LOI Clubs in St Paddys Parade

After the million threads over the years entitled 'What can clubs do to get more fans?' and the like, here is a mechanism only waiting to adopted that is perfect to advertise your club right under the nose of thousands of people who are all pretty much slap-bang in the middle of your catchment area for your fanbase.

Its the start of our season and its something we should be shouting from the roof-tops. If there was ever a platform tailor made for the League of Ireland then its the Paddy's Day Parade.

I know that most St Patricks Day parades have a suggested theme and guildlines to adhere to so that is something to be conscious for. And its right about now that clubs should be getting their application to enter the parade signed, sealed and delivered.

After that, what ideas would people have for a float, something that would be eye catching and have enough 'razz-ah-mat-azz' to attract potential new fans to the up and coming games !!

Limerick FC were in the Limerick parade last year (or was it 2 years ago?) We had just ended our sponsorship deal with Limerick 95fm, who were MC'ing the event, and they neglected to announce only one float in the entire parade, which was ours.

Agreed though, it's a good publicity measure, especially if people could hand out flyers with info on the season's fixtures / deals on club merchandise / 10% off season tickets etc.

I don't know about others but you aren't allowed to hand out flyers at the Cork one anyway.

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Originally Posted by micls

I don't know about others but you aren't allowed to hand out flyers at the Cork one anyway.

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Fair enough, you may not be, I have no idea.

Although a few people walking through the crowd in the team's kit could hand out stuff, even if the members of the float itself couldn't?

Terry the Tiger took part in last years parade in Galway.

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Originally Posted by micls

I don't know about others but you aren't allowed to hand out flyers at the Cork one anyway.

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Yeah, they are a bit strict that way i think, they cover themselves to avoid protests, advertising issues, litter concerns, etc. so they just stamp down on all of it, which is fair enough really. Its best that people seek out the guidelines and stick to them where possible.

Theres not alot stopping the people in the float holding up big cards with details of the next game etc. .... even something as "every second Friday night are our games" if you know what i mean.

Well Athlone Town nearly ended up in the parade in Tullamore a few years ago! On their way to a game in Kilkenny the bus took a wrong turn and ended up joining the floats at the back of the parade. Management or players were not amused.

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Originally Posted by A face

Theres not alot stopping the people in the float holding up big cards with details of the next game etc. .... even something as "every second Friday night are our games" if you know what i mean.

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"Come to the League of Ireland! Participants TBC"

Pretty sure Rovers had something in the parade last year. Benny the Bull or one of the youth teams.

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Originally Posted by A face

After the million threads over the years entitled 'What can clubs do to get more fans?' and the like, here is a mechanism only waiting to adopted that is perfect to advertise your club right under the nose of thousands of people who are all pretty much slap-bang in the middle of your catchment area for your fanbase.

Its the start of our season and its something we should be shouting from the roof-tops. If there was ever a platform tailor made for the League of Ireland then its the Paddy's Day Parade.

I know that most St Patricks Day parades have a suggested theme and guildlines to adhere to so that is something to be conscious for. And its right about now that clubs should be getting their application to enter the parade signed, sealed and delivered.

After that, what ideas would people have for a float, something that would be eye catching and have enough 'razz-ah-mat-azz' to attract potential new fans to the up and coming games !!

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In fairness, it would make a welcome change to see clubs trying to keep a float next year instead of just trying to keep afloat.

As something most Irish people have heard of, but never seen, leprechaunsLoI clubs would indeed be a welcome addition to Paddy's Day parades.

Ye, the club mascots in the parade would be a good ad for the league.

http://dundalkfc.com/news/100318_McLaughlin.asp

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Originally Posted by The Lep

Ye, the club mascots in the parade would be a good ad for the league.

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Mascots who? Johnny Logan, John Delaney, Phil Coulter, Nick Leeson, Tom the Gom and the moderators of foot.ie couldn't get into an identity parade...

This has got to be the ultimate riddy.

Harps were in the Letterkenny Parade last year along with Donegal Creameries. They handed out some dairy products and Harps pens/pencils/rulers and sweets.

Pretty sure Cork City are going to be in the Paddy's day parade this year.
We won best sporting float in the Cork parade in 2010 .

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Originally Posted by sheao

Pretty sure Cork City are going to be in the Paddy's day parade this year.
We won best sporting float in the Cork parade in 2010 .

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How much competition did ye's really have?!

Cork GAA? Munster Rugby? I think there was some basketball float (which would have a bigger following in Cork than any normal city in Ireland), not sure.

LTFC have been doing one for years.

There was a Derry City presence at the most recent Halloween parade. Bit late in the season though to do much good. Maybe they should do St Paddy's then as mid season reminder at the Apprentice Boys parade. This way cross community credentials could be promoted and appeal to a whole new demographic to boot.

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Originally Posted by punkrocket

There was a Derry City presence at the most recent Halloween parade. Bit late in the season though to do much good. Maybe they should do St Paddy's then as mid season reminder at the Apprentice Boys parade. This way cross community credentials could be promoted and appeal to a whole new demographic to boot.

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The timing is best for Paddys Day alright but Halloween and Apprentice Boys parades? Fair play, not every city has them. Definitely worth taking advantage of them as well.

iirc about 10 years ago (when Tara TV was broadcasting in the UK on Sky) they had a player (or the club captain) from each of the member clubs marching in full kit in the main parade in Dublin.

I think it was about 10 years ago (it was the period when St Pats had the Autoglass sponsors and the red stripes around the sleeves on the home kit)

Its that time of year again. Just wondering can people takes photos of the various LOI Club Floats/Groups and post them up here afterwards, just so we have an idea of who is doing what.

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Originally Posted by A face

Its that time of year again. Just wondering can people takes photos of the various LOI Club Floats/Groups and post them up here afterwards, just so we have an idea of who is doing what.

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It's January!

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Originally Posted by atfconline

It's January!

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Sorry, i thought it was a given from earlier on in the thread that it was posted up in a timely manner for people / clubs who would consider entering the parade and this gives organisers enough time to plan ahead. I hope you're not too put out by that :eek:;)

Really? Never saw one in the few years I did bother going.

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Originally Posted by outspoken

Really? Never saw one in the few years I did bother going.

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Hence the reason for the post ..... if anyone was considering it, then now is the time to get it going.