BUOYED by a win over Wellington and a positive vibe surrounding the club, Jets interim chief executive David Eland is confident of attracting 12,000 supporters for the opening home game against Sydney FC on Saturday.
If successful, the crowd figure would better the largest attendance from last season, a miracle given the events of the past 12 months.
A crowd of 11,884 turned up for opening night at Hunter Stadium last season, a 2-2 draw against eventual champions Melbourne Victory in round five. The team had spent the opening month on the road after the surface was replaced at Turton Road before the Asian Cup.
“I will be bold enough to say we would hope for in excess of 12,000 fans,” Eland said.
“Given how positive the team performed on the weekend.
“If you look at social media, the sentiment around the place is overwhelmingly positive.
“I certainly hope that is reflected in the gate on the weekend. We certainly hope there is a good number of Sydney FC fans who travel up the M1 as well.”
As the Jets spiralled last season towards a second wooden spoon, the turnstiles stopped clicking.
Two visits by Sydney FC attracted 8783 and 8125 respectively, well down on previous seasons, and a paltry 4162 were on hand for the 2-0 loss to Perth Glory on Easter Sunday.
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By campaign’s end, the average crowd was 8966, more than 1000 fewer than the 10,003 members on the books.
Football Federation Australia took over the club in May after Nathan Tinkler did not pay the bills and is close to finalising a transfer to a consortium headed by Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson.
Under the FFA, the club has a rookie coach in Scott Miller and a new-look squad, and it has worked overtime to reconnect with the Hunter football and business communities.
Beechwood Homes, Inspiration Paints, The Greater and Varley Group are major partners, and on Tuesday membership had climbed to 7863, fourth behind Victory (24,701), Wanderers (16,708) and Sydney FC (10,612).
“I hope as we get closer to the game on the weekend that people have had a chance to reflect on Sunday’s performance and purchase memberships,” Eland said. “That is the best way for fans to demonstrate their support for the club.
“We want more members. We want in excess of 10,000 members. Let’s be clear about that.
“But to be closing in on 7700 members, given what the fans went through, in particular last season, is a good result at this point.”
The Jets will launch the season in front of corporate and media partners at Merewether Surf House on Wednesday.
The club will introduce its A-League and W-League squads, and FFA head of commercial Luke Bold will give an update on the sale process.
“We will have in excess of 250 people at the season launch,” Eland said.
“When you consider the club didn’t have a season launch last year, it’s a good sign.
“Absolutely, we need to keep building corporate sales and hospitality as a revenue stream.
“It is nowhere near where it needs to be. We now have 32 Jets-in-business members. That is an entry-level commitment of $2500.
“It is a great start, but there is so much more to do. There is still two big partnership opportunities on the sleeve and the front of the shorts.”
Though encouraged by the 2-1 win over Wellington, Eland said the key was consistency.
“The local community is very football-savvy,” he said.
“It is a huge boost in confidence, but it doesn’t take the pressure off. What we need to demonstrate is sustained effort. That was clear at every forum I was involved in.
“Our aim is to make the finals this season. That needs to be the focus.”
source:theherald.com.au
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 