Let me preface this by saying this is not a blog about soccer as such. This is about how Parramatta needs to lift it's membership performance before even dreaming of 40,000 members.
So I signed up as a member of Liverpool FC a little over two months ago. I received my membership pack today. In around two months they processed my membership, put together the pack and sent it overseas.
I am aware of a number of Eels members who are still yet to receive their membership packs. That's nearly 8 months for some people which is completely unacceptable.
Some people have said "But Parramatta have 17,000 members, it's a big job." Liverpool have millions of members throughout the world and run a smooth ship in terms of membership.
From outside looking in, it appears Parramatta's membership department is a basket case. Packs delivered late, incorrect packs delivered etc.
As part of my Liverpool pack I received a big flag, notebook, pen, key-ring, pin, card and a personalised letter. Pretty standard stuff but I've got to say the merchandise is of really good quality.
As part of my membership I also get discounts on a small number of cafes around Anfield that have partnerships with the club. Why doesn't Parramatta organise something with The Firehouse?
The Firehouse is constantly spruiked as the place to be before and after the match, so why not give members a 10% discount there when they show their card?
I remember at the end of last season inquiring about a membership deal with the team and the leagues club. Because I wasn't old enough to gain membership of the leagues club I couldn't get the deal so I asked if I could put my name down and get the deal in a couple of weeks when I was old enough.
I couldn't get a straight answer out of them and in the end I gave up. It was a simple question and yet I spent over 20 minutes on the phone trying to get an answer.
If the club even dreams of having 40,000 members then they need to get their act together in dealing with members and being more efficient with processing the memberships.
Replies
This year and last there where people that paid for their eels ticketed membership 3-4 months before kick off and where still waiting a few rounds in to get their membership, thats just not good enough.
It took me 7-8 weeks to recieve it in the mail, thats about 5 weeks too long, it just goes to show what a rabble the club is, Kens dreams or anybody elses dreams of us being the biggest grandest club in Sydney are just ridiculous if the membership debarcle are anything to go by.
No wonder plenty of staff are getting sacked at the club, id sack all of them and offer double to the roosters staff to come work for us.
We are an embarrassment, and it cracks me up some are trying to blame the new board after a few months, its just delusional stuff.
7-8 weeks isn't too bad given it takes a few days for payments to clear, then they have to process it, put together the package, finalise it and then send it out. But given the majority of our members live in NSW I'd say the should be aiming to get the memberships out in 8 weeks or less. Also, I paid about $22 for my LFC membership which is non-ticketed and I got a pile of good merchandise as well as plenty of online perks and competitions I've been entered into including sitting in the dugout for a game, free, signed memorabilia. I'd like to see Parramatta give more value for their memberships. Our cheapest membership is $45 and we don't get anywhere near what LFC gives out. Most of it is very easy to organise but I think it's a case of our membership department not keeping up with the times.
I wonder how the other NRL clubs compare?
Okay Super. Although i agree that this department is not up to scratch, you shouldn't be bringing disrepute to the club in this time of need. Every bit of information is a giant piece of information to reporters which can drastically harm the club moving into the future.
This isn't the first time I've brought this up and won't be the last until we start seeing improvements in the treatment of our members. Honestly, from a journalist's point of view, there isn't much in what I've written above. There are no quotes, stats etc. If an article does come out of what I've written above then the reporters are scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Parramagic - you would make a great North Korean dictator.
Don't forget a large number of us, after waiting weeks for them, received the wrong pack then had to wait a few more weeks to receive the correct pack.
At least Liverpool play all their home games at Anfield. Could you imagine if they took 4 of their home games to Goodison Park?
stuff the both of em, Man City all the way
Man United and Man City sound like gay stripper clubs, West Ham is the only team to support.