HAMILTON”S LEADER IS ONE OF THE TIGERCATS BIGGEST FANS

Hamilton’s mayor, Bon Wade, was in attendance at the Tigers Lair BBQ and fansofcanadianfootball.com was there to discuss the CFL with him.  Mayor Wade is a long time season ticket holder and supporter of the Tiger-cats who hopes they stay in Hamilton for a long time and gives his full support to the Hamilton owners.  He is looking forward to the upcoming season and see’s nothing but success for his hometown Tiger-cats.  The following is our discussions with Mayor Wade: See pic.

What is it that you like about CFL football?

The CFL is a very unique league opposed to the United States game.  I do like the U.S. game as well but with Canadian football there is just something about it.  The field is larger and wider and with only 12 players on the field there is more room to maneuver.  This makes it a wide-open and fast game, which I find more enjoyable to watch.

What do you think of the CATS this year and their chances in

 the upcoming season?

I have a great deal of faith in coach Lancaster.  The team has a strong nucleus of players with Danny McManus, Darren Flutie, Rob Hitchcock and all and he will bring the team together.  I think the new comers will be able to work along the core group of veterans to make a competitive club.

There is no secret that the Tigercats struggle at the gate.

 Do you have any ideas why and how we can improve the

 attendance at games?

I have no idea why attendance is low.  The city tried to make tickets available at a cheaper rate for City employees but that program was not successful.  Some of the games our televised on the local Cable 14 which maybe makes some people decide to stay home.  Others just enjoy listening to the game on the radio but it is not the same as being there.  The ownership group is trying some good ideas to get fans in and hopefully it helps.  I would like to see 20 000 to 25 000 people a game in the stadium as 19 000 will not sustain a viable organization.  Hamilton cannot afford to lose the team and I am willing to help anyway possible.  The Tiger-cats is synomous with Hamilton.  It doesn’t matter where you go in this world when you say you are from Hamilton they say the Tiger-cats.

How do you feel about the fact the Tigers Lair will be bringing

 a Hospitality suite representing the City of Hamilton this year

 to Edmonton?

I think this is a very positive thing the Tiger’s Lair is doing.  Hamilton is a major player in the CFL and should be a major player in Grey Cup.  This will not only help out the team but also the city.  It will help get more people in the building and also the city.  That is important for the city whether people spend money or not they are seeing our city and what it has to offer.

THE ANCHOR AND CAPTAIN OF THE TIGERCATS DEFENCE IS LOOKING FOR A SUCCESSFUL SEASON

Rob Hitchcock is a seven-year veteran of the Hamilton Tiger-cats and the CFL.  He is arguably one of the most popular Tiger-Cats in the city who not only anchors one of the leagues toughest defences but captains it as well.  We were privileged to talk to Rob Hitchcock on his thoughts on the upcoming season and the CFL.

How has the team responded to the loss of all the

 players through free agency?

You lose players every year through free agency.  It is the personal choice of those players to leave and all you can do is bid them a farewell.  Every year you need to find new players to fill in.  Sometimes it is hard to replace some of the names but there are thousands of football players out there that can always fill in the spots.

What is your outlook for the Tiger-cat defence this

 year?

This year’s defence has some real team speed.  We have many new guys in the front seven this year that are fast and eager to play.  These players are fast and hit hard and play exactly how coach Sudsy likes his defence to play.

Where do you realistically see the club finishing this

year?

Grey Cup is always the goal.  But as a team we take it one game at a time and do not look ahead.

What can you as a player or the organization do to

 improve the attendance at games?

There are so many different ideas but it is up to the marketing people in the CFL to pick and choose.  Hamilton has a good marketing group, which should help.  However, weather always poses a problem in Hamilton, which hurts when you rely on a walk-up crowd.  But this is the best buy for your buck.

What are your thoughts on the Tigers Lair group?

I think it is a great idea and every other team in the league

should be represented even if they are not in Grey Cup.

It is good not only for the CFL, the local teams but also the

fans.

1.      Thanks Rob and good luck in the season?

Thank-you.

DARREN FLUTIE CHASING THE RECORD

 BOOK ON HIS WAY TO THE HALL OF FAME

Darren Flutie is entering his fifth season with the Hamilton

Tiger-Cats and his twelfth season in the CFL.  He has

 announced that this is his final year in the CFL and is chasing

 a few more records before ending his career and entering the

 Hall of Fame.  Fansofcanadianfootball.com had a great

 opportunity to sit down and talk to this CFL legend on his

thoughts on the CFL, the upcoming season and friend and

team member Danny McManus.

How has the team responded after the free agents losses

at the start of this year?

The team has been fine.  The coaches have brought in a lot of

 talent.  I have faith in Sudsy and his defence and offensively

 we have brought in many talented and speedy receivers.

Why do you think you share a close relationship with

 Danny McManus?

Yeah, he just told me yesterday we have been playing with

 each other for ten straight years now.  I think we get along

as we are both on the quiet end of personalities in the locker

 room.  I enjoy working with him on and off the field as he is a

 winner and strives for nothing but perfection.

Why is there attendance problems in Hamilton and what

 can you or the league do to improve on it?

I think there is a strong affection to the NFL in southern

 Ontario.  We are so close to the States and the NFL is easily

 accessible and they market to us non-stop.  However, I think

 we still draw to the hardcore CFL fans and coach Lancaster

has put a good team on the field and hopefully that will spark

 an interest to more people.  I would like to see more marketing

 from corporate big names with CFL type video games.  My 6

 year old sits and plays the NFL video games all day.  If we

 could entice a big name to make a CFL game we may be able

 to reach some of those younger fans.

That would be great.  I could run a McManus to Flutie pass

 patterns every time and send you to the Hall of Fame of

 video games as well.

Yeah, I would probably play it for hours myself.  But I don’t

 think I would be able to catch the ball well in that game

 ( laughs).

I highly doubt that Darren.  Thanks a lot and good luck in

 the season.

Thanks.