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

**Peadar** · 26/03/2007, 3:53 PM

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** · 26/03/2007, 4:02 PM

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** · 26/03/2007, 4:24 PM

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

Originally Posted by galwayhoop

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** · 26/03/2007, 4:26 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!

Originally Posted by 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'

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

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

**BohsPartisan** · 26/03/2007, 4:27 PM

Originally Posted by Peadar

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?

**Maynard** · 26/03/2007, 4:40 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.

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** · 26/03/2007, 4:46 PM

Originally Posted by Maynard

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** · 26/03/2007, 4:50 PM

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** · 26/03/2007, 4:51 PM

Originally Posted by Maynard

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

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** · 26/03/2007, 5:17 PM

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

**Eire06** · 26/03/2007, 5:23 PM

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

**Philly** · 26/03/2007, 5:31 PM

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** · 26/03/2007, 5:46 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 26/03/2007, 5:55 PM

Originally Posted by passerrby

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

**Thunder-WYFC** · 26/03/2007, 5:57 PM

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** · 26/03/2007, 5:59 PM

LOL.

Peadar can't get a bird!!

**SligoBrewer** · 26/03/2007, 6:48 PM

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

**Tis-smeee** · 26/03/2007, 7:39 PM

Originally Posted by half_full

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?

**half_full** · 26/03/2007, 8:07 PM

Originally Posted by Tis-smeee

The types that have money is it?

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** · 26/03/2007, 8:17 PM

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