I've felt emotional and upset about the goings on at the club for motnhs. I like to think I'm a rational person who's able to be balanced and logical when making judgements but of late I find it more and more difficult. Never before in my 40 years of supporting the reds have I felt this. Yeh I've been fed up and down about performances and results but never as emotional as now. I think the reason has come to me this morning. It's that I've never felt before that I'm not valued by those in power at the club. I've never felt that they don't care about my views. Now let me say I'm not suggesting that they really don't - but for whatever reason that's the way it appears (to me). Unfortunately though EVERY business lives or dies by the relationaship with its customers. The fact that as fans we are emotionally attached shouldn't be taken for granted, in fact it should be cherished and fiercely protected by the club - fans yes, but still customers. Unfortunately I don't believe it is at present. My worry is that the emotion and loyalty we all feel has a limit and if it's broken the passion can turn the other way and it may take years to return, if ever. Supporting 'my' club is a habit, get out of it and do something else instead and a new one's formed. It's not easy to re-establish the old habit and regain the loyalty. I think this is THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE for the club at present. Results are important, maintaining our championship status is important but of greater importance imho is re-establishing the relationship with the hundreds and maybe thousands of fans for whom that relationship has gone. I've read threads on here recently about the 'stay aways', and I've started to become one. Maybe this is the real reason why .......that despite the obviously good intentions of Mr Shepherd some fans no longer feel this is 'my club' because of the way they feel they're being treated. It's happening for me. The business world is full of failed businesses who took customers for granted. THIS IS OUR BIGGEST ISSUE. If fans don't feel that unconscious, illogical, irrational, but oh so emotional connection to the club we'll be in League 2 in five years with crowds that will maintain nothing better. Some clubs are very good at creating and maintaining the relationship with supporters. We're not right now. This lightbulb moment puts things in perspective for me and is certainly the reason I feel so upset. All of a sudden the results aren't quite so important, whether they should or shouldn't have sacked Andy Ritchie isn't quite so important, whether Simon Davey is the right man for the job isn't quite so important - it's my relationship with 'my' club and therefore the people who are in charge at my club that is critical. That's what matters most to me. Barnsley FC is so deeply embedded in me that's it's part of who I am. But if the way I feel I'm treated is in conflict with my values, my beliefs, the way I feel I deserve to be treated then it might not be for life - at least not in the same way. I can't imagine ever not saying I support Barnsley but I'm starting to be able to imagine a time when I add "but I don't go anymore - they take you for granted, they don't treat you right". I'm worried ............. S) S)
Great question. I guess I felt that at least they were trying to communicate with me. I think your point's a good one because it wasn't good then either but it 'feels' even worse to me right now.
i dunno if i'm missing anything but i've never felt that BFC have ever listened to us fans but you're not the only one to voice similar sentiments recently. Not sure if i'm missing something glaringly obvious but what's changed recently? could we have got worse?
Not sure - I'm not that clever!!!! Two thoughts though: 1. I wonder if the board are so focused on their plan that they're closed to other opinions and may criticise those who express different opinions e.g. the 'reply to my letter' thread that was a major topic on here a few days ago and 2. Communication has been poor. Several examples of saying one thing and then doing another and some examples of saying very little and leaving people to draw their own conclusion. Certainly the saying one thing then doing another thing has caused me to question whether I trust what's said anymore.
