Our Future Off the Field

[GoRoos2023]

I was having a conversation with some North Fans over the weekend. We all remarked the absolute lack of enthusiasm in our kids for NMFC.

This slump has been going for the best part of 7-8 years now. When we think about growing our superbase how much damage has it done?

You would have to expect that our rate of new supporter take up vs our competitors would logically be rock bottom due to onfield.

We already have the lowest supporter base in Victoria.

I think we have done a great job of squeezing as much as we can membership wise out of our existing base.

Now Tassie is off the table and any new supporters we won there will probably go to the new team.

Where are we going to find new supporters?

What does that mean for the next 10 years?

What should we do to grow the club?

 

[Woolly Mammoth]

I was having a conversation with some North Fans over the weekend. We all remarked the absolute lack of enthusiasm in our kids for NMFC.

This slump has been going for the best part of 7-8 years now. When we think about growing our superbase how much damage has it done?

6 years. 2018 and 2019 it was business as usual for 21st century North, i.e over achieving with an average list, having unlikely victories against eventual premiers and being in the conversation for the finals up to the last few weeks of the season.

We wont know what damage its done until it turns around really (if it ever does). Can't imagine alot of kids were too happy and proud to wear Dees jumpers to school in 2013. See a fair few of them walking around now.

You would have to expect that our rate of new supporter take up vs our competitors would logically be rock bottom due to onfield.

Very hard for any of the Vic small 4 to get anything more than dribs and drabs of new supporters at the best of times, but yeh, this is as bad as it gets for any club. Definitely the recession we couldnt afford to have.

We already have the lowest supporter base in Victoria.

Personally always thought this was overstated. Been following football for 34 years and I havent seen anything to suggest that Nth/Mel/WB arent much of a muchness in terms of supporter base size, by comparison Saints are noticeably well ahead of the pack (owing to the move to Moorabbin in the 60s). Hard to gauge one against the other without a genuine period of success where all the bandwagoners come out of the woodwork.

I think we have done a great job of squeezing as much as we can membership wise out of our existing base.

Now Tassie is off the table and any new supporters we won there will probably go to the new team.

Doubt we won a single new supporter to be honest, the small following we had in Tas is likely exactly the same as before we put on dinky games against interstate teams for a cheap buck, but that also means its likely generational an engrained. And with that in mind, if supporters drop of us to follow the Devils, then logically that will happen to other clubs so it would all even out in the wash. The reason I say if is because 95% of Tasweigans I've ever heard speak on the subject claim they will still follow their existing AFL club and follow the Devils. Hard to predict what will happen with such a strange and unprecedented scenario.

Where are we going to find new supporters?

What does that mean for the next 10 years?

What should we do to grow the club?

One of the first things I heard Sonja ever say in the early days of being President is "I dont care if we are the smallest club, aslong as we are the most successful". That antiquated attitude will basically give you the practical answer to this question.

What could we do? probably 100 different things. What will we actually do? sweet, succulent f*ck all.

 

[Lomas]

As someone who became a North supporter in my 20s, well after the premierships, I can say that supporters come from many different directions.
I chose north because my favourite family friends lived north, and I didn’t want to see them go down the same path as my old club, Fitzroy.
Others I know chose north because the likes the logo, or some because a prominent player had the same name.
I consider myself a passionate fan, and know others above just the same regardless of how they came to the club.
I do worry for my kids supporting north, but more for missing out on the joys that come with watching your club compete even if they don’t actually win premierships.

 

[Mr north man]

Well the future is this .
For starters stop being a Social Media club especially the latest thing on the app what does. Kangaroo sounds like c’mon please be a football club.
Need to get the supporters back into the fold as we are regarding as by the Administration of this club.
Being a Woke club has got this club nowhere and we need to get harder on and off the field.
Start giving the supporters the respect they deserve and not some goose that is either associated or is a member of the NMFC Woke Empire.

 

[Gasometer]

The 100th Celebrations train wreck epitomises the disconnect between fans and the Administration

That’s on top of 20 other things

The joy of the Carlton win used to be weekly in the 1990’s

I miss that feeling more than anything in the world

That’s why I hold on

 

[GoRoos2023]

I am concerned this year could be the tipping point for supporters. We really needed to show something, I think the club needs to do more to reach out to supporters above and beyond football performence.

 

[backtothedraft]

I am concerned this year could be the tipping point for supporters. We really needed to show something, I think the club needs to do more to reach out to supporters above and beyond football performence.

Average attendance the same this year at it was in 2015 when we were playing finals. Membership growth consistent with other clubs. Revenue via sponsorship increasing largely due to the brand and performance of the women’s program. 9 home games at Marvel the most we would have played in a decade. It’s not all that bad.

Kids hate losing but hope is a powerful thing. For all the dogs success in the last decade they have only marginally improved on attendance and membership. We are and will always be a small, loyal fan base. Following north Melbourne is a weekly life lesson in resilience and loyalty. If kids want the easy life they should go follow Geelong.

 

[zoomba23]

Average attendance the same this year at it was in 2015 when we were playing finals. Membership growth consistent with other clubs. Revenue via sponsorship increasing largely due to the brand and performance of the women’s program. 9 home games at Marvel the most we would have played in a decade. It’s not all that bad.

Kids hate losing but hope is a powerful thing. For all the dogs success in the last decade they have only marginally improved on attendance and membership. We are and will always be a small, loyal fan base. Following north Melbourne is a weekly life lesson in resilience and loyalty. If kids want the easy life they should go follow Geelong.

This is such an absurd post. Kids do not have adult faculties. Kids want to win.

I can tell you right now that if I was between the ages of 8-15 while this shit was going on, I'd probably have dropped the team. And not one single soul apart from Mr north man would've blamed me.

Portraying disillusionment in ****ing minors as some fundamental character flaw is exactly the kind of deflective bullshit we've seen from those high up in the club hierarchy. Cut it out

 

[Mr north man]

The 100th Celebrations train wreck epitomises the disconnect between fans and the Administration

That’s on top of 20 other things

The joy of the Carlton win used to be weekly in the 1990’s

I miss that feeling more than anything in the world

That’s why I hold on

Your spot on the NMFC had REAL people running our club should have been planning the 100th Anniversary game a year out with supporters helping them out which I dare say they would .
But it was a train wreck with the AFL and Channel bullying them into a Thursday night game.
The game should have been in Round 1 against Collingwood since this year is the 40th Anniversary since the 1st night game at the MCG.
But in saying that if we had a Black W with yellow on our jumper and it was there game we be prime time against a big name club since that will eventually control us .
Give it time as atm we have pathetic off field administration,board and coaches.

I am concerned this year could be the tipping point for supporters. We really needed to show something, I think the club needs to do more to reach out to supporters above and beyond football performence.

Our Administration of our club like our coaches look at little wins to Sooth their own and NMFC Woke Empire egos.
Let’s look at how many BS stuff ups had the Supporters of our club had we have been put thru.
1:If we don’t win on the weekend it will be 5 years of bottom 2 finishes with no signs of moving forward.
2:Continues to be left behind in all areas in this sport we our a laughing stock.
3:The supporters and members continue to treated as outcast by our own club after all it’s our club.
4:Absolutely Frightened to make hard decisions against mates in off field roles at our club with the fear of losing friends.
I can go on but what needs to be done is a ex player or administrator needs to step up and say enough is enough time to act now or we will become a club which will become the 3rd full time WA club.

 

[backtothedraft]

This is such an absurd post. Kids do not have adult faculties. Kids want to win.

I can tell you right now that if I was between the ages of 8-15 while this shit was going on, I'd probably have dropped the team. And not one single soul apart from Mr north man would've blamed me.

Portraying disillusionment in ****ing minors as some fundamental character flaw is exactly the kind of deflective bullshit we've seen from those high up in the club hierarchy. Cut it out

Sorry it might have been unclear, I have kids my brother zoomba, and young nieces and nephews that go for North. I wasn’t making that up it’s a reflection on real life unlike a lot of the shit that’s posted on here. The way the children in our family support and view North Melbourne is generally a reflection of how my family and brothers and sisters do. We’re glass half full supporters that go every week and try to focus on things that we enjoy about following the club, and the positives that come out of each game.

That doesn’t make us delusional, just different to you.

 

[GoRoos2023]

The 100th Celebrations train wreck epitomises the disconnect between fans and the Administration

What do you think the club did wrong there?

I keep hearing this divide between the supporters and admin. I feel like Sonja and Jen are definitely approachable to supporters and as a club we are pretty open.

I agree there are lots of problems though.

 

[zoomba23]

Sorry it might have been unclear, I have kids my brother zoomba, and young nieces and nephews that go for North. I wasn’t making that up it’s a reflection on real life unlike a lot of the shit that’s posted on here. The way the children in our family support and view North Melbourne is generally a reflection of how my family and brothers and sisters do. We’re glass half full supporters that go every week and try to focus on things that we enjoy about following the club, and the positives that come out of each game.

That doesn’t make us delusional, just different to you.

That's fine. And more power to you and your family tree for that resilience. I just have a problem with you saying 'well go support Geelong if you want the easy life.'

There is a vast chasm between 'wanting a team that isn't so shit that each win feels like a drop of water for a lost hiker in the desert' and 'wanting the easy life.'

It's not a normal rebuild. And I cannot understand why anyone still talks about it as if it is

 

[Passmore]

This is such an absurd post. Kids do not have adult faculties. Kids want to win.

I can tell you right now that if I was between the ages of 8-15 while this shit was going on, I'd probably have dropped the team. And not one single soul apart from Mr north man would've blamed me.

Portraying disillusionment in ****ing minors as some fundamental character flaw is exactly the kind of deflective bullshit we've seen from those high up in the club hierarchy. Cut it out

I'm blaming the parents

 

[GoRoos2023]

That's fine. And more power to you and your family tree for that resilience. I just have a problem with you saying 'well go support Geelong if you want the easy life.'

There is a vast chasm between 'wanting a team that isn't so shit that each win feels like a drop of water for a lost hiker in the desert' and 'wanting the easy life.'

It's not a normal rebuild. And I cannot understand why anyone still talks about it as if it is

Nothing in the last 30-40 years of AFL compares to this.

 

[Passmore]

Sorry it might have been unclear, I have kids my brother zoomba, and young nieces and nephews that go for North. I wasn’t making that up it’s a reflection on real life unlike a lot of the shit that’s posted on here. The way the children in our family support and view North Melbourne is generally a reflection of how my family and brothers and sisters do. We’re glass half full supporters that go every week and try to focus on things that we enjoy about following the club, and the positives that come out of each game.

That doesn’t make us delusional, just different to you.

We're all different.

I come from a long line of North members. Pre- VFL. My great-uncle used to buy the worst seat in the old grand stand, obscured view, just so it'd be sold. Membership or support has never been from a "value for money" aspect. I'm fortunate that I've never really had to think about it.

I understand it's different for some.

 

[zoomba23]

Nothing in the last 30-40 years of AFL compares to this.

Correct. West Coast are on a similar concurrent W/L run but they have the worst list in the AFL era. We don't have that excuse at all.

So few people still grasp this situation fully

 

[zoomba23]

We're all different.

I come from a long line of North members. Pre- VFL. My great-uncle used to buy the worst seat in the old grand stand, obscured view, just so it'd be sold. Membership or support has never been from a "value for money" aspect. I'm fortunate that I've never really had to think about it.

I understand it's different for some.

I don't think about it anymore, mate, in spite of my extensive complaining. North is too ingrained.

But it'll only be those types left if this shit keeps up

 

[Passmore]

I don't think about it anymore, mate, in spite of my extensive complaining. North is too ingrained.

But it'll only be those types left if this shit keeps up

We'll hang out in the city with placards, yelling at people to support North, like the God bothering types do.

 

[zoomba23]

We'll hang out in the city with placards, yelling at people to support North, like the God bothering types do.

Can think of worse ideas

 

[Gasometer]

What do you think the club did wrong there?

I keep hearing this divide between the supporters and admin. I feel like Sonja and Jen are definitely approachable to supporters and as a club we are pretty open.

I agree there are lots of problems though.

…the shift from a planned Saturday night to a Melbourne centric Thursday excluded a heap of Victorian and NSW Southern fans that would have liked and were planning to attend. It was poor form.

 

[Elroo]

I am concerned this year could be the tipping point for supporters. We really needed to show something, I think the club needs to do more to reach out to supporters above and beyond football performence.

To be honest for years Ive been buying my family NMFC memberships and literally dragging them along to the football to get them involved. Their level of connection with the club is getting down to almost zero, with about the connection being me dragging them to games, and a scarf ive bought them. Between my daughters lack of interest, my wife telling me she only goes because of me, and her comments on the shit service on and off-field from the club, its getting harder and harder to justify handing over $$$ for the membership.

I will always be a member of the club, but thats gone from a $5,000 per year coterie membership 25-years ago, and an attendance at every Vic game, to the 3-game membership that might see me go to 1-2 games.