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General Category => Altrincham FC First Team => Topic started by: andrewflynn on March 20, 2017, 09:36:02 AM
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I have stepped down following Saturday's events. I have no problem with sharing my email to the Club to provide clarity for those interested:
Morning all,
With immediate effect, I will no longer be volunteering my time and intellectual property towards maintaining the Altrincham Football Club's social media accounts. I hope you can understand that I make this decision with a heavy heart, yet after this weekend's events I no longer feel comfortable with the position.
When I was approached to run the Football Club's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts I was honoured that a fellow fan had reached out and put my name forward for such a vital role within the Club's online presence. I'd like to think that over the past six months we have grown the social media channels in to some of the most respected in non-league football, and we have had many success stories along the way; being able to bring the FA Cup to the J. Davidson Stadium was a proud moment, not to mention the £2,000 won for the Club through Marathonbet's Social Media Challenge.
From my understanding, the password for the Twitter account was changed mid-game on Saturday, March 18th to freeze access for a fellow volunteer who was active in the demonstration against the Chairman. At no point was I notified of this and I was an afterthought throughout this process. Although I was at work, had I been handed the new password I could have maintained the Twitter feed to save online-face for the Club. Instead, it is now 9:00 on Monday, March 20th and there still hasn't been a tweet since the 56th minute of the game. I have to wonder why I was not handed the new password on the spot? I have to believe that it was because those who made the decision did not want me to have it, either.
I support the demonstration and the fans that chose to take part. I did make that fairly obvious on the altyfans.co.uk forum with various posts in its favour. Action could have been taken prior to the game, if that's how the relevant people felt. Changing a password to an account mid-game is petty and poisonous.
Never have we let personal opinion get in the way of professional coverage for the Club. I would like to think that I maintained impartiality with the content I produced and the communication I had with Club Officials. I never used the social media channels to funnel any sort of agenda-filled connotations.
I'm of the opinion that if you're going to make your bed, you lie in it. I was given the new password late on Saturday night but quickly found that I had lost all desire to post. The decision to change the password should not have been made unless there were plans to hand over coverage to someone else. I find Saturday's events to be a bit of a slap in the face of the hard work we have put in, and the time we have dedicated on top of our own paid positions elsewhere.
Clearly, its all getting a bit too political for me now. This is not what I volunteered my time in aid of Altrincham for.
I would like to say thank you to Brian Flynn, John Laidlar, John Edwards, Mike Ripley, Bill Waterson, Jack Jolly and anyone else that I have communicated with over the past six months or so. You have all offered me advice and guidance where I have needed it. I hope my stepping down does not lumber anyone with unwanted work, but as I said, those who made the decision to freeze us out of the account can now deal with the mess.
I would be happy to pick this role back up once there is change at the top.
Kind regards,
Andrew Flynn
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Thank you for your time, enthusiasm and commitment to the social media team.
Prior to Saturday it was an account that was beginning to attract the attention of several large brands willing to become involved in the club - down to your hard work.
The red Monday campaign, free shirt Friday's, the FA cup to miss lane, FA cup team of the round, the Valentines she's a keeper, and introduction of Instagram were all possible because of you running the day to day so well.
Asking you to work on the account today was a decision that proved to be one the better decisions made this seasonx
You wouldn't have approached the club to run the account, and I hope the club learn if they reach out to people, with the skills required, and ask them to join, they more than likely will. (Or would prior to this weekend.)
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Very sad that decent long standing supporters who have VOLUNTERED their time and energy into running the social aspect of the club get treated the way they have. There was absolutely nothing out of the ordinary posted on Saturday, therefore I have to come to the conclusion the chairman instigated the act out of retaliation towards fans of the club who are against his leadership.
Altrincham FC is fast becoming all about Mr Rowley.
Next will be a paid independent body to run the social side!
As I said on another thread it's extremely sad when I'd rather work and keep out the way. Haven't felt as low and disconnected from my club in 24 years.
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There is something rotten in the state of Denmark.
The social media presence has been fantastic this season and Twitter has been a lot more preferable and palatable on the eyes than the albeit fantastic service we get from the main site which is ghastly in appearance.
From someone abstaining from attending matches even with a season ticket... Thank you for your valuable service.
It's a shame that this has ended in such a farce.
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Sorry to see you go, Andrew. Thanks for all your time and efforts.
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Very well worded.
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Thanks Andrew for sharing this. Thanks for your hard work, and thanks to the rest of the team who keep us exiles right at the heart of the club we love.
I'm literally sick to the back teeth of Altrincham FC now. It doesnt stand for the things it did 18 months ago, let alone 25 years ago. Its lost its place in my heart for the time being. I'll be moderating the forum because I think its important to let people share balanced views but I give up on having an opinion of the wretched goings on at this football club.
Its descended into madness and i'll get back to loving it once it has the right custodians handling it, right now I can't relate to their behaviour or opinions so i'll opt for quiet disregard.
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An Alty Exile here, who relies heavily on all aspects of social media..so many thanks. The army of volunteers who help on FB, Twitter, Radio Robins, Matchday Updates..keeps me plugged in to whats happening wherever I am in the world (I am typing this on a flight now for example). So thanks for all your efforts in the past...thanks again to everyone still involved. For me it's a lifeline of sorts.
Even if Twitter has become T**tter for us for a while, I remain hopeful that all involved in the club pull together and find a workable solution to the current issues.
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Does anyone from the Football Club care to comment on the future of the Social Media channels ?.
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The new 'low of the week' (so far).
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Does anyone from the Football Club care to comment on the future of the Social Media channels ?.
Perhaps they have already forgotten what the new password to the club's Twitter account is?
Going back to what happened circa 56 minutes into the Stalybridge Celtic match last Saturday, there can't be that many people at the club who have both the authority and know-how to undertake a change of the Twitter account's password.
Who oversees such IT issues at the J Davidson Stadium?
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Does anyone from the Football Club care to comment on the future of the Social Media channels ?.
Perhaps they have already forgotten what the new password to the club's Twitter account is?
Going back to what happened circa 56 minutes into the Stalybridge Celtic match last Saturday, there can't be that many people at the club who have both the authority and know-how to undertake a change of the Twitter account's password.
Who oversees such IT issues at the J Davidson Stadium?
Kim Jong Un ?
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Does anyone from the Football Club care to comment on the future of the Social Media channels ?.
Perhaps they have already forgotten what the new password to the club's Twitter account is?
Going back to what happened circa 56 minutes into the Stalybridge Celtic match last Saturday, there can't be that many people at the club who have both the authority and know-how to undertake a change of the Twitter account's password.
Who oversees such IT issues at the J Davidson Stadium?
Kim Jong Un ?
Mr Row Lee.
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I get to around 10 games a year usually, this year I think it's 3 and the only time I will be back is to join in any future protests it's a real shame what's happening at alty and I feel for all the hardcore support who still go week in week out. I to relied on social media to follow alty so thanks for your efforts.
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Who oversees such IT issues at the J Davidson Stadium?
I've removed a post that was 'hazarding a guess' at who this might be. (Im not talking about the North Korean leader suggestion above btw ;))
In the interests of the forum I removed it after being made aware of it and the potential accusations that could made as a result.
Its a shame I had to do that because the post in itself was a harmless guess at who might be running IT at the club, so no offence to the poster, I assure nothing personal there.
The risk is that the club or individual take this as an accusation of what turns out to be a serious wrong doing on someones part.
So to clarify, as of now we do not know who is responsible for Saturdays online lockout of the social media team, or who is managing IT for the club as a whole. Naturally we await a club official to make comment on it.
Thanks for your understanding
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I think we do know
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Deary me, these are sad days indeed for this Club.
Thanks for all your effort and work Andrew, and your reasons for resigning are well documented and you make your point very well. It would appear that the Chairman has the skin of a rhino, so it is unlikely that this will cause him any pain....which of course is wrong but I'm afraid that's what we are living with.
This Chairman is quite frankly a disgrace, an embarrassment, and is dragging us down quickly through his bloody mindedness to cling on to power....not giving a rats ass about who is caught in the crossfire as long as he and his cronies and extended family continue to hold sway at the Club. I didn't leave on Saturday, but definitely would join in next time round ( if there is a next time) as this man's actions are becoming farcical.
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Who oversees such IT issues at the J Davidson Stadium?
I've removed a post that was 'hazarding a guess' at who this might be. (Im not talking about the North Korean leader suggestion above btw ;))
In the interests of the forum I removed it after being made aware of it and the potential accusations that could made as a result.
Its a shame I had to do that because the post in itself was a harmless guess at who might be running IT at the club, so no offence to the poster, I assure nothing personal there.
The risk is that the club or individual take this as an accusation of what turns out to be a serious wrong doing on someones part.
So to clarify, as of now we do not know who is responsible for Saturdays online lockout of the social media team, or who is managing IT for the club as a whole. Naturally we await a club official to make comment on it.
Thanks for your understanding
Apologies,that was me. It wasn't done with any malice and I didn't really think anything of it,I wasn't trying to cause any trouble.
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Who oversees such IT issues at the J Davidson Stadium?
I've removed a post that was 'hazarding a guess' at who this might be. (Im not talking about the North Korean leader suggestion above btw ;))
In the interests of the forum I removed it after being made aware of it and the potential accusations that could made as a result.
Its a shame I had to do that because the post in itself was a harmless guess at who might be running IT at the club, so no offence to the poster, I assure nothing personal there.
The risk is that the club or individual take this as an accusation of what turns out to be a serious wrong doing on someones part.
So to clarify, as of now we do not know who is responsible for Saturdays online lockout of the social media team, or who is managing IT for the club as a whole. Naturally we await a club official to make comment on it.
Thanks for your understanding
Apologies,that was me. It wasn't done with any malice and I didn't really think anything of it,I wasn't trying to cause any trouble.
I know, no apology needed. Sad times call for sad actions unfortunately.
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It is documented in the strategic review that Bill Waterson is in charge of all communications for the club, such as social media, press releases etc. This much is fact.
I don't think this carries on down to the Matchday Programme, as that will be for the editor to decide what can and can not be used. However I can be corrected on that point.
I am aware that due to illness Bill Waterson was not at the game on Saturday, and apportion no blame to him for the social media lockout, as I very much doubt he directed this from his hospital bed.
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Very sad that this has happened-our Twitter account has been the most entertaining thing about the club this season and was absolutely brilliant at raising the profile of the club and run by people who clearly understand the platform and knew best how to exploit it.
The number of longstanding supporters who have reached the end of their tether with the Chairman is growing on a daily basis and the number of stories of people who have fallen out of love with the club and are not bothering to go anymore is just as sad as our recent on pitch demise.
I would hope that the March board meeting which was mentioned at the Strategic Review that fellow board members will strongly push the Chairman to consider his position.
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I would have thought it's getting hard for Directors to maintain collective responsibility now.
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We've got 4 executive directors, 1 is Rowley and at least 2 others are his mates - I don't know about Bill. However even if Bill wanted change its still 3 v 1. The Board are not going to persuade Rowley to go.
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We've got 4 executive directors, 1 is Rowley and at least 2 others are his mates - I don't know about Bill. However even if Bill wanted change its still 3 v 1. The Board are not going to persuade Rowley to go.
A resignation from Bill may have moire sway than staying on..
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We've got 4 executive directors, 1 is Rowley and at least 2 others are his mates - I don't know about Bill. However even if Bill wanted change its still 3 v 1. The Board are not going to persuade Rowley to go.
A resignation from Bill may have moire sway than staying on..
Appointing Bill Waterson and Mike Adams(?) apologies if I got his last name wrong, was the best thing this board has done. I for one would not welcome Bill resigning. He has more Vance of changing things from board level by being there.
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Bill sent me a very polite and respectful reply earlier today. I have not received a word from the Chairman.
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Everyone is assuming that Bill is anti-Rowley, which is highly unlikely. Yes he spoke well at the Review meeting but that's a far cry from mounting a one man crusade. I don't think we should expect too much from him, however I wait to be surprised.
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The social media aspect has been one of the few positives this season. Bad news all round. Thank you for your efforts.
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Does anyone from the Football Club care to comment on the future of the Social Media channels ?.
As one of the press officers, I will take short-term responsibility for twitter & facebook updates........I have never used Instagram, therefore there will be no Instagram updates in the immediate future.
Unlike Andrew & Jack, I am not a social media expert, therefore social media coverage will be fairly limited over the next few days.
Either John Edwards or I will provide an update regarding going forward on the social media front during the week.
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When things like this happen you worry where it will all end, I have been a supporter of Alty since the mid sixties and have never known so much acrimony not even when we were minutes from going bust. The sad fact is however until everyone starts pulling together again we will not be able to move forward. I am all for people voicing their opinions good or bad, but matchday protests do not help the 11 players on the pitch and how are we to attract fresh faces when the public view is that of dis harmony. It is not so long ago that good players were falling over themselves to get here and once here ready to stay. I speak of people like Stu Coburn Damo and Densmore. The Quicker the club gets back to this philosophy the better
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When things like this happen you worry where it will all end, I have been a supporter of Alty since the mid sixties and have never known so much acrimony not even when we were minutes from going bust. The sad fact is however until everyone starts pulling together again we will not be able to move forward. I am all for people voicing their opinions good or bad, but matchday protests do not help the 11 players on the pitch and how are we to attract fresh faces when the public view is that of dis harmony. It is not so long ago that good players were falling over themselves to get here and once here ready to stay. I speak of people like Stu Coburn Damo and Densmore. The Quicker the club gets back to this philosophy the better
So what do you propose exactly? Everyone just turn up and cheer and it will all magically right itself? The fans haven't been protesting for the last 2 year and look where that's got us.
It is a far from ideal situation we find ourselves in that almost certainly requires far from ideal action.