Canteen Worker
First Grader
No doubt this will stir up some controversy (and I don't want to go down the old path of sledging the Rockers etc)
However I certainly noticed the presence of the Red and White Army at the semi on Fri certainly and the impact they had on the proceedings.
There were many thousands of them together, they had banners, flags, the big red V jersey and many chants and songs. They were unified and coordinated.
Manly was also well represented in number and at times the Red and White supporters could hear us loud and clear. (A few friends in there told me.) However when the game was in the balance their supporters revved them up. Matabele and Wheel (at 12 nil down) tried to get the Manly supporters in our Bay going and basically there wasn't much of a response.
It has me thinking that it is time that a unfied, inclusive and coherent supporters group was formed under the auspices of the Manly club. (I don't call Silvertails or White Stripe Supporters such group as basically they are forums. - I do think though that they are good for the club, rather than competing with the MSE website but that is another story). I also know that Fan groups are not everyone's cup of tea but support for clubs is very tribal and social. My main point is that Manly needs to do better.
Sadly (in my opinion) the Rockers, despite good intentions, have polarised support, will only approve certainly fans join who fit their definition of 'True Supporter', have alienated some fans and only attract a small number of Manly tragics. Many of the people there are lovely (though I don't know many) but others seem to use it as their elite little clique and want to control their own agenda - which they mistakenly believe is thier version of Truth, Justice and the Manly way.
However it is time that the Rockers (who obviously flew the flag in the merger dark years) moved out in to the mainstream, put aside some of the past crap (maybe unfairly diriected at them in the past) and merge into a broader and bigger fan base. Leadership and some savvy are needed also as it is more than willingness to be involved and loyalty that will generate and maintain an eclectic bunch of fans in one big cohesive supporter group.
Whatever happens, and whether generated by club or not the situation at present where certain supporters can't even join or visit their website (due to some paranoia maybe) must change. I know membership is a big issue for the club - a more cohesive supporter group could help) but how good would it be to have 30 or 40 signs, many more flags and a bunch of 5000 supporters geeing up the side at grounds all around Sydney, especially when under the hammer like last weekend.
I would be interested in response from the reflective and thoughtful posters on the various websites. Please don't turn this into a bashing exercise but offer some constructive and coherent response. Surely it is time for the old garbage to be put aside and for Manly supporters to band together!!!
(This post may be perceived as undue criticism and I would post it on the Rockers website as well except that I was deleted from there long ago, possibly due to my association with the Silvertails website.)
However I certainly noticed the presence of the Red and White Army at the semi on Fri certainly and the impact they had on the proceedings.
There were many thousands of them together, they had banners, flags, the big red V jersey and many chants and songs. They were unified and coordinated.
Manly was also well represented in number and at times the Red and White supporters could hear us loud and clear. (A few friends in there told me.) However when the game was in the balance their supporters revved them up. Matabele and Wheel (at 12 nil down) tried to get the Manly supporters in our Bay going and basically there wasn't much of a response.
It has me thinking that it is time that a unfied, inclusive and coherent supporters group was formed under the auspices of the Manly club. (I don't call Silvertails or White Stripe Supporters such group as basically they are forums. - I do think though that they are good for the club, rather than competing with the MSE website but that is another story). I also know that Fan groups are not everyone's cup of tea but support for clubs is very tribal and social. My main point is that Manly needs to do better.
Sadly (in my opinion) the Rockers, despite good intentions, have polarised support, will only approve certainly fans join who fit their definition of 'True Supporter', have alienated some fans and only attract a small number of Manly tragics. Many of the people there are lovely (though I don't know many) but others seem to use it as their elite little clique and want to control their own agenda - which they mistakenly believe is thier version of Truth, Justice and the Manly way.
However it is time that the Rockers (who obviously flew the flag in the merger dark years) moved out in to the mainstream, put aside some of the past crap (maybe unfairly diriected at them in the past) and merge into a broader and bigger fan base. Leadership and some savvy are needed also as it is more than willingness to be involved and loyalty that will generate and maintain an eclectic bunch of fans in one big cohesive supporter group.
Whatever happens, and whether generated by club or not the situation at present where certain supporters can't even join or visit their website (due to some paranoia maybe) must change. I know membership is a big issue for the club - a more cohesive supporter group could help) but how good would it be to have 30 or 40 signs, many more flags and a bunch of 5000 supporters geeing up the side at grounds all around Sydney, especially when under the hammer like last weekend.
I would be interested in response from the reflective and thoughtful posters on the various websites. Please don't turn this into a bashing exercise but offer some constructive and coherent response. Surely it is time for the old garbage to be put aside and for Manly supporters to band together!!!
(This post may be perceived as undue criticism and I would post it on the Rockers website as well except that I was deleted from there long ago, possibly due to my association with the Silvertails website.)
