Mama, Can't You See What New England's Done For Me?

Mama Mama can't you see what New England's done for me?

Supporters groups aren't just about going out to the game, singing and cheering etc.  Sure it may seem like that on the outside, or if you are new to this world, but it is so much more than that.  These people become like a second family to each other.  There is of course your crazy Uncle Eddy, and that part of the family you don't really want to have around after what happened at the reunion on the beach last summer.  You also find however that there is that brother or sister that's always there for you to help you out or watch your back.

Unfortunately, we do not think that TeamOps sees us this way and that becomes and is a problem. We're not hooligans out to see it go off, we're a family that is fun and dysfunctional (since you are thinking it... yes we put the fun is dysfunctional) at times just like every other family in the world.  People have met significant others, kids have been born or have even been watched as they grow up into adults. We all know each other and the supporters culture becomes more than just the game.  When it comes down to it the team is merely the conduit for something larger.  We have watched people come and go for various reasons, but they are part of this culture forever. Watch the reaction to someone coming back who has been away for a while.  That person is right back where they left off and it's like they never left.


16 years and still the same. Revolution is our name.

A double edged sword.


The New England Revolution are an original MLS team, we paved the way and helped the league get its start.  Our name has not changed, nor has our location, nor has our crest (pro or con on the crest we're unsure).

The other edge.

How many times have we heard the same things over and over again?  Last year there was almost a fan protest over the fact that the team was not doing well and Mike Burns recycled answers to fan questions.  That protest didn't happen, but it was damn close.

How many times have you heard them talk about building a Soccer Specific Stadium?  It's been going on for years and years and years.  It looked to be close in Somerville and the excitement around that was palpable.  The dream of a Somerville Stadium is now dead in the water. We are still at least 3-4 years away if one were to be announced tomorrow.

How much have we heard about DP's? At first we didn't need them to win a championship, "we we're looking for the right player".  Then last winter we were told the team was actively seeking a DP or possibly 2 for the next season.  The season started without DPs, but rather 2 aging defensive players when what it was clear that what we needed was attacking players.

Speaking of international signings... Niouky, Perovic, Stolica, Augustine, Castro, Badillia, Jankauskus, Assengue... are all gone.  For some unfathomable reason we got rid of Perovic, last years MVP, one of the best players on this team.  This team is so poorly managed it seems like it isn't managed at all.  Where is the plan? Where is our future?  Young international project players and aging injury prone European players are not the solution to this.

MLS 2.5... Toronto, New York, Portland, Seattle, Sporting KC, Philadelphia, this is the future of the league.  We are MLS 1.0, stuck in a 1996 way of thinking.  Those teams are wildly successful, they have realized that marketing to kids and families is not the way to build their base.  The 18-35 year old demographic is what has made these clubs successful.  Do not get me wrong, families should always be welcomed and when I have gone to Seattle, New York, Toronto and Philadelphia there were still plenty.  Making your focus the 18-35 demographic does not mean the families aren't welcome because they will still show up.  Saying you don't market to them and using the now defunct Defend The Fort website and marching out some girls in short shorts and tight jerseys to show you market to the 18-35 year olds is only paying lip service when everything else still says we're family friendly.  Those kids in 1996, are that demographic, and a lot of them have lost interest in this product.  Kids always want to be older not younger, as they get older if they perceive the Revs as a kids thing they are not going to grow into the adult fans you need.


Kraft would do wise to actually open his eyes and see whats going on in the league.  The Patriots don't need marketing, people will pay to be associated with them but that will never work with the Revs... at least not now.  Open the purse strings, hire an ad agency and lets get people interested.  One only needs to look to the Bruins who were in a similar situation, an owner that people weren't a fan of, a team that need to be turned around, and a shot in the arm to the fanbase.  They realized changes needed to be made and look at where they are today.  And seriously how awesome are these ads:









Those are ads, those get attention, and they air on more than 1 channel and not only during their own game, oh and that appeals to the 18-35 crowd.  Bob and John, we did you a favor and did some research for you, the ad agency is Mullen, they are based in Wenham, Ma (support your local) and their website is www.mullen.com.

Oh they also did this well known ad as well...



This team was once the flagship of the league... now we are an example of what not to do.



We're the voice of 143, Rebels, Riders, Rev Army.

We give everything we have for the team every game, we travel, we schedule our lives around the team.  The team uses images of us to promote themselves, images of the work that we do with no assistance from them (and that's the way it should be if we wish to be independent groups).  There has been a great showing of disrespect to the fans by the team over the issues of Fortgate.  In front of an entire stadium they embarrassed us. For them to think we are just going to take that lying down shows how out of touch they are (previously I have said they are in touch with us but I no longer think that is the case).  A meeting and a couple of suggestions, but otherwise saying they are already doing everything that we asked of them, is not enough.  Saying your doing something and actually doing it are vastly different. Just as the team shouldn't have expected YSA to disappear quickly, they should not think that saying what we want to hear is going to make everything alright.  There has been 16 years of them saying what we want to hear and not following through. This coming Sunday we will show why we are the voice of 143 and that we're fed up and we will use that voice to speak up.


This the year we win the cup, raise your colors, raise 'em up.

You see despite all of this we love our team.  We go out there for them and for the hope that those 11 players on the field will bring us and themselves victory, and yes even the cup.  We may not support the ownership, we may not support the front office, but it's not about them, it about giving our hearts to those 11, just like they do in giving it their all for 90 minutes.  This is not directed to the players, please understand that we are behind you 110%.

--------

Families, and the 18-35 y.o. marketing strategy Rev Girls

We are not a fanbase that protests often, in fact I can only think of one that was years ago.  This fanbase takes a lot and hasn't given much back but that time is over.  The fact that it has gotten to this point should tip people off to how bad this really is and how angry and disappointed we are with the organization.  Fortgate was a tipping point of fan frustrations. Just as people should not have thought that Fortgate was just about YSA, they should not think that this protest is just about Fortgate, it is a response to the endemic problems throughout the organization.  Hopefully the Kraft family, Don Garber and MLS will finally take notice and start the conversation as to how to bring this team back to the top.  Again just as they should not have expected YSA to change overnight we realize that the team needs to be given time, but clear and detailed actions need to be made and made soon.  All fans of the New England Revolution deserve better than this and that is what we want known. We have the passion but do the Krafts have the pride?


SUPPORT THE FORT on Black Sunday