Fans' Forum

[Blue_and_Gold]

Angel I know I can be bit thick but you have lost me ??

Malcolm - a reference to George Orwell's Animal Farm

Capitalist Pigs feeding from the trough of the working man and all that kind of thing.

Of course, absolutely nothing to do with football!   

[Gordon Chilvers]

What the devil is going on in here ?? All this digging and griping at each other, seems likes its turned into a Have a Pop at everybody and anybody forum, what must casual visitors to the forum think?  Can't we get back to the serious issues like glass glasses not plastic ones

Sorry Blue Moon but this is a far more serious issue than plastic glasses and that is what is wrong. We are again on the downward spiral and actions need to be done urgently. We now allegedly have a new commercial manager. I think he has been with the club more days than the several previous ones put together.
Just read back programme notes  over the reign of SC and they are full of BIG News, BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS, big new sponsorships etc etc. You name one sponsorship that SC has managed to bring to the club that has been successful.
We ALL need to wake up and smell the coffee! Sooner rather than later.

[Grissles Oleary]

What the devil is going on in here ?? All this digging and griping at each other, seems likes its turned into a Have a Pop at everybody and anybody forum, what must casual visitors to the forum think?  Can't we get back to the serious issues like glass glasses not plastic ones

 

[TonyM]

I should be going this evening so if anyone has anything specific (and sensible) then feel free to pm me and I will do my best.  As I have said previously, I hope all parties attend tonight being prepared to listen, with it being time limited we can't afford to get sidetracked or for it to turn into a moaning session with no real positive steps forward.

Whilst I appreciate some who have been watching for years / decades may not like and/or trust SC, the fact that he is prepared to front up at these sort of events puts him way ahead of Bobbins etc from previous regimes imo, so lets see what is said this evening.

[northwootton]

I can tell you now, tonight’s forum will be a complete and utter waste of time.  Of course fans are going to moan, gripe or criticise, call it what you will, because they are dissatisfied with way the club is run.  Cleeve has said in the past it’s his club and he likes to run it his way.  Do you honestly think he is going to take any notice of the fans now when hitherto he has ignored and alienated them in way only he could do. In any event, in my view it’s too little too late.  The writing is on the wall, I fear it’s when not if.
Read Gavin Caney’s article in today’s YOURS local paper; it’s a brilliant take on the current situation.

[Mallard]

Maybe SC will turn up with a different attitude and genuinely will reach out to the fans for help.   

Have things gone that far that they can’t be turned around ?  I’m
Not so sure.  I have advocated for a long time that the owner needs to bring in fresh investment  and people to share the load.

Hopefully this 1 hour meeting will be a step in the right direction.

[northwootton]

Mallard, I wish I shared your optimism.  Investors in a sinking ship are very hard to come by especially when you consider Cleeve’s colourful background. Of course, I might be totally wrong and everything will be hunkydory after tonight.  I’m already getting excited, we should have a fantastic crowd next Tuesday night for sure!!!!   

[Nemesis]

As long as it isn't a "use it or lose it" session. Been there and heard that before.

[Mallard]

The success ( or failure) of the Club is in one person’s hands.  If SC cones in with a different mindset then I’m sure fans and the like will respond accordingly.    Tonight shouldn’t be about playing the blame game.   That will achieve nothing.    What we need to hear is plans on how the missing fans and new fans can be attracted back to The Walks.

Hopefully there will be some realistic plans and the usual ‘big story’ event that never materialised.

Over to you SC.   Let’s see those wheels set in motion.

[northwootton]

Mallard, I disagree.   You have to apportion blame so those who are to blame learn by their mistakes.  Those who are so arrogant that they think they are infallible are very dangerous people.  Recognising ones mistakes and making efforts to put things right is a trait to be desired.  Something lacking with a certain person in my opinion.

[gs50]

Won't be there but think Chairman could start putting  things right by having Tuesday night Kids for Quid and reduce all other ticket set att £15 to include seating and terrace.We need to get atmosphere back at the walks. Saving petrol for Tuesday so can't make tonight.

[Mallard]

NW.  With a sole ownership MO it doesn’t take any working out with who got things right or wrong.   Both sit with SC

Yes people can sit at a forum and hammer into SC, but does that really achieve anything ?

To me and IMHO it’s about putting some structure in place to save the club.  SC is sitting on a 500k loan.  Under the present conditions I feel he could burn through that pdq. Then what ?

I really hope the meeting is constructive and that baby steps are taken to start righting things.

[Blue_and_Gold]

You have to apportion blame .......................................

I'm quite sure that will happen anyway!

[northwootton]

Mallard, baby steps are definitely not the answer. We need bloody great strides.  You and I both know the current situation is dire.  The business is insolvent with unmanageable debt.  Revenue is below expected and likely to fall even further during the winter months.  Going full time is a colossal drain on funds and coupled with ever increasing costs such as travelling, power etc., the financial future looks very bleak indeed.  My background is financial and I’ve seen this scenario played out many times and is somewhat prevalent with one man bands.  Their ego surpasses reality and they plough on regardless of what is going on around them, generally headlong into the abyss.  Instead of seeking help earlier when the business might have been salvageable, they don’t. They listen to no one. This in my opinion is where we are now.  It might be that Cleeve has something up his sleeve but I would be amazed if he managed to find another investor.  He has already said he would not put anymore funds in.  In my view, he cannot make further extortionate demands on the fans.  Maybe he has some fantastic solution he is going to enlighten you with tonight.  As I’ve said previously, optimism is a wonderful thing in the right circumstances. I’m not sure this is it.

[Blue_and_Gold]

Mallard, baby steps are definitely not the answer. We need bloody great strides.  You and I both know the current situation is dire.  The business is insolvent with unmanageable debt.  Revenue is below expected and likely to fall even further during the winter months.  Going full time is a colossal drain on funds and coupled with ever increasing costs such as travelling, power etc., the financial future looks very bleak indeed.  My background is financial and I’ve seen this scenario played out many times and is somewhat prevalent with one man bands.  Their ego surpasses reality and they plough on regardless of what is going on around them, generally headlong into the abyss.  Instead of seeking help earlier when the business might have been salvageable, they don’t. They listen to no one. This in my opinion is where we are now.  It might be that Cleeve has something up his sleeve but I would be amazed if he managed to find another investor.  He has already said he would not put anymore funds in.  In my view, he cannot make further extortionate demands on the fans.  Maybe he has some fantastic solution he is going to enlighten you with tonight.  As I’ve said previously, optimism is a wonderful thing in the right circumstances. I’m not sure this is it.

He needs a few more of these anonymous 25k main stand sponsorship deal.

Good work that one.