Richmond membership record 2018: Premiership Tigers set to eclipse 90,000 members next seasonCHRIS CAVANAGH,
Herald Sun
23 December 2017RICHMOND is on track to smash the AFL club membership record with an unprecedented 70,000 supporters having already signed on for 2018.
With 88 days still remaining before Round 1, the Tigers yesterday (on Saturday) became the first club to ever reach 70,000 members before Christmas.
Indeed, the Tiger Army has spoken with its collective wallet. Picture: Tim Carrafa
The tally — which comes on the back of a 37-year premiership drought being broken in September — marks a rise of more than 30 per cent on the 52,401 members the club had this time last year.
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said the demand for memberships was showing no signs of slowing down as the club looks to become the first to pass 80,000 members.
Collingwood currently holds the membership record, the Magpies having boasted 79,347 members in 2014.
“The loyalty of the Tiger army is unrivalled across the AFL,” Gale said.
“To reach 70,000 members before Christmas is unprecedented and a reflection of the passion and size of our supporter base.
Rise of the Tiger ArmyYear Membership numbers2010 35,960
2011 40,184
2012 53,027
2013 60,321
2014 66,122
2015 70,809
2016 72,278
2017 72,669
“Our membership department will be working tirelessly over the next couple of months to ensure that number continues to grow.
“With such strong numbers, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be aiming to be the first club to reach 90,000 members.”
The Tigers finished this year with 72,669 members, placing them third in the overall standings behind Collingwood (75,879) and Hawthorn (75,663).
However, they recorded the biggest home-and-away attendance of any club and had an average home crowd of 55,958 from 11 games.
Richmond’s three MCG finals were played in front of average crowds of 96,436 with 100,021 attending the 48-point Grand Final win over Adelaide.
“Our players have often commented on the atmosphere at the MCG throughout the finals series, and the whole season for that matter,” Gale said.
“It was remarkable and the support of our members is never taken for granted.”
Essendon — which finished this year with 67,768 members — has also experienced a surge in sign-ups, with more than 52,000 fans already on board for next season, up on 45,536 this time last year.
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