I'm no fan of Eddie McGuire, but he understands what it's like to be an everyday Collingwood supporter and how to make them feel part of the club's success.

I can't say the same for anyone at Carlton.

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"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

I'm not Dane. But to give them credit where it's due - they do send out membership forms for previous years' members!



Hmmm...how many times do you think I should do this? More than twice? I did it twice. I've since unsubscribed.

I can't recall ever feeling a part of the club in my time as a member (currently in my 24th consecutive year). I'm not sure why people would think that this would change now. Of course things could be a hell of alot better, from the ground up, but to suggest that other clubs are miles ahead of us on this is laughable. Only the gullible supporters of those clubs would seriously think that being a member makes you a part of the club.

The main thing they have over us is better membership packs and admin departments that are actually organised and employ professionals to manage them.

I haven't been in our shop for quite a few years, but I always felt not welcomed walking in when the opposite should be the case. Are they still staffed by volunteers?

Family day coming up, tempted to take my daughter for the first time, can't see it being worth the effort though.

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

Perception is reality. Collingwood members may not actually be more a part of their 'team' than Carlton members are (I have no idea) but they're certainly made to feel like they are.




Which is pathetic when you're talking about a multi-million dollar enterprise.




I was in the shop a few weeks ago and the person on staff was pleasant and asked if we needed help. One of the kids got a latte instead of a hot chocolate from the cafe, but that was remedied with an apology and a free brownie so she was pretty happy.

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"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

The point would be for the Club to increase their presence on boards such as this, to increase their connection to the club, and persuade more posters to become members.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Maybe it's the Essendon* prick who owns/runs the café's way of getting back at us. (Assuming he still does)

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

As someone who has to put their hand into their pocket should the club be wound up, and someone who the club relies on for support including financial, why shouldn't a member feel they're part of the club? I think Doc Sherrin says it best about the dividend the club should be returning to the "stakeholders", on and off-field.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Seems like you have misunderstood my point - as usual.

You do realise that I am not defending the performance of our club at all?? Don't you?

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

I have been a member since 1980, last 13 of which have been as a premium family member.

This year was the first year I seriously contemplated giving it away. I know a quite few Carlton members who are mates, who also felt the same.

I have relayed my thoughts to the club but as has already been said they simply did not care.

Perhaps there are more disillusioned Carlton people out there than some of you think.

For the record I kept the family membership but the extra memberships I buy each year and the yearly contribution to fund raisers will be used elsewhere.

Fair bit then.



So you haven't been to the new facility? They're all paid employees. Actually there's one girl in there (and I should know her name but it escapes me) whose retail customer service is outstanding. She's a definite keeper for that place. Always pleasant, courteous, helpful and smiling. It's overpriced, but I think their shop margins have to be set that way.

Maybe I'm just thick, kk. But I think I can be forgiven for taking your words on the screen at face value.

Explain to me what it is you mean, then, please.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

You're not thick, perhaps I just didn't articulate my thoughts well.

Just trying to say that being a member of a football club has never really entitled us to much, you used to get semi good value for money if you attended all games, now it's really not worth it if you look at it from a value angle. The club has never really made you feel involved (although the pleasant sunday mornings were ok) and as the sport has grown the gap between football clubs and their members has grown.

Perhaps they will actually read the results of their surveys one day, we all have many ideas that would improve things - and that's without even trying. Pretty sad that even at our home games the game day 'host' isn't even a Carlton person. Get players to randomly ring people that haven't renewed memberships or even get them on the phones to briefly thank people who have.

I think it's time for someone with the skills to develop a 'fanzine' such as at football (soccer) games. Give some voice to the typical supporters, getting the members magazine intermittently is pretty ordinary also, I seem to end up with mine long after the articles are relevant.

Um, where was I? I don't know anymore, but someone mentioned the 'ticket holder' phrase earlier, I'd be all for becoming a season ticket holder if it represented value for money. At least then I won't have any expectations.

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

I agree entirely. (And I'm not so sure that I'm not thick, too...)

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Not sure necessarily this is a new issue

During the Collins/smorgon regime I did a lot of pro bono work for the club when it was down on its knees and collins/smorgon/malouf were very appreciative at the time because simply the club didnt have the resources to pay nor did I want them to pay- come the pratt/swann regime never heard from the club again

Didnt want a big fanfare and havent disclosed this in here before but if I hadnt been enamoured with the club and in some small way felt some satisfaction with helping it to survive in those dark years I would have simply walked away

Franky, would like a powerful, financial well run club (Pratt years) or a basket case begging on the corners of the street (Collins years)? Love your passion and commitment but I know which I would rather support.

someone very powerful at the Carlton club with quite abit of money once told the story about the hardship he had as a kid.. and how he lost his dad.... (?).. people disappeared and only reappeared when he made it big...
He said thanks but no thanks
You need people when youre down .. everyones a friend when youre up.

Im not sure what our point is.. but Pratt wasnt helping out when the club got stung for a million dollars .. and lost draft picks.. and the cupboard was opened after Elliott.. but was bare!!

The Emperor had no clothes on

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Maybe The Emporer didnt want to support a club who had just shafted his mate

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

...and now a dead man's family, a multi-millionaire living on the Gold Coast and the AFL control the club. No wonder they don't want to give you good people a vote.

Maybe the Emperor could have given money to his mate to stop him from running the club into the ground if it really was his mate?
Also.. the Emperor was Elliot and the club.
Also the current Emperor(Sticks) was around to be part of a rotting Empire and he is still there.
everyones best friend.

Personally tying this thread with the flag thread.

I doubt youll see a flag unless a hell of a lot of things are excelled at. Not just be ok in most of them.

there are a few people on the board that are giving themselves two years (in other words whilst Judd is at his peak) to win a flag or they will step down.
They obviously cant play footy .. so the next best thing is to be on that board when we win a flag....Not sure what theyre contributing though.
There is a sense of we finish 8th .. 7th... 5th... prelim..gf... flag...

Like the world will stop still while were taking out baby steps till we win it..


Hell of alot of people riding on the Juddy factor...

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Influence of the Smorgons wouldn't have helped.

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?