Bulldogs revert to (almost) 1954 jumper

[HandyHawks94]

i hope that star wars guernsey is a joke. how disgraceful.

 

[exile]

Love it.

 

[mcgarnacle]

predictably, those suggesting a return to the trading name of footscray do so as supporters of other clubs and wont be supporting a team trading as 'footscray' or 'western bulldogs' anyway. furthermore, you blokes arent the ones who would have the difficult task of building a national brand around such a name.

ahh, nostalgia. the domain of the fool who continues to look backward rather than forward.

 

[Lord Nicholson]

predictably, those suggesting a return to the trading name of footscray do so as supporters of other clubs and wont be supporting a team trading as 'footscray' or 'western bulldogs' anyway. furthermore, you blokes arent the ones who would have the difficult task of building a national brand around such a name.

ahh, nostalgia. the domain of the fool who continues to look backward rather than forward.

Has the "Western Bulldogs" brand really set the world on fire? Has it turned them into a superpower? I know it's helped them out, in the short term, a bit like the robo-puppy, but does it really matter anymore? If anything, the trend has swung back towards respecting the history of a club. The Kangaroos have switched back, Freo have tied themselves back to the old WAFL Fremantle clubs, and now the Bulldogs will be wearing the guernsey that their only premiership was won in. Only Charlie Sutton and Ted Whitten never played for any "Western Bulldogs".

It just... doesn't stand for anything. Even "West Coast" is more specific.

 

[mcgarnacle]

I hate the white, too insipid

an alternate red in the same style as the new home blue (with blue & white hoops) i reckon would look great.

 

[mcgarnacle]

Has the "Western Bulldogs" brand really set the world on fire? Has it turned them into a superpower? I know it's helped them out, in the short term, a bit like the robo-puppy, but does it really matter anymore? If anything, the trend has swung back towards respecting the history of a club. The Kangaroos have switched back, Freo have tied themselves back to the old WAFL Fremantle clubs, and now the Bulldogs will be wearing the guernsey that their only premiership was won in. Only Charlie Sutton and Ted Whitten never played for any "Western Bulldogs".

It just... doesn't stand for anything. Even "West Coast" is more specific.

Branding it's AFL team as the Western Bulldogs never was the ideal. I didnt say that it is. I agree, there's probably more meaning in the name Footscray. But trying to build an attractive sporting brand - of a historically unsuccessful club - on a national level around the name Footscray isnt your job, so you probably dont realise how hard a task that would be.

A sporting brand is built first and foremost by a winning team. If Footscray Football Club had the successful history of a Carlton or an Essendon, and had their size of support, then the name Footscray could probably be an asset. I say 'could' instead of 'would' because no matter how you look at it or say it, it is ****ing difficult to make that name appear attractive to any potential corporate partner or develop a national identity around. Being successful could be the only way.

But that's hypothetical. History shows that the club is in fact one of the least successful and consisting of one of the lowest support bases in the league. In such circumstances, and coupled with the unattractiveness of the name, it's association with it will not give it any advantages whatsoever. Theyre not part of an amatuer suburban league anymore. Giving it the best opportunity to attract corporate partners and widening its appeal to greater western melbourne in an effort to increase its support base required an alternative name.

The club hasnt lost it's identity in the re-branding IMO. It's association with the bulldogs maintains the clubs identity as one of battling grit. This hasnt changed IMO, at it probably still holds them back.

And most importantly, the majority of bulldogs fans that have contributed to this thread dont support a return to the trading name of Footscray. They realise that it's still the club's official name, but that an alternative is required in branding to broaden it's appeal. Those calling for a return to the on-field name of Footscray are those here supporting other clubs. You blokes wont ever be an exec of a company that'll consider supporting financially them, and are already tied to another club as supporters anyway. You blokes dont need to work with name Footscray in a marketing sense at all.

 

[DDog]

Kudos to the club to listening to the members and bringing back this iconic jumper. When it was announced on Friday night at the Best and Fairest there was a resounding cheer of approval so it looks like a very popular decision.

Looking forward to decking the family out in new jumpers over the off season. Only question is what numbers on the back?

 

[Gus]

Looking forward to decking the family out in new jumpers over the off season. Only question is what numbers on the back?

In order of preference:

#40 (Dahlhaus has said he'd like to keep his number for now)
#21 (Libba jnr, not Aker)
#3 (should always be a Bulldog favourite)
#19 (Jones)

 

[Lord Nicholson]

Branding it's AFL team as the Western Bulldogs never was the ideal. I didnt say that it is. I agree, there's probably more meaning in the name Footscray. But trying to build an attractive sporting brand - of a historically unsuccessful club - on a national level around the name Footscray isnt your job, so you probably dont realise how hard a task that would be.

A sporting brand is built first and foremost by a winning team. If Footscray Football Club had the successful history of a Carlton or an Essendon, and had their size of support, then the name Footscray could probably be an asset. I say 'could' instead of 'would' because no matter how you look at it or say it, it is ****ing difficult to make that name appear attractive to any potential corporate partner or develop a national identity around. Being successful could be the only way.

But that's hypothetical. History shows that the club is in fact one of the least successful and consisting of one of the lowest support bases in the league. In such circumstances, and coupled with the unattractiveness of the name, it's association with it will not give it any advantages whatsoever. Theyre not part of an amatuer suburban league anymore. Giving it the best opportunity to attract corporate partners and widening its appeal to greater western melbourne in an effort to increase its support base required an alternative name.

The club hasnt lost it's identity in the re-branding IMO. It's association with the bulldogs maintains the clubs identity as one of battling grit. This hasnt changed IMO, at it probably still holds them back.

And most importantly, the majority of bulldogs fans that have contributed to this thread dont support a return to the trading name of Footscray. They realise that it's still the club's official name, but that an alternative is required in branding to broaden it's appeal. Those calling for a return to the on-field name of Footscray are those here supporting other clubs. You blokes wont ever be an exec of a company that'll consider supporting financially them, and are already tied to another club as supporters anyway. You blokes dont need to work with name Footscray in a marketing sense at all.

Interesting argument. I'm also not going to ever be a football coach, nor have I been, but I assume I'm allowed to register an opinion on team selection. Since it's an internet forum and all.

 

[LightTower4]

...this must never, ever happen.

Surely it must be referring to the Family Guy version?

 

[cos789]

Has the "Western Bulldogs" brand really set the world on fire? Has it turned them into a superpower?.

No ,but as you say .

I know it's helped them out, in the short term,

IMO it deffinitely has helped them , they'd be in a worse position if they hadn't made the change and they still have the potential to claim the wqest of Melbourne .

Returning to the old jumper is a backward step.

The Kangaroos have switched back,

And that's supposed to help you argument ?

Freo have tied themselves back to the old WAFL Fremantle clubs,

By going to an all purple jumper ?

Charlie Sutton and Ted Whitten never played for any "Western Bulldogs".

Because nobody was smart enough to think of it then .

Even "West Coast" is more specific.

West Coast was good name when there was only one team in WA .Now the management are ruing the fact that they didn't lock in "Perth".
.

 

[MrPresident]

predictably, those suggesting a return to the trading name of footscray do so as supporters of other clubs and wont be supporting a team trading as 'footscray' or 'western bulldogs' anyway. furthermore, you blokes arent the ones who would have the difficult task of building a national brand around such a name.

ahh, nostalgia. the domain of the fool who continues to look backward rather than forward.

People being anti-Footscray and pro-'western' don't make any sense though. It's not like the Bulldogs have become a massive superpower because of their namechange. They're still way way way behind Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon etc nationally. And all those clubs managed to keep their traditional suburban name. So why couldn't the Bulldogs? I know plenty of non Swans AFL fans here in Sydney. They go for various Melbourne clubs, not one goes for the Bulldogs. And don't blame it on lack of success, Richmond is more popular and they didn't need to change their name.

'Western' hasn't achieved what it was supposed to achieve, so there is no reason for the stubbornness that is stopping them from going back to 'Footscray'.

If they're willing to return to a proper traditional jumper, hopefully one day they return to a proper traditional name.

People want to support a club that stands for something and represents something, not a plastic franchise sounding club.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

absolutely ****ing sensational

 

[Prestigerrycomo]

Branding it's AFL team as the Western Bulldogs never was the ideal. I didnt say that it is. I agree, there's probably more meaning in the name Footscray. But trying to build an attractive sporting brand - of a historically unsuccessful club - on a national level around the name Footscray isnt your job, so you probably dont realise how hard a task that would be.

A sporting brand is built first and foremost by a winning team. If Footscray Football Club had the successful history of a Carlton or an Essendon, and had their size of support, then the name Footscray could probably be an asset. I say 'could' instead of 'would' because no matter how you look at it or say it, it is ****ing difficult to make that name appear attractive to any potential corporate partner or develop a national identity around. Being successful could be the only way.

But that's hypothetical. History shows that the club is in fact one of the least successful and consisting of one of the lowest support bases in the league. In such circumstances, and coupled with the unattractiveness of the name, it's association with it will not give it any advantages whatsoever. Theyre not part of an amatuer suburban league anymore. Giving it the best opportunity to attract corporate partners and widening its appeal to greater western melbourne in an effort to increase its support base required an alternative name.

The club hasnt lost it's identity in the re-branding IMO. It's association with the bulldogs maintains the clubs identity as one of battling grit. This hasnt changed IMO, at it probably still holds them back.

And most importantly, the majority of bulldogs fans that have contributed to this thread dont support a return to the trading name of Footscray. They realise that it's still the club's official name, but that an alternative is required in branding to broaden it's appeal. Those calling for a return to the on-field name of Footscray are those here supporting other clubs. You blokes wont ever be an exec of a company that'll consider supporting financially them, and are already tied to another club as supporters anyway. You blokes dont need to work with name Footscray in a marketing sense at all.

Hey Andy Maher!

 

[dogbowl]

Yep, respect is slowly coming back, still not Footscray like they should be though.

I actually do not support going back to the name Footscray, just thought I'd let you know.

 

[cammo78]

'Western' hasn't achieved what it was supposed to achieve, so there is no reason for the stubbornness that is stopping them from going back to 'Footscray'.
.

It's achieved what it was supposed to prevent - the death of our club.

Make no mistake - we weren't much better off than Fitzroy in 1996 when the change was signed off on.

And from a marketing perspective, it has achieved its aim. We represent the Western suburbs of what will be the largest city in Australia in a few years time. The second-fastest growing region in the country.

If - if - we could jag a flag or two, we will be incredibly well-placed to capitalise. But the lack of success in some ways makes the name redundant anyway.

 

[s_cranberry]

It's achieved what it was supposed to prevent - the death of our club.

Make no mistake - we weren't much better off than Fitzroy in 1996 when the change was signed off on.

I'm not an expert on footscray.... But I seriously doubt changing your name to western would have gained you many supporters... The only people who aren't already aligned to clubs are immigrants... And I don't see masses of Vietnamese people at dogs games

Not trying to pick a fight with dogs supporters but please show me exactly how the name change caused the entire western suburbs to support the club.

Genuinely not trolling just don't think anything g would have been different with the name footscray

 

[Lance Uppercut]

To be fair, times have changed, and what Footscray represents now is very different to what it represented when the name change occured. Now it's a gentrified aspirational suburb. Back then it was a shithole full of scumbags and junkies best known for its cheap heroin. Also, the team was fairly scummy: dirty, biting, scratching mudrunners.

They are an infinitely better brand these days, and the name change could capitalize on the nostalgia without suffering the extremely negative connotations it used to have.

 

[Simple Jack]

Back then it was a shithole full of scumbags and junkies best known for its cheap heroin.

Back then?

You obviously haven't been there recently.

Edit: I agree it's a better brand now.

 

[Black Diamond]

They are an infinitely better brand these days, and the name change could capitalize on the nostalgia without suffering the extremely negative connotations it used to have.

Yeah but it still isn't a destination area, if you like.

I have friends who visit Melbourne from time to time and they will plan to go to St Kilda (a good example due to similar lack of success), Carlton, and other areas. If I suggested Footscray they would give me the .

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Back then?

You obviously haven't been there recently.

Edit: I agree it's a better brand now.

There may be a few issues there still, but like Smith St it isn't even close to a fraction of what it used to be. I lived in Collingwood in the junkie glory days and not a week would go by without multiple overdoses. Footscray the same. Simple economics have ensured those situations are very different today

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Yeah but it still isn't a destination area, if you like.

I have friends who visit Melbourne from time to time and they will plan to go to St Kilda (a good example due to similar lack of success), Carlton, and other areas. If I suggested Footscray they would give me the .

Yeah but try and buy a house there nowadays...

 

[Sw3Et]

Anyone else think it looks like a big monster face?

 

[xXJawsaXx]

I love the 'new' jumper, I think it is great, but on the Western Bulldogs thing, if they wanted to represent the west of Melbourne couldn't they have called them the West Melbourne Bulldogs... Western Bulldogs can be rather confusing, especially to people from overseas, people from the US I have talked to have assumed they are from Perth...

 

[Ochre]

i hope that star wars guernsey is a joke. how disgraceful.

It's real alright

[youtube]BTtynOmBZXI[/youtube]

What better way to send off a champion then to have Darth Vader, Princess Leia and stormtroopers make a guard of honour