No renewal

[outofboroughnow]

Even though I moved away from the borough a while back I still follow the Town. However I did not renew my share membership because I felt a couple of seasons ago that a 'them' and 'us' attitude was emerging. This was seen most clearly in the programme notes - e.g. "boardroom for committee members only" and "don't bang on the stand" blah blah! An Orwellian scenario has emerged where some supporters can do the odd jobs - others lead - "all supporters are equal - but some are more equal than others." etc. Animal Farm all over again. So, I did not renew my trust membership. However I used to pay for four family trust memberships which I thought would help the club. When I decided not to renew there has been no letter or contact to get me to re-establish this. Why? Any company or organisation would have jumped on this to retain my patronage. But no - there is a lethergy within the club that suggests to me that we supporters are useful for financial and practical matters - but we are not really wanted at all really. The ideology of a supporters owned club is just that! An ideology or trick that merely gives one the illusion of being part of thing, when in fact a few people ( but not all - I stress!) are seeking their own ends. A disgrace that is also shown by - lets face it - a real lack of progress in terms of increasing support in a borough of circa 250.000 people, results and ground improvements.

[lovely stuff]

To bring some perspective.Those on the board are willing to put in time and effort into the running of the club,when most of us arn't willing or able to do the same.Ok,they also get the power and prestige,but even so, i believe they are genuinely doing what they think is best for the club.

 

The trouble arises when 'ordinary fans' are excluded from having any influence on the board.It may well be that those marginalized and as a result resigned, were not of the quality required at board level,or it could be that there is an elitist middle class/smartsuit mentality amongst the longterm boardmembers that looks down on the ordinary fan.What i do know is that four or five people are now seemingly and unilaterally making decisions that they feel are correct and ignoring the concerns and wishes of the rest of the fans.The QE rather than Brimsdown/Management and coaching concerns/A new stand at the away end..etc.

 

The air needs to be cleared.Maybe by the board being more open and willing to listen to their fellow fans.or maybe the structure of the boardroom needs to be changed with maybe a smaller board and a larger supporters committee (of whom the board would be more answerable too).

[Hawkeye Pierce]

"It may well be that those marginalized and as a result resigned, were not of the quality required at board level"

 

The quality required is the lowerer the better (less threat to the inner circle). I can only talk about Phil and Andy and say that they are more business proficient in my opinion than any of the current board. Can they be arsed with board politics - I don't think so!

 

[Squadron Leader]

Originally Posted By: outofboroughnow

Even though I moved away from the borough a while back I still follow the Town. However I did not renew my share membership because I felt a couple of seasons ago that a 'them' and 'us' attitude was emerging. This was seen most clearly in the programme notes - e.g. "boardroom for committee members only" and "don't bang on the stand" blah blah! An Orwellian scenario has emerged where some supporters can do the odd jobs - others lead - "all supporters are equal - but some are more equal than others." etc. Animal Farm all over again. So, I did not renew my trust membership. However I used to pay for four family trust memberships which I thought would help the club. When I decided not to renew there has been no letter or contact to get me to re-establish this. Why? Any company or organisation would have jumped on this to retain my patronage. But no - there is a lethergy within the club that suggests to me that we supporters are useful for financial and practical matters - but we are not really wanted at all really. The ideology of a supporters owned club is just that! An ideology or trick that merely gives one the illusion of being part of thing, when in fact a few people ( but not all - I stress!) are seeking their own ends. A disgrace that is also shown by - lets face it - a real lack of progress in terms of increasing support in a borough of circa 250.000 people, results and ground improvements.

Just want to say that the Boardroom we have is for visiting Officials, Sponsors & Mascots and not only for our Board Members.

[Mr Happy]

In response to OOBN, I think you'll find that the boardroom of any Ryman club is set aside for directors of both clubs, officials etc.

[Squadron Leader]

Originally Posted By: Mr Happy

In response to OOBN, I think you'll find that the boardroom of any Ryman club is set aside for directors of both clubs, officials etc.

Ditto Mr H

[andyetfc]

Originally Posted By: DonkeyHotTea

"It may well be that those marginalized and as a result resigned, were not of the quality required at board level"

The quality required is the lowerer the better (less threat to the inner circle). I can only talk about Phil and Andy and say that they are more business proficient in my opinion than any of the current board. Can they be arsed with board politics - I don't think so!

I am not worried by what LS says as the world is full of thoughts and opinions.

[lovely stuff]

Let me just say that i have no personal insight into the quality and compentence of any board member,current or past.Just because i speculated that the board may have doubted the competence of the three ordinary fans,doesn't mean that i persoanlly agree with that assumption.Maybe the three were just too much of a threat to the board .Maybe they just had too many ideas and opinions??

[Hawkeye Pierce]

Too many ideas and opinion maybe? Maybe we still saw ourselves as fans first and foremost rather than someone special and aloof!

 

We don't fear the things we have no control over like the web pages! Some do!

[lovely stuff]

Thats a good point.It may have been the fact that you three were marginalized simply because of your participation on this forum.It may have made the inner circle paranoid of board information being discussed on the forums?

[The Invisible Man]

Originally Posted By: lovely stuff

Just because i speculated that the board may have doubted the competence of the three ordinary fans,

What on earth do you think the rest of the board are then?