A few weeks ago the Newcastle Jets’ main supporter base, the Squadron, announced they will cease to exist on the terraces while the FFA’s measures to “restrict” active supporters remain in place.
In June this year, Football Federation Australia announced “measures to enhance and protect the unique atmosphere created by active supporters” at A-League matches.
The new protocols included membership-only restrictions for active support areas, meaning that fans in supporter bases now have to buy a membership to enter the designated zone.
This was designed to “grow membership and deepen fan engagement”, but fan groups across the country weren’t too receptive. While most will be well aware of the development, many might not realise that the first fallout from the restrictions has arrived.
Larger supporter groups, such as the Cove, the Den and the Red and Black Bloc, were vocally opposed to the FFA’s new rules, but have so far been unprepared to boycott during match days.
The Squadron’s decision to disband their active support, which went largely unreported in mainstream media, represents the first active protest from any fan-base.
Their main gripe, and it’s a valid one, is that the new protocols have put all supporter groups into one basket.
“We cannot accept the new restrictions for active support this season,” the Squadron’s statement read.
“The Squadron FSC will be vacating the designated active supporter bay for the 2014-15 season, or until such time as these restrictions are removed.
“This is not an action against the Newcastle Jets, it is however a response to the absurd and overbearing one-size-fits-all FFA restrictions.”
At the time of the original announcement, the FFA said they were committed to working with clubs to “customise solutions”, yet that seems to have fallen by the wayside in negotiations with the Jets, who represented the Squadron on their behalf.
In recent years the Squadron’s numbers have visibly diminished, but they still occupy a significant part of the stadium and contribute to the match day atmosphere. Some of the A-League’s best tifos have been displayed at Hunter Stadium.
The Squadron will mainly be affected by these changes because the majority of their participants are teenagers. They don’t have the financial means to commit to a membership, bar having rich parents.
“A no-membership, no-access restriction disadvantages this key demographic of our support,” the Squadron said.
They also feel the new measures do not allow for “free and organic support”, outlining that numbers can’t be pinpointed as support ebbs and flows dependent on the score line and situation.
One beautiful part of active support is seeing numbers swell when the team needs the fans the most – when they’re defending a one-goal lead in extra time, or need a last-minute winner. Active support is spontaneous and it shouldn’t be hindered without just cause.
The Jets’ website states that the “Squadron is considered integral to the success of match day and growing fans’ support through other parts of Hunter Stadium”.
So why are the FFA, who constantly use active support as a point of difference from other football codes, potentially ripping it away from the game? It’s clear that they’ve already caused the Jets to lose a strong part of their identity.
It’s not that the restrictions are particularly hard line, it’s just that they’re unnecessary. How it “enhances” club culture is a mystery. The FFA are not seeking to protect, as they claim, but to control.
The true reasoning behind FFA’s decision, despite not alluding to it, could partly be down to the fact that non-members were responsible for lighting flares within the Red and Black Bloc during Western Sydney Wanderers matches last season.
So restrictions are arguably warranted for the Wanderers, who were FFA-owned at the time, but why are the other nine clubs included as well? Why does the FFA feel the need to impose these sanctions, which aren’t going to the heart of the problem anyway?
The changes could be detrimental to the league’s growth, and that has partly been confirmed with the disbanding of the Squadron.
Active support is a major selling point for clubs, but forcing supporters to buy memberships is counter-productive. Instead of imposing restrictions they should enforce a set of rules for active support to adhere to. Those that misbehave and have problems should then be handed restrictions.
It must be noted, however, that Melbourne City announced on July 30 that they would be expanding their active support area due to high demand in Bays 16, 17 and 18. So for some clubs at least, the changes are not having a detrimental effect.
Despite larger support groups expressing their outrage at the new protocols, the Squadron is the first to take action. While it’s a significant and bold move, it would have been a stronger, and more publicised, statement coming from Melbourne Victory or Sydney FC’s fan-base.
It’s rumoured that Victory and Wanderers management approached the FFA about introducing the new measures. If that’s true, then clubs should impose sanctions individually, leaving the rest of the A-League franchises out of it. If there’s a problem at one club, fix it with a customised approach.
The new measures are dumping all football fans into one rigid and unreasonable pen. This one-size-fits-all solution is a farce, and we’ll have to wait and see whether the Squadron is the last supporter group to make a stand.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
It invariably does our league more harm than good. When a fantastic match is on and an idiot decides to light one, guess what the topic the next day ends up being. They are also illegal and believe it or not actually dangerous. You dont realise how hot these things are and even I have had my hand burnt by trying to do the right thing and flick one off the road with my hand. I am praying that no one gets injured one day because then you will see what a crackdown actually is. The only ones who seem to not want to talk about their use are those people who are oblivious to their potential hazard, carry on AZ and make sure you use your scarf as a mask :)
AZ_RBB
Guest
If it was the core of the active support, why am I still seeing the same people running the group I did back in October 2012? Surely they would be amongst the dozens of people handed lengthy stadium bans. End of the day, I see pyro at our games as such a minute issue, I feel as though I'm wasting my time even talking about it.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Sorry I dont buy it AZ. I am tempted to ring the club up and find out the truth just to finally de-bunk this well trodden myth.
AZ_RBB
Guest
No one who wants to continue to see their team play every week in the long term would even consider using pyro at a game. Makes zero logical sense. Not saying that the perpetrators have no interest in football but they aren't regulars. The frustration from our active support is that too many people have been falsely accused of anti social behaviour. This may make the core members be a little more proactive in order to ensure that only the true perpetrators are charged. I truly don't mind our home end being active members only. It works for the authorities, the club and the supporters. But to impose it on the rest of the league is laughable.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Sorry Brian, This "Blow In" excuse has been excuse has been used to death. I find it incredible that someone who isn't an active supporter or who has no knowledge of "football kulcha" would have any interest in lighting flares. Tell me Brian is it someone from the expensive seats who has decided to come into the active area for the day to light a flare, is it a Rugby league supporter or perhaps someone from AFL or cricket. I think you will find that those people who have been apprehended in the past that the majority of them would be active support members. I could be wrong but I know I am right.
Kyle Stewart
Roar Pro
God i wish there was no moderation of the comments section sometimes fuss. If you dont agree with someone your go to argument 9 times out of 10 is what experience do you have. Seriously Fuss? its a comment section on a website called the roar for the roar of the crowd if your gonna apply that kind of logic its just pointless having a comments section on this website
Brian
Guest
Flare this flare that. WSW had no flares at any A-league (I said A-league) match last season, not a flare in sight at home for the whole damn season. The problems for all club are the blow in away supporters. Not their own active support areas. Any idiot whose an out and out trouble maker will make trouble no matter what, they'll find a way. Get rid of this no frills security. One match I went to the guy checking bags was busy staring at a girls tits and I said "forget it he's not even looking in your bag" so she just picked up her bag and walked, security with a dumb smile letting her through and I just followed suit, I could have had anything on me. Speaking of No Frills I won't even get started on Hatamoto.
AZ_RBB
Guest
But why put a $80 barrier at all? Is Australian football really at a stage where we only want people who have 'put their mind to it' to be involved in active support? From what I've heard a few of the clubs will have 1 game, 2 game etc active passes. Haven't come across any yet but wouldn't be surprised to see some closer to the season. That would be a good compromise and sensible way to deal with these measures.
Ginger71
Guest
a membership is only $135 and with 13 games it works out at around $10 anyway and you get to pay it off over 10 months.
Ginger71
Guest
active support membership is only $135 and Juniors only $80 which can be paid off over 10 months, so most teenagers can afford that if they put their mind to it.
Midfielder
Guest
AZ I checked their forum it appears they are considering what to do .. not a walk away like the Jest... PG are interesting as they where Fcuked over by FFA in Hal 1 ... and JON often said it was a huge mistake he and Matt Coral made ... they almost halved their crowd ... refused to listen to arguably the most astute football owner in Australian history in Nick Tanner .. to the point he walked away from Football .. its worth remembering PG owned their own stadium or Nick did and had regularly had crowds of 15K when the average of the NSL was about 4K ... take out the PG figures and the number fell to about 3K... PG miss Nick Tanner and I would love if Tony S could get Nick back on board...
AZ_RBB
Guest
No! Not the Yellow Fever! I'm not even being sarcastic. I will be shattered to see them step away from the A-League. Say what you like about the RBB, NTC, Cove etc etc. Nobody can say a bad word about the Yellow Fever. They are allowed to have all the inflated levels of self-importance or whatever other insults people throw around football circles these days because they are genuinely awesome.
Midfielder
Guest
There is a rumour going around the Shed and Yellow Fever may follow suit... Deep down in my soul I feel FFA have made an error ... they are applying a top down approach and given they are in charge they can.. FFA decision making seems to be reflective of media issues and not wanting negative media... To the best of my knowledge FFA have relied on police and security reports and analysis... in many ways information from these sources is bias towards their well being and growth... I have often posted FFA should club by club sit down with leaders of the HE's discuss their concerns, fears etc... but listen to the HE as well.... then set up a informal management process ... then go on a huge media campaign to dispel what some media see as negative when it is just Football... I fully appreciate many in the media are braying and ever hopeful for the soccer riot articles and how unsafe the A-League is ... FFA cannot win this battle without the help of the HE and they have not sort help and assistance from where I see only taken the views of biases Security Management [saying why they need to stay and expand] and police also saying why they are needed...
AZ_RBB
Guest
"some instances have turned on them, especially when flares have been lit" You and I both know that it's a tiny fraction of the overall active support of the club that causes those incidents. The core of the active support may have turned a blind eye to it for a while but that is no longer the case, at least from what I've observed from the final 3 months of the season. "that we saved the league" Who says that? I've seen 2 or 3 fans say that and even then I'm certain they meant it figuratively. The club at every level recognises the impact our active support has had on our success, on and off the field. Stereotyping and sweeping comments only sends our club and our league backwards. Leave those sorts of sentiments to the mainstream media. We should be focused on making our own support as strong as possible. Many see these measures as a hindrance to us achieving that goal and that's why there is an uproar. Good on the Squadron for taking a stance. I'll miss looking across at them during my visits to Hunter. I love the fan v fan element of football so my experiences in Newcastle I'm sure will be poorer in the future.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Top stuff. Some big names in that lineup.
albatross
Roar Pro
>> petulant teenagers and the whole …the world is out to get us attitude. Well going by the attitude of the current federal government they might have a point...
Griffo
Roar Guru
Josh Brillante has scored in Fiorentina's match against Peru's Universitario - 0-1 to the Viola at full time. Squad: FIORENTINA: Tatarusanu, Gonzalo, Roncaglia, Vargas (Cap), Pizarro, Savic, Vecino, Valero B., Rossi, Brillante, Gomez.
Knightblues
Guest
If you really do support your team, you will jump through a few hoops. Your just a typical Aussie, if anything ever gets hard you complain.
nordster
Guest
And thats a wrap here kittens, 1-0 FT Mike/Adam Selene signing out:)
nordster
Guest
1-0 Pierre-Emerick knocks one in for dortmund, supey subbage...heil klopp