BELIEVE: Keeping The Faith - SOS IronShark

[IronShark]

I haven't been posting on here much of late, mostly as I have been flat out at work but also because I have been struggling with an increasing sense of desperation that I hope you guys can help me with.

First, let me say that it has absolutely nothing to do with the performance of the Sharks football team. Of course it is great when we win but the way things have been for the last couple of years, I really think we have more important things to worry about.

Since Damian and the new board have taken over, they have moved heaven and earth to turn the Club around - and they are doing a great job at that. However it seems that for every two steps forward, we get knocked back at least one - sometimes more!

For a long time now, I have held the view that the NRL and it's controlling body, News Ltd, have maintained an agenda to devalue the Sharks brand, in whatever way they can, with the ultimate objective of forcing us out of the league.

Unfavourable game day scheduling, a lack of television coverage and non-stop media criticism have been the order of the day for some time now. We're used to this, I guess.

But now we seem to getting targetted from all sides - even our own. After all the hard work done by the Club coming up with a fantastic development proposal that would not only safeguard our future but will also be a great asset for the Shire, our own Sutherland Shire Council have decided to stick their beak in to try and get control back of the development application!

Add to this the attempted poaching of Snowden by a cashed up billionaire, the disgraceful treatment we received by the referees in the Manly loss and, even worse, the massive beat-up the media made about some minor problems at the ground that night and you could say that my "belief" levels are in need of a boost!

I have busted my ass for the last three years or so to do whatever I can to promote the Sharks and I won't give up that fight. But it is a kick in the guts every time I see us crucified in the media and stabbed in the back by our own community.

What is wrong with people in the Shire? - Other communities around Australia are screaming for their own NRL team. We have got one and we take it for granted or, even worse, actively campaign against it. Are people so ****ing spineless that they would rather latch on to some other team in the hope of success than stand by the team that represent their community? It's pathetic.

All in all, I guess this post is just a chance for me to vent some of the disgust and rage I felt after the game last Saturday and in the events of the week following it. Anyone who feels the same, feel free to join me!

PS: Mod's, feel free to move this to the "I'm Pissed Off" thread or wherever else you think it should go!

 

[Mark^Bastard]

Mate, I know exactly what you mean, sometimes it's frigging hard to not give up mentally.

But I take some happiness out of our two home crowd figures so far this year, over 12,000 in the pissing down rain and then over 15,000 for the last one.

I take some happiness out of the fact that our team is playing well. We should have won 4 out of 5 so far. One game we lost through lack of dedication and another because of the refs. We really turned up for 4 out of 5 games so far and I'm really happy with that.

I also think things are starting to swing a bit, very slowly, as far as scheduling goes. Channel 9 games we're going alright, even a Friday night coming up at home! Plus we've had a fair amount of Sunday schedules too which is great. The dreaded Saturday night time slot has been a lot more rare.

Our for and against is so much better than the last two years and that makes me happy.

Also Iron, if you want to write a positive article about the Sharks I know the guy that runs the zero tackle website and I have asked him and he is keen for it. He's an Eels fan but he has no bias against the Sharks and doesn't mind if Sharks fans write pro-Sharks articles.

I was thinking about writing an article that dispels Sharks related myths including linking to proof but I dunno how good a job I'd do, maybe you'd do a good job at it?

 

[Gil]

Iron.

I have spoken to you before about some of the issues you have raised and I feel the same way.

I don't know if it's because of how much I love and support the team, I can't explain it.

But yes every step we take forward, there seems to be one back. I was up at Westfield today and there were alot of jerseys, cap, t-shirts in the crowd, which is good to see.

I think the fact that the media are continually printing 90% of all the bad stuff the happens against 10% of the good the players and supporters do for the community, the bad press dosen't help the supporter base.

I can see that the club (management) are busting their backsides trying to find an answer.

All we can do as supporters and fans is turn up each home game and pack the place out.

There is one song that I like which sums it up "Where Not Going To Take It" by Twisted Sister

This year is going great so far, I can only see things improving, from there everything will fall into place.

 

[SF]

I know how you feel Iron. I wish I could do more.

One thing maybe we could consider - trying to get some access to David Gallop through the CSSC, and ask him to come out strongly in our favour like he did when Tinkler was buying the Knights (saying they were a viable team). Would he do it? I don't know. But I think he is about the most fair-minded NRL executive we could hope for. Would it help? Maybe not. But I think there are too many people who see it as a fait accompli (just read League Unlimited) and mentally detaching themselves.

Having said all that, the way Gardner and AK played today gives me hope for years to come!

And the other part - I've mentioned it in the main forum, but I don't know if you realise how much a difference you make just with replying to news articles.

As my signature says....

 

[ABshark]

Iron, great post. I've had the same feeling. But don't let that despair get to you mate! This is only the start of our journey and you've already done so much to inspire others to come on board.

For me, it comes down to two things: faith and patience. The American basketball coach, John Wooden, (who won 10 College Championships in 12 years as Coach of UCLA and is somewhat of an idol of mine) put those two virtues right at the top of his pyramid of success as the mortar that held everything else together. You have to have patience, and you have to have faith- specifically:

"That we have to truly believe- not just give it lip-service- that if we do what we should, then things will turn out as they should. Not necessarily as we might want them to, but as they should."

I don't buy in to the conspiracy stuff much (though you were damn right about the cheating Storm). The Tele started off the year writing in a "Could the Sharks have a Roosteresque fairytale in 2011" vein, but that died away when the Tinkler/Kade/Bennett stuff kicked in, and killed our momentum. But I think if we can keep feeding them good stuff they will bite eventually- say,
When Gal leads NSW to Origin glory, and perhaps the development Kelly and Gardner's in to a Thurston/Bowen type combo.

Except I am a bit worried by Brad Walter at the SMH though- that bloke has our number and is hammering us, weekly. Tbh, I suspect Fisk is still feeding him stuff. KHunt.

The Shire will come around. We're going to make them. By the time we're done we will have the most passionate and committed fan base in Australian sport, one that is the envy of every other Club and is our competitive advantage in the market. The mere suggestion of kicking us out will incite protest marches by the Supporters of all Clubs because everyone will believe that we are the ones that epitomise the spirit of RL in Australia.

 

[SF]

SOS (Save Our Sharks) IronShark!

You're sorely missed mate, it's so noticeable when you're not around in the main forum.

I honestly think you've inspired more people with your posts and comments than just about anyone - we (the Sharks) need you back!
:cheers

 

[IronShark]

Mate, I have been away with work alot lately but also, to be honest, I'm really struggling to muster the enthusiasm at the moment! Don't get me wrong, it's got nothing to do with our results on the field. Like most Sharks supporters, I'm used to disappointment!

What has me gutted though is just the constant run of bad luck we can't seem to get away from. Douglas leaves out of the blue, Snowden looks set to go as well, Kelly and Gardner get injured, plus John Williams is now out for awhile.

I don't know, we really seem to be cursed. I think we badly need some good news from the Club about the development, just to remind everyone - fans, critics and media alike - that we are still moving forward as a Club.

I have heard rumours that we have two big signings looming that will make alot of our supporters happy. I hope that is still the case.

On the positive side, Our NYC team are killing it. This just proves the point most of us have been making for a long time. Cronulla Sutherland produces some fantastic juniors; we need to recognise this and hold onto them. At least we know they won't get "homesick" and leave once their value increases!

Imagine our squad with the likes of Keith Galloway, Matt Hilder, Mitch Brown, Luke Stuart, etc in our 25. It just re-inforces the importance of hanging onto juniors like Townsend, Pickerd and Mills - to name a few.

I still believe our best years are just around the corner but we have to make it to that corner first!:hoping

 

[SF]

Yep, totally understand, and I'm not trying to harass you. Just reminding you how much your opinion is respected by everyone, and how much a difference I've seen it make.

 

[snowman]

With out having a bum lick on you Iron...

Having met you, your passion and enthusiam for the sharks is contageous (sp)
To see you down in the dumps, seems like thats rubbing off on people as well.

I know I can be a negative nelly after a loss, but when people see you down in the dumps, it may rub off on the forum?

Food for thought

 

[Mark^Bastard]

When I see IronShark down it makes me feel guilty that I don't do more.

 

[SF]

When I see IronShark down it makes me feel guilty that I don't do more.

That's actually true, maybe it's all a cunning plan.