Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere on the Stockport march thread…the traditional laps of appreciation have for a few years now become shambolic and it’s time they were stopped - or revert to how they used to operate. Foolishly, I stayed on Saturday to clap the players for their efforts during what, for the most part, has been a successful season. I really wish I hadn’t. The players used to walk around the pitch perimeter together as a squad, which fostered a sense of unity, as you saw the players close up. They now amble across the centre of the pitch in a haphazard manner, with wives/girlfriends and children in tow. On Saturday, they completely missed out half the Frank Adams/Family stand, as they started at the half way line and went towards the terrace before leaving the pitch. I appreciate it was probably the last thing the players wanted to do, particularly as 80% of the crowd had left. But it all just felt very half arsed and I for one won’t bother waiting next time. A shame but unless it reverts back to how it used to be done, it’s a complete waste of everyone’s time IMO.
Maybe send a note to the club giving them this feedback.
Probably better to stay on the pitch after the final whistle rather than go off for 10 minutes and come back out to an empty stadium.
I feel/hope that this season’s lap was the exception, given the circumstances. Last term’s event saw the players stay out for a considerable amount of time and many visit the children in the Family Stand. That seems to be my memory of the majority of them but could be wrong.
Agree that the format possibly needs some contingency planning built in, but haven’t given any thought to what that might be.
Sounds like the Peter Taylor promotion lap of honour then
While the club has tried to get more younger members in with their season ticket pricing for next year, there are so many “easy” wins they can do to keep people interested and connected with the club.
This is a prime example.
Tell the players (that can walk) that they need to give back to the fan base that has been with them through thick & thin. They should have several pieces of their kit to throw / give to the crowd.
Another thing I’ve like to see some back is the pre-season squad meet & greet. Where the fans have a chance to see all the new players before they start the season, link this to the kit release and the club could make a killing!
I also hope that the club starts doing their end of season party that they used to do with the junior members, where they do some teambuilding tasks & are supported by squad players throughout the day / afternoon. This will keep the juniors interested and give some of the players a following
In terms of engagement I really miss the players interview (usually only if we’ve won!) in the Vere after the game. Would also confirm our support to the player(s). Should have been resurrected after covid.
@Otter87 Re. your comment that they should have several pieces of kit to hand out, the club announced beforehand that the players had been forbidden to give their shirts away.
That didn’t stop Franco Ravizzoli taking out with him a carrier bag with some goalie gloves in that he handed out to kids in the family stand, to their obvious delight. Great to see and a shame others didn’t think to do something similar.
Franco shedding unwanted stuff as he has cabin baggage only for his return flight to The Argentine*
*anyone know when we stopped calling it that?
I believe the last recorded usage of that phrase was in Scotland’s infamously hubristic “Ally’s Tartan Army” song before the 1978 World Cup. Like so many things associated with the song, it probably died of embarrassment.