Unite on the Hill

[fish eel]

Well said Fishy. This thread took an interesting turn since I last read through...

No-one should have to - or feel like they have to - justify their attendance for each game. That's not what a fan army is all about imo. It's about organising a place, getting the word out effectively, and being happy with that and the experience created.

I think getting the away army together for next year - through the ideas already mentioned on the forum (like linking with the club, getting them to send a flier/email out with details to season ticket holders toward the start of next season, items on the club website, and in person hand outs at Parra Stadium home games) - will be an important step in growing the army and getting together firmer plans in place earlier in time for the season after that (2011).

The home army/bay etc is a different issue, and it seems the club has something plans wise ready to go with that, which can also be worked on and improved by people who are interested for future years.

So 2010 is looking good imo - baby steps, as we all keep reminding each other - and miraculously we're still alive for at least one more week this season, with nothing at all to lose! C'mon Eels, let's give 2009 our best shake!

I'm not attending this game as it has fallen on my mum's birthday, which to me is more important occasion than a game of football will ever be. Good luck to those braving the trip to Kogarah, and I'll look out for you on the screen when I catch the TV replay. :thum

Well, I'm not sure anyone was saying that, or atleast I didnt get that impression, rather, just a disappointment about the lack of different names/or number of people putting their hand up - a scenario I dont think would ever change on this forum as generally it would always be the regular posters posting to rally numbers.

Perhaps Ross Smart could be contacted and an email sent out encouraging all eels fans with GA tickets to sit together?

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

It seemed to work last time.

Back on topic - everyone should have to justify their attendance on Sunday.

If you weren't there to adore me, why the bloody hell not?

 

[bartman]

Well, I'm not sure anyone was saying that, or atleast I didnt get that impression, rather, just a disappointment about the lack of different names/or number of people putting their hand up

True, but people making statements of disappointment about a work in progress need to remain aware of how they may come across in written form. (A point that has probably been made more succinctly by others above than by me.)

So what if it's 15 people, and so what if they are the same faces...? Use it and the pre.post meets as a think tank to add to the ideas for wider promotion of the group that have already been volunteered by many on here, and work out a plan to put those ideas into action for next season.

 

[Suitman]

Thne best way to make it work is to reach out somehow beyond the forum walls, tbh, otherwise if meet ups are only organised in the scope of this forum, then generally it will always be the same names who 'rsvp' because those people are the active posters.....

Completely agree Fishy. Steps are already in place to make all this work in the long term, and with the help of the club, I'm confident that it will be a success.
I'm not niave enough to think that it is dependant within these four walls. That simply wouldn't work.
I took steps myself last week to let it be known to those concerned that there is a plan in place to get this up and running.

I don't expect miracles overnight. Never have, never will. I've seen too many failures in the past.
My disappointment was expressed for reasons previously mentioned.

Suity

 

[Nikki]

Hey Nikki, what is the name of this song? I heard a bit of it the other day and know it from somewhere but not sure where....

Not too sure of the name, that may be it. But I know Paul Kelly sings it. They have started using it in one of the Superannuation ads :roll:

 

[bartman]

The song is called "From Little Things, Big Things Grow". In it's full form it's about the history of Aboriginal Land Rights movement, a great Paul Kelly song btw.

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

I'm not niave enough to think that it is dependant within these four walls. That simply wouldn't work.

Most especially if you built those walls.

 

[Suitman]

Most especially if you built those walls.

Don't tell Tracey Grimshaw.

Suity

 

[Suitman]

True, but people making statements of disappointment about a work in progress need to remain aware of how they may come across in written form. (A point that has probably been made more succinctly by others above than by me.)

So what if it's 15 people, and so what if they are the same faces...? Use it and the pre.post meets as a think tank to add to the ideas for wider promotion of the group that have already been volunteered by many on here, and work out a plan to put those ideas into action for next season.

Bart, you know me well enough to be able to refer to me, rather than someone as a third person. I won't take offence.

And, I had one of those think tanks last Friday night, to do exactly what you suggested for next season.

Suity

 

[fish eel]

The song is called "From Little Things, Big Things Grow". In it's full form it's about the history of Aboriginal Land Rights movement, a great Paul Kelly song btw.

co-written by Kevin Carmody IIRC.

 

[bartman]

Yep. :thumn

One thing I didn't know at the time was that Paul Kelly was a co-writer of Yothu Yindi's "Treaty" as well.

 

[bartman]

Bart, you know me well enough to be able to refer to me, rather than someone as a third person. I won't take offence.

I know Suity. No offence intended either.

I just don't see the point in naming names and getting into personal debates in threads on here, when one generally worded point will often suffice - and be better reading for others at the same time.

And, I had one of those think tanks last Friday night, to do exactly what you suggested for next season.

Yep, I thought that's what you were going to do - how did it go? Reasons to be cheerful I hope, and not disappointed?

 

[Suitman]

Bart, you know me well enough to be able to refer to me, rather than someone as a third person. I won't take offence.

And, I had one of those think tanks last Friday night, to do exactly what you suggested for next season.

Suity

Furthermore, I also had an animated discussion attempting to further the rights of those who choose to stay in their beloved long time season ticket seats, to actually have a say in how this is all developed over time.
I defended those people vehemently.

Suity

 

[bartman]

Furthermore, I also had an animated discussion attempting to further the rights of those who choose to stay in their beloved long time season ticket seats, to actually have a say in how this is all developed over time.
I defended those people vehemently.

Suity

Sounds good Suit. I personally see the home and away armies as separate operations, with separate methods needed for success. I shouldn't think defence of our fan diversity re home STHs was needed, but I'm glad you provided that.

Maybe after the Eels season commitments are over (hopefully that's next month!), all of the army ideas can be collected in one thread/place, so that more people can help in whatever (sometimes small) ways that they can, and whatever their week-to-week seating intentions?

 

[Parra Guru]

I'm about to create a fb event. I'll invite as many Eels supporters as I can that are on my fb. I encourage you all to look it up and do the same!

 

[Suitman]

I know Suity. No offence intended either.

I just don't see the point in naming names and getting into personal debates in threads on here, when one generally worded point will often suffice - and be better reading for others at the same time.

I didn't name ANY names. It wasn't even pointed at anyone in particular. If PG hadn't have taken a wrongly suspected personal offence (and I'm f**ked if I know where that came from :?) there would have been a far more controlled discussion about this issue.
Am I disappointed at the response to this Sundays game? Damn straight I am.

Yep, I thought that's what you were going to do - how did it go? Reasons to be cheerful I hope, and not disappointed?

Any discussion is productive, whether I agree with it or not. Basically, that is what I was fighting for and that seemed to be the course that took the most time.
There is a history amongst fans from efforts to do this type of thing in the past, that needs to be let go.
Sure, there will always be personal clashes, but I'm going into this with the mindset that EVERYONE can add something. I mean everyone.
The fact that you, or Fishy for example, probably won't move to a North Terrace fans group due to personal reasons, is neither here nor there to me. If you both have something constructive to add, your voice will be as loud as anyone else's.
There was discussion about other things, like a website and such, which others from here have generously offered to host. That's a big step. Not so much for the website itself, but that there are people who are prepared to assist and give up their own time to provide such a facility. That in itself is hugely appreciated.
Finally, it was agreed that the best course of action is to work with the club on next years plans, and take it from there.

This will need the help of more than just a couple of fans. I have had a commitment from Paul Osborne himself, that the club is very keen to do what they can.

We can only take this further by productive and critical ongoing analysis and a co-operation from many people.

I still have faith.

Suity

 

[eelz47]

i am on the confetti again too

 

[bartman]

I didn't name ANY names. It wasn't even pointed at anyone in particular.

I didn't say you had... I was just explaining why I didn't want to bother with naming names, in answer to your post saying that I could.

Am I disappointed at the response to this Sundays game? Damn straight I am.

Fair enough, that's your opinion. As someone that was hoping for it to be a different time slot this weekend, I guess I'm not as disappointed at the response, because I can see the various issues stopping people gathering just this week. I don't think it will be a problem for regular season away games, following the ideas for communicating to the wider army voiced so far.

Any discussion is productive, whether I agree with it or not. Basically, that is what I was fighting for and that seemed to be the course that took the most time.
There is a history amongst fans from efforts to do this type of thing in the past, that needs to be let go.
Sure, there will always be personal clashes, but I'm going into this with the mindset that EVERYONE can add something. I mean everyone.

That's a great philosophy spelled out right there. I'm surprised there was resistance to those inclusive values in trying to set up this true all-welcome army, especially being aware of people's experiences from previous efforts toward something like this that didn't end up working out long term....

There was discussion about other things, like a website and such, which others from here have generously offered to host. That's a big step. Not so much for the website itself, but that there are people who are prepared to assist and give up their own time to provide such a facility. That in itself is hugely appreciated.
Finally, it was agreed that the best course of action is to work with the club on next years plans, and take it from there.

This will need the help of more than just a couple of fans. I have had a commitment from Paul Osborne himself, that the club is very keen to do what they can.

We can only take this further by productive and critical ongoing analysis and a co-operation from many people.

I still have faith.

Suity

Good summary, and all sounds positive from what you've said. :thumn

I wouldn't be too disappointed by this week's circumstances for ticketing and an army turnout, and remembering "baby steps" and achievable expectations and timeframes will help the army idea/s move at a pace that will build through next season (slowly if needed) but a pace that will enable it to last the distance beyond that.

Getting the values agreed, the relationships in place and support and help enlisted is a good first stage I reckon. There should be no reason not to have faith.

I'm about to create a fb event. I'll invite as many Eels supporters as I can that are on my fb. I encourage you all to look it up and do the same!

** Sorry, ignore comment. I thought you meant a fb event re next years armies... #-o

 

[Parra Guru]

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=164856625568&ref=nf#/event.php?eid=164856625568&ref=nf

 

[Suitman]

Thanks Bart.

A very decent and well considered reply.

Suity