Having Carefully Read All Of The Messages About The Supporters Trust:

[Guest leanne_bcfc]

The Supporters Trust is a load of rubbish and run by a load of power hungry control freaks.

Discuss:

[Swindon Hater]

IMO they are a yes group.

Instead of standing up to the club and saying, the forum users should know what is going on.

"Yes Mr Lansdown" is the reply.

[Frank Reynolds]

The Supporters Trust is a load of rubbish and run by a load of power hungry control freaks.

Discuss:

Yes, having met Jay, Dollymarie and a few of the other working party for the Supporter's Trust, I can indeed confirm that their plan is world domination.

[Sirben]

Well i havent read all the details but it does seem the general opinion is swaying towards this. It does seem to be breaking into 2 groups though, the Supporters trust vs otib members not in the ST.

Disclaimer*

Obviously i am not making any suggestions that these people are power hungry control freaks as i do not know the ins and outs so it would be unfair for me to comment.

[The Man In Black]

I don't believe that they are a power hungry group by any stretch of the imagination.

I just believe that current affairs could be a huge PR disaster for them when they are still a fledgling organisation.

[M_Porter]

i would agree which is a shame as i thought the s.t. would be a good thing but of course it is only as good as the people running it and on the form or this lot in here the quicker it crashes the better, it will take alot now to sway me,and before you all start on me i have been to thier open meetings etc and have heard them all so i do know what I'm talking about

[Moth Eaten Pillow]

The Supporters Trust is a load of rubbish and run by a load of power hungry control freaks.

Discuss:

Be carefull what you say leanne, remember they have the power

[M_Porter]

Disclaimer*

Obviously i am not making any suggestions that these people are power hungry control freaks as i do not know the ins and outs so it would be unfair for me to comment.

:Laugh4:

says it all really having to put that in the post

[Dinky Gems]

I feel that there may be a whole lot of stereo typing going on here today. Like ive seen posted already, its become a huge Them and Us situation. Thats not why many people are on this forum I am sure?

[gazareth]

i would agree which is a shame as i thought the s.t. would be a good thing but of course it is only as good as the people running it and on the form or this lot in here the quicker it crashes the better, it will take alot now to sway me,and before you all start on me i have been to thier open meetings etc and have heard them all so i do know what I'm talking about

The fact that your opinions will be well away from the trust is a great comfort to me.

[CiderHider]

The Supporters Trust is a load of rubbish and run by a load of power hungry control freaks.

Discuss:

Thats a bit harsh really and pritty ignorant, the ST is well meaning and many fans devote a lot of their own time to it, how do you contribute?

I'm not a member of the ST, but i would feel pritty hurt by your comments if i was.

Most of them of just ordinary City fans just trying to help the club, i really don't see why there is all this hysteria anyways, what a stupid post you've made!

[SE23Red]

I don't believe that they are a power hungry group by any stretch of the imagination.

I just believe that current affairs could be a huge PR disaster for them when they are still a fledgling organisation.

Just about sums up where I am on this at the moment. I'd have said the number one goal of a fledgling ST would be to be seen to represent a broad constituency of fans as quickly as possible. I can see why taking on OTIB would be seen as a very appealing step in that direction but they have let themselves down badly in the execution.

This handover was always going to be 'political', if only for the reason that everything on here is. To not see that, and to not be able to deal with the most simple questions seem to me to be basic errors.

If they learn from this then I'm sure they'll be an important part of the landscape of supporting BCFC in the future, but more bad judgement and PR own goals and they'll seem every bit as much of a clique as the Supporters Club to the common fan.

[Dinky Gems]

Thats a bit harsh really and pritty ignorant, the ST is well meaning and many fans devote a lot of their own time to it, how do you contribute?

I'm not a member of the ST, but i would feel pritty hurt by your comments if i was.

Most of them of just ordinary City fans just trying to help the club, i really don't see why there is all this hysteria anyways, what a stupid post you've made!

I agree, i really don't like the way this has become rather personal. Surly we are all on the forum for the same reasons? Our club, the club we all say we are so passionate about, yet we are willing to sterotype people who are passionate about the same club as power hungery. Theres no need! xxx

[i_am_red]

I'm not sure really, i feel people are being a bit harsh on them, but i also have a bad feeling this could turn into a bit of a power thang. Prove me wrong guys, prove me wrong

[The Man In Black]

I agree, i really don't like the way this has become rather personal. Surly we are all on the forum for the same reasons? Our club, the club we all say we are so passionate about, yet we are willing to sterotype people who are passionate about the same club as power hungery. Theres no need! xxx

Maybe it is our reservations which will keep them in check, and prevent it from becoming a 'power'hungry' thing which i_am_read is concerned about?

In that case the criticism is constructive...

[RedTop]

Leanne, Swindon Hater, pub3000:

Did you go to the launch evening where the aims and methods of the St were set out?

[Dinky Gems]

That maybe, but i feel that the opening comment on this thread is rather unfair. The person who actually added the comment has only been on the forum for a couple of weeks, many people have been on here for years and would never judge a group of fellow fans to all be power hungry . I just feel it has become a little personal thats all xx

[i_am_red]

Personally i agree with MIB that its could be a bad pr move yet it could also be a good one, how they respond to this little hiccup will be a good indicator for the future. Christ i don't have talk some crap

[richwwtk]

I don't think that the ST are power hungry, have ulterior motives or want anything other than the best for Bristol City FC.

My problem with the Supporters trust is that it is going to become known as, and accepted by the club as 'The Voice Of The Fans'. This is all well and good, but what happens when your view is opposed to that of the majority of the ST? The pure fact that the ST exists means that the views of anybody not within this organisation is going to be seen as even less valid than they are now.

In other words, it seems to me that by joining the ST, you are effectively paying to have even less clout than you have now if you happen to be of the minority opinion. If you are of the majority opinion, then the voice of the supporters as a whole (as has been proved on this forum in the past) will have a big bearing on how the club operates, ST or no ST.

[PhatWill]

Leanne, Swindon Hater, pub3000:

Did you go to the launch evening where the aims and methods of the St were set out?

I did and still have to question some of the motives of these Supporters Trusts. Look at where we are now in terms of financial backing and look at where we could be.

Bournemouth and Stockport County are two clubs I'd look at (both mostly owned by the fans) and think; is this really what we want?

[BCAGFC]

Although all my meetings with board members of BCFC were 15-20 years ago you have to very strong to get your point across and even then if it doesn't suit their plans they will disregard it so until the ST actually put money into the club and get an executive seat on the board it will always be a yes group just like the FCF.

BCAGFC

[Meh]

As stated previously, dark forces grow more powerful.

Reserved I am. Confused I am. Impotent I feel.

[Dastardly and Muttley]

Having just been paid, and remembering my promise in a previous thread to join the ST when this happened, I'm off to the website to subscribe now.

I do this with the intentions of helping a Trust that in the long run I believe will be of GREAT benefit to this club, once people realise their intentions and get used to the change.

I believe that the shock and sudden transition of OTIB has concerned many, and alongside the removal of the Ask SL forum has led to a few conspiracy rumours about the club distancing itself. I do not believe that this is the case, but I feel that the ST needs to be transparent and if they are involved in sensitive discussions, such as the ownership of this place then they need to be upfront and honest about it.

Had we all had a week or so to get our heads around this idea, then I'm sure it would have been a much easier transition.

Advice to the new mods - take off anything that could be seen as slander, unbased allegations etc but don't go overboard in the first few weeks, this will only lead to accusations of being on a power trip!

I think that the ST is a new idea, that will take people a bit of time to get used to. It does seem to have the impression of moving very fast at the moment, and not keeping people updated, but as people have said, the transition of this place was down to the club.

I feel that the ST would benefit from having a core of members who are prepared to be forthright with their views and put forward their views, regardless of the official line. I intend to do this in the future, if I feel the ST is making a mistake, I will say so - I will also support them if I feel they're doing the right thing. We all want the same thing in the end!

[Swindon Hater]

Leanne, Swindon Hater, pub3000:

Did you go to the launch evening where the aims and methods of the St were set out?

No.

[M_Porter]

No.

i did and in theory it is good idea and one which i will suport but there are some that think they are now better than you or me which is not the sort of thing that will be good for the S.T and obviously there are some of those mentiond power pratts now in charge here

[Guest OmegaSnake]

why should it matter what 'rules' there are, this is a bristol city fan forum, to talk about bristol city issues etc. atleast they are letting you criticise (sp?)

[Guest CITY BOY DAVE]

where's the ask sl gone????

[RedTop]

where's the ask sl gone????

I don't want to be the one to break it to you, but The Beatles have also split up and someone's shot Kennedy.

i did and in theory it is good idea and one which i will suport but there are some that think they are now better than you or me which is not the sort of thing that will be good for the S.T and obviously there are some of those mentiond power pratts now in charge here

1. If you think that the people speaking on behalf of the membership of the ST (and that is who they represent, so their credibility or otherwise will be based on what percentage of fans sign up to back the ST as their 'voice') are acting as if they are better than me and you, and if people agree with you, then you can vote them out. That's the beauty of it.

2. Calling them pratts is not very clever. It still wouldn't look clever even if you spelt it right. Slinging personal like that at them is not only unjust, it's against the spirit of this forum.

[Guest Ron]

it's against the spirit of this forum.

6 months ago I would have agreed with you

[Meh]

6 months ago George Best was alive, Marcus Stewart was the new messiah and I had never experienced thrush.

Times change.

Unfortunately, not always for the better (unless of course your Alex Best). Hey-ho!

[M_Porter]

6 months ago George Best was alive, Marcus Stewart was the new messiah and I had never experienced thrush.

Times change.

Unfortunately, not always for the better (unless of course your Alex Best). Hey-ho!

the force is truely strong in you i will give you that

[Guest Ron]

the force is truely strong in you i will give you that

It would appear this force has come from being dropped on the head repeatedly

[tompo]

I don't want to be the one to break it to you, but The Beatles have also split up and someone's shot Kennedy.

1. If you think that the people speaking on behalf of the membership of the ST (and that is who they represent, so their credibility or otherwise will be based on what percentage of fans sign up to back the ST as their 'voice') are acting as if they are better than me and you, and if people agree with you, then you can vote them out. That's the beauty of it.

2. Calling them pratts is not very clever. It still wouldn't look clever even if you spelt it right. Slinging personal like that at them is not only unjust, it's against the spirit of this forum.

It appears that some people are questioning the motives of the ST and in particular, the caretaker board that is currently running it.

Elections for the board of the ST will be held soon (sometime in May I believe). Details of the elections will be sent to members soon. Any member can stand for election and where better to affect change than from within. It will be interesting to see how many people put their names forward.

Irrespective of where you stand on this issue surely we all want what is best for Bristol City, although having read some of the threads on this and other forums today perhaps that is not really the case and I am deluding myself.

I can assure any ST doubters or prospective members that there is no hidden agenda, despite what some people will have you believe. It does not matter if you have joined the ST or not, we are all supposed to be Bristol City fans and presumably we all want what is best for both the club and its fans. Just for once can't we at least try and sing from the same song sheet? If that is too much too ask for let us try and have one day without trying to spot a conspiracy around every corner.

To avoid any confusion although I am a member of the working party currently running the ST these are my opinions and mine alone.

[richwwtk]

As I said before, I have no problems at all with the motives of the Supporters Trust. It's just that the Trust will be seen as the Fans Opinion and anybody thinking any differently to the ST line will not be listened to at all.

[RedTop]

As I said before, I have no problems at all with the motives of the Supporters Trust. It's just that the Trust will be seen as the Fans Opinion and anybody thinking any differently to the ST line will not be listened to at all.

As I have said, the trust will only be listened to if they are seen to represent the fans. Like any organisation, whether it be a political party, lobby group or even newspaper, they are only as powerful and as credible as the strength of their support. If City supporters decide they are not worthy of their support, and the membership is little more than a clique representing a tiny minority of fans, then that is how they will be perceived by the board. That is why the Supporters' Club is not in a position to truly represent the fans - because it has no mandate.

The ST's mandate comes from popular support - i.e. from the ST being able to demonstrate to the club from its membership that when it is speaking, it is speaking with the backing of thousands of supporters who care enough to donate money to them every month. That mandate will be strengthened after elections because SteveL and the board will know they are talkign to someone who has been selected to best represent the views and interests of the fans.

The problem will inevitably come if and when a divisive issue on which the fans are genuinely split arises. For instance, say the board announces that it wants to move to a new council-owned superstadium. Half the fans are for it, and half are against. It would surely be impossible in such an instance for the ST to honestly represent the 'views' of the fans. However, in reality this will be a rarity over a long period and on day-to-day issues it can surely only be a good thing to have input of fans provided the person/people doing it remember they are there purely as a mouthpiece for a wider group, not as an individual.

And remember, if they get too big for their boots it will be up to the membership to remove them from their boots!

[Guest CITY BOY DAVE]

I don't want to be the one to break it to you, but The Beatles have also split up and someone's shot Kennedy.

Well ask SL was there last week only wanted 2 know why it's gone???

[tompo]

i would agree which is a shame as i thought the s.t. would be a good thing but of course it is only as good as the people running it and on the form or this lot in here the quicker it crashes the better, it will take alot now to sway me,and before you all start on me i have been to thier open meetings etc and have heard them all so i do know what I'm talking about

If you think that the ST is a good thing but is only as good as the people running it then why not put yourself forward for election to the ST board. No place like the inside for changing things.

[Guest swindlered]

I did and still have to question some of the motives of these Supporters Trusts. Look at where we are now in terms of financial backing and look at where we could be.

Bournemouth and Stockport County are two clubs I'd look at (both mostly owned by the fans) and think; is this really what we want?

Bournemouth and Stockport were clubs in crisis, crippled by debt and with no-one else wanting them. Without the fans having got together to raise the money to keep them afloat its questionable whether they'd still be in existence.

The choice in these cases is whether to have a club with a heavy fan influence or no club.

[tompo]

Bournemouth and Stockport were clubs in crisis, crippled by debt and with no-one else wanting them. Without the fans having got together to raise the money to keep them afloat its questionable whether they'd still be in existence.

The choice in these cases is whether to have a club with a heavy fan influence or no club.

No club but I bet they would have a cracking forum. Full of people moaning - about not having a club.

[numbeast]

Today is the first day the supporters trust has run this forum and I can't personally see a lot of difference. As for the trust in the long term who knows but at least give it a chance, these people are giving up their time freely, are their motives good or bad? So far I haven't seen anything bad myself. Let us allow time to be the judge and give them and the new home for the forum a chance. BTW I am not a member of the trust as I want to see where it goes first.

[Guest Simon Lambley]

I have to say i have joined the trust ,

because i wanted to put something in and do something for the club,

Reading this post, if nothing else has made me realise why SL dropped his forum.

How many other chairmen take time to answer questions from the fans on a regular basis ? Not many.

But that didn't stop people abusing him or clubs Answers, And that is wear we seem to be going with the trust.

People trying to do something for the fans and once again getting slated , Since i have been on this

forum , and it hasn't been as long as some, probally a season.

I have watched the forum move from debate to just abuse, about almost everything , Some people on here have more fun slating ,than debating .

Maybe these people get off on saying and acting in a way they can't in real society.

Because a quite innocent remark can be savaged for no real reason at least not one of debate,

If some of the things said on here were said to my face while out ,

Well the end result would be a lot more final

[Dinky Gems]

I have to say i have joined the trust ,

because i wanted to put something in and do something for the club,

Reading this post, if nothing else has made me realise why SL dropped his forum.

How many other chairmen take time to answer questions from the fans on a regular basis ? Not many.

But that didn't stop people abusing him or clubs Answers, And that is wear we seem to be going with the trust.

People trying to do something for the fans and once again getting slated , Since i have been on this

forum , and it hasn't been as long as some, probally a season.

I have watched the forum move from debate to just abuse, about almost everything , Some people on here have more fun slating ,than debating .

Maybe these people get off on saying and acting in a way they can't in real society.

Because a quite innocent remark can be savaged for no real reason at least not one of debate,

If some of the things said on here were said to my face while out ,

Well the end result would be a lot more final

I couldnt have put it better myself! xxx

[lukejones2]

Firstly, hi to all. I am currently in the process of moving home and as such have very limited access to the 'net for a short period of time. This is the only thread I have had time in work to read over the last few days and as such I hope you will forgive me if I do not respond to any queries on what I am about to say as promptly as I would like.

Without wishing to go into the detail of specific posts above, the original post is an interesting one. To suggest that the ST is run by people who are power hungry etc. gets me thinking that perhaps you aren't aware of the people running the organisation and the work that they do?

I myself am a member of the ST and I am fairly heavily involved in running the Trust. Yes I give up my time freely and I appreciate that being pointed out above although I must say that I don't do so for any form of reverence. I help because I really think the Trust movement can be a good thing for this club. In fact, looking at the Trust movement nationally it is fair to say that it has assisted a number of clubs to varying degrees and has only ever been a bad thing when the group becomes divided/devisive. Neither of these outcomes are what we would hope to see and we are all working extremely hard to try and make sure this doesn't happen.

In fact, is there really any "power" involved with running the Trust? I have not thought about it in detail but I don't think I have any power whatsoever. As an acting board member it is my duty to act in the interests of the members at all times and to represent their opinions. Surely that means the power is with the members? Also, with elections being planned for May, an elected board will be appointed which I may or may not be a part of. Either way, the power to make that decision is with the members...

Might I suggest that people do a little research on the Trust if they have not done so already and then, if there are still concerns, I would be happy to answer them here, in the ground (Dolman Block E, row T, seat 18/19), by PM, by telephone (PM me for a number), or by any other method you may choose..... I am not the only one. There are a good dozen people regularly attending meetings and working for the good of the Trust. It is hard work, it is overly political at times such as now, it is frustrating and at times it is boring but at that launch night, and in times to come I know that it has been and will be extremely rewarding.

As for the running of the ST, the Trust made the decision to take it on because we feel it would be good for three parties: -

1 = The fans. The forum was no longer to be kept by the club and they were looking for someone to take it on, surely there are far worse people than a fan run organisation?

2 = The ST. Running this board has given the Trust publicicy and allowed the ethics/work/running/board of the Trust to be debated. Debate is always a good thing.

3 = The club. Taking this on from the Club in the long term will save the club a substantial amount of money but more importantly a substantial amount of time. I hope that this enables them to channel more resources into the areas which matter most to the fans (ie the playing side) without the fans suffering from any loss of service on here.

I am sorry if I have missed any points but feel free to respond. Thanks for the opportunity to debate this - it may not have been the most constructive of original posts but is certainly not something which should be moderated (as suggested above I believe) as there is no offence caused and it just shows that there are people left to be convinced of our motives & methods.

[Guest i remember dickie rooks]

This forum is just a way of putting out comments, ideas observations etc. It can never be held as a true voice of the fans and never should be. Some of the posts are just deliberatly provocative, or downright silly (and that's just mine).

I use this forum to provoke extreme reactions or have a laugh with fellow City fans, usually by playing devil's advocate or being flippant.

On the other hand, if I wanted to discuss serious matters relating to the running of BCFC, I would look for a different channel, to do this in a formal way. This channel is the Supporters Trust. I do not expect the members to naturally agree with every thing I think, or deem everything that I want to raise as being important. If I felt strongly about the running of the club then I would discuss this through the ST, and put myself up for election if I felt that this view was not being put forward to the club.

I will not, however, remain outside of the ST and slag off those who are trying to forge a communication channel with the board.

p.s. I am not a member of the ST

[Guest hilltop red]

(Dolman Block E, row T, seat 18/19)

you fat ******* !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't read all of the posts on this thread as quite a lot are on my ignore list ! You weren't, but you are now !

Ignorance is bliss they say, but in this case ignorance is just that - ignorant.

You are obviously too lazy to read what the aims and objectives of supporters trusts are - but I am assuming that you actually read on a daily basis.

You have picked up on other ill-informed threads and decided you would post a negative one sentence (I use that term loosely) quote in order to get some sort of buzz (got knows what).

That is the problem with this forum - people like you.

You and your ilk use this forum like some sort of chat room.

Well, hopefully the moderators will get to grips with posts like this and get rid of posters like you.

This aint a chat room, it is meant to be a discussion forum - it was once, before people like you got on here. Hopefully it will get back to as it was in the new regime.

lets play a little game. How many times does cynic contridict himself?

[bucksred]

you fat ******* !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lets play a little game. How many times does cynic contridict himself?

Can I join in? Never.

[Gerry Gows' Tash]

The Supporters Trust is a load of rubbish and run by a load of power hungry control freaks.

Discuss:

Seconded

[lukejones2]

you fat ******* !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually... this is true!! Although what I meant is that I sit in either 18 or 19!! I can't remember which as I changed from one to the other!

[i_am_red]

The Supporters Trust is a load of rubbish and run by a load of power hungry control freaks.

Discuss:

chirts if there power hungry freaks on here imgaine what will happen if they do invest in the club, and get on the board, won't just be getting banned from the forum then will it!