Footscray? Yeah but no but yeah.

[Twodogs]

Interesting interview with the boss today on 3AW. The topic of returning to the old name returning was brought up.


The money quotes from PG are:

"I have considered changing it back, and I elected not to do it,”

“But we now play in Ballarat and represent the broader western region of Melbourne."

“We want people who live in Altona and Wyndham and Tarneit and Sunshine to feel just as much sense of ownership.”


from;

https://www.3aw.com.au/why-the-western-bulldogs-wont-change-their-name-back-to-footscray/?fbclid=IwAR3beN758vr6r96wfzD4J8R6vqiTCrHl6ge2bNKDptB57DVYd4 tVz08XXHw

[bulldogtragic]

Time to keep moving forward, forging ahead.

Not sure why this is even a question 20+ years on.

[Eastdog]

We are Footscray trading as the Western Bulldogs. I'm used to the Western Bulldogs. We will be always based in Footscray. Would be cool to go back to Footscray but at the same time I can understand the reason behind it.

[Hotdog60]

Time move on. I'm just as sentimental as the next person but for the club to keep moving forward it has to spread it's wings.
Isolating itself to a suburb is not the way to grow membership and if the Doggies cover the West it creates a sense of great ownership to that region.
Changing the name back to Footscray only makes old farts like me happy and we are a dying breed.

[Rocket Science]

I suppose it rates a mention due to PG volunteering he's at least pondered the merits of a change back ... perhaps during the same phase we re-embraced our old jumper?

Must say as long as you'll find Pies supporters in Werribee, Esserdon supporters in Bendigo and Blues supporters in Oakleigh the logic of 'Western' is still lost on me and seems more a misguided marketing stab rather than a measurably effective means of growing our supporter base. Otherwise do the job properly and rebrand as the Australia Bulldogs. There, job done, no?

I suppose 'good' clubs have historically expanded their supporter ranks the old fashioned way: success. So perhaps ours - wary of the precariousness of our very being - and being 'realists', grew amenable to more creative methods than they might otherwise have been. To me the decision smacked of reactionary defeatism.

Who reckons supporters in Altona, Sunshine, Wyndham or Tarneit - who existed well before we diluted the brand anyway - would feel any less connected to the club if it were called Footscray again? Hardly.

I'd love us to pivot back to Footscray, it's our proud DNA, but can't imagine it'll ever happen.

Then again we were brave enough to finally send Robodog away to live on a farm, so ...

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I suppose it rates a mention due to PG volunteering he's at least pondered the merits of a change back ... perhaps during the same phase we re-embraced our old jumper?

Must say as long as you'll find Pies supporters in Werribee, Esserdon supporters in Bendigo and Blues supporters in Oakleigh the logic of 'Western' is still lost on me and seems more a misguided marketing stab rather than a measurably effective means of growing our supporter base. Otherwise do the job properly and rebrand as the Australia Bulldogs. There, job done, no?

I suppose 'good' clubs have historically expanded their supporter ranks the old fashioned way: success. So perhaps ours - wary of the precariousness of our very being - and being 'realists', grew amenable to more creative methods than they might otherwise have been. To me the decision smacked of reactionary defeatism.

Who reckons supporters in Altona, Sunshine, Wyndham or Tarneit - who existed well before we diluted the brand anyway - would feel any less connected to the club if it were called Footscray again? Hardly.

I'd love us to pivot back to Footscray, it's our proud DNA, but can't imagine it'll ever happen.

Then again we were brave enough to finally send Robodog away to live on a farm, so ...

Really well articulated post. I disagree, and will reply soon, but wanted to acknowledge what you've written.
I think this is a great post-season discussion.

[bornadog]

It has been over 22 years now and there are adults that only know Western Bulldogs. To change back now just confuses things more. I am happy the way it is, as we are still the same club. Unlike South Melbourne and Fitzroy who are dead.

[merantau]

We must not change back to Footscray. We are the West. The West is bigger than Footscray. Doesn't matter if you're from Sunshine, Yarraville, Seddon, Tarneit, Whyndam, Point Cook, Maidstone, Braybrook, Tottenham, St. Albans, Deer Park, Cairnlea or any of the new suburbs I've never heard of. You are West. And the Club you should align with, and the Club that should be chasing you hard is the Western Bulldogs.

[GVGjr]

I suppose it rates a mention due to PG volunteering he's at least pondered the merits of a change back ... perhaps during the same phase we re-embraced our old jumper?

Must say as long as you'll find Pies supporters in Werribee, Esserdon supporters in Bendigo and Blues supporters in Oakleigh the logic of 'Western' is still lost on me and seems more a misguided marketing stab rather than a measurably effective means of growing our supporter base. Otherwise do the job properly and rebrand as the Australia Bulldogs. There, job done, no?

I suppose 'good' clubs have historically expanded their supporter ranks the old fashioned way: success. So perhaps ours - wary of the precariousness of our very being - and being 'realists', grew amenable to more creative methods than they might otherwise have been. To me the decision smacked of reactionary defeatism.

Who reckons supporters in Altona, Sunshine, Wyndham or Tarneit - who existed well before we diluted the brand anyway - would feel any less connected to the club if it were called Footscray again? Hardly.

I'd love us to pivot back to Footscray, it's our proud DNA, but can't imagine it'll ever happen.

Then again we were brave enough to finally send Robodog away to live on a farm, so ...

I was a supporter of the name change for the reasons given at the time but it never quite worked out that way.
We were the Western Bulldogs that was still playing home games interstate which we now no longer need to do.
We always represented the West under our Footscray name and I still see Footscray as the heart and soul of the 'West of Melbourne'.
We have now settled down and became a profitable and stronger club and one that isn't starved of success and we are also now well placed for the future so the 'fight for survival' theme isn't quite the same. I don't believe any of that that happened just because of the name change. Perhaps there is evidence to say otherwise.

I also don't think if we were to revert back to our traditional name would change anything around our stability or our future and if that change was to be considered I wouldn't object. The name of our VFL side hasn't lessened our broad Western appeal

The things to consider is that there are two other clubs with the 'Western' name and I've always wonder if that could be a bit confusing. We have the West Coast, the Greater Western and of course the Western Bulldogs

It's unlikely to happen but it wouldn't be a bad thing if we considered it. My preference was always the Footscray name but as long as we are based in Footscray either name is fine with me

[S Coast Simon]

Unfortunately for Footscray the suburb went through a rough patch and I remember trying to convince my mates to support the Doggies. But the reputation that went with it was difficult to overcome. The place is a lot nicer these days ( not sure the movie Romper Stomper did much for western suburbs). The club is much bigger than Footscray these days and really is the western region v’s the rest

[comrade]

Putting aside emotional attachments to our original name, would we have been given the opportunity to develop Ballarat as an expanded supporter base, or given NGA access to the greater western Victorian region (which is going to snare us a potential generational talent) if we hadn't transformed our brand to be more inclusive of the Western region in general?

[ledge]

I think the important thing was naming our VFL side Footscray, I am happy with us recognising our region and history in that way.
Victorian competition stays as the suburb and the Australian competition as the Western Bulldogs.
Whitten oval has stayed as our base, it’s been a good decision in my eyes.

[bulldogtragic]

It has been over 22 years now and there are adults that only know Western Bulldogs. To change back now just confuses things more. I am happy the way it is, as we are still the same club. Unlike South Melbourne and Fitzroy who are dead.

Yep. There's 25 year olds who have only or can only remember their footy ticket and footy record as the Western Bulldogs. All generations witnessed a great premiership in 2016 by the Western Bulldogs, is there a knock on it because it wasn't Footscray? Why force another generation into the emotional and/or intellectual conflict that we went through all those years ago? We shouldn't. I agree about the 'same club' comment: a rose but by another name would still be a rose. We are proud club with a proud history, and an exciting future. Changing the name does nothing to change it. The key to progress is not to reverse course.


Putting aside emotional attachments to our original name, would we have been given the opportunity to develop Ballarat as an expanded supporter base, or given NGA access to the greater western Victorian region (which is going to snare us a potential generational talent) if we hadn't transformed our brand to be more inclusive of the Western region in general?

Exactly right. 100% right. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, the so called Buddy Franklin clone, generational talent, possible Pick 1 in next year's draft is coming to us wholly and solely because we have the Western Vic NGA. (Plus other kids)That's worth 'Western Bulldogs' alone. Ballarat makes us something like $500,000 a game when if at Marvel its $20,000.

Western Bulldogs has been a great move by the club and is now delivering real outcomes. It doesn't change our DNA or our history, it does change our elite talent profile, it changes our membership numbers up and changes our bottom line up.

Sure reminisce about the past, but we should leave it there once and for all.

[dog town]

I said it on twitter during the week. It’s not even an argument, if you take emotion out of it there is no logical reason to revert to Footscray.

[1eyedog]

I suppose it rates a mention due to PG volunteering he's at least pondered the merits of a change back ... perhaps during the same phase we re-embraced our old jumper?

Must say as long as you'll find Pies supporters in Werribee, Esserdon supporters in Bendigo and Blues supporters in Oakleigh the logic of 'Western' is still lost on me and seems more a misguided marketing stab rather than a measurably effective means of growing our supporter base. Otherwise do the job properly and rebrand as the Australia Bulldogs. There, job done, no?

I suppose 'good' clubs have historically expanded their supporter ranks the old fashioned way: success. So perhaps ours - wary of the precariousness of our very being - and being 'realists', grew amenable to more creative methods than they might otherwise have been. To me the decision smacked of reactionary defeatism.

Who reckons supporters in Altona, Sunshine, Wyndham or Tarneit - who existed well before we diluted the brand anyway - would feel any less connected to the club if it were called Footscray again? Hardly.

I'd love us to pivot back to Footscray, it's our proud DNA, but can't imagine it'll ever happen.

Then again we were brave enough to finally send Robodog away to live on a farm, so ...

I don't think so. Sure supporters are spread across the landscape like topping on a pizza but the West is a massive urban grow zone with high proportions of New Australians. I think the Western part of our name can still be a highly effective marketing strategy with New Australians seeking to integrate and take on a team in the AFL.

Changing the name to the Western Bulldogs may in another 20 years time prove a masterstroke by the club who had the forethought to align the change with broad-scale planning strategies across Melbourne's outer western suburbs.

Time will tell I suppose but we work hard across the Tarneit / Wyndham / Rockbank areas at primary schools and at large residential estate open days etc. We have a long-term growth strategy and it has more ceiling than the traditional Footscray name.

[hujsh]

Yep. There's 25 year olds who have only or can only remember their footy ticket and footy record as the Western Bulldogs. All generations witnessed a great premiership in 2016 by the Western Bulldogs, is there a knock on it because it wasn't Footscray? Why force another generation into the emotional and/or intellectual conflict that we went through all those years ago? We shouldn't. I agree about the 'same club' comment: a rose but by another name would still be a rose. We are proud club with a proud history, and an exciting future. Changing the name does nothing to change it. The key to progress is not to reverse course.



Exactly right. 100% right. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, the so called Buddy Franklin clone, genetic all tlent, possible Pick 1 in next year's draft is coming to us wholly and solely because we have the Western Vic NGA. (Plus other kids)That's worth 'Western Bulldogs' alone. Ballarat makes us something like $500,000 a game when if at Marvel its $20,000.

Western Bulldogs has been a great move by the club and is now delivering real outcomes. It doesn't change our DNA or our history, it does change our elite talent profile, it changes our membership numbers up and changes our bottom line up.

Sure reminisce about the past, but we should leave it there once and for all.

I'm 27 and can't remember it being Footscray either. Agree it's a bit late to change it back

[SonofScray]

I don't hate our current name. I hate the way it came about and the trend in sports marketing that was happening at the time. The narrative around a fair chunk of it never held up and we only really started nailing the campaign post 2010.

I am more comfortable with things now, because we have a classic jumper and our name in the VFL, it's a bit of appeasement. I used to be defensive/aggro about it because there has been an aggressive scapegoating of the name and place I identify most with. Western as a name will probably stay & to be frank, I resent Smorgo for it.

[Rocco Jones]

I don't hate our current name. I hate the way it came about and the trend in sports marketing that was happening at the time. The narrative around a fair chunk of it never held up and we only really started nailing the campaign post 2010.

I am more comfortable with things now, because we have a classic jumper and our name in the VFL, it's a bit of appeasement. I used to be defensive/aggro about it because there has been an aggressive scapegoating of the name and place I identify most with. Western as a name will probably stay & to be frank, I resent Smorgo for it.

100% with you. I felt more of an anti Footscray than pro Western Suburbs feeling at the time of the change. Erasing our history and trying to start again. Changing the jumper, as well as moving from Whitten Oval (I get at the time that had to happen and was something Gordon was doing too, however it really was compounded).

[Eastdog]

I’m 30 years old. We should be grateful that our club is still here (1989) and it is just so amazing how far it has come. I’m wearing my “Western Bulldogs” trackies. We are the Western Bulldogs now aka as Footscray. From a marketing point of view it makes perfect sense to capture those outer western suburbs. The ultimately aim is to have the largest supporter base in Victoria and Australia.

[Insufficient Intent]

The Western Bulldogs name infers we have a wide catchment; The West. Come join us if you're over this side, you'll be welcome.

Far more scope and inclusive than another team a bit further out, named after their town, whose catchment is as narrow and undersized as their home ground.

[EasternWest]

Time to keep moving forward, forging ahead.

Not sure why this is even a question 20+ years on.

Because 3AW and its listeners aren't content with anything that's changed because "things were better in the old days and this is PC gone mad".

[strebla]

I am Footscray rgrough and through at first I was bewildered but on reflection I understood. I grew up in Braybrook and have lived all over the west currently in Werribee every year I see more and more bulldog s gear being worn. It's a slow process bu,t it's working I understand the ongoing angst but I think it was for the best.

[Guido]

I was all for the change at the time - being borderline bankrupt with a merger more likely than not if we didn't increase our membership numbers and revenue, if there was ever a moment for such as extreme change, it was then. For years on bigfooty I would argue the point of how it was of benefit given the wider regional catchment it covered, and just could not understanding how people could put a name over potentially hurting membership numbers, and in turn, the club's survival.

The more than doubling of membership from 1996-->1997 indicated that the move was at least accepted by most supporters, and maybe even embraced by a significant percentage (Plough as a new coach and the excitement/success of the season obviously contributed to the increase in numbers as well).

But now, with a club that isn't worried about having enough resources to survive year to year, and hopefully never will again, I'd love to go back to Footscray. It truly is one of the greatest suburbs in the world, it's just that until recently, the world never knew it.

In my mind Footscray is who we are, that's the name that 100+ years of players and administrators fought for. Western can be a region in any bloody city in any bloody country, but there can only be one Footscray. Well, other than the one in England.

But I would never be for a name change being introduced without a vote of members, and I can't ever see it getting voted through, in my lifetime anyway.

[SonofScray]

Listen to all the interviews around 89/90 and you'll hear the club extensively referred to as a club for people of the west, the western suburbs etc. The idea that adopting a regional name opened you up to a greater catchment was a popular trend across many brands at the time. It found fertile ground in Footscray because it was already true and some marketing guru flipped it.

That's not to discredit the actual development and investment in the idea in recent times, but this is one of the things that irritates me the most.

[bornadog]

I was all for the change at the time - being borderline bankrupt with a merger more likely than not if we didn't increase our membership numbers and revenue, if there was ever a moment for such as extreme change, it was then. For years on bigfooty I would argue the point of how it was of benefit given the wider regional catchment it covered, and just could not understanding how people could put a name over potentially hurting membership numbers, and in turn, the club's survival.

The more than doubling of membership from 1996-->1997 indicated that the move was at least accepted by most supporters, and maybe even embraced by a significant percentage (Plough as a new coach and the excitement/success of the season obviously contributed to the increase in numbers as well).

But now, with a club that isn't worried about having enough resources to survive year to year, and hopefully never will again, I'd love to go back to Footscray. It truly is one of the greatest suburbs in the world, it's just that until recently, the world never knew it.

In my mind Footscray is who we are, that's the name that 100+ years of players and administrators fought for. Western can be a region in any bloody city in any bloody country, but there can only be one Footscray. Well, other than the one in England.

But I would never be for a name change being introduced without a vote of members, and I can't ever see it getting voted through, in my lifetime anyway.

Welcome back

[The Pie Man]

Hmmm

I've never lived in the West - I did what 90% of Victorian kids do in going for my Dad's team (he grew up in Footscray, then moved to Essendon as a teenager....far out does he hate Essendon..) so I've been skeptical of the Western catchment thing given how most kids 'choose' a team. My son hasn't gotten a choice either!

Butttttt…..if they believe playing the long game fans wise is starting to bear fruit, then you have to be for it.

I've always accepted it, but if they ever changed it back I can't say I'd be unhappy.

I'm also supportive of Ballarat - I loved the Adelaide game out there, truly felt like a 'home' game experience. Can you imagine 'Footscray' playing there? Well if they were tagged the team of the mighty west somehow, then maybe.

Anyway, given it's not going to happen....

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Am reconciled to our name and don't believe it will change back. Being now 65 yo of course I loved the Footscray F.C. and the cry of 'Footscray' and 'Scray'.
When our name was changed of course it seemed like a betrayal, a cringe, a failure of heart and faith. It was a name made by a marketting committee.
Being an English teacher, an intuitive type who values symbols, words and images it seemed misguided and non- descript.
Now with a second premiership and a great future, it seems not as important.
However seeing as the topic is raised: the 'Western' Bulldogs in a national comp seems strange as there are five clubs more west than us. Is it arrogant or ignorant to presume without stating that 'west' means west of Melbourne? Should we be Greater Western Melbourne or Western Victoria (Geelong would not agree)?
Being specifically Footscray is historically and geographically accurate. Mecca is for all Islamists, Barcelona F.C. is for all fans and Richmond F.C. is for all members of the Tiger heartland. The heartlands name has the power of the birth, the solid foundation of the unfolding, the "still point of the turning world". However...

It doesn't matter anymore, these issues are just expecting too much of the name.
Long live the Western Bulldogs.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

I'm 27 and can't remember it being Footscray either. Agree it's a bit late to change it back
How can you be only 27 yo and know the term 'too late' in a historical sense:)

[Twodogs]

Great replies everyone. This is WOOF at it's best.

The passion bleeds through every post.

[EasternWest]

Great replies everyone. This is WOOF at it's best.

The passion bleeds through every post.

It's true. I passionately *!*!*!*!ing hate 3AW.

[Webby]

Putting aside emotional attachments to our original name, would we have been given the opportunity to develop Ballarat as an expanded supporter base, or given NGA access to the greater western Victorian region (which is going to snare us a potential generational talent) if we hadn't transformed our brand to be more inclusive of the Western region in general?

To be honest, I’d go back to “Footscray” in a second if it were up to me, but you make some really good points, here.

[Twodogs]

I'm happy with the status quo. Western Bulldogs for the national competition, Footscray for the VFL team, Western Bulldogs fpr the AFLW and the VFLW.

I am especially happy that those teams have given us 4 premiership cups to put in the trophy cabinet since 2014. Find me a club that has that many cups in the last 5 years and I will gladly revert to the old name.

[choconmientay]

As a new migrant to this country and only knowing our team by the Western Bulldogs. My kids are born here and growing up with the Western Bulldogs name. I would prefer us not to change the name back.

I joined as a member and over time got to know about our history as Footscray but not having an emotional connection with the name.

Asking me to adapt to the change back to Footscray; would be asking me to go through the change you guys experienced when we changed from Footscray to Western Bulldogs. ( I would imagine it was painful and most of you'd be reluctantly accepting it)

There are other immigrants currently living in this country, in the western region which we are trying to attract (Braybrook, Sunshine, St. Albans, Werribee, Melton ...) and are only knowing the team as Western Bulldogs. Would we lose the appeal to most of them if we are trading back as Footscray?

[BornInDroopSt'54]

As a new migrant to this country and only knowing our team by the Western Bulldogs. My kids are born here and growing up with the Western Bulldogs name. I would prefer us not to change the name back.

I joined as a member and over time got to know about our history as Footscray but not having an emotional connection with the name.

Asking me to adapt to the change back to Footscray; would be asking me to go through the change you guys experienced when we changed from Footscray to Western Bulldogs. ( I would imagine it was painful and most of you'd be reluctantly accepting it)

There are other immigrants currently living in this country, in the western region which we are trying to attract (Braybrook, Sunshine, St. Albans, Werribee, Melton ...) and are only knowing the team as Western Bulldogs. Would we lose the appeal to most of them if we are trading back as Footscray?
I love the appeal of club to migrants. I taught ESL to migrants and love how footy is a conduit to being an Australian, part of the fabric. My father in law was from Greece, lived in Carlton and loves the Blues although he was a soccer player in Greece. How good is ethnicity in footy, Lin Jong, Bamblett, Buhagiar, Del Ray, Brereton, Bontempelli, Aliir etc?
Yes if we changed back to Footscray, the followers of the last couple of decades would feel the shifting sands of identity like migrants feel, like we elders did when Footscray was taken from us and Western became a fait accompli.
Most important to attract the migrants including the Sudanese who need us as much as we need them. After all Footscray was the home of the Medway hostel and migrants lived there and went to school with me in the 50's and beyond. Now many migrants make Footscray great, coolest suburb in the world, Werribee, Melton etc as you say are part of the Western Bulldogs and make the club greater.

[SonofScray]

As a new migrant to this country and only knowing our team by the Western Bulldogs. My kids are born here and growing up with the Western Bulldogs name. I would prefer us not to change the name back.

I joined as a member and over time got to know about our history as Footscray but not having an emotional connection with the name.

Asking me to adapt to the change back to Footscray; would be asking me to go through the change you guys experienced when we changed from Footscray to Western Bulldogs. ( I would imagine it was painful and most of you'd be reluctantly accepting it)

There are other immigrants currently living in this country, in the western region which we are trying to attract (Braybrook, Sunshine, St. Albans, Werribee, Melton ...) and are only knowing the team as Western Bulldogs. Would we lose the appeal to most of them if we are trading back as Footscray?

Can absolutely appreciate and accept your feelings on a change. However, we were never asked. It was just ripped from us as part of a package deal from Smorgo's ticket. Never really evaluated or scrutinised. Just forced on us and affirmed by a constant doomsday narrative (we were in strife, to be fair) for most of his reign.

We already were the Club of the west and deep roots in all the suburbs you mentioned. Assuming we did everything else the same since 97, I'd think that would have held true. Ballarat etc, maybe not. It's all crystal ball type stuff at this point.

[Bulldog4life]

Irrespective of how the Western Bulldogs moniker was thrust upon us it is so important to retain that name now. I loved the team of Footscray more than anyone but let's not go backwards. It might be a drastic mistake.

[GVGjr]

Irrespective of how the Western Bulldogs moniker was thrust upon us it is so important to retain that name now. I loved the team of Footscray more than anyone but let's not go backwards. It might be a drastic mistake.

I actually think how it was thrust upon us and the reasons behind it as important aspects to the discussion and I really don't think we can revert back to the Footscray name because we one a flag as the Western Bulldogs

From memory one of the first decisions we had to consider was a choice between the red, white and blue jumper or the Footscray name. It was a gross manipulation of the selection process that never sat well with me but I did support the name change rather than lose our traditional jumper as was proposed. Later the jumper was butchered but that's another story

Would a change back really impact the club? Perhaps but I don't think it would jeopardise the club

[Twodogs]

As a new migrant to this country and only knowing our team by the Western Bulldogs. My kids are born here and growing up with the Western Bulldogs name. I would prefer us not to change the name back.

I joined as a member and over time got to know about our history as Footscray but not having an emotional connection with the name.

Asking me to adapt to the change back to Footscray; would be asking me to go through the change you guys experienced when we changed from Footscray to Western Bulldogs. ( I would imagine it was painful and most of you'd be reluctantly accepting it)

There are other immigrants currently living in this country, in the western region which we are trying to attract (Braybrook, Sunshine, St. Albans, Werribee, Melton ...) and are only knowing the team as Western Bulldogs. Would we lose the appeal to most of them if we are trading back as Footscray?


Great post Choc. As for the name change, well at the time it was far from certain that the club would survive so any tinkering around the edges was OK with me. Besides this Western Bulldogs entity is much more successful than Footscray!

[Bulldog4life]

I actually think how it was thrust upon us and the reasons behind it as important aspects to the discussion and I really don't think we can revert back to the Footscray name because we one a flag as the Western Bulldogs

From memory one of the first decisions we had to consider was a choice between the red, white and blue jumper or the Footscray name. It was a gross manipulation of the selection process that never sat well with me but I did support the name change rather than lose our traditional jumper as was proposed. Later the jumper was butchered but that's another story

Would a change back really impact the club? Perhaps but I don't think it would jeopardise the club

We will never know exactly unless the name is changed back. Otherwise it is only our opinions.

[bulldogtragic]

Irrespective of how the Western Bulldogs moniker was thrust upon us it is so important to retain that name now. I loved the team of Footscray more than anyone but let's not go backwards. It might be a drastic mistake.

Yep. The Smorgo ticket made a decision and and we've stuck with it. It was a decisive move.

Then take the 'shin boners'. They tried to copy cat what we did. They were North Melbourne Kangaroos. Then they decided to be known just as 'the kangaroos' hoping to widen their appeal. That didn't work out, so then they went back. Then they pushed 'shin boners' harder. Now they want to be simply 'North', despite being the southern Tasmania side. Their flip flopping chasing focus group feedback is amatuer hour and is a poor (true) reflection of their branding ability.

I don't want to be like North changing the focus names or even seriously debating it at club level. North are chasing and changing things over several years which to me is desperate. We made a decisive call 22 years ago. To change it they'd need to hold focus groups to understand how members would react. As Danny said on the 2016 Prelim Banner, we are not a club of focus groups. We are who we are. We survived linger threats of merging through the 90's, we grew our membership base, got in good sponsors and eventually won a flag. Our history doesn't change either.

I don't see any good reason/s for reverting the name back. There's a risk of losing some members, and do we think the 'Footscray Forever' group will suddenly all become active members to cover the shortfall? (No) Would Mercedes (& others) re-think their sponsorship of Footscray, or could it remotely risk it? (Yes) Will the name change make us significantly more money? (No) Would it make us more attractive and more inclusive? (No) - So why do it? So some the older members (35+ year olds) get to live in the romance of the past with a different region name before the word 'Bulldogs'. We need to make financial, commercial and branding decisions on what's best for the club, the membership numbers and the bottom line. Reverting the name doesn't do nothing for the KPIs just mentioned.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Seeing as part of the name change came from a marketting move that presumed a cringe factor in Footscrays image, can I just say that the non building of the east west link also involves such a factor?
Daniel Andrews has done some of the best infrastructure work for Melbourne ever but I cursed when he used opposition to the East West link as part of his party's platform.
Now he claims he cannot accept the billions offered by the federal government because the electorate has voted on the issue: basically saying Victoria has turned it's back on the west and don't want the EastWest link.
I am calling bullshit on the party I have supported all my life.
Dan this is a continuation of prejudice against the west to the point of failure to address Melbourne's greatest needs. Logistically, logically and for mercy's sake Melbourne needs the link built.

[bornadog]

Seeing as part of the name change came from a marketting move that presumed a cringe factor in Footscrays image, can I just say that the non building of the east west link also involves such a factor?
Daniel Andrews has done some of the best infrastructure work for Melbourne ever but I cursed when he used opposition to the East West link as part of his party's platform.
Now he claims he cannot accept the billions offered by the federal government because the electorate has voted on the issue: basically saying Victoria has turned it's back on the west and don't want the EastWest link.
I am calling bullshit on the party I have supported all my life.
Dan this is a continuation of prejudice against the west to the point of failure to address Melbourne's greatest needs. Logistically, logically and for mercy's sake Melbourne needs the link built.

Getting a bit political there

[choconmientay]

Can absolutely appreciate and accept your feelings on a change. However, we were never asked. It was just ripped from us as part of a package deal from Smorgo's ticket. Never really evaluated or scrutinised. Just forced on us and affirmed by a constant doomsday narrative (we were in strife, to be fair) for most of his reign.

We already were the Club of the west and deep roots in all the suburbs you mentioned. Assuming we did everything else the same since 97, I'd think that would have held true. Ballarat etc, maybe not. It's all crystal ball type stuff at this point.

In the western suburbs, I believe the demographic has changed immensely in the past decade with migrants from India and Africa now dominating these suburbs and the club needs to look for customized programs to attract these groups. We don't need to have a lot of focus on maintaining of what we already have but should spend more energy on onboarding new members from those diverse backgrounds :)

[choconmientay]

I love the appeal of club to migrants. I taught ESL to migrants and love how footy is a conduit to being an Australian, part of the fabric.

You should work with the club to get either Western Bulldogs giveaway merchandise or the 3 games "give-away-memberships" to introduce them to our game. In the next few years, we'd have a lot of pulling power to convert them to join and love our club.

[choconmientay]

Yep. The Smorgo ticket made a decision and and we've stuck with it. It was a decisive move.

Then take the 'shin boners'. They tried to copy cat what we did. They were North Melbourne Kangaroos. Then they decided to be known just as 'the kangaroos' hoping to widen their appeal. That didn't work out, so then they went back. Then they pushed 'shin boners' harder. Now they want to be simply 'North', despite being the southern Tasmania side. Their flip flopping chasing focus group feedback is amatuer hour and is a poor (true) reflection of their branding ability.

I don't want to be like North changing the focus names or even seriously debating it at club level. North are chasing and changing things over several years which to me is desperate. We made a decisive call 22 years ago. To change it they'd need to hold focus groups to understand how members would react. As Danny said on the 2016 Prelim Banner, we are not a club of focus groups. We are who we are. We survived linger threats of merging through the 90's, we grew our membership base, got in good sponsors and eventually won a flag. Our history doesn't change either.

I don't see any good reason/s for reverting the name back. There's a risk of losing some members, and do we think the 'Footscray Forever' group will suddenly all become active members to cover the shortfall? (No) Would Mercedes (& others) re-think their sponsorship of Footscray, or could it remotely risk it? (Yes) Will the name change make us significantly more money? (No) Would it make us more attractive and more inclusive? (No) - So why do it? So some the older members (35+ year olds) get to live in the romance of the past with a different region name before the word 'Bulldogs'. We need to make financial, commercial and branding decisions on what's best for the club, the membership numbers and the bottom line. Reverting the name doesn't do nothing for the KPIs just mentioned.

I love your post and the reasonings.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

You should work with the club to get either Western Bulldogs giveaway merchandise or the 3 games "give-away-memberships" to introduce them to our game. In the next few years, we'd have a lot of pulling power to convert them to join and love our club.

I'm going to seriously consider this.