QuoteI was asked recently what I would see as the goals / roles / functions of a supporters club. Still not sure why ask me specifically, but I said I’d reply so here’s some nonsensical rambling:
First off, pigeon-holing is a pet-hate of mine and can be a dangerous occupation, eg say it often and loud enough that a supporters club is a closed shop and people will start to believe it. There is no hard and fast rule for what a supporters club should be but there are plenty of things a supporters club could be.
One important aspect is the status of any supporters club. It can be official or unofficial, and there are cases for both, but, imho, there is no half-way house. Either way there are certain ground rules you have to obey if you claim to be a Cork City supporters club (because you are representing the club); they just differ if you’re going to be official or unofficial.
An active supporters club is something that City badly needs. It’s something we don’t have at the moment that a lot of other clubs do. When you think about the amount of work that volunteers/ordinary fans do for this club you can see how they have contributed to the recent progress, be that in some sort of official capacity, getting a bit more active on matchday, supporting fundraisers, etc. A supporters club would enhance this aspect of the club to no end (eg the last official supporters club provided a lot of people with a path into their current roles, if you like) and that goes for any official or unofficial supporters club.
Fundamentally a supporters club brings a certain type of supporter together; the type that cares that bit more than your regular punter. The average fan goes to Turners Cross every second Friday, probably makes occasional trips further-a-field, might buy the programme, or even a Lotto or half-time draw ticket, but probably does little else. Doesn’t think too much about City during the week, how they might do certain things better, how they’re making a balls of other things and that’s fine. People are entitled to support the club as much, or as little, as they want.
However, by stepping up to the plate and joining a supporters club you are saying that you care more. That you want a better deal for supporters. That you think you can make a difference. That you think there is something worth getting involved in. Whatever really, because there are lots of different ways a supporters club can go. Lots of things for it to get involved in.
There appears to be a common misconception that a supporters club is some sort of way of ‘tricking’ people into doing work for the club. I can only presume that in the past some people got this perception and it snowballed from there. Any supporters club role, official or not, is decided by it’s members. At the end of the day it will be down to the members to decide what the supporters club does, and does not, get involved in. Personally, I hope it sets no boundaries to begin with and sees what way the dice roll. I would also hope that it is not a closed shop and that it is open to all supporters to participate, if they so wish.
Originally Posted by xtreme rebel
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