A sad realisation for this long time Tiger Supporter/Fan

[pahoffm]

Chin up RT

Just have a good look at Coburg's positions in both the VFL Seniors & Reserves ladders.
Then have a look at the growing number of juniors in the Richmond Seniors.

It's the equivalent, in the old days, of seeing:
1. The U19s in the top 2.
2. The Reserves in the top 4.
3. Young players coming into the Seniors.

Just get the rucks, key defensive positions & a couple of big-bodied midfielders, and we'll be right.

You should be seeing the results by 2009-2010.

Hang in there RT

 

[TOT70]

Stick with it, RT.

We have had a rough ride over the last 25 years and the biggest issue for us is that our footy club has lost respect in the eyes of outsiders. They take every opportunity to rub it in, simply because they can. Tiger fans are soft targets whenever our club is faring badly because they know that:

a) we are loyal and stick by the club, unlike other fans who disappear when the going gets tough and pretend they don't follow footy and
b) the club has struggled to get it right forr a long time so it is a free hit, in their eyes.

You do realise though that they know what is in store for them when the Tiger army emerges again. It will not be pretty for them. Imagine, a vocal, noisy, arrogant army that has put up with years of humiliation hell-bent for revenge.

Hang around to be a part of it.

 

[cantstandeddie]

Interesting replies - to those who have empathy to my feelings - thank you.

To those who accused me of being responsible in part because of bad mouthing the RFC - I say no - not me - I have a record of being a brightsider.

To those who said dig deep - keep your nerve - I would like to point out that I said the passion had almost gone - in fact what once was a raging bushfire inside my soul for the Tigers is now a flickering ember. I have not and will not turn my back on the club I have loved and will always love - but I fear more of the same that has been dished up for the last quarter of a century may make it very hard to keep that ember alight.

On reading the posts on this thread I know you all still love the Tigers - as do I.

What I did not communicate very well is that those in power at the RFC over the last 25 years have taken the RFC a fair distance away from the style of club that lit that bushfire inside me originally.

IMO we appear to have lost the basic foundation stones the club was built on - tough, hard at it, take no prisoners football with classy slick ball handling and passages of play. And do not tell me that this style of football is in the past - because the last 5 premiers have played that brand of football.

And I am tired of hearing we will be top again - we will get there - I have been told that for so long now I feel it is an excuse for present failures....RT

RT,
Sorry if you felt I was attacking you personally - Im not, and I do have empathy for the way you feel.
I'm not at your stage yet - I do hate it when my kids ask "when are we going to win" and when their smug friends give it to them (and me)too. But again I say no matter what I will back the Tigers all the way, no matter what.
I refuse to ever see RFC sink to a lower than low, a relocation, a merge or go down. No matter how many times we lose, we get back up and get on with it.
we need to stick together and ride this rebuild out. I know we've heard it before, but I want to give thsi five year plan its due... What do you reckon RT?

 

[Scoop]

Yep it's a tough time. Almost reaching the depressing stage.

But everyone will hang in there, you can't give up your footy team.

 

[Rosy]

I walked and talked nothing but the Tigers - I ate and slept them -

I've posted recently that I'm a bit worried I've lost my footy passion. The thing that worries me is I don't hurt anymore when we're down and out. I feel immune to it. I know I'll be bursting out of my skin with pride and excitement when we win our next game just the same.

I love Richmond and always will but I'm not going to lose sleep or have a nervous breakdown over them. I rarely read any articles about Richmond anymore, other than comments on PRE of course. I don't have much time for articles and spin. I prefer reality. I don't care about 5 year plans or 10 year plans. I'll believe it when I see it. "The best-laid plans of mice and men go oft awry."

I understand how you feel Remote but Richmond is in our blood. We'll have our ups and downs but we'll always stay true. One things I really like about Ricmond lately is the friends you make along the journey. We share the same lows but one day (fingers crossed) we'll share the same highs. :grouphug

 

[RemoteTiger]

One things I really like about Ricmond lately is the friends you make along the journey. We share the same lows but one day (fingers crossed) we'll share the same highs. :grouphug

They are not just friends IMO - Rosy - they are family - and only family know how hard it feels.

 

[Rosy]

Yep spot on. :hearton

 

[happytige]

Keep the faith RT.

Remember that wonderful day you had recently with your family at the MCG. It can only get better and we need loyal supporters like you and your son. I've been barracking for the Tiges for over 50 years. There have been lots of down times.....wins were rare in the 50's, but I just love them anyway.

The sight of the magnificent Tom Hafey or reading Growl's Jack Dyer reports reminds me of what the real club is about. Richo's passion is the same!

Did you read Martin Flanagan's article in Saturday's Age. .....:"Dig deep Tiges. Give your supporters something to hang their hearts on!" He is not a Tiger supporter, but he understands the huge attraction of our mighty club.

 

[justice]

Chin up RT

Just have a good look at Coburg's positions in both the VFL Seniors & Reserves ladders.
Then have a look at the growing number of juniors in the Richmond Seniors.

It's the equivalent, in the old days, of seeing:
1. The U19s in the top 2.
2. The Reserves in the top 4.
3. Young players coming into the Seniors.

Just get the rucks, key defensive positions & a couple of big-bodied midfielders, and we'll be right.
You should be seeing the results by 2009-2010.

Hang in there RT

you see this, we see this, does anyone at the club?

 

[Bill James]

cantstandeddie you obviously haven't been a passionate richmond supporter for many years as you have no empathy for those who have suffered for so long. your remmedy sounds something like a rfc spindoctor would spit out , glib remarks, the company propaganda ect but nothing of substance to reflect the understanding of the anguish bt and others are suffering.

i have spoken to many tiger supporters over the last few weeks and rt's feelings are reflected across the board in varying degrees.
one long time supporter has decided to follow the wc eagles some don't even want to discuss richmond any more and many have given up on this year. so cantstandeddie tell your bosses at rfc that it is going to take a lot more more than a piddling little post or an email or two about toeing the company line to fix the morale amoungst the supporters out here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i actually feel sorry for the former tiger 'fan' who now supports the eagles. i`d much rather support a real football club with history,soul and passion than an AFL created franchise like the eagles.
i would get more satisfaction from richmond winning a semi final than i would from the eagles winning 20 premierships.
i guarantee he`ll be back on board in a year or 2 WHEN we start coming good.
i understand how remote tiger feels, but like tiger snake says i have no control over my love for the tigers.

This is getting a bit theological, but if you stopped supporting the tigers to follow the weagles, you could never have been a real tiger supporter or you would never have stopped supporting them.

 

[J_Rod]

[/quote]

I'll tell you who is responsible... ALL of US!
We are all responsible for the club in good and bad times. Are we all members? Do we "pay up" and support the club. Do we vote at the annual GM, let alone attend? Do we stick togeher "thick or thin"?
Instead of being emotional about tough times and questioning our past, we have to stop eating our own, stick to the plan... and it was always a five year plan, and get on with it.
Great clubs have a backbone of committed support... a family-like approach of looking out for one another... I don't want to have a bunch of sooky lala's grissling about what could have been and what should have been hannging around the club like a bad fart in the air.
And before the ferals look up the encyclopedia of quotes... yes 27 years since a premeirship.. yes you think Frawley cost us too much... yes you're sick of it... Yes I agree... BUT
Put up or shut up... Do something to help RFC be a powerhouse. Stop being a bad advertisement for the RFC. Everytime you whinge about how bad we are.. at work, at a dinner party, at school pick up... you are a bad advertisment for RFC...This is not good for anyone!

[/quote]

excellent post.... if ur off the band wagon now... dont jump back on board when were winning...