Honest question: do you go to games? Do you have small children? Are you 55 years old plus+ Because if you fall into one of these categories the unreliable rail network is massive put off. It means that people have to undergo a massive hassle just in order to get to a match. It's alright if you are youngish or just go the footy with mates, but otherwise ...plugger66 wrote:samuraisaint wrote:Because we didn't win a premiership in 1997 or 2009 or 2010 (or 1971).Locals322 wrote:I live a stone throw from Moorabbin Oval. I've met a heap of St Kilda players everywhere from Southland to Elephant Wheelbarrow to footy clinics.
But although I've always had an awareness of the Saints I always can't quite manage to explain why their membership and crowds are so very low?
Do people from St Kilda to Frankston just not like Football?
Is it purely based on 'Success' I guess Richmond would be perhaps an exception but they have also suffered for a very long time with no success. And they'll double St Kilda supporters anytime anywhere?
Adding to this from 2005 to basically 2011 we had a very good team and a real shot and premierships
And still...still no fans? Is it the area? The history?
On the positive side we’ve survived many lean years and close calls. Moving forward I think this club will always be around…The Dogs & North are definitely behind us in terms of memberships, overall fans and finances. If anyone is going it’s them.
Richmond fans drop off when they're not going well too. This was obvious at the beginning of this season and for half of last year. Remember North were the glamour side of the 1970s, the team of the 90s, and were very decent in the 80s with the Krakouer brothers, Blight, and Barry Cable, usually in the 5 as it was known as then. Having said that, I have been at games in the recent past where I think there were less than 200 North supporters in the ground.
The Bulldogs this year have dwarfed us at games in terms of numbers, but that was definitely due to lack of public transport on the three rail lines that most st Kilda supporters travel on. At Lenny's last home game last year, there would have been lucky to be 500 Buldogs barrackers there.
It comes down to excitement - in 2003/2004 when we were on the rise we got massive support and the same in 2009/2010 - at the moment we are in transition, but the way we are playing at present is pretty exciting, and if AR can continue this the supporters will come.
Surely you are joking blaming the rail line for crowds? And every club drops off when struggling but I wouldn't say Richmond are going great and they have 70k members. Hard to accuse them of being bandwagon supporters with those figures. Our figures are very disappointing no matter what excuses we come up with.
Take last week: with no notice the Frankston line was suddenly interrupted between Mordialloc and Moorabbin (a St Kilda bolthole). At Mordialloc there were no buses waiting. When they did arrive, some time later, I might add, most were local buses - not express - so, despite everyone wanting to go to the footy, we all had to drive around in a bus stopping at railway stations where nobody got off. There as one express bus, which lucky people got on. Many of whom had children under five and some with babes in arms wrapped in St Kilda scarves. The bus was as packed as any I have seen, including subways in Tokyo and Osaka. People everywhere. Once we were all safely on, we were all told to get off the bus - as 'the bus driver was too sick to drive". Direct quote. Cue interminable wait for another bus. This bus stopped at every railway station between Mordi and Moorabbin despite not letting anybody from those stations to actually get on the bus, and one elderly man who dared try to get on, had the bus door closed in his face. IN HIS FACE.
Upon arrival at Moorabbin, the station was as crowded as any I have ever seen and no train waiting. Many had to wait for at least the second train to arrive so as to get on safely - especially if you are old, infirm etc.
Now, after going through all that - don't you think people may think twice before making the decision to go to the footy on a Sunday again. Oh, and by the way - the Frankston line is down again today, so that Metro can clear weeds. What a fantastic service they provide. How lucky we all are!