[Caleb18]

Hey everyone. It's been a while since I've been on Bigsoccer. The last match I attended was vs. Columbus on the 1st of August, and well...it sucked. The most interesting part of the match was watching the security try to oust the 6 crew fans (who were about as loud as our entire section) from 100.

Does anyone else think it's time to get serious about getting a real, full supporter's section? I mean jesus even K. C. has a bigger one than us. KANSAS.


Granted, I have not been the best at attending matches this season, I'll admit. However, there HAS to be a way to increase numbers in the supporter's section while at the same time appealing to the FO. ( I realize the FO plays a large part in snuffing out what you guys do with the Front Range/Centennial Firm.)

I, being an ad major at CU, came up with this idea with my buddy after that match. The mascots, Tee-shirt throw outs, etc...... all directed at kids. Rapids matches should be denver's PARTY every Saturday. The FO should be reaching out to the 21-30 crowd. There are thousands of adult Coloradans that play soccer regularly. (and enjoy drinking)

Why wouldn't the FO offer cheap tickets, ala rockpile, to people who want to drink and join the supporters? I think a rapids game would be a hellova lot more appealing if I could go stand in the supporter's section for $5 and get some cheap beers.

More tickets sold. More alcohol sold. Better game atmosphere.

There is so much potential in the Colorado soccer community to make a real lively supporters section for the rapids. Is the FO really that opposed to it?

and finally, props to all of you that are currently in the Firm. you guys do wonders with the small numbers you have, and major major kudos to you. This is not to knock you guys. This is to add to your numbers

-C

[chilistrider]

Anybody want to borrow my ten-foot pole on this one? Because I don't think I'm gonna touch it, haha!

[GreatZar]

Originally Posted by Caleb18

...Does anyone else think it's time to get serious about getting a real, full supporter's section? I mean jesus even K. C. has a bigger one than us. KANSAS.

No shvte! It would be awesome to have 100+ for every match. You'd make a much better GM than Plush with your ticket/booze idea. But that's just me. Get a few of your buddies to join you/us regularly. The bugger we get the stronger the voice...

Hail to the Rapids...

[jimmyco]

I'm more curious as to who invited the Crew fans into the home supporter's section. Yes, "invited" is the word I've heard bandied about.

[Quinn 33]

As the head of the C-Firm I can tell you right off the bat that it's a lot easier said than done.

Our biggest priority in the last year was to get a stabilized and secure environment in the section so that we then could focus more on growth. I've tried to work out most of the politics with the FO and DSGP staff. We're at the point now where we simply need to recruit more people.

Send me a PM if you are interested in getting more involved Caleb, we'd love to have you.

[Jasonma]

Originally Posted by chilistrider

Anybody want to borrow my ten-foot pole on this one? Because I don't think I'm gonna touch it, haha!

I'm breaking out my 20 foot pole on this one...

[captaincbus]

I come in peace...

Originally Posted by jimmyco

I'm more curious as to who invited the Crew fans into the home supporter's section. Yes, "invited" is the word I've heard bandied about.

I was one of the Crew fans at that match. We were not so much "invited" into your section, it was more like "directed" there. It's a long story, but it ends with an usher in 135 telling us to go join you guys in 100.

Originally Posted by Caleb18

The mascots, Tee-shirt throw outs, etc...... all directed at kids. Rapids matches should be denver's PARTY every Saturday. The FO should be reaching out to the 21-30 crowd. There are thousands of adult Coloradans that play soccer regularly. (and enjoy drinking)

About this: After my friends and I were removed from 100, and everything was sorted out (and we were all bought beers by a member of the Rapids FO), we stood around and chatted with a lady from your FO, I think she was in sales. At one point the topic turned to the Columbus supporters groups and our average attendance. When we told her that we average 2,00-4,000 in our section, she wanted to know how we got to that number. We explained that there are a few factors, but the biggest one is the fact that we (the SG's) market to 18-30 years olds, and that the team helps us with discount tickets.

She seemed surprised, and kind of stammered around the subject. Maybe if you guys, as fans, could get the team to sell you tickets at a discount, and then re-sell them yourself, you'd increase your numbers. I know that most SG's around the league do it this way, and I think that would help a lot with your attendance as well.

A side benefit is that you get to keep the profit from the tix sold for your SG fund—that's how we pay for a lot of our away game bus-trips.

You guys have a great thing going out there in Denver, and it seems as though the only thing thats missing is getting the front office on board. All of your fans are wicked nice, and extremely passionate. Once you can get them on your side you'll explode.

[ringshot]

Originally Posted by jimmyco

I'm more curious as to who invited the Crew fans into the home supporter's section. Yes, "invited" is the word I've heard bandied about.

Well, I invited the Crew fans who were at the tailgate to come over to 101 during the game for some friendly banter (read: dueling chants). I don't know where the "painted" group came from.

I thought it was all going pretty well with the "painted" group, we actually had something to motivate our chanting. Then the other group came over (apparently at security's request?) and all hell broke loose! But not the kind you would think...

I guess the moved group was blocking some season tix holders view and/or they were being too loud (really?) and the tix holders complained to security. Once they got involved some of our group came in to defend the Crew fans and the usual degredation of logic ensued.

That was my view of it, please chime in if I'm wrong about anything.

So sue me for thinking we could have an energetic, good-natured, motivating rivalry with well-meaning visiting fans. I'll be sure to shun them in the future.

G'Day...Ron

[GoRapids]

Originally Posted by Caleb18

Hey everyone. It's been a while since I've been on Bigsoccer. The last match I attended was vs. Columbus on the 1st of August, and well...it sucked. The most interesting part of the match was watching the security try to oust the 6 crew fans (who were about as loud as our entire section) from 100.

Does anyone else think it's time to get serious about getting a real, full supporter's section? I mean jesus even K. C. has a bigger one than us. KANSAS.


Granted, I have not been the best at attending matches this season, I'll admit. However, there HAS to be a way to increase numbers in the supporter's section while at the same time appealing to the FO. ( I realize the FO plays a large part in snuffing out what you guys do with the Front Range/Centennial Firm.)

I, being an ad major at CU, came up with this idea with my buddy after that match. The mascots, Tee-shirt throw outs, etc...... all directed at kids. Rapids matches should be denver's PARTY every Saturday. The FO should be reaching out to the 21-30 crowd. There are thousands of adult Coloradans that play soccer regularly. (and enjoy drinking)

Why wouldn't the FO offer cheap tickets, ala rockpile, to people who want to drink and join the supporters? I think a rapids game would be a hellova lot more appealing if I could go stand in the supporter's section for $5 and get some cheap beers.

More tickets sold. More alcohol sold. Better game atmosphere.

There is so much potential in the Colorado soccer community to make a real lively supporters section for the rapids. Is the FO really that opposed to it?

and finally, props to all of you that are currently in the Firm. you guys do wonders with the small numbers you have, and major major kudos to you. This is not to knock you guys. This is to add to your numbers

-C

Caleb - don't let the sour pusses on BS detract you - it's all great ideas!

And here's the best part - it's all already in place!

For cheap tickets - we get a discount to section 100 - visit http://NoFanAlone.com and click on C-Firm tickets link. $10 - tuff to beat that!

And before every game - we host a tailgate in the VIP lot - and guess what - we got BEER!!! Not only that but we also provide hot dogs/soda and everyone brings food to share.

So everything you're looking for - we the supporters have already gotten into place.

The RFO has worked with us ... but we can't overcome the fact that their main customer is the "family atmosphere" target. And they won't change until they see us growing and growing - which we are.

Section 100 has over 50 official CFirm members.
Section 108 - which is a bunch of supporters that don't want to stand all game - is about 200 strong.

But it's not enough.

So the real issue is this:
1. How do we get more people to join up with the CFirm in section 100? Until we can show the RFO we're 300 strong - we're still nothing much to them (and there's another group that splittered off too - which fragments numbers)

2. How do we get people to stop waiting for the atmosphere to change - and get changing the atmosphere.

I've put calls out to people to help recruit - but our only real active member is in Florida (coming back soon!) Maybe you're the guy to help?

Get involved - email us - join@nofanalone.com - we'll give you all the info!!!

Supporters are 100% self run - we need people to get going!

[Caleb18]

Originally Posted by GoRapids

Caleb - don't let the sour pusses on BS detract you - it's all great ideas!

Thank you I know the management has been hard to work with as far as creating the atmosphere. all we need to do is get some proper marketing into their heads, so they can see the benefit of having an audience that is not the "family" crowd. I am working up some devious ideas to do just that.