Membership 2016 - likely to go backwards

[Soidee 1,496]

It's time a serious debate/discussion was held between various membership groups of the MFC and the club. Since 2006 the club has been deplorable onfield. Off field things are getting done and Jackson is passionate about the direction of the club, however ask most supporters and they will say watching this team is not an enjoyable experience.

After this seasons snail pace like improvement I am in no doubt that membership will decrease next year, no matter what spin some will put on it.

Roos has had clear air for long enough now to get more from this list on game day.

On game day in 2015 this group has been carried by the likes of Brayshaw, Hogan, Vince, Jones and McDonald. Most of the others on the list are at best ordinary footballers who are terribly inconsistent and not buying into any game plan that is put in front of them. This equates to more aggressive recruiting next year and beyond, thus leaving the club 3 or 4 years away from a possible finals appearance.

The garbage football that this club produces is turning people away from games and trust continues to be a big issue with membership. Convince me otherwise....that membership will decline on the back of this garbage we are watching.

[Gorgoroth 13,185]

The fact that Brayshaw is better than most on our list shows how crap our mids are.

[old dee 24,004]

The fact that Brayshaw is better than most on our list shows how crap our mids are.

Comment of the day Gorgoroth

[1858 285]

It's more likely to go backwards than upwards at this stage.

[iv'a worn smith 1,979]

It's time a serious debate/discussion was held between various membership groups of the MFC and the club. Since 2006 the club has been deplorable onfield. Off field things are getting done and Jackson is passionate about the direction of the club, however ask most supporters and they will say watching this team is not an enjoyable experience.

After this seasons snail pace like improvement I am in no doubt that membership will decrease next year, no matter what spin some will put on it.

Roos has had clear air for long enough now to get more from this list on game day.

On game day in 2015 this group has been carried by the likes of Brayshaw, Hogan, Vince, Jones and McDonald. Most of the others on the list are at best ordinary footballers who are terribly inconsistent and not buying into any game plan that is put in front of them. This equates to more aggressive recruiting next year and beyond, thus leaving the club 3 or 4 years away from a possible finals appearance.

The garbage football that this club produces is turning people away from games and trust continues to be a big issue with membership. Convince me otherwise....that membership will decline on the back of this garbage we are watching.

We have had to endure garbage football for sometime now and other than a fleeting increase in membership numbers a few years ago, the membership base has remained fairly static. That's probably because we still have a solid core of members who stick fat. We also don't sign up the family dog or cat. I don't see any marked decrease next year, given we will have Petracca back, Brayshaw and Hogan with another pre-season under their belts and hopefully some astute trading and drafting and the end of this season.

That said, what worries me more is attracting the next generation of members and their kids. Maybe I'm the ultimate optimist, but I have the feeling this year's pain will see much more gain on the field in 2016.

[poita 3,913]

Judging by our attendances this year, it appears as though a large number of people have converted from 11 / 17 game memberships to 3 game memberships. Not pulling financial support completely, but certainly making it known to the club they are not happy. As such our membership numbers might not decrease, but our membership revenue certainly will.

On a side issue, I note that the club is basically having a "bring a friend" day against North. They must be petrified of having a sub 20K crowd turn up.

[What 18,810]

We will lose at least a few thousand members, probably end up around 31k

Unless we can recruit Nathan Fyfe, Jeremy Cameron or Patrick Dangerfield

[old dee 24,004]

Judging by our attendances this year, it appears as though a large number of people have converted from 11 / 17 game memberships to 3 game memberships. Not pulling financial support completely, but certainly making it known to the club they are not happy. As such our membership numbers might not decrease, but our membership revenue certainly will.

On a side issue, I note that the club is basically having a "bring a friend" day against North. They must be petrified of having a sub 20K crowd turn up.

I actually like my friends.

If I had a North supporter friend they would get a laugh

[praha 11,253]

This year can still be saved.

We are at 5 wins with five rounds remaining.

My pass mark of 8 wins is still within reach, with games against WB, GWS, North, and Collingwood all incredibly winnable for this squad. For this "team", probably not.

If the team languishes, stays in neutral and remains on 5 wins, it'll be very difficult for the club to spin hope for supporters.

Jackson said last year that it will take until round 6 or 7 to see improvement. We saw improvement but the last 10 weeks were deplorable.

This year has been worse, because we had higher expectations than last year. To see us still lose games in the same manner is incredibly frustrating.

Roos said pre-season that he didn't want to hear Melbourne people say, "Here we go again", that he hated it when he heard that. But how can we not say that? Because the reality is, HERE WE GO AGAIN!

It's been a miracle that we have 35,000, and credit where it's due for the off-field team. But selling 5 wins to neutral and/or casual fans would be very, very tough.

If we can't push 8 wins this year, I think we'll see an even larger drop-off fans long-term fans, probably bigger than we've ever seen. My dad already stopped renewing last year. I have a few years left in me. But he's 45 years into this. He actually had to tell the club to stop calling. It's tough, but he's retired and why should he spend his money on it? He's just tired of it. He's more of a neutral football fan these days.

I totally sympathise with anyone that isn't prepared to pay up for a membership anymore. I know that it doesn't help the club, that it hurts the club, but a boycott was to be expected at this stage.

Edited July 27, 2015 by praha

[old dee 24,004]

I think we should amalgamate with the Dogs we play half the season in Red, white and blue so no problem there.

[Chook 15,023]

Well in this economy…

[angrydee 842]

Having been a member of this club since 1956, it saddens me to say I no longer care. It seems that the players don't either. I feel quite alienated from it and them.

[drdrake 3,203]

Having been a member of this club since 1956, it saddens me to say I no longer care. It seems that the players don't either. I feel quite alienated from it and them.

Tend to agree, pay premium membership each year, be lucky to go to 4-5 games this year and have little interest. I would rather watch the local club then head into watch rubbish

[Je Roos Salem 661]

The next membership campaign has to be self-deprecating. Maybe hire a satirist like John Cleese. We can no longer sell a lie. We are not the city of Melbourne, so what we're the oldest club, who cares anymore? None of it helps the players or the fans.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Melbourne Football Club supporters are the most loyal supporters there are. The club is very lucky to still have as many as they do, they really are.