Ben Cousins to thank fans (News Ltd)

[one-eyed]

Ben Cousins to thank fans
Kim Hagdorn | January 18, 2009

BEN Cousins will pay tribute to his West Australian supporters when he returns to Perth with Richmond next month.

The former West Coast great will be guest of honour at a Tigers function at the Burswood Casino on the eve of the Saturday, February 16, NAB Cup series opener against Fremantle.

Cousins is expected to say thank you to some of his many WA fans who supported his football revival and his rehabilitation from drug addiction.

It will be the first time the fallen Eagle has appeared publicly in his home town since he was sacked by West Coast following a succession of off-field indiscretions after the 2007 season.

A paying audience of about 1000 is expected to outlay $120 a head to attend, even though he will not play in the game.

New Richmond captain Chris Newman says the Tigers have been overwhelmed with interest since Cousins arrived at Punt Rd late last year.

Tigers officials have reported a wave of membership signings with more than 4000 extra members having joined than at this time last year.

"Ben is settling in well and making a real effort to get to know all the boys," Newman said.

"We have been overwhelmed with the support shown to our club by the people of WA."

Newman is expected to be among a host of top Tigers players, including Matthew Richardson and Nathan Brown, to attend the function.

Fellow expatriate West Australians Graham Polak and Mark Coughlan are other likely high-profile guests, along with coach Terry Wallace.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24924783-19742,00.html

[one-eyed]

Here are some WA people replies to the above article:

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/comments/0,21590,24926509-5005401,00.html

[Ramps]

we should find a volunteer in perth, set up a little merchandise area or stall in the heart of wce territory and flog as much stuff as we can, id recommend the club produce a couple of tshirts with the name Cousins emblazoned on the back, and have memberships available, maybe a few caps and afew jumpers. Id reckon wed make good sales.

[Smokey]

we should find a volunteer in perth, set up a little merchandise area or stall in the heart of wce territory and flog as much stuff as we can, id recommend the club produce a couple of tshirts with the name Cousins emblazoned on the back, and have memberships available, maybe a few caps and afew jumpers. Id reckon wed make good sales.

There used to be a very strong and vibrant supporters club in WA but I think it may have lost it's way just recently and I'm not sure if it is still in existence.  They used to be very motivated and innovative with marketing and could usually be relied on to forward a very healthy dividend to the club each year.  I know they had such things as RFC number plates available at one point and they would always organize a very big (and well attended) function whenever we played over there.  I have a recollection it may have struggled recently due to the age-old 'too much work left to too few people' but I may be wrong.  Anyway, back to your post Ramps - you would have little trouble finding a volunteer - motivation and support might be another issue.

As an aside to that - this was one of the role's Neville Crowe had at the club back in the dark, dark Casey days and he used to put in a phenomenal amount of work and time into the supporter groups around the country.  He received very little support from the club in general due to the ignorance/arrogance of the Casey administration and it's pre-occupation with self-image and self-promotion.  I hope that the March group has a more enlightened appreciation of the value of these groups - not only from a financial perspective but also as a means of 'Melbourne/Victoria-proofing' our club by building it's support Australia-wide.  And I hope that Dale Weightman receives a lot more support from the club than Neville Crowe did.

[one-eyed]

The former West Coast great will be guest of honour at a Tigers function at the Burswood Casino on the eve of the Saturday, February 16, NAB Cup series opener against Fremantle.

Another stuff up by a journo  .

We play Freo on Sunday Feb 15 and the function is on Friday Feb 13.

[mightytiges]

Another $120,000 to add to the coffers thanks to Cuz  . They'll need to play the Eagles theme song  by the sound of it with all the Eagle fans still in love with Benny.

i am a WCE supporter but i would love to see you kick 3 goals and get 40 touches when you take them on. Richmond have got my support now aswel!

LOL I hope he's right 

[one-eyed]

For our WA based posters 

Western Australia Cocktail Party

Friday 13 February 2009
Astral Ballroom, Burswood Entertainment Complex
Great Eastern Highway, Burswood
7pm till 10pm

Appearance from key Richmond Players, 2009 memberships and merchandise available, and once in a lifetime auction items up for grabs.

Tickets: $120 – includes finger food, beer, wine & soft drink.

To purchase tickets please call Jenna Evans on 03 9426 4452 between 9am and 5pm AEDST or email jevans@richmondfc.com.au.

Tickets are strictly limited and bookings must be made by Thursday February 5.
 
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/6301/Default.aspx?newsId=71339

[F0551L]

we should find a volunteer in perth, set up a little merchandise area or stall in the heart of wce territory and flog as much stuff as we can, id recommend the club produce a couple of tshirts with the name Cousins emblazoned on the back, and have memberships available, maybe a few caps and afew jumpers. Id reckon wed make good sales.

There used to be a very strong and vibrant supporters club in WA but I think it may have lost it's way just recently and I'm not sure if it is still in existence.  They used to be very motivated and innovative with marketing and could usually be relied on to forward a very healthy dividend to the club each year.  I know they had such things as RFC number plates available at one point and they would always organize a very big (and well attended) function whenever we played over there.  I have a recollection it may have struggled recently due to the age-old 'too much work left to too few people' but I may be wrong.  Anyway, back to your post Ramps - you would have little trouble finding a volunteer - motivation and support might be another issue.

As an aside to that - this was one of the role's Neville Crowe had at the club back in the dark, dark Casey days and he used to put in a phenomenal amount of work and time into the supporter groups around the country.  He received very little support from the club in general due to the ignorance/arrogance of the Casey administration and it's pre-occupation with self-image and self-promotion.  I hope that the March group has a more enlightened appreciation of the value of these groups - not only from a financial perspective but also as a means of 'Melbourne/Victoria-proofing' our club by building it's support Australia-wide.  And I hope that Dale Weightman receives a lot more support from the club than Neville Crowe did.

   yep got my number plates through the WA supporteer group before the AFL got their grubby hands into the money pot They still are active in Perth organise  functions when ever the Tigers play at Subi I think they meet up and watch non WA matches at the Hyde Park hotel