Good morning, everyone!
The New Year is in full swing, and reality is setting in – the holiday season is coming to an end or ended already – Depending on your work schedule, it’s either back to the grind already or soon. Don’t attack the messenger – I’m just trying to write a blog this morning.
As someone who had this team as a vital part of my life growing up in Aba, I vividly remember the electric atmosphere at Enyimba Stadium, with stands nearly packed to capacity even before kickoff. Sadly, those days are now a distant memory, replaced by a starkly different reality.
This dwindling attendance is clearly evident today, and stark gaps in sections where fans once packed to the rafters, while entire stands remain unoccupied throughout the game. This not only looks unappealing on TV but also takes away the intimidating atmosphere that our home games should provide for opposing teams.
During my time working with the League Management Company (2014-2016), I had the opportunity to visit various match venues on matchdays. Uyo, Benin, Warri, Enugu, Umuahia etc. Unfortunately, I observed that most club administrators seemed indifferent to attendance numbers. In fact, it appeared like they didn’t want anyone coming any close to the team.
This is a reason why I am worried by this current trend at Enyimba. Back in the day, the club would work hand in hand with media organizations in the State to bring the fans closer to the team. Chief FAA okayed for Chinedu Udoji or any other player of our choice to come on live radio for interviews.
Can you imagine that today? A senior player at the club coming for a radio interview and fans all across the state or beyond with the opportunity to ask them questions, get their reactions and see their human side too? Fans loved it. It endeared them to the team and the result? Good numbers at the stadium on matchdays.
We must prioritize getting our fans back to the stadium. Of what use is playing at home when home doesnt feel like home? Protect the goose that lays the golden egg. Neglecting this will only hurt the team. I recall instances from our glorious past when fans literally got the team over the line. It’s time for our administrators to show they care – or at the least, pretend to.
Back tomorrow
‘EnyimbaEnyi
To bring back the crowd, management has to do two things;
1. Just you have pointed in your article, the team (playing & coaching) has to be approachable to the fans.
2. Match day should be treated as an entertainment spectacle and management should engage event planners/managers to choreograph side events that will run during the match days.
Couldn’t have been better put.