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

**blackholesun** · 26/03/2007, 10:32 PM

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** · 27/03/2007, 8:52 AM

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** · 27/03/2007, 10:26 AM

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** · 27/03/2007, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by Peadar

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

Try Gaydar.com

**Lim till i die** · 27/03/2007, 11:20 AM

This thread actually wasn't bad for awhile

**Peadar** · 27/03/2007, 12:40 PM

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?

**BohsPartisan** · 27/03/2007, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by 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?

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** · 27/03/2007, 2:42 PM

Originally Posted by 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!

In a strange way (while being female) i agree with most of what Peadar says

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** · 27/03/2007, 2:56 PM

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** · 27/03/2007, 3:02 PM

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** · 27/03/2007, 3:07 PM

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

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.

**Maz** · 27/03/2007, 3:09 PM

Originally Posted by Peadar

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

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.

No point in the lying to them either!

**BohsPartisan** · 27/03/2007, 4:02 PM

Originally Posted by Peadar

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

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

**Hulsey** · 28/03/2007, 9:41 AM

Originally Posted by SligoBrewer

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

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

**lofty9** · 28/03/2007, 10:28 AM

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

**Dodge** · 28/03/2007, 10:34 AM

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** · 28/03/2007, 10:39 AM

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

**Dodge** · 28/03/2007, 10:42 AM

Whatver helps the league Peadar

**el punter** · 28/03/2007, 10:47 AM

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.