Adelaide United - should we worry?

[Paralowiepower]

Just wondering, heard a few rumours our season tickets are not going as well as they should be.
Could this be because of a new player in the South Australian market?
Let me just say I also like soccer, but the PAFC will always come first.
But, even though Adelaide United only get 12000 - 13000 to their games, families are raving about the pre match entertainment, affordable tickets and how the club looks after the fans compared to AFL football.
We might lose some fans, but what if we start losing sponsers?
I have noticed alot of Port fans going to these games, and after taking my 6 year old Im a little worried he would rather go to the soccer than the football. The atmosphere is great and he loves getting autographs from the players as soon as the game is finished.

I just think our club can learn a bit from the newbies, and I don't want to hear its just a phase and will go away, because I dont think it will.
I will continue to support Adelaide United, but are they a friend or a competitor in the S.A market?

What does everyone else think?

 

[mic59]

The competition is certainly there and trying to fool ourselves that the supporters are non-AFL people is completely blinkered and will take us out of the vanguard of securing sponsors and membership. Port could certainly do more for the fans, tons of the players seem innaccessible and I have only seen them at family fun days. Players should be required to turn up after the game at least once every two weeks. I realise most of them have home lifes and some have families but a footballers' life is not 100% training. They should have some time for the fans and some for their loved ones.
I was unable to go back to the club after many home games but I went interstate twice and the players didn't meet the supporters there once. After the Carlton game we went back to the Regent and the players met the sponsors but not the fans. And the no-show after the Collingwood loss was reprehensible.
Last year I went to the club after games and saw about 5 or 6 players each time. In 1997 nearly the whole list was back at the club. And the players at the club were generally players who weren't selected in the first team or were injured, such as Steve Gilham, Paul Koulouriotis and Steve Salopek.
The Cows have been running a system where they have one or two players in their Tavern each week. Surely Port could have some sort of "meet the players" themselves?

 

[Portia]

There can be no doubt that the players are being increasingly separated from the common supporters.

Yes, Adelaide United is competition.

 

[Paralowiepower]

Originally posted by Porthos
There can be no doubt that the players are being increasingly separated from the common supporters.

I have noticed this too, ever since the departure of Rob Snowdon.
The Crows also have a rotation policy where some players go the shed and some go to the tavern.

I would also like to see someone from the club sign up on this board and answer questions from the Port Adelaide posters.

 

[*koulagirl]

Originally posted by Paralowiepower
I have noticed this too, ever since the departure of Rob Snowdon.
The Crows also have a rotation policy where some players go the shed and some go to the tavern.

I would also like to see someone from the club sign up on this board and answer questions from the Port Adelaide posters.

I'd say that the player-fan relationship hasn't changed, just altered. You can't want a bunch of guys to just around playing their butts off, ending up physically tired, possibly injured and even emotionally worn out depending on the game to sacrifice a night's decent rest before a 7am recovery session... all to spend a few minutes mingling with fans/members.

If you check out the pubs, you may find a couple of players, who knows. If you go to training, they even talk and sign autographs. Hell, even before the game! If you can't sacrifice your time, even if it's getting to Footy Park an hour earlier to say hi and good luck, then why should they sacrifice theirs? You can't just say these guys should put promoting the club first, they have to play. You should be considering yourself lucky that the players who don't play do show up, as they are under NO OBLIGATION to do so whatsoever.

And as for someone from the club signing up... that comment just proves you haven't been paying much attention to the board lately.

 

[Paralowiepower]

Geelong Troll

 

[chris17]

Spoken like a true non-fan..

 

[*koulagirl]

hi guys. nice to talk to you again too.

am i not allowed to put forward my opinions? as a west adelaide supporter, i think i at least have a right to have my say in this thread, and besides, it's not like i'm not qualified to say anything, after all, i did make your acquaintance at training last year chris17.

paralowiepower, have you ever taken your son to training or to the rooms after games? i think you'll find the players more than willing to give autographs.

oh, are you guys having a go at me because i'm right, or because you have a vendetta against me?

 

[chris17]

AH, who's the one with the vendetta again?

Anyway, if you add up the amount of money even an average AFL player earns, and the rewards that go with that (besides money), i think sometimes they could do more. There were certain times in 2003 were the fans i think were really let down by some of the Power squad.

 

[Paralowiepower]

No, I just think you have mis read the question. Yes I have taken my son to training, and yes his autograth book is full.
This thread is mainly aimed at the club doing more and the AFL, not the players.
I know our season tickets are the cheapest in the land, but I think we could be marketing our club alot better.
And I do see the players, as my family are members we go back for presentations after every home game.
As I go to both (Adelaide United and Port Adelaide) I think Im qualified to make comparisons.
I dont need to take my son to AUFC trainnings to get an autograph.

 

[chris17]

And the players DO have an obligation to the fans...we contribute to their salaries, one way or another, and we support and cheer them on, good times and bad.
Some of the players are fantastic with their time..others...not so good.

 

[*koulagirl]

Originally posted by chris17
AH, who's the one with the vendetta again?

Anyway, if you add up the amount of money even an average AFL player earns, and the rewards that go with that (besides money), i think sometimes they could do more. There were certain times in 2003 were the fans i think were really let down by some of the Power squad.

That's you. I'm the one that usually has to defend myself.

Do you think lawyers should do more to improve the public perception of the profession? They get more money... and have less of a fan base let alone reputation.
As a fan, I do not recall one time I was let down by the squad. You have to take into consideration their circumstances as well. The club does not exist purely for the fans and the fans cannot expect to be kept happy when it's not reasonable or viable.

 

[*koulagirl]

Originally posted by Paralowiepower
No, I just think you have mis read the question. Yes I have taken my son to training, and yes his autograth book is full.
This thread is mainly aimed at the club doing more and the AFL, not the players.
I know our season tickets are the cheapest in the land, but I think we could be marketing our club alot better.
And I do see the players, as my family are members we go back for presentations after every home game.
As I go to both (Adelaide United and Port Adelaide) I think Im qualified to make comparisons.
I dont need to take my son to AUFC trainnings to get an autograph.

No, you can go to the rooms after the games. Or one of the many events held by the club during the year. Wait. In your role as president of the PA Supporters Club in Adelaide, how much do you do? How many events do you get more than one or two players to?
If you see the players, but you don't see them, do they exist? Is the club real? I'm sorry, your lack of continuity confuses me. Should the whole squad show up to presentations because your family are members? Especially when presentations are late at night, and maybe the players have other commitments, and families as well. Each player has a minimum quota of promotions they must do, just because you don't go to or hear about them, it doesn't mean they are not happening. I don't see AUFC players out in the community and inthe newspaper having visited a school or modeled shirts for the Salvos or whatever. I do see Power players. They are doing what they can. Why is that not enough for you?

 

[chris17]

Well, if the truth be told, you would know beter than most about putting unfair expectations on players, wouldn't you!


On the one hand you're saying they don't exist for the fans, which is only half true, but on the other you're the one who expects more of them than what they should ever have to give.

Fan or no fan.

 

[*koulagirl]

Originally posted by chris17
And the players DO have an obligation to the fans...we contribute to their salaries, one way or another, and we support and cheer them on, good times and bad.
Some of the players are fantastic with their time..others...not so good.

The politicians who are part of the State and Federal government systems have an obligation to the public because we pay their salaries, their extras, their holidays, and everything else they want. It's commonly put that they do jack.
The fact that most of us will support players through good and bad doesn't increase this obligation, nor lessen it. As i just said, we don'[t hear about everything they do, and they do what they can. You have to realise these people are human beings, not just robots who wear a uniform and kick a football.
You admit yourself some players are "fantastic with their time". Is that because what they do is public? Not all players get on the front page every time they do something. Not every player gets the publicity they deserve. In asking for them to treat the fans 'better' and to do more to promote the club, publically, for the whole world to see, they have to be equals. And you'd be one of the first to say that they're not. So what's your problem?

 

[Paralowiepower]

No fans, the club dies.
I think you will find most supporters here will continue to support the club thru thick and thin, we are the passionate ones.
Its the bandwagoners we need to get on board.
And no offence but as Mic 59 stated the committment to the fans by the players is dropping of each season.
Is it fair the Port supporters living in Melbourne, Perth etc dont see the players after the match at the presentations?
Lots of people went to the Collingwood final only to be let down twice. At the game, and after the game, if you were there you would of seen it too.

 

[*koulagirl]

Originally posted by chris17
Well, if the truth be told, you would know beter than most about putting unfair expectations on players, wouldn't you!


On the one hand you're saying they don't exist for the fans, which is only half true, but on the other you're the one who expects more of them than what they should ever have to give.

Fan or no fan.

No. That's not what I'm saying. Paralowiepower's asking if they should do more to promote the club as a family-friendly one. I'm saying they already do, why should they do more when that begins to encroach on their on-field performance and their own families, let alone the secondary jobs some of them have.

What unfair expectations have I ever put on a player? Fan, or no fan. I do not believe I have ever done so, and I have had no complaints from anyone officially related to the club about any of my behaviour, rather jealous remarks from those who are not.

 

[*koulagirl]

Originally posted by Paralowiepower
No fans, the club dies.
I think you will find most supporters here will continue to support the club thru thick and thin, we are the passionate ones.
Its the bandwagoners we need to get on board.
And no offence but as Mic 59 stated the committment to the fans by the players is dropping of each season.
Is it fair the Port supporters living in Melbourne, Perth etc dont see the players after the match at the presentations?
Lots of people went to the Collingwood final only to be let down twice. At the game, and after the game, if you were there you would of seen it too.

You're doing your bit to ensure the club dies by not doing anything about it.

Have you seen flight schedules etc, and been inside the rooms after games? Do you know WHY the players haven't shown up? What makes you expect them to show up? What would you have done if the players had shown up after the Collingwood game? Abuse them? Turn away from them?

After the treatment the players received in their home town during the 2000/2001 seasons... what should they expect from interstate fans, those who see them lose more often than win?

 

[Paralowiepower]

Originally posted by *koulagirl
I don't see AUFC players out in the community and inthe newspaper having visited a school or modeled shirts for the Salvos or whatever. I do see Power players.

This just proves you shouldnt be commenting, because the United players do plenty in the community, and only get a fraction on the salary of an AFL footballer.

 

[chris17]

The club does a lot, but could do more..that's the point.
The Collingwood example is a prime example...both on the field, and after the game, the fans who went to melbourne (and who live in Melbourne) were let down. And being the last game ofr us for 2003, that was hard to accept.

But, i guess the Collingwood final after-match experience would have only disapointed those who did actually make the effort to go.
Who knows, maybe at Geelong, you'll be much happier with the teams' efforts.

 

[chris17]

I just can't see how you can comment at all Bernie..you have never even been to ONE Power game..??

 

[Paralowiepower]

Originally posted by *koulagirl
You're doing your bit to ensure the club dies by not doing anything about it.

Have you seen flight schedules etc, and been inside the rooms after games?

I have done plenty for the club and will continue to do so.
Plus Im still on board

And yes to both of the last questions.

 

[chris17]

And what treatment are you talking about the players' had to deal with in 2000/2001?

Give examples..

 

[Paralowiepower]

Originally posted by *koulagirl
hi guys. nice to talk to you again too.

am i not allowed to put forward my opinions? as a west adelaide supporter, i think i at least have a right to have my say in this thread,

Regional board

 

[Ray Nolan]

Like Paralowiepower I'm a fan of both Port Adelaide & Adelaide United. I don't see AUFC as major competition because we play in a different season - if the NSL season was in winter then it might be a bit different. When the APL starts next year I expect AUFC to be even more in the spotlight with the addition of TV coverage (hopefully) though. The other reason I probably don't see them as competition is because I'm passionate about them both. I couldn't choose between one or the other. If they played same time, same day it'd be a tough choice. I've supported PAFC my whole life, but AUFC is something I've been waiting for, for most of my life as well - the euphoria of their existence currently resonates very strongly for me.

I think AUFC have done a great job in the way they have promoted the club and the fact that the tickets are relatively cheap. How long the tickets stay that cheap though is a bit of a mystery because I think when the APL begins next season the prices will have to go up. The other thing I think is that AUFC and its players seriously understand the role they have in spreading the popularity of the game. They know they need to be proactive on the promotion front and its shows in the way they stay back to sign autographs after the game, put on pre-game entertainment, head out to shopping centres to promote games and do coaching clinics in the schools. The fact we are having the success we are, given there is beggar all media coverage, is even more amazing. Adelaide is in Australian terms a "Soccer City" - always has been. AUFC is the catalyst to harness this support.

I think for PAFC there is probably not the same drive to do as much of the marketing that AUFC does given the predominant position Australian Rules has in the South Australian market. I think there is a sort of expectation that the fans will come regardless of what is served up. The reliance on loyalty and the strength of the code is very strong IMO. The club's community programme led by Russell Ebert certainly does a very good job but I don't think the players are as accessible as they could be. That's probably because of their higher profile - it's the same with all sports that are number one in their market. For instance the average Premier League Footballer in England is barely accessible to the fans of the club. I think it just goes with the territory. The club could do more I think to have the players accessible to the fans. I think the club does need to push itself a bit more in the media as well because we still lag behind the Fruit Tingles.

The other thing that doesn't help Port IMO is that I think we have a far higher number of Soccer/Aussie Rules people in our support base. I think we are more open to Soccer than the Crows fans, probably because we have strong support from the English & Ethnic communities who follow both codes. Anyone who thinks that Adelaide United are going to fade away are living in a fools paradise - they are definitely here to stay. With the beginning of the APL and maybe future entry into Asian Cup competitions (we can only hope!) I think AUFC will only get stronger. The challenge will be there for PAFC to make sure we remains an attractive sporting option in an increasingly crowded marketplace.