Paramatta Eels sign 20,000 members — a record number for January
THE dreaded wooden spoon hasn’t stopped Paramatta fans from throwing their support behind the club. Despite finishing last in 2018, the Eels have signed up record number of members for season 2019.
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THE dreaded wooden spoon hasn’t stopped Paramatta fans from throwing their support behind the club.
Despite finishing in last place in 2018, the Eels have signed up 20,000 members — a record for the month of January.
Eels captain Tim Mannah isn’t surprised by the show of support.
“We had a terrible year performance-wise but the fans have shown their loyalty and their passion. It makes us want to do everything that we can as players to repay their loyalty this season,” he said.
Dave McDonald is the 20,000th member, signing up for the first time with the Eels this year.
“It doesn’t matter how your team goes you should stick by them. That’s what I have done throughout the 39 years that I have been following Parramatta. I decided to become a member because I felt like now was the right time to do it and I want to be there on that first day they play there,” he said.
The Eels will play their first game at their new home, Bankwest Stadium, on Easter Monday against the Wests Tigers in round six.
The new ground, which is in the final stages of construction, is proving a huge drawcard for fans.
Mannah says it will give Eels fans a world-class facility from which they can support their team.
“We did a tour a couple of months ago. It really lived up to the hype that everyone was giving it,” he said.
“I think that has been a big part with the fans, they are excited to have a place to call home again.”
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