Mariners vs Wellington at NSO - Game Talk

[VicMariner]

A fair bit, the major local stations, 2GO and Star at least, run promotions heavily coming up to the games... Every time I've gotten in the car for the last week, I've heard a spot for tomorrow's game.
It sort of goes with my comment earlier, in one of the other threads, I actually think MC has done quite an extraordinary job in improving/increasing the promotional work by the club, beyond the occasional visit of a Mariner here and there... It's an ENORMOUS improvement over the last couple of years... Which is why it's so surprising to me, that, at the same time, he seems to come up with ill-considered marketing moves like the suggestion of moving almost half our home-games to NSO next year.

Well that's good to hear. I was under the impression there was minimal promotion. Thought it best to ask.
The problem is if most people know when games are on they are choosing not to attend. What is holding them back? Answering that question will give some ideas on how to engage them.
Once casual attendees come to a match how can they be enticed to attend more often?
Active support is a real point of difference with other codes and adds enormously to the match day experience. From my perspective watching every game on foxtel, this year active support has hit another level. The brass band sounds great and the songs seem louder and sung more often. The cannon is a disappointment though. Can't hear it and foxtel don't show it. It would be great if it could become an iconic display like that chainsaw guy the Portland Timbers have.

Given the good promotion, the team's on field success and the good match day atmosphere are already in place I think a surge in numbers from the coast is unlikely and a gradual increase will be the norm from here on. It is not really surprising MC is looking to increase the supporter base. He just has to be very careful how he does it.

 

[nebakke]

Yeah... Personally at least, I think one of the first issues is that people seem to think that this is a straight up matter of offering a "genericsport(tm)" and then convincing people to come along. It's not always as clear cut as that and, ironically, quite a large proportion of the football fans that I know, are perfect examples of this. For mine, I likely wouldn't be caught dead at a NRL game except for the potential novelty of it (not Australian, so Rugby is not at ALL in my genes ). So having someone like the Bears, play permanently would not significantly increase the likelihood of me attending a game.
The same thing goes for many fans of the other codes... While we have code jumpers, certainly, I think the assumption is that the attendance equation is a lot simpler than it really is. The fact that we've already managed to pull in quite a few fans from what is essentially, Rugby League heartland, is a pretty decent start.
Obviously, conversion has something to do with exposure as well... Personally, I used largely be a "cultural" football fan myself, so-to-speak, I follow my national team and peripherally my local club/clubs as they were relegated... But never anything to the extend that I not support the Mariners and much of that comes from a newly found local patriotism

I'm not really getting my point across here I think, looking at what I've written, but I guess I'm trying to say that I understand the need to expand the PR campaign down south and I support some level of push. But I think the investors have to appreciate that this was only ever going to be a VERY long-term prospect. The football participation on the Central Coast is well ahead of that of any of the other codes combined, but much like it is-or-was in the US, it seems like players historically converted to the other codes and/or Cricket when they reach the teen years. My perception is that that is halting now, but it'll take time for that effect to feed through to permanent support.
In the meantime, I think it's important for the club to recognise that the fan base IS growing, even if it's not at the pace that they need or would prefer. It gives them something to build on as long as they make sure that they don't alienate these new fans.

 

[VicMariner]

Personally at least, I think one of the first issues is that people seem to think that this is a straight up matter of offering a "genericsport(tm)" and then convincing people to come along.

I think I follow and agree. AFL/NRL teams seem all cut from the same mould, pick your favourite colour or animal and there is a team for you. Whereas football teams at their best have an individual identity. They are an extension of their fans. This is one of the reasons why I think WSW are doing so well regarding fan engagement, they got to pick the name, colours, badge etc. No wonder they feel it is their team and not some business franchise foisted upon them.
The fan forums CCM had not so long ago were a great idea and should be ongoing and taken seriously by the club. Give your supporters a sense of ownership and some input into the direction of the club and you will build a very strong connection with the community.

 

[bikinigirl]

I'm not really getting my point across here I think

. i think you have done pretty well ... unless i mis-understood

In the meantime, I think it's important for the club to recognise that the fan base IS growing, even if it's not at the pace that they need or would prefer. It gives them something to build on

. exactly

. i can't get away from this nagging feeling that charlesworth ... having bought the most successful team in the history of the league ... can't understand why he can't fill a relatively small stadium week-in, week-out

. we are talking about a cultural change ... that does not come easily or quickly. the GF parade was evidence that the support is there (as is referenced constantly) - but at the moment it appears too big (fast?) a step to expect everybody to want or need to come to every match

 

[bikinigirl]

I think I follow and agree. AFL/NRL teams seem all cut from the same mould, pick your favourite colour or animal and there is a team for you. Whereas football teams at their best have an individual identity. They are an extension of their fans.

. interesting observation ... so there are still too many coasties that don't identify with the mariners being representative of themselves

 

[nebakke]

Heh, I must've done alright after all it seems, as you both seem to have gotten my gist perfectly
Yep, I think perhaps there's a need for a bit of outlining of reasonable expectations. At this point, the discussion is always about how there aren't enough fans attending, but there's no real mention of what is "enough" and how realistic that number actually is.
Plus, life happens... I was planning to attend tonight, for example, but have a sick child to look after, so I'll help boost the number of viewers in stead

 

[Big Al]

We now have three reasons why a permanent move is off the agenda IMO ... HHHMMM maybe never on it ... however it comes back to numbers ..ie 1 , 2 , 3 , games etc ...

My three reasons ... 1] the COE is an asset for Football in Australia, it was used in the WCB and is often sited by FFA when talking up Football, if we left or folded it would more than likely become part of the Wyong RL club or Easts / Penrith etc not an asset Football can afford to loose .. 2] After the GC & N QLD, FFA do not want another club to fold, especially a successful one ... 3] SFC do not want us in their backyard....


Its seems obvious FFA want us to stay on the Coast ... further it seems MC wants to extent the fan base [which is not a bad thing] ... the process I guess is the question and communicating ideas is important ... with MC overseas a fair bit ... I assume a new CEO will be in time appointed and hopefully this person will be the communication person... [wonders aloud if we could get Gorman back]

I guess it comes down to how many games are lost and as Kev said is it the best approach anyway ...

As stated later in the thread to COE is an asset that would be attached to the club but not necessarily tying the club to Tuggerah. The junior development - Youth teams - National training base etc can all be done out of there & any earning are the same if they owned the bowling green next door. Their nothing stopping the The Northern/Southern Spirit/Mariners playing & training at NSO & using the COE for development & revenue as a tie into the coast. IMO thats exactly what they would do.

SFC is a good reason as Gallop would prefer not to piss off one of the bigger clubs expecially one who has brought Del Piero to town unless Gallop eyes a little salt into the wounds of RL & targets an area they have now abandoned (but he can have that with Gosford to)

 

[Big Al]

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1174715/Di-Pietro's-swipe-at-FFA-over-TV-scheduling

MV - have turned over a profit of approx. $250,000 + they reckon the other clubs combined have lost $20m.
Bit of a shame that the biggest club is only just making a profit. Do all clubs have to be as big as MV to make money or are is there some wastage in there?
Then the rest of the league is really a basket case financially.

So if you are an owner in a football club be prepared to cough up a lot of money. The FFA needs to find away to stop the bleeding

 

[FFC Mariner]

.

. i can't get away from this nagging feeling that charlesworth ... having bought the most successful team in the history of the league ... can't understand why he can't fill a relatively small stadium week-in, week-out

I think you are spot on here. Would explain the threats and dummy spits. Frustration?

9 years of underfunded marketing, poor comms, lack of engagement etc etc etc. to reverse that will not be quickly done. If you take Lawries efforts out of it, you can't really say the club has had senior leaders who have made much of an effort.

Is it just me or was the "community club" legend more hype than reality? Has their ever been a Mariners presence at a local GF?

If the back office team had been inspired/funded to market as hard from season 1 as they did this offseason, I'm confident that the problem wouldn't be so bad. Given the resources, their efforts have been commendable.

The next GM appointment is absolutely crucial.

 

[scoober]

Word just on fox is that we are looking to pull out of the ACL.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Wasn't the opening 5 minute rant about our clubs management inspiring.

Harper rehashing the N Eagles debacle was especially nice to hear.

Nice tribute to PT though, damned MC with faint praise indeed

 

[sydmariner]

Word just on fox is that we are looking to pull out of the ACL.

I hope not we need the money

 

[bikinigirl]

I hope not we need the money

 

[FFC Mariner]

Word just on fox is that we are looking to pull out of the ACL.

Apparently we want the FFA to fund us if we go in according to Fox.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Cudos to Ancient Mariner for a cooler head than mine - i still feel MC has desires than don't match the fans thoughts or interests & better communication is required to get us to under stand, we aren't stupid so don't treat us that way. Like all good relationships communication is the key.

Ancient mariner deserves no cudos, he would not have a clue what he is talking about, and only posts when he has been imbibing too much in Scotland's finest product.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

How is Brookvale Oval closer to the coast than NSO?

Brookvale Oval is closer to the coast but not closer to The Coast.

Parking there is as bad as NSO plus there is no train.

 

[pjennings]

Brookvale takes as long by car as NSO. It has the same parking problems as NSO but has no train service. Add to this that a large number of Mariners supporters work in the Sydney CBD then NSO is a better option than Brookvale.

The game is essentially the 'regional' round. NSO is supposed to be a nod to the Mariners northern Sydney supporters. I think it is a poor football venue. Given that most regional round are poor drawing and it is against Wellington in midweek I would have preferred something like T.G Milner field at Marsfield.

 

[midfielder]

The game is essentially the 'regional' round. NSO is supposed to be a nod to the Mariners northern Sydney supporters. I think it is a poor football venue. Given that most regional round are poor drawing and it is against Wellington in midweek I would have preferred something like T.G Milner field at Marsfield.

Not a bad choice maybe the field would not be up to standard...

 

[midfielder]

I bow to greater minds re Brookie and NSO ....

Just thinking out loud ... fark under 6 K last night ... we have approached FFA re ACL in part because of our poor home crowds at ACL matches....

WE have never had better media Star & 2GO pushing the game... Express good coverage ... mid table against a team with a some excellent players ...

The rain OK OK but it kinda settled down about 5:00 ....

The $ 64.00 dollar question ... in a bad season on a bad night ... HHHHMMmmmmm ...

It was FTA as well not kinda the calling card we wanted to send to the CC community at large ...

Just thinking last night did not help ....

 

[Wombat]

Any ground is easier to get to than NSO. Parking is atrocious.

And

I bow to greater minds re Brookie and NSO ....

Just thinking out loud ... fark under 6 K last night ... we have approached FFA re ACL in part because of our poor home crowds at ACL matches....

WE have never had better media Star & 2GO pushing the game... Express good coverage ... mid table against a team with a some excellent players ...

The rain OK OK but it kinda settled down about 5:00 ....

The $ 64.00 dollar question ... in a bad season on a bad night ... HHHHMMmmmmm ...

It was FTA as well not kinda the calling card we wanted to send to the CC community at large ...

Just thinking last night did not help ....

Middy...were you there?

Alot of people pussied out because of the cold and rain. It cost me 5 people.

I think we would have got 9K + on a decent night.