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MCC members--indefensible

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Fat Red

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I reckon the MCC membership area should be shut down.

MCC members waste their privileges. These days even for the GF it's not full. It's elitist without actually raising real money like corporate boxes do. It keeps the real fans away from the GF and other big games. It means the G is never full. It also means the ground is controlled by a small minority.

At least, keep it just for the cricket. It is the Melbourne Cricket Club after all.

Even for the Grand Final, at least AFL members are footy people, even if not necessarily for the competing clubs. Not true for MCC (with plenty of exceptions I know).
 
Couldn't agree with you more. A lot of them have absolutely no idea how to get into the spirit of the game. Take the YMCA before Sunday's game. A good bit of fun, why not? The AFL members, the Hawthorn members, the public section nearly all join in. The MCC Members? They sit there like a pack of stiffs, too worried they might upset their doonas and ruin their reputation by actually enjoying themselves at the footy.

Sadly, the chances of MCC ever been scrapped for football are about the same as Ross Oakley launching a campaign for Fitzroy to be readmitted to the league. Just too many ****ers in high places. The ideal scenario would be cut the membership fee to $100 and give them free access to all cricket games. After all, the MCC is a CRICKET club. Pity it will never happen.
 
Football subsidises the Melbourne CRICKET Club.

Could someone PLEASE explain to me why Cricket Club members should get to watch the Football for nothing???

The MCC are Parasites!
 

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I'm thinking of starting a 'MCG120' campaign.

They are going to upgrade the ground and some one will end up paying for it. On the TV last night there was a model which showed the northern stand much bigger than the southern stand but i think capacity will only go up by 5,000 (to 100,000)

I think the opportunity should be taken to increase to 120,000 at least. perhaps with less medallion clubs and corporate boxes.

thats 200,000 extra seats at grand finals in a 10 year period.

Problem is the decision makers already have their seats, so don't care. It would take a public campaign to get some recognition.

Anyone in ?
 
The facts of the matter is that the Melbourne Cricket Ground is a cricket ground and the AFL is a tenant. The AFL built its own ground at Waverley and is a major tenant at Colonial.Neither appear to be great ventures hence their reliance on the MCG to play games.
The MCC members have every right to watch the footy and if they want to dance or be quiet at these games is their priviledge.Most of the members I have met are just average guys who pay their subs of $360 approx per year.
 
Originally posted by YoYoJoe
The facts of the matter is that the Melbourne Cricket Ground is a cricket ground and the AFL is a tenant. The AFL built its own ground at Waverley and is a major tenant at Colonial.Neither appear to be great ventures hence their reliance on the MCG to play games.
The MCC members have every right to watch the footy and if they want to dance or be quiet at these games is their priviledge.Most of the members I have met are just average guys who pay their subs of $360 approx per year.
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I have no problem with the MCC members behaviour, they can do what they like. But why are they entitled to these privileges?
 
Originally posted by YoYoJoe
... Most of the members I have met are just average guys who pay their subs of $360 approx per year ...
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Average guys? Yeah. Probably. (whatever "average guys" means, but I get your point)

There are plenty of other "average guys" around who would be willing to pay the $360 a year or whatever it is. It's pretty good value, for sure.

But most of us "average guys" don't get the opportunity to pay the $360 because our daddies didn't put us on the waiting list 10 years before we were born.

That's what absolutely schyttes me the most about M.C.C. membership. It's so friggin EXCLUSIVE. It's not lack of wealth that excludes you. It's your family circumstances and the foresight (or lack thereof) of your parents.

I'm not having a go at my parents, by the way. They were on a low income AND they lived in Adelaide ... so why would they be expected to think to sign me up to the M.C.C?

But the fact remains that I am excluded from M.C.C. membership ... not because I am unwilling to pay the dues ... not because I'm poor or my parents were poor ... not because I went to the "wrong" school ... not because I am a communist ... not because I barrack for Collingwood ... BUT BECAUSE MY PARENTS DIDN'T SIGN ME UP WHEN I WAS A BABY.

Now that's what I call EXCLUSIVE.

M.C.C. membership is like royalty ... you are BORN into it.

And that's why so many people are so resentful about it. Because it is simply not fair.
 
I agree in part Alf but you miss the point,

the MCC has a waiting list 1. because it is great value, and 2. because it guarentees a seat for its members at the games (footy or cricket).

They could have a system like Collingwood for example, where anyone can join but there is no guarentee of a seat, particularly for big games.

You have a problem with their waiting list, but in a situation where demand exceeds supply (due to the fact that you must have a seat) I cannot think of a fairer way of allocating them (1st in 1st served). How else would you propose they handle it ? Your parents did not put you on, and nor did mine, but I could put myself on now if I wanted to and serve the same waiting time as anyone else.

The issue as I see it is who owns the MCG ? It is not the MCC, they are the prime tennant, it is owned by all Victorians (Australians (?)) and run through a trust. The MCC having seating rights is a bit strange. It stems from the actual Melbourne Cricket Club and the fact that the MCG is and always has been their home ground. Now, the Elsterwick Cricket Club may have a pavilion at the Elsternwick Cricket Ground where their members can sit, but the logical extension of that to the MCC and the MCG is a bit much for me to handle.

I am more comfortable with the SACA at the Adelaide Oval. At least that is the whole Cricket Association not just the Prospect Cricket Club.

There are a number of reasons for changing the curent situation, but I don't think waiting lists is one of them.

ptw
 
Agree with most of what you say, ptw, especially about who owns the ground.

However, the issue with waiting lists is real. Waiting lists are generally a fair system, but when they get as long as this one they become a mechanism for maintaining elitism.
 
Originally posted by TigerTank
Football subsidises the Melbourne CRICKET Club.

Could someone PLEASE explain to me why Cricket Club members should get to watch the Football for nothing???

The MCC are Parasites!
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the mcc aren't parasites, it's tennants and people who use the grounds facilities with little interest in contributing financially to the future developments and improvements of the ground that are parasites.

the mcc paid for the southern stand knowing that it's members could not use the facilities there, it was built to accomodate the major tennant which is the afl. the mcc members will also pay for the majority of the new stand. why shouldn't they get privileges considering that it's their money that has paid for all the upgrades and development of the ground. if it's the peoples ground why don't the government or the afl pay for all future developments?

the argument about the mcc being elitist is now consigned to the past. anyone can put their name down on the waiting list and become an mcc member, it's no different to putting your name down to become an afl member. it is however a much better membership than what the afl offer. if you were to put your name on the waiting list now you would be a non voting member within 10 years, that's not to long to wait for the best membership at the greatest ground in the country.

GOALden Hawk, i don't think you have to dance to ymca to enjoy yourself at the footy. the only song that i enjoy dancing to at the footy is 'oh when the saints ....' and we've danced and belted it out plenty of times in the members pavilion. not lately though.
 
Originally posted by StrengthThroughLoyalty


the mcc aren't parasites, it's tennants and people who use the grounds facilities with little interest in contributing financially to the future developments and improvements of the ground that are parasites.

You mean like the AFL, without whom the ground would be 1/2 the size and just another cricket oval.

the mcc paid for the southern stand knowing that it's members could not use the facilities there, it was built to accomodate the major tennant which is the afl.

Not true, it was mostly paid for by the AFL and the State Government. And to the extent that the MCC paid for it, it was out of general revenue, not members subs, ie public entry fees to the footy and cricket and catering and advertising profits.

the mcc members will also pay for the majority of the new stand. why shouldn't they get privileges considering that it's their money that has paid for all the upgrades and development of the ground. if it's the peoples ground why don't the government or the afl pay for all future developments?

They are! And it it the people's ground, because the State Government owns it. The MCC are the ones who are tenants.

the argument about the mcc being elitist is now consigned to the past. anyone can put their name down on the waiting list and become an mcc member, it's no different to putting your name down to become an afl member. it is however a much better membership than what the afl offer.

True, because the AFL have ripped of their members whereas the MCC are sacred and retain their privileges over club members.
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I know MCC members are mostly average people who pay their subs every year. But they have an advantage over everyone else. The waiting list does keep it elitist because mostly only people who know or are related to members bother, because otherwise they'll be sitting by themselves.

$360 is very cheap for the privileges they get: IMHO if it was abolished there would be more revenue to the ground to pay for the improvements, from their entry fees, reserved seats etc.
 
E.F.C member as well as,M.C.C member,cheers Dad.
And yes $360 is stuff all to pay when your team has a "fairly" good september,virtually make the money back there and then.
i.e,last years finals series where we embarassed norf,carl (revenge is sweet,so so sweet) and then melb,none of this lining up rubbish !
 

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Football Park membership for 22 AFL games is about the same amount, so it would be good value.

I doubt very much the MCC paid for the southern stand, or that they will pay for the new stand. Considering they are going to levy everyone that goes to AFL at the MCG $1 for about 30-odd years raising $150mil, I can hardly see where the MCC paid for it.
 
Originally posted by Fat Red
MCC members waste their privileges. These days even for the GF it's not full. It's elitist without actually raising real money like corporate boxes do. It keeps the real fans away from the GF and other big games. It means the G is never full. It also means the ground is controlled by a small minority.
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Obviously you did not go to the Grand Final last year. They had to shut the gates because the reserve was full! I had to wait in line for over 8 hours to get in!
MCC Members have every right. It is after all MCC Members funds that help maintain the ground. MCC Members funds helped contribute to the Southern Stand, a stand we do not use and will also be a main source of income for the new development.
 
MCC membership would be worth it if I could use it.....

My Dad put me on the list when I was born, and 24 years later it came through. Yippee!

Only problem was, I was (and am still) living in Sydney at the time, and can only really get to 2-3 H/A games per year.

MCC rights aren't reciprocal with the SCG (figure that out?!), and I couldn't transfer it to anyone down there (God knows my Dad would've killed for it!) so basically it would've cost $360 to go and sit by myself 2 or 3 times a year...:rolleyes:

I'd rather go and sit with friends/family with Essendon membership thanks.

Consequently, I let the offer lapse, and sometimes think 'coulda, shoulda, woulda', but cest la vie!
 
Some logic and unemotional views and facts.

The MCC own the ground. They let the AFL use it. MCC would be there regardless AFL was or wasn't. So the MCC members should stay.

I know the waiting list is long (I am on it myself), but it is an honour and there is some prestige in it.

Just because you have to wait a while and there isn't enough room for everyone...doesn't mean there shouldn't be a section at all.

The Hitman
 
Originally posted by The Hitman
Some logic and unemotional views and facts.

The MCC own the ground. They let the AFL use it. MCC would be there regardless AFL was or wasn't. So the MCC members should stay.
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I thought the government own the ground but the MCC manage it? Wouldn't that be correct?
 

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True Same Old's.

The MCC are the ground managers. Incidently, I applied for a job at the MCG and Colonial Stadium at exactly the same time. I applied through the MCC for the MCG job and Nationwide Venue Management for Colonial Stadium. NVM knocked me back at the group interview stage, while the MCC put me on a 6 month waiting list before calling me in for an interview.

I ended up getting the job at the MCG while even better, Collo ended up sacking Nationwide Venue Management as the managers of Colonial Stadium when he took over. :D

But I'm off track a little. Not that I'm really a bitter person or anything. ;)

I think Alf made a good point. The MCC still retains its elitism because a lot of people aren't aware that you have to join a waiting list. Anyone can become a member, however you are a lot more likely to know this if you are coming from a higher socio-economic background. Like a lot of people, my parents had no idea about the waiting list.

Having said that, the MCC could easily charge a hell of a lot more than $360 a year, or even charge an annual fee for prospective members on the waiting list. On one hand it is elitist, on the other hand it is available to everyone (cost permitting) and great value for money if you know about it.

I've been on the list for just over a year. I don't mind waiting because when I get a little older, I'll appreciate being an MCC member a little more than I would today. But I do agree with what Alf has said in principle.
 
Dee girl, yes it was full last year but that was because Melbourne were playing and LOTS of MCC members are Melbourne supporters (quite a few are Essendon supporters as well). Usually it isn't.

Hitman, your facts aren't facts and your conclusions aren't logical.
The MCC do not own the ground, the people do. And even if they did, it is AFL football that pays for the stands and facilities, with support from the State Government. Why do yo regard it as an honour to be an MCC member. What have you done that's so honourable?
The reason there shouldn't be a section is not the waiting list, or even the exclusivity. It's that it's inefficient. Doesn't raise enough money to justify itself, and keeps people out of the stadium on big days.
Asgarsian, not there's nothing woring with belonging to an exclusive club. The problem is when the exclusive club has control of a public asset.
 
Originally posted by Fat Red
Dee girl, yes it was full last year but that was because Melbourne were playing and LOTS of MCC members are Melbourne supporters (quite a few are Essendon supporters as well). Usually it isn't.

.
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Sorry to correct you but it was Dees01 that had that post not dee girl!
 

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