Where are all our members?

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

The discount is around $160, not the total.

And I am sorry to hear about that but better to pay the Footy Club than the Cricket Club if you can't do both I always say.

Yeah just horrible horrible timing. The same thing happened to my brother, I think he got his in the same intake. I think we did get some sort of juniors discount but it was gone the next year.

But yeah I pay the MFC membership. It's not as useful but at least the money's going to a better place.

[Weedster 174]

Hyperbole perhaps but we all have a stake in getting the MCC Melbourne supporters to be paid up to the Footy club.

Again, I know many MCC Melbourne supporters who don't buy the MFC component for no good reason. They can afford it, but don't buy it.

That isn't good enough.

That was the original point to get back to.

No doubt you are right - but it would help if there was something to be excited about. I buy a full membership for no reason other than to help the club, but for all that, there was absolutely nothing last year - in faxt I can't remember a more disappointing season since the dark years of the 70's. It's discretionary for MCC members and people need a reason to be involved. For too long, we have been delivered donuts.

[rodney_g 62]

A GWS membership comes with a petrol discount voucher in western sydney....I wouldn't worry too much. Sydney has a great track record for sticking with losing teams...

^^ It seems that 2,000 GWS 'Foundation Members' dropped off in 2012. GWS had claimed to have signed 12,165 Foundation members as at 31 October 2011.

[jnrmac 18,914]

I am an MCC member and a family package member of the MFC ($400ish). As such I don't show up on the MFC/MCC members package register. When they spruik the data that only x% of MCC members are members of the MFC my understanding is that it does NOT include people like me. So I believe the stats are misleading on this.

[rpfc 27,391]

No doubt you are right - but it would help if there was something to be excited about. I buy a full membership for no reason other than to help the club, but for all that, there was absolutely nothing last year - in faxt I can't remember a more disappointing season since the dark years of the 70's. It's discretionary for MCC members and people need a reason to be involved. For too long, we have been delivered donuts.

Winning is the reward for your support.

Not the other way around.

That's my personal view.

[Moonshadow 16,109]

Wins, wins, wins.

IF....... we had 7 wins around the half way point, my guess is we'd get a good boost in members. That's a big if, though.

[Sir Why You Little 34,418]

49 years without a flag added to that the last 6 years.

A lot of people have had enough. Winning is the only way to bring them back.

Edited March 8, 2013 by why you little

[13thFlagIsComing 522]

So you could understand why some people don't take that extra financial option up 13th?

Totally understand. i'm sure there is a decent percentage of Melbourne fans that don't have the cash to shell out extra but don't want to lose their MCC membership either.

It's their "Golden Ticket" to access finals and potential Grand Finals.

If the MCC subsidised $60 of all MCC members that support Melbourne, rather than add $60 extra then our membership then our membership goes up by 10-12,000.

Usually when the Dees are in the finals or Queens Birthday, first place that always fills up is the MCC.

We win a few more games, play consistent finals then you'll get more supporters like me that will shell out the extra $60.

Hate to burst the bubble but not all MCC members live in a 10 km radius of the MCG or in the most affluent suburbs around Melbourne.

[Barney Rubble 1,576]

I really don't know why you complain on this forum.

My guess is that 90% of D'Landers are paid up members or will be by the start of the season.

It doesn't make much sense.

[The Chazz 4,077]

Totally understand. i'm sure there is a decent percentage of Melbourne fans that don't have the cash to shell out extra but don't want to lose their MCC membership either.

It's their "Golden Ticket" to access finals and potential Grand Finals.

If the MCC subsidised $60 of all MCC members that support Melbourne, rather than add $60 extra then our membership then our membership goes up by 10-12,000.

Usually when the Dees are in the finals or Queens Birthday, first place that always fills up is the MCC.

We win a few more games, play consistent finals then you'll get more supporters like me that will shell out the extra $60.

Hate to burst the bubble but not all MCC members live in a 10 km radius of the MCG or in the most affluent suburbs around Melbourne.

Thank you.

[GawnWithTheWind 604]

Billyboy...

Yep, there is always exceptions to the rule.

However, from my general take of the MCC members around me, MOST could afford to spend the extra $60 to help the club out.

It is a common fact that the MCC members are generally more financially capable then the average (due to the history of the MCC and the whole waiting line shenanigans)

$60 is a round of beers at the MCG anyway. SOME need to lift their game.

[Dr. Gonzo 22,399]

I can understand the money argument but really, $60? That's only $5 a month if you pay by the direct debit option.

I was a former Full AFL Member for a number of years, got free access to many finals games but gave it up for a Premium MFC Membership as I was sick of the way our club was treated by the AFL and figured our club needed the dollars more than the AFL do. If I was an MCC member I would have done the same, but then I have no interest whatsoever in cricket so would only use it for footy. Sure going to the GF is great but if it's not your team it's pretty hollow and I'd rather be watching at a mates house with a BBQ, real beer and half time kick to kick or at a bar with a big screen. No-one's even suggesting the MCC guys/girls give up their memberships, just an extra $60 will see them stand up and be counted and add value to the MFC. Being able to spruik to sponsors that we have 40-45K members would do wonders and put us ahead of quite a few Victorian sides.

We need to consider attendances as well as members though which is another issue altogether. If we have 35K MFC members plus another 10K MCC supporters why do we only get 20-25K at home games vs interstate sides? I appreciate not everyone can get to every game but that's a pretty steep drop off.

And for the record I hate Docklands as well but I love the MFC more. We need to get out to as many games as we can this year wherever we play to show our support and show the rest of AFL community that we stick by our club through thick and thin and all the crap slung at us over the last year will only make us stronger and make victory all the mroe sweeter when it comes.

Edited March 8, 2013 by Dr. Gonzo

[Sir Why You Little 34,418]

I have gone without food sometimes over the years to pay the MCC.

The price of living has ramped up over the last decade. I don't have kids and i still run out of $$$

Where does it go???

[Dr. Gonzo 22,399]

I have gone without food sometimes over the years to pay the MCC.

The price of living has ramped up over the last decade. I don't have kids and i still run out of $$$

Where does it go???

This is a serious question, what benefit do you get from an MCC membership that a Premium MFC Membership wouldn't give you? You get guaranteed GF tickets if MFC makes (big if lol) a reserved seat at every home game on level 2 and GA entry to away games. If you attend the cricket or other finals games thats another matter I guess.

[GawnWithTheWind 604]

This is a serious question, what benefit do you get from an MCC membership that a Premium MFC Membership wouldn't give you? You get guaranteed GF tickets if MFC makes (big if lol) a reserved seat at every home game on level 2 and GA entry to away games. If you attend the cricket or other finals games thats another matter I guess.

For me, I go to alot more games then just the MFC. That is the real benefit of MCC memberships

[The Chazz 4,077]

I can understand the money argument but really, $60? That's only $5 a month if you pay by the direct debit option.

I was a former Full AFL Member for a number of years, got free access to many finals games but gave it up for a Premium MFC Membership as I was sick of the way our club was treated by the AFL and figured our club needed the dollars more than the AFL do. If I was an MCC member I would have done the same, but then I have no interest whatsoever in cricket so would only use it for footy. Sure going to the GF is great but if it's not your team it's pretty hollow and I'd rather be watching at a mates house with a BBQ, real beer and half time kick to kick or at a bar with a big screen. No-one's even suggesting the MCC guys/girls give up their memberships, just an extra $60 will see them stand up and be counted and add value to the MFC. Being able to spruik to sponsors that we have 40-45K members would do wonders and put us ahead of quite a few Victorian sides.

We need to consider attendances as well as members though which is another issue altogether. If we have 35K MFC members plus another 10K MCC supporters why do we only get 20-25K at home games vs interstate sides? I appreciate not everyone can get to every game but that's a pretty steep drop off.

And for the record I hate Docklands as well but I love the MFC more. We need to get out to as many games as we can this year wherever we play to show our support and show the rest of AFL community that we stick by our club through thick and thin and all the crap slung at us over the last year will only make us stronger and make victory all the mroe sweeter when it comes.

Dr, there are many reasons why that number drops off. For one (at the risk of speaking on behalf of some), I will not fly down to watch a Melb v Port game at 4pm on a Sunday evening. So there's a member that isn't part of the attendence.

Secondly, a "battling" family from say Bendigo, Santa gets the 2 kids junior memberships for Christmas, Mum and Dad by themselves one too. Fairly big outlay, but do it because they are supporters. For them, driving from and to Bendigo for the day, probably spend $50 of fuel, $10 on parking, $50 on food for the family, all of a sudden that "day out" at the footy is costing them well over $100 every time they go.

I was disappointed with the comment that Daveytrain made about people being "pathetic" for not spending the extra dollars. To make a broad statement like that is totally inaccurate, but he has since clarified that it was directed at the MCC people that CAN afford the extra. There are a lot of average/battling punters that can only give so much, and we should respect that.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Wins, Stars and targeting demographs.

We have too many ageing members and not enough youngsters. Youngsters need stars. Stars need strong leadership and culture.

Hopefully we'll get there.

Edited March 11, 2013 by stevethemanjordan

[drdrake 3,035]

The old debate MCC v MFC, we need to stop this. It won't be long before the MFC supporter/ MCC members will be a minority in the MFC. I watch many games from the MCC and our supporter base in their is getting less and less every year. It won't be long before the majority of MCC supporters are Hawthorn or Collingwood supporters.

To me our biggest problem is our past, the marketing of the club is all about being the oldest and our history, it is boring, it doesn't excite young members to join. History is great, don't use it as your main marketing tool what is this years slogan First and Forever, who cares. Casey is a great idea but until we start to win we will have limited success in converting kids over to our club.

To me you start baracking for a team for one of the below reasons

1) When you are 8-14 you jump on a winning team

2) You have no choice it is your Families team

3) You are knew to the game and the jumper or colours or Name appeals to you

4) Your mate barrack for that team

At the moment the MFC only appeals to number 2 on that list

[Sir Why You Little 34,418]

This is a serious question, what benefit do you get from an MCC membership that a Premium MFC Membership wouldn't give you? You get guaranteed GF tickets if MFC makes (big if lol) a reserved seat at every home game on level 2 and GA entry to away games. If you attend the cricket or other finals games thats another matter I guess.

Basically that i can attend anything i like at the MCG...now i must admit since 20/20 started ruining cricket i do not go as much as i used to, but it still gives me access to the best seats (The Shaded Side of the ground) to any game i want.

It is relatively cheap compared to other Memberships of modern day.

[nutbean 8,837]

For me, I go to alot more games then just the MFC. That is the real benefit of MCC memberships

Me too - My squeeze is a dirty filthy Collingwood supporter so I take her to some games. I use the committee room during the week taking clients to lunch there ( highly recommend it) and I like to go to finals and at this stage they dont include the team I support.

[Pennant St Dee 11,245]

Totally understand. i'm sure there is a decent percentage of Melbourne fans that don't have the cash to shell out extra but don't want to lose their MCC membership either.

It's their "Golden Ticket" to access finals and potential Grand Finals.

If the MCC subsidised $60 of all MCC members that support Melbourne, rather than add $60 extra then our membership then our membership goes up by 10-12,000.

Usually when the Dees are in the finals or Queens Birthday, first place that always fills up is the MCC.

We win a few more games, play consistent finals then you'll get more supporters like me that will shell out the extra $60.

Hate to burst the bubble but not all MCC members live in a 10 km radius of the MCG or in the most affluent suburbs around Melbourne.

Some valid points there the extra 10/12 K in supporters is a lot more impressive pushes up to the Carlton & Adelaide mark and above Fremantle. Soemtimes you have to spend money to make money.

45 - 50k supporters is an attractive selling point to prospective sponsors etc.

I'm sure someone at the club could do the maths, crunch the numbers and come to a conclusion to benefit the club long term. At a cost of $600/750k when you may draw $1 to 1.5 million in Sponsorship there is a lot of upside in this

[Moonshadow 16,109]

The old debate MCC v MFC, we need to stop this. It won't be long before the MFC supporter/ MCC members will be a minority in the MFC. I watch many games from the MCC and our supporter base in their is getting less and less every year. It won't be long before the majority of MCC supporters are Hawthorn or Collingwood supporters.

To me our biggest problem is our past, the marketing of the club is all about being the oldest and our history, it is boring, it doesn't excite young members to join. History is great, don't use it as your main marketing tool what is this years slogan First and Forever, who cares. Casey is a great idea but until we start to win we will have limited success in converting kids over to our club.

To me you start baracking for a team for one of the below reasons

1) When you are 8-14 you jump on a winning team

2) You have no choice it is your Families team

3) You are knew to the game and the jumper or colours or Name appeals to you

4) Your mate barrack for that team

At the moment the MFC only appeals to number 2 on that list

There was a thread a while back about how to get your kids to follow the Dees. I remember a number of posters commented upon the importance of their first game being a win, going home from the game on a positive note. Also, many mentioned their kids being wrapped at meeting their fav player at training, family day, etc.

The winning team bit in your first point is such a big influence. It's why there are so many Hawk supporters under 40, and perhaps so few Dee fans under 40.

We need more wins and prolonged success over a number of seasons.