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General Category => Altrincham FC First Team => Topic started by: Brian Flynn on November 22, 2014, 06:35:12 AM
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From the Club Site:
TASC (The Altrincham Supporters Club) is appealing to Altrincham fans to help raise £10,000 to ensure that the bar matchday experience is as good as it possibly can be when the new Community Sports Hall at The J.Davidson Stadium opens next month.
TASC Chairman, Brian Flynn, said " The new Community Sports Hall is looking fantastic & is set to play a pivotal role in supporting the development of Altrincham Football club in the short, medium & long term.In all honesty, it's probably a better facility than many of us imagined it could be & it's going to be a superb asset for the people of Altrincham.
Unfortunately, appeals for financial funding, have not been as successful as hoped for & the potential impact of this is that the finishing touches to the project are not as impressive as the building itself. By this, I mean the essential interior work that needs to be done, specifically installing a sound system & television projector & distribution system, as the plan is to have a large screen at either end of the hall.....the total cost of which is £10,000.
The main beneficiaries of these facilities will be our supporters who will use the bar on matchdays & I am calling on 100 people to contribute £100 each to help us put the cherry on the cake of this project. The official opening of the hall is less than a month away & it's probably unrealistic to expect to raise all of the £10,000 before the first matchday that the new bar will be open for on the Saturday before Christmas. Therefore we are asking for 100 people to make a contribution of £100 or commit to setting up a standing order of £10 per month for 10 months, with the first payment being made in December.In achieving this, we will be able to invest in the equipment needed to make the bar matchday experience at the J.Davidson Stadium, second to none!
Every one of the 100 people who contributes to this cause will be recognised for their support, with their name being included on a high quality, glass fronted list of Alty fans, which will act as a permanent reminder of the people who helped this project reach the finishing post.
Please support us in this mission by contacting me for payment/standing order details by email (brianflynn59@hotmail.com) or phone (0161 610 1193/07860 561011) or speak to me at any of the forthcoming matches. Alternatively, you can telephone Altrincham Football Club on 0161 928 1045, email office@altrinchamfootballclub.co.uk or call in at the ground from 9.30am-4.30pm between Monday-Friday.
Brian Flynn
Chairman
TASC (The Altrincham Supporters Club)
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The starting 11 at Blyh should cover it
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The starting 11 at Blyh should cover it
the irony is if we had of won that day we would have had that money twice over and again
Damm you fate
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Could you not add £1 to the entrance price, paying £15 rather than £14 won't make any difference to most fans.
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Could you not add £1 to the entrance price, paying £15 rather than £14 won't make any difference to most fans.
That could certainly have been an option, although it wasn't one that was suggested at the TASC meeting this week, when this subject was discussed.
I would think that the club would probably prefer that this money is raised through voluntary contributions, rather than by sticking it on everyone who pays at the gate.Also, the club announces season ticket prices/match prices during the summer for a season & I would think that it would probably prefer to honour that commitment, rather than potentially alienate supporters with a mid-season change.
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I'm in Flynny.
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I'm in Flynny.
Thanks PP.....I will email details of how to make your payment(s) today.
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Left you a voicemail let me know if you need any further detail
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Have we not consider a kick starter kind of thing?
Not sure if kick starter or the others charge fees but the style of fundraising could work?
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Could you not add £1 to the entrance price, paying £15 rather than £14 won't make any difference to most fans.
Are you being serious
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Could you not add £1 to the entrance price, paying £15 rather than £14 won't make any difference to most fans.
you don't live in the real world, some people can't go afford it £14, and you want to put prices up again?
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Hmmm.
A building is erected which results in my main stand seat having a restricted view of the pitch and now I am being asked to pay for the privilege.
Nothing against the concept of the CSH but weren't we reassured that fundraising for it would not impinge on the established sources of income/fundraising for the football club?
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Could you not add £1 to the entrance price, paying £15 rather than £14 won't make any difference to most fans.
I totally agree.
But we know that isn't going to happen because £1 is a major factor in a lot of our fans lives!!!!
We could put tins at the gate, for those who do want to help, or the bucket collections go towards the target.
Brian, count me in ,I will help out.
We all have to dig deep😄
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Hmmm.
A building is erected which results in my main stand seat having a restricted view of the pitch and now I am being asked to pay for the privilege.
Nothing against the concept of the CSH but weren't we reassured that fundraising for it would not impinge on the established sources of income/fundraising for the football club?
Is it really so outrageous for fans to be asked if they can help out for something like this? If you don't want to or can't afford to help out then just don't do it.
Got to be worth asking though. Hopefully we will get something on the turnstiles as well to take it outside of this forum and to the hundreds of people not on here.
FC United fans funded a huge part of their own ground and take great pride in that. We should be doing the same in my opinion.
The team that have put this together have gone about it quietly and without fuss for about 2-3 years. It's not like every week we have had something pushed at us for more money for it.
After years of pouring tenners into VAT and income tax blackholes, I think it's great to be asked to contribute to something you can physically see and that will be of benefit for many years. I haven't got £100 spare but I will find a tenner a month. Will email you for bank details Brian to setup the standing order.
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Brian I will contribute by actually using the bar, most people who post on here don't. I put far more in than £10 a month that way
It would be nice if more than the current 10-15 hardcore use this new bar
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Brian I will contribute by actually using the bar, most people who post on here don't. I put far more in than £10 a month that way
It would be nice if more than the current 10-15 hardcore use this new bar
That is much better than giving £10 a month.
You'll appreciate though that some peoples personal arrangements and financial circumstances mean that they are unable to use the bar I'm sure. So this is a good way to help?
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Brian I will contribute by actually using the bar, most people who post on here don't. I put far more in than £10 a month that way
It would be nice if more than the current 10-15 hardcore use this new bar
That is much better than giving £10 a month.
You'll appreciate though that some peoples personal arrangements and financial circumstances mean that they are unable to use the bar I'm sure. So this is a good way to help?
we need to utilise this new facility to it's maximum potential, otherwise it will just end up being a big white elephant
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Brian I will contribute by actually using the bar, most people who post on here don't. I put far more in than £10 a month that way
It would be nice if more than the current 10-15 hardcore use this new bar
Your contribution won't be additional income though as you already spend that money in the old bar. The biggest potential for match day income is food. I hope the budget incuded a huge hotpot pot.
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Brian I will contribute by actually using the bar, most people who post on here don't. I put far more in than £10 a month that way
It would be nice if more than the current 10-15 hardcore use this new bar
Your contribution won't be additional income though as you already spend that money in the old bar. The biggest potential for match day income is food. I hope the budget incuded a huge hotpot pot.
sorry I give as much as I can, old income or new income whatever
It's rather a sad way to view supporters
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Brian I will contribute by actually using the bar, most people who post on here don't. I put far more in than £10 a month that way
It would be nice if more than the current 10-15 hardcore use this new bar
That is much better than giving £10 a month.
You'll appreciate though that some peoples personal arrangements and financial circumstances mean that they are unable to use the bar I'm sure. So this is a good way to help?
we need to utilise this new facility to it's maximum potential, otherwise it will just end up being a big white elephant
We certainly do and there is so many uses for it (outside of the sports/fitness classes) from in house sportsmans dinners to business meetings and presentations as well as a match day. Massive potential to reach a whole new market.
Be good to hear the plans for food as well on the 14th with the kitchens in there.
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Brian I will contribute by actually using the bar, most people who post on here don't. I put far more in than £10 a month that way
It would be nice if more than the current 10-15 hardcore use this new bar
Your contribution won't be additional income though as you already spend that money in the old bar. The biggest potential for match day income is food. I hope the budget incuded a huge hotpot pot.
sorry I give as much as I can, old income or new income whatever
It's rather a sad way to view supporters
I get your point. Supporters shouldn't be seen as a cash cow that can be milked whenever the club needs money, however this isn't bailing out overspending this time, it's investing in a facility that will generate future revenue.
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Never been in the bar. Is it over-18s only? If so, it rules me out.
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Never been in the bar. Is it over-18s only? If so, it rules me out.
You are more than welcome for a soft drink.
See you on Saturday!!
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Never been in the bar. Is it over-18s only? If so, it rules me out.
You are more than welcome for a soft drink.
See you on Saturday!!
So my son can go in?
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Yes he can
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My suggestion would be that for now we take the 3 rather large television screens from the Noel White Suite, get them in the Community Hall (and switch them on and learn to use the remote control so we can switch the relevant football/results service on at peak times for customers rather than having the yachting/cycling/antiques roadshow on) and get the bar used. The money would soon be raised.
I'd also suggest that given that Saturday would be the one day a week we get a real footfall coming in the bar that we attempt to string it out as long as possible, i.e. not kicking people out when they want to stay in.
Sorry, going into a slightly old rant there, I was just trying to back up Uday's point by saying that I can cope without fantastic new big screens etc for now (the old tvs were fine when used properly) let's just get them in, get the bar making money and then the screens can be first item on the agenda.
For the record, I don't have £100 (and I'm not sure you'll get many takers 5 weeks before Christmas) but I will look to give what I can if bucket collections are made and if the opportunity was there to give more money by letting us stay in longer than has previously been the case that would be good.
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Good post
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Due to family commitments I can't get into the bar much so this is a good way for me to do my bit
Like mark says if you want to give -give if you don't -don't
It's simple
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Ballers, I don't where you get your ideas from regards the bar usage. Because ever since Jenny & I HAVE BEEN LICENSEES nobody has ever been asked to leave before they wanted too. Other than when functions have been booked in advance. Matchdays the bar is open from turnstiles opening till the last person has finished, which is usually the stewards, who are volunteers who don't get paid. As the same applies to, Jenny & myself. Compared with the times you depart, we get home a lot later. Every matchday I am there 12 hours per day. The bar does'nt have a lot of visitors pre-match because a lot, go into Altrincham & arrive @ Moss Lane 2.45 p.m. So we don't get the usage we need to raise voluntarily.
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Ballers, I don't where you get your ideas from regards the bar usage. Because ever since Jenny & I HAVE BEEN LICENSEES nobody has ever been asked to leave before they wanted too. Other than when functions have been booked in advance. Matchdays the bar is open from turnstiles opening till the last person has finished, which is usually the stewards, who are volunteers who don't get paid. As the same applies to, Jenny & myself. Compared with the times you depart, we get home a lot later. Every matchday I am there 12 hours per day. The bar does'nt have a lot of visitors pre-match because a lot, go into Altrincham & arrive @ Moss Lane 2.45 p.m. So we don't get the usage we need to raise voluntarily.
Well said George.
A lot who have posted don't use the bar much after the game, and EVEN more before the game!!!
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Left you a voicemail let me know if you need any further detail
Thanks Wayno....have got your voicemail message & I think that you have provided all the information needed.
Good man!
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Have we not consider a kick starter kind of thing?
Not sure if kick starter or the others charge fees but the style of fundraising could work?
Thanks Jack....I have had a look at the 'Kickstarter' website at:-
https://www.kickstarter.com/
It's not immediately obvious to me how this might be a better route to go down, but I may be missing something?
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Hmmm.
A building is erected which results in my main stand seat having a restricted view of the pitch and now I am being asked to pay for the privilege.
Nothing against the concept of the CSH but weren't we reassured that fundraising for it would not impinge on the established sources of income/fundraising for the football club?
It's clearly not ideal that your seat has a restricted view of the pitch, however I would have thought that there are plenty of other seats available that do not have such restrictions. I think that we understand that not everyone will want to support this, which is why we are looking for 100 people to contribute £100 rather than 1000 people to contribute £10.
I'm not sure how this initiative impinges on the established sources of income/fundraising for the football club?
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Could you not add £1 to the entrance price, paying £15 rather than £14 won't make any difference to most fans.
I totally agree.
But we know that isn't going to happen because £1 is a major factor in a lot of our fans lives!!!!
We could put tins at the gate, for those who do want to help, or the bucket collections go towards the target.
Brian, count me in ,I will help out.
We all have to dig deep😄
Thanks B. 4D........I'll send you a Personal Message
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Hmmm.
A building is erected which results in my main stand seat having a restricted view of the pitch and now I am being asked to pay for the privilege.
Nothing against the concept of the CSH but weren't we reassured that fundraising for it would not impinge on the established sources of income/fundraising for the football club?
Is it really so outrageous for fans to be asked if they can help out for something like this? If you don't want to or can't afford to help out then just don't do it.
Got to be worth asking though. Hopefully we will get something on the turnstiles as well to take it outside of this forum and to the hundreds of people not on here.
FC United fans funded a huge part of their own ground and take great pride in that. We should be doing the same in my opinion.
The team that have put this together have gone about it quietly and without fuss for about 2-3 years. It's not like every week we have had something pushed at us for more money for it.
After years of pouring tenners into VAT and income tax blackholes, I think it's great to be asked to contribute to something you can physically see and that will be of benefit for many years. I haven't got £100 spare but I will find a tenner a month. Will email you for bank details Brian to setup the standing order.
Thanks Mark for that. I will progress your idea about having something at the turnstiles.
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Brian I will contribute by actually using the bar, most people who post on here don't. I put far more in than £10 a month that way
It would be nice if more than the current 10-15 hardcore use this new bar
Thanks Uday........ultimately more people making use of the new bar facilities on matchdays & other events, is probably the main operational objective of the non Sports Hall activities & you are contributing to that. This is different though, in that it is about setting up the facility as best we can & doing justice to the building itself in terms of people's experience on matchdays.
I am very confident that more than 10-15 people will use the new bar.
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My suggestion would be that for now we take the 3 rather large television screens from the Noel White Suite, get them in the Community Hall (and switch them on and learn to use the remote control so we can switch the relevant football/results service on at peak times for customers rather than having the yachting/cycling/antiques roadshow on) and get the bar used. The money would soon be raised.
I'd also suggest that given that Saturday would be the one day a week we get a real footfall coming in the bar that we attempt to string it out as long as possible, i.e. not kicking people out when they want to stay in.
Sorry, going into a slightly old rant there, I was just trying to back up Uday's point by saying that I can cope without fantastic new big screens etc for now (the old tvs were fine when used properly) let's just get them in, get the bar making money and then the screens can be first item on the agenda.
For the record, I don't have £100 (and I'm not sure you'll get many takers 5 weeks before Christmas) but I will look to give what I can if bucket collections are made and if the opportunity was there to give more money by letting us stay in longer than has previously been the case that would be good.
They are great for the NWS Ballers but the CSH is massive in comparison & I don't think that they will do the job.
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Ballers, I don't where you get your ideas from regards the bar usage. Because ever since Jenny & I HAVE BEEN LICENSEES nobody has ever been asked to leave before they wanted too. Other than when functions have been booked in advance. Matchdays the bar is open from turnstiles opening till the last person has finished, which is usually the stewards, who are volunteers who don't get paid. As the same applies to, Jenny & myself. Compared with the times you depart, we get home a lot later. Every matchday I am there 12 hours per day. The bar does'nt have a lot of visitors pre-match because a lot, go into Altrincham & arrive @ Moss Lane 2.45 p.m. So we don't get the usage we need to raise voluntarily.
George, sorry this hasn't come across as I meant, or as well as I'd like but your post has inadvertently made my point better than I did. I'm saying we need a very fresh approach above and beyond what we do now i.e. we somehow have to maximise takings by having customer needs served i.e. someone on hand to sort customers out , to be available to sort tvs out etc which we can't do when it's all hands to the pumps serving drinks like it is now. We might have to speculate rather than accumulate rather than relying on long hours from the likes of yourself. If this means paid bar staff (not that expensive) so be it. We've spent £800,000 on this, it can't become a damp squib.
My point is it's a completely new building and we have to look at what doesn't currently happen as opposed to what does. I,e can't just say the bar doesn't have a lot of visitors because people drink in Alty til 2.45 It may well be that they know they mighn't get served at that time due to us having a small bar and large queues. Do we know whether customers leave because they know it's not open all night or because they leave at 6pm anyway? Possibly both but with us only having 1 day of heavy footfall we need to find out.
I actually had Saturday in mind when I wrote this as a bar full of people watcng the All Blacks game in wrexhams bar got turfed out but I will have to agree to disagree with you in that I've been asked to leave before Im ready before
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Could you not add £1 to the entrance price, paying £15 rather than £14 won't make any difference to most fans.
How about charging the away fans what they charge us at their grounds.
I have Barnet and Aldershot in mind in particular AND keep them in the away end ;)
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Could you not add £1 to the entrance price, paying £15 rather than £14 won't make any difference to most fans.
How about charging the away fans what they charge us at their grounds.
I have Barnet and Aldershot in mind in particular AND keep them in the away end ;)
Nice as that might be, league rules state that you have to charge home and away fans the same amount for the same type of seating/standing.
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How urgent is the need for this 10k. Could we not arrange a friendly with one of the big N West teams for the end of season to offset the cost or is the money needed sooner rather than later.
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Have we not consider a kick starter kind of thing?
Not sure if kick starter or the others charge fees but the style of fundraising could work?
Thanks Jack....I have had a look at the 'Kickstarter' website at:-
https://www.kickstarter.com/
It's not immediately obvious to me how this might be a better route to go down, but I may be missing something?
Effectively, whilst Kick start do take a lot of fees, it is a way of crowd sourcing g investments but also encourages people to feel involved with every details of a project and feel they've played a role. Hyde kitted their bar out in a similar fashion after the bar was set alight
The club offers different levels of investment in exchange for small gifts rising to large gifts. However The money is only collected if the total is collected.
The gifts on Hyde ' s weren't the best such as chance to be on their radio for the day, but I'm sure we could offer something
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Hmmm.
A building is erected which results in my main stand seat having a restricted view of the pitch and now I am being asked to pay for the privilege.
Nothing against the concept of the CSH but weren't we reassured that fundraising for it would not impinge on the established sources of income/fundraising for the football club?
Is it really so outrageous for fans to be asked if they can help out for something like this? If you don't want to or can't afford to help out then just don't do it.
No, it's not outrageous but it still totally contradicts what we were assured when this project was announced i.e. fundraising would not be sought from the established sources.
I'm certainly not surprised that it's come to this but I am saddened.
It's also rather insulting to many of those main stand season ticket holders who have been treated so shabbily with regard to the restricted view issue.
Here's an invitation: pop up to the rear of the main stand after the Kidderminster match on Saturday; have a chat and survey the scene.
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Hmmm.
A building is erected which results in my main stand seat having a restricted view of the pitch and now I am being asked to pay for the privilege.
Nothing against the concept of the CSH but weren't we reassured that fundraising for it would not impinge on the established sources of income/fundraising for the football club?
It's clearly not ideal that your seat has a restricted view of the pitch, however I would have thought that there are plenty of other seats available that do not have such restrictions.
Really?
You don't say?!
Forgive me, Brian, but that is an extremely glib response and one that's very easy to throw out by someone who is tucked away nicely on his free seat in the gantry.
I purchased my season ticket back in June in good faith.
The club should have advised me beforehand that my chosen seat of many seasons now has a restricted view of the pitch.
They didn't.
Still nobody has actually accepted responsibility for this architectural cock-up or even apologised for it.
Why should I have to move from my seat just because Ian Foden's grasp of geometry is clearly deficient?
Isn't it funny how the Flaggers have been accommodated with some new terracing and a bit of roof cover.
Now, could that possibly be because that just happens to be the area where Ian Foden himself stands?
Perhaps they should have been inconvenienced and told to relocate, too, and then the CSH could have been extended out even further.....and I could have looked at a few more bricks when we get a corner at the Golf Road End?
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I have to agree with Cult particularly re moving seats. ..I get pissed off when we can't stand under the Gantry due to a massive scaffolding structure being there so the likes of Paddy Crerand can hobble up to the commentary posn. Football fans have favoured positions to watch games from and I expect Cult has sat there for many a season.
I stand on the popular side simply because back in the 50s/60s that's where I stood with my Dad.
I think the attitude of saying to fans with restricted views "Just move then" is crass at best and in poor taste. (Very surprised with that attitude). Dont bite the hand that feeds you. Maybe a bit of PR training is needed especially now that the opening of the CSH
is imminent
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Hmmm.
A building is erected which results in my main stand seat having a restricted view of the pitch and now I am being asked to pay for the privilege.
Nothing against the concept of the CSH but weren't we reassured that fundraising for it would not impinge on the established sources of income/fundraising for the football club?
It's clearly not ideal that your seat has a restricted view of the pitch, however I would have thought that there are plenty of other seats available that do not have such restrictions.
Really?
You don't say?!
Forgive me, Brian, but that is an extremely glib response and one that's very easy to throw out by someone who is tucked away nicely on his free seat in the gantry.
I purchased my season ticket back in June in good faith.
The club should have advised me beforehand that my chosen seat of many seasons now has a restricted view of the pitch.
They didn't.
Still nobody has actually accepted responsibility for this architectural cock-up or even apologised for it.
Why should I have to move from my seat just because Ian Foden's grasp of geometry is clearly deficient?
Isn't it funny how the Flaggers have been accommodated with some new terracing and a bit of roof cover.
Now, could that possibly be because that just happens to be the area where Ian Foden himself stands?
Perhaps they should have been inconvenienced and told to relocate, too, and then the CSH could have been extended out even further.....and I could have looked at a few more bricks when we get a corner at the Golf Road End?
Spot on, Cult.
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Whats matters most, the future financial security of the club or a few seats with a restricted view ? The CSH is going to transform the club's long term future.
The CSH would never have been viable if built far enough back so as not to affect the view, the club knew all along that the CSH would affect the view, however since until the play off final we had not had a full stand for 30+ years it wasnt seen as something critical and anyway 80% of the main stand seats are still fine. I agree that the club should ideally have notified the dozen or so season ticket holders who are affected but I suspect that it was just overlooked with so much going on in the summer, I know it wasn't a deliberate thing.
The very small terrace was done so as not to create a brick wall 6 feet from the pitch which would have looked awful. It doesnt bother me in the least where I stand in the ground, I have spent the last 6 months on the popular side myself and its fine.
The club has made sure that the CSH funding has NOT affected the clubs normal funding at all, this request is only to enhance the matchday experience of fans for improved TV and WAP broadband access and if you dont want to contribute then dont.
You never know, in a few years time in the football league maybe the club can afford to build a new main stand without a column in the middle and each side and then even cult will be happy.
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As a Flagger, I have had to move.
Not happy, but life goes on.
All the best to the club.
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Although the csh may well be very good for the club it would be a good idea for the club as token gesture apologised about the poor view of the pitch it has created for several fans in the main stand rather than a sarcastic reply on a forum
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How urgent is the need for this 10k. Could we not arrange a friendly with one of the big N West teams for the end of season to offset the cost or is the money needed sooner rather than later.
Very good question.
It's quite urgent Ray, in that we need the money to be available, or at least in the future projected cash flow through monthly standing orders.
Your suggestion is something that was planned for the initial fundraising for the Community Sports Hall. A friendly was planned & set up for February this year against a team who played in The Champions League last season, however it was cancelled due to concerns that the damage to the pitch might jeopardise our promotion challenge (it was around the time that the big black patches started to appear on the pitch). It's possible that a similar friendly could be arranged between now & May to generate funds for the Community Sports Hall.....this initiative is to raise £10,000 to kit the hall out to a high specification, but there is still a lot of money to be raised for the construction costs of the hall itself. I don't know the figure, but I would estimate that it is £50-£60,000.
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Have we not consider a kick starter kind of thing?
Not sure if kick starter or the others charge fees but the style of fundraising could work?
Thanks Jack....I have had a look at the 'Kickstarter' website at:-
https://www.kickstarter.com/
It's not immediately obvious to me how this might be a better route to go down, but I may be missing something?
Effectively, whilst Kick start do take a lot of fees, it is a way of crowd sourcing g investments but also encourages people to feel involved with every details of a project and feel they've played a role. Hyde kitted their bar out in a similar fashion after the bar was set alight
The club offers different levels of investment in exchange for small gifts rising to large gifts. However The money is only collected if the total is collected.
The gifts on Hyde ' s weren't the best such as chance to be on their radio for the day, but I'm sure we could offer something
Jack...the ball is rolling on this now, but your idea might be a good way forward for future projects. I'll invite you to the next TASC meeting (I know that Monday is not good for you as you train with the Supporters Team, but the next meeting is on Tuesday December 9th).
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Nobody else has said so yet, so I will say that it is a bit unfair to take a swipe at Brian Flynn for having a "free seat in the gantry"......Most, if not all those in the gantry, are doing 'media' work for the club and its supporters i.e Radio Robins and Alty TV.
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Hmmm.
A building is erected which results in my main stand seat having a restricted view of the pitch and now I am being asked to pay for the privilege.
Nothing against the concept of the CSH but weren't we reassured that fundraising for it would not impinge on the established sources of income/fundraising for the football club?
It's clearly not ideal that your seat has a restricted view of the pitch, however I would have thought that there are plenty of other seats available that do not have such restrictions.
Really?
You don't say?!
Forgive me, Brian, but that is an extremely glib response and one that's very easy to throw out by someone who is tucked away nicely on his free seat in the gantry.
I purchased my season ticket back in June in good faith.
The club should have advised me beforehand that my chosen seat of many seasons now has a restricted view of the pitch.
They didn't.
Still nobody has actually accepted responsibility for this architectural cock-up or even apologised for it.
Why should I have to move from my seat just because Ian Foden's grasp of geometry is clearly deficient?
Isn't it funny how the Flaggers have been accommodated with some new terracing and a bit of roof cover.
Now, could that possibly be because that just happens to be the area where Ian Foden himself stands?
Perhaps they should have been inconvenienced and told to relocate, too, and then the CSH could have been extended out even further.....and I could have looked at a few more bricks when we get a corner at the Golf Road End?
I apologise if that was the way that this came across.That was not intentional, but reading it back, I can see why you have interpreted it in this way.
Unfortunately, nobody has a free seat in the gantry. This is because from a seated position anywhere on the gantry, it is possible to only view a very small proportion of the pitch, therefore everybody (Mark from Alty TV/The Radio Robins team/Our opponents video team) has to stand up. This is not ideal for anyone up there, particularly Mark & I who are on our feet for at least 6 hours on a matchday/night, however that's what it is.
In terms of your season ticket seat, it is difficult for me to comment, as I don't know the full facts. My understanding is that you wrote to the club with your concerns & that the club has replied & offered you the option of relocating your seat or a full refund of your season ticket payment, which seems to have been a reasonable response.
I will refrain from commenting on your last few paragraphs as this content is aimed at the club/Ian Foden & therefore it is probably more appropriate that they respond individually, should they wish, to you.
-
I have to agree with Cult particularly re moving seats. ..I get pissed off when we can't stand under the Gantry due to a massive scaffolding structure being there so the likes of Paddy Crerand can hobble up to the commentary posn. Football fans have favoured positions to watch games from and I expect Cult has sat there for many a season.
I stand on the popular side simply because back in the 50s/60s that's where I stood with my Dad.
I think the attitude of saying to fans with restricted views "Just move then" is crass at best and in poor taste. (Very surprised with that attitude). Dont bite the hand that feeds you. Maybe a bit of PR training is needed especially now that the opening of the CSH
is imminent
I am very sorry, Ray, if that is how my comments came across. I will try to choose my words more carefully in future.
-
No problem Brian. Knowing you as I do I am sure there wasn't any malice intended..
I do agree with Mick and acknowledge that you folks in the gantry do a superb job giving us highlights / commentary / interviews and pictures of an excellent standard.
Plus you all have to scale the ladder of death to get up there in the first place, which is no mean feat in itself.
-
Hmmm.
A building is erected which results in my main stand seat having a restricted view of the pitch and now I am being asked to pay for the privilege.
Nothing against the concept of the CSH but weren't we reassured that fundraising for it would not impinge on the established sources of income/fundraising for the football club?
It's clearly not ideal that your seat has a restricted view of the pitch, however I would have thought that there are plenty of other seats available that do not have such restrictions.
Really?
You don't say?!
Forgive me, Brian, but that is an extremely glib response and one that's very easy to throw out by someone who is tucked away nicely on his free seat in the gantry.
I purchased my season ticket back in June in good faith.
The club should have advised me beforehand that my chosen seat of many seasons now has a restricted view of the pitch.
They didn't.
Still nobody has actually accepted responsibility for this architectural cock-up or even apologised for it.
Why should I have to move from my seat just because Ian Foden's grasp of geometry is clearly deficient?
Isn't it funny how the Flaggers have been accommodated with some new terracing and a bit of roof cover.
Now, could that possibly be because that just happens to be the area where Ian Foden himself stands?
Perhaps they should have been inconvenienced and told to relocate, too, and then the CSH could have been extended out even further.....and I could have looked at a few more bricks when we get a corner at the Golf Road End?
I apologise if that was the way that this came across.That was not intentional, but reading it back, I can see why you have interpreted it in this way.
Unfortunately, nobody has a free seat in the gantry. This is because from a seated position anywhere on the gantry, it is possible to only view a very small proportion of the pitch, therefore everybody (Mark from Alty TV/The Radio Robins team/Our opponents video team) has to stand up. This is not ideal for anyone up there, particularly Mark & I who are on our feet for at least 6 hours on a matchday/night, however that's what it is.
In terms of your season ticket seat, it is difficult for me to comment, as I don't know the full facts. My understanding is that you wrote to the club with your concerns & that the club has replied & offered you the option of relocating your seat or a full refund of your season ticket payment, which seems to have been a reasonable response.
Brian,
I interpreted your comments exactly as they were written: dismissive and offhand.
Frankly, as both a supporter of a slightly longer vintage than myself and someone who until only recently was a fellow dweller at the rear of the main stand, I expected better from you of all people.
However, we shall move on....
Your understanding is incorrect.
It was evident at the first home pre-season friendly that the Community Sports Hall would result in several seats in the main stand inheriting a restricted view of the pitch.
However, I have been waiting until the completion of the building so that I could then assess the full and lasting impact of this obstruction/intrusion on our view.
Elsewhere on this Forum, the ostensible designer of this edifice, one Ian Foden, states that "the club knew all along that the CSH would affect the view".
Accepting that to be true, then (i) why did the club knowingly sell restricted view season tickets without advising those who were paying full price for them of this new detrimental factor and (ii) why has the club not contacted those season ticket holders whose view has been devalued in order to offer an apology at the very least.
I would have thought that the onus was on the club itself to take the initiative in this matter.
Or do they not really care about the way that they treat certain loyal supporters of many years?
I can assure you that I have not received any apology in writing nor any formal written offers regarding a refund.
One Director is fully aware of my thoughts (and the thoughts of one or two others) pertaining to this matter, however, nothing official whatsoever has been placed in writing as yet.
Consequently, correspondence to the Board of Directors will now have to be undertaken.
We're not asking for the CSH to be torn down, for Heaven's sake!
All we would like is to be treated with a degree of common decency.
-
As a Flagger, I have had to move.
Not happy, but life goes on.
All the best to the club.
Brian,
You've only had to move about 30 yards though.....and now you've got a nice new rail to lean upon and also a new roof over your head.
Not exactly a bad deal!
You'll be demanding waitress service from the bar next...!
-
Nobody else has said so yet, so I will say that it is a bit unfair to take a swipe at Brian Flynn for having a "free seat in the gantry"......Most, if not all those in the gantry, are doing 'media' work for the club and its supporters i.e Radio Robins and Alty TV.
Mick,
Some people will no doubt disagree with my thoughts on this issue but here goes....
I would make a notable exception regarding Mark from Alty TV (whose laudable work editing and producing highlights goes on well after the final whistle has sounded), however, I would expect the likes of Brian Flynn and John Edwards to have purchased season tickets regardless of their media work for the club.
If that is, indeed, the case, then I apologise for my use of the term 'free' in a previous post.
It has, of course, since been established that Flynny does not have access to an armchair in the gantry.
-
Although the csh may well be very good for the club it would be a good idea for the club as token gesture apologised about the poor view of the pitch it has created for several fans in the main stand rather than a sarcastic reply on a forum
Jimmy,
Many thanks for those comments.
Much appreciated.
-
Whats matters most, the future financial security of the club or a few seats with a restricted view ? The CSH is going to transform the club's long term future.
The CSH would never have been viable if built far enough back so as not to affect the view, the club knew all along that the CSH would affect the view, however since until the play off final we had not had a full stand for 30+ years it wasnt seen as something critical and anyway 80% of the main stand seats are still fine. I agree that the club should ideally have notified the dozen or so season ticket holders who are affected but I suspect that it was just overlooked with so much going on in the summer, I know it wasn't a deliberate thing.
The very small terrace was done so as not to create a brick wall 6 feet from the pitch which would have looked awful. It doesnt bother me in the least where I stand in the ground, I have spent the last 6 months on the popular side myself and its fine.
The club has made sure that the CSH funding has NOT affected the clubs normal funding at all, this request is only to enhance the matchday experience of fans for improved TV and WAP broadband access and if you dont want to contribute then dont.
You never know, in a few years time in the football league maybe the club can afford to build a new main stand without a column in the middle and each side and then even cult will be happy.
Ian,
Thanks for your kind apology.
Oh no, sorry, there wasn't one.
Oh well, thanks for your heartfelt sarcasm and contempt anyway.
You really are devoid of any empathy genes, aren't you?
I'm really not convinced that as many as 80% of the seats in the main stand are unaffected by this development.
So, we've not had a full stand for 30+ years, have we?
Erm...
Wigan Athletic (1987);
Barnet and Wycombe (1991);
Chester City (1992);
Wigan Athletic (1994) and
Darlington (2001)
to name just a few examples.
FA Cup replays against Luton Town and Burton Albion, respectively, and visits from the likes of Wrexham and Stockport County in recent years have also seen the main stand pretty well-occupied, in my memory.
It's just as well that we lost at Blyth and thereby avoided any subsequent potential 'big' FA Cup tie having to be staged at the J Davidson Stadium then!
How much would you have considered charging for those seats in the main stand from where you can't even see the goal at the Golf Road End?
"The very small terrace was done so as not to create a brick wall 6 feet from the pitch which would have looked awful."
Forgive me but that is claptrap, hogwash and piffle.
It was created out of self-interest.
There appears, to me, to be a dichotomy in existence here.
On the one hand, there are all the self-congratulatory posts saying how well the club has looked after the recently-retired Mike Williams during his long absence owing to injury .
Well, that's absolutely fine and commendable.
However, he has been associated with this club for merely 18 months.
Some of the season ticket holders whose view of the pitch you have so gleefully trampled over have been supporting Altrincham FC for in excess of 30, 40 and even 50 years.
Yet we are treated with arrant and utter disdain.
And, finally, if your bold prophecy of us reaching the Football League in the not-too-distant future is fulfilled and we do erect a new main stand, I pray to God that you won't be called upon to design it...!
-
As a Flagger, I have had to move.
Not happy, but life goes on.
All the best to the club.
Brian,
You've only had to move about 30 yards though.....and now you've got a nice new rail to lean upon and also a new roof over your head.
Not exactly a bad deal!
You'll be demanding waitress service from the bar next...!
Barry,
Waitress service sounds good to me!!!!!
But your comment 'not exactly a bad deal'.
Well you have got that wrong.
I would much prefer to stand on the old flags.
As most of my fellow FLAGGERS know, I like to have a wander when games get tight.
In the new position I'm unable to do that.
We all have to make sacrifices.
I also have also made my point to Ian, but things move on.
Let's just hope this new venture succeeds.
On a final note Barry.
IF the club did know there would be a restricted view in the stand, they should have told you before you bought your ticket.
When the bar opens, I will buy you a pint of the black stuff and get the waitress to bring it over to you!! ;)
.
-
As a Flagger, I have had to move.
Not happy, but life goes on.
All the best to the club.
Brian,
You've only had to move about 30 yards though.....and now you've got a nice new rail to lean upon and also a new roof over your head.
Not exactly a bad deal!
You'll be demanding waitress service from the bar next...!
Barry,
Waitress service sounds good to me!!!!!
But your comment 'not exactly a bad deal'.
Well you have got that wrong.
I would much prefer to stand on the old flags.
As most of my fellow FLAGGERS know, I like to have a wander when games get tight.
In the new position I'm unable to do that.
We all have to make sacrifices.
I also have also made my point to Ian, but things move on.
Let's just hope this new venture succeeds.
On a final note Barry.
IF the club did know there would be a restricted view in the stand, they should have told you before you bought your ticket.
When the bar opens, I will buy you a pint of the black stuff and get the waitress to bring it over to you!! ;)
.
Fair enough, Brian.
We football supporters are creatures of habit.
Thanks for your comment re. the issue relating to my restricted view from the main stand.
Oh, and you're a little out of touch - my drink of choice is a G&T these days....!
-
Judging by some of the opinions expressed on here recently, Barry, you don't appear to be the only one with a restricted view! ;)
-
My view is find but the club should apologise
-
My view is find but the club should apologise
Sorry, Jimmy, didn't mean you
-
Fair enough saughall
-
As a Flagger, I have had to move.
Not happy, but life goes on.
All the best to the club.
Brian,
You've only had to move about 30 yards though.....and now you've got a nice new rail to lean upon and also a new roof over your head.
Not exactly a bad deal!
You'll be demanding waitress service from the bar next...!
Barry,
Waitress service sounds good to me!!!!!
But your comment 'not exactly a bad deal'.
Well you have got that wrong.
I would much prefer to stand on the old flags.
As most of my fellow FLAGGERS know, I like to have a wander when games get tight.
In the new position I'm unable to do that.
We all have to make sacrifices.
I also have also made my point to Ian, but things move on.
Let's just hope this new venture succeeds.
On a final note Barry.
IF the club did know there would be a restricted view in the stand, they should have told you before you bought your ticket.
When the bar opens, I will buy you a pint of the black stuff and get the waitress to bring it over to you!! ;)
.
Fair enough, Brian.
We football supporters are creatures of habit.
Thanks for your comment re. the issue relating to my restricted view from the main stand.
Oh, and you're a little out of touch - my drink of choice is a G&T these days....!
As any self-respecting former barman at a certain public house in Altrincham should know...
-
Brian I have sent you a pm on the subject
-
As a Flagger, I have had to move.
Not happy, but life goes on.
All the best to the club.
Brian,
You've only had to move about 30 yards though.....and now you've got a nice new rail to lean upon and also a new roof over your head.
Not exactly a bad deal!
You'll be demanding waitress service from the bar next...!
Barry,
Waitress service sounds good to me!!!!!
But your comment 'not exactly a bad deal'.
Well you have got that wrong.
I would much prefer to stand on the old flags.
As most of my fellow FLAGGERS know, I like to have a wander when games get tight.
In the new position I'm unable to do that.
We all have to make sacrifices.
I also have also made my point to Ian, but things move on.
Let's just hope this new venture succeeds.
On a final note Barry.
IF the club did know there would be a restricted view in the stand, they should have told you before you bought your ticket.
When the bar opens, I will buy you a pint of the black stuff and get the waitress to bring it over to you!! ;)
.
Fair enough, Brian.
We football supporters are creatures of habit.
Thanks for your comment re. the issue relating to my restricted view from the main stand.
Oh, and you're a little out of touch - my drink of choice is a G&T these days....!
No problem Barry,
G&T on its way.
Just for the record, I'm a Bryan, not a Flynny Brian!!!!😄
-
No problem Brian. Knowing you as I do I am sure there wasn't any malice intended..
I do agree with Mick and acknowledge that you folks in the gantry do a superb job giving us highlights / commentary / interviews and pictures of an excellent standard.
Plus you all have to scale the ladder of death to get up there in the first place, which is no mean feat in itself.
Thanks Ray for that.
-
Nobody else has said so yet, so I will say that it is a bit unfair to take a swipe at Brian Flynn for having a "free seat in the gantry"......Most, if not all those in the gantry, are doing 'media' work for the club and its supporters i.e Radio Robins and Alty TV.
Mick,
Some people will no doubt disagree with my thoughts on this issue but here goes....
I would make a notable exception regarding Mark from Alty TV (whose laudable work editing and producing highlights goes on well after the final whistle has sounded), however, I would expect the likes of Brian Flynn and John Edwards to have purchased season tickets regardless of their media work for the club.
If that is, indeed, the case, then I apologise for my use of the term 'free' in a previous post.
It has, of course, since been established that Flynny does not have access to an armchair in the gantry.
Just curious on your thinking here - So should all volunteers at the club buy a season ticket and can you expand on 'the likes of'?
-
Hmmm.
A building is erected which results in my main stand seat having a restricted view of the pitch and now I am being asked to pay for the privilege.
Nothing against the concept of the CSH but weren't we reassured that fundraising for it would not impinge on the established sources of income/fundraising for the football club?
It's clearly not ideal that your seat has a restricted view of the pitch, however I would have thought that there are plenty of other seats available that do not have such restrictions.
Really?
You don't say?!
Forgive me, Brian, but that is an extremely glib response and one that's very easy to throw out by someone who is tucked away nicely on his free seat in the gantry.
I purchased my season ticket back in June in good faith.
The club should have advised me beforehand that my chosen seat of many seasons now has a restricted view of the pitch.
They didn't.
Still nobody has actually accepted responsibility for this architectural cock-up or even apologised for it.
Why should I have to move from my seat just because Ian Foden's grasp of geometry is clearly deficient?
Isn't it funny how the Flaggers have been accommodated with some new terracing and a bit of roof cover.
Now, could that possibly be because that just happens to be the area where Ian Foden himself stands?
Perhaps they should have been inconvenienced and told to relocate, too, and then the CSH could have been extended out even further.....and I could have looked at a few more bricks when we get a corner at the Golf Road End?
I apologise if that was the way that this came across.That was not intentional, but reading it back, I can see why you have interpreted it in this way.
Unfortunately, nobody has a free seat in the gantry. This is because from a seated position anywhere on the gantry, it is possible to only view a very small proportion of the pitch, therefore everybody (Mark from Alty TV/The Radio Robins team/Our opponents video team) has to stand up. This is not ideal for anyone up there, particularly Mark & I who are on our feet for at least 6 hours on a matchday/night, however that's what it is.
In terms of your season ticket seat, it is difficult for me to comment, as I don't know the full facts. My understanding is that you wrote to the club with your concerns & that the club has replied & offered you the option of relocating your seat or a full refund of your season ticket payment, which seems to have been a reasonable response.
I HAVE PUT RESPONSES IN CAPITALS BELOW. APOLOGIES FOR THE 'SHOUTING' STYLE OF TYPE.
Brian,
I interpreted your comments exactly as they were written: dismissive and offhand.
IF THIS IS TRUE, THEN YOU HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT I THINK THAN I DO.
Frankly, as both a supporter of a slightly longer vintage than myself and someone who until only recently was a fellow dweller at the rear of the main stand, I expected better from you of all people.
THAT'S FAIR ENOUGH, BUT EVEN IF I WAS STILL WATCHING FROM THE MAIN STAND, WHICH OF COURSE I MAY DO AGAIN AT SOME POINT, THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS MUCH OF AN ISSUE TO ME PERSONALLY AS IT APPEARS TO BE FOR YOU.I AM NOT ARGUING OVER WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG HERE, JUST THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES. PERHAPS THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR OPINIONS HERE AS THIS IS A 4/10 ISSUE IN MY MIND, WHILST IT MIGHT BE 10/10 IN YOURS.NEITHER OF US ARE NECESSARILY RIGHT OR WRONG, WE ARE JUST VIEWING SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY, WHICH ON BALANCE MAY BE A GOOD THING.
However, we shall move on....
Your understanding is incorrect.
It was evident at the first home pre-season friendly that the Community Sports Hall would result in several seats in the main stand inheriting a restricted view of the pitch.
However, I have been waiting until the completion of the building so that I could then assess the full and lasting impact of this obstruction/intrusion on our view.
Elsewhere on this Forum, the ostensible designer of this edifice, one Ian Foden, states that "the club knew all along that the CSH would affect the view".
Accepting that to be true, then (i) why did the club knowingly sell restricted view season tickets without advising those who were paying full price for them of this new detrimental factor and (ii) why has the club not contacted those season ticket holders whose view has been devalued in order to offer an apology at the very least.
I would have thought that the onus was on the club itself to take the initiative in this matter.
Or do they not really care about the way that they treat certain loyal supporters of many years?
I can assure you that I have not received any apology in writing nor any formal written offers regarding a refund.
One Director is fully aware of my thoughts (and the thoughts of one or two others) pertaining to this matter, however, nothing official whatsoever has been placed in writing as yet.
Consequently, correspondence to the Board of Directors will now have to be undertaken.
We're not asking for the CSH to be torn down, for Heaven's sake!
All we would like is to be treated with a degree of common decency.
I COULD ONLY STATE WHAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING.
-
Nobody else has said so yet, so I will say that it is a bit unfair to take a swipe at Brian Flynn for having a "free seat in the gantry"......Most, if not all those in the gantry, are doing 'media' work for the club and its supporters i.e Radio Robins and Alty TV.
Mick,
Some people will no doubt disagree with my thoughts on this issue but here goes....
I would make a notable exception regarding Mark from Alty TV (whose laudable work editing and producing highlights goes on well after the final whistle has sounded), however, I would expect the likes of Brian Flynn and John Edwards to have purchased season tickets regardless of their media work for the club.
If that is, indeed, the case, then I apologise for my use of the term 'free' in a previous post.
It has, of course, since been established that Flynny does not have access to an armchair in the gantry.
Just curious on your thinking here - So should all volunteers at the club buy a season ticket and can you expand on 'the likes of'?
Apologies for any confusion.
No, I certainly don't believe that volunteers such as the stewards or gatepersons should have to buy a season ticket.
However, I would expect both of our Press Officers to be season ticket holders.
And, as I stated earlier, this may well be the case, hence my apology if the use of the term 'free' was inaccurate.
-
Nobody else has said so yet, so I will say that it is a bit unfair to take a swipe at Brian Flynn for having a "free seat in the gantry"......Most, if not all those in the gantry, are doing 'media' work for the club and its supporters i.e Radio Robins and Alty TV.
Mick,
Some people will no doubt disagree with my thoughts on this issue but here goes....
I would make a notable exception regarding Mark from Alty TV (whose laudable work editing and producing highlights goes on well after the final whistle has sounded), however, I would expect the likes of Brian Flynn and John Edwards to have purchased season tickets regardless of their media work for the club.
If that is, indeed, the case, then I apologise for my use of the term 'free' in a previous post.
It has, of course, since been established that Flynny does not have access to an armchair in the gantry.
This is without question one of the saddest posts I have read on this forum in all the years I have taken part in it.
I don't know John Edwards very well, however my meetings with him have always been pleasant and he seems to be getting more and more involved as I believe he has taken early retirement. I know he is a well respected journalist and just the kind of person we need to assist with the growing press demands of the Conference.
However I do know Brian very well as a friend of 20 years and a business partner of the last 3-4. I have personally seen the 20-30 hours a week he puts into our football club, from driving on his own to away games to get there early and stay late for after match interviews, to TASC chairman stuff, organising press requests, being the MC for club events and programme articles, getting to the ground at 11:30 for home games to other stuff that seems to fall in his lap.
You know this Cult and you do good stuff yourself so you know how the whole volunteer thing works. There are many more like Brian, without them our club would not even have a chance of staying in this league.
You'll allow Mark Bennett to get in free (rightly, absolutely different class with the Alty TV stuff) but "the likes of Brian Flynn" should pay?
Salt of the earth is Flynny, I never ever thought I would hear anyone speak of him in that manner. If someone had just told me you wrote that, I wouldn't have believed it.
-
As a Flagger, I have had to move.
Not happy, but life goes on.
All the best to the club.
Brian,
You've only had to move about 30 yards though.....and now you've got a nice new rail to lean upon and also a new roof over your head.
Not exactly a bad deal!
You'll be demanding waitress service from the bar next...!
Barry,
Waitress service sounds good to me!!!!!
But your comment 'not exactly a bad deal'.
Well you have got that wrong.
I would much prefer to stand on the old flags.
As most of my fellow FLAGGERS know, I like to have a wander when games get tight.
In the new position I'm unable to do that.
We all have to make sacrifices.
I also have also made my point to Ian, but things move on.
Let's just hope this new venture succeeds.
On a final note Barry.
IF the club did know there would be a restricted view in the stand, they should have told you before you bought your ticket.
When the bar opens, I will buy you a pint of the black stuff and get the waitress to bring it over to you!! ;)
.
Fair enough, Brian.
We football supporters are creatures of habit.
Thanks for your comment re. the issue relating to my restricted view from the main stand.
Oh, and you're a little out of touch - my drink of choice is a G&T these days....!
No problem Barry,
G&T on its way.
Just for the record, I'm a Bryan, not a Flynny Brian!!!!😄
Bryan,
Huge apologies for the given name confusion.
How ironic that it should be me delivering the wrong form of address to a postman....
Regards,
Barrie.
-
Hmmm.
A building is erected which results in my main stand seat having a restricted view of the pitch and now I am being asked to pay for the privilege.
Nothing against the concept of the CSH but weren't we reassured that fundraising for it would not impinge on the established sources of income/fundraising for the football club?
It's clearly not ideal that your seat has a restricted view of the pitch, however I would have thought that there are plenty of other seats available that do not have such restrictions.
Really?
You don't say?!
Forgive me, Brian, but that is an extremely glib response and one that's very easy to throw out by someone who is tucked away nicely on his free seat in the gantry.
I purchased my season ticket back in June in good faith.
The club should have advised me beforehand that my chosen seat of many seasons now has a restricted view of the pitch.
They didn't.
Still nobody has actually accepted responsibility for this architectural cock-up or even apologised for it.
Why should I have to move from my seat just because Ian Foden's grasp of geometry is clearly deficient?
Isn't it funny how the Flaggers have been accommodated with some new terracing and a bit of roof cover.
Now, could that possibly be because that just happens to be the area where Ian Foden himself stands?
Perhaps they should have been inconvenienced and told to relocate, too, and then the CSH could have been extended out even further.....and I could have looked at a few more bricks when we get a corner at the Golf Road End?
I apologise if that was the way that this came across.That was not intentional, but reading it back, I can see why you have interpreted it in this way.
Unfortunately, nobody has a free seat in the gantry. This is because from a seated position anywhere on the gantry, it is possible to only view a very small proportion of the pitch, therefore everybody (Mark from Alty TV/The Radio Robins team/Our opponents video team) has to stand up. This is not ideal for anyone up there, particularly Mark & I who are on our feet for at least 6 hours on a matchday/night, however that's what it is.
In terms of your season ticket seat, it is difficult for me to comment, as I don't know the full facts. My understanding is that you wrote to the club with your concerns & that the club has replied & offered you the option of relocating your seat or a full refund of your season ticket payment, which seems to have been a reasonable response.
I HAVE PUT RESPONSES IN CAPITALS BELOW. APOLOGIES FOR THE 'SHOUTING' STYLE OF TYPE.
Brian,
I interpreted your comments exactly as they were written: dismissive and offhand.
IF THIS IS TRUE, THEN YOU HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT I THINK THAN I DO.
Frankly, as both a supporter of a slightly longer vintage than myself and someone who until only recently was a fellow dweller at the rear of the main stand, I expected better from you of all people.
THAT'S FAIR ENOUGH, BUT EVEN IF I WAS STILL WATCHING FROM THE MAIN STAND, WHICH OF COURSE I MAY DO AGAIN AT SOME POINT, THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS MUCH OF AN ISSUE TO ME PERSONALLY AS IT APPEARS TO BE FOR YOU.I AM NOT ARGUING OVER WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG HERE, JUST THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES. PERHAPS THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR OPINIONS HERE AS THIS IS A 4/10 ISSUE IN MY MIND, WHILST IT MIGHT BE 10/10 IN YOURS.NEITHER OF US ARE NECESSARILY RIGHT OR WRONG, WE ARE JUST VIEWING SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY, WHICH ON BALANCE MAY BE A GOOD THING.
However, we shall move on....
Your understanding is incorrect.
It was evident at the first home pre-season friendly that the Community Sports Hall would result in several seats in the main stand inheriting a restricted view of the pitch.
However, I have been waiting until the completion of the building so that I could then assess the full and lasting impact of this obstruction/intrusion on our view.
Elsewhere on this Forum, the ostensible designer of this edifice, one Ian Foden, states that "the club knew all along that the CSH would affect the view".
Accepting that to be true, then (i) why did the club knowingly sell restricted view season tickets without advising those who were paying full price for them of this new detrimental factor and (ii) why has the club not contacted those season ticket holders whose view has been devalued in order to offer an apology at the very least.
I would have thought that the onus was on the club itself to take the initiative in this matter.
Or do they not really care about the way that they treat certain loyal supporters of many years?
I can assure you that I have not received any apology in writing nor any formal written offers regarding a refund.
One Director is fully aware of my thoughts (and the thoughts of one or two others) pertaining to this matter, however, nothing official whatsoever has been placed in writing as yet.
Consequently, correspondence to the Board of Directors will now have to be undertaken.
We're not asking for the CSH to be torn down, for Heaven's sake!
All we would like is to be treated with a degree of common decency.
I COULD ONLY STATE WHAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING.
Brian,
I don't wish to keep pursuing this, as the quotation boxes are becoming longer than Morrissey's autobiography.
I suspect that a healthy discussion over a drink or two in the bar after next Saturday's match would be most beneficial and a far better option.
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Brian I have sent you a pm on the subject
Got that thanks & will respond tomorrow.
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Hmmm.
A building is erected which results in my main stand seat having a restricted view of the pitch and now I am being asked to pay for the privilege.
Nothing against the concept of the CSH but weren't we reassured that fundraising for it would not impinge on the established sources of income/fundraising for the football club?
It's clearly not ideal that your seat has a restricted view of the pitch, however I would have thought that there are plenty of other seats available that do not have such restrictions.
Really?
You don't say?!
Forgive me, Brian, but that is an extremely glib response and one that's very easy to throw out by someone who is tucked away nicely on his free seat in the gantry.
I purchased my season ticket back in June in good faith.
The club should have advised me beforehand that my chosen seat of many seasons now has a restricted view of the pitch.
They didn't.
Still nobody has actually accepted responsibility for this architectural cock-up or even apologised for it.
Why should I have to move from my seat just because Ian Foden's grasp of geometry is clearly deficient?
Isn't it funny how the Flaggers have been accommodated with some new terracing and a bit of roof cover.
Now, could that possibly be because that just happens to be the area where Ian Foden himself stands?
Perhaps they should have been inconvenienced and told to relocate, too, and then the CSH could have been extended out even further.....and I could have looked at a few more bricks when we get a corner at the Golf Road End?
I apologise if that was the way that this came across.That was not intentional, but reading it back, I can see why you have interpreted it in this way.
Unfortunately, nobody has a free seat in the gantry. This is because from a seated position anywhere on the gantry, it is possible to only view a very small proportion of the pitch, therefore everybody (Mark from Alty TV/The Radio Robins team/Our opponents video team) has to stand up. This is not ideal for anyone up there, particularly Mark & I who are on our feet for at least 6 hours on a matchday/night, however that's what it is.
In terms of your season ticket seat, it is difficult for me to comment, as I don't know the full facts. My understanding is that you wrote to the club with your concerns & that the club has replied & offered you the option of relocating your seat or a full refund of your season ticket payment, which seems to have been a reasonable response.
I HAVE PUT RESPONSES IN CAPITALS BELOW. APOLOGIES FOR THE 'SHOUTING' STYLE OF TYPE.
Brian,
I interpreted your comments exactly as they were written: dismissive and offhand.
IF THIS IS TRUE, THEN YOU HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT I THINK THAN I DO.
Frankly, as both a supporter of a slightly longer vintage than myself and someone who until only recently was a fellow dweller at the rear of the main stand, I expected better from you of all people.
THAT'S FAIR ENOUGH, BUT EVEN IF I WAS STILL WATCHING FROM THE MAIN STAND, WHICH OF COURSE I MAY DO AGAIN AT SOME POINT, THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS MUCH OF AN ISSUE TO ME PERSONALLY AS IT APPEARS TO BE FOR YOU.I AM NOT ARGUING OVER WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG HERE, JUST THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES. PERHAPS THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR OPINIONS HERE AS THIS IS A 4/10 ISSUE IN MY MIND, WHILST IT MIGHT BE 10/10 IN YOURS.NEITHER OF US ARE NECESSARILY RIGHT OR WRONG, WE ARE JUST VIEWING SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY, WHICH ON BALANCE MAY BE A GOOD THING.
However, we shall move on....
Your understanding is incorrect.
It was evident at the first home pre-season friendly that the Community Sports Hall would result in several seats in the main stand inheriting a restricted view of the pitch.
However, I have been waiting until the completion of the building so that I could then assess the full and lasting impact of this obstruction/intrusion on our view.
Elsewhere on this Forum, the ostensible designer of this edifice, one Ian Foden, states that "the club knew all along that the CSH would affect the view".
Accepting that to be true, then (i) why did the club knowingly sell restricted view season tickets without advising those who were paying full price for them of this new detrimental factor and (ii) why has the club not contacted those season ticket holders whose view has been devalued in order to offer an apology at the very least.
I would have thought that the onus was on the club itself to take the initiative in this matter.
Or do they not really care about the way that they treat certain loyal supporters of many years?
I can assure you that I have not received any apology in writing nor any formal written offers regarding a refund.
One Director is fully aware of my thoughts (and the thoughts of one or two others) pertaining to this matter, however, nothing official whatsoever has been placed in writing as yet.
Consequently, correspondence to the Board of Directors will now have to be undertaken.
We're not asking for the CSH to be torn down, for Heaven's sake!
All we would like is to be treated with a degree of common decency.
I COULD ONLY STATE WHAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING.
Brian,
I don't wish to keep pursuing this, as the quotation boxes are becoming longer than Morrissey's autobiography.
I suspect that a healthy discussion over a drink or two in the bar after next Saturday's match would be most beneficial and a far better option.
Fully agree Barry, this could go on forever.
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Nobody else has said so yet, so I will say that it is a bit unfair to take a swipe at Brian Flynn for having a "free seat in the gantry"......Most, if not all those in the gantry, are doing 'media' work for the club and its supporters i.e Radio Robins and Alty TV.
Mick,
Some people will no doubt disagree with my thoughts on this issue but here goes....
I would make a notable exception regarding Mark from Alty TV (whose laudable work editing and producing highlights goes on well after the final whistle has sounded), however, I would expect the likes of Brian Flynn and John Edwards to have purchased season tickets regardless of their media work for the club.
If that is, indeed, the case, then I apologise for my use of the term 'free' in a previous post.
It has, of course, since been established that Flynny does not have access to an armchair in the gantry.
This is without question one of the saddest posts I have read on this forum in all the years I have taken part in it.
I don't know John Edwards very well, however my meetings with him have always been pleasant and he seems to be getting more and more involved as I believe he has taken early retirement. I know he is a well respected journalist and just the kind of person we need to assist with the growing press demands of the Conference.
However I do know Brian very well as a friend of 20 years and a business partner of the last 3-4. I have personally seen the 20-30 hours a week he puts into our football club, from driving on his own to away games to get there early and stay late for after match interviews, to TASC chairman stuff, organising press requests, being the MC for club events and programme articles, getting to the ground at 11:30 for home games to other stuff that seems to fall in his lap.
You know this Cult and you do good stuff yourself so you know how the whole volunteer thing works. There are many more like Brian, without them our club would not even have a chance of staying in this league.
You'll allow Mark Bennett to get in free (rightly, absolutely different class with the Alty TV stuff) but "the likes of Brian Flynn" should pay?
Salt of the earth is Flynny, I never ever thought I would hear anyone speak of him in that manner. If someone had just told me you wrote that, I wouldn't have believed it.
Ecky,
Sorry for upsetting you, however, I do believe that you have missed my point spectacularly.
All of which, I accept, may well be my fault due to how I wrote that previous post.
By using the term "the likes of Brian Flynn and John Edwards", I was intending to signify Radio Robins people who still get to watch the match uninterrupted.
It was in no way meant to come across as being derogatory.
There was no criticism implied or expressed in my aforementioned post regarding either the capabilities or endeavour of John Edwards or Brian Flynn and I'm genuinely surprised that you would think that I would go down that road.
I've known Brian for many years and have spoken with John Edwards on several occasions and I am fully aware that they both carry out excellent media work on behalf of the club and comprise assets to Altrincham FC.
However, as to my point regarding whether they still ought to be season ticket holders, then yes, I do think that they should be.
In the highly unlikely event of me ascending to any sort of official position within the club, I would continue to believe that, as a supporter first and foremost, I should still invest in a season ticket for the financial benefit of the club.
That's just a personal view.
I sincerely hope that helps to clarify my reasoning (even if you still think that I am talking balderdash).
If it still doesn't make sense, please hunt me down on Saturday and we can have a chat.
You could even buy me a G&T like that nice man Bryan Ford.....
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Nobody else has said so yet, so I will say that it is a bit unfair to take a swipe at Brian Flynn for having a "free seat in the gantry"......Most, if not all those in the gantry, are doing 'media' work for the club and its supporters i.e Radio Robins and Alty TV.
Mick,
Some people will no doubt disagree with my thoughts on this issue but here goes....
I would make a notable exception regarding Mark from Alty TV (whose laudable work editing and producing highlights goes on well after the final whistle has sounded), however, I would expect the likes of Brian Flynn and John Edwards to have purchased season tickets regardless of their media work for the club.
If that is, indeed, the case, then I apologise for my use of the term 'free' in a previous post.
It has, of course, since been established that Flynny does not have access to an armchair in the gantry.
Just curious on your thinking here - So should all volunteers at the club buy a season ticket and can you expand on 'the likes of'?
Apologies for any confusion.
No, I certainly don't believe that volunteers such as the stewards or gatepersons should have to buy a season ticket.
However, I would expect both of our Press Officers to be season ticket holders.
And, as I stated earlier, this may well be the case, hence my apology if the use of the term 'free' was inaccurate.
Each to their own opinion but as far as I am aware they both do what they do for free. Naturally because they want to (it may be their way of helping the club) but I personally dont see why they should buy a season ticket. Its work, but its enjoyable work that saves the club money as someone else may require paying to do that particular job which is how the club survives by people volunteering for free, which im sure you are aware of already. I do know of some 'volunteers' that do purchase season tickets even though the volunteer work they do for the club enables them to enter for free in return for that volunteering they do. I also think this important post has got away from the original reasons for Brian posting it. Yes fans have issues with the restricted seating in the main stand now with the Sports Hall having been built (I myself have a restricted view where I usually sit in the main stand in the 2nd half) but it would surely be better to contact the club regarding their issues rather than on a fans forum. We have very approachable people at our club who would im sure be willing to discuss any issues fans have with the restricted view (some may have done this already - I don't know). The club needs to progress and the Sports Hall is a damn good way to start 2015 in taking the club forward. Im not saying fans should not have an opinion, just saying voice it in the right way and stop being so negative about the Sports Hall, can't fans see it is for the good of the club going forward. Respect your views Cult but dont have to agree with them as you dont have to agree with mine too! Now lets get another 3 point on Saturday and climb that table!
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I always pay to get in to home games, even when on commentary.
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I really should just rise above all this, but I'm afraid I can't, so here goes...
Firstly, thanks Ecky for speaking up on behalf of Brian Flynn and myself. I echo everything you say about Brian, a top guy, utterly devoted to the club and a consummate professional in all he does. Secondly, can I just illuminate 'the likes of' Cult about what the job entails by perhaps just running through what I've been up to since Saturday's game at Wrexham? I interviewed Lee Sinnott before leaving the ground for The Messenger and The Advertiser. Neither paper has a sports reporter as such, so if I didn't supply a quotes-led back page piece for them each week, we wouldn't get any publicity, or nothing like as much, anyway. Needless to say, I don't get a penny for it. When I'd finished speaking to Lee, Grahame Rowley nabbed me and asked if I'd give Mike Williams a call to do a piece about his unfortunate injury news. Sunday, I phoned Mike, had a chat with him and then wrote a fairly lengthy piece for use on the club's website that evening. Monday morning, I transcribed the taped interview with Lee and set about writing two pieces, one for The Messenger one for The Advertiser. I then typed up the interview in full, over 1,600 words, and sent it to John Laidlar, so supporters would be able to see everything Lee had had to say about the game. Tuesday morning, I transcribed another taped interview, this time with Nicky Clee for the double-page Q&A feature in The Robins Review. It will appear in the Kidderminster programme this coming Saturday. This afternoon, I will phone Shaun Densmore and speak to him about how he wants his Captain's Chat column to be done for the programme. I ghost-write it, and that's how we do it. We have a chat, and then I write it in his words. After that, I'll turn my attention to the other thing I do for the programme, a round-up of news, gossip and quotes from the week's various Conference games. Again, it is time-consuming and involves a lot of writing, as well as research. Someone on this thread said Brian and I do it because we enjoy it, and they're spot-on, though a deep-seated wish to help the club is probably nearer the mark. I volunteered my services a few years ago after reading how communication and information from the club could and should be better, and I'm happy to do what I do. But if you know someone, Barry, who wants to take all that on and pay for the privilege, I'll readily revert to coming in through the turnstiles, cheering the lads on with some pals on the pop side and then heading home after a pint.
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I always pay to get in to home games, even when on commentary.
Good man.
Never doubted it.
As a Radio Robins listener to last Saturday's game at Wrexham, I was disappointed that you weren't on duty on what ostensibly amounts to home territory for you.
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I simply cannot believe the comments in this thread.
Some fans are an utter disgrace at the moment, the forum fighting is gradually seeing the end of this forum. I only come on here these days to see what is going on and to see who is arguing with who.
We all support Alty and should be getting along, if we spotted this on other clubs forums we would laughing our heads off about silly comments slagging of the manager, the club and now the volunteers.
For the record, i think that all Radio Robins and Alty TV primary people should get in for free for the hard work they do to promote the club. But that is my own opinion.
I look forward to the next thread to stoop down the lower levels of everyone slagging everybody else off.
Grow up the lot of you.
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Nobody else has said so yet, so I will say that it is a bit unfair to take a swipe at Brian Flynn for having a "free seat in the gantry"......Most, if not all those in the gantry, are doing 'media' work for the club and its supporters i.e Radio Robins and Alty TV.
Mick,
Some people will no doubt disagree with my thoughts on this issue but here goes....
I would make a notable exception regarding Mark from Alty TV (whose laudable work editing and producing highlights goes on well after the final whistle has sounded), however, I would expect the likes of Brian Flynn and John Edwards to have purchased season tickets regardless of their media work for the club.
If that is, indeed, the case, then I apologise for my use of the term 'free' in a previous post.
It has, of course, since been established that Flynny does not have access to an armchair in the gantry.
Just curious on your thinking here - So should all volunteers at the club buy a season ticket and can you expand on 'the likes of'?
Apologies for any confusion.
No, I certainly don't believe that volunteers such as the stewards or gatepersons should have to buy a season ticket.
However, I would expect both of our Press Officers to be season ticket holders.
And, as I stated earlier, this may well be the case, hence my apology if the use of the term 'free' was inaccurate.
Each to their own opinion but as far as I am aware they both do what they do for free. Naturally because they want to (it may be their way of helping the club) but I personally dont see why they should buy a season ticket. Its work, but its enjoyable work that saves the club money as someone else may require paying to do that particular job which is how the club survives by people volunteering for free, which im sure you are aware of already. I do know of some 'volunteers' that do purchase season tickets even though the volunteer work they do for the club enables them to enter for free in return for that volunteering they do. I also think this important post has got away from the original reasons for Brian posting it. Yes fans have issues with the restricted seating in the main stand now with the Sports Hall having been built (I myself have a restricted view where I usually sit in the main stand in the 2nd half) but it would surely be better to contact the club regarding their issues rather than on a fans forum. We have very approachable people at our club who would im sure be willing to discuss any issues fans have with the restricted view (some may have done this already - I don't know). The club needs to progress and the Sports Hall is a damn good way to start 2015 in taking the club forward. Im not saying fans should not have an opinion, just saying voice it in the right way and stop being so negative about the Sports Hall, can't fans see it is for the good of the club going forward. Respect your views Cult but dont have to agree with them as you dont have to agree with mine too! Now lets get another 3 point on Saturday and climb that table!
robins1978,
Please allow me to pen a swift reply on here rather than in person, as I think that I may know who you are.....but I'm really not sure!
I salute those who volunteer to assist the club (and I don't believe that I've ever said otherwise).
To those who both volunteer and purchase a season ticket, I tip my hat to you and give you a standing ovation.
As you rightly say, it's purely a personal choice and different views on the matter are completely acceptable.
I reiterate that I have already approached a Director regarding the restricted view issue, however, I have not received anything in writing on this topic.
As the club were aware of this problem long before I was, I would have thought that the onus would have been on them to contact those season ticket holders who have been affected prior to the sale of this season's tickets.
Anyhow, I will now initiate some formal correspondence.
And may I just underline the fact that this is not an anti-Community Sports Hall issue.
I wish that project every success and will no doubt be spending far too much time in its bar in due course.
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For the record, i think that all Radio Robins and Alty TV primary people should get in for free for the hard work they do to promote the club. But that is my own opinion.
Indeed....and you are perfectly entitled to express it.
Group hug, perhaps?
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I think Flynny and John deserve the highest praise for all the hard work they do for free to promote the club. To suggest they should pay for a season ticket on top of all that us very unfair in my opinion.
If season ticket holders in the stand are aggrieved over how their view has been affected and duly handled by the club then to be fair they have a right to say so.
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I really should just rise above all this, but I'm afraid I can't, so here goes...
Firstly, thanks Ecky for speaking up on behalf of Brian Flynn and myself. I echo everything you say about Brian, a top guy, utterly devoted to the club and a consummate professional in all he does. Secondly, can I just illuminate 'the likes of' Cult about what the job entails by perhaps just running through what I've been up to since Saturday's game at Wrexham? I interviewed Lee Sinnott before leaving the ground for The Messenger and The Advertiser. Neither paper has a sports reporter as such, so if I didn't supply a quotes-led back page piece for them each week, we wouldn't get any publicity, or nothing like as much, anyway. Needless to say, I don't get a penny for it. When I'd finished speaking to Lee, Grahame Rowley nabbed me and asked if I'd give Mike Williams a call to do a piece about his unfortunate injury news. Sunday, I phoned Mike, had a chat with him and then wrote a fairly lengthy piece for use on the club's website that evening. Monday morning, I transcribed the taped interview with Lee and set about writing two pieces, one for The Messenger one for The Advertiser. I then typed up the interview in full, over 1,600 words, and sent it to John Laidlar, so supporters would be able to see everything Lee had had to say about the game. Tuesday morning, I transcribed another taped interview, this time with Nicky Clee for the double-page Q&A feature in The Robins Review. It will appear in the Kidderminster programme this coming Saturday. This afternoon, I will phone Shaun Densmore and speak to him about how he wants his Captain's Chat column to be done for the programme. I ghost-write it, and that's how we do it. We have a chat, and then I write it in his words. After that, I'll turn my attention to the other thing I do for the programme, a round-up of news, gossip and quotes from the week's various Conference games. Again, it is time-consuming and involves a lot of writing, as well as research. Someone on this thread said Brian and I do it because we enjoy it, and they're spot-on, though a deep-seated wish to help the club is probably nearer the mark. I volunteered my services a few years ago after reading how communication and information from the club could and should be better, and I'm happy to do what I do. But if you know someone, Barry, who wants to take all that on and pay for the privilege, I'll readily revert to coming in through the turnstiles, cheering the lads on with some pals on the pop side and then heading home after a pint.
John,
Clearly something is getting very badly lost in translation here and it's probably my fault that my comments have been misconstrued.
Please read my aforementioned response to Ecky in which I attempted to clarify what I was clumsily trying to say.
I have never called into question the dedication and quality of work of either Brian or your good self.
I readily confess that I do not possess the ability; knowledge; experience; resources or time to accomplish even a fraction of what you do in your role as one of Alty's press officers and also in your guise as a major contributor to the programme.
Your professionalism is much appreciated.
It takes me the best part of a week to compile one of my meagre two page-articles for the Robins Review.
We have different personal views on season tickets and that's absolutely fine.
I'm not saying that I'm necessarily right (and, evidently, I hold a minority view here!).
Apologies for causing offence but I hope that I've allayed some of the misconceptions that have unfortunately arisen.
I'd be happy to buy you a drink in the bar and chat to you in person if that would help in any way.
Barry.
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I think Flynny and John deserve the highest praise for all the hard work they do for free to promote the club. To suggest they should pay for a season ticket on top of all that us very unfair in my opinion.
If season ticket holders in the stand are aggrieved over how their view has been affected and duly handled by the club then to be fair they have a right to say so.
I think he meant that of all the volunteers, given Brian is a long standing fan that Brian wouldn't want to deprive alty of the funds
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Anyway two things. Very disappointed by Cult. Big fan of his posts usually.
I can see why you'd be annoyed if you were moved from an entire section. I hate un segregation of chequers or full sterile areas on the pop side (I'm sure pop side regulars hate us crowded their spot). However plenty of seats in the main stand.
To see how bad it is, I may pop up next week out of curiosity.
Common curtsy would suggest a personal apology to the ST though. Being a club of this size it's not hard to send out a short apology. I do agree with an earlier comment some statements that come out from the club could be worded a little better, including the one that started this forum thread.
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Just to confirm what Cult has said previously, I was present when he brought up the issue of sightlines with a club director (whose seats aren't affected by the way) and I was gobsmacked at the offhand manner in which he was treated. It doesn't reflect well on the club the way it has failed to liaise with members of its loyal fanbase on this. And as Cult has reiterated he has still received nothing in the way of an apology only haughty indifference. I woulddn't expect officials to come on the forum to address this (they probably can't find it now the link has been dropped) but I'm sure they all have his email.
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This forum is a complete embarrassment :(
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What's wrong with a bit of a meaty out in the open discussion? People shouldn't be afraid of it. Doesn't mean you have to agree with opinions that are aired.
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Anyway two things. Very disappointed by Cult. Big fan of his posts usually.
I can see why you'd be annoyed if you were moved from an entire section. I hate un segregation of chequers or full sterile areas on the pop side (I'm sure pop side regulars hate us crowded their spot). However plenty of seats in the main stand.
To see how bad it is, I may pop up next week out of curiosity.
Common curtsy would suggest a personal apology to the ST though. Being a club of this size it's not hard to send out a short apology. I do agree with an earlier comment some statements that come out from the club could be worded a little better, including the one that started this forum thread.
Jack,
Sorry to have lost a fan......and probably my last one at that.
Indeed, there are plenty of other available seats in the main stand.
However, I'm an illogical football supporter.
I like where I sit.
It's where I used to sit with my Dad when he first took me to Moss Lane over 40 years ago.
To be honest, I'll almost certainly select the same seat number when I renew my season ticket next year.
The key difference then will be that I know that I am paying for a restricted view seat.
It's always been about the lack of any written apology from the club.
That's all, really.
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Never mind Cult, eighties junior likes your column.
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Never mind Cult, eighties junior likes your column.
In all seriousness, that has really cheered me up!
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This forum is a complete embarrassment :(
Well, start an interesting thread ASAP please.....!
Anything to get us off this bloody topic!
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Never mind Cult, eighties junior likes your column.
In all seriousness, that has really cheered me up!
I shall let him know. Now, about that signed photo of Doug Newton.....
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Never mind Cult, eighties junior likes your column.
In all seriousness, that has really cheered me up!
I shall let him know. Now, about that signed photo of Doug Newton.....
I scour eBay every two hours in the quest for one, I promise.
The best I can do is send you a programme article that I wrote about him a few years ago.
A poor substitute, I'll grant you (the article that is, not Doug).
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Now that I have a Conference license, not only do I expect to get into Alty games for free for life, I also have a list of equipment that I demand the club furnish me with forthwith, in order for me to continue to provide the completely unrequested (and initially, I imagine, unlawful) service I have been providing for the past season and a half:
Nikon D4 x3
New Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens
Nikon 400mm f/2.8 lens
Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8 lens
Mac Book Pro with Lightroom, Photo Mechanic and Photoshop
Free Wi-Fi, of course
A number of body-moulded dugout positions at various places around the pitch
This should come to around £30k. All this talk of £10k to finish the community hall is clearly a case of focusing (pun intended) on the wrong priorities.
I jest, of course. As long as I am privileged enough to be in possession of a Conference license, I will use it to get in free and pitch side at as many clubs as possible, however I will always be a paying customer at Moss Lane.
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Never mind Cult, eighties junior likes your column.
In all seriousness, that has really cheered me up!
I shall let him know. Now, about that signed photo of Doug Newton.....
I scour eBay every two hours in the quest for one, I promise.
The best I can do is send you a programme article that I wrote about him a few years ago.
A poor substitute, I'll grant you (the article that is, not Doug).
I'd like to read that. Whatever became of him? My last memory of him was on the open-top bus after the Trophy win. He had a Don Johnson-esque suit on IIRC.
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Now that I have a Conference license, not only do I expect to get into Alty games for free for life, I also have a list of equipment that I demand the club furnish me with forthwith, in order for me to continue to provide the completely unrequested (and initially, I imagine, unlawful) service I have been providing for the past season and a half:
Nikon D4 x3
New Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens
Nikon 400mm f/2.8 lens
Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8 lens
Mac Book Pro with Lightroom, Photo Mechanic and Photoshop
Free Wi-Fi, of course
A number of body-moulded dugout positions at various places around the pitch
This should come to around £30k. All this talk of £10k to finish the community hall is clearly a case of focusing (pun intended) on the wrong priorities.
I jest, of course. As long as I am privileged enough to be in possession of a Conference license, I will use it to get in free and pitch side at as many clubs as possible, however I will always be a paying customer at Moss Lane.
Pffff. You'd still fail to get a shot of me.
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I think if everybody digs deep we can raise this money, me myself i miss a few games
so im happy to chuck a score in the pot , if I went every game I can understand the problem
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Never mind Cult, eighties junior likes your column.
In all seriousness, that has really cheered me up!
I shall let him know. Now, about that signed photo of Doug Newton.....
I scour eBay every two hours in the quest for one, I promise.
The best I can do is send you a programme article that I wrote about him a few years ago.
A poor substitute, I'll grant you (the article that is, not Doug).
I'd like to read that. Whatever became of him? My last memory of him was on the open-top bus after the Trophy win. He had a Don Johnson-esque suit on IIRC.
I've emailed the article to you.
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Nobody else has said so yet, so I will say that it is a bit unfair to take a swipe at Brian Flynn for having a "free seat in the gantry"......Most, if not all those in the gantry, are doing 'media' work for the club and its supporters i.e Radio Robins and Alty TV.
Mick,
Some people will no doubt disagree with my thoughts on this issue but here goes....
I would make a notable exception regarding Mark from Alty TV (whose laudable work editing and producing highlights goes on well after the final whistle has sounded), however, I would expect the likes of Brian Flynn and John Edwards to have purchased season tickets regardless of their media work for the club.
If that is, indeed, the case, then I apologise for my use of the term 'free' in a previous post.
It has, of course, since been established that Flynny does not have access to an armchair in the gantry.
Just curious on your thinking here - So should all volunteers at the club buy a season ticket and can you expand on 'the likes of'?
Apologies for any confusion.
No, I certainly don't believe that volunteers such as the stewards or gatepersons should have to buy a season ticket.
However, I would expect both of our Press Officers to be season ticket holders.
And, as I stated earlier, this may well be the case, hence my apology if the use of the term 'free' was inaccurate.
Each to their own opinion but as far as I am aware they both do what they do for free. Naturally because they want to (it may be their way of helping the club) but I personally dont see why they should buy a season ticket. Its work, but its enjoyable work that saves the club money as someone else may require paying to do that particular job which is how the club survives by people volunteering for free, which im sure you are aware of already. I do know of some 'volunteers' that do purchase season tickets even though the volunteer work they do for the club enables them to enter for free in return for that volunteering they do. I also think this important post has got away from the original reasons for Brian posting it. Yes fans have issues with the restricted seating in the main stand now with the Sports Hall having been built (I myself have a restricted view where I usually sit in the main stand in the 2nd half) but it would surely be better to contact the club regarding their issues rather than on a fans forum. We have very approachable people at our club who would im sure be willing to discuss any issues fans have with the restricted view (some may have done this already - I don't know). The club needs to progress and the Sports Hall is a damn good way to start 2015 in taking the club forward. Im not saying fans should not have an opinion, just saying voice it in the right way and stop being so negative about the Sports Hall, can't fans see it is for the good of the club going forward. Respect your views Cult but dont have to agree with them as you dont have to agree with mine too! Now lets get another 3 point on Saturday and climb that table!
robins1978,
Please allow me to pen a swift reply on here rather than in person, as I think that I may know who you are.....but I'm really not sure!
I salute those who volunteer to assist the club (and I don't believe that I've ever said otherwise).
To those who both volunteer and purchase a season ticket, I tip my hat to you and give you a standing ovation.
As you rightly say, it's purely a personal choice and different views on the matter are completely acceptable.
I reiterate that I have already approached a Director regarding the restricted view issue, however, I have not received anything in writing on this topic.
As the club were aware of this problem long before I was, I would have thought that the onus would have been on them to contact those season ticket holders who have been affected prior to the sale of this season's tickets.
Anyhow, I will now initiate some formal correspondence.
And may I just underline the fact that this is not an anti-Community Sports Hall issue.
I wish that project every success and will no doubt be spending far too much time in its bar in due course.
;D I am Colin. Main Stand (late gate) turnstile operator on Match Days. I would have addressed you by your first name but like yourself was not sure what it was. Not sure why forums dont just use the users birth name. if this were the case I think it would be a much better all round. I hope you (and others in same boat) come to some arrangement with the club to suit both parties over the restricted view problem. Maybe see you in the Sports Hall in the New year!
-
Nobody else has said so yet, so I will say that it is a bit unfair to take a swipe at Brian Flynn for having a "free seat in the gantry"......Most, if not all those in the gantry, are doing 'media' work for the club and its supporters i.e Radio Robins and Alty TV.
Mick,
Some people will no doubt disagree with my thoughts on this issue but here goes....
I would make a notable exception regarding Mark from Alty TV (whose laudable work editing and producing highlights goes on well after the final whistle has sounded), however, I would expect the likes of Brian Flynn and John Edwards to have purchased season tickets regardless of their media work for the club.
If that is, indeed, the case, then I apologise for my use of the term 'free' in a previous post.
It has, of course, since been established that Flynny does not have access to an armchair in the gantry.
Just curious on your thinking here - So should all volunteers at the club buy a season ticket and can you expand on 'the likes of'?
Apologies for any confusion.
No, I certainly don't believe that volunteers such as the stewards or gatepersons should have to buy a season ticket.
However, I would expect both of our Press Officers to be season ticket holders.
And, as I stated earlier, this may well be the case, hence my apology if the use of the term 'free' was inaccurate.
Each to their own opinion but as far as I am aware they both do what they do for free. Naturally because they want to (it may be their way of helping the club) but I personally dont see why they should buy a season ticket. Its work, but its enjoyable work that saves the club money as someone else may require paying to do that particular job which is how the club survives by people volunteering for free, which im sure you are aware of already. I do know of some 'volunteers' that do purchase season tickets even though the volunteer work they do for the club enables them to enter for free in return for that volunteering they do. I also think this important post has got away from the original reasons for Brian posting it. Yes fans have issues with the restricted seating in the main stand now with the Sports Hall having been built (I myself have a restricted view where I usually sit in the main stand in the 2nd half) but it would surely be better to contact the club regarding their issues rather than on a fans forum. We have very approachable people at our club who would im sure be willing to discuss any issues fans have with the restricted view (some may have done this already - I don't know). The club needs to progress and the Sports Hall is a damn good way to start 2015 in taking the club forward. Im not saying fans should not have an opinion, just saying voice it in the right way and stop being so negative about the Sports Hall, can't fans see it is for the good of the club going forward. Respect your views Cult but dont have to agree with them as you dont have to agree with mine too! Now lets get another 3 point on Saturday and climb that table!
robins1978,
Please allow me to pen a swift reply on here rather than in person, as I think that I may know who you are.....but I'm really not sure!
I salute those who volunteer to assist the club (and I don't believe that I've ever said otherwise).
To those who both volunteer and purchase a season ticket, I tip my hat to you and give you a standing ovation.
As you rightly say, it's purely a personal choice and different views on the matter are completely acceptable.
I reiterate that I have already approached a Director regarding the restricted view issue, however, I have not received anything in writing on this topic.
As the club were aware of this problem long before I was, I would have thought that the onus would have been on them to contact those season ticket holders who have been affected prior to the sale of this season's tickets.
Anyhow, I will now initiate some formal correspondence.
And may I just underline the fact that this is not an anti-Community Sports Hall issue.
I wish that project every success and will no doubt be spending far too much time in its bar in due course.
;D I am Colin. Main Stand (late gate) turnstile operator on Match Days. I would have addressed you by your first name but like yourself was not sure what it was. Not sure why forums dont just use the users birth name. if this were the case I think it would be a much better all round. I hope you (and others in same boat) come to some arrangement with the club to suit both parties over the restricted view problem. Maybe see you in the Sports Hall in the New year!
Colin,
So, you are, indeed, who I thought you were!
Yes, I'll undoubtedly be making an appearance in the Community Sports Hall early in 2015.
I'll be the one undertaking George Heslop's Zumba classes after having overdosed on my wife's homemade mince pies over Christmas.
-
Nobody else has said so yet, so I will say that it is a bit unfair to take a swipe at Brian Flynn for having a "free seat in the gantry"......Most, if not all those in the gantry, are doing 'media' work for the club and its supporters i.e Radio Robins and Alty TV.
Mick,
Some people will no doubt disagree with my thoughts on this issue but here goes....
I would make a notable exception regarding Mark from Alty TV (whose laudable work editing and producing highlights goes on well after the final whistle has sounded), however, I would expect the likes of Brian Flynn and John Edwards to have purchased season tickets regardless of their media work for the club.
If that is, indeed, the case, then I apologise for my use of the term 'free' in a previous post.
It has, of course, since been established that Flynny does not have access to an armchair in the gantry.
Just curious on your thinking here - So should all volunteers at the club buy a season ticket and can you expand on 'the likes of'?
Apologies for any confusion.
No, I certainly don't believe that volunteers such as the stewards or gatepersons should have to buy a season ticket.
However, I would expect both of our Press Officers to be season ticket holders.
And, as I stated earlier, this may well be the case, hence my apology if the use of the term 'free' was inaccurate.
Each to their own opinion but as far as I am aware they both do what they do for free. Naturally because they want to (it may be their way of helping the club) but I personally dont see why they should buy a season ticket. Its work, but its enjoyable work that saves the club money as someone else may require paying to do that particular job which is how the club survives by people volunteering for free, which im sure you are aware of already. I do know of some 'volunteers' that do purchase season tickets even though the volunteer work they do for the club enables them to enter for free in return for that volunteering they do. I also think this important post has got away from the original reasons for Brian posting it. Yes fans have issues with the restricted seating in the main stand now with the Sports Hall having been built (I myself have a restricted view where I usually sit in the main stand in the 2nd half) but it would surely be better to contact the club regarding their issues rather than on a fans forum. We have very approachable people at our club who would im sure be willing to discuss any issues fans have with the restricted view (some may have done this already - I don't know). The club needs to progress and the Sports Hall is a damn good way to start 2015 in taking the club forward. Im not saying fans should not have an opinion, just saying voice it in the right way and stop being so negative about the Sports Hall, can't fans see it is for the good of the club going forward. Respect your views Cult but dont have to agree with them as you dont have to agree with mine too! Now lets get another 3 point on Saturday and climb that table!
robins1978,
Please allow me to pen a swift reply on here rather than in person, as I think that I may know who you are.....but I'm really not sure!
I salute those who volunteer to assist the club (and I don't believe that I've ever said otherwise).
To those who both volunteer and purchase a season ticket, I tip my hat to you and give you a standing ovation.
As you rightly say, it's purely a personal choice and different views on the matter are completely acceptable.
I reiterate that I have already approached a Director regarding the restricted view issue, however, I have not received anything in writing on this topic.
As the club were aware of this problem long before I was, I would have thought that the onus would have been on them to contact those season ticket holders who have been affected prior to the sale of this season's tickets.
Anyhow, I will now initiate some formal correspondence.
And may I just underline the fact that this is not an anti-Community Sports Hall issue.
I wish that project every success and will no doubt be spending far too much time in its bar in due course.
;D I am Colin. Main Stand (late gate) turnstile operator on Match Days. I would have addressed you by your first name but like yourself was not sure what it was. Not sure why forums dont just use the users birth name. if this were the case I think it would be a much better all round. I hope you (and others in same boat) come to some arrangement with the club to suit both parties over the restricted view problem. Maybe see you in the Sports Hall in the New year!
Colin,
So, you are, indeed, who I thought you were!
Yes, I'll undoubtedly be making an appearance in the Community Sports Hall early in 2015.
I'll be the one undertaking George Heslop's Zumba classes after having overdosed on my wife's homemade mince pies over Christmas.
;D
-
Brian and John deserve an awful lot of thanks for the tireless work they do for the club on a voluntary basis and should be allowed free entry to the ground, as should a number of other volunteers, without anyone trying to make them feel guilty about it. The Board have been very quiet recently about the team, support for the manager, the Sports Hall and I find it slightly galling they haven't asked for the additional £10,000 but instead put Brian in that position.
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I don't fink brian is the front man for
asking for funds, but I like the idea of putting a few
quid in why not its a good place to put spare dosh
ile put a score in the pot
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I think the point is daz that Brian has been left to make the announcement it should be the board
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I understand that jim but the board don't say much on this forum
x
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I think the point is daz that Brian has been left to make the announcement it should be the board
how can they?
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Press Release, Official Website, Statement on Social Media, Youtube video, it's 2014 there are many ways to communicate.
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Press Release, Official Website, Statement on Social Media, Youtube video, it's 2014 there are many ways to communicate.
you are here
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I think unfortunately a lot of Barry's excellent points have been overlooked here due to the comment on the volunteers, I didn't agree with those. Pretty much the rest of what was said was spot on though i thought.
I don't sit in the main stand so this isn't really my argument but out of intrigue (some might call it sadness) i had a mooch around the main stand after the Bristol Rovers game earlier in the season, after noticing that the view now looked a bit iffy. For those interested on the top row of the stand you have to go 10 seats in from the corner of the stand to catch even a glimpse of the golf road goal posts. A fairly large portion now have a restricted view. I'd certainly disagree that only 80% of seats are uneffected. I also take the comments on board that we don't have a full main stand that often, but in this league its busy enough often enough, especially for big games and i find it rather embarrasing that any newcomers (or regulars for that matter) to the club would pay £15 for a big game and would be forced to sit up there.
The argument that people can "just go and sit somewhere else" really isn't good enough either. As noted earlier, football fans are as has been noted creatures of habit, on the Golf Road End i have a place i like to stand, i'd be furious if somebody dumped an obsticle in the way and said similar. I don't hand over £250 lightly every June. Yes we want to bring new people into the fold but the club must never forget the loyal hardcore, and its those (us) that ultimately are its most important customers. We were here in the bad old days and will no doubt be here for years to come. As a business, the club should never take this for granted though and fobbing people off is unnacceptable.
I would be very suprised if anybody connected with the club didn't want the CSH to be a roaring success but this does show a giant lack of forsight on the part of those involved with the planning. If the club was aware from the outset that a number of views would be restricted then its really poor form to adopt an attitude to just not mention it when people spent good money buying season tickets, poor form at best and i do think it merits an apology as a minimum
Anyway those are just my ramblings, an opinion. Sure many will disagree. Please do not interpret that any of these as anti-CSH, anti-board or anti anything else because they're not.
As it goes, i'm somewhat uncomfortable with going to the well again to the same old fans five weeks before Christmas for money so won't be contributing, especially whilst so soon and still somewhat bitter from the fa cup debacle (despite the 2 decent results since). The players should dip into their pockets. To those of you that do however, more power to you. I salute you.
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Fantastic post
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good post beez , I also understand the fa cup let down but ile chuck 20 quid in
simply becoz I don't go as many games as you lads ,
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Excellent post, beez. Well said!
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http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B3PKWVnCQAAIA01.jpg
This one's for Cult ;D
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Good post Beez.
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I think unfortunately a lot of Barry's excellent points have been overlooked here due to the comment on the volunteers, I didn't agree with those. Pretty much the rest of what was said was spot on though i thought.
I don't sit in the main stand so this isn't really my argument but out of intrigue (some might call it sadness) i had a mooch around the main stand after the Bristol Rovers game earlier in the season, after noticing that the view now looked a bit iffy. For those interested on the top row of the stand you have to go 10 seats in from the corner of the stand to catch even a glimpse of the golf road goal posts. A fairly large portion now have a restricted view. I'd certainly disagree that only 80% of seats are uneffected. I also take the comments on board that we don't have a full main stand that often, but in this league its busy enough often enough, especially for big games and i find it rather embarrasing that any newcomers (or regulars for that matter) to the club would pay £15 for a big game and would be forced to sit up there.
The argument that people can "just go and sit somewhere else" really isn't good enough either. As noted earlier, football fans are as has been noted creatures of habit, on the Golf Road End i have a place i like to stand, i'd be furious if somebody dumped an obsticle in the way and said similar. I don't hand over £250 lightly every June. Yes we want to bring new people into the fold but the club must never forget the loyal hardcore, and its those (us) that ultimately are its most important customers. We were here in the bad old days and will no doubt be here for years to come. As a business, the club should never take this for granted though and fobbing people off is unnacceptable.
I would be very suprised if anybody connected with the club didn't want the CSH to be a roaring success but this does show a giant lack of forsight on the part of those involved with the planning. If the club was aware from the outset that a number of views would be restricted then its really poor form to adopt an attitude to just not mention it when people spent good money buying season tickets, poor form at best and i do think it merits an apology as a minimum
Anyway those are just my ramblings, an opinion. Sure many will disagree. Please do not interpret that any of these as anti-CSH, anti-board or anti anything else because they're not.
As it goes, i'm somewhat uncomfortable with going to the well again to the same old fans five weeks before Christmas for money so won't be contributing, especially whilst so soon and still somewhat bitter from the fa cup debacle (despite the 2 decent results since). The players should dip into their pockets. To those of you that do however, more power to you. I salute you.
Beez,
Many thanks for your informed, eloquent and supportive words on the issue of the restricted view seats in the Main Stand.
Very much appreciated.
Barry.
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This may sound simplistic but couldn't they have pitched the roof the other way?
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This may sound simplistic but couldn't they have pitched the roof the other way?
if they had have done that any ball landing on roof would roll back into the ground and not over the wall!
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This may sound simplistic but couldn't they have pitched the roof the other way?
if they had have done that any ball landing on roof would roll back into the ground and not over the wall!
Sounds great, we would lose so many balls that way, a game i was at the other week the club lost 2 balls within like 10 mins in the allotments where scrotes ran off with them, at £100 a ball that is a lot of money.
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This may sound simplistic but couldn't they have pitched the roof the other way?
if they had have done that any ball landing on roof would roll back into the ground and not over the wall!
Sounds great, we would lose so many balls that way, a game i was at the other week the club lost 2 balls within like 10 mins in the allotments where scrotes ran off with them, at £100 a ball that is a lot of money.
would we lose anymore than when there was nothing there? Or any more than any other part of the ground?
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Insert Quote
Quote from: Jenga on Today at 12:22:23 PM
Quote from: robininstockport on Today at 09:31:13 AM
Quote from: SW on Yesterday at 09:44:41 PM
This may sound simplistic but couldn't they have pitched the roof the other way?
if they had have done that any ball landing on roof would roll back into the ground and not over the wall!
Sounds great, we would lose so many balls that way, a game i was at the other week the club lost 2 balls within like 10 mins in the allotments where scrotes ran off with them, at £100 a ball that is a lot of money.
would we lose anymore than when there was nothing there? Or any more than any other part of the ground?
Posted on: Today at 12:22:23 PM Posted by: Jenga
I can see at least 6 balls in the Moss Lane side guttering of the main stand - there's £600!!!!
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£600 for 6 footballs ?
Where do you shop ?
Have you tried Sports Direct ?
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It was Jenga who said they were £100 each. Perhaps we should find some kids to climb up and get them - they manage to find golf balls on the links and sell them to golfers :-)
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£600 for 6 footballs ?
Where do you shop ?
Have you tried Sports Direct ?
No of course not , who can afford it or risk going out when I might be called in to my zero hours contract job on minimum wage
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http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B3PKWVnCQAAIA01.jpg
This one's for Cult ;D
eightiesrobin,
Apologies, I forgot to thank you for your kind thought.
Believe me, there were times when Michael Twiss was wearing an Altrincham shirt that I would have been quite happy to have been allocated such a restricted view of the pitch.....
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http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B3PKWVnCQAAIA01.jpg
This one's for Cult ;D
eightiesrobin,
Apologies, I forgot to thank you for your kind thought.
Believe me, there were times when Michael Twiss was wearing an Altrincham shirt that I would have been quite happy to have been allocated such a restricted view of the pitch.....
I believe everybody got a restricted view of the pitch when Michael Twiss was on it !!
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http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B3PKWVnCQAAIA01.jpg
This one's for Cult ;D
eightiesrobin,
Apologies, I forgot to thank you for your kind thought.
Believe me, there were times when Michael Twiss was wearing an Altrincham shirt that I would have been quite happy to have been allocated such a restricted view of the pitch.....
I believe everybody got a restricted view of the pitch when Michael Twiss was on it !!
Very true, Paul!
And don't anybody now dare to make any derogatory remarks whatsoever about that magnificent physical specimen Mister Tunnacliffe......
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Nobody else has said so yet, so I will say that it is a bit unfair to take a swipe at Brian Flynn for having a "free seat in the gantry"......Most, if not all those in the gantry, are doing 'media' work for the club and its supporters i.e Radio Robins and Alty TV.
Mick,
Some people will no doubt disagree with my thoughts on this issue but here goes....
I would make a notable exception regarding Mark from Alty TV (whose laudable work editing and producing highlights goes on well after the final whistle has sounded), however, I would expect the likes of Brian Flynn and John Edwards to have purchased season tickets regardless of their media work for the club.
If that is, indeed, the case, then I apologise for my use of the term 'free' in a previous post.
It has, of course, since been established that Flynny does not have access to an armchair in the gantry.
This is without question one of the saddest posts I have read on this forum in all the years I have taken part in it.
I don't know John Edwards very well, however my meetings with him have always been pleasant and he seems to be getting more and more involved as I believe he has taken early retirement. I know he is a well respected journalist and just the kind of person we need to assist with the growing press demands of the Conference.
However I do know Brian very well as a friend of 20 years and a business partner of the last 3-4. I have personally seen the 20-30 hours a week he puts into our football club, from driving on his own to away games to get there early and stay late for after match interviews, to TASC chairman stuff, organising press requests, being the MC for club events and programme articles, getting to the ground at 11:30 for home games to other stuff that seems to fall in his lap.
You know this Cult and you do good stuff yourself so you know how the whole volunteer thing works. There are many more like Brian, without them our club would not even have a chance of staying in this league.
You'll allow Mark Bennett to get in free (rightly, absolutely different class with the Alty TV stuff) but "the likes of Brian Flynn" should pay?
Salt of the earth is Flynny, I never ever thought I would hear anyone speak of him in that manner. If someone had just told me you wrote that, I wouldn't have believed it.
Ecky,
Sorry for upsetting you, however, I do believe that you have missed my point spectacularly.
All of which, I accept, may well be my fault due to how I wrote that previous post.
By using the term "the likes of Brian Flynn and John Edwards", I was intending to signify Radio Robins people who still get to watch the match uninterrupted.
It was in no way meant to come across as being derogatory.
There was no criticism implied or expressed in my aforementioned post regarding either the capabilities or endeavour of John Edwards or Brian Flynn and I'm genuinely surprised that you would think that I would go down that road.
I've known Brian for many years and have spoken with John Edwards on several occasions and I am fully aware that they both carry out excellent media work on behalf of the club and comprise assets to Altrincham FC.
However, as to my point regarding whether they still ought to be season ticket holders, then yes, I do think that they should be.
In the highly unlikely event of me ascending to any sort of official position within the club, I would continue to believe that, as a supporter first and foremost, I should still invest in a season ticket for the financial benefit of the club.
That's just a personal view.
I sincerely hope that helps to clarify my reasoning (even if you still think that I am talking balderdash).
If it still doesn't make sense, please hunt me down on Saturday and we can have a chat.
You could even buy me a G&T like that nice man Bryan Ford.....
Apologies for dredging up this thread once again, however, I would like to dispel the myth that Ecky and I have endured some sort of spectacular falling-out à la Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi (although I'm not quite sure which one of us is Nigella there).
For the record, I enjoyed a perfectly amiable and constructive chat with Ecky prior to last Saturday's home match against Kidderminster Harriers, during which we were both able to clarify a few of the points discussed within this thread.
Ecky acknowledged that he had misinterpreted some aspects of my original post and he now accepts that I was not calling into question or disparaging the work, commitment, abilities or character of either Brian Flynn or John Edwards.
We agree to disagree regarding that entire season tickets tangent and that is absolutely fine with me, as I never claimed that mine was the definitive answer.
Ecky: I hope that represents a fair account of things.
Once again, sorry for regurgitating this episode but I just wanted to clear matters up.
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Spot on Barry.
No issues at all, I took your comments the wrong way and felt the need to say what I said based on them.
Was hoping I may see you on the way in and, as I explained, I can't get in the bar after games as I have to get my son from my Mums straight from the match as my good lady works Saturdays.
-
£600 for 6 footballs ?
Where do you shop ?
Have you tried Sports Direct ?
If M&S did footballs!
-
£600 for 6 footballs ?
Where do you shop ?
Have you tried Sports Direct ?
http://www.prodirectsoccer.com/Products/Mitre-Delta-V12S-Capital-One-Cup-Footballs-SilverBlueRed-89348.aspx
just to add context to the argument. clubs must use official match balls not the £15 replicas you get in sports direct, above is a link to an offical match ball as used in the football league at £90.00 each. the bundesliga official match balls are £106.00 each.
so yes match balls are expensive thats why the club has people who ruch outside when one goes over the fence rather than just leaving it.