Holding your membership to ransom

[Polly Purser]

I can't get over how many Western Bulldogs supporters are prepared to hold their membership with the club to ransom each year. No problems if anyone cant afford it but so often I hear or read that people aren't going to take out their membership because they have various gripes with the club.

Even on here I have read people weren't taking out memberships because -
* We drafted or didn't draft a particular player
* Someone stuffed up a seating arrangement or payment
* We lost an important game or two
* Someone had a dispute with someone at the club
* We added an assistant coach
* As a protest
* We can't win the important games
* <Blah blah, insert another reason>

Honestly unless you can't afford it is there any real need to threaten to stop buying a membership ?
Yes the club has failed to deliver us a flag for many years, yes they get things wrong, yes the break our hearts from time to time but none of that in my opinion is a valid reason to make the membership threat.

Sorry for the rant but it annoying to hear people make these threats when we all know how important memberships are.
Listening to someone today at work say that they probably won't renew their membership in 2009 because they are sick of the heartache was the final straw.

 

[Aquamarinejewel]

Sorry for the rant but it annoying to hear people make these threats when we all know how important memberships are.
Listening to someone today at work say that they probably won't renew their membership in 2009 because they are sick of the heartache was the final straw.

Good thread PP.

Yes, you are correct it is a little disconcerting to read and hear that some will resort to not buying a membership for the reasons you have mentioned in your post.

Fully understandable if people can't afford to buy a membership for the right reasons.

Yes, that line 'sick of the heartache' I have heard one similar from a workmate, I just tell them if you are a supporter you stick by them through thick and thin and without the continual conditions attached.

Definitely, some fickle supporters out there.

 

[#1 Dogs Fan]

Agreed I myself im o board every year regardless if we are on top, Bottom or get Terry Wallat back down at the kennel to coach us.

We sign up to be apart of the club, to help the club both on field and off field wither it be more money to recruit more rookies, better facilities or help get better major sponsors.

I cant remember who said this coment but it went something like this.
"You are not a true supporter unless you are a member"
and that I truly believe I think it might have been Malcolm Blight.

Anyway unless you can not financially buy your self a membership but wear the red,white and blue in your heart for the right reasons you are forgiven but to those of you who just jump on and off year in year out like petrol prices then you shouldn't even call your self a true supporter. <Conditions apply>

 

[Hot Spenny]

Each to their own.

 

[flight23]

most clubs who haven't had success have got em, i'll pay up no matter what (getting terry back would really make me question it though)


i don't blame people who jump off (any club), its your spare time, you're meant to enjoy it, not spend a bucketload and have your heart ripped out, every year

 

[OldSchool]

most clubs who haven't had success have got em, i'll pay up no matter what (getting terry back would really make me question it though)

i don't blame people who jump off (any club), its your spare time, you're meant to enjoy it, not spend a bucketload and have your heart ripped out, every year

If people hearts are not in it then they aren't strong or sustainable supporters anyway so they are probably only temporary members. It's a bonus when they join but no great loss when they don't.
I think this is more about why long term members threaten to not buy a membership. My guess is that some follow through with it but most don't.

 

[dogupya]

The people who threaten to cut up their memberships are usually fairweather supporters who jump on when the train is full of gravy and jump off just as quick when the gravy runs out. You'll find very few long term members who entertain such actions. it's unfortunate that it's the fairweather group that dictates whether we get 30 000 members or stay at 27 000.

we need to get these guys to hang on by offering them more incentive than just the win/loss ratio. I believe when our redevelopment is complete and we start to reap the finacial rewards that comes with that, you'll find more people will jump on, unfortunately it's how it seems to work. It would be nice of they commited whilst struggling, but people are strange animals.

 

[Drunken Bum]

Listening to someone today at work say that they probably won't renew their membership in 2009 because they are sick of the heartache was the final straw.

Not sure if i am a masochist or not but that is one of the reasons i keep coming back, i am proud that i have been with the club through so many terrible times. When a Bummers or Carlscum fan give it to me about lack of flags and our pathetic history i can stand there proudly knowing that my club is still alive after being officially dead and buried, knowing that i and many other Dogs fans as well as other teams rallied to save the club, knowing that inspite of constantly facing challenges that would cause many other teams to crumble we still manage to survive, not only survive but build for the future. I am 38 and have not seen us even play in a GF, '89 was my flag, maybe even better. If and when we do win one in my lifetime i sure as shit will be there to celebrate the good times having been through all the bad times

 

[Scragger54]

I agree with everyone.... Your only a supporter if you financially Support the club, otherwise your just a barracker!!

I understand that there will be people who simply cannot afford to buy a membership ticket(s) in this harsh economic climate, and that's fair enough, But to give a whole range of Bullshit excuses, just doesn't sit right with me.

Your have to be in for the good times and tough times, otherwise your not in it at all!

One thing I am certain off, is some of those who struggle financially still manage to buy a ticket despite the hard times, and why, because it makes us all proud of the RED, WHITE & BLUE! They could use a range of excuses to avoid buying one but they dont.

 

[Hobdog]

There's going to be heartbreak and good times following a footy club regardless of whether you're a member or not so if you can afford it, you may as well be a member. Unfortunately some of the people who don't sign up because of petty grievances would be the first people to give their opinions and financial thesis if heaven forbid the Club went under.

I pay my Interstate membership every year and get to see 1 maybe 2 games live each season. What I wouldn't give to be able to go to all home games live.

I think the Club is making it as easy as it can for people to be able to become members without putting too much of a financial strain on households. I don't like the heartache that comes with following my Club (our Club isn't unique in experiencing heartache) however, I'd rather pay my money and contribute to my Club also experiencing some great times.

 

[Hobdog]

Not sure if i am a masochist or not but that is one of the reasons i keep coming back, i am proud that i have been with the club through so many terrible times. When a Bummers or Carlscum fan give it to me about lack of flags and our pathetic history i can stand there proudly knowing that my club is still alive after being officially dead and buried, knowing that i and many other Dogs fans as well as other teams rallied to save the club, knowing that inspite of constantly facing challenges that would cause many other teams to crumble we still manage to survive, not only survive but build for the future. I am 38 and have not seen us even play in a GF, '89 was my flag, maybe even better. If and when we do win one in my lifetime i sure as shit will be there to celebrate the good times having been through all the bad times

Amen buddy!!

 

[lindsay_bulldogs]

Oh why is there an off season. Bring on the footy!

 

[acker]

Not sure if i am a masochist or not but that is one of the reasons i keep coming back, i am proud that i have been with the club through so many terrible times. When a Bummers or Carlscum fan give it to me about lack of flags and our pathetic history

It will be even more sweeter to savour when we get our hard earned second flag in the knowledge we didn't rip any poor buggers off selling them some dodgy over priced boxes to help fund it.

 

[gangsta deluxe]

“Loyalty is still the same, whether it win or lose the game; true as a dial to the sun, although it be not shined upon.”
- Samuel Butler

 

[bulldogdan]

some people are only members to benifit themselves and not to help the club. the type of person who thinks that the club OWES THEM for becoming a member not someone who wants to do anything to see our club survive and most of all succeed.

i don't really care if we lose these members but watch them jump on board in 09 because of us having such a successfull 08 season.

 

[BWFC]

I see the football as entertainment. If Im going to make use of a membership I will buy one but if Im not I won't. If Im not going to be able to attend games Id rather spend that money on something my family will make use of. All this loyalty talk is plain bollocks.The players get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars a year yet its the average working class bloke who's loyalty is called into question if he has other priorities than buying a memebrship. My family is where my strongest loyalty starts.

 

[chef]

I live in the country and work weekends. I only get to see two or three games a year live, so to me my membership is more of a donation to the club.

 

[Polly Purser]

I see the football as entertainment. If Im going to make use of a membership I will buy one but if Im not I won't. If Im not going to be able to attend games Id rather spend that money on something my family will make use of.

I think you have missed the point of the thread.
It's not about those who don't find memberships to be of sufficient value or those who simply can't afford it because that is quite understandable.
It is about those who huff and puff when things don't go their way for whatever reason and blame the club and then make the threat that they won't renew their membership.

 

[LardDog]

That's IT! If you lot don't start posting winning posts and post me a premiership this year, I'm tearing up my bigfooty membership. I'm sick of the mediocre posts. I'm sick of the disappointment and heartache of posts not for filling my desire to read a winning thread!

 

[gangsta deluxe]

Well then you are perpetuating the very situation you are bemoaning LardDog

 

[LardDog]

Well then you are perpetuating the very situation you are bemoaning LardDog

Do you understand humour? Even satire perhaps?

 

[Hot Spenny]

Do you understand humour? Even satire perhaps?

Satire, yes. Not sure about humour!

 

[gangsta deluxe]

Do you understand humour? Even satire perhaps?

Are you talking to yourself?

You cant lose that way I guess.

 

[Poptart]

I see the football as entertainment. If Im going to make use of a membership I will buy one but if Im not I won't. If Im not going to be able to attend games Id rather spend that money on something my family will make use of. All this loyalty talk is plain bollocks.The players get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars a year yet its the average working class bloke who's loyalty is called into question if he has other priorities than buying a memebrship. My family is where my strongest loyalty starts.

...and thats fine, everyone has a choice to make, and thats yours.

All clubs are going to have all types of supporters, and those who sign up as members, are true supporters, those who don't, simply barrack for the club.

For mine, i have a Social club membership and seat at the Dome, but if i was going away and/or couldn't attemd games, i'd probably just get the basic membership but still support my club.

 

[Bulldogs Roar]

Like Chef im from the country and going to a game in the city cost alot more than it does others but, im paid up and passionate for 2009. Cant wait to cheer on they boys, win, lose or draw. Have bought a membership for the last 10 years and cant see myself not buying one for the next 10 regardless.