The half-time whistle sounds and your team just put in one of the worst shifts you’ve seen. You look down at the stadium food you spent half a days’ wage on, the seat you paid for, the jersey you might be feeling a bit less proud in.
You’re faced with a dilemma. You’ll likely have two types of people around you. There is the one that applauds and rallies their team to salvage something from the next 45 minutes. Then you’ve got the one flailing their arms, flashing their membership and unleashing a cringe worthy jeer in the players’ direction. And the ref, it’s always the ref’s fault.
More often than not, the latter personality is outnumbered. There is an eerie sense in Australian football that possessing a membership isn’t a free pass to criticise. But the fan that questions and challenges decisions is undoubtedly doing more for their club than the fan that trots along quietly.
The power of the fan is well underrated, yet we’ve seen precedents laid right across the country. Jets fans’ vocal disapproval of Nathan Tinkler’s tumultuous ownership, Melbourne Victory’s North Terrace standing firm against over-cooked governance and Mariners fans disputing the regular off-field uncertainty that remains a polar opposite to the on-field success.
Every couple of months, a small number of fans take to their respective club forums, if they’re lucky enough to have that luxury, and voice their concerns. Granted, some opinions are misguided and unrealistic in the business world that football is at its core. But clubs need a friendly reminder that the board isn’t always right, the fans deserve their say. Because, more often than not, fans have an opinion worth listening to.
The key is making the transition from customer to business partner. Buying a membership makes you an investor, a part of the club. It gives you a right to have a say. Whether or not the club listens is another matter, but the game needs more fans to stand up and be counted.
English football is a great proponent of that method. From Manchester United fans’ disapproval of Malcolm Glazer’s takeover, a contributing factor to the formation of breakaway club FC United of Manchester, to the fan-owned Portsmouth Football Club.
FC United was partly formed for the purpose of Red Devils fans refused to accept ownership that appeared to have the club’s interests far down the pecking order. And Pompey was single-handedly rescued by a majority buyout by fans who put their minds where their hearts were.
Clubs across the UK feel compelled to listen to their fans, the reverse of Australian football.
The takeover of Melbourne City is one that has proved divisive with the heart of its fans. While many have accepted the move, coerced by the tantalising fruits of a decent Spaniard and a former Chelsea striker, others refused to accept the face lift.
And they have every right to. A game that has become subservient to bank cheques – something we’re reluctantly forced to accept as the days go by – took away the foundations of Melbourne Heart.
To some, it’s just a change of name and a wardrobe overhaul, but to others it symbolises something greater. They’re not weak for walking away from the club, they’re stronger for having an opinion.
Any sort of investment in a club provides the right to have standards. And that’s just what football needs – more drivers and fewer passengers.
bryan
Guest
It's Groundhog Day!
Glenn Innes
Guest
Punter - EPL has the advantage of being played in an English speaking country in a time when thanks to American economic and military dominance English has become a kind of lingua franca, particularly in East Asia.
ciudadmarron
Guest
You also get given free memberships when you change electricity providers or pick up a show bag from a uni open day.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Bondy, I get the football family emails as well as Jets member emails. The only other way I would say you could get info from all clubs is via their twitter accounts...
Griffo
Roar Guru
Agree Futbanous. I think in part that is reflected in the discussion surrounding youth development environment between England and Germany, and the differences in their ability to change and how their respective professional leagues are managed to aid that environment. Still being new (in the pro sense), with some history, I think we are trying to be flexible in thinking ahead in decisions made. I just hope we continue to not be enthralled by the games recent success and be able to make the right choices to keep growing, while not locking in inflexible structures surrounding the game.
yewonk
Guest
You must travel alot apparently ticketek shares your email with clubs when you buy tickets for their games.
bobbym
Guest
Fans will decide if Football become bigger than AwFuL or NRL - will there be bigger crowds this season? if Glory don't improve above an ave of 9000 ( generous) major changes will need to happen- in the meantime Melbourne city are on track for 10,000 members , which will happen once Vila is in town. http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2014/09/03/melbourne-city-sets-membership-record
Kasey
Guest
Tell that to Coventry City fans.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I know but just visually and aurally, the Bundesliga is incredible to watch. The active standing terraces are on a completely different level to what you see in Spain and England, which means the sound coming through is amazing. Even if you just showed the games involved Bayern, BVB and Schalke, it would work. and enough has been said about the technical quality on show.
clipper
Guest
Quite noticeable how big Football has become in the west from 5 years ago. Although GWS specifically target ACT and play matches there, some of the above clubs would also have ACT members, although obviously not in the same realms as GWS.
Alexander Mitchell
Roar Pro
Membership just topped last years' this morning!
Alexander Mitchell
Roar Pro
Agree Az, the crowds throughout the huge losing streak last year and the period of success seemed to be relatively similar.
Punter
Guest
You talking about the AFL again (troublemakers)?
Punter
Guest
EPL has the popularity. La Liga has Barcelona & Rel Madrid who can buy the very best players. Bundesliga has neither, but I tend to agree with you. Love to be able to see the top 3 leagues on TV.
Justin Mahon
Roar Rookie
"I don’t think there is any soccer fan group anywhere in the world that is NOT p1ssed off." LOL - true enough!
Justin Mahon
Roar Rookie
OK. So lets tell people what really happened. MVFC fans adopted the Eureka Flag. The FFA banned it. The club AND fans complained. The Age ran a tremendous story. The FFA backed down within 2 days.
Justin Mahon
Roar Rookie
This is an extremely important point. Also well made.
AZ_RBB
Guest
http://community.foxtel.com.au/t5/Announcements/Fox-Sports-4-and-Fox-Sports-5-coming-in-November-to-Foxtel/m-p/25525#U25525 Fox 4 and Fox 5 coming soon. Should make it easier to watch multiple football matches simultaneously over summer. Still waiting for the day Fox realise that there is no better sporting TV product than the Bundesliga.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
I am actually surprised the Perth fans haven't been more vocal. They were easily the benchmark in the NSL, and had massive crowds. I am not sure what their crowds were like early on in the A-league but they have become a joke of a club. Last year was ridiculous with the whole Burns vs Edwards affair. I thought the hiring of Edwards was a good sign of things to come, and while I dont necessarily agree with Edwards signing his sons to the club, it has happened overseas in other leagues. There is a definite conflict of interest despite the two boys playing ok. I think they have recruited ok this year and might just sneak into the top 6, I think they will fall just outside. I think the biggest mistake was hiring Kenny Lowe as a full-time coach. While he is a colourful character I dont think he can coach to save himself. I am not expecting him to survive the season and he is very good at coming up with numerous excuses why they weren't performing. When are the fans of Perth going to say enough is enough and demand better treatment from both the club and to see some results from their football team.
BigAl
Guest
Good to see you are still nose-deep into AFL reportage.