Membership department rang out of the blue today...answered every question I had without hesitation. Excellent customer service.

Ok...they aren't accepting payment in cryptocurrency (yet), but sometimes all they have to do is call. Knowing their shit helps. I signed up on the spot.

If that level of quality service is now the norm and it's coupled with a reasonably exciting brand of footy - then adding 20,000 on top of what is already there should be very attainable.

I wonder what effort the club has made to 'reconnect' with those that haven't renewed, not just this year but over the last few years. There has to be plenty out there.

not much based on my experience.

plenty of mates have fallen off in the last 5 years+ and they have not been contacted. most were members since early 90's prior to that.

The disconnection between the Blues and many of their fans is a slow-burn problem with historic roots.

Richmond can be likened to the Chicago Cubs, in that belonging to the tribe supersedes winning. The supporter is central to the club identity. The same applies, to a lesser extent, to Collingwood, who are defined by an up-against-them psychology and treat victory like a form of revenge against everyone.

The Carlton tribe, by contrast, was long wedded to the notion that the Blues are ruthless winners, who will achieve success, by hook or by crook; that they will not tolerate defeat for long. Unfortunately, many supporters won't tolerate defeat for long either.

Further, there's an argument that Carlton has been a top-down, rather than a bottom-up club. The long shadow cast by billionaires and other benefactors – Richard Pratt, John Elliott, Bruce Mathieson – might have led fans to think that their financial support is less crucial.

When they found themselves in times of trouble, Carlton's first instinct has been to turn to benefactors (see Pratt in 2007). The Blues have never suffered the indignity of rattling tins. Maybe they'd be better placed if they had, instead of passing the hat around Raheen.

New CEO Liddle ran the membership program at Tigerland and has seen how the Tigers connect with their people, how they manage members via the digital space – Richmond's are also the most digitally engaged, according to AFL research.

Liddle's priority must to be find a way to energise the base, without relying on winning games. He must find and foster a new kind of Carlton supporter: the patriotic member.

I find it quite odd. You'd think they'd be exactly who you'd target.

Even if they don't re sign you'd at least have a clear guide as to what the issues might be and be able to better manage things moving forward

I find it quite odd. You'd think they'd be exactly who you'd target.

Even if they don't re sign you'd at least have a clear guide as to what the issues might be and be able to better manage things moving forward

The lone Essendon** supporting kid in the family also lost interest a few years ago and he still gets a couple of emails each year with club updates and membership offers.

Myself and my daughter got our membership packs but my husband and the cat (lol) are still waiting. We all signed up or renewed at the same time.
Anyone else still waiting?