7:28:20 PM Thu 8 May, 2003
Tony Greenberg
Be warned – you are about to read some ‘dirty’ words . . . and some even dirtier figures!
If you are a genuine Richmond supporter – just like me – you will hate what’s coming up here.
It will shock and disturb you. Ultimately, however, I hope it will move you to take positive action.
I can assure you that this information really makes my skin crawl. It angers me immensely, but there’s no escaping the cold, hard facts . . .
Richmond’s membership numbers for the 2003 season are diabolical. We are getting slaughtered in the membership race by our arch rivals in Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. Hawthorn also is a long way in front of us, while other Victorian clubs such as Geelong and St Kilda have edged ahead. That’s enough to make you sick in the stomach, isn’t it?
Here are the membership dirty figures as they stand right now.
The top four Victorian clubs are: Collingwood with 38,000-plus; Carlton on 31,000-plus; Essendon 31,000-plus and Hawthorn 29,000.
And where are the mighty Tigers? Sadly, we are languishing in 7th place out of the 10 Victorian teams (only Melbourne, the Kangaroos and the Bulldogs are behind us) with just over 22,000 members. Suffice to say, we are getting walloped big time in the all-important membership area.
In monetary terms (even for a basic club membership), that puts Collingwood about $1.7 million dollars ahead of us! Staggering, but unfortunately true . . .
The upshot is that when it comes to player trading time at the end of this season, we will not be in a position to compete against the likes of Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton and Hawthorn for any available quality talent because we simply will not have the financial resources.
They win – we lose . . . don’t you hate that (I know I certainly do).
Now, you’re probably asking yourself why is ‘Crowey’ telling us all this bad news.
Well, here’s why . . .
It is because of the incredible faith I have in Richmond supporters that has been built up over my 60-year passionate love affair with the Tigers.
It is because of my sincere belief that true Richmond people genuinely care about the Club.
It is because of what the Yellow and Black faithful have achieved over the years. Their unstinting loyalty; their great passion; their undying optimism; their willingness to hang in through the tough times, the disappointments and the frustrations.
And, most of all, it’s because of my absolute belief that when the chips are really down, fair dinkum Tigers stand up to be counted!
The most inspiring example in my memory is how those faithful Richmond people rallied to the cause during the dark, dangerous days of 1990 when we were an ‘endangered species’.
Enter the ‘Save Our Skins’ campaign . . .
The Richmond Football Club was poised on the brink of extinction until tens of thousands of Tiger diehards stood up in unison and shouted: “No one will ever take my football club away from me”!
I know that the caring, the passion, the desire to live and fight on that those true Richmond people exhibited back then, is still strongly present today among members of the Tiger faith. And, believe me, those qualities are needed because the chips are down again . . .
Richmond is blessed with a massive, passionate, loyal supporter base. But right now, the Club needs those supporters to sign up as members. We ask you to look into your Yellow and Black hearts and ask yourselves if you want to give our enemies – Collingwood, Essendon and Carlton – a $1 million-plus head start in this year’s race for success.
Please show us how much you care. Let’s make sure we level up the playing field. It’s certainly not too late this year to significantly turn around our membership fortunes.
Importantly, even though we’re six rounds into the season, there’s still extremely good value in taking out a Tiger membership. We have a lot of home games left for the year and, I reckon you’ll agree that our boys are providing pretty good value for money at the moment with the way they’re going about their business each week.
I can’t stress enough just how crucial it is for you to come to the rescue again in the Club’s ‘hour of need’. By purchasing a 2003 membership, you will be going a long way to ensuring the Tigers’ long-term viability as a genuine force in the AFL.
If you share that desire for success as passionately as I believe you do, then please renew your vow to the Richmond Football Club in the most meaningful possible way.
Become a true Tiger . . . become a proud RFC member. Call 1300 136 605 now!
Tony Greenberg
Be warned – you are about to read some ‘dirty’ words . . . and some even dirtier figures!
If you are a genuine Richmond supporter – just like me – you will hate what’s coming up here.
It will shock and disturb you. Ultimately, however, I hope it will move you to take positive action.
I can assure you that this information really makes my skin crawl. It angers me immensely, but there’s no escaping the cold, hard facts . . .
Richmond’s membership numbers for the 2003 season are diabolical. We are getting slaughtered in the membership race by our arch rivals in Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. Hawthorn also is a long way in front of us, while other Victorian clubs such as Geelong and St Kilda have edged ahead. That’s enough to make you sick in the stomach, isn’t it?
Here are the membership dirty figures as they stand right now.
The top four Victorian clubs are: Collingwood with 38,000-plus; Carlton on 31,000-plus; Essendon 31,000-plus and Hawthorn 29,000.
And where are the mighty Tigers? Sadly, we are languishing in 7th place out of the 10 Victorian teams (only Melbourne, the Kangaroos and the Bulldogs are behind us) with just over 22,000 members. Suffice to say, we are getting walloped big time in the all-important membership area.
In monetary terms (even for a basic club membership), that puts Collingwood about $1.7 million dollars ahead of us! Staggering, but unfortunately true . . .
The upshot is that when it comes to player trading time at the end of this season, we will not be in a position to compete against the likes of Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton and Hawthorn for any available quality talent because we simply will not have the financial resources.
They win – we lose . . . don’t you hate that (I know I certainly do).
Now, you’re probably asking yourself why is ‘Crowey’ telling us all this bad news.
Well, here’s why . . .
It is because of the incredible faith I have in Richmond supporters that has been built up over my 60-year passionate love affair with the Tigers.
It is because of my sincere belief that true Richmond people genuinely care about the Club.
It is because of what the Yellow and Black faithful have achieved over the years. Their unstinting loyalty; their great passion; their undying optimism; their willingness to hang in through the tough times, the disappointments and the frustrations.
And, most of all, it’s because of my absolute belief that when the chips are really down, fair dinkum Tigers stand up to be counted!
The most inspiring example in my memory is how those faithful Richmond people rallied to the cause during the dark, dangerous days of 1990 when we were an ‘endangered species’.
Enter the ‘Save Our Skins’ campaign . . .
The Richmond Football Club was poised on the brink of extinction until tens of thousands of Tiger diehards stood up in unison and shouted: “No one will ever take my football club away from me”!
I know that the caring, the passion, the desire to live and fight on that those true Richmond people exhibited back then, is still strongly present today among members of the Tiger faith. And, believe me, those qualities are needed because the chips are down again . . .
Richmond is blessed with a massive, passionate, loyal supporter base. But right now, the Club needs those supporters to sign up as members. We ask you to look into your Yellow and Black hearts and ask yourselves if you want to give our enemies – Collingwood, Essendon and Carlton – a $1 million-plus head start in this year’s race for success.
Please show us how much you care. Let’s make sure we level up the playing field. It’s certainly not too late this year to significantly turn around our membership fortunes.
Importantly, even though we’re six rounds into the season, there’s still extremely good value in taking out a Tiger membership. We have a lot of home games left for the year and, I reckon you’ll agree that our boys are providing pretty good value for money at the moment with the way they’re going about their business each week.
I can’t stress enough just how crucial it is for you to come to the rescue again in the Club’s ‘hour of need’. By purchasing a 2003 membership, you will be going a long way to ensuring the Tigers’ long-term viability as a genuine force in the AFL.
If you share that desire for success as passionately as I believe you do, then please renew your vow to the Richmond Football Club in the most meaningful possible way.
Become a true Tiger . . . become a proud RFC member. Call 1300 136 605 now!
