Communication

[John Galley]

I am disappointed by the the lack of communication between the club and supporters this summer, which is causing all these gossip stories on here.

Firstly, the playing situation, the team are now back from Portugal and there is no statements or even interviews to keep us informed, we are losing players and the squad is looking down to the bare bones. According to reports from Torquay and pictures of him at Ashton Gate, we have signed Levi Ives but there has been no announcement from the club, surely that news that should be shared.

Secondly, with the stadium, there are concerns with viewing restrictions and other questions that need answering but again no statements or reassurances from the club.

This lack of communication does not encourage supporters and causes criticism.

"Keeping customers informed is the number one rule of good customer service".

[Show Me The Money!]

What are you expecting them to say? We know they are working on bringing players in. They've even already stated that they are expecting most of their business to be done later in the transfer window. They can't obviously say who they are trying to sign and would be stupid to say who they've tried and failed to sign. They've published numerous videos on the stadium build and updated us on the Portugal tour.

[And Its Smith]

Spend time making videos saying they are struggling to sign players or spend time trying to sign players. What would you prefer.

Do you have to be told its raining to put your coat on?

They are obviously trying to sign players and are finding it hard to get them over the line, for whatever reason. They'd be foolish to reveal the reason so are rightfully keeping quiet.

[Robin1988]

They've been back from Portugal for barely 24 hours, can't they have a day off?

 

The close-season has always been moderately quiet, you can't force the manager into giving an update, and he's hardly likely to when all he can do is dress up bad news (if anyone thinks he's happy with one signing 10 days before the season starts).

 

Levi Ives is one of a number of players to come in for the youth teams who haven't been announced, why is it suddenly now an issue?

[John Galley]

You are obviously one of the few that are easily pleased.

[Barnzy]

I don't think the media team even had a day off after getting back from Portugal - give them a chance!!

I prefer us to be tight lipped until the window is closed, we don't want to give away anything in regards to our budget as that'll see prices inflated

[Robin1988]

You are obviously one of the few that are easily pleased.

Thought-out response, how long did it take you to think of that?

[Selred]

I believe the media team have had a few days off and are back in tomorrow. To be fair they have been in Portugal for 3 weeks without seeing their families, they deserve some time to themselves.

 

We may have not officially announced Ives yet as we may be waiting for it to go through with the FA or still confirming minor details with Torquay and Ives. 

 

In regards with viewing restrictions in the new stand, I only became aware of the picture of the poor view yesterday. Unless mistaken it's been under 24 hours, so they need time to properly look into this.

[Vincent Vega]

You are obviously one of the few that are easily pleased.

Have you emailed the club or rang up and asked...?

[Phileas Fogg]

I would have liked a proper interview about Kodjia, there hasn't been one yet, just a brief comment after the game the other day.

I would also like an proper interview with KB/SC - there hasn't been one yet when there was last season. KB would be more interesting probably, about vision going forward.

It's all well and good the media team making a 25 minute long "countdown" video, but there's a lack of meaningful content this season.

Also, a minor point, compare the graphics of the Kodjia signing to the one Watford made the other day. Looks so much better.

The media team can do a really good job here, their "fun" content is good. What would be useful is some more meaningful stuff.

[CyderInACan]

I would have liked a proper interview about Kodjia, there hasn't been one yet, just a brief comment after the game the other day.

I would also like an proper interview with KB/SC - there hasn't been one yet when there was last season. KB would be more interesting probably, about vision going forward.

It's all well and good the media team making a 25 minute long "countdown" video, but there's a lack of meaningful content this season.

Also, a minor point, compare the graphics of the Kodjia signing to the one Watford made the other day. Looks so much better.

The media team can do a really good job here, their "fun" content is good. What would be useful is some more meaningful stuff.

 

That Kodjia graphic needs to be updated to say "ONLY SIGNING" 

[spudski]

The OP has a very valid point.

 

Let the management get on with signing players etc....but the team who are in charge of communication with fans could learn a lot from other Clubs.

 

I've been reading and watching videos produced by Southampton because of how informative and interesting they are.

 

Make following the Club interesting....and apart of it.

 

Our Club have been good at putting info out about the Stadium....but the football side is poor imho.

 

Great if you want trivia about players pissing about playing quizzes and games....but compare that with Southamptons two part series 'The homecoming'....30 min docs on behind the scenes pre season tours....a very 'transparent' club that makes the fan feel part of it.

 

Half the problems with the discussions on this forum, come from fans lack of awareness of how our club is run, and who does what....it's all guess work.

That's not the fault of the fans...but the Club.

 

There is definitely room for improvement on that side of things.

 

Would love to see a City version of this... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqHYQUVsfn4

[chipdawg]

Steve Lansdown: "Don't worry everyone, there's loads of money to spend and we'll be bringing in some quality players soon"

Clubs in whose players we're interested: "interesting..." <quickly adds a zero to asking price>

[Dave]

Communication this summer has been lacking, everyone is assuming that Levi Ives has signed but as far as I can see there has been no Club statement on this issue.

This has been excused because he is an U21 signing, however with our current squad size how far is this from a place on the bench.

What about Patrick McClean?

I do not expect an interview every day saying we are working hard at bringing in new players, but some clarity on what has happened.

[Robin1988]

The OP has a very valid point.

 

Let the management get on with signing players etc....but the team who are in charge of communication with fans could learn a lot from other Clubs.

 

I've been reading and watching videos produced by Southampton because of how informative and interesting they are.

 

Make following the Club interesting....and apart of it.

 

Our Club have been good at putting info out about the Stadium....but the football side is poor imho.

 

Great if you want trivia about players pissing about playing quizzes and games....but compare that with Southamptons two part series 'The homecoming'....30 min docs on behind the scenes pre season tours....a very 'transparent' club that makes the fan feel part of it.

 

Half the problems with the discussions on this forum, come from fans lack of awareness of how our club is run, and who does what....it's all guess work.

That's not the fault of the fans...but the Club.

 

There is definitely room for improvement on that side of things.

 

Would love to see a City version of this... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqHYQUVsfn4

As someone who's worked in that industry before, you are somewhat limited by the manager's wishes, your number of personnel (Southampton undoubtedly are more blessed than City) and the equipment you have on offer.

[Rocky]

Get a grip. Deary me.

[Drew Peacock]

As someone who's worked in that industry before, you are somewhat limited by the manager's wishes, your number of personnel (Southampton undoubtedly are more blessed than City) and the equipment you have on offer.

 

And your imagination and the culture of the club.

 

But let's face it, any organisation that thinks data cleansing of any new IT system, let alone a customer facing one, can be done after go live and that testing needn't be rigorous is likely to be half baked in other areas.

[Phileas Fogg]

On a more general level there's been a decline in comms since DL decided not to post on here anymore.

The good thing about it was an instant or quick answer to queries that reached a good cross section of support.

It was unfortunate he received the flack for the flag incidents but sometimes feel he came across aloof and condescending which didn't help matters..

[spudski]

Steve Lansdown: "Don't worry everyone, there's loads of money to spend and we'll be bringing in some quality players soon"

Clubs in whose players we're interested: "interesting..." <quickly adds a zero to asking price>

Then why not get the media team to create something that isn't to do with signings....but about the goings on of the Club, apart from building a stadium.

 

I'm a football fan....not a follower of football stadium building.

 

Talk about the Academy, training methods, who does what and how....how the club is run etc.

 

 

As someone who's worked in that industry before, you are somewhat limited by the manager's wishes, your number of personnel (Southampton undoubtedly are more blessed than City) and the equipment you have on offer.

A football manager shouldn't be telling a Club what he wants. Managers come and go.

 

The Club should be telling the manager how they work....and he will fit in with that.

 

We have plenty of personnel...you only have to read the list on the Academy website and Home website.

 

As for equipment...you mean camera, mic and a computer?

 

I was a FGR last night watching WBA under 21's....I witnessed a very proactive media team with cameras, interviewing of managers, owner, players, fans, staff, and game.... it didn't take a lot.

 

Not being funny...but a bit of imagination is all that's needed.

 

Equipment costs bugger all these days.....anyone can film and upload onto Youtube or Vimeo etc.

[Phileas Fogg]

Then why not get the media team to create something that isn't to do with signings....but about the goings on of the Club, apart from building a stadium.

I'm a football fan....not a follower of football stadium building.

Talk about the Academy, training methods, who does what and how....how the club is run etc.

A football manager shouldn't be telling a Club what he wants. Managers come and go.

The Club should be telling the manager how they work....and he will fit in with that.

We have plenty of personnel...you only have to read the list on the Academy website and Home website.

As for equipment...you mean camera, mic and a computer?

I was a FGR last night watching WBA under 21's....I witnessed a very proactive media team with cameras, interviewing of managers, owner, players, fans, staff, and game.... it didn't take a lot.

Not being funny...but a bit of imagination is all that's needed.

Equipment costs bugger all these days.....anyone can film and upload onto Youtube or Vimeo etc.

Exactly, nothing more to add here. There's a lot more they could do, for free!

[Robin1988]

And your imagination and the culture of the club.

Hasn't really got anything to do with the 'culture' of the club. The media team have nothing to do with the ticketing side in general.

 

 

A football manager shouldn't be telling a Club what he wants. Managers come and go.

 

The Club should be telling the manager how they work....and he will fit in with that.

 

We have plenty of personnel...you only have to read the list on the Academy website and Home website.

 

As for equipment...you mean camera, mic and a computer?

 

I was a FGR last night watching WBA under 21's....I witnessed a very proactive media team with cameras, interviewing of managers, owner, players, fans, staff, and game.... it didn't take a lot.

 

Not being funny...but a bit of imagination is all that's needed.

 

Equipment costs bugger all these days.....anyone can film and upload onto Youtube or Vimeo etc.

As someone who works so closely in football I'm surprised you assume managers will ever answer to anyone 'below' them.

 

Look at half of that Southampton footage.

 

Professionally gathered by the various cameras etc. they have on matchdays, and appropriate staff. By League 1 standards, City's operation (I think 3 media staff?) was large but to compare it to an established Premier League club is utterly pointless.

[PHILINFRANCE]

On a more general level there's been a decline in comms since DL decided not to post on here anymore.

The good thing about it was an instant or quick answer to queries that reached a good cross section of support.

It was unfortunate he received the flack for the flag incidents but sometimes feel he came across aloof and condescending which didn't help matters..

 

For the record, I never found DL aloof nor condescending.

 

On the contrary, I always found him extremely helpful and, given the parameters within which he was obliged to work, I think his contribution - frequently late at night and, thus, out of working hours - was commendable.

 

I think we sometimes forget that DL was (is) an employee of the club and, by extension, was/is obliged to toe the company line.

 

Whatever his personal views concerning flags (or even bubbles!), if the club say X, DL is obliged to post X.

 

We may be proud (poetic licence) to have the biggest, loudest, hardest supporters in the league, 'taking' ends throughout the country and spreading terror wherever we go, but the club's corporate image does not support such a view: DL was obliged to follow this view and, on occasion, to warn fans that certain behaviour would not be tolerated.

 

Whatever your views on the messages you received, I should hope that you do not hold DL personally responsible therefor. 

 

Personally, I miss him.

[Phileas Fogg]

For the record, I never found DL aloof nor condescending.

On the contrary, I always found him extremely helpful and, given the parameters within which he was obliged to work, I think his contribution - frequently late at night and, thus, out of working hours - was commendable.

I think we sometimes forget that DL was (is) an employee of the club and, by extension, was/is obliged to toe the company line.

Whatever his personal views concerning flags (or even bubbles!), if the club say X, DL is obliged to post X.

We may be proud (poetic licence) to have the biggest, loudest, hardest supporters in the league, 'taking' ends throughout the country and spreading terror wherever we go, but the club's corporate image does not support such a view: DL was obliged to follow this view and, on occasion, to warn fans that certain behaviour would not be tolerated.

Whatever your views on the messages you received, I should hope that you do not hold DL personally responsible therefor.

Personally, I miss him.

I disagree there, I thought there were occasions he'd reply in a slightly tetchy way that was unnecessary.

Whilst he obviously had a challenging task, I thought there were occasions where he didn't respond in the best way he could.

He was useful though and we miss that direct querying facility' with the club - maybe someone else could step in?

[spudski]

Hasn't really got anything to do with the 'culture' of the club. The media team have nothing to do with the ticketing side in general.

 

 

 

As someone who works so closely in football I'm surprised you assume managers will ever answer to anyone 'below' them.

 

Look at half of that Southampton footage.

 

Professionally gathered by the various cameras etc. they have on matchdays, and appropriate staff. By League 1 standards, City's operation (I think 3 media staff?) was large but to compare it to an established Premier League club is utterly pointless.

Hey fella...I don't 'assume' anything in football.

 

As for managers...like I said they come and go. A Club should be telling a manager what they will do within a Clubs structure and confines.

 

I get the impression SC doesn't particularly like talking to the media or talking in depth.

 

However....there are far more parts to a Club that don't necessarily mean talking to the manager.

 

An imaginative media team, could do some really in depth footage on all aspects of the club.

 

It really doesn't take a lot. 'Professional' footage good enough for watching on Youtube is very easy to do these days.

 

You only have to look at what 'Amateurs' put up on that site, to see what can be done with imagination, a script or questions, as little as a 'Go Pro' for filming, some editing etc.

 

For example....how many videos or interviews have you seen with the backroom staff, what they do in their job, interviews with Academy staff and players, training methods, gym work, scouts etc etc....basically the running of the Club.

 

You only have to read posts on this forum, to see that fans of this Club, have very little knowledge of how we work....and it is not their fault.

Lots of guess work, detective work, googling, supposition etc....

[WTMS]

What are you expecting them to say?

Bristol Sport are considering placing the away support in the Dolman A - B in future. Bristol Sport could explain how fans will be included in these decision making processes ...

This forum formerly had a Q&A section which did serve a quick and direct open purpose, and could be accsessed by thousands of fans easily. Bristol Sport have decided to cease using this facility during a period where it could be expected Bristol Sport and its partner BCFC would be communicating more freely v less with supporters of the FC.

You may doubt the value of the above, but consider this - Bristol Sport consulatations have sometimes been attended by less than fifty people, a lot less. One post on a Q&A can be read by thousands.

[Barrs Court Red]

I wish they'd publish when tickets are going on sale, other than that I'm not sure communication is an issue.

[View from the Dolman]

Hey fella...I don't 'assume' anything in football.

 

As for managers...like I said they come and go. A Club should be telling a manager what they will do within a Clubs structure and confines.

 

I get the impression SC doesn't particularly like talking to the media or talking in depth.

 

However....there are far more parts to a Club that don't necessarily mean talking to the manager.

 

An imaginative media team, could do some really in depth footage on all aspects of the club.

 

It really doesn't take a lot. 'Professional' footage good enough for watching on Youtube is very easy to do these days.

 

You only have to look at what 'Amateurs' put up on that site, to see what can be done with imagination, a script or questions, as little as a 'Go Pro' for filming, some editing etc.

 

For example....how many videos or interviews have you seen with the backroom staff, what they do in their job, interviews with Academy staff and players, training methods, gym work, scouts etc etc....basically the running of the Club.

 

You only have to read posts on this forum, to see that fans of this Club, have very little knowledge of how we work....and it is not their fault.

Lots of guess work, detective work, googling, supposition etc....

Agree with this entirely - there was a podcast out there with our fitness coach Rhys Carr that was an interesting listen. Our club could be doing similar but the media team feels a little stale to me.

[Frenchay Red]

I wish they'd publish when tickets are going on sale, other than that I'm not sure communication is an issue.

An update on the long awaited promotion DVD wouldn't go amiss!

[Phileas Fogg]

Agree with this entirely - there was a podcast out there with our fitness coach Rhys Carr that was an interesting listen. Our club could be doing similar but the media team feels a little stale to me.

Agree - bit of fresh impetus needed.

On a side note; Adam B knows this club like the back of his hand and is well liked by supporters, I've always been pretty impressed with how he responds to queries etc. could he be an option to answer supporter questions and relaying info on here maybe?

[Guest]

Then why not get the media team to create something that isn't to do with signings....but about the goings on of the Club, apart from building a stadium.

 

I'm a football fan....not a follower of football stadium building.

 

Talk about the Academy, training methods, who does what and how....how the club is run etc.

 

 

 

Personally Spud, I think there probably just isn't enough true demand for that sort of thing.

 

I don't doubt your genuine interest in that side of ops but for the average football fan I think it's less to do with the actual content of comms and just an impatience that there are regular comms of any description and/or quality.

 

Like you I would be interested if such a video was published, but I think the lower hanging fruit are things like the player's quizzes and I can appreciate why a media department of a football club - I can only assume how busy they are, but I imagine it's v tough - would pursue that rather than something of substance.