New beginnings - 25% Truth, 80% Bollocks

[The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey]

Zav Austin is sat in a photo that talks about a Swindon Town Football Scholarship.

I genuinely can't believe this is even a debate.

But is he there as an official representative of the club or not?

What ‘talking’ was there

[Batch]

But is he there as an official representative of the club or not?

Nah, he bought a ticket from ticketmaster.

[Mooneyraker]

But is he there as an official representative of the club or not?

The tweet is talking about Swindon Town FFS.

Fucking hell, we are dancing on the head of a pin here.

I have no fucking idea if he slapped his business card down and signed in Rockin Robin's blood but it is a thoroughly shit look for the club, the Advisory board and anyone who thinks this absolute clown show of a club is moving in the right direction.

[DMC]

Nah, he bought a ticket from ticketmaster.

Via the official supporters club

[DMC]

The tweet is talking about Swindon Town FFS.

Fucking hell, we are dancing on the head of a pin here.

I have no fucking idea if he slapped his business card down and signed in Rockin Robin's blood but it is a thoroughly shit look for the club, the Advisory board and anyone who thinks this absolute clown show of a club is moving in the right direction.

So what do we do about it then. Agree it is a shit show but apart from say so on forums and Twitter there just aren't enough people who care as much as others. Rightly or wrongly ( The latter) If there are around 100 people complaining on forums and social media and over 9k still turning up weekly why will they listen?

It's no good telling us or the odd person who disagrees what else can be done

[horlock07]

The tweet is talking about Swindon Town FFS.

Fucking hell, we are dancing on the head of a pin here.

I have no fucking idea if he slapped his business card down and signed in Rockin Robin's blood but it is a thoroughly shit look for the club, the Advisory board and anyone who thinks this absolute clown show of a club is moving in the right direction.

The Tweet that has only emerged as a member of the Lords wants to show that he is doing something?

I see Chevening has neither tweeted about it or even retweeted this tweet #shambles.

[horlock07]

So what do we do about it then. Agree it is a shit show but apart from say so on forums and Twitter there just aren't enough people who care as much as others. Rightly or wrongly ( The latter) If there are around 100 people complaining on forums and social media and over 9k still turning up weekly why will they listen?

It's no good telling us or the odd person who disagrees what else can be done

If only there were a fans forum coming up where those vociferous online could go along and ask questions, and one would assume follow up questions, and see the whites of the eyes of those answering them.

Can't come quickly enough!

[RobertT]

Who knows, doing a little bit more reading round the things https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/scholarships-funding/chevening-scholarships it appears that successful applicants are chosen at the relevant Embassy or High Commission level so not sure how Austin can influence that (at least initially), plus they tend to be for more academic things so no idea how the club can angle that unless its a MA in being shite at football?

I wouldn't put much faith in the "process" on the Pakistan side, as I say, it's a notorious location for creative thinking when it comes to the immigration world.  There is so much money to be made on the applicants side.  I'm not saying this is anyway shape or form a problem for STFC, but it's pretty clear how Zav makes money here.  Karachi FC isn't even a real football club.

[Mooneyraker]

So what do we do about it then. Agree it is a shit show but apart from say so on forums and Twitter there just aren't enough people who care as much as others. Rightly or wrongly ( The latter) If there are around 100 people complaining on forums and social media and over 9k still turning up weekly why will they listen?

It's no good telling us or the odd person who disagrees what else can be done

It has been a hot topic. Felt it was worth sharing. Seems to have generated some debate, however tedious in parts!

I'm not 'telling' anyone anything. "Something must be done!"  

There are plenty of ways to do that. We have a well functioning Advisory Board that answer any question for example.  

[RobertT]

So what do we do about it then. Agree it is a shit show but apart from say so on forums and Twitter there just aren't enough people who care as much as others. Rightly or wrongly ( The latter) If there are around 100 people complaining on forums and social media and over 9k still turning up weekly why will they listen?

It's no good telling us or the odd person who disagrees what else can be done

I think the impact to sales on season tickets has already started a shift in focus.  Shit like this does not help season ticket sales, on that we can likely all agree.  In which case, why the fuck are we still involved and supporting it?  Fuck what Zav gets from it, why are we investing time and effort into this idea?  It is not going to support revenue unless we have also identified a way of adding massive mark-ups to the cost of running a course.

[Mooneyraker]

I think the impact to sales on season tickets has already started a shift in focus.  Shit like this does not help season ticket sales, on that we can likely all agree.  In which case, why the fuck are we still involved and supporting it?  Fuck what Zav gets from it, why are we investing time and effort into this idea?  It is not going to support revenue unless we have also identified a way of adding massive mark-ups to the cost of running a course.

This is a big part of the issue. Same as fiddling about with Doughty and sustainability, taking on the Women's team etc. All perfectly laudable if your club is motoring along like a finely tuned Rolls Royce.

We can't feed the team at the training ground.

[Trashbat?]

Almost comedy that we have someone banging the drum for sustainability, yet also have a volunteer driving to Calne with lunches every day. I do hope they are vetting the volunteers to ensure they have electric cars 

[RobertT]

In all fairness, you'd hope the club reps were primed for a grilling at the Fans Forum - what else would they expect from the first one after our worst or second worst finish in Div 4?  Fuck, if people can't have a little whine then, when would they?

[DiV]

If only there were a fans forum coming up *where those vociferous online could go along and ask questions, and one would assume follow up questions, and see the whites of the eyes of those answering them.

Can't come quickly enough!

*where fans can sit quietly, nods their head and look down at their shoes then moan about everything behind a screen name on the internet as soon as they get home

[Mooneyraker]

I see the Trust are nibbling.

https://twitter.com/TrustSTFC/status/1654218147736461312

What reason can there be for them never (to my memory) saying anything publicly on Austin other than a very early holding statement?

Interestingly the wording of that was "we have yet to meet Zavier Austin and do not know if these stories are accurate - we are seeking clarity. We at @TrustSTFC will be looking to meet Mr Austin if approved by the EFL and appointed as director."

So on that basis...have they never met him?!