This thing at Garrison on Tuesday...

Of course it's not true - but it sounds like something the Conway Out group would come up with, it's that ridiculous.

If there genuinely is anyone wanting to buy the club they should distance themselves as far away as they can from the group - all they have managed to do is make themselves look amateurish, incompetent and just a little bit dense.

 

In terms of lack of transparency I would point to the following: a locked group on Facebook; blocking/removing members without explanation until after the fact; removing or refusing to answer genuine questions to the groups intentions; swearing people to secrecy at events (Garrison); assuming identities (Martin Nettleton). These are significant examples. Don't get me wrong though, I don't think the BBS or the Supporters Trust or whoever is perfect, there has been mud slinging on all sides and it doesn't help. I should also check myself when making comments as I know sometimes I get a bit excited and sarky I think a coordinated protest, similar to what Birmingham did the other week, is one possibility, a starting point if you will. The board apparantly know how we feel but let's let them know together under one banner (metaphorically-speaking and physically) and one voice. It doesn't have to be so divided, or difficult to arrange. I take your point though about people being contrary, but if the majority is together then I believe that could make a real, significant difference.

Agree with you also on no quick fix, but the message that has come out since the formation of Conway Out has been that there is a buyer in place. That buyer needs to state his intention in all seriousness, there is no reason to hide. And that's where we come back to transparency, or lack of..

 

They better sharpen the crayons then

 

That's not what we want though is it, for a fellow red? Luke has Barnsley in his veins, you only have to watch one of his videos on tykes tv. Why should we want him to be shown up and humiliated? He was wrong with his comment about throwing tins of food (though it was clearly said either tongue-in-cheek, or with anger, or both). But if he is being taken for a ride, then it affects all of us who want the owners out.

 

Same here, he is absolutely a passionate Barnsley fan and we have to ask the question: who would it benefit if he is being taken for a ride, if all his efforts come to nothing and he is shown up and humiliated as the figurehead of the Conway Out group? The only people it would benefit - besides drawing some snide remarks from people opposed to him - is Paul Conway and the board. I'm sure they'd find the whole thing hilarious as they continue to grind the club down.

 

Yep fair enough - helpful. And an implied recognition in there that its not for the BBS to 'police' the conduct of its Members outside of the site (neither is it the Facebook group's responsibility) nor to advocate or take a view on those BBS members who might be taking a particular position as part of the Trust. Though it is of course perfectly acceptable for any BBS member to express a view on that approach, as long as it's done with relative civility! Fair?

 

Just (genuinely) discussing that further. I think that's okay if you see these kind of platforms as simply vehicles for discussion. Same goes for any FB page.

That's a bit of a 'cop out' for me when I believe (and I know there are many who don't agree with me) that the Club is being destroyed through the incompetence of the current ownership and its Executive. At some stage any Group has to get off the fence and be clear about what it stands for. So, from my perspective, I'd want to persuade my fellow BBS that the owners are 'bad' and for the Club's future health they need to go. I'd then look to the BBS, as an entity in itself, to support that position. Is that feasible? Incidentally, no problem if the answer is 'I don't know, we've never had to discuss that in the past'. I appreciate these are difficult times.

The position with the Trust is more difficult for me because I'm not a member. I accept that if I want to influence it I'd need to become one. That being the case, it would be on the basis that the Trust could take a position on an issue that is important to the survival of the Club, rather than the 'sitting on the fence' position of 'we're trying to represent all opinion in the fanbase' - that is going to become impossible. Many other football Clubs that have had ' difficulties' with their owners have had their Trusts taking a leading position on the matter. Do you think that is possible with the BFC Trust?

 

proper comedy. We can’t agree on wether it’s day or night outside!

seriously though if you feel the need to ask a question of the BBS like this then you genuinely don’t understand how this site works. I suspect you do know though and to support your argument point you are choosing a position, one that’s a little strange to say the least.

 

What thing?

 

Err... no It was a serious questions(s)

I'm not sure what you mean by my 'strange position'? If you look at my posts over the years, you'll see I've always been sceptical about the owners, before becoming increasingly hostile as to their competency. I've always been upfront about that - as I am now.

What I was getting at in the post is how those bodies (is that the right word) connected to the Club/fans can react to the current situation. Can/would they take a view or are they 'neutral' - just a vehicle for any and every opinion. Things are going to become increasingly difficult for the Club and it's supporters over the coming months and I'm just trying to understand the 'rules'. Incidentally, I've posted on loads of subjects over the years, on contentious subjects, where I've been trying to influence the views of others. Isn't that one of the points of a Board like this? Otherwise its just an exercise in listening to your own voice.

 

It's not too far from Cheshire for one of the board members to attend surely

 

I understand the 'better the devil you know' line. I just can't think of too many circumstances where it now applies here. Thanks for the update - helpful.

 

Everyone assumes that the owners can be hounded out and we'll end up with someone better. The 80%ers have no affinity for the club, so won't be careful how they dispose of us, when they decide to do so. They could sell to someone even less equipped to own a football club and we'll be left facing oblivion like Wigan were. Some supporters are hovering over the self destruct button, with no viable BFC-friendly option on the horizon.