Fans flock to join the fighting Tigers (Age)

[one-eyed]

Fans flock to join the fighting Tigers
Jon Pierik
May 10, 2011

RICHMOND is on the verge of breaking its all-time membership record as the club appears on the rise on and off the field.

While the likes of fresh faces Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt lead the way on the field, with the Tigers banking three straight wins, front-office staff led by chief executive Brendon Gale have also produced important results.

A membership record of 46,202 in 2009, sparked by the decision to draft Ben Cousins, could be shattered within days with just over 200 more signatures required.

The Tigers last week only released their three-game membership packages, so the current figure carries weight.

''Our supporters, I am amazed they are sometimes described as fair-weather supporters,'' Gale said last night.

''They have stuck fat. Let's be honest, we haven't dished up a lot of high-quality football the last few years. We finished 15th last year, of course. It's a testament to their loyalty and love and affection for their football club.

''It's also an endorsement of the direction we are taking at this footy club, on the journey we are on. I think people really believe, our coaching group, our young players, in what we are doing on the field, not taking any short-term decisions.''

In the past fortnight, the Tigers have enjoyed home record attendances for matches against the Brisbane Lions (37,438) and Fremantle Dockers (34,090).

The Fighting Tiger Fund, revealed in March to help wipe out the club's debt and properly fund the football department, has already reaped $2.5 million. The Tigers hope to raise $6 million.

''We know where we want to take this footy club. To get there, we really have to improve our financial performance significantly, take a quantum leap forward, hence the Fighting Tiger Fund,'' Gale said.

''We have about $2.5 million but it's a 12-month program and we have a number of initiatives rolled out for the remainder of the year and into next year.''

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/fans-flock-to-join-the-fighting-tigers-20110509-1eft0.html#ixzz1Ls1rHlQc

[Oiafi]

''Our supporters, I am amazed they are sometimes described as fair-weather supporters,'' Gale said last night.

''They have stuck fat. Let's be honest, we haven't dished up a lot of high-quality football the last few years. We finished 15th last year, of course. It's a testament to their loyalty and love and affection for their football club.

Thank you Benny. At last someone has stated the bleeding obvious. I'd like to see the state of other teams membership if they had our last 30 years. This includes bloody Collingwood.

[Penelope]

spot on Oiafi. Every team has band wagoners but not many sides would have survived 30 years of crap we have been dished up.

[Francois Jackson]

spot on Oiafi. Every team has band wagoners but not many sides would have survived 30 years of crap we have been dished up.

correct.

cant tell you how many times ive been asked in my life why do you bother getting a membership and even go to interstate games on your own etc etc

I'm not just saying this but i truly believe we have the best loyal supporters in the league and it will ring true when we start making regular finals.

I think we have the equal to collingwood supporters if you ask me. How else can you explain we have 50k without making a single final in 30 years.

[WilliamPowell]

I think we have the equal to collingwood supporters if you ask me. How else can you explain we have 50k without making a single final in 30 years.

Have you forgotten 1995 & 2001 already daniel, let's not make it worse than it already is   

But on a technicality you are correct we haven't made a single final in 30 years we've played multiply in those 2 years (3 each time IIRC) 

[wayne]

spot on Oiafi. Every team has band wagoners but not many sides would have survived 30 years of crap we have been dished up.

I got a guy here at work that is mad St. Kilda, goes to every game.... until the last few weeks. He's already jumped off the Sainters!

[Penelope]

 
 

[Francois Jackson]

I think we have the equal to collingwood supporters if you ask me. How else can you explain we have 50k without making a single final in 30 years.

Have you forgotten 1995 & 2001 already daniel, let's not make it worse than it already is   

But on a technicality you are correct we haven't made a single final in 30 years we've played multiply in those 2 years (3 each time IIRC) 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. good pick up. Typing too fast dont even think.

Remember those finals like it was yesterday.

[dizza]

just wait until we're a top 4 side and the bandwagoners come out of the woodwork... we'll be recording 50,000 crowds against teams like Freo!

[Dubstep Dookie]

spot on Oiafi. Every team has band wagoners but not many sides would have survived 30 years of crap we have been dished up.

I got a guy here at work that is mad St. Kilda, goes to every game.... until the last few weeks. He's already jumped off the Sainters!

Gloryhunters are weak.

[gerkin greg]

Saints fans glory hunt in public toilets

[Penelope]

hunt glory holes more like it

[gerkin greg]

i too was inferring they suck random dick

[WA Tiger]

C'mon everyone, sign up if you havent, I actually signed a mate of mine up too, he doesn't even follow AFL..

[Dubstep Dookie]

i too was inferring they suck random dick

And this just in.....

In a recent saint social club questionnaire, saints members would like to see more '4 cheese' offerings on the Tapas menu