Andy Y. (G&NFC) Posted January 4, 2004 Share Posted January 4, 2004 This is a good post! I'm with Wobbly Wayne on this as I couldn't care less on who supports us. As long as they love the beautiful game, played by a team wearing red and living at Stonebridge Rd, they are alright by me! (And hating Canvey would be a bonus!) Still reckon we should be targeting the schools more. I seem to remember that we used to give out complimentaries to them a few years back. I wonder if we still are? The idea of targeting Sunday league teams in the area is also worth considering. If we give out, say 30 complimentary tickets and half are taken up. If they bring a Mum and/or a Dad thats £150 which would more than pay for the printing of the tickets! It must be worth a go surely! Thanks for starting this discussion off Gravesednian, its made a nice change from the normal crap! Out of interest, if we started to get more Asian supporters, would that encourage the Refreshment kiosk to start serving halfway edible food? Burton do Mushy peas and faggots, (yum!) What about Gravesend having a van selling samosas etc? Now that WOULD be worth coming to the game for! (Double yum!) A great way to get rid of the Friday night hangover as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FleetFanatic Posted January 4, 2004 Share Posted January 4, 2004 Quote: Gravesindian said: Apologies, I was unaware that you needed to take citizenship of another EC country if you settled there, and was wrongly under the impression that if a Frenchman or German wished to live and work the the UK, he would be allowed because he already carries a passport from another country which is a member of the EC. Gravesindian - I think that you are correct. Indeed, later this year we'll be further invaded by the people of Poland as they will become eligible for this scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FleetFanatic Posted January 4, 2004 Share Posted January 4, 2004 Quote: Andy Y. (G&NFC) said: This is a good post! I'm with Wobbly Wayne on this as I couldn't care less on who supports us. As long as they love the beautiful game, played by a team wearing red and living at Stonebridge Rd, they are alright by me! (And hating Canvey would be a bonus!) Still reckon we should be targeting the schools more. I seem to remember that we used to give out complimentaries to them a few years back. I wonder if we still are? The idea of targeting Sunday league teams in the area is also worth considering. If we give out, say 30 complimentary tickets and half are taken up. If they bring a Mum and/or a Dad thats £150 which would more than pay for the printing of the tickets! It must be worth a go surely! Thanks for starting this discussion off Gravesednian, its made a nice change from the normal crap! Out of interest, if we started to get more Asian supporters, would that encourage the Refreshment kiosk to start serving halfway edible food? Burton do Mushy peas and faggots, (yum!) What about Gravesend having a van selling samosas etc? Now that WOULD be worth coming to the game for! (Double yum!) A great way to get rid of the Friday night hangover as well! I agree - except if it's free, is it supporting the club? Great idea about the food - and yes we should target ALL the schools a lot more. Previous posts suggest the attendances overall haven't been boosted by 'kids go free' etc - perhaps it should have been 'kids go free if you bring a grown-up'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimGNFC Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Quote: John@TheFleet said: How about offering some sort of incentive to the hundreds (or thousands?) that live within a 10-15 minute walk from the ground but can't be bothered to come to a match? We did the 'kids for free' thing but has it really increased our attendances? Surely there's more to boosting attendances then merely offering complimentary tickets. In this day and age, "Joe Public" expects a certain standard in terms of facilities. Stonebridge Road oozes character but in its current form does little to inspire potential new supporters when you consider they can visit the luxurious surroundings of The Valley each week. To move the Club to the next level, all 3 must be done in relatively close timescales: a) Ground improvements i.e. 1000 Seater Brick Based Main Stand/Wallace Park Stand repaired. Financed by Trusts available (£400,000). Schools/Clubs etc receive complimentary tickets. c) Team goes full-time. Relying solely on FA Cup runs/Sponsors (Gladwish etc) to finance a full-time team would be crazy. The support base must be there before any attempt is made to go full time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHL Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 GravesIndian I only thought your idea was good because it would hopefully appeal to all layers of Gravesends Cultures, and build bridges between all races. Making GNFC an attractive place to go. If you have no interest in embracing Great Britan or England, then as far as I'm concerned I would not welcome you to Stonebridge Road. If GNFC's priority is to appeal to other cultures which remain hostile/indifferent to embracing Britain, then I would rather stay at home then follow the Fleet. On a brighter note, looking forward to CFC at the Seaside. As long as we see off Watford of course, subject to Linesman and Referees... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FleetFanatic Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Quote: MHL said: ..... subject to Linesman and Referees... you almost sound like a Margate / Chester fan! <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> This is the same ref / lino combo that also denied Watford a definate penalty????? <img src="/images/graemlins/alk.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHL Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 The very same. The game was settled by two awful decisions which were wrong, Watford were gifted a goal (clearly not over the Line) and then denied a clear penalty. Anyway I hope we make a better job of it at Home at the Bridge! Otherwise Fleet Fanatic, I'll be eating Humble Pie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilled out entertainer Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Quote: David Holden said: Errrr the match is on Tuesday. SSSSHHHHH!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilled out entertainer Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Quote: MHL said: GravesIndian I only thought your idea was good because it would hopefully appeal to all layers of Gravesends Cultures, and build bridges between all races. Making GNFC an attractive place to go. If you have no interest in embracing Great Britan or England, then as far as I'm concerned I would not welcome you to Stonebridge Road. If GNFC's priority is to appeal to other cultures which remain hostile/indifferent to embracing Britain, then I would rather stay at home then follow the Fleet. I could not agree with this more.Gravesend and Northfleet is a british club supported by british people.If you cannot think of yourself being british you could never think of yourself as a TRUE fleet fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gravesindian Posted January 5, 2004 Author Share Posted January 5, 2004 Quote: Gravesindian said: GNFC should not be thought of as a British or English club, but as a multi-cultural, multi-national club who just happen to be based in Gravesham but represent all aspects and nationality’s of the local community. I refer you to my original quote which I stand by. Although Gravesend is obviously located in Britain, the many cultures that are evident in the town, together with a multitude of nationalities suggest to me that that is where the ties end. If GNFC represent the people and culture of the borough of Gravesham’s then it represents Asian, Afro-Caribbean, Eastern European and Chinese cultures as well as a bit of British ness so to state GNFC is a British club is clearly wrong – it is a multi-cultural club which in merely located in Britain. Besides this, what does it really mater if some of the supporters of the club are not British? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris blanc Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 I think we're moving somewhat off topic, and while I disagree with most of what Gravesendian has said, I don't think you can say that somebody is not a true Fleet fan because they either aren't British or don't consider themselves so. I could say the same of people who haven't joined the Trust, but I know it's not true, as I know several people who are Fleet through and through but for various reasons, have yet to join (don't worry, they will in the end). The TRUE fleet supporters are the guys and gals who see the team play week after week, through thick and thin, good or bad, rain or shine. That's the prerequisite to be a true fan in my book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilled out entertainer Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Quote: Squawkident said: I could not agree with this more.Gravesend and Northfleet is a british club supported by british people.If you cannot think of yourself being british you could never think of yourself as a TRUE fleet fan. this came out a bit wrong. Imagine you lived in say...france, and went to a calais game( for example,i know it is a rubbish one). You could enjoy yourself and look out for news on the team,even buy a shirt, but you could never feel as associated with that club as a frenchman. Gravesend and northfleet is not just a club for gravesend folk. It is the only real alternative to going to gills for people in kent who like to watch good football.So we may be associated with the cultural diversity of gravesend as a town, but the fan base,( if they all turned up) is spread over a much wider area than just gravesend. Anyway,I digress, As previously mentioned in this forum, Kids should be able to have access to the fleet at times for free, as they are the future of this club.As for adults, pay your own way.Nobody begrudges a child getting a freebie but as this forum has shown,people being people, have a problem with their equals getting something for free, that they themselves have had to pay for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gravesindian Posted January 5, 2004 Author Share Posted January 5, 2004 But surely this cannot be true. Just look at Manchester United, they are the worlds best supported club and the vast majority of their fans both in the UK and abroad are not British. Try telling Man United's Irish, Norweigan or Singaporean supporters clubs that they are not real supporters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FleetFanatic Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 They aren't - they simply claim to support Man Utd because they win things and everybody likes to be a winner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan ( GNFC ) Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Gravesindians interpretation of a fan is different from most other posters on this thread .99% of Man U fans do not watch their team and therefore have nothing to do with the club . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John@TheFleet Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 I agree, FF. How many Real Madrid shirts are being worn since a certain Mr Beckham went there and how many wearers of said shirts actually KNOW where Madrid is, let alone go there to see them play! Exactly the same as so-called Man Utd supporters. Watching it on telly doesn't count, either. A real supporter pays to get in to see his/her team play, no arguement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobbly Wayne rides again Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Quote: Gravesindians interpretation of a fan is different from most other posters on this thread .99% of Man U fans do not watch their time and therefore have nothing to do with the club . So giving them millions of pounds year on year in worldwide merchandising revenue, is nothing to do with the success of the club ! I have glad we have got that clear, we can stop flogging shirts in shops in Gravesend now, as any real supporter will surely buy theirs at the ground. Small and narrow minds will contribute to a small and narrow future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan ( GNFC ) Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Sorry , I dont follow the logic of your second paragraph following your first Wobbly . It is the blinkered worldwide following of Man U and their success that has created the extreme gulf between the rich and the poor in football . If everyone was a little more interested in their local club/hometown club then there would be more chance of success for a greater number of clubs . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 I don't know why I am posting this as I don't want to be considered racist but I can't help feeling we will struggle to attract Asian supporters until we have some Asian players in the side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobbly Wayne rides again Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 The point I was trying to make was that anyone who purchases merchandise etc. can be viewed as an integral part of the success of the club as well as the paying customer. The reason that the Utds' of the world are so rich is that they have been so sucessful at what is now termed 'Spreading the brand'. So to dismiss the 99% of these clubs fans that do not attend games as ' nothing to do with the club ' is a misnomer. As it is those fans money that have made these clubs move away from everyone else as quickly as they have. Blinkered or good marketing ? Charlton ( on a smaller scale ) have also been very good at this in recent years. Can we not learn something from their outward thinking ( speculating in unknown / unchartered waters ) , and shed the millstone of our sometimes insular approach. Me, I personally have to be there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts