Membership Numbers 2016

[YvonneH]

Anyone have any idea how our membership numbers are stacking up?

Read somewhere that St Kilda had (or were hoping, as I can't recall which) 20,000 before Christmas.

[Jenny]

Hi All,

We've got 18,277 members on board already for 2016 - this puts us almost 2,000 ahead of the same time last year. It's shaping up to be another big year, on and off the field!

Hope you're all well, and looking forward to a safe and happy festive season! If you're around this Saturday, pop by and see us at the EQ markets, Moore Park. The membership crew will be there if you have any questions, and you can have your Santa photo with Cyggy! Should be a great day!

Cheers,
Jenny

[Conor_Dillon]

Thanks Jenny, that's great news! And I must admit, a little unexpected.

[YvonneH]

Good to see that RWO is the best place to have our questions answered quickly by Jenny.

[Sandridge]

Hi All,

We've got 18,277 members on board already for 2016 - this puts us almost 2,000 ahead of the same time last year. It's shaping up to be another big year, on and off the field!

Hope you're all well, and looking forward to a safe and happy festive season! If you're around this Saturday, pop by and see us at the EQ markets, Moore Park. The membership crew will be there if you have any questions, and you can have your Santa photo with Cyggy! Should be a great day!

Cheers,
Jenny

Thanks Jenny for that very encouraging update!

Can't help but think of those terrible years in the 90s when there seemed to be more people on the field than off it.

Anyone know our lowest annual membership figures?
Anyone know our smallest crowd at the SCG?

[swansrob]

Anyone know our smallest crowd at the SCG?

5272 v Brisbane in 1990, I believe

[neilfws]

Anyone know our lowest annual membership figures?
Anyone know our smallest crowd at the SCG?

I suppose we could dwell on the negatives...

Lowest SCG crowd: August 17 1990, round 20 versus Brisbane Bears, 5272.

For comparison: lowest ever crowd of the Swans era (post 1981) - August 22 1992, round 23 versus Brisbane Bears at Carrara, 4349.

There are reports of 3000 from 1922 (Geelong) and 1941 (Hawthorn) but I guess those are estimated.

The only site I know with historical membership data is this one; it only goes back to 1995 when there were 6088 members. I'd guess there were less in the early 1980s.

[aguy]

I agree it's surprising. I thought member numbers would drop a little this year as a rebound to the massive Increase last year. Good news though :-)

Go Swans

[Sandridge]

Thanks swansrob and neilfws.

Knew it was bad but didn't think it was that bad!

We've come a long way!

[707]

I've renewed already.

Whilst dwelling on the bad times, I was in Sydney for business in 1993 and went to training at the SCG one afternoon, sat in the front row. I was the only spectator there and the players kept looking at me every time they came past so I assume no one ever went to training during that dark period.

[Nico]

I suppose we could dwell on the negatives...

Lowest SCG crowd: August 17 1990, round 20 versus Brisbane Bears, 5272.

For comparison: lowest ever crowd of the Swans era (post 1981) - August 22 1992, round 23 versus Brisbane Bears at Carrara, 4349.

There are reports of 3000 from 1922 (Geelong) and 1941 (Hawthorn) but I guess those are estimated.

The only site I know with historical membership data is this one; it only goes back to 1995 when there were 6088 members. I'd guess there were less in the early 1980s.

1922 doesn't surprise me; not many people had cars to get to Geelong. Thos that went probably went by train, and it could have been one of those horror wet days.
In 1941 Hawthorn was the worst team for a long time. Again could have been a howler of a day and if at Glenferrie it would have been a bog.
We went to a game against North at Coburg oval in the 60's or 70's and it poured all day. Cant have been more than 5000 that day.

With Buddy back in town expect a spike in sign ups and renewals.

[Sandridge]

1922 doesn't surprise me; not many people had cars to get to Geelong. Thos that went probably went by train, and it could have been one of those horror wet days.
In 1941 Hawthorn was the worst team for a long time. Again could have been a howler of a day and if at Glenferrie it would have been a bog.
We went to a game against North at Coburg oval in the 60's or 70's and it poured all day. Cant have been more than 5000 that day.

With Buddy back in town expect a spike in sign ups and renewals.

I was at that game against North at Coburg! The crowd was that sparse that we could clearly see ourselves on the TV replay that night. (South wasn't on the replay very often - must've been a split round with less game choices to televise.) My father said we went to the game even though the weather was atrocious to support Bobby Skilton - it was his first game as coach, I think.

[neilfws]

I was at that game against North at Coburg! The crowd was that sparse that we could clearly see ourselves on the TV replay that night. (South wasn't on the replay very often - must've been a split round with less game choices to televise.) My father said we went to the game even though the weather was atrocious to support Bobby Skilton - it was his first game as coach, I think.

I guess, since there has only been one South Melbourne game ever at Coburg Oval, that it is this one. Crowd 13774, perhaps better than you recall

[Sandridge]

I guess, since there has only been one South Melbourne game ever at Coburg Oval, that it is this one. Crowd 13774, perhaps better than you recall

Big thanks for the link Neilfws. The fact that it was a round one game supports my thought that it was Skilton's first game as a coach. I'm surprised at the crowd but the excitement of the beginning of a new season might explain why so many people braved the weather. Honestly, it was the wettest day at the football I've ever had! My memory was that we won the game though and you've confirmed that as well. Thanks!

[royboy42]

I've renewed already.

Whilst dwelling on the bad times, I was in Sydney for business in 1993 and went to training at the SCG one afternoon, sat in the front row. I was the only spectator there and the players kept looking at me every time they came past so I assume no one ever went to training during that dark period.

I try to get to training as often as I can, about a dozen times during preseason and every couple of weeks during season. Pre season there can be twenty or more watching, occasionally more. During the season, sometimes there will be half a dozen..if school groups are in, obviously numbers are up.
It doesn't seem to be a Sydney thing to watch training.
The club doesn't seem bothered..they rarely advertise training times, esp during season. I have emailed them and called so many times asking for times to be on the website, but rarely a response. And even then, they may advertise times for a week or so then forget about it again.
But worst is when I've been told open training times after calling the club..twice last season..and I drive 30k to the SCG to be told training is not open today,,coaches have changed their minds.
It is one of the rare unprofessional things about Sydney, and I find it extremely disappointing.
Maybe someone from the club might see this and have a think.