***The Future - Please Read***

[Ian_W]

Hi,

 

I am writing this at just after 5pm, back on Canvey despite having been to Maidenhead.

 

I was informed today by Canvey Island FC's Chairman, Ray Cross that he has banned the website team from Park Lane due to the website of CanveyFC.Com .

 

Throughout the 5 years, we have always tried to give a fair and balanced view of happenings at Park Lane, and have always respected the clubs wishes. Even to the extent of not revealing team line-ups after a game, due to a management request.

 

I personally have taken over 6,500 photographs of Canvey games, and many of these have been enjoyed by both Canvey fans and opposition alike.

 

We have always been un-official - yet despite that, were aware of the mis-understanding by many that we were official, and so we have always tried to represent the club well, and to give a good image, and promotion of club activitities.

 

Our respective families have got used to rulling out Saturday nights, as following the game, we have had to spend several hours updating the site, writing the match report, working on photos etc.

 

I honestly do not know what we will do - but this is the first time that I am aware of that a club has banned an entire website team - especially one that has given 5 years of hard and dedicated service to supporting a club.

 

Ray informed me that I had upset Keith Johnson & Frances Roache, with the website - if that is the case then I publically apologise for any offence caused. But I am not sure what I have personally done to cause an offence - but whatever it was - sorry.

 

I will admit to being very depressed about this at the moment - and do not know what I will do - the easy option will be to close CanveyFC.Com, close Non League UK, and then end things later tonight - the hard thing will be to stand up and fight - fight for the right to promote the club to the supporters, and to continue taking photographs for all to enjoy. Sadly I am to weak to fight.

 

This is a very sad day - one that I will remember for all the wrong reasons.

 

Well it is now half past six - and this one message has taken over an hour to write, so I had better knock it on the head.

 

I wish both the club, and all the fans the very best for the rest of the season.

 

I guess this message will cause further offence - and as I have deleted, and rewritten large chunks of it, it probably doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

Goodbye.

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

So sorry, but it was bound to happen when an official site was launched. So what did you say to cause such offence or was this a business decision based on the fact there is not room for two sites.

[Matt H]

The excuse given to me for being banned from Park Lane was for my controversial Match Reports. If this is the case will someone please inform me why half of the Yellow Army who have made public at matches the exact same cristism aren't banned too?

 

Maybe we have been selected by the Club for being what I like to feel as the voice of the fans.

 

Regretfully as Ian has already stated that he is depressed I had to leave Maidenhead only 20 minutes into the game. I apologise that there will be no match report on tonight's game or for Thurrock as it is a home match.

 

However what I find totally unfair is the way the two of the website team have been treated. Merv who hasn't been in the UK since July 25th has little knowledge of what has gone on Pre-Season or the current league campaign bar a few text messages and phone calls. Ian writes nothing on CanveyFC.Com all the writing is left to me, Ian just takes the Photographs although he is the financial backer that has made all of this possible.

 

This has been an ill-fated season. If the reason I have been banned from Park Lane is for my Match Reports alone, then the Club would be glad to hear that Merv is back this Wednesday (August 27th) and the reins will be handed to him. I will just be an ordinary Canvey fan from then on just like the past 9 seasons I have been following Canvey Island FC through thick and thin giving my support to the team on the pitch.

 

Through the 5 years CanveyFC.Com has been up and running I have been gradually getting more involved at first I didn't do Match Reports while Merv was away but as I've become wiser they have seen fit the give me the task of filling in, much like I have this season.

 

Banned from Park Lane or not I will continue to give the football team my full support. If there is one thing I have learned from becoming a Match Reporter it's "Don't say things about Players that you wouldn't say to their face in the bar afterwards". I have acknowledged and upheld that rule throughout my time with CanveyFC.Com

 

It is a shame that things have had to go down this path. I would've thought a Club so prestigious at Canvey Island FC would've enjoyed having a wider audience through the power of the internet and in depth Match Reports, Statistics, News, Pictures and an excellent forum at their finger-tips.

 

The Club has chosen not to co-operate and we must respect their wishes. I will continue to be present at away games and give my support along with the Yellow Army. I will also still be an everpresent figure on Non-League UK too.

 

May I thank the fans for their kinds words while CanveyFC.Com has been the first and best Canvey Island FC website for the above mention features and I hope they have a successful season witnessing triumph at Park Lane.

 

Matt CIFC <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

Is ther no way back from this.

[Matt H]

Unless the Club would care to negotiate I see the answer as no. <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

 

 

Matt CIFC <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[David Holden]

I find this very difficult to understand Ian!

 

I would suggest that if the club is going to be that intransigent and shortsighted, that you just wait it out, wait till the official site dies from lack of interest and then wait for them to beg you back.

[GarySTFC]

Keep going Ian & Matt, keep the faith. The club will see sense and what a fantastic job the pair of you are doing.

[ronin]

Matt i don`t agree with some of your opinions/reports but that is what you see and that is what you report. This site is one of the things that Canvey fans talk about before and after match days, let`s hope this mess can be sorted out.

[CANV EFM]

what the f..k!!

ive got to go out... ill be back on here later with my opinions

[Dan Sampford]

The club is well harsh

[Matt H]

Thank you Ronin!!!

 

You have just proved a point I was going to make!!

 

As a member of the CanveyFC.Com team I write what I see even if it is completely different to what the rest of the Yellow Army claim to have seen.

 

Most of the time I do stand with the Yellow Army and try to encompass some of their general comments into the my reports. This is what I did for Bishop's Stortford and now I'm getting bollocked for it! I am prepared to get bollocked for my comments, as I write it on the website, I take the stick something I have accepted as a negative to the job. I can live with that...

 

I have always said on numerous occasions to Canvey fans that don't agree with my reports or opposition fans that think I'm being biased either:- A. Please feel free to submit you're own report of the game and we will post it un-edited on the website or B. Take what issues you don't agree with me on, post them on here and we will have a constructive, sensible discussion on the matter like a couple of Gentlemen.

 

I don't see why the Club can't do this, they have to employ bully tactics to get what they want and make us feel lower than them so we feel vulnerable. Well I'm sorry but it don't work with me!

 

Matt CIFC <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

 

PS. Apologies if the above post doesn't make sense - I've just downed a litre of Stella in about 45 minutes!!

[Guest]

What Threat

 

I think you should make a call, I am afraid it will require you to bite the bullet and try to reconcile. The club holds all the aces.We can not afford to lose support as a season ticket holder I find it a bit sad. As a nuetral on this issue I feel that maybe you should offer an olive branch in the form of some editorial input (not control) maybe offer an opportunity to comment on reports in advance of posting.

 

You have obviously caused offence even if without intent or knowledge. I think we need a step back a few deep breaths and not allow our postings to get too emmotional "less said easiest mended". There can be no doubt you are a true supporter be big and build the bridges.

Or is it because there is some concern about the lack of interest in the official site.

[Urchino]

Good luck lads, i can't beileve your club would act like this, banning you from the ground. My advice is continue going to Away games and reporting! Get as much hype about this issue as you can, Push them and push them, do not give up.

[Guest]

Sorry Matt but on a light note you are so skinny is there room for that much booz you must look like a cotton bud on legs.

[Matt H]

Post deleted by Ian_W

[Guest]

Keep your head up.

Turn up at 11.00 on Monday and pay lets just see if they turn you away it might have been a heat of the moment thing that was not discussed properly.

[Guest]

I am not one for big gestures or protests but maybe the best way to put this away is to turn up and arrange to meet a considerable group outside and we all go in together. They will be aware that while everyone supports the club, the management and the team we also want to some loyalty to each other.

I think they will let you go in like any other supporter.

[Matt H]

Not too sure if it all will be cool by Monday.

 

Next Tuesday I will have nothing to do with the Website. Merv will be back by then and doing the Report so like I said earlier I will be an ordinary part of the Yellow Army again.

 

Unless of course this runs deeper than just my Match Reports and the Club aren't prepared to admit it?....

[Guest]

You have to strike while the iron is hot, Monday it will still be fresh in peoples mind and you will be supported. It may be better not sorted out just turn up go in and be a supporter, the more said about it the more chance they will dig their heals in.

[Matt H]

I may turn up Monday waving a white flag and demanding negotiations.

 

Monday would be my last report anyway!

 

Still can't see why Ian & Merv have been banned though! That is what has annoyed me. If I am the guilty party why ban them?