I can't imagine where other supporters clubs in leagues around the world would be without their annual Supporters Summit shindig.
Footix, In terms of the summit I can only speak relative to the Midnight Riders. One of the key issues raised last year involved in-stadium issues such as treatment by stadium security, and how we can better work with clubs to foster a relationship where we can show our support without being harassed by less passionate/proactive fans. We also raised our concerns over changes in the Revolution front office that would result in far less "soccer people" involved in the decision-making process. The likes of Garber and others indicated in casual conversation that they'd relay our concerns and comments to the clubs. Fast-forward to further in the off-season and the Riders are approached by the Revolution front office offering a club-recognized supporters section: one which is standing and general admission, they offered some new (and better) options for tailgating, also offering some ticketing incentives. This was the first time the Revs had ever extended themselves in such a way, let alone offering anything. A meeting was held with members of the Riders Board and club officials to discuss these and other issues. One season later and the Riders (and other fans and fan groups) enjoy: * Club-recognized supporters section that's both general admission and standing. * Consistent and effective enforcement of policies specific to this section. * Much improved treatment by stadium security both inside and outside in the parking lots. * Increased club recognition through links on the official club website as well as promotion of supporters club events. * In some instances discounts on tickets. * A tailgating location that's only available to supporters club members, its location being barely 100 feet from the main gate at the North End-zone. ... all this after years of unscuessful requests for much of what was offered without asking. The Revolution didn't do that all on their own... not out of the blue like this. A good number of us believe part of the club's efforts stemmed from feedback provided through the summit and the league. Now granted, we don't know this for certain - we'd have to ask the club directly if this was the case, but I doubt they'd tip their hand like that. That being said, relationships between supporters clubs and their host clubs have improved in any number of ways over the last couple of years, some of which seem rather standardized. How could Metro benefit? Well, if you don't participate, I can't tell you. The Magpie
I never been at a summit like that and would gladly attend if i had the money for the trip and time on my hand. Magpie you seem to be a strong beliver in this, i like your determination. good for you.
Why didn't you go straight to the Rev management to talk about all this? Or did you - and they stonewalled you? In that case, yes, then maybe you finally have to go over their heads to Garber. For our part, we have a meeting between Metro management and supporters club heads every winter to hash out these details. It isn't a perfect relationship by any stretch, but it's already in place. We handle this for ourselves, and in my mind that's the way it should be - because every supporters club has a different feel, different goals, a different relationship with its team, and a different stadium situation. I can't imagine anyone wants to waste a morning listening to us carp futilely at Don Garber about plastic horns in Giants Stadium, any more than I want to waste a morning listening to some guy from Colorado or San Jose going on about some such issue, either.
Magpie-- I appreciate your response, and I think it's cool you guys benefitted from the gatherings. Still, it looks to me that there's not a hell of a lot we could gain from it. Like Michael K stated, we've got most of this kind of stuff in place, based on the hard work of some of the ESC O.G.'s like Kevin & Ron hammering the front office guys until they understood where we were coming from. Most ESC issues are internal at this point (i.e. growing membership, etc.) and the whole MPF debacle proves that Metro front office is incapable of their own marketing, let alone helping with ours. If it helps out the Great Gazoo from the Green Goblins or whatever they are in Colorado and the other fanaticos around the league, excellent. But it really felt like more of a casual hang and a quilting bee/bitching session for most other supporters groups than a down & dirty meeting to accomplish goals. Again--my opinion only--not ESC's. Also, if you are Metro and are going to L.A. and want to go, please do. Don't let my opinion get in the way of seeing what goes on. Hopefully things will have changed.
Maybe what the ESC should do is have a "Supporters Summit Committee" that go and represent the ESC every year. The people in the committee can change but have a group that will go to the meetings and bring back ideas and give ideas. This way we will be represented and not seem like we don't care. Just something to think about.
Seriously, what does it matter whether we seem to care or not? Why do something just because everybody else does? MonmouthMetroFan, would you like to volunteer to head a "Supporters Summit Committee" ? Let any ESC honcho know, I'm sure your help would be appreciated.
I say we all take up a collection and send NYR Metro. To me, this boils down to money, or more specifically to value. If it were in NYC we'd go, or send someone. If it were in DC or NE, likely one of us would be going anyway so maybe we'd go (ESC has been to DC), maybe we wouldn't (didn't go last year). All the way in LA is another story completely, as it requires someone to plunk down cash on an airline ticket, hotel room, rental car and food/drink stuff for those 2/3 days. So, here's the issue. Does the club pay for it? Not really fair to the members, and they aren't realizing much of a benefit. They'd likely rather that cash be used to throw them a party, a free tailgate or subsidize a bus trip. Does a person pay for it? Well, if he has the time and money on hand, but again what is he/the club getting for that money? You/someone would have to convince the club/person that there is value in going. That spending $ 500 - $ 750 bucks is money well spent to get something back for the club. If the Riders were able to get those concessions just by going/hosting last year, cool. Can you tell us that the ESC would benefit $ 500- $ 750 worth if we went? I think that's a hard sell.
On a personal level, I know some of the people who would be attending and would not mind seeing some of them. That said, I no longer represent the ESC and I do not intend to travel to LA unless Metro are playing and I am able to pull it off during a very busy time in my professional and personal lives. On an ESC level, I do not honestly think that much was accomplished at any of the Summits I attended, with the exception of a guy from LA and a guy from Miami hoping to use the events as a way to have themselves made the head of some sort of national supporters alliance with no real mandate or mission. In terms of Garber and the rest of the folks being "surprised" that the ESC has not gone for the last year or two, I find it equally surprising that this thing continues to be an attraction. In reality, it is a social event and would be best served by being such. I find little need for the afternoon portion of this thing as long as there is some sort of party at a bar for everyone in the evening. My personal opinion. Your results may vary.
Seriously, I've been to a couple (none since '98) and what's been said here is absolutely right: 1. It doesn't accomplish anything concrete and I have never gotten a damn thing out of it, except to have Doogie Logan get defensive at me in '98 when I suggested that maybe various teams in MLS were "more equal" than others. 2. What it allegedly is supposed to accomplish can be accomplished much more effectively by the individual groups' getting together with the respective front offices. Whatever the Burn does that could be construed as supporter-friendly is because of what The Inferno and other Burn supporters groups have proactively done over the years, not because of what some DC jackass might have said or done at one of these shindigs. 3. It suggests that all fanshave common concerns, when that's not really the case. After all, Metros fans might care a lot more about away fans' sections because there are two other teams within 200 miles. The closest rival team to Dallas is 500 miles to the north, so what do I care? 4. It presumes that in the area of supporter relations, individual front offices are beholden to what the league overlords said, when that's not case. Complaining at Don Garber about this or that isn't nearly as effective as complaining to someone down at the Burn front office. 5. It's very presumptuous in that it presents itself as "The Voice of the Supporters." Bullcrap. You know what the voice of the supporters is? Soccer bulletin board posts, for one. If Don Garber or Nick Sackiewicz or Greg Elliott or Peter Wilt or whoever wants to know what the peeps think, they just gotta log on to BigSoccer and snoop around for an hour or so. They don't have to go to the annual Star Trek convention. 6. Frankly, I don't go for this whole "unity of American soccer fans" bullcrap. Outside of USA matches, of course. Now, if somebody wanted to have a "supporters' convention" at a local bar or pub and have it essentially be one big booze-up, then great. I'm down with that. Swapping war stories and learning each other's songs with other fans over cold ones? That's great. I had a great time in '99 in Boston doing that. But the current convention? Nah. Forget it. It pretty much hit me what a waste of time they are when I came to the one in Boston in '99 right as it was letting out, bought a TSAB, and realized that it was the most interesting thing that I've ever done at a Supporters Summit.
Why Go? Why go? How about to have fun and hang out with others who love the game. All the political stuff is not necessarily the only reason to go. I think having access to the league and other fans helps make for consensus about what the real problems are. Being able to at least shout at the league officials is better than typing away into the abyss never know if you have truly been heard or not. Did I mention the possibility to actually meet other fans, maybe make some friends, get drunk, have a riot or two? The whole "what's the reason to go" arguments sounds like a bunch of b*tching about going to the school pep rally for the chess club. The MLS could be messing up, but how are they to know, if they aren't put on the spot. Personally, I would go to have fun and meet other fans. Also, don' t forget there are a couple of fires going on that would provide for outdoor bbq's and sing alongs. If I lived in a city that had an a-league or MLS, I see the benefits to help establish real ties outside of the home offices. A real supporters club would assist in booking tickets way in advance, setting up the hotel arrangements, work to make the trip to MLS final the culmination of the season. The doors might open and calls might be answered faster if there was a consistent presence at this event. The event itself will be improved and become more important as the years go by. Every supporters club should begin working immediately to attend next year's event the day they get back home. Another reason to go is to see the Home Depot Center. Just seeing it would be enough for me to believe that there is hope for professional soccer in the U.S. Finally, go to have fun and let the rest work its way through the day.
I'm anxiously awaiting reports back from the Cabernet/Chardonnay Room. Or has the Summit gone into a special session?
Of course it was useful. Just look at the glamour shots: I wonder what it feels like to date a real-life girl...
The Frodo vs Gandalf discussion was rather riveting. The Wizard delegation was obviously pro-Gandalf, and the Rev fans were on the hobbit's side. And don't get me started on how the first two movies was snubbed by the Oscars! Here's hoping the Academy will see the third installment in all the glory it deserves. Great fun was had by all.