Opinion Does buying a membership make you a "better" supporter?

[Catgirl]

I was scrolling through my FaceBook news feed as per usual, and came across a post by the GFC Supporters Page (of which Gysenn is an admin).

In as many words, recently a decision was made by the club that non-members were to pay $5 entry for the open training sessions at KP in January 2014, while members would be allowed in for free. After allegedly sparking debate and most likely outrage among fans, Brian Cook announced that the decision was to be reversed.

I had a look at some of the comments that followed beneath the post, and it took every fibre of my being not to personally message these strangers. And by personally message, I don't mean a heartfelt greeting. Call me dramatic, I don't care.

Paying members claimed that non-members were not "real" supporters, and that they were "tightarses". Between smirks and dangerous glares at my computer screen, I had to pick apart that logic.

What about those who can't afford memberships? Or those who choose to donate to the club in other ways? Or those who just don't like going to the footy, and think they can spend their money on more important things? Or what if you just don't want to buy one? So what! How does that determine whether you are a real supporter or not?

I'm looking forward to hearing the differing opinions on here, (I'm actually just looking for a debate), but frankly I just don't see how contributing a bit to the club financially entitles you to sit on some moral high horse dictating everyone else that loves the Geelong Football Club

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

Following a club is about passion, not whether you have a membership or not. Sure, they don't do this stuff for free, but there are otherways as you mentioned catgirl that you can help the club. Hell, even buying a cats sticker helps the club, even if only a little.

 

[Strangled Cat]

What if you're interstate and the membership package they offer for people interstate is of very little value? I looked into it, and it is of very little value to me. I was hoping that if you're interstate you could perhaps nominate a preferred venue for which to have a discount or even free entry into for when Geelong are visiting, but they don't do that. In fact, for an interstate member, you pay 80% of a Victorian season ticket holder to get 5 Victorian entry games. I can't make it over 5 times in 6 months, but when I do I use my mums membership while she looks after my kids.

My point being, I don't feel any less of a supporter just because I don't buy a membership which I don't get any value out of. Before I moved to SA I was a 17 game Victorian member, and if I moved back I would buy a membership again, but that's because I see the value in it. Nothing to do with how good a supporter I am. There's always reason why people aren't something for one way or another, and it's no one else's business to judge someone either way.

 

[you pick one]

I don't buy a membership for myself anymore,but I do buy two for a couple of kids in the Geelong area,and get stuff on line from the Cats shop for them and others.
I'd buy some sort of membership if they could supply me a live feed of Geelong games via their Cats web site each week.

 

[AM]

What if you're interstate and the membership package they offer for people interstate is of very little value? I looked into it, and it is of very little value to me. I was hoping that if you're interstate you could perhaps nominate a preferred venue for which to have a discount or even free entry into for when Geelong are visiting, but they don't do that. In fact, for an interstate member, you pay 80% of a Victorian season ticket holder to get 5 Victorian entry games. I can't make it over 5 times in 6 months, but when I do I use my mums membership while she looks after my kids.

My point being, I don't feel any less of a supporter just because I don't buy a membership which I don't get any value out of. Before I moved to SA I was a 17 game Victorian member, and if I moved back I would buy a membership again, but that's because I see the value in it. Nothing to do with how good a supporter I am. There's always reason why people aren't something for one way or another, and it's no one else's business to judge someone either way.

Your post is pretty much about what is in it for “me”. That is where we part company. I also look at it in terms of what is in it for the club.

Membership funds are the lifeblood of clubs. Not only does all the money go to club but large membership numbers are a huge help to the club in seeking sponsorship dollars. Huge!

There are members on this board who live interstate and overseas and who won’t see a game but who buy a membership. A supporter membership is only $50 – less than a cappuccino a week.

No one expects people who are struggling financially to become members, least of all the club I’d suggest. It’s those who have the discretionary spending but who don’t they are after.

I don’t ever want to again see the club I love be in a position of not having sufficient funds to cover wages and be only saved from going into administration by the generosity of a businessman and genuine club dovotee.

If we can’t mix it with the big boys during our halcyon days then I fear what might happen when we hit some on-field dark days as is inevitable.

Whether someone is “better” is a subjective judgement. All I know is I feel better for doing it and there’s not a lot in it for me cos I use my MCC membership for all Melbourne games.

btw.This weekend the little people here will be replacing the 2013 membership car sticker with our 2014 one. And we love seeing other cars around the city with ‘em on too. It makes us feel better.

 

[ATSAM]

If the Club had made members more important over the past 15years then perhaps this might have some validity, but they haven't. There is no connection between the club represented by the board and management and members. They never seem to understand about how we feel and what we want eg as their survey showed more day games(yes we know the AFL does the draw but at least go into bat for us not just say "oh we are happy with the draw") or at AGMs where the Board and Management scuttle out the door as soon as the formal part ends and a many other examples.
Take an important management person who said on his arrival at the club that if he could get enough sponsors then he would do away with members.

 

[manboob]

Your post is pretty much about what is in it for “me”. That is where we part company. I also look at it in terms of what is in it for the club.

Membership funds are the lifeblood of clubs. Not only does all the money go to club but large membership numbers are a huge help to the club in seeking sponsorship dollars. Huge!

There are members on this board who live interstates and overseas and who won’t see a game but who buy a membership. A supporter membership is only $50 – less than a cappuccino a week.

Wether we like it or not the club is a business. A business provides services for a fee in this case a membership. It seems patently unfair that someone is excluded from benefit simply because of their geographical location.

It is honourable that people who won't see a game still buy a membership (like myself) but to be honest its ****ing shitty what the club provide for that outlay. A cheaply produced magazine a few times a year and nothing else. I know the club are hamstrung with licensing rights when it comes to certain products. E.g. providing members only highlights or whatever.

I know they give a lot back to the community but they don't give nearly as much back to the footballing community, their supporter base. I know they have just given me 3 flags but that won't cut the mustard in a few years time when we might be in and out of the eight. In the clubs defence they are getting better, I've really enjoyed the off season coverage.

This latest effort at including members, by forcing non-members to pony up cash to see a training run is just another example of the club shitting the bed and failing to adapt.

I think that yes every supporter should be a member, (it's like saying you love a band but never buying a CD or paying to see them live). But at the same time the club really needs to put more effort into giving something back if you expect people who are getting a seat with their membership fee to keep paying.

Anyway rant over. Awaits criticism.

 

[bloodygoose]

Thank god nobody in this forum actually runs a business, pays wages and so on. Financial member revenue is a river of gold the club has to grow to keep up with the powerful clubs. To do this club is trying to create value and draw people closer to the club emotionally and financially. It's not the club struggling to change with the times.

 

[dazbroncos]

I feel that I want to be a part of the club - as insignificant as one member can be in the grand scheme of 50000 - but I still want to say that I belong. As such, I pay the club for something that I never use - a membership whilst being overeas.

Of course, I am financially able to do so.

The issue of the cost for non members to attend training really didn't bother me. The last open training I went to ( Dec 2012) drew about 200 people at the most and I'm rounding up.

I would say that 50% we members - based on the conversations I had and the way that people spoke about their involvement with the club.

I really don't think that the club has set out with this to be money making venture. Now of course I see $20.00 as not much - an 11 year old would se it differently.

I guess the point is it is a business not a sport anymore.

GO Catters

 

[candiehappy]

as a general statement the answer is simply yes.

 

[Commando]

as a general statement the answer is simply yes.

Not in the slightest... I know members of clubs who couldn't name their own half back line and other 'barrackers' who love their team but are lucky to get to a game or two during an entire season. It's all due to circumstances.

Personally I am NOT a member, I prefer to support my local team with my membership dollars, god knows a div 2 local club needs it more than the cats.

Having said that I will probably join up once my involvement with local footy finishes, however a foxtel subscription to watch all the footy and soccer I want is far more appealing.

 

[candiehappy]

Not in the slightest... I know members of clubs who couldn't name their own half back line and other 'barrackers' who love their team but are lucky to get to a game or two during an entire season. It's all due to circumstances.

Personally I am NOT a member, I prefer to support my local team with my membership dollars, god knows a div 2 local club needs it more than the cats.

Having said that I will probably join up once my involvement with local footy finishes, however a foxtel subscription to watch all the footy and soccer I want is far more appealing.

and if we all took that attitude there would be bugger all members and the club suffers enormously. I'm on the committee of our local team and also a member. I do appreciate that at times there are limited free funds but even a $50 supporter package helps the club.

the thread doesn't say that not being a member means that you aren't a supporter of the club.

 

[Catgirl]

Perhaps the club/members wouldn't have to worry about convincing mere individuals to buy a membership if they had a more attractive and eye-catching membership campaign. The Geelong-based Joel Selwood/SJ billboards are a good idea, as it's pretty likely someone will find themselves stuck in Geelong traffic at least once in their lives. I don't see the long-term harm in TV advertisement though.

 

[GeelongFTW]

im not a member as i barely ever go to GFC matches. i suppose i could spend the money to help them but i watch the matches on tv , i buy merch,etc. i dont feel i need to spend money on something i wont use. Besides i would rather spend my money on other hobbies (such as video games) which i use like every day. ppl may think i not as good a supporter as them but i dont give a crap.

 

[El Dubya]

I don't know, it depends on your position financially and I don't appreciate the club or others trying to guilt non-members into signing up.

 

[GeelongFTW]

I don't see the long-term harm in TV advertisement though.

collingwood and eddie mcfatface would find a reason to whine and then put up their own a few weeks later.

 

[Catgirl]

collingwood and eddie mcfatface would find a reason to whine and then put up their own a few weeks later.

They do have their own, as do Essendon and I think a couple of other clubs.

 

[Catgirl]

im not a member as i barely ever go to GFC matches. i suppose i could spend the money to help them but i watch the matches on tv , i buy merch,etc. i dont feel i need to spend money on something i wont use. Besides i would rather spend my money on other hobbies (such as video games) which i use like every day. ppl may think i not as good a supporter as them but i dont give a crap.

Besides the membership numbers that Essendon somehow managed to get after the whole drug saga, another thing that really stood out amongst their fans was their loyalty, their passion, their signs and their voluntary protests outside Windy Hill for the love of their club. You don't have to be a paying member to do any of those things, and I'm sure the club took at least something out of the fact their fans would stick by through thick and thin.

 

[manboob]

Perhaps the club/members wouldn't have to worry about convincing mere individuals to buy a membership if they had a more attractive and eye-catching membership campaign. The Geelong-based Joel Selwood/SJ billboards are a good idea, as it's pretty likely someone will find themselves stuck in Geelong traffic at least once in their lives. I don't see the long-term harm in TV advertisement though.

+1 their effort is pretty piss poor. As was mentioned in another thread they don't really engage with the community as much as they should, on football matters. They just expect people to sign up and become members on account of the success we've had. That's pretty darn lazy in my opinion.

 

[Beanstalk]

Some of the comments on that post were ridiculous. I wasn't a member until 2012, but I was a passionate as they came before then. After the successes the club had given me through those years of support, I thought it was right that I give back via a membership - and have been a member ever since. But that in no way means somebody is less of a supporter if they can't afford to - or choose not to - buy a membership.

Here's some of what Catgirl is talking about...

Geelong Football Club Supporters Page (me):

The club have announced they have reversed the decision to charge non-members $5 to attend two 'members only' training sessions in January. The sessions will now be open to all fans free of charge.

--

A whole lot of hysteria has been created out of nothing on this one, if you ask me. Several clubs have held 'Members only' training sessions in the past - a way to give back to members, something a little bit exclusive to encourage others to buy a membership.

Of course, not anybody can afford a membership - so adding the option for non-members to attend these sessions for as little as $5 (and $2 for children) was, in my opinion, perfectly fair enough. $5 isn't much to an individual, but it adds up for the club if 500-1000 people come along to an open training session.

Brian Cook last night stressed that the money would go straight into Geelong's community programs, and highlighted how vital it was for the club to reach their target of 50,000 members this season.

The sessions, now free for everyone, will be held on Monday the 13th and 20th of January - gates open at 9am.

Person 1:
To all those whingers. Buy a membership, support the club and get over it!!

Person 2:
Get memberships people and don't winge!!!!

Person 3:
bloody sooks get a membership then, tight a$$es. Why shouldn't members get privileges

person 4:
typical tight ar$es...basically a gold coin donation fa non members *shaking head

Person 5:
Shows how much our club cares about its supporters, they change their decision so to not upset people.... And people can't even understand why they are doing this? Can't pay to contribute? Buy a membership like the rest of us and then call yourself a supporter!

Somebody else I came across on a different page:
are u a member? ive been doin footy since i was 6 love it "..yes I am..." awesome, i hate people pointing out their ideas and beliefs. then realize they arent members and dont really support them.

 

[Beanstalk]

Perhaps the club/members wouldn't have to worry about convincing mere individuals to buy a membership if they had a more attractive and eye-catching membership campaign. The Geelong-based Joel Selwood/SJ billboards are a good idea, as it's pretty likely someone will find themselves stuck in Geelong traffic at least once in their lives. I don't see the long-term harm in TV advertisement though.

I think you're spot on here. None of their membership campaigns really seem to ignite any passion, do they? Considering the success in recent years, there's so much more the club could be doing to try and use that as a reason to sign up. I'm not a member because I 'belongeelong'... I'm a member because they're a club that just screams success, and if I pay my membership each year there's a better chance than not that I'll be there to witness those special moments. (The Hawkins goal after the siren, for instance.)

 

[Partridge]

There are members on this board who live interstate and overseas and who won’t see a game but who buy a membership. A supporter membership is only $50 – less than a cappuccino a week.

You clearly don't work in Melbourne's CBD.

 

[kickazz]

Judging somebody's passion for the cats based on whether or not they are a member is ridiculous. There can be many reasons for not wanting to be a member.

There are many things that add up to 'how good a supporter you are' and membership is one of them. All other things being equal, I think its okay to say that a member is a keener supporter over a non-member.

The fact that some people get all worked up over this is kinda stoopid. Honestly, who cares what anyone else thinks?

 

[barmy44]

I love watching the games, follow the club and the players, etc - but ill never buy a mbership because I dont enjoy going to live matches, and I just have no desire to be a member. Dont buy merch either, because im just not interested.

No doubt some here will think im not a true supporter, and in some sense I guess they may have a point.

I dont care though - I follow/support in my own way and damn the expectations some people have for a 'true' supporter.

 

[AM]

Some of the comments on that post were ridiculous. I wasn't a member until 2012, but I was a passionate as they came before then. After the successes the club had given me through those years of support, I thought it was right that I give back via a membership - and have been a member ever since. But that in no way means somebody is less of a supporter if they can't afford to - or choose not to - buy a membership.

It’s subjective as I suggested. Something that was interesting in the club media release regarding the change of mind over training admission was that those who are members were for it, whereas those who weren’t members were opposed. Quite different perspectives, which fairly much is reflected here.

Must say although I disagree with the position VC takes on the matter of being a non member I do have a sneaking admiration for him at least being straight forward about it. No excuses. Just sees himself as a barracker rather than supporter. Not so chuffed with those who seek to lay the blame elsewhere - viz the club

Also wonder whether those who don’t put in financially still get a rush when watching the team on telly after an exciting piece of play; still get a rush when we win; still get a rush when we make the finals; and have an orgasm when we take out the flag. Well, the club that gives that pleasure isn’t there due to the wave of a wand. It exists significantly as a result of membership fees and sponsorship dollars. And anyone who doesn’t know how important strong membership numbers are to gaining sponsors should take the time to ask anyone at the club involved in attracting new sponsors how vital it is.