Melbourne Based Members/Supporters

[DST]

All Melbourne bretheran,

Rather than rant, rave and vent our frustrations out on here over the 5 games a year issue, may I propose that we in a orderely manner email the Swans Melbourne membership department raising our concerns.

Our stated goal should be to provide the Melbourne office with an outline of our concerns in a constructive way so that the new manager fully understands the frustrations that are apparent in Melbourne when they communicate with head office in Sydney.

Here is a copy of my email to the Sydney Melbourne Membership Department:
__________________________________________

Dear Paul & Leigh,

Subject: 2004 AFL Fixture

Firstly, I would like to point out that I understand that management of the Sydney Football Club do not have ultimate responsibility for fixturing of where we play, that is left to the AFL.

But I would like to raise my frustrations as a Melbourne member in relation to the fixture for the 2004 year in the hope that this feedback can be used in your discussions with the management of the Sydney Football Club and our requests for the 2005 fixture.

While myself and all members in Melbourne would like to see us play live in Melourne 6 or even 7 times a year, my main concern is that if we are to get only 5 games in Victoria that Geelong at Skilled Stadium should not be one of them.

I have no issue with playing against Geelong at Skilled Stadium and will gladly travel down to see the boys play but if we are to receive only 5 games in Melbourne, surely we could request that the 5 games are played at either the MCG, Telstra Dome and Optus Oval. Converesly when it is our turn to play Geelong in Geelong we should then receive an allocation of 6 games in Victoria.

I base this request on the fact that Skilled Stadium is the only ground in Victoria where Melbourne based members are not able to access a seat without paying a reserve charge of $25.00. With the long round trip it is essetional for a pre booked seat which comes at a cost which many people simply can not afford.

In effect we have been provided a fixture that gives us only 5 games but with one game having a surcharge of $25.00 if you want to attend. If you can't afford the extra $25.00 you are in effect left paying for a 5 game membership and seeing only 4 games, a totally unacceptable solution and one which is very hard no doubt to sell memberships on.

Our frustrations are magnified when we see our club underwrite an away game against the Western Bulldogs at the SCG. While this may have no bearing on the allocation of only 5 games in Victoria, surely as part of our request for future fuxtures the club can request that the Western Bulldogs games is only played at the SCG if we are granted 6 games in Victoria. At this point in time I do not beleive the club has pressed this point hard enouigh in our requests.

Sorry that this email has dragged on a bit, but my frustrations as a Melbourne member have got the better of me. Should you wish to canvass any other concerns for research or use in your dealings with the Sydney head office I woud be most happy to help.

Yours sincerely,


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DST

[jixygirl]

Interesting letter. I think that conveys the idea of most Melbourne members in a clear and constructive way. Even though I do say the Melbourne supporters should understand that we barrack for an interstate team, it is shame that there is 4 games in Melbourne + 1 game in Geelong.

[Rob-bloods]

The only thing I could add is that Carlton are also shameless in ripping us off for a seat too! If there are not seats left arriving 75 minutes before the game in a half empty stadium then somehting is wrong.

Otherwise agreed!

[DST]

Originally posted by Rob-bloods
The only thing I could add is that Carlton are also shameless in ripping us off for a seat too! If there are not seats left arriving 75 minutes before the game in a half empty stadium then somehting is wrong.

Otherwise agreed!

I agree on that one Rob-bloods, but I did not include it in my letter becuase we at least have the option of getting in early for one of the seats on offer. At Geelong it is a differrent matter entirely.

My understanding is that in Sydney visiting members at least have the option of getting general admission seats if they want to take the risk, something that does not happen at Skilled Stadlium.

DST

[Rob-bloods]

That's a fair point too, but I think supporter comfort is important too, a lot of members have dropped off down here evidently over the years and we have to arrest this.

[DST]

Originally posted by Rob-bloods
That's a fair point too, but I think supporter comfort is important too, a lot of members have dropped off down here evidently over the years and we have to arrest this.

The Melbourne membership department tried a scheme a while back where you could reserve a seat all matches in Melbourne at the different venues as a group with other members.

But it is my understanding it was stopped for lack of interest.

Unfortunately, becuase we play at different venues in Melbourne and we have access to multiple seats at the "G" and on the fourth floor at the Dome this idea of reserving a block of seats in advance for an extra price is probably not going to work.

Maybe though, they could reserve a block of 4,000 for the Geelong game and then have you pay a discounted fee of $5.00 to sit in it when we go to Geelong.

DST

[Charlie]

How lovely.

While we continue to "provide an outline of our concerns", we won't get anywhere.

I'm angry about it, not just "frustrated" or "concerned", and the more people who know, the better.

[DST]

Originally posted by Charlie
How lovely.

While we continue to "provide an outline of our concerns", we won't get anywhere.

I'm angry about it, not just "frustrated" or "concerned", and the more people who know, the better.

Now now Charlie,

I chose to send a letter to the club becuase I was not happy with the outcome of the fixture. How you want to deal with it is your individual choice, you can deal with it the Richmond way and rip up your membership and swear you will never go back to them again or we can offer the club constructive advice on why we are not happy.

I will be very interested now to see what type of response I get. Access to a seat at the Geelong game at a small or no price at all is an acheivable request and it will be interesting to see if the membership department can put together a solution.

My letter also intended to highlight the fact that while the club continues to state that we asked for 6 or 7 games in Melbourne but we didn't get it, that won't cut the mustard in the future if we continue to underwrite a Bulldogs game without giving due consideration to how many games we get in Melbourne.

Maybe if a number of other Melbourne members highlighted the fact that they are/were considering whether to purchase a membership next year unless the club reconsidered their stance on the Wester Bulldogs game, we may get a bit of traction with them.

DST

[Charlie]

I will still buy a membership for three reasons:
a) I won't save a considerable amount by buying general admission, and the seats won't be as good.
b) I recognise that this is primarily the AFL's betrayal, so punishing the club will achieve little.
c) I want a Grand Final ticket when we get there.

Name a way I can punish the AFL without punishing the Swans, and I'll do it. I honestly don't see what sending a politically correct letter outlining "frustration", "concern" and stressing that we "understand" will do, myself.

[DST]

Originally posted by Charlie
I will still buy a membership for three reasons:
a) I won't save a considerable amount by buying general admission, and the seats won't be as good.
b) I recognise that this is primarily the AFL's betrayal, so punishing the club will achieve little.
c) I want a Grand Final ticket when we get there.

Name a way I can punish the AFL without punishing the Swans, and I'll do it. I honestly don't see what sending a politically correct letter outlining "frustration", "concern" and stressing that we "understand" will do, myself.

Ditto for me, despite what they have dished up this year by way of the draw I will still be buying a membership, making my way down to Geelong and paying $25.00 for the privlidge.

Two things though:

1) You won't change someones mind if you don't tell them how you feel, the Melbourne membership department now know at least how I feel

2) Didn't your Mum ever teach you that if you ask nicely you have a much better chance of getting your own way

DST

[Plugger46]

Originally posted by Charlie
How lovely.

While we continue to "provide an outline of our concerns", we won't get anywhere.

I'm angry about it, not just "frustrated" or "concerned", and the more people who know, the better.

That's what I like to hear mate.

[Plugger46]

Originally posted by Charlie
I will still buy a membership for three reasons:
a) I won't save a considerable amount by buying general admission, and the seats won't be as good.
b) I recognise that this is primarily the AFL's betrayal, so punishing the club will achieve little.
c) I want a Grand Final ticket when we get there.

Name a way I can punish the AFL without punishing the Swans, and I'll do it. I honestly don't see what sending a politically correct letter outlining "frustration", "concern" and stressing that we "understand" will do, myself.

I'll still get my AFL membership, as it virtually garantees me of a GF ticket, regardless of we make it or not, and also I can go to any game I want to down here. But I really do believe we deserve 6 or 7 games in Melbourne.

[anne]

Does joining the cheer squad guarantee a seat at all the grounds as well as a GF seat?

[jixygirl]

Originally posted by anne
Does joining the cheer squad guarantee a seat at all the grounds as well as a GF seat?

For most of the time, yes.

[anne]

I will go to the Geelong game for 3 reasons - it is cheaper to go there than to go up to Sydney, we should win and thirdly the players' bus may break down on the way to Geelong again and we can pick up Jude Bolton!