An overeaction?

[BUFC]

Taken from NLM.......

 

 

26th December 2012

Margate v Cray Wanderers

 

Ryman Premier League

 

Gate : Zero + 3 security guards MINUS 10 out of 10

Atten : hopefully low - there was no way i was going to part with a single penny for these people.

Ground : MINUS 10 out of 10 Made to feel very unwelcome as a result of the oppressive behaviour shown by staff. Ground itself is very ordinary and bland.

Match Enjoyment :

could not be bothered to stay ,due to the 'sour taste' left in my mouth by the staff i lost interest in the place MINUS 10 out of 10

 

 

There was no festive spirit at Margate FC - they should be ashamed of themselves

 

Please check my blog to read what happened. I have never expereinced anything like it ever before.

I would never recommend anyone to go there.

http://onion-bag.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/margate.html

 

Photos from Margate : https://picasaweb.google.com/...382679593364/Margate#

 

In the end i rushed off to another ground .... Ramsgate v Maidstone , where i had a great time and the welcome and treatment by everybody there was Superb ! - full report later , after i have calmed down !

[Coffin Ender]

Yes, BUFC, saw this last night. Hard to express a view without being there but it all seems rather odd.

If some stranger turns up and asks to take pictures of an empty business premises then some level of suspicion is justified. Players have their valuables in the dressing rooms.

Anyway, he was allowed to take his pix in the end so it wasn't as if he was turfed out.

[marksandwell]

I have posted back a comment inviting him to return as my guest, then I will show him all the positives.

[Gringo]

IMO his reaction is justified, 12.30 and demanding seating money is laughable. Trying hard to make this a family club is having quite the opposite effect. Appreciate the work done by the people for little gain. But its starting to feel like a couple are becoming jobsworths.

[marksandwell]

Taken from NLM.......

 

 

26th December 2012

Margate v Cray Wanderers

 

Ryman Premier League

 

Gate : Zero + 3 security guards MINUS 10 out of 10

Atten : hopefully low - there was no way i was going to part with a single penny for these people.

Ground : MINUS 10 out of 10 Made to feel very unwelcome as a result of the oppressive behaviour shown by staff. Ground itself is very ordinary and bland.

Match Enjoyment :

could not be bothered to stay ,due to the 'sour taste' left in my mouth by the staff i lost interest in the place MINUS 10 out of 10

 

 

There was no festive spirit at Margate FC - they should be ashamed of themselves

 

Please check my blog to read what happened. I have never expereinced anything like it ever before.

I would never recommend anyone to go there.

http://onion-bag.blo...12/margate.html

 

Photos from Margate : https://picasaweb.go...9593364/Margate#

 

In the end i rushed off to another ground .... Ramsgate v Maidstone , where i had a great time and the welcome and treatment by everybody there was Superb ! - full report later , after i have calmed down !

Sorry not sure you got my comment on your link, so please see offer below, and I will show you all the positives about our club

[Wellsie]

Hhhmm, well, as ever there is another perspective.

 

The first thing to say is that like all clubs we are under no obligation to admit anyone in to satisfy their own hobby or for any other reason for that matter.

 

We have a clear Press Pass policy that insists on 24 hours notice before a pass is issued, which all our professional press / media partners adhere to. To expect to be granted open access on a match day without prior notice – particularly as we are getting ready to stage a match - is frankly unreasonable. Other clubs may be OK with it, but as supporters know, we are trying to run the club in a professional manner. In this case, the match day staff did their best to accommodate the guy; even providing access to the changing rooms. So he took his pictures for his blog, left and proceeded to denigrate the club.

 

Nevertheless, CEO Cliff Egan has offered to talk to the guy – even providing his mobile number - but at this stage he has chosen not to take up Cliff’s offer. I’m not sure that the CEO of many other clubs would take the trouble to make the offer!

 

With regard to his comments about the “friendliness” of the club, we are regularly thanked for the level of hospitality extended to visitors and supporters have even posted favourable comments from other supporters on this forum, so I have no doubt what the real feeling to our club is. The BBC’s reporter at the match yesterday was clear about how he regarded the club.

 

The directors have been publically clear about the stadium situation and appreciate how long our supporters have been waiting for the new development to go ahead. Nevertheless, those of you who travelled to Lowestoft – and many other clubs in our league – will have seen one covered area for spectators. It’s worth remembering that even at the existing Hartsdown Park, we have two.

 

I don’t quite understand what was required or expected here. Clearly it is at the club’s discretion that we admit people to the ground and whether we do or do not provide unaccompanied free access inside the stadium. In any case, I can’t help but think that the words used in the blog have been chosen without an attempt to see our perspective.

 

We will continue to welcome people to the club and do our best to accommodate people’s needs; as supporters or those that choose to take photos as a hobby. But for those that are seeking access to the club beyond the times that the turnstiles open, I don’t see that a courteous request to the club office or via the Press Pass process on the official club website is too much to ask.

 

At the end the day, we are trying to ensure that everyone that comes into the ground on a match day is either paying the proper admission price as all supporters have to do, or are providing some value to the club, e.g. coverage via the press or other channel.

 

But just to be clear again, admission to the ground remains at our discretion, but in this case it was granted, even though the guy made no request ahead of his visit. I wonder if in the future, we will be quite so accommodating.

[Dutch_Mike]

Why didn't he just pay his £10 when he firsty entered the ground, retain the ticket and then pop back later? The stupidity of some people never ceases to amaze me. As others have said, to expect to just turn up and be allowed access to all areas immediately, without any prior warning, is simply naive.

[Gringo]

Understood wellsie, and mostly a fair point. He did point out his desired game had been rained off, still had time to call in advance agreed! But i still find it odd that on entering the seated area to take photos he was asked for the admision fee.

[dannyriding]

Taken from NLM.......

 

 

26th December 2012

Margate v Cray Wanderers

 

Ryman Premier League

 

Gate : Zero + 3 security guards MINUS 10 out of 10

Atten : hopefully low - there was no way i was going to part with a single penny for these people.

Ground : MINUS 10 out of 10 Made to feel very unwelcome as a result of the oppressive behaviour shown by staff. Ground itself is very ordinary and bland.

Match Enjoyment :

could not be bothered to stay ,due to the 'sour taste' left in my mouth by the staff i lost interest in the place MINUS 10 out of 10

 

 

There was no festive spirit at Margate FC - they should be ashamed of themselves

 

Please check my blog to read what happened. I have never expereinced anything like it ever before.

I would never recommend anyone to go there.

http://onion-bag.blo...12/margate.html

 

Photos from Margate : https://picasaweb.go...9593364/Margate#

 

In the end i rushed off to another ground .... Ramsgate v Maidstone , where i had a great time and the welcome and treatment by everybody there was Superb ! - full report later , after i have calmed down !

 

With some if not most of the away supporters that I have spoken (which a fair few) I have found them to be of the friendly non league variety, unfortunately you cant please everybody and with this guys attitude I worry if he might have a complex of being someone of importance and standing with which we should all bow down to. I hope I havent offended him as I would'nt want a blog to be written about me....... lol.

[Jab_n17]

sounds like 'sour grapes' to me.....just cause he was not given the 'red carpet' treatment.... "I'll find every negative about this club and put it on a blog and just to rub it in.... I''ll pop over to Ramsgate and suprise suprise their great club.

[Cookie]

I have to disagree somewhat that we have two covered areas.Well,we do if you include the stand,where added payment is required but even then on heavy rain fall days you still get wet,especially if you are seated in the first few rows.

The other area is next to Wellsies box in the main stand. Dosent accomadate many but those that dash there when it pours down at least keep warm due to the mass in a small space it accumulates. Elsewhere in the ground there is no protection from the elements.

I wish,I really wish "something", no matter how simple the construction, could be erected down at the Coffin End sooner rather than later.Its not fair on the home and away supporter.Not only that but it would enhance the outlook of the ground no-end or should I say "coffin end" and be more inviting to the stay away supporter.

Surely something that could be erected and dismantled quite easily could be put in place.I still keep thinking about Ramsgate and how they did it without much means. I respect and envy them for pushing forward in having the stands built over there.

Yes yes yes I know we are still praying for a miracle on the development front and its because of that that it is preferred not to build anything that will be taken down eventually but that still seems to be an age away.

As for this chap I agree,to be asked for entrance money to the stands at that early hour is a bit cheeky to say the least.I'm still finding it hard to believe that that actually happened but I'm not going to call anyone a liar so yes that was a bit o.t.t i.m.o.As for his other comments I side with the club entirely.

[Eastside Urchin]

Ground spotters can be vile human beings

[BUFC]

Bird spotters can be vile human beings

 

Agreed!!

[Wellsie]

On the assumption that cash was requested to enter the seated stand, a conversation between the two should have resolved that but ultimately the guy could have gone round the back of the stand to take pics from there. He could also have spoken to a club official. Whether he felt hard done by or not, the fact remains he was granted access to the ground ahead of the gates opening. He then chose to write the remarks he did and still display the photos. Still, lesson learned and we'll think about the basis on which people are granted access to the ground in future. Personally, I think it`s unacceptable to accept admission then slag the club off and personally insult 2 match day colleagues for doing their jobs - even if with misguided enthusiasm -and still show the photos on his website.

[margateshot]

What a despicable little man he seems. The comments made on his blog are astounding. A 'Security guard' appeared. I think he means steward. Maybe he could not give notice to the club about his arrival, but to not approach any board members and introduce himself on arrival, is at the least bloody rude. To then make the comments he has done yet produce 26 photos of the all parts of the ground and post them on his blog is deplorable. Perhaps the club should request he removes them. I did not see many other clubs that have given him that sort of access. I have tried to make a comment on his blog but you have to supply 10 other e-mail addresses of friends, to be allowed to post a comment, which smacks of someone who cannot take critisism. I doubt very much he would return Cliffs call or Marks invite as he seems to be so far up his own a**e that he probably believes he is above it all. The club and directors have always been very approachable at this club and are always willing to inform supporters if asked.

[The Onion Bag]

I have posted back a comment inviting him to return as my guest, then I will show him all the positives.

OBag reply:

Thank you Mark , but i have not seen your kind gesture. Where did you post ?

name='Wellsie' timestamp='1356689003' post='1869129']

. Personally, I think it`s unacceptable to accept admission then slag the club off and personally insult 2 match day colleagues for doing their jobs - even if with misguided enthusiasm -and still show the photos on his website.

[/b]

OBag Reply : A bit harsh Wellsie ! .... Firstly i did NOT insult anybody. Secondly i was virtually jumped on by the chap in the stand which caught me by suprise. It was 12.45ish and i had offered the £10 to the gate as 'security' and my car was parked literally ten feet away. I had driven over 2 hours and visited a ground i had wanted to for a long time. I was going to come on Jan 26th but due to many postponed games i decided to travel a bit further after confirmation the game was on after a phoned the club earlier that morning.I did NOT use any 'salty' language.

My aim was to take some photos before the crowds arrive then go for some brunch before return for the game. An itinery very basic and never before has presented any problems to anyone .... except in "Planet Thanet" it seems.

The pics i did take , albeit rushed, were displayed for people who have never been to your ground.

name='Jab_n17' timestamp='1356634425' post='1869058'][/b]

 

sounds like 'sour grapes' to me.....just cause he was not given the 'red carpet' treatment.... "I'll find every negative about this club and put it on a blog and just to rub it in.... I''ll pop over to Ramsgate and suprise suprise their great club.

OBag reply: Jab_n17 .... not 'sour grapes' at all and i never want or ask for red carpet treatment. I am a quiet person, well dressed, and North of 45yrs of age. The reason i popped over to Ramsgate was due to the 'sour taste' (not as a result of the sour grapes) left in my mouth by the draconian attitude adopted by staff. My original choice of games that day was at East Thurrock @ 1pm followed by Aveley @ 3pm - a double header. It was actually one of your supporters who told me Ramsgate were playing as i would of wanted to go to Whitstable v Herne Bay on the way home.

name='Dutch_Mike' timestamp='1356628808' post='1869046']

Why didn't he just pay his £10 when he firsty entered the ground, retain the ticket and then pop back later? The stupidity of some people never ceases to amaze me. As others have said, to expect to just turn up and be allowed access to all areas immediately, without any prior warning, is simply naive.

[/b]

name='Dutch_Mike' timestamp='1356628808' post='1869046']

Why didn't he just pay his £10 when he firsty entered the ground, retain the ticket and then pop back later? The stupidity of some people never ceases to amaze me. As others have said, to expect to just turn up and be allowed access to all areas immediately, without any prior warning, is simply naive.

[/b]

Obag reply :Dutch_Mike .... i offered the lady on the gate, she declined. I am not stupid as you assume. I did NOT demand access to ALL AREAS --- i never asked or wanted access to the dressing rooms as previously pointed out.

The beauty of NL football is the welcome and the freedom to circum navigate the pitch - thats is all i requested to do for no more than ten minutes, then leave for a snack then return for the game nothing more. Is that too much to ask ?

name='Coffin Ender' timestamp='1356602975' post='1868975'][/b]

 

Yes, BUFC, saw this last night. Hard to express a view without being there but it all seems rather odd.

If some stranger turns up and asks to take pictures of an empty business premises then some level of suspicion is justified. Players have their valuables in the dressing rooms.

Anyway, he was allowed to take his pix in the end so it wasn't as if he was turfed out.

OBag reply to BUFC .... If you are insnuating that i had other intentions regarding valuables in the dressing rooms, i suggest you send me an email which i can forward to a solicitor etc

An over reaction BUFC ? why should a certian type of behaviour be accepted in todays society ? maybe in the land of recidivists it is accepted. I came to enjoy a day out , watch footy, take a few pics, nothing more.

UPDATE: yes i am in email dialogue with Mr Egan and i am waiting his reply, which i expect will arrive after saturdays game. I would very much like a chat with Mr Egan and i have sent him my contact number and i appreciate his willingness to rectify things. This is the first time ever i have had any reason to complain about a NL club.

I actually had a £25 bet on Margate to beat Cray ... so we all lost. But at least i did not lose my dignity.

Please dont forget : no matter how thin you try to slice something , there are still two sides to everything.

Good Luck in your promotion bid.

The Onion bag

[Coffin Ender]

I think we can all agree this guy seems well balanced and entirely sane, doesn't he?

[BUFC]

OBag reply:

 

OBag reply to BUFC .... If you are insnuating that i had other intentions regarding valuables in the dressing rooms, i suggest you send me an email which i can forward to a solicitor etc

 

 

Get your facts straight before putting names to quotes Mr O'Bag..........

[The Onion Bag]

Get your facts straight before putting names to quotes Mr O'Bag..........

 

Apologies BUFC ! my error - it was aimed at Coffin Ender

[BUFC]

Apologies BUFC !

 

Thankyou.I dont think CE was doubting your integrity, just making a valid point

 

Re your predicament - and as you say, there are two slices to every story - personally i think your 'trashing' of MFC is a bit OTT.

Maybe there were misunderstandings between the time you 'offered' money at the gate to being asked to pay the surcharge for the seated area but surely if you had paid and received your receipt/ticket then none of this would of occurred.

I think Margate were in a lose lose situation with you because if they had refused you entry you would have still taken umbridge and the only purpose your blog has served on this occasion is to make clubs more wary of being sociable when this type of situation arises.

I think for future reference your motto should be 'you pays your money you take your pic'

 

BTW....do you class your visit as a 'tick'?