How to improve TSF/204 Depot for 2008

[wjarrettc]

Guys,

In the coming weeks, I'm going to be meeting with the RailHawks management and putting together the plans for the Triangle Soccer Fanatics / 204 Depot for next season. As many of you know, the 2007 season was pretty much a one-man show with me running all the website, backoffice, and gameday operations. Towards the end of the season, I started to get more and more volunteer help from others (which I really appreciated) and I hope to encourage even more of that in 2008.

I'm looking for feedback on how we can improve the club for next season. Don't feel shy about expressing ideas on what worked and didn't work in 2007. You're not going to hurt my feelings.

Were the membership fees worth it? Did you get good value for your money based on the benefits? What other benefits would you like to to see? Do you think we should focus on the W-League team too or just stick to the men's team? Who should we try to recruit more of (high schoolers, college age, thirtysomethings, latinos, etc.)? What would motivate you to become more involved in the leadership of the organization (free membership, other perks, etc.)? Should we do more roadtrips or non-matchday related activities?

Any and all feedback / discussion is welcome.

Jarrett
Founder, Triangle Soccer Fanatics

[thegreatcrab]

So here are my ideas, ranging from the sensible to some ridiculous.

Membership fees - I liked them just the way they were Jarrett. Any higher you may get fewer people paying. I still would though so you're good in that department.


Member benefits -
--I thought the initial package for joining was great. Perhaps instead of scarves we do t-shirts for the members this year?
--Ticket discounts are a must, especially if there is not a one membership = one ticket policy (because of the lack of that policy I brought new people every game almost)
--Try to get drink specials at the Hibernian (speaking for others here :D)

W-League
--Even the most hardcore of us get burned out of going to the park every week (I know I did for a bit in July last season). Seeing how the turnout for the U-23 team was never that great (although I wouldn't turn down tickets to that if you can get them again), I think we should focus on the men's team. BUT we shouldn't just ignore the women's team, we need to go out and support them on at least a few games as well.

Recruitment
-- Everyone from college age kids to the baby boomers. The baby-boomers got the money and the college age kids got the passion. (Not to knock high schoolers :D)

Involvement
-- If you ask for help Jarrett, I'm sure one of us will step up when needed.

Roadtrips
--I would love to have a big organized adventure to go down to Charleston again (get the match scheduled for a Saturday if at all possible). I would love to get 15+ people down for the game. If Richmond could do it for the Open Cup on short notice, we can sure as hell do it with advance planning.

Other ( chants and relating to the PA stuff)
--It has been mentioned before that we should sing "You'll never Walk(Fly) Alone" as one of our chants. Well maybe if we can get the PA to play the song at the end of the matches next season, and the depot sings the words to it, theres a chance it may catch on.

That or some other song like "Wonderwall" (and i remember that one was played down in Charleston while we were there) I think some English Championship club sings that.



Anyways I'm done, hope that helps a little bit Jarrett.

~Marc

[Taly]

Tell the front office to eliminate the canned music - even though it will be very uncomfort for FO. But it adds soccer creditial.

Use Youtube like the Timbers Army, Section 8, Screaming Eagles, and more. I drive 2 hrs to Timbers games, because I was sold from watching them on youtube. I even know the songs, because I watch the clips many times.

Promote 204 Depot like a local band. Pass out flyers at your targeted demographic such as various local sports games and sports bar. This is a good time to use your cheerleaders.

Seek out any newspaper, radio program, and tv outlet and have them interview you or another member or do a report on 204 Depot. Don't forget to go for the high school and college newspapers and radio programs.

This is when you need positions for the members to fulfill, so you won't burnt out.

Hope this helps!:)