Billericay town fc IS the supporters

[The Town Crier]

 

 

 

We appear to be struggling with our identity at the moment. For me, it certainly doesn't feel like the same club as it did a couple of seasons ago. Perhaps the "We" (and I mean the collective "We") are not doing enough behind the scenes....

 

.........There is only so much the "few" can do. This has always been a friendly club. Managers, players and supporters have always mixed. From where I stand, that doesn't happen as much. Even when times were bad last season, people still went up to speak to players......

 

....l but I wonder if, for some, we have gone too far down the road of apathy.

 

 

 

I'm sorry to say but that’s how it looks to me.

 

If it were not for the dozen or so miricle supporters at this club, things would be a lot worse. At least once a year, the past, the current, and the future is discussed, but it seems people are not willing to listen and take on board.

 

Right now the future looks very grey.

 

This club is the supporters, looking to blame others is, and has never been the answer. The tools are there, they just have to be picked up and used

[GazzaBTFC]

I agree...

 

And the "few" are not getting any younger. This is our club...are we not proud of it? I am and always will be.

[Steve U.]

Unfortunately, Billericay Town FC, is, has and always will be a 'Club' for a minority of those that attend matches. These people will remain, come what may. For the vast majority of those that come through the turnstiles, it is merely an entertainment product, something to do on a saturday. They come to watch and be entertained by their local team and hopefully see a few goals and a good result. From the very start of this season the entertainment value has been lacking, to say the least. The casual supporter isn't going to spend his 'hard earned' on a product that doesn't provide value for money. We are now going into February with only five league wins under our belt. This sort of form isn't going to attract anyone, no matter what kind of promotions are put on. It is my opinion that bad managerial decisions have cost this club dearly this season and unless things are turned around very soon our future looks very bleak indeed.

Edited February 1, 2010 by Steve U.

[The Town Crier]

The future path of Bilericay town will not be decided by football alone, the football is a reflection of the club, not the other way round.

 

The machine is in place, but for the most part it lies idle.

 

6 years ago, our club had its debts settled, its bridges mended, a shiny new machine in place, and some spending money to get on with.

Problem is, few have been willing to cross the bridge's and take a look. so the BTFC machine is slowley grinding to a halt.

 

if only we could get the damn thing out of first gear.....

Edited February 1, 2010 by The Town Crier

[JoeV93]

I have not lost faith.

 

If you can recall a few seasons back on a couple of occassions we went into the Half-Time break 2-0 down (one of them games may have been at home to Heybridge) and we ran out 3-2 victors at the final whistle. So for these teams it happened to when we played them would have moaned and groaned for a few days, then they would dust themselves off get over it, forget about it and for sure they would be getting fired up for their next game.

 

Complaints of our declining support is a problem. I do so agree that new plans of building this clubs support up will have to be thought about. Though my nephew has been rounding up many of his friends recently and is trying to get them all back and even some new faces supporting the club. I for one want as many people watching the blues not just at home though, but also away. I must hold my hands up for not being at many away games, however i adore this club and will be making a greater effort to go to as many of the away games as possible. New Lodge is a fantastic stadium which i feel in a way a bit disheartened when i see some sections of the stadium empty the far side opposite the dugouts for example. There are so many empty chairs/rows left very bare. WE need to change this. Hopefully this will begin to change tomorrow night, as Dartford have to my knowledge maybe a 300 strong following away crowd so hopefully we could get over 700 in tomorrow evening.

 

TELL YOUR FAMILY, TELL YOUR FRIENDS, TELL EVERY STRANGER YOU WALK PAST DOWN THE STREET. YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU!

The stronger the fan base/support the stronger the CLUB, OUR CLUB.

 

As Barack Obama once said "It's time for change" the word CHANGE, not the management, not the players. THE SUPPORTERS? That's what has to change we need to change supporters minds about supporting the club through good and bad times, We need to build this club to what it was 3 or 4 seasons ago. STRONGER!

 

 

 

UNITED WE STAND, COYB!!

[Ryan.c]

The importance of Billericay Town FC in people lives has diminshed over the years and there is a "take it or leave it" attitude among supporters. Our pool of volunteers who allow this club to operate is rapidly shrinking. A good club will have a strong and active support base, if we have that (we did once), then we will progress quicker on the pitch. Supporters need to shake off their apathy and ask themselves what THEY can do for this club rather than leave it to the same ever decreasing circle of people or moaning that the current players/manager don't give enough commitment etc. This club needs to become important again. Otherwise, we'll all lose out.....

[The Town Crier]

I'm sure the good folk of Billericay, be they football fans or not still venture out now and again. Don't they?

 

I'm sure some must listen to music , Rock, Country, Pop, Folk there is so many different kinds, some must like a bit of comedy, or perhaps eat out once in a while, some must fancy themselves as singers, or enjoy a gamble.at a casino table, or even a poker table. Surley there is someone in billericay who likes Elvis, and others who like Abba. Quiz programs on tv are popular, but not live? even my mum enjoys horse racing.

 

Or do the 40,000 stay at home and watch tv ,

 

 

 

Otway, or a re run of a re run on TV....Dave won

[Brightside Bloke]

This is not to any one person but to all concerned.

 

Is there a plan of action to get things going again?

 

Forgetting the players & managers for a while can we all work together to get the CLUB back to where it was?

 

If so then how do we could get the damn machine out of first gear.....

[oldgitt]

This is not to any one person but to all concerned.

 

Is there a plan of action to get things going again?

 

Forgetting the players & managers for a while can we all work together to get the CLUB back to where it was?

 

If so then how do we could get the damn machine out of first gear.....

Thats right b bloke its the taking part that counts

[emmiehl]

There is always more to do, but now even fewer people willing to do it.

 

At the members AGM someone asked if those not on the committee could attend the committee/planning meetings - the answer was yes, but nobody came.

 

A lack of thanks also results in people no longer putting the effort in. That is not only thanks from within the club and other fans - but an appreciation from the players of the effort that supporters give and it's this which is now seriously lacking.

 

Frankly, for some of the ex-regulars, I know that money is getting tigher and spending a tenner watching players that look like they can't be bothered is low on the priorities.

 

There used to be a soul in this club, and it was that soul that kept people coming back. As far as I can tell, the only thing that has changed (and consequently caused this 'soul' to disappear) is the management and some of the players.

 

If you have any ideas on events that could be run, that you would attend (and would make a profit please), then I'd be keen to hear from you.

[Rick the Dick]

As a casual punter of Billericay I haven't noticed any sea-change in the "soul" of BTFC that would put me off any of the organised events. Nor does the on pitch performance have any bearing on my decisions to attend a social event, or not; that's usually down to diary commitments & financial considerations, plus the appeal of the act of course.

 

If Otway wasn't a success it's a shame. You advertised it extensively and I can tell you it was noticed by many "non supporters". In retrospect maybe it was ambitious putting on a "Marquee" name at a time of year when most are skint. You live & learn.

 

Live music is everywhere in these parts. I'd forget about appealing to the tastes of the loyal Blues supporters and go for bands that have their own following.

 

The Club-house is a great facility and it must be very frustrating if it's not performing as a revenue stream. Maybe if the club can't make a go of it a third party could?

 

 

 

 

.

[The Town Crier]

Some say that actions speak louder than words, Emma, you are clearly a passionate and active supporter of our club, I can see that from your actions, but your words are often such a contrast. I know I said a while back that I would no longer answer this kind of post, but because of your position within the BTSA, and your mention of another supporter, I think it right that on this occasion I do.

 

It was Brightside Bloke who asked if members could attend BTSA committee meetings, I know he has since attended at least one; perhaps you were not at that meeting.

Not sure where you are going with the thanks paragraph, but I would point out that thanks is always given to the appropriate people at The BTSA AGM, and fans forums, its also regularly written in the program. These thanks come from every aspect of our club including the playing staff..

 

Peoples priorities are different and will change from time to time, and btw, its £9.

 

Players - Mangers -'soul'... cheap shot

 

Rick:

I was referring to the other 40,000, not the 40,000 Loyal Blues supporters .

Very frustrating yes, given the wide variety of entertainment we have offered, my concern with using a third party is which genre to chose, and would a third party fair any better. And a major consideration for any third party is that first and foremost we are a football club, so events have to be timed around games.

 

Otway was one of the better attended events,.

Edited February 3, 2010 by The Town Crier

[jl]

Always an interesting debate that crops up from time to time.

 

My view is quite the opposite to some of the posters as I feel that the success or otherwise of the first team will have a large influence on the success or otherwise of the other events that take place. If we are winning, people are happy, the world's a great place and people want to spend more time at the Club - If we are losing then often the opposite can happen. I do completely accept of course that if more people attended the events etc then there may be more funds available for the first team, but the 64 000 $ question is how to we get the spiral going up and not down.

 

It's difficult to get the right events, for the right budget to get the right number of people coming. John Otway might be marquee to some but one-man tent to others. As a fan of original music, it disgusts me to say that I think tribute bands and the like is a more likely route to success.

 

Going off at a slight tangent I do feel we have a communication problem between the supporters and the first team players and management at the moment. Someone suggested a fans forum, but I'm not a big fan of these as they tend only to happen in bad times and not good times. I'm sure some will argue that it should be up to the fans to make the first move, but I disagree. I would like to see Brian and Barry and maybe one or two of the senior players just look to try and engage a few of the supporters after the game rather than just sit isolated on their tables. I appreciate it was tough at the start of the season as we hadn't won many games but now would be a great time for them to start. I had a brief chat with Cous after Tuesday and it was great just to see how he felt about the game. It doesnt have to be any robotic circum-navigation of the Clubhouse but from time to time it would be great to hear what these guys are thinking about the game and football and Billericay in general.

 

I'm hoping things will start looking up now - moving out of the bottom four is great. Let's hope we can stay out.

Edited February 3, 2010 by jl

[Bill of Shenfield]

Why do we want a marquee? Surely there is enough room in the bar and where would you put the tent? A marque would be better.

[Blue Dawg]

I am guessing that most of you guys are from Billericay, but as an outsider coming in I think you might have missed the bigger picture. I am from London and only started watching Ricky when I could no longer afford going to West Ham. I have a season ticket and have been to every home game this season, most of the pre season friendlies and 3 or 4 away games so far. I feel that this is a big enough commitment from me. I am guessing that apart from you fanatics I am probably the next level down. I don't think that it is realistic to expect a club the size of Billericay to keep growing when for all the time I have been watching them they have only had 2 good seasons (last 10 years). A club like Billericay will grow and have better support, but only when it is successful and by that I mean regularly pushing to be in the the league they should be in which is the Blue Square South. The decline in the average gates is because we consistently underperform for a club of our potential size.

[emmiehl]

As you mentioned, I do try to play an active role within the BTSA where possible, so sometimes people say things to me that they feel that they could not approach a club 'official' and say. I then feel it is fair that I represent these people and their opinion - perhaps sometimes that is why it is felt my actions do not match my words.

 

And as for the 'cheap shot' - frankly TC I thought you knew me better as an individual to think that I would stoop to that. Surely if some fans feel that there's a problem then it's a problem? I've heard it discussed more than once in the stands. So whether you think it's just me having a whinge, or if it's actually taken as representative of the views of some fans it's entirely up to you.

 

And thanks for pointing out it's £9 - in case I'd never realised what I pay to get in - but I was including the £1 (at least) to get a programme or drink too. I'm not sure how many come to football and only spend the entrance fee, in fact I'd be interested to know if we think the recession has influenced that at all. I know it's off topic, I just find it interesting.

 

At the end of the day, the benefit of a public forum is that it gives everyone theopportunity to hear the point of view of people they don't usually speak to. Whether we agree with each other or not is all part of the fun. What matters is that we all do support the club and find a way of making it the popular club (for both football and events) that it deserves to be. So what can we do differently?

 

I think JL hit the nail on the head - I know of supporters that would like to go up to some of the players after a game and say well done (and the opposite sometimes I'm sure). However at the moment I think that relationship is missing. I don't know how to fix this, short of asking the players to do a bit of PR work but I definitely felt that (for example) I could go up to Danny Kerrigan and talk to him about the match and he wouldn't mind. Obviously having a new team of people come in means these relationships need to be built from scratch again but I genuinely think it would make a difference.

[Brightside Bloke]

I think JL hit the nail on the head - I know of supporters that would like to go up to some of the players after a game and say well done (and the opposite sometimes I'm sure). However at the moment I think that relationship is missing. I don't know how to fix this, short of asking the players to do a bit of PR work but I definitely felt that (for example) I could go up to Danny Kerrigan and talk to him about the match and he wouldn't mind. Obviously having a new team of people come in means these relationships need to be built from scratch again but I genuinely think it would make a difference.

 

It think that the Christmas party was a good day / night out when we got to see the lighter side of the team. I ended the night on first name terms with a lot of them, Superman, Spiderman, Dizzy Tart, and the knight to name but a few.

Also the Summer BBQ that Mick organised had quite a good few people turn up but sadly only one player kept his promise to show up. (and he had a Shave)

 

PR is never a bad thing.

[The Town Crier]

The christmas party...ah yes, I think I was there. By the end of the day I was seeing double, Gaffer & Gaffer

 

After 20 mins of serious discussion between us oldies, it was decided we didn't know the "Dizzy Tart" who'd just come in and it must be one of the players friends, excellent make up!!!

 

Ronnie's rendition of "I iDid It My Way" was as good as a pro crooner.

 

A very enjoyable day/evening.