I know its not marketing but I've said it for ****ing years now. Soccer Schools in the 6 weeks holiday. Look where they are at. Hornsea Beverley Sth Hunsley Sth Holderness Market Weighton!! And the KC. how does the single mam on Longhill Nth Bransholme get there every day with three kids. This has been going on for at least 10 years. I'm not saying the next Rooney will come off Longhill but he might!! But get fans young make it so easy to do for them to come 40 quid for the week and they get a free kit. Not just one week on Longhill, 3 or 4 out of the 6. Get all the Academy players running the soccer schools. One on Nth Bransholme, Nth Hull Greatfield, Bilton, The mams will love it as its like a free baby sitting and it keeps them ut of trouble.
This is something that's been raised at FWG meetings, apparently the club are acutely aware that the academy has barely any East Hull lads in it and it's an issue that's being addressed. I've no idea how it's being addressed, or if there's been any noticeable changes yet, but the club certainly see it as an issue.
Just after this whole business started I expressed two views. The name change would always be an issue until the majority of supporters were actively involved. A compromise could and should have been found. The issue is not just about the name change though, it is far When you look at the Tigers Trust web site, the only Hull based activities appear to be KC based. Something to think about, Chazz. good point.
The question was about marketing, although I totally endorse Chazz's post as a very worthy tangent. But back to the question, one that raises all manner of issues which, like the elephant, we should not try to consume in one sitting. Marketing has some basic principles that can be played with, but if paid attention to, they will help create a well founded marketing strategy that can be built upon in a progressive way. Let's throw one in for starters (we could discuss five basic principles to create discussion, but let's see how this develops): People Buy A Feeling. Might sound odd as it would appear they buy products or services,but folk really do buy feelings; they might buy clothes (product) because they are of the fashion (feeling), or cars because they are too. It might be buying the latest tablet/phone combination, but the products are a part of belonging to something, feeling a part of a trend, perhaps. A sporting club is very much the same, as how many of us enjoy being a part of Hull City AFC, the city's leading football club? Some might disagree but I would hope you get the gist of what that feeling is. But how does this feeling affect us? How can fans play a part in the marketing of this feeling? For me I don't believe you have to look any further than our name, the one we have fought so hard to keep - some far more than others and we are forever in their debt! - Hull City Association Football Club is that name. Despite this name being upheld twice by the FA it has been changed, manipulated and made all too unpalatable for some folk of Hull - not necessarily football folk. We have yet to see if the club (the Assem family) will have the moral decency to reverse their rebranding, but there is (and always has been) a very simple way to establish that feeling, be proud of the name, use it at every opportunity - shirts, banners (I'm not looking to revisit the banner debate) articles, web-sites, the list can go on. This board has found funds to purchase banners, but that well would soon run dry, could we/the Trust/OSC/etc. work with others to create fundraising events, could we raise enough to run a series of city-wide advertisements promoting the club's name in a manner that cannot be construed as anything other than supportive. Another one is working with the local media - all too often we read of the poor coverage our club gets, this should be a key target and not necessarily a costly one - we have media professionals on here - any thoughts? The name is now well and truly ratified by the authorities, the FA, so let us use it well, let us make it core to a friendly and enthusiastic stadium experience, use the media to keep it in the public gaze without it being critical of the Allam family. Let us not be afraid to use our nickname, The Tigers, either. We, the supporters, need to build a feeling that everyone can embrace, it might mean them wishing to join the Trust, another newly formed body or the OSC, or it might just mean them speaking about Hull City AFC with a touch of civic pride, rather than being sick to the back teeth of the club's seemingly petty quarrels. The identity of the club, it's name, is key to creating a feeling, which is exactly why the owners decided to try and change it, but they got is totally wrong, they choose the wrong name, the wrong way to approach it and the wrong folk to try and impose it on, as in doing this they messed with the next basic principle of marketing, which is where another discussion might throw up some ideas. That principle is Existing Customers Are Pure Gold I don't know if this is what you were looking for Dutch, but I believe we need to start with the basics and build from there.
A really good post, and very much the sort of thing I was hoping for. As a way of spreading the word, it could send a positive message if we had a fans group using the Hull City name and colours taking part in various charity events, such as the 10k or cycle rides or other challenges. It could raise the profile and get the club viewed in a positive light. Whose up for a mass cycle to a game, or a jog along the foreshore from kc to Ferriby?
I would very much like to see the Trust and the OSC find a way to collaborate in winning the hearts and minds of the good folk of Hull; nobody comes out of this debacle untainted and if lessons have not been learnt they certainly should have been. But enough of that as I do sincerely believe the Trust will move forward having gained rich experience from all of this - not to mention some very useful industry friends. But what we need are ideas and not just principles and daring-do! We have a real mixed bag of folk follow this and other boards, so how can we tap into that? A few ideas to add to those thrown out by Dutch - all of which I would take part in: Would Hull Buses (Taxi companies, etc,) give (discount) a space on the back and within buses sending a supportive message? Really good exposure with this. Would the radio stations do something similar. Nominate a Friends of Hull City AFC (or the Tigers) charity and do something for others whilst trying to help our club. How about a bit of twinning (as with towns) with other clubs supporter groups - build a reputable network of like-minded supporters - it would be great if the club could support it, but not essential. Send a team on Eggheads! Take off the blinkers and let's all throw this around instead of each other. Depending on the club's reaction, everyone would have to be conscious about how they use the club's copyrighted property, but that is not insurmountable and hopefully unnecessary.
I totally agree. On the copyright front, it'd be ironic and not altogether bad publicity if the Allams took us to task for using their Hull City name.
Fez, Good posts. I will avoid negatives. DMD knows how I feel about supporter involvement. The foundation was built with the banners and in my opinion it demonstrated the way forward. No politics just support for the team. This support coming from a group of anonymous posters on an Internet forum, is for me far more important than either the OSC, the Trust or the club. Although I am actively involved in the OSC, I believe there is an opportunity for a different type of movement that is not linked directly to any organisation. On this forum, there are many interests, the one that I never join in with is music, I do not contribute, because I have limited knowledge compared to many. I would propose a Friday night is music night live event.
On the music front, what about an amateur or open mic event, maybe before or after the game. Hull City fans helping local musicians. Or a fans football team playing teams from the opposing clubs, or charity games? A pot to sponsor a youth team?
The Trust have made several approaches to the OSC with a view to working together, even if it's simply on non-contentious issues, but they're not interested. We understand why, they're whole existence is reliant on the club providing players and they won't risk anything that jeopardises that, though it is a shame.
I think our club ambassador needs a little help with his social media skills... please log in to view this image
I thought that would be the case and I agree it is disappointing and, more than that, it smacks of a huge selfishness in regards to what they are prepared to put in, rather than take out. I would welcome their opinion on this if someone feels able to represent it. Whoever is responsible for the Trust's communications really should be seeking a reasonable way of communicating this to members and non-members, as I do believe it sets the intentions of the two bodies apart on a ethical and operational level.
He's blocked me but i didn't follow the drink driving **** anyway, he's made similar threats on twitter before.
