Membership numbers

[GVGjr]

Reported in the Hun today that our membership numbers are currently at 17,784 and only Melbourne has a smaller membership total.

I'd say the club must be concerned with these numbers as the aim for 30,000 seems a long way off and even cracking last years numbers seems to be a stretch at the moment.

Is this something that we should be concerned about?

[Mofra]

Re: Membership numbers

Reported in the Hun today that our membership numbers are currently at 17,784 and only Melbourne has a smaller membership total.

I'd say the club must be concerned with these numbers as the aim for 30,000 seems a long way off and even cracking last years numbers seems to be a stretch at the moment.

Is this something that we should be concerned about?

There seems to be a backlog of processing with the Bulldogs - I called up about reserving two seats, and was advised to send an e-mail. No reply after almost two weeks.

The early bird specials (cap, scarf etc,) don't impulse me to sign up earlier simply because last year I got nothing (no cap, scarf, social club medallion etc) and had to complain just to get a card with the correct details sent out.

Hopefully they get the membership situation sorted out soon because some people may give up if they keep having to hassle the club to actually buy a mambership.

[Max469]

Re: Membership numbers

Agreed the club would be pretty concerned.

I know that last year a lot of people waited until the season started before renewing or signing up a new membership.

The ones who usually sign up with the Dogs for a "sympathy' membership to help us with revenue, will this year more than likely take that to North - so that will hurt us.

We can only hope we win the early games to give people something to sign up for.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Membership numbers

I suppose there will be an influx after our NAB cup game against North because it will remind some people that the footy's not to far away. The losses at the end of the season might have provided an out for those that are normally a bit less committed.
A win against North is almost a must. The club should be concerned with those numbers. SEN does a membership drive before the season don't they which offers some additional incentives to join ? That might be worth a few hundred.

Anything less that 27,000 members this year won't be good for us.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Membership numbers

The worry is that they seem to have stopped as if shot.

The comparison with last years figures are the best judge and we're 1000 behind. A loss in the NAB cup followed by bad losses to Adelaide and St. Kilda really halted our momentum last year. Hopefully we can win a few early and catch up (plus a few extra).

[GVGjr]

Re: Membership numbers

My concern is how the media will focus on the club relocating if say that we only get 25,000 members. A win against North is becoming almost a must.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: Membership numbers

My concern is how the media will focus on the club relocating if say that we only get 25,000 members. A win against North is becoming almost a must.

Our end to the 2nd half of the year coupled with the end of year review was a real momentum killer, and as you say GVGJr, we need a win against the Kangas next week to stop the rot and start pushing the momentum back in the right direction.

[DOG GOD]

Re: Membership numbers

It would have to be a concern for sure. Very important to make it thru the nab as far as possible.

Last 7 games last year would not help matters. Not getting to 28,000 members would surely be seen as a failure considering everything the dogs are doing OFF the field re: development of WO etc...

We need to build momentum, and that STARTS with North.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Membership numbers

Last 7 games last year would not help matters. Not getting to 28,000 members would surely be seen as a failure considering everything the dogs are doing OFF the field re: development of WO etc....

Crucial that we kick off in the NAB with a win over North Melbourne - we need to keep the momentum of the memberships ticking over, the recent inuendo and rumours about playing home games interstate need to be cleared up by the club, supposed continual infighting between the heirarchy needs to be addressed & rectified. All of these things have an impact on members in that some get dissolusioned with the club and don't want to sign up.

With regards to membership figures the club always has a safety net of about 300-400 memberships that are not included in the tally and publicised straight away. This is so they can top up the figures when there is a slow day. Our membership department is outsourced to the AFL where they do all membership queries - other clubs eg: North Melb, St Kilda and a few others also do this.

[hujsh]

Re: Membership numbers

Somehow i doubt that it was a coincidence that they have put us against the Kangaroos. Now we both really want to win

[LostDoggy]

Re: Membership numbers

It would have to be a concern for sure. Very important to make it thru the nab as far as possible.

Last 7 games last year would not help matters. Not getting to 28,000 members would surely be seen as a failure considering everything the dogs are doing OFF the field re: development of WO etc...

We need to build momentum, and that STARTS with North.

I fully agree with this. Two wins (at least) in the NAB would be good for a few reasons.
1 - The money would be handy
2 - It would be good for memberships
3 - It means we would play some more in Melbourne. (I think)

I really want us to do a bit better than 28,000 members and I hope those who are still undecided understand that we need them to keep digging deep for a couple of more seasons.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Membership numbers

Somehow i doubt that it was a coincidence that they have put us against the Kangaroos. Now we both really want to win

Correcy Hujsh, both teams will be very keen to keep the positive press rolling and so it should be perhaps the most fiercely contested NAB round 1 game, which might be a good thing for our playing group

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Membership numbers

We don't win games early = we will struggle for members. Simple as that.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Membership numbers

My concern is how the media will focus on the club relocating if say that we only get 25,000 members. A win against North is becoming almost a must.

I've said it in another thread but it seems incredible to me that the game is not on free to air. Its hardly the AFL pushing and promoting its brand is it?

Do you think this is part of punishing North for not doing what the AFL wanted?

Weren't we drawn against Essendon originally?

Only if we win are we presented with an opportunity to impress on Saturday night TV.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Membership numbers

Only if we win are we presented with an opportunity to impress on Saturday night TV.

We just have to win to make sure we are then televised the following Friday night!