Admin phantom Posted April 25, 2017 Admin Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 Football supporters from the South and South West of the UK joined the EFL at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate last night for the final EFL Fan Forum of the 2016/17 season. The Fan Forums are part of the EFL’s ongoing commitment to engage with supporters across all three divisions, whilst giving supporters the opportunity to hear talks from leading representatives within the game as well as the EFL. Former referee and PGMOL Head of Community and Engagement Chris Foy was joined on stage by Sky Sports Senior Planning Producer for the EFL, Sean Boyle. Both spoke in depth about their respective areas before entering a Q & A session with supporters. Foy spoke first and his interactive presentation provided supporters with an informative look at the role of match officials, highlighting some of the difficulties they face during a game. He also spoke in depth about recent rule changes within the game such as the ‘double jeopardy’ scenario, the new offside rule, handball decisions and dissent towards match officials. At the start of the season each Championship club invested £50,000 to enable Select Group 2 referees to become contracted, with the money helping officials in all areas of training including reviewing decisions, psychology and fitness. Foy’s presentation allowed supporters to get to the heart of refereeing as well as ask important questions about match official’s decisions during a game. Supporters then heard from Sky Sports Senior Producer Sean Boyle, who explained how Sky are looking to enhance their EFL coverage as well as work with the EFL to bring supporters closer to the game. One particular subject is the new ‘five-week commitment’ that has been in place since the start of the season - an initiative to help give clubs and their supporters as much notice as possible ahead of a match selected for live television coverage. During his presentation, Boyle said: “Our EFL coverage is hugely important and we endeavour to try and put the EFL, its players, clubs and supporters at centre stage.” Supporters in attendance also heard from the EFL’s Director of Communications Mark Rowan and the EFL’s Competitions Manager Paul Snellgrove, who spoke in detail about EFL fixture selection and the working relationship between Sky and the EFL. The evening then concluded with an open Q & A session between supporters and the panellists which led to plenty of questions for the EFL and Chris Foy, including questions which led to discussions on goal-line technology and video referees. Supporters in attendance at Ashton Gate left with an improved understanding on various EFL topics of discussion, with one supporter saying: “Tonight’s session has given us plenty of food for thought. It was interesting to get some background to the fixture compilation and refereeing as well as meet fans from other local clubs. “It’s important that the EFL is listening to our feedback as fans and I’ve come away with a better understanding of some of the complex issues that I might not have known about before.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin phantom Posted April 25, 2017 Author Admin Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 Did anyone go? Did anyone know about it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meh Posted April 26, 2017 Report Share Posted April 26, 2017 No and no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UREDS_91 Posted April 26, 2017 Report Share Posted April 26, 2017 We've paid 50k for that standard of refereeing? I'd want my money back! The standard in the EFL is shocking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exAtyeoMax Posted April 26, 2017 Report Share Posted April 26, 2017 I didn't know about it… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoons Posted April 26, 2017 Report Share Posted April 26, 2017 Didn't go, did know about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotswoldRed Posted April 26, 2017 Report Share Posted April 26, 2017 Did they mention why their coverage is little more than a 3 or 4 club love-in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taz Posted April 26, 2017 Report Share Posted April 26, 2017 Ok fair enough I'm not in Bristol anymore, but was this advertised anywhere? If they're trying to raise the profile then surely they need to advertise the fact that things like this are taking place? If it was advertised, they didn't do a very good job of it!! Something like this someone would have picked up on and posted about it. Someone like NTTDS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View from the Dolman Posted April 26, 2017 Report Share Posted April 26, 2017 8 hours ago, phantom said: Did anyone go? Did anyone know about it? No and yes, I saw Exeter City were asking for fans to represent them. No idea who the club selected to represent us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin phantom Posted April 26, 2017 Author Admin Report Share Posted April 26, 2017 12 minutes ago, Taz said: Ok fair enough I'm not in Bristol anymore, but was this advertised anywhere? If they're trying to raise the profile then surely they need to advertise the fact that things like this are taking place? If it was advertised, they didn't do a very good job of it!! Something like this someone would have picked up on and posted about it. Someone like NTTDS? That was who I thought of, @Never to the dark side did you go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dollymarie Posted April 26, 2017 Report Share Posted April 26, 2017 3 minutes ago, phantom said: That was who I thought of, @Never to the dark side did you go? He was there. I saw him in one of the pictures on the EFL twitter feed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Never to the dark side Posted April 26, 2017 Report Share Posted April 26, 2017 In all honesty, I went there with an open mind and the guy from Sky was explaining why they change match's for live coverage with a five week notice period. The former ref was very good though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted April 26, 2017 Report Share Posted April 26, 2017 3 hours ago, streety_bcfc said: We've paid 50k for that standard of refereeing? I'd want my money back! The standard in the EFL is shocking. It is but ultimately we've no game without them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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