I feel sorry for you..not sure if yo have been across the Yarra champ, but the city is full of nightspots and bars..not hard to find..you must be a bumpkin!

Haha, c'mon Tingay, Crown is the closest thing Australia has to Vegas (greatest place int he world!). Even though I'm an ex-Vico, I'm not ex-Melbournian, and I remember many great times had going to Friday night footy at the G, followed by endless hours spent at Heat, Mercury Lounge or Barcode - cringing just thinking about it! Great memories, and for a quiet punter like me, it's a great spot! Nb. hopefully the do-gooders don't get up me about how it (establishments like Crown) ruins peoples lives etc.

I'd say you are right about this. Check this article out for the effect a single successful Korean player has had for filing the coffers of Manchester United ...

http://www.dailymail...sh-machine.html

Imagine if Melbourne listed the first Chinese player, and he became a regular. would that potentially result in a "ker-ching" for our club ?

More bad news on marketing side of things. Wanted to share this little story with you all. I had instructed my old man on what I would like for Christmas last year and been online to the Demons Shop and pointed out that i was keen on the NB spray jackets that were on sale. Dad, not being very teck savvy, decided he would prefer to venture into town to pick up my Xmas gift. Despite being told to go to Rebel Sport, the old boy happned to pass the F1 and AFL Merchandise store on Elizabeth St. The one right near Lit Collins. Anyway, he came home with the complete wrong jacket.

Upon inspection of the jacket, i noticed it was not NB nor was it red, nor did it feature the current logo, nor the previous logo. It was 2007 merchandise and it cost $80.00. So off i went to town to exchange the present for the right one, or at least the right era merchandise. Not the 2007 version he had purchased.

When I arrived at the store I pointed out to the guy that the jacket was from 2007 and that i had wanted the 2011 NB media spray jacket. He said that the MFC was a 'fringe club' and for that reason they had no current stock. Not one current jumper, not one current NB polo, nothing! They did have 4 clash jumpers for a mere $125.00. Not even on sale.

Anyway, i don't really hold the store responsible. But I was livid at the fact he described us as a fringe club and told me that MFC stuff just doesn't sell so they don't bother getting any in. Also told me that he was unsure whether they would get the 2012 stock in. This is an AFL merch store in the heart of the CBD and this is how marketable we are? My god! we must do better than this.

I know that someone will say that 'you should have gone to the Demon Shop'. But Dad's don't always get these types of things. Wasn't even sure it was open and can shop online. fair dinkum, we need exposure!!!!

Anyway, if anyone wants $79.95 worth od store credit for a Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne Heart, Melbourne Storm or Melbourne Victory merch, get in touch!

Edited December 20, 201113 yr by Tingay02

This is an AFL merch store in the heart of the CBD and this is how marketable we are? My god! we must do better than this. I know that someone will say that 'you should have gone to the Demon Shop'. But Dad's don't always get these types of things. Wasn't even sure it was open and can shop online. fair dinkum, we need exposure!!!!

We don't have a fanbase that supports the "I am going to a non-AFL focused merchandise store to buy gear" fan - no offence to your dad.

The Demons Shop, and sports retailers to a lesser extent, soaks up the small Demon fan market and that is that.

We may need exposure but not in merch stores.

We need to find people to follow the Demons and then we will have as much merchandise as their credit cards can endure.

But seriously...

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/portals/59/melbourne_shop.html

The store is 90% AFL merchandise. not sure why the assumption " I am going to a non-AFL focused merchandise store to buy gear". have a look at google map. If I didn't know better would i not think this was an AFL merch shop am going to a non-AFL focused merchandise store to buy gear.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&gs_upl=2296l2296l0l3139l1l1l0l0l0l0l406l406l4-1l1l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=971&bih=454&wrapid=tlif132435829035710&q=116+Elizabeth+Street,+Melbourne&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x6ad642b4ff9a530b:0x4da414d7e389a6e8,116+Elizabeth+St,+Melbourne+VIC+3000&gl=au&ei=lhrwTuWmI6KQiAe1qNjCAQ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CB0Q8gEwAA

Now consider a tourist that wants a momento from Melbourne. Sports nut. Walks down Elizabeth Street, see that sign and goes in. No MFC gear. FAIL !!

You clearly missed my point.

I won't bother elaborating.

Also consider that not everyone is aware of the Demon Shop in its current location. Not all people are gen X or Y and shop online. Our product is not placed in the centre of town.....FAIL!

We don't have a fanbase that supports the "I am going to a non-AFL focused merchandise store to buy gear" fan - no offence to your dad.

The Demons Shop, and sports retailers to a lesser extent, soaks up the small Demon fan market and that is that.

We may need exposure but not in merch stores.

We need to find people to follow the Demons and then we will have as much merchandise as their credit cards can endure.

But seriously...

http://www.melbourne...ourne_shop.html

and you know why I am a New York Mets fan? Coz when i visited New York i walked into a street store and found only a Mets cap in my size. I adopted the mets. You know why i like the Chicago Bulls? Coz of their logo...u know why i like.....get in the real world...having new fans (worldwide as was discussed at the begiining of this thread, if you bothered to read the top) is all about product placement.

and you know why I am a New York Mets fan? Coz when i visited New York i walked into a street store and found only a Mets cap in my size. I adopted the mets. You know why i like the Chicago Bulls? Coz of their logo...u know why i like.....get in the real world...having new fans (worldwide as was discussed at the begiining of this thread, if you bothered to read the top) is all about product placement.

Understand your frustration. These days though, they stock what sells. (Someone may argue this point). You go to any fringe suburb shopping mall outside of Metro Melbourne and you will probably find the same thing. Very little merchandise (ie.jumpers mainly) of Melbournefc.

So, to maximise exposure ? Keep winning. The better the performances and more of them, the better the exposure and for a period of time this may indirectly correlate to more merchandise presence in stores. The shop manager may have been blunt with his assessment and it may irk you, but he's right.

Understand your frustration. These days though, they stock what sells. (Someone may argue this point). You go to any fringe suburb shopping mall outside of Metro Melbourne and you will probably find the same thing. Very little merchandise (ie.jumpers mainly) of Melbournefc.

So, to maximise exposure ? Keep winning. The better the performances and more of them, the better the exposure and for a period of time this may indirectly correlate to more merchandise presence in stores. The shop manager may have been blunt with his assessment and it may irk you, but he's right.

H_T maybe i wasn't all the clear to start off with,. I definitaely don't blame shopowner. The fact he has prob sold 1 demons jacket in 4 years is the reason he doesn't stock our gear. The point i was trying to get across is what was discussed earlier in this post, we should have a Demon shop in the city! or pay some shop to be exclusive carrier of our full range. I hope this makes more sense.

We have a Demon Shop. But if you're talking of one in the CBD grid itself, ok then. Maybe they've already looked at this.....

Point 1. the Demon shop on Brunton ave misses the majority of fans that stream in to the MCG from gates 6 to 1. I get off the train at Richmond and walk to Gate 5, there's no exposure of our merchandise except for the tent selling a small range of stuff, I think the club is missing a great opportunity to sell.

Point 2. Had a look at the merchandise on sale and its very disappointing, retro sweats with that crumby Demon, with round eyes, and the new polo that Mitch Clark is modelling I thought it was the MCC not the MFC . Needs some savvy marketing people to put both these things right.

Otherwise we are accepting mediocrity again.

You know why i like the Chicago Bulls? Coz of their logo...

Umm .... No .

If it wasn't for Michael Jordan and his 6 championships , you wouldn't even know what the logo looked like ....... Or cared .

Edited December 20, 201113 yr by My TD

Umm .... No .

If it wasn't for Michael Jordan and his 6 championships , you wouldn't even know what the logo looked like ....... Or cared .

true but explain my comment about the Mets? Not exactly the number 1 team in N.Y. .... I also liked the Charlotte Hornets because of their branding. TBH I would not have known any NBA teams if it was not for Jordan. I think you fail to see the big picture though. Branding and exposure is everything.

We have a Demon Shop. But if you're talking of one in the CBD grid itself, ok then. Maybe they've already looked at this.....

As another poster said, it's hidden !! The little cave at the arse end of the stadium with no daytime parking is inadequate. It does not expose itself to international visitors. Yo want 'Melbourne' the Football Club to be known around the world, then you sell to visitor's and expose yourself in this city!!

Point 1. the Demon shop on Brunton ave misses the majority of fans that stream in to the MCG from gates 6 to 1. I get off the train at Richmond and walk to Gate 5, there's no exposure of our merchandise except for the tent selling a small range of stuff, I think the club is missing a great opportunity to sell.

Point 2. Had a look at the merchandise on sale and its very disappointing, retro sweats with that crumby Demon, with round eyes, and the new polo that Mitch Clark is modelling I thought it was the MCC not the MFC . Needs some savvy marketing people to put both these things right.

Otherwise we are accepting mediocrity again.

These are 2 very good points - especially the first one.

I'd love to know how many people pay to tour the MCG - I would imagine it would be quite high. Other than school kids, how many of those would be Victorian? How many would be Australian? I think this is where we could increase our exposure and selling of merchandise. Let's not forget, these tours are showing the history of our home ground, so why can't we have a Demon store near where the tour is? It would be like going on a tour of Madison Square Gardens in New York - chances are you'd buy either Rangers gear or Knicks gear. They are Madison Square Gardens for sports nuts, just like the Demons are the MCG.

FWIW, I couldn't tell you the last time I went to the Demons Shop. I look at their website a bit, but never visited. I know if it were closer to the "main" gates I would go there more often, especially in the odd game I come down to see.

If the "Demon Shop" moved to a location we could all get to, it would be worth as much as a lucrative sponshorship deal.

Even out front of AAMI Park would be 100 times better than where it is now!! Right now the front door is not even visible from the road. How would anybody know where it is. It's a joke.

If the "Demon Shop" moved to a location we could all get to, it would be worth as much as a lucrative sponshorship deal.

Even out front of AAMI Park would be 100 times better than where it is now!! Right now the front door is not even visible from the road. How would anybody know where it is. It's a joke.

have to agree with ya mate, its a joke, there is no parking and if i wanna go by public transport (i know its not ridiculously far) i gotta walk from jolimont, yes it doesnt sound too bad but when u catch a train walk 15 mins find nothing u want the have to walk 15 mins back to wait for a train its a bit of a pain in the ass!!!

sorry for the whinge!