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Bringing fans to stadiums...

I'm seeing a documentary programme on TV asking how South African football can bring fans to the stadium, I know there's something corrupt in South African football & there's a third force trying to kill the South African game. In fact, they've succeed in killing South African football. But since we're eternal optimists, we always want to find solutions for problems that will never be considered because the football bosses want to make money & happy fans are something they don't like for whatever reason but here are some ways I'd organise for there to be more fans at stadiums if I were a big, rich person employed by any league in the world.  

- Cheerleaders: As men are usually fans of sport, what attracts men more than women in tights dancing? Simple biology to bring in male fans.

- Mascots: Maybe this is more an American thing but the mascot is often great entertainment & fun for the kids. 

- Comfort: Stadium must be hospitable, easily accessible, easy directions to seat, fans of separate teams placed in segments across the stadium, no food or alcohol to be brought in (snacks & drinks sold at stadium). Basic.

- Ability to relate with players & coach: Players, coach & management must be identifiable with the people. They must know who their fans are & what they're about. I remember a TV show claiming that at times football becomes "tribal" & the fans of the team are like a tribe or clan & I believe it is so, it often is that way. Not so much in South Africa anymore but with Ultras of Europe & South America, football does become a little "tribal". A team must know what it's fans are about & who they are.

- Basic proximity: It's hard for a potential fanbase to support a team that's not exactly from where the fans are from. Most of Orlando Pirates fans are probably from around Orlando Stadium / Soweto, most of Kaizer Chiefs fans are probably from around Naturena / FNB Stadium, most of Mamelodi Sundown's fans are from Chloorkop or wherever Sundowns plays it's home games. The fans of the team are usually the community from where the team is from. 

Fans of T. P. Mazembe in Congo.

A fan like me would appreciate the above, as well as simple order which is something South Africans are not known for, I've been around places with over-the-top fans & I don't mind that kind of celebrating but match organisers must know what they're doing & what to do in case of riots, stampedes & such. There'll always be theft & fights at stadiums so security or police presence during bigger matches might help. 

One of the other main reasons South Africans don't support football as much as was said they did in the past is because of lack of character on the field & ever-changing squads. Characters on the field can bring in fans & bums-on-seats by themselves without much else. I remember when there was Stanton Fredericks & Jabu Mahlangu at Kaizer Chiefs, creative players... I'm afraid the more tactics & tacticians are the centre of attention, it limits the creativity of players. In fact, creative players today are stifled & players that follow instructions are favoured over talent & we're unlikely to get colourful characters in the modern age of South African football. The talented players are the more eccentric ones & the guys with a bit of ego, modern football simply doesn't approve of that anymore. 

BONUS: I remember someone referring to free team replica jerseys for fans that buy more than two tickets or something, this would work if the replica kits weren't so expensive but maybe a simple t-shirt with the team's logo could be given out instead for people buying many home tickets or something. 

P. S. There's no reason the above wouldn't work for other sports.

How we can make South African football world-class.

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