Fan base from the ground up - we suck at it.

[Bornadog]

A mate of mind is going to complain to the club about the treatment from some of the players at NOT signing autographs. My mate took his son to Auss kick in Willi and mind you he is only 5 but knows every player, wears the full kit everywhere and is obsessed. Any way, along comes Grant and Cordy, and all they did was walk the boundary texting. At the end of the session, the kids with Bulldogs gear ran up to the players for autographs, and the players turned around and said, we are paid to kick balls not push pens, and didn't sign anything

My mate didn't hear it as he was at the boundary line, but a friend of his did (one of the mums) and told him. He says this has happened before at other venues where the players don't even talk to the kids, just keep signing and ignoring them. eg player x signing away and talking on his mobile and not even looking up at the kid.

Kids are vulnerable at that age and can turn off the club easily. Last week some North players visited this same kids kinder and gave every kid a North hat. To top it off, he kicked his Bulldog footy up a tree and the North player retrieved it, and he has been talking about changing clubs to North the whole week.

I know there is a lot of the footballers time requested, and it must be painful, but gee we have to get this right as its bad enough we are losing. It all starts from a young age.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Fan base from the ground up - we suck at it.

If that's true, then it's disgusting.

[westdog54]

Re: Fan base from the ground up - we suck at it.

If its true about Cordy then I must say I'm very dissapointed.

I can't remember whether it was last season or the season previous, but I was at a game with my young cousins who ranged between 13 and 4 (six of them all up) and Ayce was sitting a couple of rows in front of us on level 3 with a group of mates. He was injured at the time and had his arm in a sling.

I approached him and said something along the lines of 'Excuse me Ayce, sorry to ask when you're with mates but do you mind having a photo with the kids?'

He was more than happy to, even got up and came around to us rather than getting the kids to move. Made our day and we were all very thankful.

To hear that he's now taking this approach is disheartening to say the least.

[Bornadog]

Re: Fan base from the ground up - we suck at it.

If that's true, then it's disgusting.

Its true, not made up. This mate sits with me at the Footy and we had had reserves seats together since the Stadium opened. Actually I introduced you to him Andrew early this season.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Fan base from the ground up - we suck at it.

Its true, not made up. This mate sits with me at the Footy and we had had reserves seats together since the Stadium opened. Actually I introduced you to him Andrew early this season.

Ah, yep I remember. That kind of thing is not good to hear about.

[The Underdog]

Re: Fan base from the ground up - we suck at it.

It appears there may not be a great deal to love about our current team on a few levels.

[Doc26]

Re: Fan base from the ground up - we suck at it.

It's just as well we're not one of those poor struggling Club's, always with its hand out, desperately seeking new members and at the same time putting the acid on supporters who have dropped off the wagon in support of extremely privileged and well paid individuals

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Fan base from the ground up - we suck at it.

To hear that about Ayce is really disappointing.

[Eastdog]

Re: Fan base from the ground up - we suck at it.

Disappointing if that is happening because it's all part of the job of being a footballer. If this is happening young kids will be discouraged from supporting us.

[Maddog37]

Re: Fan base from the ground up - we suck at it.

If they don't care, why should we?

[Doc26]

Re: Fan base from the ground up - we suck at it.

To hear that about Ayce is really disappointing.

Is Grant a known lost cause ?

If they don't care, why should we?

Not excusing the behaviour but maybe the players are saying the same.

I'm really disappointed in hearing this type of behaviour from our players, just strikes more at the fabric of the game I once enjoyed. Hopefully a one off but again it does put into question our Club culture and values. It's been a tough year for all but there are some non negotiables and being indifferent or showing disinterest at AusKick or school based events that go to promoting our Club and game in general is high up there when I see first hand what the next generation of supporters gets out of it.

[Desipura]

Re: Fan base from the ground up - we suck at it.

Report this to the club, pathetic!

[Missing Dog]

Re: Fan base from the ground up - we suck at it.

I'm having a hard time believing this..EVERYTIME I've been anywhere near the players, they are MORE than happy to sign autographs and have pics taken, that's been my experiance anyways

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Fan base from the ground up - we suck at it.

Chinese whispers are a terrible thing. I'd like to get it from the horse's mouth. I can't imagine a player ever saying ' I'm not paid to give autographs' because the social capital is really what they do it for. It seems odd.

[Bornadog]

Re: Fan base from the ground up - we suck at it.

Chinese whispers are a terrible thing. I'd like to get it from the horse's mouth. I can't imagine a player ever saying ' I'm not paid to give autographs' because the social capital is really what they do it for. It seems odd.

So you are doubting my post?