Conformist or Non Conformist ?

[big cherly]

3 hours ago, Leaky Blinder said:

Thanks BC undoubtedly we all fall into one of the camps illustrated where we believe a particular course of action or individual /collective strategy will result in a more favourable ( or least worst) outcome. 

My current rationale is that in the absence of any sort of visible stance from the stay away support the board and outgoing ?? CE must believe they have won a watch and feel empowered to continue down their current path ( i.e. a complete lack of specifics when communicating to stakeholders, whether they be shareholders, supporters, media, or the wider community meaning we either take them on trust or we don't dependent on which group you fall into) confident there is now no grass roots dynamic left in in play, and who amongst us can currently state otherwise ! 

As Charles Bannerman articulated in an earlier post the media were expecting activity in the form of a protest and with the complete absence of anything resembling resistance the board can now act on the basis they have been vindicated in their current strategy. This is where past mistakes in strategy may be compounded as they have demonstrated a complete lack of competence thus far (based on all known information, but we do have to ask why do they not want to connect meaningfully with the fanbase and are delaying an overdue AGM announcement). The counter argument is they want to get a "deal" over the line but should there be prospective investors enjoying exclusivity ( everything is Chinese whispers), there is no transparency to shareholders and as other clubs have found to be the case, boards don't always choose the best long term outcome for the club but present a fate accompli. 

If I was a prospective investor the lack of spirit shown by the fanbase would be a major red flag. The wider latent support cannot be galvanised without a focal point via the media highlighting the fight for the soul of the club. It may be an impossible task but we should at least try or just be another group of supporters who let their club wither on the vine through poor governance and a lack of accountability structure being in place, whether formal or informal, assuming the people in charge of decision making always know best. We know this is not always the case.

 

 

A really positive and constructive reply LB. I’m in the camp for change and would back additional action (protest) to show there is a (large-ish?) body of supporters that want change at the top. SG gone being a starter. 

My fear is a lot of ‘my type’ are in the geriatric era and demos are looked on with dread.

There has been no clear leadership in my view from the ST on the matter. Possibly the desire not to be seen out of step with their dialogue with the Board being a factor. Nor any willingness to alienate supporters that do not support any from of protest or holding back buying season tickets. I understand that position from the ST but I don’t agree they should be passive right now when the clubs existence is so perilous.

I referred in my note earlier that we have insufficient fan numbers to influence change. By extension if we had a larger fan base I would have expected to see a ‘champion’ to the cause of further action / protest. We just don’t have the numbers, much to my angst (to really any serious club approach to build the young fan base for years). As such the natural division of opinion with the current fans is being used by the board to just sit tight and tough it out with absence of any communication.

A tough few months ahead still to trundle before some clarity is forthcoming I fear! 
 

 

Edited July 21 by big cherly

[dougal]

8 hours ago, Charles Bannerman said:

But what I do know is that the media had been prepared for the possibility of some kind of public demonstration in or around yesterday’s game, but nothing materialised. Older contributors will remember the massive publicity coup which was the bus full of banned rebels that was parked at the Comet end of Telford Street in 1994… ironically in a controversial situation that prompted massive public demand for season tickets.

(This, by the way, ISN’T an incitement to civil disobedience…. simply some modestly philosophical thoughts about the precise nature and effects of the boycott.)

Well there we go that just highlights how out of touch the so called local media are then.  

 

Dougal

Edited July 21 by dougal

[buckett]

10 hours ago, Yngwie said:

I just don’t follow the logic of people who choose to deprive the club of cash because they ‘don’t want to pay SG’s wages’.

That's not it at all.

They are refusing to buy season tickets as a protest against Gardiner's continued presence at the club.

They are fully aware that by doing so, they are not depriving him of his wages.

Quite simply, when Gardiner leaves the building, permanently, then they will buy their season tickets.

He'll have to get a move on though, otherwise I'll be looking at a half-season ticket a few months down the line.

[CaleyTennis85]

I am of the opinion that I am actually now going to put money into the club by buying merchandise as I usually do with Birthday money (I'm 39 on 12 August ) as I do that most years. I won't change just because of one man, he's only our CEO nothing more, nothing less! Yes I'm not happy with how he's running the club at the moment but that won't influence how I support the club.

As I've said on this forum on numerous occasions (mainly to justify my stance on attending ), I work weekends so can't attend matches due to the love of my job :). One day in the not to distant future I hope to be able to attend matches because my dream career job is to work in an outdoor nursery and, incidentally there are 2 in the Inverness/Moray area at Tornagrain and Elgin but my preference is Fort William (that may be slightly off topic so apologies). If I did indeed move down then the next thing to overcome would be my shyness when meeting new people because I would love to meet up with fellow fans either in bars etc before matches or even at matches because, once people get to know me, they grow to like my humorous sense of humour .

 

Hopefully that is a sufficient response to your poll questions @Leaky Blinder because I can't vote due to lack of attendance at matches.

[STFU]

I imagine a chunk of the support are people with no strong affiliation to the club and attend purely for the social aspects and a liking for football in general.  There's certainly no shortage of those who hold/held season tickets on both sides of the bridge.

They will be largely apathetic to goings on behind the scenes but if they feel that the club may not see out the season then not buying a season ticket is an easy decision.  Especially if they're not enjoying the product on the pitch.

There will be many other reasons for fans choosing to stay away beyond those in the poll but not much which is encouraging people to attend.  That is the main issue just now.

Looking at the prices I see that everyone other than the under 20s has a reduced season ticket price this year.  That strikes me as petty and counter productive especially if they want vocal support for the team on the park.

[+old caley girl]

2 hours ago, STFU said:

I imagine a chunk of the support are people with no strong affiliation to the club and attend purely for the social aspects and a liking for football in general.  There's certainly no shortage of those who hold/held season tickets on both sides of the bridge.

They will be largely apathetic to goings on behind the scenes but if they feel that the club may not see out the season then not buying a season ticket is an easy decision.  Especially if they're not enjoying the product on the pitch.

There will be many other reasons for fans choosing to stay away beyond those in the poll but not much which is encouraging people to attend.  That is the main issue just now.

Looking at the prices I see that everyone other than the under 20s has a reduced season ticket price this year.  That strikes me as petty and counter productive especially if they want vocal support for the team on the park.

I think that's not a coincidence tbh

[Hearach]

I have purchased my season ticket but would consider formal protest. So a mixture of 2 and 5.

[robbylad]

The management and board have no respect for the staff, playing and non playing. They have shown nothing but disdain for the fans. Why would anyone consider throwing money at the very people that have got the club into the position it is in? Im sure there's a quote  about insanity that could be wheeled out on that. They are worse than incompetent. They'll try to weather the storm and if fans return, they'll be treated with the same contempt they've  shown since the start of this sorry saga. Having said all that, I'll turn up to support the team on match day. I'm not renewing my season ticket for the same reason I wouldn't invest in a 3 legged race horse.

[Leaky Blinder]

 

This Poll will end tomorrow at 23:59 (GMT)

A big thank you to all who took part

The board have made a major financial decision since the poll was set up so let's see how fan opinion shifts in the weeks ahead. 

Buckle up. 

 

 

[+snorbens_caleyman]

22 minutes ago, Leaky Blinder said:

Buckle up.

Must get new specs.  I read that as "Buckie up"!

[Leaky Blinder]

 

8 minutes ago, snorbens_caleyman said:

Must get new specs.  I read that as "Buckie up"!

or Buckie Cup ..