I wonder if the club could find a way to promote the Yellow Fever more! ( I wish I could come up with a more specific idea.)
From personal experience I've always enjoyed a couple of beers and a singsong despite the results. My favourite thing is witnessing people enjoy the Fever experience for the first time! The YF can show the fairweather fans you can still have plenty of fun even when results aren't great, and the YF can show the Eurosnobs we've got the closest atmosphere to European Football they're going to get in a while (+ the quality of football isn't bad especialy when you're well lubricated!)
Yes, the Nix are a family-friendly club and that's great, but we know there's plenty of people in Wellington who turn up when there's a good party and a couple of drinks involved (Sevens back in the day).
Second promoting YF. It's the overall match day experience/sense of community that keeps people regularly going to games overseas. NZ has nothing like that. With the AB's, people go because they love rugby, their mates are going or it's the 'thing to do.'
When the Nix are in Auckland, I'll always go to the YF Zone as it makes the game that much more enjoyable. I know the YF lads/lasses already do a heap of work, so maybe the club could help out in some capacity (if they don't already)?
Out of interest, attended semi final (2nd leg) of Primera A league Colombia on weekend in Medellin. Home team Atlelico Nacional (Medellin) beat Atlelico Huila on penalties, to make the final. Game finished 0-0 (1st leg also 0-0), but plenty of drama - crossbar hit about 3 times, plus a send off.
Stadium only half full, but pretty awesome atmosphere, and a shark load of fun.
For sure NZ ain't South America, so I'm not sure what Phoenix or YF could learn from what the Latinos, bring to a game pre match. I did love how folks ringed the field before the home team game out, and let off smoke from the canisters. NZ OH&S may not approve. Also big fan of the drums, and huge banners/flags. YF create a really good atmosphere at Nix games, though it's pretty similar to an English league game I feel. I say bring the noise and colour, the more the better - IF the Stadium rule makers will allow it. I can just imagine young NZ kids being wide eyed by some of stuff I saw at this game in Medellin, and begging Dad to go back next week.
Perhaps someone should tell the Waiheke FC latino boys, that there is a nice pretty island in middle of Wellington Harbour, with a rich history, where they can relocate their team! The ROF will be clearly visible from their new home. Free season tickets, as long as they bring their drums, chants and flares to home games.
Anyway here's some videos pre and post match in Medellin. Being technologically incompetent I had to do it through FB.
https://www.facebook.com/andrew.penfold.52/videos/...
https://www.facebook.com/andrew.penfold.52/videos/...
Nacional were once owned by Paolo Escobar (once of the world's richest men) - so would have had few money worries back in the day.
