simply be a matter of contacting the Shopping Centre Managements, requesting an area to set up stalls and go from there.

Offering something that appeals to kids there and then would be a massive boost also, plush mariners soccer balls that would catch their eyes while walking passed and pull the parents in to investigate further.

In addition they need to really stress the GREAT VALUE it is, people on the coast are proud and would certainly react well to a sign comparing the cost of our memberships to others, I can see people signing up simply because of how much cheaper it is than a Sydney membership, especially if they are at the shops on a Sunday with their children anyway!

I will be becoming a Platinum member this year along with my girlfriend, I will also be signing up three other mates by simply bringing to their attention the good value of the memberships, I encourage everyone to do the same as Krusty stated no one knows about these deals unless they are a regular on this forum and lets be honest, we account for about 1% of mariners fans

LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SEASON!!

 

[adz]

Mariners have started to work on this a bit, with their facebook stuff, and more articles on their website keeping us up to date with things they are doing, so that's good. They did have a bit of a step backwards when they had the Canberra trip, though, when they didn't take someone to report on the games! I know they don't have that many resources and stuff, but surely keeping customers (aka football fans) up to date with everything about the club's main product (aka football games), would be a high priority.

Anyway, they have started in the right direction so hopefully they keep improving.

A regular table at Erina Fair and Tuggerah would be a must for getting the word out there, you would think. Central Coast Bears have been very proactive in this area, and they don't even have a team, and probably never will! The Bears have shown that they can get a big membership base for a product that in computer nerd terms would be "vaporware" (software or hardware that has been advertised but is not yet available to buy, either because it is only a concept or because it is still being written or designed), so the Mariners have a massive advantage over that, where they have an actual team that plays actual games you can go to.

Shipwreck - I would say the number of people posting on the site would account for less than 1% of Mariners fans, but the number of people that read the site would be more.

Nice one Krusty - as fans we can do our bit to help out the club, simply by talking about it... telling people about games, memberships, whatever!

 

[krusty]

Thanks guys for your support i will try to contact the mariners with this idea and i will let you know how i go. Imagine 15000 to every game now that would be good and can happen if we all just bring 1 extra person to the game.

 

[Dutch Wives]

Im also going to try and convince my mates to sign up this year when I get home. Im hoping I can stick around for a while so I can get a bigger membership package.

Thanks guys for your support i will try to contact the mariners with this idea and i will let you know how i go. Imagine 15000 to every game now that would be good and can happen if we all just bring 1 extra person to the game.

It does sound like a very good idea. The club could send emails to members asking for volunteers to help at Erina and Tuggerah. What would it take? 2-4 people, maybe a player or two, during the busiest time on Saturdays and Sundays. I know I'ds put my hand up for a few shifts, and will do if something like this takes off when I get home.

If it was in China, all you would needs is two or three people to stop and ask about the memberships before everyone whose walking past would stop to check out what all the fuss is about. They love flocking towards buzz over here lol.

 

[northernspirit]

membership renewed for the new season, now to count down the days till the season opener! verhead:

 

[kevrenor]

https://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=259607950722418

Saturday 30 July – Erina Fair & Westfield Tuggerah

Player Appearances – 12 – 1pm

Erina Fair – Graham Arnold, Oliver Bozanic, Matt Simon, Patrick Zwaanswijk, Michael McGlinchey, Justin Pasfield, Brad McDonald, Rostyn Griffiths, Pedj Bojic, Andrew Clark

Westfield Tuggerah – Phil Moss, Josh Rose, Adriano Pellegrino, Michael Baird, Troy Hearfield, Mat Ryan, Daniel McBreen, Brad Porter, John Crawley

 

[dibo]

Partner and I are signed up again, I've ordered the new jersey, all systems go for the MCE.

 

[kevrenor]

Central Coast Mariners have today agreed to an official partnership with Central Coast Radio for the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League season.Incorporating 2GO (107.7FM) and SEA FM (101.3FM), Central Coast Radio were an official partner of the Mariners for the clubs’ inaugural Hyundai A-League campaign in 2005/06.

With the partnership effective immediately, McKay added the alliance would aid the Mariners 2011/12 Membership campaign which ramps up this weekend.“It’s great to be back on board with Central Coast Radio, and we are already off and running starting with a major Membership drive for the upcoming season this weekend,” he said.

On Saturday, the Mariners will open their early-bird price period for new Members with events at Erina Fair and Westfield Tuggerah between 10am and 1pm.

Mariners players and coaching staff will be present at both venues signing autographs, posing for pictures and mingling with fans between 12 and 1pm.

http://www.ccmariners.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=40435

 

[dibo]

star fm vs coast radio trollathon in 3, 2, 1...

 

[nero]

What do people think about setting up a members stand at Westfields Hornsby? Is that more CCM or Sydney FC?
Considering how good the memberships are this season, football fans living in Hornsby would be silly not to consider joining CCM over the expensive and dull Sydney fc.
Thoughts?

 

[shipwreck]

My understanding is that we target the Hornsby demographic and more people from there support Sydney FC, however if you walk into the Rebel Sport at Hornsby the primary display during the season is of a Sydney FC shirt so read into that what you will....

By the look of it Erina got the better deal as far as player rep goes, not to mention the head coach...

Erina Fair – Graham Arnold, Oliver Bozanic, Matt Simon, Patrick Zwaanswijk, Michael McGlinchey, Justin Pasfield, Brad McDonald, Rostyn Griffiths, Pedj Bojic, Andrew Clark

Westfield Tuggerah – Phil Moss, Josh Rose, Adriano Pellegrino, Michael Baird, Troy Hearfield, Mat Ryan, Daniel McBreen, Brad Porter, John Crawley


I'd choose Erina for Dutchy alone!

 

[krusty]

What do people think about setting up a members stand at Westfields Hornsby? Is that more CCM or Sydney FC?
Considering how good the memberships are this season, football fans living in Hornsby would be silly not to consider joining CCM over the expensive and dull Sydney fc.
Thoughts?

Just read in the paper the bears done a membership drive at hornsby so i think we should to. If the people down there have any brains they will join our club not sydney.We even should try parramatta.

 

[dibo]

*stamps feet*

Resists urge to be pedantic prick, must not correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.

I think I need another beer.

 

[adz]

I just hope that these membership events aren't the last of it. Hopefully they can have something at Erina, Tuggerah, markets and etc on the coast every weekend leading up to the season. I just get the feeling it's either a big event or nothing though, with nothing in between :huh:

 

[adz]

And nice work dibo. You done good.

 

[samster]

was really cool to see all the posters up at work last night (woy woy maccas), i thought the posters were done really well

 

[scottmac]

What do people think about setting up a members stand at Westfields Hornsby? Is that more CCM or Sydney FC?
Considering how good the memberships are this season, football fans living in Hornsby would be silly not to consider joining CCM over the expensive and dull Sydney fc.
Thoughts?

Would be much easier for a family to get to a game from Hornsby at Gosford than the SFS. Bloody hell I live in Manly and I'd rather catch a ferry and 3 trains to Gosford than support that shite team.

 

[style_cafe]

CITY REVEALS PLANS FOR WORLD CLASS TRAINING FACILITY
Manchester City have unveiled extensive plans to develop a world class first team & youth training facility adjacent to Etihad Stadium.
The ambitious Barclay`s Premier League club want to develop up to 80acres of brownfield land as part of their recently announced Etihad campus project.
City have spent 3 years planning a scheme which could take a further 3-6 years to come to full fruition.
When complete the facility will include an academy for 400 players,16 football pitches, state of the art first team training & injury rehabilitation facilities, a 7,000 –capacity stadium & staff offices.
It will bring all arms of the club together with a bridge linking the site to Etihad Stadium & the rest of the Etihad campus.
City have earmarked 5.5acres of the site for further community use, which could include an education facility & sports institute.
Former City midfielder Patrick Vieira, who earlier this month retired to begin a new role as football development executive at the club, is convinced City are on course to become one of the biggest clubs in the world.
The 35year old said, ”I think the target & ambition of all the people working for this club is really high.”
“ They want to challenge the biggest clubs in the world & they are getting there.
“ When you look at where the club was 3 years ago& where it is now, it`s a big change. You never know where the club will be in 3 years.
“ We just have to keep working really hard, keep believing in what we are doing & I`m sure the club will be challenging the biggest in the world.”
“When you are a player what you ask is a facility where you can express yourself & learn”
“I don`t think you will find a better facility than this around the world”
(British Football Week)

It may be bigger than ours but I thought this sounded very familiar..