Be proud..

That's an extremely courteous & respectful way of telling me I'm a doddering, old bugger, James! Thank you, I think(!)
But you're right. I, along with a few thousand others, have known us have bigger attendances than the likes of Norwich, QPR, Leicester, even Chelsea and seen the potential in previous years. I honestly believe we can comfortably compete in the Championship without plunging the club into huge debt, although I accept it won't be easy nor will it be done quickly.

 

I wanted to break it to you gently!

Those must have been great days, and I agree but what worries me is that the longer we wallow at this level we will slowly haemorrhage supporters making it harder to build a bigger support up.

 

Not even behind them now. Our average has gone up to 1,647, Blunts is 1,641. That'll change again with us playing at Southend in a fortnight but we're top for now.

 

Look how many long trips the blunts have had, we've only had Millwall that's any distance as yet

 

That's true, although they only took 1,400 to Bradford, and they've had one more away game than we have. It's a shame we're not doing very well so far on the field, because I'd fancy us to push them very close if we were flying in the top three or four all season. Still think we'll be second to em, which is still some achievement for a small town club.

 

I'd actually fly back just to see that. "Believe you me Andy, I seem to be 'anging upside darn from a lamppost"

 

I think a successful Barnsley Football Club can bring back the missing fans. Especially if they're playing attractive, winning football within a spruced up stadium.
Ultimately, however, a lot of people currently attending will stop going if they feel the price for watching the football on show is too much, not entertaining or not providing enough victories. I, and a number of others, will continue following our team no matter what (health & finance permitting). It's not up to me to arrogantly tell others how they should spend their disposable income, or call into question their commitment. It's none of my business. Likewise, I don't expect them to query what I choose to do, either.
Personally speaking, I believe a modern day version of Ian Evans, Ray McHale or Neil Redfearn (assuming they can be found & are affordable) could do wonders for this current group of players and provide the missing ingredient to turn them into a more consistent unit.
I'm glad I don't have the responsibility, though, to push through the changes. Knowing I lack both the footballing knowledge & business acumen to meet the goals also means I can suggest anything without having to shoulder any of the consequences of my actions.

 

That's the thing for me, it's easy to talk about how crap we are and how things need to change, that the club could be so much more, but those people rarely provide any solutions. And even if they do come up with a possible solution there's an instant belief that their solution would work and have us fired up the leagues. They also don't have to put that possible solution into action, have little understanding of the barriers in place (not saying I do either), and won't face the consequences if that possible solution fails and potentially makes matters worse.

Best to just believe that those in responsibility for the club do actually want success for the club, and work hard to try and attain it. That probably makes me a happy clapper, so be it, I'm not that arsed.

 

Correct, my old friend.
I, too, am more than content to be sneeringly labled a Happy Clapper by others. In fact, the more I get called it, the prouder I am to wear the badge!
<img src ="http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view4/4754142/happy-clapper-o.gif">

 

So we swelled a rival's coffers by 50 odd grand...Don't get it...