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Post by pirate49 on Jun 20, 2014 15:13:48 GMT
Most of you will know that we held a meeting @ The Wellington Pub Marquee on 10 June. We arranged it because of the lack of news coming from the club. We had no idea how many would attend and of how the meeting would go. On the night over fifty fans turned up and we had an excellent meeting with a full and frank exchange of views and ideas from supporters of all age groups. Since then we have had good coverage in the Bristol Post and Sunday Independent.
In the ensuing two weeks there has been little further news from the club. We still do not know the scope, nature and timeline of the review; and to whom it will be made available. No date has been announced for Nick Higgs' Q&A which was to be open to all fans. The SC EGM raised more questions and concerns than answers. To all intents and purposes little, if anything, has changed. In fact some of the points made at the EGM have possibly given some supporters more reason for concern. We feel it is important to agree on which points we would most like answered by the Board, and our responses to some of the things that came out of Tuesday night's SC EGM; that way we will not waste any time when the Q & A takes place.
We are reaching out to the club, they have so far refused to reach out to us. We may have to respond in different, smarter ways to inspire change and belief in OUR club again.
Therefore we have arranged a second meeting on:
TUESDAY 1st JULY 7.30pm The Wellington marquee. This meeting is open to ALL Rovers Supporters.
We need to keep up the pressure for change. In doing so we need to be constructive, respectful and united.
Further details will be posted closer to the date; please try to attend, your opinions count. The more who attend, the louder our voice!
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Angas
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,067
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Post by Angas on Jun 20, 2014 17:38:44 GMT
Corrected it for you.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2014 17:41:45 GMT
Dont forget to bring your knitting patterns and cake recipes. Who needs the WI?
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2014 18:23:09 GMT
Dont forget to bring your knitting patterns and cake recipes. Who needs the WI? Top suggestion. A nice jumper or battenberg would make a better job of running Rovers. The last meeting allowed a few people to vent their frustrations and go home comforted by knowing that they weren't the only one to feel so frustrated and angry at what's happened to a club that turned a huge profit in Higgs' first year in charge in L1 and is now hemorrhaging cash and has been relegated twice, but I'm not sure what concrete action was decided and what the plan is for the group moving forward? If it's to be anything more than a short lived discussion group the people heading it up will need an objective and a properly thought through plan to deliver, failing that attendances will dwindle and that will be the end of that.
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Post by markczgas on Jun 20, 2014 21:21:09 GMT
What can I say. I'm an organiser so I sincerely hope as many of you as possible will come along and find out what's going on. We as supporters, I feel, badly need to keep the pressure up on the board. I still find it hard to believe that they did not feel there was a need to invite all supporters to the stadium shortly after relegation to show they empathise with our grief and anger ! And to explain what they wanted to do to put things right. I am still feeling anger and humiliation( especially when the League fixtures and League Cup ties came out recently !). I understand there were 119 supporters at The SC EGM. I hope we can top that figure and am quietly confident we will.
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Post by pirate49 on Jun 20, 2014 21:25:39 GMT
The last meeting allowed a few people to vent their frustrations and go home comforted by knowing that they weren't the only one to feel so frustrated and angry at what's happened to a club that turned a huge profit in Higgs' first year in charge in L1 and is now hemorrhaging cash and has been relegated twice, but I'm not sure what concrete action was decided and what the plan is for the group moving forward? If it's to be anything more than a short lived discussion group the people heading it up will need an objective and a properly thought through plan to deliver, failing that attendances will dwindle and that will be the end of that. Very good points; we acknowledge that the first meeting had elements of novelty and therapy! At the meeting on 1st July we fully intend having an agenda which is focused and proposed actions. Everything that comes out of it must, though, be agreed through consensus.
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dinsdale
Andy Rammell
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 495
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Post by dinsdale on Jun 20, 2014 22:09:41 GMT
What can I say. I'm an organiser so I sincerely hope as many of you as possible will come along and find out what's going on. We as supporters, I feel, badly need to keep the pressure up on the board. I still find it hard to believe that they did not feel there was a need to invite all supporters to the stadium shortly after relegation to show they empathise with our grief and anger ! And to explain what they wanted to do to put things right. I am still feeling anger and humiliation( especially when the League fixtures and League Cup ties came out recently !). I understand there were 119 supporters at The SC EGM. I hope we can top that figure and am quietly confident we will. Will see you there, what actions have happened as a result of the last meeting ? We should consider a vote of no confidence in Watola petition
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Lazza
Rod Hull
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 264
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Post by Lazza on Jun 20, 2014 22:13:13 GMT
Really wish I could attend but am away on hols. Much respect chaps, fair play to you giving enough of a damn to do this and I wish you every success that you so rightly deserve!
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2014 22:34:11 GMT
The last meeting allowed a few people to vent their frustrations and go home comforted by knowing that they weren't the only one to feel so frustrated and angry at what's happened to a club that turned a huge profit in Higgs' first year in charge in L1 and is now hemorrhaging cash and has been relegated twice, but I'm not sure what concrete action was decided and what the plan is for the group moving forward? If it's to be anything more than a short lived discussion group the people heading it up will need an objective and a properly thought through plan to deliver, failing that attendances will dwindle and that will be the end of that. Very good points; we acknowledge that the first meeting had elements of novelty and therapy! At the meeting on 1st July we fully intend having an agenda which is focused and proposed actions. Everything that comes out of it must, though, be agreed through consensus. Sorry, don't get the wrong idea, total respect for what you are trying to do, but I think you intend to ask people present at the next meeting what they want done? Wasn't the purpose of the first meeting to gauge opinion? Now shouldn't the people heading the group formulate the plan then sell the idea to the membership and convince them that the objectives are achievable and to get involved? I honestly wish you all the luck in the world, but it's beginning to feel like B&G, which never actually had an objective that I could understand other than to ask questions in a respectful way and to have a visible presence on match days (and look at the trouble that caused) Act quickly guys, with each signing and every day closer we get to the first pre-season match the more people's attention will be drawn to what happens on the field and supporting the team.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2014 23:30:44 GMT
Very good points; we acknowledge that the first meeting had elements of novelty and therapy! At the meeting on 1st July we fully intend having an agenda which is focused and proposed actions. Everything that comes out of it must, though, be agreed through consensus. Sorry, don't get the wrong idea, total respect for what you are trying to do, but I think you intend to ask people present at the next meeting what they want done? Wasn't the purpose of the first meeting to gauge opinion? Now shouldn't the people heading the group formulate the plan then sell the idea to the membership and convince them that the objectives are achievable and to get involved? I honestly wish you all the luck in the world, but it's beginning to feel like B&G, which never actually had an objective that I could understand other than to ask questions in a respectful way and to have a visible presence on match days (and look at the trouble that caused) Act quickly guys, with each signing and every day closer we get to the first pre-season match the more people's attention will be drawn to what happens on the field and supporting the team. Spot on
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Post by markczgas on Jun 22, 2014 19:48:00 GMT
Dear Supporters,
There will be another article in The Bristol Post tomorrow explaining what went on at the meeting on June 10th, outlining "supporters" contunuing frustration with the lack of dialogue from the club with the fanbase in general and with regards to a review of the club's workings. It will also mention why we are having a second meeting on July 1st.
UTG !
Mark
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,415
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Post by harrybuckle on Jun 22, 2014 20:31:59 GMT
Should the group nominate two people to stand for the BRSC committee. I know BSS is due to be voted upon to stay on the committee. Surely better to be part of the group on the inside rather than on the outside. Then maybe change can be made to the ways of the BRSC
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Post by Eclectic Blue on Jun 22, 2014 20:46:46 GMT
Should the group nominate two people to stand for the BRSC committee. I know BSS is due to be voted upon to stay on the committee. Surely better to be part of the group on the inside rather than on the outside. Then maybe change can be made to the ways of the BRSC Mike, The 'group' can't nominate anyone since they are not a bona fide organisation with members or officials, a constitution, a rule book and so on. I am not sure they even have a name!
Personally, I think BRSC does an excellent job at what it does - selling programmes, 50/50 tickets and arranging buses for away travel - so there is no need to change it. When we were first relegated, there were all kinds of calls to have an independent supporters group but nearly two months on that looks to have fizzled out and people's attention is beginning to return what's going to happen on the pitch. My guess is that most people would rather leave things as they are and get on with supporting the team. I'd like to be wrong, especially about the first bit, but the evidence suggests I'm not!
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Post by markczgas on Jun 22, 2014 21:10:44 GMT
"My guess is that most people would rather leave things as they are and get on with supporting the team." - I hope this doesn't include you Eclectic !?
We have had at least 30 NEW people on the forum pledging that they will come on July 1st, so it looks as if supporters frustration and anger with the club is growing. How many turn up is hard to gauge but I'm expecting more than 120. Hope to see you there. Let's fight for our club to be strong and a winning club again !!
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Post by swissgas on Jun 22, 2014 21:39:48 GMT
I'll be there in spirit. Wish I could be there with spirits.
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Bridgeman
Alfie Biggs
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,549
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Post by Bridgeman on Jun 22, 2014 21:41:27 GMT
Should the group nominate two people to stand for the BRSC committee. I know BSS is due to be voted upon to stay on the committee. Surely better to be part of the group on the inside rather than on the outside. Then maybe change can be made to the ways of the BRSC Mike, The 'group' can't nominate anyone since they are not a bona fide organisation with members or officials, a constitution, a rule book and so on. I am not sure they even have a name!
Personally, I think BRSC does an excellent job at what it does - selling programmes, 50/50 tickets and arranging buses for away travel - so there is no need to change it. When we were first relegated, there were all kinds of calls to have an independent supporters group but nearly two months on that looks to have fizzled out and people's attention is beginning to return what's going to happen on the pitch. My guess is that most people would rather leave things as they are and get on with supporting the team. I'd like to be wrong, especially about the first bit, but the evidence suggests I'm not! I rather agree with you EB, if 500 supporters turned up at the Wellie wanting to voice their opinion there would be mayhem but who would they speak for other than themselves ? Having been at the EGM it is clear the BoD's aren't going to take much if any notice of a group of fans however well intentioned they are if they cannot prove they represent a large majority of fans and even then they may not feel they have to respond as BRFC are a privately company 'owned' by a small select group of individuals, we cannot get rid of them, we cannot make them change the way they run the club unless there is some form of dialogue with them. Again clearly from the EGM, that is just NOT going to happen. They would not engage with regard to their strategic objectives, they hadn't even decided who was going to be responsible for the various areas of the club that was to be reviewed and evaluated. About the only way we could display our absolute disapproval of them would be to stay away in our thousands but we all recognise that would quickly see the demise of the club we support and I am not suggesting we do that anyway. The last meeting at the Wellie whilst very well meaning at the most showed that many of the fans there were very frustrated but were not really in a position to do anything constructive. However much we might want to make the board accountable for what they do, however much we want them to be more communicative with us, whatever assurances we demand from them, they are only going to do what they want to do, not unless someone has a few million pounds in loose change going spare
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Post by swissgas on Jun 22, 2014 21:52:16 GMT
Mike, The 'group' can't nominate anyone since they are not a bona fide organisation with members or officials, a constitution, a rule book and so on. I am not sure they even have a name!
Personally, I think BRSC does an excellent job at what it does - selling programmes, 50/50 tickets and arranging buses for away travel - so there is no need to change it. When we were first relegated, there were all kinds of calls to have an independent supporters group but nearly two months on that looks to have fizzled out and people's attention is beginning to return what's going to happen on the pitch. My guess is that most people would rather leave things as they are and get on with supporting the team. I'd like to be wrong, especially about the first bit, but the evidence suggests I'm not! I rather agree with you EB, if 500 supporters turned up at the Wellie wanting to voice their opinion there would be mayhem but who would they speak for other than themselves ? Having been at the EGM it is clear the BoD's aren't going to take much if any notice of a group of fans however well intentioned they are if they cannot prove they represent a large majority of fans and even then they may not feel they have to respond as BRFC are a privately company 'owned' by a small select group of individuals, we cannot get rid of them, we cannot make them change the way they run the club unless there is some form of dialogue with them. Again clearly from the EGM, that is just NOT going to happen. They would not engage with regard to their strategic objectives, they hadn't even decided who was going to be responsible for the various areas of the club that was to be reviewed and evaluated. About the only way we could display our absolute disapproval of them would be to stay away in our thousands but we all recognise that would quickly see the demise of the club we support and I am not suggesting we do that anyway. The last meeting at the Wellie whilst very well meaning at the most showed that many of the fans there were very frustrated but were not really in a position to do anything constructive. However much we might want to make the board accountable for what they do, however much we want them to be more communicative with us, whatever assurances we demand from them, they are only going to do what they want to do, not unless someone has a few million pounds in loose change going spare I think the answer is to speak to the media, the radio the TV and the newspapers and to make as much noise as possible in a controlled and constructive way. But I agree Bridgeman the big question is numbers and if 500+ supporters could be persuaded to take part then the media would have a field day and there would have to be a reaction from the board.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2014 22:06:46 GMT
Should the group nominate two people to stand for the BRSC committee. I know BSS is due to be voted upon to stay on the committee. Surely better to be part of the group on the inside rather than on the outside. Then maybe change can be made to the ways of the BRSC I think it's Bryan's term as Share Scheme Director that will be voted on, can't the SC committee just internally re-appoint him to whatever SC positions he holds? It's the SS Director's position goes to ballot. But as the club's official historian you probably know better than me Bryan was appointed with 246 votes, so if anyone from the Wellington Discussion Group wants to put themselves forward that's maybe the sort of support needed? But I seem to remember that Ken Masters somehow got around 700 votes, I think he toured the provincial SC events and shook lots of hands. No need to worry about actually having been a member of the SS before putting yourself forward, it wouldn't be the first time that someone stood for the position without having been a member The winning candidate then only needs to have their ascension ratified by the other board members and hey-presto, you are a Director.
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Bridgeman
Alfie Biggs
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,549
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Post by Bridgeman on Jun 22, 2014 22:11:22 GMT
Should the group nominate two people to stand for the BRSC committee. I know BSS is due to be voted upon to stay on the committee. Surely better to be part of the group on the inside rather than on the outside. Then maybe change can be made to the ways of the BRSC Only members of the BRSC can be nominated so being a member of another supporters group wouldn't allow you to be nominated unless of course that individual was a member of BRSC. From what I gather most of what they do is well run with lots of their members running the 50/50 draw, Helpline, selling programmes, Young Pirates membership, away travel arrangements, running the club shops etc so not sure what needs to change there although as I'm not involved in the running of any of it, it would be unfair of me to be critical of them. What changes would you want to see in what BRSC does then ?
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Post by pirate49 on Jun 22, 2014 22:25:19 GMT
'I think the answer is to speak to the media, the radio the TV and the newspapers and....' That is exactly what we are doing...with more to come. There is a saying that all publicity is good publicity....but in this case I don't think the board will welcome this public criticism. Lengthy articles already in the Bristol Post and Sunday Independent by James Macnamara and Richard Latham, plus letters...........
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