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Post by casper on Nov 22, 2020 22:44:33 GMT
Episode 7 is now available
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Post by ahad43 on Nov 23, 2020 10:45:49 GMT
Another good pod, cheers guys although I get the feeling the level of 'towing the party line' is growing a little!
In the previous pod it was mentioned there have been one or two meetings between Lawrence and Leigh, SBYS and the Trust, and 'the club were very apologetic about not getting the supporters involved in the new badge.' Why haven't the club been more public in their apology then, rather than trying to ram the new badge down everyone's throats?
The suggestion that the club's new media content is 'about keeping fans connected with players' was interesting
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euclid
Saints Reserve Team Player
Posts: 459
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Post by euclid on Dec 3, 2020 20:37:31 GMT
A very interesting Episode 8 !!
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Post by notsorecentconvert on Dec 3, 2020 21:39:08 GMT
That is very interesting. Thanks for posting the link.
What a bizarre stance from the club towards a voluntary organisation set up to raise money to directly contribute to their playing budget. Interesting that the crux of the issue seems to be Levy's desire to get his hands on the email addresses of people who had contributed – presumably to cut out the middle man and tap people up directly for donations?
I have to say, I would be far, far more likely to donate to a group set up by supporters than directly to a club (any club) because their independence performs a key function in terms of checks and balances. If the club suddenly veers in a direction that supporters dislike they can withhold the voluntary donations for one thing.
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Post by casper on Dec 3, 2020 22:22:15 GMT
As always with the club in recent times, this 'approach' by the club/owners is going to backfire and just alienate supporters even more.
If I'm voluntarily donating additional funds to any organisation, I expect them to be open and transparent about what it's being spent on. I would also expect the organisation to be open, fair and approachable by anyone, to which Standby Your Saints have been.
Sadly, our club is going further in the opposite direction with a lack of transparency on it's decisions and zero consultation with the supporters. This inner circle of 'yes' men are spineless and won't face up to what is happening to the club.
If the club setup a similar funding method to SBYS, would the money be used as additional funds to the existing budgets or be used to reduce the amount the owners put into the club each year?
The owners are merely the current custodians of a club which emotionally belongs to the supporters and residents of St Albans. They seem to have forgotten this fundamental point. 2020 has been dreadful year for many many supporters and looks like it will end on yet another low for St Albans City FC.
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euclid
Saints Reserve Team Player
Posts: 459
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Post by euclid on Dec 3, 2020 23:01:19 GMT
Found this latest turn of events very sinister as well as been completely unlawful. Trying to breach GDPR rules for one is a serious offence nowadays !! It does sound like the Club want to run this themselves, but why do it in an underhand way? As was mentioned in the podcast, couldn't they discuss it over a pint, rather than resort to threatening e-mails !! SBYS has raised over £35k for the Club and they get treated with utter contempt by the owners. I'd say let them try it and see how much they raise. I expect many will now say your not getting any more from me.
I wonder where this leaves the Supporters Trust now? I hope they're not the next one on the hitlist?
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hoofit
Saints Youth Team Player
Posts: 191
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Post by hoofit on Dec 4, 2020 9:23:30 GMT
Terrible turn of events. Why the need to alienate supporters?
Many of us will continue to attend matches / watch the stream as we support SACFC but volunteer and donate to the Club's funds - not a chance now.
Sad day.
But in the future... Owners come and go, we'll still be supporters of SACFC and hopefully return to a community centred club with all welcomed.
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albanian
Saints Reserve Team Player
Posts: 372
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Post by albanian on Dec 4, 2020 9:57:52 GMT
Typical greed from the owners. They want the money from supporters with none of the accountability. Feels a bit like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. Can't imagine there'll be many supporters willing to donate directly to the club.
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Post by citycentresaint on Dec 4, 2020 12:37:21 GMT
Getting to the point where a breakaway team should be set up.
Would allow a clean break from the spineless yes men.
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Post by saint68 on Dec 4, 2020 12:59:01 GMT
Setting up a breakaway team is an option of course, but personally I think it’s too early for that, for several reasons.
Firstly, where would the new club play? Maybe a ground share with one of the South Midlands League Premier Division clubs in the area would do for a year or two, but none are anywhere near the heart of the City, which it would have to be to attract supporters. Secondly, how many fans would defect from the Saints to watch a team in the Herts County League or at best in the lower divisions of the South Midlands League? Lastly, what would happen if our current owners decide to sell in the next few years? Would most of the new club’s volunteers and supporters return to the Saints?
My own feeling is to see how things go, although I’m not holding my breath waiting for a significant change in the owners current attitudes.
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hoofit
Saints Youth Team Player
Posts: 191
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Post by hoofit on Dec 4, 2020 16:46:14 GMT
And we thought Gibbo was bad!
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Post by bowsaint on Dec 4, 2020 21:05:11 GMT
Another great podcast and a huge thanks to Dave, Lee and Jake.
In my opinion the podcast is by far the best thing about this club at the moment. I live over 120 miles from St Albans now and haven’t been able to get to home games regularly for over 4 years, but until recently (really the start of last season post price rise) my enthusiasm for the club had never waned.
The price rise (and the reaction to it by our owners, including the rejection of Ian Ridley’s offer), the ditching of the club badge without consultation with fans, the attitude towards local media, the disrespect shown towards long standing fans and now the obvious discarding of SBYS has really soured my support for the club. I’ve bought an unofficial club shirt and on principle didn’t consider buying a home match live stream which would have been inconceivable a couple of years ago.
The owners seemed positive on their arrival and some of the community work with schools and developing awareness of the club has been good. But why is this being thrown away and what is the motive behind this? Why are the owners disrespecting a large number of long standing supporters, including fund generating voluntary supporters groups? And why was the price rise, when it demonstrably had a negative impact on the fan base and revenue, not reversed?
How have we got to a position where many, many fans are far more ambivalent than would ordinarily be the case for a an unbeaten start to the league season?
These are genuine questions and I’d be interested to properly understand this from supporters of the current regime. Because whilst at the moment the club superficially looks good in terms of the league table and glitzy social media posting, it seems to me that the soul and foundation of the club are being ripped apart.
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Post by saint68 on Dec 4, 2020 21:47:42 GMT
Well said Bowsaint. I think you speak for many of us!
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Post by citycentresaint on Dec 5, 2020 0:43:11 GMT
Another great podcast and a huge thanks to Dave, Lee and Jake. In my opinion the podcast is by far the best thing about this club at the moment. I live over 120 miles from St Albans now and haven’t been able to get to home games regularly for over 4 years, but until recently (really the start of last season post price rise) my enthusiasm for the club had never waned. The price rise (and the reaction to it by our owners, including the rejection of Ian Ridley’s offer), the ditching of the club badge without consultation with fans, the attitude towards local media, the disrespect shown towards long standing fans and now the obvious discarding of SBYS has really soured my support for the club. I’ve bought an unofficial club shirt and on principle didn’t consider buying a home match live stream which would have been inconceivable a couple of years ago. The owners seemed positive on their arrival and some of the community work with schools and developing awareness of the club has been good. But why is this being thrown away and what is the motive behind this? Why are the owners disrespecting a large number of long standing supporters, including fund generating voluntary supporters groups? And why was the price rise, when it demonstrably had a negative impact on the fan base and revenue, not reversed? How have we got to a position where many, many fans are far more ambivalent than would ordinarily be the case for a an unbeaten start to the league season? These are genuine questions and I’d be interested to properly understand this from supporters of the current regime. Because whilst at the moment the club superficially looks good in terms of the league table and glitzy social media posting, it seems to me that the soul and foundation of the club are being ripped apart. Well said fella, I think this is the issue when you are surrounded by spineless yes men. They have alienated so many fans. They seem totally clueless.
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euclid
Saints Reserve Team Player
Posts: 459
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Post by euclid on Dec 5, 2020 10:58:39 GMT
I think our best hope is that LL & McGowan will eventually get bored of funding the losses and leave once the 'dream' of the new stadium disappears forever !!
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theduke
Saints Youth Team Player
Posts: 113
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Post by theduke on Dec 5, 2020 12:05:27 GMT
I think our best hope is that LL & McGowan will eventually get bored of funding the losses and leave once the 'dream' of the new stadium disappears forever !! You want the current owners, who have been funding the losses for years, to leave. There’s gratitude for you.
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euclid
Saints Reserve Team Player
Posts: 459
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Post by euclid on Dec 5, 2020 13:18:12 GMT
I think our best hope is that LL & McGowan will eventually get bored of funding the losses and leave once the 'dream' of the new stadium disappears forever !! You want the current owners, who have been funding the losses for years, to leave. There’s gratitude for you. I don't want the club to continue to be run as a dictatorship, alienating loyal fans and long serving volunteers !! You're obviously happy for them to continue carrying on doing that then?
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Post by ahad43 on Dec 5, 2020 14:42:51 GMT
I think our best hope is that LL & McGowan will eventually get bored of funding the losses and leave once the 'dream' of the new stadium disappears forever !! You want the current owners, who have been funding the losses for years, to leave. There’s gratitude for you. The owners obviously aren't as concerned about the losses as you seem to be considering their actions over the past few seasons. As for showing them gratitude, you must be joking.
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gaz69
Saints Trialist
Posts: 3
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Post by gaz69 on Dec 6, 2020 10:52:37 GMT
A very interesting Episode 8 !! Where is the evidence of these demands for personal details to be shared - surely it is documented and can be shared? It also talks about sbys members but I thought they alway declined to have members. How many members did they have then?The trust has members and had joint meetings with sbys as was mentioned before but the trust have made no mention of anything being wrong. Sounds a bit like hot air from someone losing some power they tought they had.
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albanian
Saints Reserve Team Player
Posts: 372
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Post by albanian on Dec 6, 2020 11:47:30 GMT
Where is the evidence of these demands for personal details to be shared - surely it is documented and can be shared? It also talks about sbys members but I thought they alway declined to have members. How many members did they have then?The trust has members and had joint meetings with sbys as was mentioned before but the trust have made no mention of anything being wrong. Sounds a bit like hot air from someone losing some power they tought they had. Not really sure what you're trying to suggest. Do you think Lee's lying?
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Post by ahad43 on Dec 6, 2020 11:52:47 GMT
And Sophie
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Post by ahad43 on Dec 6, 2020 11:53:27 GMT
Also welcome to the message board gaz69
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hoofit
Saints Youth Team Player
Posts: 191
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Post by hoofit on Dec 6, 2020 13:10:23 GMT
Perhaps the Owner would like to give his side of the story, and the reason why he is alienating fans and decided he's not interested in support from others.
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theduke
Saints Youth Team Player
Posts: 113
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Post by theduke on Dec 6, 2020 13:34:14 GMT
Perhaps the Owner would like to give his side of the story, and the reason why he is alienating fans and decided he's not interested in support from others. They’re not alienating me. I like the kit, the badge, and league position.
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hoofit
Saints Youth Team Player
Posts: 191
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Post by hoofit on Dec 6, 2020 13:48:58 GMT
I didn't say he was alienating all fans. And you are happy with the changes. Good for you. You are happy that Mr taverner and others are persona non gratia and fans were not consulted about the badge change etc.
Many are not happy. So much for one city, one club, one community. It could so easily have been inclusive rather than exclusive.
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theduke
Saints Youth Team Player
Posts: 113
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Post by theduke on Dec 6, 2020 13:58:05 GMT
Are fans always consulted about the badge change? I don’t recall being asked about changing my favourite badge which was on the Roy of the Rovers shirt.
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Post by citycentresaint on Dec 6, 2020 14:39:07 GMT
IA has done a great job this season and I have been a vocal supporter of him for a long time.
Banning Dave was disgusting. He worked tirelessly for the club and was a loyal volunteer.
I don't see how alienating loyal fans achieves anything.
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Post by ahad43 on Dec 6, 2020 15:00:40 GMT
Perhaps the Owner would like to give his side of the story, and the reason why he is alienating fans and decided he's not interested in support from others. They’re not alienating me. I like the kit, the badge, and league position. Do you like the fact they said when they arrived they wanted to bring in football knowledge to the board and still haven't done so? Did you like them turning down Ian Ridley's offer of significant financial assistance which would've benefitted fans? Did you like the three price rises every time they were introduced? Did you like the 30% drop in attendances last season? Do you like how they've treated hard working volunteers like Tavs and the SBYS guys? Good to know you aren't alienated, if they keep putting prices up you could be last one standing and paying for everything yourself.
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Post by expatsaint on Dec 6, 2020 19:11:40 GMT
Although I have only been able to follow the Saints from afar for many years now, I still believe I can offer a valid and reasonably insightful opinion as to the direction the club is currently moving in, off of the field of play. The way I see it is that Lawrence Levy, with his background in football confined merely to a leading club in the Premier League, appears unable to empathize with supporters of a grass roots club and seems to be unaware of the ethos and culture of the sport at non-league level. Whilst I commend many of the initiatives which have benefited the club financially, resulting in an enhanced professional image for our club in the main, it is, however, regrettable that many loyal supporters and volunteers have been shamefully treated and their offers of support rejected. It should be said that the profile of the average supporter of a non-league football club is that of a person whose primary reason to attend his/her team's matches is to be part of a local football family, in which the social aspect of the whole experience is very much to the fore. Volunteers who donate their time and energies to their club, with absolutely no remuneration expected, are actually really reinforcing bonds of loyalty and attachment to fellow like-minded individuals in their own club and community. At grass roots level it is still the norm, global pandemic notwithstanding, for supporters to socialize with the players after each game. Compare this to the situation in the EFL where fans rarely if ever get to meet the players that represent their club. I certainly hope that Mr. Levy is not intent on placing all staff members who do work for the club on the company payroll when there are many good people out there who would be delighted to perform some of the run-of-the-mill, often thankless, tasks for no financial reward whatsoever. It should also be emphasized that non-league supporters and followers of football league clubs are very often looking for totally different match day experiences. True, both sets of fans want their team to win. However, whereas at non-league level interaction with opposition fans is actively encouraged and desirable, similar interaction among supporters of EFL clubs is usually limited to a verbal encounter following a brick through your car window thrown by a rival fan.
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gaz69
Saints Trialist
Posts: 3
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Post by gaz69 on Dec 6, 2020 19:37:35 GMT
I think you might be taking too much notice of the forum mate. Only staff member is Mr Allinson and plenty of volunteers helping club out, actually more than it probably has ever had
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