1) Judging the number of actual fans from FB likes is never a good idea. Does the average home crowd of PFC outnumber that of East Bengal (with lesser FB likes) ? No. Anyone can like a FB page. I have liked HAL and Mohammedan SC's pages. I dont support either club. Just a simple question. If PFC's official page as 27k likes where do these fans go when PFC plays at home? I know ppl who go to every PFC match. They say that their figures have been dropping steadily in last 1.5 seasons.
2) PFC, Lajong and United Sikkim has "official" FB pages properly maintained by admins. PFC's FB page is the primary source of news, as if Lajongs. Their official sites take longer time to put up a news but FB pages are quicker. Obviously that means more people will follow these pages. All Mohun Bagan or East Bengal pages are ordinary user maintained pages.
3) Mohun Bagan is NOT named after sponsors but an actual place in North Kolkata. East Bengal is NOT named after sponsors but the name represents sentiment of people who set the club up.
Putting the name of a City in club's name does brighten the chance for getting more fans, if you are a new club. It didn't help Cochin FC much though. Or Mumbai FC. Or Bengal Mumbai Club.
Bottomline - if your club is properly advertised and promoted then it will get supporters. Irrespective of its name. Arsenal is one of the most popular clubs in the world. Juventus has largest fan base in Italy. None of the clubs are names after the city. Most clubs in London are named after streets or smaller areas. Same as Mohun Bagan.
Oh wow! Only two clubs in Kolkata actually get fans at the ground while not actually representing there city/state. But you know what... I will accept East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. At least when people talk about them it isn't Kingfisher East Bengal FC or McDowells Mohun Bagan. But what about the other teams like Dempo SC, Salgaocar SC, Churchill Brothers, Prayag United, Chirag, and HAL SC who barely get any fans and are also named after corporates.
1) Pre Mature celebration.
2) Dempo, Salgaocar probably have more fans than PFC just that they are not active on internet or facebook. The best way to judge actual fan base of a club is to judge by how many people come to watch them (barring some exceptional cases) and NOT how many people like a page in a social n/w site. A lot of supporters of Mohammedan SC are from working class and lower classes, who don't access FB. So if these fans dont like a page it means Mohammedan doesnt have supporters .
3) Prayag United don't have fans. They were in 5th division a decade back and have started the get success very recently. Besides it's difficult to build a fan base when fans of three big clubs are said to be "born" and not made. If a club has to create a fan base then it needs to perform for atleast 10-15 years. PU hasn't done that yet.
4) Office teams have an extremely lax mentality towards football, they do very little to promote their teams. No official website, no posters...ppl in Blore arent even aware of a team called HAL.
You simply cannot compare an official FB page of a club (PFC, US, SCG or Lajong) with basic fan run pages of other clubs.
My basic point is DONT judge the number of supporters by FB likes. It's like saying 800 ppl follow football in India because they are part of this forum.
1) Sorry about my premature celebration. I just came back from a match I played in earlier today (which I score twice in) + India U19 were winning so I was a bit to excited. I do see what you were saying though.
2) I did not explain myself clearly. You originally said that a club like PFC with 27,000 fans over East Bengal who have 23,000 fans docent mean anything from the actual attendance at the stadium and I agree with that but what about other clubs like HAL, Chirag, Air India, Prayag who don't have many fans at there grounds (and are lacking on social sites as well). I bet you if they changed names (examples: HAL to Bangalore City FC, Air India to Mumbai City FC, Chirag to Kochi FC) then I bet you the stands would be more filled up because the people will feel they have a connection with the team. Also I know you will comeback with the fact that Pune FC don't get any attendance because I bet you Pune FC would do better than say a team called "Ashok Piramal FC" (Ashok Pirmal is the owners of Pune FC). BUT I do agree with you about Mohun Bagan and East Bengal because they have a tradition that spreads back to the early 1900's.
And once again sorry for my celebration. I now know what Wyane Rooney felt after his celebration when he cursed on live TV. <!-- s:handgestures-thumbup: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/handgestures/thumbup.gif" alt=":handgestures-thumbup:" title="Thumb Up" /><!-- s:handgestures-thumbup: -->
1) Judging the number of actual fans from FB likes is never a good idea. Does the average home crowd of PFC outnumber that of East Bengal (with lesser FB likes) ? No. Anyone can like a FB page. I have liked HAL and Mohammedan SC's pages. I dont support either club. Just a simple question. If PFC's official page as 27k likes where do these fans go when PFC plays at home? I know ppl who go to every PFC match. They say that their figures have been dropping steadily in last 1.5 seasons.
2) PFC, Lajong and United Sikkim has "official" FB pages properly maintained by admins. PFC's FB page is the primary source of news, as if Lajongs. Their official sites take longer time to put up a news but FB pages are quicker. Obviously that means more people will follow these pages. All Mohun Bagan or East Bengal pages are ordinary user maintained pages.
3) Mohun Bagan is NOT named after sponsors but an actual place in North Kolkata. East Bengal is NOT named after sponsors but the name represents sentiment of people who set the club up.
Putting the name of a City in club's name does brighten the chance for getting more fans, if you are a new club. It didn't help Cochin FC much though. Or Mumbai FC. Or Bengal Mumbai Club.
Bottomline - if your club is properly advertised and promoted then it will get supporters. Irrespective of its name. Arsenal is one of the most popular clubs in the world. Juventus has largest fan base in Italy. None of the clubs are names after the city. Most clubs in London are named after streets or smaller areas. Same as Mohun Bagan.
agree with you...
1)
but its unfair to name Arsenal and Juventus.. Arsenal and Juventus are successful clubs with great history.. Also many pupil follow top european clubs...
Manchester united/Barcelona/Liverpool has fans all around world.. bcoz they are successful.. not bcoz of name or something.. same with Arsenal/Juventus... Of course, I agree for getting fans in Italy/England/ROW they need to promote well..
2)
Also I agree that PFC attendance dropping steadily.. but I feel below are main reasons...
a) 1st season, 3rd in the league table and in the recent one only 5th.. They might have higher expectations based on their 1st season performance..
b) May be looking for more quality
1) Judging the number of actual fans from FB likes is never a good idea. Does the average home crowd of PFC outnumber that of East Bengal (with lesser FB likes) ? No. Anyone can like a FB page. I have liked HAL and Mohammedan SC's pages. I dont support either club. Just a simple question. If PFC's official page as 27k likes where do these fans go when PFC plays at home? I know ppl who go to every PFC match. They say that their figures have been dropping steadily in last 1.5 seasons.
2) PFC, Lajong and United Sikkim has "official" FB pages properly maintained by admins. PFC's FB page is the primary source of news, as if Lajongs. Their official sites take longer time to put up a news but FB pages are quicker. Obviously that means more people will follow these pages. All Mohun Bagan or East Bengal pages are ordinary user maintained pages.
3) Mohun Bagan is NOT named after sponsors but an actual place in North Kolkata. East Bengal is NOT named after sponsors but the name represents sentiment of people who set the club up.
Putting the name of a City in club's name does brighten the chance for getting more fans, if you are a new club. It didn't help Cochin FC much though. Or Mumbai FC. Or Bengal Mumbai Club.
Bottomline - if your club is properly advertised and promoted then it will get supporters. Irrespective of its name. Arsenal is one of the most popular clubs in the world. Juventus has largest fan base in Italy. None of the clubs are names after the city. Most clubs in London are named after streets or smaller areas. Same as Mohun Bagan.
agree with you...
1)
but its unfair to name Arsenal and Juventus.. Arsenal and Juventus are successful clubs with great history.. Also many pupil follow top european clubs...
Manchester united/Barcelona/Liverpool has fans all around world.. bcoz they are successful.. not bcoz of name or something.. same with Arsenal/Juventus... Of course, I agree for getting fans in Italy/England/ROW they need to promote well..
2)
Also I agree that PFC attendance dropping steadily.. but I feel below are main reasons...
a) 1st season, 3rd in the league table and in the recent one only 5th.. They might have higher expectations based on their 1st season performance..
b) May be looking for more quality
Pune already has Jeje Lalpekhlua, Subrata Pal, and Lal Meloy! What else do the fans want.
I am just going to go with the explanation that Pune is an EPL and La Liga city. When I went there in 2010 and I was going to Punes match at the complex there was barely anyone there but as I left and I walked around town at around 9 pm the bars were flooded with EPL and La Liga fans. It was outrageous.
Oh wow! Only two clubs in Kolkata actually get fans at the ground while not actually representing there city/state. But you know what... I will accept East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. At least when people talk about them it isn't Kingfisher East Bengal FC or McDowells Mohun Bagan. But what about the other teams like Dempo SC, Salgaocar SC, Churchill Brothers, Prayag United, Chirag, and HAL SC who barely get any fans and are also named after corporates.
1) Pre Mature celebration.
2) Dempo, Salgaocar probably have more fans than PFC just that they are not active on internet or facebook. The best way to judge actual fan base of a club is to judge by how many people come to watch them (barring some exceptional cases) and NOT how many people like a page in a social n/w site. A lot of supporters of Mohammedan SC are from working class and lower classes, who don't access FB. So if these fans dont like a page it means Mohammedan doesnt have supporters .
3) Prayag United don't have fans. They were in 5th division a decade back and have started the get success very recently. Besides it's difficult to build a fan base when fans of three big clubs are said to be "born" and not made. If a club has to create a fan base then it needs to perform for atleast 10-15 years. PU hasn't done that yet.
4) Office teams have an extremely lax mentality towards football, they do very little to promote their teams. No official website, no posters...ppl in Blore arent even aware of a team called HAL.
You simply cannot compare an official FB page of a club (PFC, US, SCG or Lajong) with basic fan run pages of other clubs.
My basic point is DONT judge the number of supporters by FB likes. It's like saying 800 ppl follow football in India because they are part of this forum.
1) Sorry about my premature celebration. I just came back from a match I played in earlier today (which I score twice in) + India U19 were winning so I was a bit to excited. I do see what you were saying though.
2) I did not explain myself clearly. You originally said that a club like PFC with 27,000 fans over East Bengal who have 23,000 fans docent mean anything from the actual attendance at the stadium and I agree with that but what about other clubs like HAL, Chirag, Air India, Prayag who don't have many fans at there grounds (and are lacking on social sites as well). I bet you if they changed names (examples: HAL to Bangalore City FC, Air India to Mumbai City FC, Chirag to Kochi FC) then I bet you the stands would be more filled up because the people will feel they have a connection with the team. Also I know you will comeback with the fact that Pune FC don't get any attendance because I bet you Pune FC would do better than say a team called "Ashok Piramal FC" (Ashok Pirmal is the owners of Pune FC). BUT I do agree with you about Mohun Bagan and East Bengal because they have a tradition that spreads back to the early 1900's.
And once again sorry for my celebration. I now know what Wyane Rooney felt after his celebration when he cursed on live TV. <!-- s:handgestures-thumbup: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/handgestures/thumbup.gif" alt=":handgestures-thumbup:" title="Thumb Up" /><!-- s:handgestures-thumbup: -->
lol you dont have to say sorry so many times <!-- s:handgestures-thumbup: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/handgestures/thumbup.gif" alt=":handgestures-thumbup:" title="Thumb Up" /><!-- s:handgestures-thumbup: -->
I did say you have a better chance of getting more fans if you use a city's name in club name. However, in India you also need to promote the club properly. Mumbai FC has been around for a few years now, never getting relegated from I-League. Yet they don't have any fans.
1) Judging the number of actual fans from FB likes is never a good idea. Does the average home crowd of PFC outnumber that of East Bengal (with lesser FB likes) ? No. Anyone can like a FB page. I have liked HAL and Mohammedan SC's pages. I dont support either club. Just a simple question. If PFC's official page as 27k likes where do these fans go when PFC plays at home? I know ppl who go to every PFC match. They say that their figures have been dropping steadily in last 1.5 seasons.
2) PFC, Lajong and United Sikkim has "official" FB pages properly maintained by admins. PFC's FB page is the primary source of news, as if Lajongs. Their official sites take longer time to put up a news but FB pages are quicker. Obviously that means more people will follow these pages. All Mohun Bagan or East Bengal pages are ordinary user maintained pages.
3) Mohun Bagan is NOT named after sponsors but an actual place in North Kolkata. East Bengal is NOT named after sponsors but the name represents sentiment of people who set the club up.
Putting the name of a City in club's name does brighten the chance for getting more fans, if you are a new club. It didn't help Cochin FC much though. Or Mumbai FC. Or Bengal Mumbai Club.
Bottomline - if your club is properly advertised and promoted then it will get supporters. Irrespective of its name. Arsenal is one of the most popular clubs in the world. Juventus has largest fan base in Italy. None of the clubs are names after the city. Most clubs in London are named after streets or smaller areas. Same as Mohun Bagan.
agree with you...
1)
but its unfair to name Arsenal and Juventus.. Arsenal and Juventus are successful clubs with great history.. Also many pupil follow top european clubs...
Manchester united/Barcelona/Liverpool has fans all around world.. bcoz they are successful.. not bcoz of name or something.. same with Arsenal/Juventus... Of course, I agree for getting fans in Italy/England/ROW they need to promote well..
2)
Also I agree that PFC attendance dropping steadily.. but I feel below are main reasons...
a) 1st season, 3rd in the league table and in the recent one only 5th.. They might have higher expectations based on their 1st season performance..
b) May be looking for more quality
Pune already has Jeje Lalpekhlua, Subrata Pal, and Lal Meloy! What else do the fans want.
I am just going to go with the explanation that Pune is an EPL and La Liga city. When I went there in 2010 and I was going to Punes match at the complex there was barely anyone there but as I left and I walked around town at around 9 pm the bars were flooded with EPL and La Liga fans. It was outrageous.
PFC should get more fans based on their comeback spirit only. I lost count how many matches they came back to win/draw after trailing.
I think the main problem is their performance on their field don't match with the aggressive promotion done by their PR dept. A lot of my friends in Infy Pune became interested in the club due to the mails/ads they saw in and out of the Infy campus before PFC matches. They have zero idea about Indian football so they had a lot of misplaced expectations on how the team might play. They went to the ground hoping to see some high tempo action but were obviously disappointed. After a couple of matches, they stopped going at all.
IMO what PFC needs is to win a trophy like Durand or IFA Shield, Fed Cup is beyond them, with all due respect. Win a title like that, have a parade with the trophy and more ppl will be interested. Fans love sliverware, fact.
You know what... you are right. Pune FC need a cup to attract fans. If a cup can attract Indians to love Barcelona or Manchester United then why not Indian Football teams. It worked with the Kolkata Teams.
Now that problem is solved we should move on now... What about the goan teams <!-- s:confusion-shrug: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/confusion/shrug.gif" alt=":confusion-shrug:" title="Shrug" /><!-- s:confusion-shrug: -->
Also if I may add... at least the sponsored clubs are named Salgaocar SC or Prayag United. While it is stupid to name a football club those names they at least sound cool. Its much better than when we had clubs named after Police or Banks. Who remembers the days of Punjab Police FC, Kerala Police FC, Indian Telephone Industries, Indian Bank or State Bank of Travancore. Those were shit team names.
Pune FC have done reasonably well in a city where Indian Football is an unknown quantity.It is not easy to build fanbase in 4-5 years and we also have to remember that I-League is bull shit and far from being even 1% of what Pune youngsters watch on T.V.
If it took millions of $ for nations like Japan and USA to attract average 20,000 in their league then what were you expecting in India ? There is lot of work to be done,the reason why Pune FC will never shut down like Cochin FC is because they are aware of the football potential.
It is going to take time,let the standard of National Team improve to certain level(Already underway with AIFF-FIFA Academies),Infrastructure(Hosting U-17 WC),then automatically everything will fall in place especially finance.
Pune FC have done reasonably well in a city where Indian Football is an unknown quantity.It is not easy to build fanbase in 4-5 years and we also have to remember that I-League is bull shit and far from being even 1% of what Pune youngsters watch on T.V.
If it took millions of $ for nations like Japan and USA to attract average 20,000 in their league then what were you expecting in India ? There is lot of work to be done,the reason why Pune FC will never shut down like Cochin FC is because they are aware of the football potential.
It is going to take time,let the standard of National Team improve to certain level(Already underway with AIFF-FIFA Academies),Infrastructure(Hosting U-17 WC),then automatically everything will fall in place especially finance.
Could not have said it any better myself. But Ash can you explain the Goa situation. I think we all understand the Pune situation but come on for a state with fantastic clubs they should attract some people. Also I don't buy this crap about the money coming from donations. They should be coming from the sponsors.
Comments
<!-- s:bow-plusone: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/bow/plusone.gif" alt=":bow-plusone:" title="PlusOne" /><!-- s:bow-plusone: -->
Spot on
But I will add that, if new clubs are formed now, they might get some mileage by putting cities name...but many other factors are important
1) Sorry about my premature celebration. I just came back from a match I played in earlier today (which I score twice in) + India U19 were winning so I was a bit to excited. I do see what you were saying though.
2) I did not explain myself clearly. You originally said that a club like PFC with 27,000 fans over East Bengal who have 23,000 fans docent mean anything from the actual attendance at the stadium and I agree with that but what about other clubs like HAL, Chirag, Air India, Prayag who don't have many fans at there grounds (and are lacking on social sites as well). I bet you if they changed names (examples: HAL to Bangalore City FC, Air India to Mumbai City FC, Chirag to Kochi FC) then I bet you the stands would be more filled up because the people will feel they have a connection with the team. Also I know you will comeback with the fact that Pune FC don't get any attendance because I bet you Pune FC would do better than say a team called "Ashok Piramal FC" (Ashok Pirmal is the owners of Pune FC). BUT I do agree with you about Mohun Bagan and East Bengal because they have a tradition that spreads back to the early 1900's.
And once again sorry for my celebration. I now know what Wyane Rooney felt after his celebration when he cursed on live TV. <!-- s:handgestures-thumbup: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/handgestures/thumbup.gif" alt=":handgestures-thumbup:" title="Thumb Up" /><!-- s:handgestures-thumbup: -->
agree with you...
1)
but its unfair to name Arsenal and Juventus.. Arsenal and Juventus are successful clubs with great history.. Also many pupil follow top european clubs...
Manchester united/Barcelona/Liverpool has fans all around world.. bcoz they are successful.. not bcoz of name or something.. same with Arsenal/Juventus... Of course, I agree for getting fans in Italy/England/ROW they need to promote well..
2)
Also I agree that PFC attendance dropping steadily.. but I feel below are main reasons...
a) 1st season, 3rd in the league table and in the recent one only 5th.. They might have higher expectations based on their 1st season performance..
b) May be looking for more quality
Pune already has Jeje Lalpekhlua, Subrata Pal, and Lal Meloy! What else do the fans want.
I am just going to go with the explanation that Pune is an EPL and La Liga city. When I went there in 2010 and I was going to Punes match at the complex there was barely anyone there but as I left and I walked around town at around 9 pm the bars were flooded with EPL and La Liga fans. It was outrageous.
lol you dont have to say sorry so many times <!-- s:handgestures-thumbup: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/handgestures/thumbup.gif" alt=":handgestures-thumbup:" title="Thumb Up" /><!-- s:handgestures-thumbup: -->
I did say you have a better chance of getting more fans if you use a city's name in club name. However, in India you also need to promote the club properly. Mumbai FC has been around for a few years now, never getting relegated from I-League. Yet they don't have any fans.
PFC should get more fans based on their comeback spirit only. I lost count how many matches they came back to win/draw after trailing.
I think the main problem is their performance on their field don't match with the aggressive promotion done by their PR dept. A lot of my friends in Infy Pune became interested in the club due to the mails/ads they saw in and out of the Infy campus before PFC matches. They have zero idea about Indian football so they had a lot of misplaced expectations on how the team might play. They went to the ground hoping to see some high tempo action but were obviously disappointed. After a couple of matches, they stopped going at all.
IMO what PFC needs is to win a trophy like Durand or IFA Shield, Fed Cup is beyond them, with all due respect. Win a title like that, have a parade with the trophy and more ppl will be interested. Fans love sliverware, fact.
Now that problem is solved we should move on now... What about the goan teams <!-- s:confusion-shrug: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/confusion/shrug.gif" alt=":confusion-shrug:" title="Shrug" /><!-- s:confusion-shrug: -->
If it took millions of $ for nations like Japan and USA to attract average 20,000 in their league then what were you expecting in India ? There is lot of work to be done,the reason why Pune FC will never shut down like Cochin FC is because they are aware of the football potential.
It is going to take time,let the standard of National Team improve to certain level(Already underway with AIFF-FIFA Academies),Infrastructure(Hosting U-17 WC),then automatically everything will fall in place especially finance.
<!-- s:bow-plusone: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/bow/plusone.gif" alt=":bow-plusone:" title="PlusOne" /><!-- s:bow-plusone: --> <!-- s:bow-plusone: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/bow/plusone.gif" alt=":bow-plusone:" title="PlusOne" /><!-- s:bow-plusone: --> <!-- s:bow-plusone: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/bow/plusone.gif" alt=":bow-plusone:" title="PlusOne" /><!-- s:bow-plusone: -->
Could not have said it any better myself. But Ash can you explain the Goa situation. I think we all understand the Pune situation but come on for a state with fantastic clubs they should attract some people. Also I don't buy this crap about the money coming from donations. They should be coming from the sponsors.