Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2019 23:41:51 GMT
Thanks to all who have contributed to the thread I kicked off. There is not time to address all the points made, but nothing has diminished my concern at the lack of explanation for a Director of Bristol Sport sitting on the UWE Board of Governors discussing the confidential UWE Stadium project. What does surprise me, is that a large portion of (but not all) Rovers supporters seem relatively unconcerned or complacent about the situation which ran for nearly 4 years! I am very conscious of keeping these threads brief. Just consider the bigger picture, and what it suggests about the strategic objectives of Bristol Sport. We have the relocation of the Rugby from the Memorial Ground to Ashton Gate. This caused a significant loss of revenue to Rovers, and ultimately indirectly may have contributed to Rovers relegation from the league, due to the consequential budget cuts. We also have the controversial transfer of Matty Taylor. This occurred in interesting circumstances at a time when Rovers may have achieved another promotion (via play offs). We also see Bristol Rovers ladies now playing as Bristol City ladies as part of the expanding Bristol Sport empire. I'm certainly not blaming Rovers misfortunes on Bristol Sport, but what I am saying recent history proves they are quite prepared to act in what they see to be Bristol Sport's interests at the expense of Bristol Rovers. Given this, I contest that Bristol Rovers fans (and Board) should be extremely concerned about Bristol Sport having a Director on the UWE Board Of Governors who chose to sit in the confidential UWE Stadium meetings, rather than stand down declaring a conflict of interests. Why didn't this happen? Why didn't Uwe request him to stand down? What hasn't the local media questioned this? Don't forget that the individual in question was responsible for relocating the Rugby club to Ashton Gate at a time when he was a UWE Governor not declaring any conflict of interest re the stadium project!! One final point, while some respondees to this thread have speculated as to why the UWE Stadium did not happen, the fact is they don't know. The clearest indication that Hamer gave publicly was that there was a problem in dealing with UWE. (He expressly ruled out finance). As I said, consider the bigger picture. Have you considered that Higgs negotiated a deal with UWE, both parties were happy to do that deal, UWE were happy to do that same deal with the new owners, it was only later that the deal fell apart, after your 'plant' was off the scene. I'm struggling to follow your logic. You have a conclusion and are convincing yourself that the evidence supports it.
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irishrover
Global Moderator
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 3,372
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Post by irishrover on Feb 8, 2019 11:34:45 GMT
Thanks to all who have contributed to the thread I kicked off. There is not time to address all the points made, but nothing has diminished my concern at the lack of explanation for a Director of Bristol Sport sitting on the UWE Board of Governors discussing the confidential UWE Stadium project. What does surprise me, is that a large portion of (but not all) Rovers supporters seem relatively unconcerned or complacent about the situation which ran for nearly 4 years! I am very conscious of keeping these threads brief. Just consider the bigger picture, and what it suggests about the strategic objectives of Bristol Sport. We have the relocation of the Rugby from the Memorial Ground to Ashton Gate. This caused a significant loss of revenue to Rovers, and ultimately indirectly may have contributed to Rovers relegation from the league, due to the consequential budget cuts. We also have the controversial transfer of Matty Taylor. This occurred in interesting circumstances at a time when Rovers may have achieved another promotion (via play offs). We also see Bristol Rovers ladies now playing as Bristol City ladies as part of the expanding Bristol Sport empire. I'm certainly not blaming Rovers misfortunes on Bristol Sport, but what I am saying recent history proves they are quite prepared to act in what they see to be Bristol Sport's interests at the expense of Bristol Rovers. Given this, I contest that Bristol Rovers fans (and Board) should be extremely concerned about Bristol Sport having a Director on the UWE Board Of Governors who chose to sit in the confidential UWE Stadium meetings, rather than stand down declaring a conflict of interests. Why didn't this happen? Why didn't Uwe request him to stand down? What hasn't the local media questioned this? Don't forget that the individual in question was responsible for relocating the Rugby club to Ashton Gate at a time when he was a UWE Governor not declaring any conflict of interest re the stadium project!! One final point, while some respondees to this thread have speculated as to why the UWE Stadium did not happen, the fact is they don't know. The clearest indication that Hamer gave publicly was that there was a problem in dealing with UWE. (He expressly ruled out finance). As I said, consider the bigger picture. Have you considered that Higgs negotiated a deal with UWE, both parties were happy to do that deal, UWE were happy to do that same deal with the new owners, it was only later that the deal fell apart, after your 'plant' was off the scene. I'm struggling to follow your logic. You have a conclusion and are convincing yourself that the evidence supports it. There are other issues with this account as well. The Rugby club had been angling for a move to Ashton Gate for years before Lansdown bought them. Also we didn't get relegated out of the league because of a slashed budget - we were relegated because we massively overpaid underperforming players. In interviews around that time Higgs would often reiterate that the board were backing the manager with the finances and that we had one of the highest payrolls in League 2-he had no interest in exaggerating that since what happened was actually more embarrassing than if we had been forced to cut our cloth. None of this adds up to very much.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2019 14:25:25 GMT
Have you considered that Higgs negotiated a deal with UWE, both parties were happy to do that deal, UWE were happy to do that same deal with the new owners, it was only later that the deal fell apart, after your 'plant' was off the scene. I'm struggling to follow your logic. You have a conclusion and are convincing yourself that the evidence supports it. There are other issues with this account as well. The Rugby club had been angling for a move to Ashton Gate for years before Lansdown bought them. Also we didn't get relegated out of the league because of a slashed budget - we were relegated because we massively overpaid underperforming players. In interviews around that time Higgs would often reiterate that the board were backing the manager with the finances and that we had one of the highest payrolls in League 2-he had no interest in exaggerating that since what happened was actually more embarrassing than if we had been forced to cut our cloth. None of this adds up to very much. Agree 100%. The OP has an agenda and is trying to mould the facts to support it. Not that any of us have ever done such a thing
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trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 1,421
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Post by trymer on Feb 9, 2019 10:25:29 GMT
There is a matter that appears to have gone completely under the radar with regards to the apparent failure of the UWE Stadium project. I am not aware of it being reported upon, or any explanations requested by Rovers, UWE or any part of the media, and it troubles me greatly. Perhaps someone out there can help me out. However, before I get to it, I wish to give a short preamble to clarify the context and why I think it is so important. I am one of those Rovers supporters who see Rovers as potentially a very big club. This is quite feasible given that Bristol is not only a prosperous city, but also the largest city in the southern half of Britain, excluding London. I believe that the fundamental reason why this has not been achieved is ultimately down to stadium issues which have dogged the club since the sale of Eastville some 70 years ago. The solution to this is not redevelopment of the Memorial Stadium simply because it is in the wrong place. You simply can not get large crowds in and out of that area. This fact has been publicly acknowledged by Nick Higgs and the Al-Qadis in the past, although I am aware that strange statements contradicting this were made following the official withdrawal from the UWE stadium project in August 2017. The solution and game changer always has been the development of the UWE stadium, and I'm sure this was the intention of the Al-Qadis when they bought into the club. The UWE stadium project made logistical sense from every perspective, and really was a game changer as it would have removed the infrastructure limits on Rovers progressing as a club. So much so, I feel that the publicly made statements as striving to establish Rovers as a championship club were actually unambitious, although there may have been sensible reasons for this. I believe that Premiership status could ultimately been achieved. Thereby opening all sorts of additional commercial possibilities, and dare I say it, actually challenging the near monopoly of west country professional sport being achieved by Bristol Sport Ltd. So why didn't the UWE Stadium happen? We have all heard the public statements made in August 2017. I have to be honest and admit that I didn't find them very illuminating, but this could be due to my lack of comprehension of the English language. I do recall Steve Hamer making it clear that it was not down to money. So why didn't it happen? Us members of the public are left to speculate. Well, I'm not speculating or indulging in libelous tittle tattle, in accordance with the rules of this forum. So this brings me to my question of fact that I think needs a very public explanation. It is simple. Why was a Director of Bristol Sport Ltd sitting on the UWE Board of Governors and participating in the confidential meetings involving the UWE stadium project? This situation ran from the inception of the stadium project at least until late 2016. This may have continued longer but UWE Board of Governor meeting minutes were not made public from approx November 2016 onwards. This is a clear conflict of interests, yet this matter has never been brought to public notice. Surely I am not the only person aware of this, or unhappy with this state of affairs? Why have the media (or Rovers) never called out UWE or Bristol Sport for an explanation. Without this the implications are quite worrying. For the record, the Director Of Bristol Sport in question is Chris Booy, Chairman of Bristol Rugby (or Bears). 'Rovers as potentially a very big club' I don't agree with that,I suppose that you can make a case for lots of clubs being potentially big. A few FA cup and League cup games apart Rovers have never attracted big crowds in the years since I started going,why would people start flocking to see the Rovers now with so many other things to do ? Have a look around you at matches and the average age of supporters seems to be about 60, I would say that in the last 2 or 3 seasons more Rovers supporters have died than new ones have started to go to games.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2019 10:47:23 GMT
There is a matter that appears to have gone completely under the radar with regards to the apparent failure of the UWE Stadium project. I am not aware of it being reported upon, or any explanations requested by Rovers, UWE or any part of the media, and it troubles me greatly. Perhaps someone out there can help me out. However, before I get to it, I wish to give a short preamble to clarify the context and why I think it is so important. I am one of those Rovers supporters who see Rovers as potentially a very big club. This is quite feasible given that Bristol is not only a prosperous city, but also the largest city in the southern half of Britain, excluding London. I believe that the fundamental reason why this has not been achieved is ultimately down to stadium issues which have dogged the club since the sale of Eastville some 70 years ago. The solution to this is not redevelopment of the Memorial Stadium simply because it is in the wrong place. You simply can not get large crowds in and out of that area. This fact has been publicly acknowledged by Nick Higgs and the Al-Qadis in the past, although I am aware that strange statements contradicting this were made following the official withdrawal from the UWE stadium project in August 2017. The solution and game changer always has been the development of the UWE stadium, and I'm sure this was the intention of the Al-Qadis when they bought into the club. The UWE stadium project made logistical sense from every perspective, and really was a game changer as it would have removed the infrastructure limits on Rovers progressing as a club. So much so, I feel that the publicly made statements as striving to establish Rovers as a championship club were actually unambitious, although there may have been sensible reasons for this. I believe that Premiership status could ultimately been achieved. Thereby opening all sorts of additional commercial possibilities, and dare I say it, actually challenging the near monopoly of west country professional sport being achieved by Bristol Sport Ltd. So why didn't the UWE Stadium happen? We have all heard the public statements made in August 2017. I have to be honest and admit that I didn't find them very illuminating, but this could be due to my lack of comprehension of the English language. I do recall Steve Hamer making it clear that it was not down to money. So why didn't it happen? Us members of the public are left to speculate. Well, I'm not speculating or indulging in libelous tittle tattle, in accordance with the rules of this forum. So this brings me to my question of fact that I think needs a very public explanation. It is simple. Why was a Director of Bristol Sport Ltd sitting on the UWE Board of Governors and participating in the confidential meetings involving the UWE stadium project? This situation ran from the inception of the stadium project at least until late 2016. This may have continued longer but UWE Board of Governor meeting minutes were not made public from approx November 2016 onwards. This is a clear conflict of interests, yet this matter has never been brought to public notice. Surely I am not the only person aware of this, or unhappy with this state of affairs? Why have the media (or Rovers) never called out UWE or Bristol Sport for an explanation. Without this the implications are quite worrying. For the record, the Director Of Bristol Sport in question is Chris Booy, Chairman of Bristol Rugby (or Bears). 'Rovers as potentially a very big club' I don't agree with that,I suppose that you can make a case for lots of clubs being potentially big. A few FA cup and League games apart Rovers have never attracted big crowds in the years since I started going,why would people start flocking to see the Rovers now with so many other things to do ? Have a look around you at matches and the average age of supporters seems to be about 60, I would say that in the last 2 or 3 seasons more Rovers supporters have died than new ones have started to go to games.
I disagree, we can actually push ourselves to Bristol’s ever changing demographic as the anti-establishment club. Rough, ready, terraces, quarters, pirates, the gas, it’s a good brand that’s ignored. People in their droves are leaving polished football, next season push that. “The only place to stand and watch professional football in Bristol. Join us on the terraces”.
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trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 1,421
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Post by trymer on Feb 9, 2019 11:53:53 GMT
'Rovers as potentially a very big club' I don't agree with that,I suppose that you can make a case for lots of clubs being potentially big. A few FA cup and League games apart Rovers have never attracted big crowds in the years since I started going,why would people start flocking to see the Rovers now with so many other things to do ? Have a look around you at matches and the average age of supporters seems to be about 60, I would say that in the last 2 or 3 seasons more Rovers supporters have died than new ones have started to go to games.
I disagree, we can actually push ourselves to Bristol’s ever changing demographic as the anti-establishment club. Rough, ready, terraces, quarters, pirates, the gas, it’s a good brand that’s ignored. People in their droves are leaving polished football, next season push that. “The only place to stand and watch professional football in Bristol. Join us on the terraces”. I don't dislike that idea (although it depends on NOT getting a new stadium or upgrading the present one) but would the newcomers to Bristol like it ? The people who come as students and then stay 'gentrifying' parts of the city don't seem like the sort to rough it on the terraces,and the jobs that are being created locally aren't going to be bringing dockers,coal miners or steelworkers to Bristol,difficult (for me) to imagine IT and administrative guys and gals enjoying a rowdy match day.
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LPGas
Stuart Taylor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,240
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Post by LPGas on Feb 9, 2019 23:53:12 GMT
There is a matter that appears to have gone completely under the radar with regards to the apparent failure of the UWE Stadium project. I am not aware of it being reported upon, or any explanations requested by Rovers, UWE or any part of the media, and it troubles me greatly. Perhaps someone out there can help me out. However, before I get to it, I wish to give a short preamble to clarify the context and why I think it is so important. I am one of those Rovers supporters who see Rovers as potentially a very big club. This is quite feasible given that Bristol is not only a prosperous city, but also the largest city in the southern half of Britain, excluding London. I believe that the fundamental reason why this has not been achieved is ultimately down to stadium issues which have dogged the club since the sale of Eastville some 70 years ago. The solution to this is not redevelopment of the Memorial Stadium simply because it is in the wrong place. You simply can not get large crowds in and out of that area. This fact has been publicly acknowledged by Nick Higgs and the Al-Qadis in the past, although I am aware that strange statements contradicting this were made following the official withdrawal from the UWE stadium project in August 2017. The solution and game changer always has been the development of the UWE stadium, and I'm sure this was the intention of the Al-Qadis when they bought into the club. The UWE stadium project made logistical sense from every perspective, and really was a game changer as it would have removed the infrastructure limits on Rovers progressing as a club. So much so, I feel that the publicly made statements as striving to establish Rovers as a championship club were actually unambitious, although there may have been sensible reasons for this. I believe that Premiership status could ultimately been achieved. Thereby opening all sorts of additional commercial possibilities, and dare I say it, actually challenging the near monopoly of west country professional sport being achieved by Bristol Sport Ltd. So why didn't the UWE Stadium happen? We have all heard the public statements made in August 2017. I have to be honest and admit that I didn't find them very illuminating, but this could be due to my lack of comprehension of the English language. I do recall Steve Hamer making it clear that it was not down to money. So why didn't it happen? Us members of the public are left to speculate. Well, I'm not speculating or indulging in libelous tittle tattle, in accordance with the rules of this forum. So this brings me to my question of fact that I think needs a very public explanation. It is simple. Why was a Director of Bristol Sport Ltd sitting on the UWE Board of Governors and participating in the confidential meetings involving the UWE stadium project? This situation ran from the inception of the stadium project at least until late 2016. This may have continued longer but UWE Board of Governor meeting minutes were not made public from approx November 2016 onwards. This is a clear conflict of interests, yet this matter has never been brought to public notice. Surely I am not the only person aware of this, or unhappy with this state of affairs? Why have the media (or Rovers) never called out UWE or Bristol Sport for an explanation. Without this the implications are quite worrying. For the record, the Director Of Bristol Sport in question is Chris Booy, Chairman of Bristol Rugby (or Bears). History, just 2 years ago
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LPGas
Stuart Taylor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,240
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Post by LPGas on Feb 10, 2019 0:00:10 GMT
But how to fund a rebuild? Do it over an extended period, like Preston as an example. Preston did it over a 15 year period, so had the previous board invested in the stadium post-purchase we could have a fantastic little ground completed in 2013 but, oh, well, they mothballed it. Certainly Geoff Dunford, and Higgs only considered the Mem as a step to another ground on the outskirts. GD told me that the mem could only accomodate 18,000 and that it wasn't large enough and the infrastructure around the ground wasn't good enough either
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2019 0:02:10 GMT
'Rovers as potentially a very big club' I don't agree with that,I suppose that you can make a case for lots of clubs being potentially big. A few FA cup and League games apart Rovers have never attracted big crowds in the years since I started going,why would people start flocking to see the Rovers now with so many other things to do ? Have a look around you at matches and the average age of supporters seems to be about 60, I would say that in the last 2 or 3 seasons more Rovers supporters have died than new ones have started to go to games.
I disagree, we can actually push ourselves to Bristol’s ever changing demographic as the anti-establishment club. Rough, ready, terraces, quarters, pirates, the gas, it’s a good brand that’s ignored. People in their droves are leaving polished football, next season push that. “The only place to stand and watch professional football in Bristol. Join us on the terraces”. Totally agree- it's never sat well with me that the club is trying to market itself to families, families want an anodyne football experience in a sterile stadium. We play in a ****hole and have a pirate on our badge so let's play to our strengths and market ourselves to yoof who want a cult-like underdog to support as an antidote to the typical football match day experience. We have all the trappings for that sort of identity already it just needs to be marketed properly. St Pauli seem to have had some success doing something similar, their name has spread far and wide beyond Germany too. If we try taking on City to try and win the hearts of local families there will be only one winner.
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eppinggas
Administrator
Ian Alexander
Don't care
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 8,109
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Post by eppinggas on Feb 11, 2019 8:28:39 GMT
I disagree, we can actually push ourselves to Bristol’s ever changing demographic as the anti-establishment club. Rough, ready, terraces, quarters, pirates, the gas, it’s a good brand that’s ignored. People in their droves are leaving polished football, next season push that. “The only place to stand and watch professional football in Bristol. Join us on the terraces”. Totally agree- it's never sat well with me that the club is trying to market itself to families, families want an anodyne football experience in a sterile stadium. We play in a ****hole and have a pirate on our badge so let's play to our strengths and market ourselves to yoof who want a cult-like underdog to support as an antidote to the typical football match day experience. We have all the trappings for that sort of identity already it just needs to be marketed properly. St Pauli seem to have had some success doing something similar, their name has spread far and wide beyond Germany too. If we try taking on City to try and win the hearts of local families there will be only one winner. See also Union Berlin. (You've got to hate Hertha and their plastic fans in their sterile all-seater stadium). Rovers have an interesting narrative. "Proper" football fans know us for what we are and (largely) like us. I guess it's down to how we market ourselves to a wider audience. What we need is something like a Commercial Director who knows what they are doing to exploit this. As for attracting families, well we have the new Family Stand. Nuff said.
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kingswood Polak
Without music life would be a mistake
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,255
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Post by kingswood Polak on Feb 11, 2019 11:46:46 GMT
Totally agree- it's never sat well with me that the club is trying to market itself to families, families want an anodyne football experience in a sterile stadium. We play in a ****hole and have a pirate on our badge so let's play to our strengths and market ourselves to yoof who want a cult-like underdog to support as an antidote to the typical football match day experience. We have all the trappings for that sort of identity already it just needs to be marketed properly. St Pauli seem to have had some success doing something similar, their name has spread far and wide beyond Germany too. If we try taking on City to try and win the hearts of local families there will be only one winner. See also Union Berlin. (You've got to hate Hertha and their plastic fans in their sterile all-seater stadium). Rovers have an interesting narrative. "Proper" football fans know us for what we are and (largely) like us. I guess it's down to how we market ourselves to a wider audience. What we need is something like a Commercial Director who knows what they are doing to exploit this. As for attracting families, well we have the new Family Stand. Nuff said. In my 17 years in sales, I found myself getting more and more involved on the merchandising side and we have a number of USP’s that none of our previous custodians or owners have even bothered to touch upon. If I were given the project then I know I could do a much better job. It wouldn’t be difficult. As a previous poster said, St.Pauli have shown how it can be done. We really do have people with little to no imagination or nous in our PR & merchandising areas. I remember going to a game v Millwall and we had a skull & crossbones flag , covering the back of our coach. We were asked, several times, to sell it. We really have shown real negligence in these areas. It could bring in a significant amount of money if done well and marketed in the right way
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2019 13:19:30 GMT
See also Union Berlin. (You've got to hate Hertha and their plastic fans in their sterile all-seater stadium). Rovers have an interesting narrative. "Proper" football fans know us for what we are and (largely) like us. I guess it's down to how we market ourselves to a wider audience. What we need is something like a Commercial Director who knows what they are doing to exploit this. As for attracting families, well we have the new Family Stand. Nuff said. In my 17 years in sales, I found myself getting more and more involved on the merchandising side and we have a number of USP’s that none of our previous custodians or owners have even bothered to touch upon. If I were given the project then I know I could do a much better job. It wouldn’t be difficult. As a previous poster said, St.Pauli have shown how it can be done. We really do have people with little to no imagination or nous in our PR & merchandising areas. I remember going to a game v Millwall and we had a skull & crossbones flag , covering the back of our coach. We were asked, several times, to sell it. We really have shown real negligence in these areas. It could bring in a significant amount of money if done well and marketed in the right way It seems so obvious doesn't it? Yet we nailed our colours to the mast with that daft video with the girl on the stool. It won an award, fair enough, but if the people judging that award were able to zoom out and look at the bigger picture I wonder if they too would be scratching their head at the fact that we are targeting an audience not necessarily fir for the position we are in. I can only conclude that the powers that be have decided that the sort of hipster types that would buy into the skull and crossbones counter-culture image are not the people we want to attract...or that they really do think that they have a 'product' that is going to be desirable to middle class families who can afford the expense of going to watch football matches.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2019 13:27:44 GMT
Totally agree- it's never sat well with me that the club is trying to market itself to families, families want an anodyne football experience in a sterile stadium. We play in a ****hole and have a pirate on our badge so let's play to our strengths and market ourselves to yoof who want a cult-like underdog to support as an antidote to the typical football match day experience. We have all the trappings for that sort of identity already it just needs to be marketed properly. St Pauli seem to have had some success doing something similar, their name has spread far and wide beyond Germany too. If we try taking on City to try and win the hearts of local families there will be only one winner. See also Union Berlin. (You've got to hate Hertha and their plastic fans in their sterile all-seater stadium). Rovers have an interesting narrative. "Proper" football fans know us for what we are and (largely) like us. I guess it's down to how we market ourselves to a wider audience. What we need is something like a Commercial Director who knows what they are doing to exploit this. As for attracting families, well we have the new Family Stand. Nuff said. Not strictly true, the Berlin Derby is an odd one mainly due to it not being played for decades post-split. In fact during the Cold War the clubs had a friendship. See them now as Luke and Matt Goss, brothers that don't always see eye to eye. If you ask a Union supporter who they hate it's Dynamo, they'll then go in to an expletive laden rant about the Stasi run club nicking league titles.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2019 13:37:49 GMT
In my 17 years in sales, I found myself getting more and more involved on the merchandising side and we have a number of USP’s that none of our previous custodians or owners have even bothered to touch upon. If I were given the project then I know I could do a much better job. It wouldn’t be difficult. As a previous poster said, St.Pauli have shown how it can be done. We really do have people with little to no imagination or nous in our PR & merchandising areas. I remember going to a game v Millwall and we had a skull & crossbones flag , covering the back of our coach. We were asked, several times, to sell it. We really have shown real negligence in these areas. It could bring in a significant amount of money if done well and marketed in the right way It seems so obvious doesn't it? Yet we nailed our colours to the mast with that daft video with the girl on the stool. It won an award, fair enough, but if the people judging that award were able to zoom out and look at the bigger picture I wonder if they too would be scratching their head at the fact that we are targeting an audience not necessarily fir for the position we are in. I can only conclude that the powers that be have decided that the sort of hipster types that would buy into the skull and crossbones counter-culture image are not the people we want to attract...or that they really do think that they have a 'product' that is going to be desirable to middle class families who can afford the expense of going to watch football matches. Can you imagine, Tarquin and Isabelle, inspired by that video, buy a family ticket and bring their 2 children, both with gender neutral names, to an association football match at The Memorial stadium. They have their usual lunch of vegan Peruvian ethical lentil broth, and arrive at our tip of a ground and spend 90 minutes listening to drunks singing songs about sparrows defecating on a nearby stadium and the Irish Republican Army. Interspersed with accusations of the linesman being an onanist. I don't think they would buy season tickets.
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Post by a more piratey game on Feb 11, 2019 13:56:30 GMT
It seems so obvious doesn't it? Yet we nailed our colours to the mast with that daft video with the girl on the stool. It won an award, fair enough, but if the people judging that award were able to zoom out and look at the bigger picture I wonder if they too would be scratching their head at the fact that we are targeting an audience not necessarily fir for the position we are in. I can only conclude that the powers that be have decided that the sort of hipster types that would buy into the skull and crossbones counter-culture image are not the people we want to attract...or that they really do think that they have a 'product' that is going to be desirable to middle class families who can afford the expense of going to watch football matches. Can you imagine, Tarquin and Isabelle, inspired by that video, buy a family ticket and bring their 2 children, both with gender neutral names, to an association football match at The Memorial stadium. They have their usual lunch of vegan Peruvian ethical lentil broth, and arrive at our tip of a ground and spend 90 minutes listening to drunks singing songs about sparrows defecating on a nearby stadium and the Irish Republican Army. Interspersed with accusations of the linesman being an onanist. I don't think they would buy season tickets. hello chippy
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2019 14:17:25 GMT
Can you imagine, Tarquin and Isabelle, inspired by that video, buy a family ticket and bring their 2 children, both with gender neutral names, to an association football match at The Memorial stadium. They have their usual lunch of vegan Peruvian ethical lentil broth, and arrive at our tip of a ground and spend 90 minutes listening to drunks singing songs about sparrows defecating on a nearby stadium and the Irish Republican Army. Interspersed with accusations of the linesman being an onanist. I don't think they would buy season tickets. hello chippy Ummmmm… Hello pizza shop?
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Post by johnjohnblue on Feb 11, 2019 16:45:32 GMT
Thanks again to all who have contributed to the thread I initiated. With such debates many new angles can get thrown up, some very valid, but they can obscure a very simple point. Also, it is possible to become too cynical, and who can blame Rovers fans after what the club has gone through over the years. Can I ask for a reset, and remind you all of the bigger picture? I would suggest that sport in Bristol is now on the verge of permanent domination by Bristol Sport Ltd. This will certainly happen should Rovers slip to Division 2, and City make it into the Premier League. The fundamental point is that a self confessed life long Bristol Rugby and Bristol City fan who became a Director Of Bristol Sport Ltd, should not have been allowed access to confidential meetings involving the UWE Stadium in any capacity at all, even if originally a perfectly legitimate member of the Board Of Governors. There is a clear and obvious conflict of interests, yet no one, but no one, has called it out. Bristol Sport have always shown they have no shame in putting their interests ahead of their city rivals in all respects. Leaving aside the relatively minor point that they are happy to have what was originally Bristol Rovers ladies playing under the name of Bristol City, they relocated the Rugby team to Ashton Gate, clearly to the financial advantage of Bristol Sport, at the expense of Bristol Rovers. On top of this, we have the mid season transfer of Matty Taylor, when there was a a possibility of a third promotion, albeit through the play offs. Against this back ground, why was the Director Of Bristol Sport who was same individual who was central to the relocation of the rugby team, allowed to participate in the confidential UWE Stadium meetings where there was a clear conflict of interests for a period of about 4 years!!! I find it incredible that this is not apparent to everyone who is made aware of this FACT. If you accept that Rovers can never become a club as big as they should be, whilst remaining located in Horfield, then the UWE Stadium was fundamental to them challenging Bristol Sport's obvious strategic objectives of near monopolisation of west country sport. It was clearly in their interests for it not to succeed. People have become too cynical in not listening to or believing Steve Hamer's public comments following the "public" collapse of the Stadium deal in 2017. He explicitly stated that it was not due to money, or the nature of the ownership of the land. He did make cryptic comments regarding problems in dealing with UWE. Has it not occurred to the cynics that he was telling the truth as far as he was able, given legal constraints! It may be too late to save Rovers, or the UWE Stadium. UWE's VC's recent remarks are in stark contrast to his remarks made immediately following Rovers withdrawal announced in August 2017. This does not alter the fact that there needs to be a public explanation for the continued presence of a Director Of Bristol Sport Ltd at the confidential UWE Stadium Project meetings. It is quite shocking that the local media have not picked up on this issue. Is it incompetence? Is it bias? Is it fear of upsetting certain parties? I hope it is incompetence, and that they will become interested, once aware. Perhaps UWE can clarify the situation? Better still, they could release all the minutes of the stadium meetings! Most people would agree private monopolies are not to the public advantage, but we are on the cusp of one in Bristol. Does anyone have the inclination and means to attract media interest? NB I do not wish to upset fellow Rovers supporters, but I remain "frustrated" by those who think redevelopment of the Mem is a viable option. It may be if you are happy to remain watching a third or fourth tier team in front of 10,000 ish crowds But if you want to see then playing at the level they should be (ie Championship or Premiership), given the size of Bristol, they need a location which facilitates much larger crowds via the appropriate transport infrastructure. Rovers need to be replicating what Cardiff and Brighton have done, and that isn't going to happen in Horfield. The Al-Qadis know that. That is the real reason why it is not happening or going to happen. Nick Higgs also knew that, and I would suggest that the Board Of Bristol Sport Ltd also know that. NB2 THe list of Merchant Venturers is interesting
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2019 16:58:08 GMT
Thanks again to all who have contributed to the thread I initiated. With such debates many new angles can get thrown up, some very valid, but they can obscure a very simple point. Also, it is possible to become too cynical, and who can blame Rovers fans after what the club has gone through over the years. Can I ask for a reset, and remind you all of the bigger picture? I would suggest that sport in Bristol is now on the verge of permanent domination by Bristol Sport Ltd. This will certainly happen should Rovers slip to Division 2, and City make it into the Premier League. The fundamental point is that a self confessed life long Bristol Rugby and Bristol City fan who became a Director Of Bristol Sport Ltd, should not have been allowed access to confidential meetings involving the UWE Stadium in any capacity at all, even if originally a perfectly legitimate member of the Board Of Governors. There is a clear and obvious conflict of interests, yet no one, but no one, has called it out. Bristol Sport have always shown they have no shame in putting their interests ahead of their city rivals in all respects. Leaving aside the relatively minor point that they are happy to have what was originally Bristol Rovers ladies playing under the name of Bristol City, they relocated the Rugby team to Ashton Gate, clearly to the financial advantage of Bristol Sport, at the expense of Bristol Rovers. On top of this, we have the mid season transfer of Matty Taylor, when there was a a possibility of a third promotion, albeit through the play offs. Against this back ground, why was the Director Of Bristol Sport who was same individual who was central to the relocation of the rugby team, allowed to participate in the confidential UWE Stadium meetings where there was a clear conflict of interests for a period of about 4 years!!! I find it incredible that this is not apparent to everyone who is made aware of this FACT. If you accept that Rovers can never become a club as big as they should be, whilst remaining located in Horfield, then the UWE Stadium was fundamental to them challenging Bristol Sport's obvious strategic objectives of near monopolisation of west country sport. It was clearly in their interests for it not to succeed. People have become too cynical in not listening to or believing Steve Hamer's public comments following the "public" collapse of the Stadium deal in 2017. He explicitly stated that it was not due to money, or the nature of the ownership of the land. He did make cryptic comments regarding problems in dealing with UWE. Has it not occurred to the cynics that he was telling the truth as far as he was able, given legal constraints! It may be too late to save Rovers, or the UWE Stadium. UWE's VC's recent remarks are in stark contrast to his remarks made immediately following Rovers withdrawal announced in August 2017. This does not alter the fact that there needs to be a public explanation for the continued presence of a Director Of Bristol Sport Ltd at the confidential UWE Stadium Project meetings. It is quite shocking that the local media have not picked up on this issue. Is it incompetence? Is it bias? Is it fear of upsetting certain parties? I hope it is incompetence, and that they will become interested, once aware. Perhaps UWE can clarify the situation? Better still, they could release all the minutes of the stadium meetings! Most people would agree private monopolies are not to the public advantage, but we are on the cusp of one in Bristol. Does anyone have the inclination and means to attract media interest? NB I do not wish to upset fellow Rovers supporters, but I remain "frustrated" by those who think redevelopment of the Mem is a viable option. It may be if you are happy to remain watching a third or fourth tier team in front of 10,000 ish crowds But if you want to see then playing at the level they should be (ie Championship or Premiership), given the size of Bristol, they need a location which facilitates much larger crowds via the appropriate transport infrastructure. Rovers need to be replicating what Cardiff and Brighton have done, and that isn't going to happen in Horfield. The Al-Qadis know that. That is the real reason why it is not happening or going to happen. Nick Higgs also knew that, and I would suggest that the Board Of Bristol Sport Ltd also know that. NB2 THe list of Merchant Venturers is interesting Well, you called out what you perceive as a conflict of interests, I countered by pointing out that whilst your 'Plant' was still in place an agreement was reached between Higgs and UWE, that agreement was acceptable as a basis for our present owners to purchase the club, so I'm struggling to see what your point is? Taylor himself is a side show, but it shows where we are when removing a player who barely makes their bench is enough to scupper us completely. We can challenge what's happening in BS3, all it takes is vision and investment. You can't spend your entire life blaming other people for your own failure, or maybe you can....
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Post by a more piratey game on Feb 11, 2019 17:34:41 GMT
Perhaps UWE can clarify the situation? Better still, they could release all the minutes of the stadium meetings! I can't see UWE wanting to do that, as I don't see any benefit to them in doing so Which doesn't mean that you are wrong, only that it appears to be all in the past
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2019 17:37:27 GMT
Thanks again to all who have contributed to the thread I initiated. With such debates many new angles can get thrown up, some very valid, but they can obscure a very simple point. Also, it is possible to become too cynical, and who can blame Rovers fans after what the club has gone through over the years. Can I ask for a reset, and remind you all of the bigger picture? I would suggest that sport in Bristol is now on the verge of permanent domination by Bristol Sport Ltd. This will certainly happen should Rovers slip to Division 2, and City make it into the Premier League. The fundamental point is that a self confessed life long Bristol Rugby and Bristol City fan who became a Director Of Bristol Sport Ltd, should not have been allowed access to confidential meetings involving the UWE Stadium in any capacity at all, even if originally a perfectly legitimate member of the Board Of Governors. There is a clear and obvious conflict of interests, yet no one, but no one, has called it out. Bristol Sport have always shown they have no shame in putting their interests ahead of their city rivals in all respects. Leaving aside the relatively minor point that they are happy to have what was originally Bristol Rovers ladies playing under the name of Bristol City, they relocated the Rugby team to Ashton Gate, clearly to the financial advantage of Bristol Sport, at the expense of Bristol Rovers. On top of this, we have the mid season transfer of Matty Taylor, when there was a a possibility of a third promotion, albeit through the play offs. Against this back ground, why was the Director Of Bristol Sport who was same individual who was central to the relocation of the rugby team, allowed to participate in the confidential UWE Stadium meetings where there was a clear conflict of interests for a period of about 4 years!!! I find it incredible that this is not apparent to everyone who is made aware of this FACT. If you accept that Rovers can never become a club as big as they should be, whilst remaining located in Horfield, then the UWE Stadium was fundamental to them challenging Bristol Sport's obvious strategic objectives of near monopolisation of west country sport. It was clearly in their interests for it not to succeed. People have become too cynical in not listening to or believing Steve Hamer's public comments following the "public" collapse of the Stadium deal in 2017. He explicitly stated that it was not due to money, or the nature of the ownership of the land. He did make cryptic comments regarding problems in dealing with UWE. Has it not occurred to the cynics that he was telling the truth as far as he was able, given legal constraints! It may be too late to save Rovers, or the UWE Stadium. UWE's VC's recent remarks are in stark contrast to his remarks made immediately following Rovers withdrawal announced in August 2017. This does not alter the fact that there needs to be a public explanation for the continued presence of a Director Of Bristol Sport Ltd at the confidential UWE Stadium Project meetings. It is quite shocking that the local media have not picked up on this issue. Is it incompetence? Is it bias? Is it fear of upsetting certain parties? I hope it is incompetence, and that they will become interested, once aware. Perhaps UWE can clarify the situation? Better still, they could release all the minutes of the stadium meetings! Most people would agree private monopolies are not to the public advantage, but we are on the cusp of one in Bristol. Does anyone have the inclination and means to attract media interest? NB I do not wish to upset fellow Rovers supporters, but I remain "frustrated" by those who think redevelopment of the Mem is a viable option. It may be if you are happy to remain watching a third or fourth tier team in front of 10,000 ish crowds But if you want to see then playing at the level they should be (ie Championship or Premiership), given the size of Bristol, they need a location which facilitates much larger crowds via the appropriate transport infrastructure. Rovers need to be replicating what Cardiff and Brighton have done, and that isn't going to happen in Horfield. The Al-Qadis know that. That is the real reason why it is not happening or going to happen. Nick Higgs also knew that, and I would suggest that the Board Of Bristol Sport Ltd also know that. NB2 THe list of Merchant Venturers is interesting Well, you called out what you perceive as a conflict of interests, I countered by pointing out that whilst your 'Plant' was still in place an agreement was reached between Higgs and UWE, that agreement was acceptable as a basis for our present owners to purchase the club, so I'm struggling to see what your point is? Taylor himself is a side show, but it shows where we are when removing a player who barely makes their bench is enough to scupper us completely. We can challenge what's happening in BS3, all it takes is vision and investment. You can't spend your entire life blaming other people for your own failure, or maybe you can.... I’m with you Bamber. Higgs was comfortable with his business partners so not sure what the objection is now? Our new friend, or maybe not so new, wants somebody to take up his gauntlet but that’s not the way it works here. You either stop dropping hints and tell the whole story or you are wasting your time. Watola always told the board that Bristol Rugby wouldn’t be missed very much in terms of finanace. Rovers couldn’t afford to finance the women’s team so it was salvaged by Filton College. A previous board pissed off Filton College which allowed Bristol City to jump in and attach their Academy there and subsequently take over the women’s team. All I See is us screwing it up and City taking advantage.
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