I'm off to bed so will light the fuse. Met with them both for a couple of hours tonight and heard some funny, sad, factual, informative stories. From the current era back to Cryne's childhood. It was an offering from Mansford and it was a good night with a few beers and no inept England game in sight. Some aware of this chat already jumping on it - but I'll post some salient points soon. Despite no cavaets, some discussions are meant for those present but there are some things you'd like to know. Like Stones and Rose substantial sell on clauses. I'll respect Patrick and Ben's openness.
Like I said on twitter Paul, nice that the club are engaging with supporters. What I don't get is why Courthouse/Hoyland Reds who are almost more of an 'official' group than your lads don't seem to get any attention. Meetings aren't a bad thing, having a beer with the powers that be definitely isn't - but those offers should be there for all supporters. By being quite selective, it comes across as a charm offensive with certain 'prominent' online supporters. IMHO and that.
You're probably right, but so what? I'd prefer the people at the club to turn on the charm and try to get supporters on side rather than sit in an ivory tower and ignore everyone. End of the day, we all want what's best for the club. IMHO a united fan base is far more beneficial than a divided one. I'd like us to be in a position where if we lose a few games we all accept it on the chin rather than pointing fingers and demanding the sacking of the manager/the Chairman/ the CEO/the board/the owner or whoever else it is at the club you've got a dislike for. Meet with people and engage with them on a personal level and that is far more likely to happen. If you like someone you're far more forgiving. I think we could do with a lot more of that. The Situation is different for WSB. You're not a supporters club. You're not an official Barnsley FC publication. You're not a mouth piece for the club. I hope WSB continues for a long time and goes from strength to strength. That won't happen unless you're fiercely independent and continue to question the club. I don't mean criticise for the sake of it, but if they do get things wrong, we need an independent voice to highlight that and apply pressure so they will get it right.
I agree entirely. The problem is that it does come across as a select few - understand the logistics & that you can't go for a beer with everyone but by paying attention to a very small number of people it does comes across as 'cosying up' in the hope that if things do go wrong there won't be the same level of criticism. I'd like supporters to be united behind actions and, in quite a dramatic way, a common purpose rather than because the club are pally with a select few. RE WSB - if this comes across as us wanting to be in the gang then it's not intentional. I understand the role WSB has and what we do - we can't do it if we go for beers with the lads. More than happy to talk to anyone at the club if they ask but like you say, we're independent of BFC and always will be.
They could come to White House and have a few pints with me, but if they get on the Taddy they may not get home
This idea of going out to meet the fans is a relatively new initiative. They may have plans to meet far more people. I don't know like, but it might just be the case of them not getting round to it yet. Having said that... There's absolutely no reason they should, so this point is a bit redundant, but I really can't imagine I'm ever going to get an invite for a drink with Patrick and Ben.
To be fair dyson whether your wsb, hoyland reds, courthouse reds it doesn't matter, none of these is any better or official than the other and such meetings and info should be accessible to all fans not just the ones with the biggest gobs. I don't intend this as a dig to any of the above groups as I really appreciate your contributions but it really bakes my balls that the info only gets passed out to cliques
I agree with you and not implying they are mate, what I'm saying though is that those groups do have access and represent a larger number of supporters. If you're meeting one group, IMHO, you should be meeting them all.
I agree on that too, all should be treated fairly and evenly. However at least the club are beginning to reach out and communicate with the fans. Mansford gets some absolute pelters on here but this is the first time in many years that we have had a line into the club
Personally with the technology they have now i think they should be doing regular internet based phone ins where ALL fans can ask questions and hear the replies rather than hearing second hand someone elses slant on what was said. Thats not a dig at them or owt
Thing is they could very easily please all Barnsley fans no matter where they are and raise money for a good cause very easily..... 1) Have a monthly Q&A at a good size venue like the Town Hall where hundreds of fans can attend no matter if they are part of a group or not and without the need for an invite. 2) Charge a small fee to attend like five pound per person to cover venue cost with any profit being donated to charity. Could try and get local businesses to advertise themselves at the venue. Maybe for example a place in the town centre may wish to hand out at the do an half price drinks voucher to all that attend in the hope that after that drink they have a few more, thus boosting their midweek trade. 3) Broadcast it live on You Tube for those who can't attend due to work, logistics etc. The day after it could be put on Barnsley Player for those who were unable to watch it live. So we integrate with local businesses, raise money for charity and no Barnsley fan no matter where they are in the world feel left out or can say anything is cliquey.
