Old brigade must embrace blow-ins

[cigar69]

By Josh Massoud
July 18, 2006

PSSST ... don't mention the bandwagon.

That should be the slogan for this season's A-League.

As far as bandwagons go, football's model is second to none.

Not many, if any, can withstand its irresistible momentum.

But, like all forms of wheeled transport, bandwagons run at a cost.

The price football might well pay is an increasingly disgruntled brigade of so-called pioneers.

These were the guys who blazed the trail upon which the bandwagon so merrily rolls.

Like basketball fans of today, they followed the former National Soccer League while society rolled along impervious to the competition's very existence.

Defying TV blackouts and racial flare-ups, they doggedly supported something others brushed like a pile of dandruff from their shoulder.

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Now the long-awaited golden era has dawned, what is their reward?

Watching helplessly while a bunch of uneducated Johnny-come-latelys run roughshod over all they hold dear, that's what.

Having pulled splinters from their trackpants after sitting in the bleachers at Edensor Park and Marconi Stadium, it seems like the rough end of the pineapple.

But from my seat on the bandwagon, it's another sight altogether.

The Socceroos nominated the tremendous support in Germany as their 12th man at the World Cup.

Outside the games, however, the fan base was hardly one.

Instead, it was more factionalised than a Labor Party do at one of Chinatown's famous nosheries.

The extremist bloc - the footballing far right - were fans who believed ownership should be measured in time spent supporting the game.

A fair call perhaps, but with football's calling expanding faster than Hillsong now is not the time for elitism.

At its most virulent, this attitude led to The Footy Show star Sam Newman being infamously spat upon in Munich.

Granted, the controversial aerial ping-pong identity has hardly massaged the sympathies to football lovers.

As it wallowed in the back of the net of the Australian sporting psyche, Newman took regular delight in shirt- fronting the game.

That's why his sudden presence in Germany raised eyebrows - and hackles.

But the base reaction that ensued descended upon anything so-called boofheads who follow traditional codes have produced in recent memory.

With Sydney FC celebrating 5000 season ticket-holders yesterday, the bandwagon should only gather more pace as the nascent A-League enters its second season.

It will also gather more new passengers, most of whom would never have contemplated joining the ride 12 months ago.

Football Federation Australia will no doubt help them on board with extended arms.

It's now up to fellow fans, old and not so old, to do likewise.

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19818899-5000940,00.html

[Carlton life member]

some sensible words there

5000 members eh?
wonder how the Victory is going

[cigar69]

Sydney FC signs up 5000th season ticket holder

Monday, 17 July, 2006 - 9:38AM

As Sydney FC returned to its winning ways in the opening round of the Pre Season Cup, the defending Hyundai A-League Champions also smashed through a significant barrier with the 5000th season ticket holder throwing support behind the club over the weekend.

With the target of doubling its membership base all but achieved Sydney FC has now set its target at tripling its numbers, a stunning increase considering the overwhelming success of the debut Hyundai A-League.

The success has also been achieved with six weeks remaining until the start of the Hyundai A-League as Sydney FC looks forward to a bumper crowd for the season opener against the Central Coast Mariners in a grand final replay at Aussie Stadium on August 27.

Throw in the announcement of two six-figure sponsorships, with more to come, and a rush for corporate suites and boxes for all 10 home games at Aussie Stadium and the signs are positive that the A-League hype will continue in the 2006/07 season.

“We continue to take positive steps off the field and we are excited about the support we are obtaining in the public and corporate marketplaces,” said Sydney FC CEO Tim Parker. “To reach 5000 season ticket holders is a great result but we believe we can take the number even higher.

“We start the next phase of our advertising and marketing programs today so we are expecting another rush on memberships and season tickets. With six weeks to go before the opening game we are in a good position but we know we still have a lot of work to do.”

On the field, Sydney FC also started positively, defeating Queensland Roar 2-1 in wet and slippery conditions on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.

Last year’s leading goalscorer Sasho Petrovski and new recruit Alex Brosque found the back of the net in Sydney FC’s first match since winning the 2005/06 Hyundai A-League grand final.

Sydney FC plays its first “home” game of the Pre Season Cup on Saturday (July 22) when it takes on the Newcastle United Jets at Canberra Stadium at 2pm.

[LS 11]

Dammed good article - Everyone was a "virgin" once (Some say Si still is lol ) so from all these "badwagoners" will probably come the next crop of lifelong fans

Also well done Shitme FC on getting 5,000 members up so early - I wonder if they have all rxed confirmation yet or , dare i say it, even got their memberships already!!!!!

I'll try and find out today what our membership numbers roughly stands at

[shoot goal]

As much as I loathe Sydney I wish them and all A-league clubs many many members!

[s3tTz]

Good article. I'd be interested to hear the late ...likesay's take on this.

[Victory2006]

Decent article, can't disagree with what he's saying, but the one thing that must be drummed into these bandwagonners heads is that they have to learn how to go along with the sport, and not bring over the crappy traditions of other sports, and I bring this up mainly in respect to supporting your team.

"SHOWS US YOUR VISAS" sung at the Croats was disgraceful, these pisswits are not welcome, under any circumstance. This type of bogan element can fuck off back to the cricket.

[Simon]

Decent article, can't disagree with what he's saying, but the one thing that must be drummed into these bandwagonners heads is that they have to learn how to go along with the sport, and not bring over the crappy traditions of other sports, and I bring this up mainly in respect to supporting your team.

"SHOWS US YOUR VISAS" sung at the Croats was disgraceful, these pisswits are not welcome, under any circumstance. This type of bogan element can fuck off back to the cricket.
Well said.

I was a bandwagoner once, but learnt a bit about being a FOOTBALL supporter.

A lot of bandwagoners never do that.

Lets hope that they do and we can truly embrace them.

[storai]

I hope they dont rock up at Victory games and start singing 'cmon aussie cmon' 'aussie aussie aussie oi oi oi' or the worst of them all 'lets go aussie (melbourne) lets go clap clap' like they did at fed square

I hope they rock up to a game and see what its all about and realise that football is different to cricket, tennis, afl etc.

[LS 11]

Whilst i despise the Oi Oi Oi chant, anything that gets them involved and chanting or cheering will raise the atmosphere

You cant tell folks HOW to support tehir own team ffs - thats just a tad arogant

[sarge]

I couldnt care less how people sing/chant etc.
As long as they come..in numbers, and make a lot of noise.

18,000 people chanting "Melbourne clap, clap, clap" is awesome.

[Liam]

I agree with what Victory2006 and Simon are saying. The real supporters of football are in their own niche, and have their own way of supporting. Bandwagoners are a majority in Australia, so itd be unfair if they came along and changed the way we supported teams. If they wanna jump on the bandwagon Im more than happy for them to do so, but they have to do that with some respect for the people that are already there, and perhaps not try to influence as such, but just go along with.

[agitator]

a few of you are starting to sound like us "bitter c@nts" in the vpl. ah the joys of supporting football.

[makedonia1903]

a few of you are starting to sound like us "bitter c@nts" in the vpl. ah the joys of supporting football.

lmao

[Victory MP]

why go to the world cup to put that shit up???

[Krzysiu]

Decent article, can't disagree with what he's saying, but the one thing that must be drummed into these bandwagonners heads is that they have to learn how to go along with the sport, and not bring over the crappy traditions of other sports, and I bring this up mainly in respect to supporting your team.

"SHOWS US YOUR VISAS" sung at the Croats was disgraceful, these pisswits are not welcome, under any circumstance. This type of bogan element can fuck off back to the cricket.


exactly...pissed me off at fed square all these fukn aussie bogans who never followed australian football all of a sudden starting cricket chants etc..

[dechamp]

The A-League needs bandwagoners. If MVFC are to sell out every game they will need people to jump on the bandwagon. It's not bad that people jump on the bandwagon, it's a matter of keeping them for the long term. I would prefer to see Olympic Park sell out each week with people who never have never follwed the game before than only getting 6,000 people who have followed football all their lives.

[sarge]

The A-League needs bandwagoners. If MVFC are to sell out every game they will need people to jump on the bandwagon. It's not bad that people jump on the bandwagon, it's a matter of keeping them for the long term. I would prefer to see Olympic Park sell out each week with people who never have never follwed the game before than only getting 6,000 people who have followed football all their lives.

Agree..
The sponsors want to see numbers, they dont care if your hardcore or a bandwagoneer...$$

[TheStartingLine]

Everytime some battler in a Wallabys shirt tried to start Aussie Aussie Aussie they got severely abused in Germany

[jonk]

Hehhehe..

But how many of these football supporters turn up to the cricket and don't do the Oi OI Oi? If we expect them to follow us... when we go to the cricket, footy, whatever, we have to follow them. only fair enough, wot.

[Simon]

You cant tell folks HOW to support tehir own team ffs - thats just a tad arogant
Is it a tad arrogant to tell people not to rip flares then? ;)

[makedonia1903]

why go to the world cup to put that shit up???

please dont tell me that your reffering to the Australian Flag.......your an absolute tosser ti budala

[LS 11]

Is it a tad arrogant to tell people not to rip flares then?

Si - School bells ringing - off you go

Time for the adults to discuss important things

Now THATS arrogant

Having some idiot rip a flare at OP when the terrace is packed tight, isnt arrogant, its just plain stupid

[Daims09]

Good article. I'd be interested to hear the late ...likesay's take on this.

Actully i think Likesay had the best take on this topic...

My memory he said this

To all those who love the game during the world cup... and now are laying in the boot again to football now its over.... would you continue out the door and not come back..

To all those who have jumped on the wagon, and now want to embrace and enjoy the game..... welcome to the best game on earth... we hope you enjoy the ride.


This is summed up in my words... but i think ive got the gist of it..

But I agree %100 with the above.

[RobyB]

There are probably thousands of people who have always followed the game, say on tv but have never come to one. These are the people who we want to come. The reason they didn't come i don't believe was necessarily their fault. Our game was a mess. Now that it's been cleaned up and is attractive why blame them? That was the whole reason for doing it.

I've been following this game for a long time and i can say i was tired of this game being a minority game for the die hards. Most of them were sad buggers anyway. I find exciting coming to a game with thousands and thousands, where once there was not.

[azza102]

At the Socceroo games I don't know why Waltzing Matilda is not sung more often. In the friendly against the dutch you could hear it on TV and it sounded fantastic.

[Victory MP]

please dont tell me that your reffering to the Australian Flag.......your an absolute tosser ti budala

...says the wanker who goes to the world cup from australia, to see australia play, who was most likely born in australia and shows their support for australia by putting up the flag of another nation that is not participating in the game, let alone the world cup!

[Simon]

At the Socceroo games I don't know why Waltzing Matilda is not sung more often. In the friendly against the dutch you could hear it on TV and it sounded fantastic.
Maybe people think it's too rugbyish.

[bazza]

Aslong as we firmly establish a culture at MVFC-then the bandwagoners will follow and become better football supporters.

[Seb]

Aslong as we firmly establish a culture at MVFC-then the bandwagoners will follow and become better football supporters.

If everyone had your attitude towards the team then MVFC would cease to exist.

[bazza]

If everyone had your attitude towards the team then MVFC would cease to exist.
I'm just bringing variety to this forum, it's not interesting when everyone agrees. Beleive me I support the club and I try to convert as many people to come to our games that I can. I think most people have realised im just what simon calls a WUM.