full-time

[American FLEET FAN No1]

Consumer Firms don't rely on Customers???,,,,Seems a strange philosophy to me!

[FleetFanatic]

What he means is although the companies do rely of the consumer to keep them in business, it doesn't give the consumer the right to demand how the business is run.

 

The consumer, if they don't like the ethics, can choose to go elsewhere.

[Guest]

I can’t believe what I’m reading here.

 

What kind of moron would honestly compare a football supporter to somebody shopping in a super market?

 

First off supporters love their football clubs, while going shopping is a chore. People don’t have the option of changing their football clubs where as if I don’t like a certain aspect of my local supermarket whether it be the prices or the layout then I simply won’t go there again. I don’t own a Safeway scarf or a Sainsbury season ticket, and to be honest have no loyalty to these places whatsoever.

 

Football supporters do have the right to know how there club is run. The Manchester United’s of this world have been lucky with the creation of the Premier League, Sky Television and Far Eastern merchandise sales, all coming along at once, filling their pockets so they have become more of a business than a club and thus alienated many of there most loyal and genuine supporters in favour of money from ‘new’ supporters.

 

If GNFC think that they can adopt this attitude, that the fan on the terraces doesn’t count and that it’s shareholders who matter most then there in for a shock.

[FleetFanatic]

You're missing the point. As a season ticket holder, or a person paying on the day, all you have is the right to watch your team play & support them - win, lose or draw.

 

You're claiming a right to demand how the club is run.

 

If you want that, go and ask Brian Kilcullen how much he's prepared to sell the club for.

[Guest]

If that’s the clubs official statement on this then let’s see if they’ve got the balls to print that in the program or announce it at half-time to the supporters. I can tell you for a fact that there are hundreds of GNFC supporters who don’t share the clubs attitude on this. It’s out season ticket money and gate money which has kept this club afloat. Players, managers and directors come and go. It’s the fans that have always been here. Let’s see how cocky the club when word gets out that the clubs official line is “pay up, sit-down, shut up. You don’t deserve a say your only supporters”. I tell you what this has made me livid, and I really can’t be arsed with renewing my ST if this is the crap the club thrown back in our faces.

[David Holden]

Where did anyone say this was a statement by the club?

 

I was merely voicing my own views on the so called right to run the club, you are free to disagree as much as you like, after all that's what the Forum is for.

[Guest]

Quote:

David Holden said:
So the answer is simple if you want to have a say, buy some shares, I'm pretty sure that there are still some available.

I don’t want shares thanks! I’m not one of the prawn sandwich brigades.
What about all the parents and children who go to games? Daddy, I’d like the new Fleet shirt and a couple of hundred shares for Christmas. They’re the future supporters of the club. Alienate them now with this corporate suit attitude and what’s going to make them want to come back year after year.

How much money do you think people have eh? Season tickets, club shirts, money spent in the bar, travelling to and from matches, a match program, and refreshments in the ground. What about if people have to pay for their children as well? Just because these people can’t afford to be able to purchase ‘X’ amount of shares as well, does their commitment and loyalty count for nothing?

[Hempstead Gaz]

Anon has a good point. I simply cannot afford a season ticket (£150 ish) in one hit at the same time as our family holiday. I therefore have to spend £10 a time. Certainly I cannot afford shares, although I am a trust member.

[JimGNFC]

The Clubs made no such statement have they?

 

It always amazes me how passionate fans are about their football club - yet in reality as "individuals" we have literally no say in the running of a Football Club. This applies to the majority of Clubs - not just GNFC. Teams such as AFC Wimbledon that is run by the fans are rare indeed.

 

For example - when Liam was appointed manager did the Club hold a Fans referendum first? No - becuase the fans don't run the Club as individuals we just help supplement the running costs.

 

Instead of the "supermarket" anology how about comparing football to going to the cinema. You go to the cinema to be entertained and then leave. Well football is the same isn't it?

 

If you want your views on a subject to be noted by the people running the football Club you have a number of options open to you:

 

a) Post on this forum. I'm sure Club representatives read the comments but due to all the moaners (I probably fall under this category) don't take too much notice. There was a time when Andy Ford posted on here so clearly it used to be a good way of voicing your opinion. Not so much now though.

 

Join the "Fleet Trust" (Does the Trust have representation on the Board yet?). If sufficient supporters share a common view on an issue the "Fleet Trust" can convey this to the Club.

 

c) Buying shares in the Club and making your views known at the Club AGM.

 

d) Buy a seat on the Board and have your say. How much would a seat on the Board cost? 5-10K? It probably also works like "the old boy network" whereby you have to get your face known first before you are asked to join the Board.

 

There are probably quite a few fleet fans that could afford to join the Board but probaly don't want the hassle that goes with it. I remember reading an article in the programme last year about how Jason Botely (vice chairman) had to organise getting the tickets printed for the Notts County FA Cup game so I guess its not just a case of throwing money at the Club.

[American FLEET FAN No1]

Quote:

FleetFanatic said:
What he means is although the companies do rely of the consumer to keep them in business, it doesn't give the consumer the right to demand how the business is run.

The consumer, if they don't like the ethics, can choose to go elsewhere.

Having worked for a Consumer based firm, that is BS.....Firms spend large sums of money on Consumer Research, and take notice of what the Consumer wants....Otherwise they would soon go out of business with the "Let them go elsewhere attitude."
The whole point of being in business is beating the Competition, by giving the Customer what they want.

[Alan W (GNFC)]

In that case, you just have to win the league every year - as thats what fans want !!

[FleetFanatic]

Quote:

AmericanFLEETFANNo1 said:

Quote:

FleetFanatic said:
What he means is although the companies do rely of the consumer to keep them in business, it doesn't give the consumer the right to demand how the business is run.

The consumer, if they don't like the ethics, can choose to go elsewhere.

Having worked for a Consumer based firm, that is BS.....Firms spend large sums of money on Consumer Research, and take notice of what the Consumer wants....Otherwise they would soon go out of business with the "Let them go elsewhere attitude."
The whole point of being in business is beating the Competition, by giving the Customer what they want.

Consumer research is carried out in an entirely different manner to joe public demanding how a company is run. Behind the scenes decisions are made, not all are made public.

I thought that I would clarify your response.

[American FLEET FAN No1]

Ok..i didn't mean the public ran the company, but they have a say through there purchases as to company policy.

[American FLEET FAN No1]

Thats why i used to get pestered at the bottom of Parrock Street to go try anything from Washing Up Liquid to Ice Cream and Lager..........Though i quite enjoyed the last two!

[Wobbly Wayne rides again]

So did the board , appointed by us shareholders, make their decision on full time status for next season ?

 

I presume not as no announcement..

[Harry J Allstars]

Funnily enough I was going to type something at the bottom of my analogy that Football Clubs are like Supermarkets post. It went like this the views expressed in this post are not the oppinion of the board, it's members or it's shareholders, but I didn't think anyone would be that stupid to believe that they ever were. Then again we are dealing with some very stupid people who can't even find the registered button.

[Slartibartfast]

Quote:

JimGNFC said:
d) Buy a seat on the Board and have your say. How much would a seat on the Board cost? 5-10K? It probably also works like "the old boy network" whereby you have to get your face known first before you are asked to join the Board.

During the half time interview at the Northwich match Brian Kilcullen said that thare were several people (presumably the directors) who are donating money to the club each season.

I suspect that while a one off purchase of some shares might help the club a longer term commitment would be needed to buy a seat on the board. You will probably not only be kissing your money goodbuy but also any spare time you currently have too.

I think the curent board are doing a tremendous job but that is just my opinion which as a fan counts for very little.....quite right too because I know bugger all about running a football club.

[Hirsty]

Hmmmm...have to agree with Starti ( again !) on this one.

 

Brian seems quite an aimiable chap...I am sure he wouldn't mind explaining the role of the Chairman & Board of Directors, and the financial commitments they have to make, if only you asked him ?

 

As for £5-10k commitment...think you may find it takes a bit more than that....so start saving up Jim ( only joking ).....

 

...but seriously, if you want to know more, why not e-mail Brian at the club ?

 

Cheers,

[Guest]

Quote:

Harry J Allstars said:
Then again we are dealing with some very stupid people who can't even find the registered button.

Don't let your mouth run away with you eh fella. You don't know me personally and even though I've chosen not to register that doesn’t automatically make me a very ‘stupid person'.

Of course I know that the board haven’t made an official statement…what club has ever released a statement saying that the views from the fans on how the club is run are now irrelevant? None. They keep these things nice and quiet and bring about these changes gradually.

How do you know what is the opinion of the board or it’s members? Did they ring you up and tell you? You haven’t got a clue what they think.

[chris blanc]

Quote:

JimGNFC said:

Instead of the "supermarket" anology how about comparing football to going to the cinema. You go to the cinema to be entertained and then leave. Well football is the same isn't it?

I have been to the cinema twice and walked out of bad films halfway through. Both times I got my money back and got free entry to a different film.

Not that this really has anything to do with anything, just thought I'd add it.