The scene was a Brisbane Roar home game, and my crime was to lean against a metal railing on the concourse behind the goal.
Waiting on a text message from a friend, I’d been inside the ground less than 90 seconds before being told to move along – twice – by a staff member who spoke to me the same way I might speak to a feral dog that had just infected me with rabies.
Unflustered, I wandered off to purchase a warm beer and some cold chips, consoled by the knowledge that my experience was “fan made.”
I’ve seen it all before, having attended enough A-League games as a casual fan to know that being treated like a petty criminal is all par for the course.
But if it’s fans who make the experience, is it any wonder so few are turning up?
This week the A-League plunged to a new nadir when only 1,003 fans showed up to watch North Queensland Fury die a sorry death at the hands of Brisbane Roar.
Yes, there were severely mitigating circumstances, but the uncomfortable truth is that barely 1,000 more supporters turned out at the same venue the following evening to watch home team Gold Coast United go around.
And the numbers are hardly better elsewhere, as records for lowest crowds tumble at venues across the country.
Just a week out from the finals, the A-League is at a crossroad – and now is as good a time as any for fans to start speaking out and having their voices heard.
The recent fan forum in Sydney was a start, while Melbourne Victory’s decision to meet with disgruntled North Terrace supporters suggests clubs are finally paying attention to disenfranchised supporters.
And while I’m not advocating that clubs pander to every niche group populating the stands, there’s no doubt in my mind that ticket-buying supporters have been treated poorly for far too long.
It’s a sentiment echoed by Professional Footballers’ Association chief Brendan Schwab, who told the press this week the matchday experience needs improvement.
“We need to be very careful to make sure that fans are welcome in our stadiums and that stadiums are conducive for creating a great atmosphere,” Schwab said.
“Players love playing in front of packed stadiums, that’s one of the thrills of being a professional footballer.”
Too right, Brendan. But unfortunately far too many folks who identify themselves as football fans are not attending A-League games.
And we’re rapidly reaching a point where the ideological reasons for that are moot – it’s not going to matter if fans are unhappy with stadium staff or Newcastle Jets’ new strip or the cost of drinks if there’s no competition to support.
Indifference is beginning to squeeze the life out of the A-League, and that won’t change if fans keep staying away from games.
The way to make change is to be seen and to be heard, and what the A-League needs now is fans standing up to be counted – opinions at the ready – and most importantly inside the ground.
matthew Skellett
Guest
Well I would go to Sydney FC games if they actually started winning for once instead of the "D" performance they handed in last season :-)
Sharminator
Roar Rookie
People who dont exist cant stand up ...
Daniel roar
Guest
During the semi-final of last season at Suncorp, I had the exact same problem. I was standing at the top of the stairs waiting for a text from a mate who had my ticket as i couldn't remember my aisle number. Security asked me to leave the area. Once the game had finished, players were walking around and security told us to leave now, even as the players were still making their way around. Then for the grand final, one of my mates was late and i had his ticket, he called me and told me he was near and i was gonna meet him at the turnstyles. Even though nobody was using this entrance as the game was 5mins underway, i got told i wasnt allowed to stand there and wait for him. Security staff need to have a bit of common sense about them at times, but fortunately there is no way that will stop me from watching the game. Go the Roar!
JB
Guest
What annoys me is at the end of the game as we're cheering the players coming around the ground and doing their warm down. Security tell us to move on. Sorry but i want to cheer the boys off, they haven't left the field yet, why do i need to leave??
gawa
Guest
I doubt there would be a single Brisbane fan who in some way shape or form has not had 'words' with an employee of Suncorp Stadium. Moving people two or three seats is not uncommon, and don't ever stop to look at the pitch from the concourse or the world might stop on it's axis. Incredibly the Brisbane Roar people have sent out an email this week reminding us 'active' fans to be aware that stadium staff might a be more touchy than normal due to the conditions behind the scenes at the stadium. I am expecting a full on hassling experience while we celebrate our league title tonight.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Roar vs Heart, late last year.
Gate 21
Guest
To be fair, the ridiculous security presence at Suncorp Stadium is not Brisbane Roar policy. It is the Stadium itself. The directors of the Roar do not approve of the heavy-handed measures taken by security and have had several run-ins with stadium management over the years. I've had my share of "you're an idiot" and "get a real job" moments with security at Suncorp over the years, but bigger crowds make it more difficult for these megalomaniacs to intimidate individual punters.
Axelv
Guest
"oblivious to my status as Australia’s 93rd most influential football writer" ROFL! Good story and it sums up A-League matches perfectly, When was this experience?
Roarchild
Roar Guru
I have also experienced the Suncorp security goons. Holding a small child doesn't give you immunity.
French Fries
Guest
A very simple Stakeholder Analysis would sort this out. How stupid are these FFA goons? It's simple effing business practise and product management 101. It doesn't matter if you call them fans, customers, robots or stakeholders, but without them, your product will die. The FFA are holding the reins of a potentially huge beast and instead they're filling it with sleeping pills.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
whiskeymac - no significance behind the choice of flick, although it's one of the greatest Westerns ever made.
NUFCMVFC
Roar Guru
Good stuff Mike People are saying that active fans aren't the be all and end all, that is correct as numerically they count for a smaller % of the fan base than those on the wings for example. But what active fan communites are is the first step in the community that surrounds a club, and quite frankly the policing profile and FFA policies are undermining these communities and hence the social fabric that surrounds clubs, any wonder there is increased apathy? This has a knock on effect, the occasion has no sense of theatre inside the grounds, especially when they are large and cavernous like Suncorp holding 8k, Etihad holding 8k, SFS holding 5k and so forth - making it a bland experience, the football is better but you can watch it at home. One big problem is that the FFA hjave been loathe to accept fans as stakeholders in the game, it is tricky to set up a fans body but they want them to be obedient AFL/NRL cheersquads and active fans will never stand for that (no pun intended), hence the consistent tension over the years.
whiskeymac
Guest
unforgiven - great movie. a gritty realistic western. I think i am right in remembering the out of control and sadistic lawman, a good Gene Hackman role if ever there was one, was eventually killed ina bar room shoot out. and the scribe who tagged along made hero's of the whole cast through fantasy and romanticisng what was, in reality, a gruesome mess where no one cld be said to be a winner or "right". interesting choice of movie to compare to.
Chris
Guest
What you are describing is exactly what happens when you find a person who, let's be honest, is going to struggle to find a job elsewhere, some authority. Many security people are so filled with insecurity that that little fluro shirt gives them an almost godlike feeling.
agga78
Guest
Let the people sing! For those who are in love There's a song that's warm and tender. For those who are oppressed In song you can protest. So liberate your minds And give your soul expression. Open up your hearts, I'll sing for you this song. Let the people sing their stories and their songs And the music of their native land Their lullabies and battlecries and songs of hope and joy So join us hand in hand All across this ancient land Throughout the test of time It was music that kept their spirits free Those songs of yours and of mine