Forget Families, We Need To Attract Young Males To eLoI Games!

[Peadar]

Lets face it, families don't generate atmosphere or make a football ground intimidating. We need to attract males between their late teens and mid 30's. We need to attract fans who can get tanked up before the game, without the need for a babysitter.
Fans who can go to away games, without being accused of neglecting their children. Fans who wont get offended if the guy next to them shouts abuse at the opposition and/or the ref. Fans who think it's natural to stand for the entire game, despite being provided with an individual seat.
Fans who can take abuse, disguised as banter, at away games.
Fans who don't need to ask for permission from the missus in order to attend a protest in Merrion Square.
Fans who actually understand the game.

Football is one place where women & children shouldn't come first!
Football is the last bastion of masculinity, where men should be allowed to be men.
Lets keep one thing sacred!

[galwayhoop]

here, here

families only bring good old fashioned banter to the attention of the PC Police.

who needs a middle aged woman telling you to 'sit down' or 'you can't say that in front of my child'

[Eire06]

What women pi$$ed you two off????



who needs a middle aged woman telling you to 'sit down' or 'you can't say that in front of my child'

it was a middle aged man telling me to sit down on Saturday

[half_full]

Lets face it, families don't generate atmosphere or make a football ground intimidating. We need to attract males between their late teens and mid 30's. We need to attract fans who can get tanked up before the game, without the need for a babysitter.
Fans who can go to away games, without being accused of neglecting their children. Fans who wont get offended if the guy next to them shouts abuse at the opposition and/or the ref. Fans who think it's natural to stand for the entire game, despite being provided with an individual seat.
Fans who can take abuse, disguised as banter, at away games.
Fans who don't need to ask for permission from the missus in order to attend a protest in Merrion Square.
Fans who actually understand the game.

Football is one place where women & children shouldn't come first!
Football is the last bastion of masculinity, where men should be allowed to be men.
Lets keep one thing sacred!




here, here

families only bring good old fashioned banter to the attention of the PC Police.

who needs a middle aged woman telling you to 'sit down' or 'you can't say that in front of my child'



110% agree with you Peader and Galwayhoop,
we've all heard the 'no cursing near my precious types' and people who complain about others standing/singing:rolleyes:
these people, (not all families of course) think they own the place just cos they have kids with them

get a life people thats one of the major parts of football:ball:

[BohsPartisan]

Football is one place where women & children shouldn't come first!
Football is the last bastion of masculinity, where men should be allowed to be men.
Lets keep one thing sacred!

Are you Newell in disguise? :eek:

[Maynard]

Lets face it, families don't generate atmosphere or make a football ground intimidating. We need to attract males between their late teens and mid 30's. We need to attract fans who can get tanked up before the game, without the need for a babysitter.
Fans who can go to away games, without being accused of neglecting their children. Fans who wont get offended if the guy next to them shouts abuse at the opposition and/or the ref. Fans who think it's natural to stand for the entire game, despite being provided with an individual seat.
Fans who can take abuse, disguised as banter, at away games.
Fans who don't need to ask for permission from the missus in order to attend a protest in Merrion Square.
Fans who actually understand the game.

Agree 100% with this - (sub-question; Any suggestions on how to achieve this ?)

Football is one place where women & children shouldn't come first!
Football is the last bastion of masculinity, where men should be allowed to be men.
Lets keep one thing sacred!


This however, is dodgy territory. By all means we should be encouraging more men within that specified age demographic to attend, as they are the ones most likely to create an atmosphere. BUT (and that my friends is a BIG BUT) this should not be used as an excuse for disguised misogyny. Women, children, OAP's, Unicorns, whoeverthef*cks, should ALL be encouraged to support a club. Having more young men (particularly as most grounds have an area where these fellas congregate already) should not mean that women and children have to become second class citizens. They need not be mutually exclusive.


So developing the thought, how do you get these potential Ultras off their ever-fattening arses?

[BohsPartisan]

Unicorns, whoeverthef*cks, should ALL be encouraged to support a club.

I'm not having Unicorns at Dalyer. Everytime the ball goes into the stand you'd have to get a new one.

[passerrby]

ya right on brother peader and hoop only can we keep the noise down as im minding the kids and if i dont do a good job i ll not be allowed go to the game on fri, p.s. power to the brotherhood.

[half_full]

This however, is dodgy territory. By all means we should be encouraging more men within that specified age demographic to attend, as they are the ones most likely to create an atmosphere. BUT (and that my friends is a BIG BUT) this should not be used as an excuse for disguised misogyny. Women, children, OAP's, Unicorns, whoeverthef*cks, should ALL be encouraged to support a club. Having more young men (particularly as most grounds have an area where these fellas congregate already) should not mean that women and children have to become second class citizens. They need not be mutually exclusive.

unicorns:D

no of course not everyone should be welcome,

1. clubs should target more marketing to 5th/6th years, colleges etc.
2. give these people a decent size area and work with them not a against them e.g. flares

[passerrby]

are unicorns the ones with the big horn and the stupity of a nat or am i mixing them up with dundalk supporters

[Eire06]

Join the YMCA if you want an all boys club
otherwise zip it

[Philly]

I think it's wise for clubs to try designate one stand as a "Family Stand". Have entertainment for the kids round this stand. Have it smoke-free. Implement ground regulations re: language etc. within reason.

Then have another stand for Ultras/The rowdy bunch! If a club invested a bit into one of their stands to make it a "family stand", and then marketing the idea with Family Tickets, half time entertainment for the kids etc. And had the toilets in decent shape for the ladies. Then you could offer a product that appeals to both types of fans. We have to start emulating the dog-tracks. The every-day punters are outside. And the family on a day out are upstairs enjoying the races, with good catering facilities and good comfort.

[Maynard]

I think it's wise for clubs to try designate one stand as a "Family Stand". Have entertainment for the kids round this stand. Have it smoke-free. Implement ground regulations re: language etc. within reason.

Then have another stand for Ultras/The rowdy bunch! If a club invested a bit into one of their stands to make it a "family stand", and then marketing the idea with Family Tickets, half time entertainment for the kids etc. And had the toilets in decent shape for the ladies. Then you could offer a product that appeals to both types of fans. We have to start emulating the dog-tracks. The every-day punters are outside. And the family on a day out are upstairs enjoying the races, with good catering facilities and good comfort.

Very sensible and well put. Also agree about above post mentioning flares. These should be encouraged, supervised and done in a suitable area, so that everyone can enjoy them.

[NavanBohs]

are unicorns the ones with the big horn and the stupity of a nat or am i mixing them up with dundalk supporters

Dundalk supporters with big horns eh? well youre obviously one of the ones who doesn't go just for the footie :p

[Thunder-WYFC]

I had a good craic at the last Wexford game,sitting beside a lad with hes whole family,he was given out the abuse as good as I was.

[fbtn]

LOL.

Peadar can't get a bird!!

[SligoBrewer]

the flare thing is totally ridiculous!
what harm does it have? absolute coddywaddle.

[Tis-smeee]

1. clubs should target more marketing to 5th/6th years, colleges etc.
2. give these people a decent size area and work with them not a against them e.g. flares

The types that have money is it?:rolleyes:

[half_full]

The types that have money is it?:rolleyes:

huh?

no my point is that people at that age are (for the most part) willing to stand/sing etc., arent easily offended, willing and free to travel and so on,

tickets are far cheaper for youths/students anyway


and yes flares used properly are no trouble.

[stickyjoe]

Why do us eircom league fans want to be attracting all these bar stoolers at games?

Call me mad but Saturday at Croke Park made me realise why I love the EL so much. Give me a poxy small crowd at an EL game with real fans instead of having to sit and listen to the saps that go to Ireland matches anyday.

15 euro into a EL game or 70 quid into Croker.....I know which I prefer. Long may our league be a small time player :)

[blackholesun]

agree with philly

one for ultras / teens / noisy types ...
one for families ...

and another for biz / officey types ...
and another for the away fans ...

sorted!

saw this in Sweden at Stockholm Derby and it was great way to do it ...

bhs

[Peadar]

I wasn't trying to exclude families, but we need to concentrate on attracting lads just as much as we do where families are concerned.

Someone was talking about entertainment, when I bring my parents to City games, they're entertained by the football and the Commandos/Corner Boys. It's the atmosphere they enjoy. Our Family Enclosure is fairly successful but a glorified creche will never put visiting teams off their game.
With regard to flares, they're deadly dangerous and don't mix well with alcohol & testosterone. Unless there was a verified way to handle them safely, they'll never be permitted at football grounds in Ireland.

In response to StickyJoe, there are a lot of people out there who simply haven't discovered the magic of the eLoI. We all had to go to our first game at some stage and just because we're signed up members, doesn't mean that the gates are closed to new fans.

By the way, the craic I had with Bohs/Rovers/Shels fans in town, after the Wales match on Saturday, is what supporting the league is all about. Great banter and all good natured.

[galwayhoop]

i have no problems with families/women/unicorns(???) attending eL games but as posted above there could be a family stand for these passive style supporters.

personally i go to eL matches (and have done for years) for the football, yes, but my main source of enjoyment comes from the banter. our ability to laugh at the one-lines, not take ourselves too seriously and the impromptu songs are what makes friday nghts in terryland (and around the country) great. by all means bring the family but not if you are going to try and tame those who have kept the faith when you were at the panto!

johnny-come-lately-PC-friendly-family-doting-non-swearing-merchandise-hungry-daytripper-types have destroyed the atmosphere in england at top class football games - prawn sandwiches etc in old trafford - and we don't want the same to happen here.

yes clubs should try and attract the families but not at the expense of your long-serving/suffering fans!

[BohsPartisan]

I wasn't trying to exclude families, but we need to concentrate on attracting lads

Try Gaydar.com

[Lim till i die]

This thread actually wasn't bad for awhile :rolleyes:

[Peadar]

Strange how the comment by BohsPartizan is allowed but the one by lucanhoop87 isn't. Would a Bohs Mod have anything to do with it? :confused:

[BohsPartisan]

Strange how the comment by BohsPartizan is allowed but the one by lucanhoop87 isn't. Would a Bohs Mod have anything to do with it?
Its part of the Anti-Cork conspiracy!
Thought my post was harmless enough. A lot more harmless than the thrust of the first post in the thread. Feel free to have it deleated if it makes you feel uncomfortable. Didn't see lucanhoop's comment so can't comment on it. PM me its contents if you wish.

[micls]

Lets face it, families don't generate atmosphere or make a football ground intimidating. We need to attract males between their late teens and mid 30's. We need to attract fans who can get tanked up before the game, without the need for a babysitter.
Fans who can go to away games, without being accused of neglecting their children. Fans who wont get offended if the guy next to them shouts abuse at the opposition and/or the ref. Fans who think it's natural to stand for the entire game, despite being provided with an individual seat.
Fans who can take abuse, disguised as banter, at away games.
Fans who don't need to ask for permission from the missus in order to attend a protest in Merrion Square.
Fans who actually understand the game.

Football is one place where women & children shouldn't come first!
Football is the last bastion of masculinity, where men should be allowed to be men.
Lets keep one thing sacred!

In a strange way (while being female) i agree with most of what Peadar says :eek: apart from the whole bastion of masculinity stuff......

Clubs shouldnt focus on attracting families above attracting the people who are more likely to return. More fellas enjoy football, more support it, more shout, sing chant etc and therefore they should not be forgotten.

Saying that there are plenty of women who also do the above(myself included). BUt the fact is if you market the EL properly to 500 lads and 500 women the majority who will stick with it will be lads. Play to your advantage.

A seperate family section is definately very important too though. The kids are the future and you need to hook them when they are young, before the premiership gets them

[Peadar]

Like I said, I don't want to exclude anyone but we need to make sure we don't neglect the demographic most active in the game.
There's a tendency to try and wrap everything up into neat little packages, to appeal to families, but that could leave us with soul less grounds & McDonald's franchises.

[Maz]

How do you attract them though? Games are advertised in papers, on boards in our towns, on radio. Live games are shown from time to time on tv. Im sure we have all tried at one stage or another to get friends out to the games and get them interested. Sometimes it works, other times it doesnt.

[Peadar]

Go with a whole Lynx ad style campaign, suggesting that supporting the eL makes you more attractive to women. :D

The fine print at the bottom of the screen would warn that letting one of those women trap you, could result in you being relocated to the Family Enclosure. :D

[Maz]

Go with a whole Lynx ad style campaign, suggesting that supporting the eL makes you more attractive to women. :D

The fine print at the bottom of the screen would warn that letting one of those women trap you, could result in you being relocated to the Family Enclosure. :D


No point in the lying to them either!:D

[BohsPartisan]

Go with a whole Lynx ad style campaign, suggesting that supporting the eL makes you more attractive to women. :D


Get an article on the EL in Loaded or FHM. Focus on the "laddish" side of supporting your team.

[Hulsey]

the flare thing is totally ridiculous!
what harm does it have? absolute coddywaddle.

Well when its done under a canvas roof....... :rolleyes:

[lofty9]

I think it's great that women and families go to games. As long as mine don't. :)

[Dodge]

maybe a first here but I agree with peadar. Far too much empahsis put on attracting families.

However I disagree we should be trying to attract young males. I think we should be trying to attract young females. Big busty ones who dress sluttily. Also people who give out free beer and curry chips should be encouraged to come to games. If we get the slutty busty women, free beer and free curry chips crowd, I'm sure the rest will follow.

[Peadar]

I think Dodge would only be happy if the league was sponsored by Copper Face Jacks. :D

[Dodge]

Whatver helps the league Peadar

[el punter]

What about taking a leaf from the GAA book and playing an LOI game as a curtain raiser to all Irish international matches? It would give the ole ole crowd a chance to see some domestic action live, give the players a big crowd, and ensure a few more Ireland tickets for the clubs involved.

[Dodge]

I definitely wouldn't want Pats to be involved with that.

[Peadar]

A double header, of 90 minute games, never draws a crowd.
WFAI Cup before the FAI Cup = Disasterous crowd.

I've been at tournaments where there's two games and you never get a crowd at both.

[SligoBrewer]

Well when its done under a canvas roof....... :rolleyes:

bought your stand in homebase,
bought your stand in homebase!:D