Link from main site

[Martin]

Has the link from the main site to this forum been removed? Just wondering, Not sure of that is positive or negative!

[GarySTFC]

It has. Won't be restored either.

[Martin]

Can understand that. In a way think it is a shame as is a bit more effort for newbies and away fans to find it and contribute. But given it is the second entry on google if you want to it is easily found. Personally have always come to the forum through the main site to show the traffic going through the site as my basic IT knowledge thinks that is a good thing,

 

There has been a fair amount of negative posting on here in recent times and I guess the view is now that this is more detrimental to the club than any positive benefits accrued. Perhaps there will be a bit more thought before some posts now.

[Nathan]

Interesting to see that this has been replaced with "Social Media Guidelines".

 

Does the club think that we fans cannot behave ourselves? 

 

Seriously, I don't see why this is a big issue - this is an Unofficial messageboard after all

Edited June 19, 2013 by Nathan

[readingrebel]

Can someone explain why?

 

I've seen nothing out of the ordinary to warrant this decision.

[Tom]

Nathan,

 

The social media guidelines page has been there since half way through last season. It's also reproduced in the programme I believe and is there as a reference for club and player activities not aimed at fans.

[Nathan]

Ah I see - in response to the Dave Deeney saga I take it?

 

But surely you can see what i thought - it just seems like such an odd thing to put up on a club Official website

[readingrebel]

If anyone can still access the forum from say google, what's the point of removing access from the main site?

[GarySTFC]

RR, further distances the forum, which is unofficial, from an official club site. Currently reviewing a number of options to improve the forum.

[3spirit]

RR, further distances the forum, which is unofficial, from an official club site. Currently reviewing a number of options to improve the forum.

 

Well,Gary,I think it's pathetic,to be truthful. It's like brushing the dirt under the carpet.It's still there and fools no one. 

[GarySTFC]

Interesting choice of phrase there though 3 about brushing the dirt under the carpet. It won't stop traffic coming to this message board, nor should it, but was a key component of providing traffic. Should unofficial forums be linked from official sites? I don't think so. If traffic can get here anyway, no harm in removing that link.

[Sue]

No harm at all, some of the comments in the past months HAVE been harmful to the club and in my opinon its a good move to removed the link from the official site.  

 

.

[3spirit]

Interesting choice of phrase there though 3 about brushing the dirt under the carpet. It won't stop traffic coming to this message board, nor should it, but was a key component of providing traffic. Should unofficial forums be linked from official sites? I don't think so. If traffic can get here anyway, no harm in removing that link.

 

Fair enough,Gary.

 

What is more annoying is that once we were the official forum then overnight we became the unofficial forum because someone at the club took umbrage at a fan's point of view.

This is always going to happen.

 

Why don't the IT people put the unofficial messageboard on the external links page.Everybody knows The Slough Observer,The Slough Express,Time FM radio etc isn't tied to the club and after a period they would know the forum wasn't.

 

To me,I feel rather let down by the club's managerment approach in this matter,as no fans were polled in stopping the link.

Surely this should have been talked about at the fans forum[in person] or as a thread on here.

 

After all the club is nothing without fans,regardless of what side of the fence you fall on.

[epicrebel]

Fair enough,Gary.

 

What is more annoying is that once we were the official forum then overnight we became the unofficial forum because someone at the club took umbrage at a fan's point of view.

This is always going to happen.

 

Why don't the IT people put the unofficial messageboard on the external links page.Everybody knows The Slough Observer,The Slough Express,Time FM radio etc isn't tied to the club and after a period they would know the forum wasn't.

 

To me,I feel rather let down by the club's managerment approach in this matter,as no fans were polled in stopping the link.

Surely this should have been talked about at the fans forum[in person] or as a thread on here.

 

After all the club is nothing without fans,regardless of what side of the fence you fall on.

The club can NOT be linked to some of the topics on here, so that is what I think is why.

And before you say they are personal views,

Unfortunately other clubs and supporters DON'T see it like that. ( as i've said on many occasions on other posts )

The club don't do these things lightly a lot of time was taken before doing this.

 

Personal

[GarySTFC]

3, it's been an unofficial forum for quite some time now, a few years even? Given the content of some of the discussions, particularly over the last six to twelve months, I think it is a good idea to further distance the club from the board in an official capacity. I understand discussions are taking place regarding what can be done to improve the online discussion platform for the supporters so we should see those benefits in the next month or two.

 

I've been a long standing advocate of this forum, but given all the infighting, constant disparaging remarks about other clubs and players and lack of postings (in comparison to two or three years ago), it is a poor reflection on the club as a whole. Lets not forget, everything that is posted on here, is in the public domain and accessible by anyone. The content of a lot of the threads has now led to quite a few regular, or what were regular, posters to stop (i just about fall into this category these days) and I would think that should also be a factor as to why we can't promote positive and constructive discussion rather than all this daft tit for tat we've all had to endure.

[3spirit]

 

3, it's been an unofficial forum for quite some time now, a few years even? Given the content of some of the discussions, particularly over the last six to twelve months, I think it is a good idea to further distance the club from the board in an official capacity. I understand discussions are taking place regarding what can be done to improve the online discussion platform for the supporters so we should see those benefits in the next month or two.

 

I've been a long standing advocate of this forum, but given all the infighting, constant disparaging remarks about other clubs and players and lack of postings (in comparison to two or three years ago), it is a poor reflection on the club as a whole. Lets not forget, everything that is posted on here, is in the public domain and accessible by anyone. The content of a lot of the threads has now led to quite a few regular, or what were regular, posters to stop (i just about fall into this category these days) and I would think that should also be a factor as to why we can't promote positive and constructive discussion rather than all this daft tit for tat we've all had to endure.

 

I have always trusted your opinion Gary and will go along with what you are saying now.

 

As you know,I say it as I see it.Doesn't mean I'm right or wrong.

 

I do agree that the forum is too excessable to rival competitors and that some postings are too personal and,sometimes becomes like a load of kids bickering at each other.

 

But no forum will ever have agreement in all things and if we are to go down the road as a club that starts censoring things, then a forum is a complete waste of time and effort, as free speech has gone out of the window.

 

This will not be good for the club as a whole.There must be a solution for the common good of Slough Town FC and ALL it's supporters.

[Wayne_LG]

This is the first time I have posted on here for something like 2 years and felt to do so from Gary's post above.

I look on here quite regular for quick news on the club/team, but why don't I post?

 

From what Gary said...I am one of the old regular posters who stopped.

 

Forums are a good thing.. discussions, views, ideas, etc...you'll get the odd disagreements/arguments and different opinions, it's a good thing, a very good thing, healthy. Every forum will have it's eternal optimists, the doom and gloomers, win one game we're world beaters but lose the next hell will open up...

 

But what has gone on in recent times especially the last year has just become comical, even embarrassing. It can be like a nursery. Half the reason I regularly look on here is if I'm having a bad day at work I'll pop on here to cheer myself up with what gets posted on here!

 

It does damage the club and agree something official should be separated from the unofficial. There is no stopping people using this forum, the whole world knows it's here or easily found.

 

Everyone should realise why, with our fan base, though small, why so few regular fans use this. I saw recently that this forum is the 3rd most posted, but still has few regular posters...why is that?

 

Just my opinion..

[GarySTFC]

I've never been against discussion on this forum about our team and our club and encourage the difference of opinion as it promotes healthy discussion and in turn makes the forum more interesting as a whole. However, that's been far from the case in the last six months especially and it's put a lot of people off unfortunately. However, I'm sure the club will come up with something to promote and encourage discussion whilst at the same time limiting the damage to the clubs profile.

 

As for pleasing everyone, that is impossible. Don't forget, this forum by number of regular STFC posters, wouldn't even constitute 10% of a normal home gate so can't say that it is even covering a majority of supporters any more.

 

It is encouraging to have the fans forum setup for the start of the season with the new management, chairman and Mark Betts and should be considered a much better platform for future debate and discussion so questions can be out directly Into the relevant people and hopefully get rid of all the childish bickering we've seen.

 

Regardless of the outcome, I'm sure the club will do what is best overall. It won't please everyone I'm sure, but there has to be something done to improve the current situation and setup. That will benefit everyone who wants to be involved and discuss sensibly.

[Windsor Rebel]

I spoke to the management committee about distancing this forum from the club last season, and

thankfully they have made the correct decision. The club need to attract new sponsorship and supporters

so hopefully going forward people who consider themselves true fans will think a bit more about

what they post.

[A Rebel and a Saint]

I think its a very sensible move. Too many times last year threads about matches, regardless of the result, turned into pointless discussions which got too personal. Opinion is one thing but these forums should not be used for constant attacks on the team and management and other supporters. Its not surprising that the club wants to distance itself from the forum.

I certainly post on here less than I used to because of the way this keeps happening. This is happening too much and driving away people who just want to support the club regardless of the result leaving a lot of people (not all) who just come on here to moan.

I hope the club can come up with a better plan.