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OK Guys, I know that Blunt Views is supposed to about the Claymores. However, I think that this is quite important and the Claymore faithful might like to think about this.
Two games gone and the Monarchs have faces as red as their shirts. Not just because of the fairly poor performance on the field (they stink!) but the organisation off the field.
Get this. The first game at Crystal Palace. They don't announce the attendance figure in the ground but officially declare it as 6,500. Anyone who was there would tell you that they must have been including the players, coaches, cheerleaders, referees, sports writers, stewards and pigeons to make up THAT number. And you might like to know that the Galaxy fans made up about 800. The second game is slightly better. At Ashton Gate (Bristol) they make it 5,500 which looks close to the mark.
So what the hell has gone wrong.
Of course it doesn't help that the team haven't had a winning season since 1991. The sports fans in London are particularly fickle and losing nobly gains no friends amongst your home crowd. But last year they still had 10,000 plus despite the losses. Where has everyone gone?
Perhaps it is the Power Party. At last years games the party was pretty thin stuff and I have to say, it hasn't been much better this year so far. But the party takes place on the day. No-one (except the terminally sad) are going to make their way to the party and then not go to the game because it wasn't much fun. The stadium at Crystal Palace is nothing special (OK it's CRAP) but at least it isn't being demolished! Transport isn't particularly good, but it is average for London. Changes to names, colours, stadia etc are partly responsible but surely not the whole reason.
I have to say that I think they have gone completely wrong on the Marketing side of things. It is supposed to be a fun event, with stuff for the whole family, a great day out etc. BUT for the Monarchs, game days are anything BUT a fun event. Most of the advertising seems to be centred around novelty factor items, such as Gerry Anderson on the Lottery draw show. Sorry guys, but it is NO LONGER a novelty item and hasn't been for some ten years. Familys are not going to go to party with a few tired displays and a bored DJ trying to whip up some enthusiasm by talking to guys on some old Motorbikes (nice and shiny though they are). They won't be impressed by £12 adult / £6 child prices in a stadium with half the seats in the open especially if it's pissistently raining. Nor will they be buying much if a manky 2 oz burger costs £2.20 and it tastes like cardboard and is at the same temperature as the rain!
Talking of which, it's not a good idea to try and pass the stuff off as beer and then take 5 minutes to pour a pint. It's also not good policy to have stewards who make you feel as welcome as a dose of anthrax.
But now, think on this. If the Monarchs franchise, no matter where it is located, does not pull in the fans, what do you think will happen to it?
At the last match, I discussed this with a number of fans from Scotland and Dusseldorf as well as those of from the Monarchs. The whisper is that Barcelona will be re-located next year, possibly to Italy. There is very likely to be a new franchise in Germany and possibly two. The most likely locations would be Stuttgart and Berlin. There is the possibility that a team will also be put in Dublin following the success of the American Bowl and the college game played there. It could be that the Monarchs will simply move to one of these cities and vanish from the game. OK you say, they can't cut it, so sorry, too bad, so long.
If the Monarchs go, what will happen to American Football in the UK?
There are a few deluded souls who think that a new Monarchs will arise from the ashes to play (in blue and gold) at Wembley. There are even more who truly believe that once the Monarchs are gone, the way will be open to have a London franchise in the NFL. Tosh and other phrases. Once the Monarchs are gone, they are GONE and with them Football in the UK. Do you believe that Sky will continue to cover games without an English team in the league?
Perhaps Scottish TV will continue, for a while, but there is then no reason for the National Papers to cover the sport. This can only have a detrimental effect on the game North of the Border and would damage all the excellent achievements of the past few years.
The Fire fans were very unhappy at the idea of no teams in the UK. For them, part of the fun is in the travelling to away games, and Stuttgart and Berlin, nice though they are, are not really what they would call away games. They WANT to come to this country (God knows why) and especially love to go to Murrayfield (having once lived in Edinburgh for two years, that I can understand!)
So what is the answer?
First year, the Claymores really had a rough time of it. The league brought in Mike Keller who did a sterling job and laid the foundations for a good future. Amsterdam were great on the field but a complete joke off the field. Bill Peterson has turned it around since being appointed and all credit to him for a job well done. So why haven't the league appointed someone to take the helm at the Monarchs (and Barcelona) to get them heading in the right direction? Don't get me wrong, I like Alton Byrd, he's a nice guy. But we need someone who can work out why we are 5 foot deep in the brown stuff and where we can get the shovels to dig ourselves out.
One final thing.
Someone made a comment at the last match that I think could be very true. If someone gets fired over the next two to three weeks, that may be a sign that the league still believe that something can salvaged from the mess that is the Monarchs. If everyone keeps their job to the end of the season, it's likely that the league have given up and in the off season the team will simply be moved elsewhere.
Please note: these are my own thoughts and I do not represent any group or organisation. I am just a frustrated and angry Monarchs fan venting steam. I make no claim to have inside knowledge. I sincerely hope that I am wrong, wrong, wrong.
Tony Sutcliffe