Magpie Fans are LOUDer and PROUDer than the rest

Collingwood Football Club is proud. The staff (of which I am proud to be one), the players – both past and present, the coaches, the football Department, the volunteers, the CEO, the President and more clear-cut: the many, many exuberant, colourful and loyal supporters, all share one common denominator. They would give up anything for the mighty black and white stripes or the Magpie symbol.

When I first started as a trainee working for AFL Shared Services in administration, I was a little shocked when they had me assigned to work in the Collingwood Membership call centre. It became very obvious for me from day one that die-hard Collingwood members knew they weren’t alone; they were aware of their stance as the AFL’s top team off the field, loved by each other and loathed by the rest – Collingwood somehow manages to divide families on weekends, unlike any other club. In fact, the Pies’ fans work tirelessly to continue to build the image of the club as the most outrageous supporter base, true to their passion. An example of this was the ‘March to October’ advertisement filmed at Gosch’s Paddock this year. The number of people who turned up dressed in their supporter gear before the season had even begun was unheard of.

I remember one heart-achingly passionate member was trying to break a record of watching the 2010 Grand Final replay as many times as he possibly could. I think he was up to 34 times (this was in January earlier this year) when I last spoke to him. With any luck, I assume he has reached a three figure milestone by now. Another man, who became a favourite member of mine, used to send into the club photos of his Collingwood-decorated, black and white painted ute. There’s no doubt the strength and success of the club has derived from the support it has off the field. The Army, which right now boasts over 72,000 signed up in season 2011, a record in AFL membership history, breaking Collingwood’s 2010 members’ figure, is scarily growing as they continue to do so well on the field.

Despite what you hear the numbers are exact and non-tampered with, no pets, goldfish or non-match day entitlement memberships are included in the figure (I can speak from proof after seeing the reports!). Sure, there are three game passes but other clubs have tinkered onto that idea. The ‘numbers’ though are more than the abbreviated bunch you see behind the goals of the famous Ponsford Stand end cheering ever so loudly at the MCG each time they play there (although Joffa’s team put in a very fine effort), they are all different types of real people near and far equally passionate as any Collingwood member – be it local, regional, interstate or international, wealthy and struggling, young and old, multicultural and affluent, they will call the club each with their own story.

I soon loved my job for the interesting people you speak with. The story-telling was endless. Magnificent stories that you would hear about the Coventrys being the friendliest people and Bobby Rose always having time for you no matter who you were. Then there were the days of the old Collingwood Social Club at Victoria Park. Oh, how members miss that place but at the same time realise the changes made due to the popularity and growth of the game.

During the season the week-to-week rollercoaster starts with what could be a range of emotions. Drama is inevitable. There’s excitement following the weekend win, or conversely pity is experienced at a cruel loss but always there will be next week, while a draw is 2 points they received but 2 extra points they should have received but were taken away from them by poor umpiring. Any player reported is discussed to death as well as injuries. ‘Did you see Cloke’s arms get chopped four times? Absolute joke. I know he would’ve missed the shot because he can’t kick but still it was a free.’ ‘What a disgrace!’ ‘I don’t want to be put through that kind of performance ever again?’

Or there is joy… ‘How about Leon’s snap from the boundary?? You bewwdy!!!’ ‘I sat right behind where Dids kicked his 70m torp… It looked better on TV but I will never forget it!’ “Beams is the next big thing, you watch.” The fans will attend no matter where the Pies are positioned on the AFL ladder. But last year they were on top, so demand for excellence was reiterated by our bosses and to all staff. ‘It’s our job to please members by helping them so know what they’re calling about,’ was the message given to us. By the end of the week with match day around the corner there were concise enquiries, ‘Just tell me where I’m sitting’ they’d say. ‘How do I log on and buy a ticket online when I don’t know how to use a computer?’ After talking them through and making sure their query was answered, it was onto the next call. Most of all, the one question that kept coming up was, ‘Where’s my membership card? It’s not too much to ask, is it?’ Sometimes, for whatever reason, it can be a little trickier than it seems, but all in all the club is there to support the members. Mistakes can occur. I was told early on, just don’t tell them this: “It’s just a footy game.” Otherwise, you will be eating your words for the next forty minutes.

An historic day remembered by all at the AFL was when the phones died and interrupted the peace that usually exists in the offices. This was not due to a Telstra fault or any other technical fault. Collingwood had released its sale for the 2010 Copeland Trophy tickets and the number to call was the membership hotline. The entire AFL had lost its phone connection due to the massive intake of callers.

At the call centre, there are two periods at the start of the season and two periods at the end of the season. At the start, there is before and after ANZAC Day, while at the end there is before and after the finals period. After ANZAC Day there is usually a bit of peace. In 2009, unfortunately the finals period was short-lived but in true Collingwood style the players came out the next season and obliterated the 2009 premier in the preliminary final giving its fans a historic fine performance to savour for years and an entry into a Grand Final. The finals period drained on a week longer than expected, after the Pies found it hard to conquer the Saints in week one but could not have lost it with a second chance seven days later. It was worth it all. The emotion and joy was amazing to all. I was ecstatic for the club and most of all the many fans. Most fans were overjoyed the club were able to win for the first time in twenty years. Others, well, they just knew. One lady was adamant it would happen for her and after it did, she questioned ‘Why wouldn’t Collingwood have been the best?’

If you think dealing with a sea of Magpies’s fans is hard enough at the footy, try answering calls off them every single day.

Justin Kremmer now works in the Merchandise department but was in the Membership department at the biggest club in the AFL during a successful period.