Thetownend.com

http://www.truststfc.co.uk/news_item.php?id=1124


Despite news of talks with new potential investors, TrustSTFC are pressing ahead with plans for fans to protest about the financial plight of the club at the match against Tranmere Rovers this Saturday.

Despite the welcome news that the club has secured some breathing space over the money owed to the Inland Revenue this does not fundamentally change the situation. At best it merely buys the club a little more time. Fans would at least be a little more reassured if the club would reveal the names of the new investors and some indication of their plans for the club.

The fact remains that the club still has to find substantial funds to pay the final CVA instalment as well as its other pressing debts and the only realistic way for this to be achieved is for the current owners to sell the club. They have had six years to get the club on a secure financial footing and have failed to do so.

However, in view of a plea from Paul Sturrock for any protests to be confined to after the match, we are postponing plans for a March and occupation of the Magic Roundabout, and will instead put all our efforts on Saturday into after-match protests outside the main entrance to the ground.

Trust communications officer Andy Ratcliffe commented :"We are in a difficult position because fans voted clearly on Monday night for protests both before and after the game this Saturday. However, all fans recognise the superb job Paul Sturrock and the players have been doing in very difficult circumstances and we do not wish to upset them in any way. The after-match protest was always intended to be the main focus of protests for the day, and that will remain the case."

"We would also like to remind all fans of the need to safeguard their reputation, and that of the club. Protests should be noisy and passionate, but remain at all times non-violent and within the bounds of the law" added Ratcliffe

After consulting with the Police, TrustSTFC are advising fans against any form of pitch invasion at any time. Invading the pitch is a criminal offence and fans are reminded that they are leaving themselves open to prosecution and being banned from future matches if they choose to ignore this advice.

sturrock can fuck right off! his job is to manage the team, not dictate to fans what they ought to do regarding off-the-field matters.

The Trust sound like a bunch of namby-pamby fucking pussies to me.

Nothing stopping it happening still,it will just have to be non Trust organised.

This was always going to happen wasnt it?

how gay. Theres no point bothering with protests before now, as it will only end up being the hardcore off the internet, not the average joe.

i am very disapointed by this decision.talk talk?

Protests can still be done unofficially ofcourse it just means the Trust are not going to back them as a body.Was actually looking forward to the march.

after all the talk and hype, the trust take a step back and go "woah, you can't do that!". it makes everyone look more than a little sheepish tbh

surely the march would have got good publicity, and would have no effect on the players anyway?
as if any of us would want to hinder the team anyway.
i want to march and protest after the game

Exactly.

If this was always going to happen, then on Monday night the Trust should have made it quite clear that they weren't getting involved.

where are you marching to after the game? the CGH?

Frankly I'm not bothered as I was only up for the maximum impact protest, ie outside the Arkells afterwards. I still think there will be good numbers there

Political bullshit, how the hell would a pre match march affect the players or management?

This is why the protesting should not have been trust led.  This is why the average fan off the street should have taken control with a figurehead as leader of the protests.

No offence to any of the trust but I do not this has helped matters, if anything it has just undermined the whole protest movement.

Out the back after the match great, like that will have any affect on affairs.

walking round town...... like that will have any effect on affairs

go on then somene grab the fucking nettle. or are you all going to wait for someone else to do it?

what happend to talk talk organising it?
what happend at the meeting with the police?

Yes it will, it would have raised the profile of the discontent, it would have got on the news, would have probably surprised people in Swindon not connected to the football club.

People see the "out the back of the arkells mob" as precisely that, a mob who stand shout abuse, sing abuse, and on the whole get ignored by the execs.  (rightly or wrongly).

Marches or the Magicroundabout idea would have been a decent alternative.

Exactly


We said to the police this afternoon that whilst we were not going to organise the march or the MR protest we could not guarantee that it would not happen

no idea, but this wasin direct response to sturrock asking people not to because it would affect the team. so do we carry on and get the flack if we get stuffed? or do we try and keep the majority of town fans onside? how do you think the apathy of swindon would be if the team gets thrashed when the manager has explicably asked fans to protest but after the game?

if someone wants to organise then good, i will be there, but i cant for a variety of reasons, namely the fact i live 125 miles away. but as stated before im not standing in the way of someone to be in the fireing line.

but think about it before doing it, because there is bound to be trouble at the protests and by leading them you would be the one having to face the music.

I've always backed the trust but on this occassion they have let us down badly, we still need to carry on without them and do everything we possible can! I know there's only 3 days to go but we cannot do nothing and let Diamandis think they have won!!

Sturrock will be issuing a statement asking just that.

We could have 6000 fans turn on us if we get dicked and Sturrock blames us in the post match interview

I can see why the Trust has backed down due to the prospect of new investment and a plea from Sturrock however marching to the ground away from the ground I cant see how this can have an adverse effect on the team if fans are behind the team during the game and not actually protesting outside the ground before the game.

Its a case of you can't win, you are damned if you do and damned if you don't really. You can't please everyone.

I'm sure Talk Talk wil be on soon and if I know him like I think I do, I think the march etc will still go on but without the Trust backing, which is not to say members of the trust board etc would not march as individuals.

gary its nothing to do with the new investment, as far as im concerned thats bollocks its totally down to the plea of sturrock.

It is TOTALLY down to Sturrocks plea

It's not a question of doing nothing - the protest after the game was always going to be the biggest and the one with the most impact. That's still going ahead and will I'm sure send a very clear message to the current regime. It's a question of taking some of the pressure off Sturrock - he made a direct appeal for no protests until after the game and on this occasion we think we owe him that.

I appreciate this was never going to be a popular decision and I know we're going to get slaughtered from some quarters for this. Fair enough. But I do have to get some work done this afternoon so I'm going to check back in later this evening and take the flak then if that's OK. Erm, even if it's not tbh I haven't got a lot of choice - I have to get this work finished!

fair enough.

I don't think the Trust could continue to arrange a proper march (within very tight timescales) when they knew a public statement asking for it not to happen was going to come from the Manager of the team.

Like it or not, only the angry few on here would have carried it through once that happens, no chance of the apathetic and less millitant gang joining in.

That's not to say I don't think it's a good idea.  I'd still be up for pre match stuff regardless of what Sturrock says, and I think a fair few that were there on Monday will do what they want anyway - that being another potential problem for the Trust to have thought about.

What can you do, as an official organisation, when the best supported Manager in the clubs recent history pleas for it not ro press ahead.

We could have spun it this way of course ;

"STURROCK BACKS PROTESTS AFTER THE GAME!!!!"

the trust are getting blamed for everything anyway.but i can see their reasons for calling stuff off.
there is no right or wrong answer imo.
as protests could go on for fuck knows how long a loss of form could get blamed on protests at any time.
i am baffled as to how a family march going on nowhere near the ground could cause a defeat or be seen as causing a loss of form?
where as a protest right outside the ground could be seen as intimidating players and staff could it not?

As I said, the march is taking place away from the ground and no protesting outside of the ground before the game would not affect the team however the stuff at the magic roundabout etc could perhaps have an adverse effect. But as stated it is up to someone to grab the bull by the horns so to speak and be prepared to take ownership.

I would like to think this is just a stay of execution if you like and now with a bit mroe time available a proper march with full publicity aweek in advance can be organised.  I'd say it's fully justified for now, but not for the next game if we are still in the same boat.

And you've just completely contradicted what you said on Monday night.

I dont see how fighting between fans and arguing is going to help the cause at this time, now more than ever fans have to be united.

Ok some dont agree wtih the Trust stance fair enough they acknowledged that would be the case however, we move on and do it ourselves if someone leads it etc and people can make their own choices.

how have i done that sam?

This is simple really, senior members off the  trust board have decided not to protest thats up to them, If you still want to march then march for fucksake stop moaning at the trust. If you dont like it cancel your membership if you feel that strongly

Well with your oscar-worthy performance telling everyone it was our last chance and the magicroundabout idea was brilliant.

Now you're saying don't do it.

:shrug:

As a supporters group we have issued an stance that we will not back nor organise pre match protests.

As an individual I can do what the fuck I like

 :wink:

when did i say dont do it? oscar worthy performance, fuck off you prick.

the fact that people fighting the same corner are devided is a problem imo.
the march if it does happen is clearly now not going to have as great an impact as it would have had the trust backed it, numbers will be less etc,and thats fair enough.they have there valid reasons for calling it off.

so we press on with the after game protest then!

Mex isnt saying dont do it at all, in fact he was urging someone to "grasp the nettle"

Well that's the way I read it.

I'm sorry for being angry and wound up, but I feel it's just turning into a shambles.

well fucking sort it then, or do you have to fucking wait for some fucking drama queen to hold your hand?

you are obviously prepared to put yourself up for it as you stood for the trust board, so do something.

Fine then. I will.

Ha Ha that sounded so girly sam :D

Chill peeps, I know feelings are running high but lets not put friendships at stake because of it please

I like it. You're thinking like Diamandis now.

The Trust board is democratic and collectively makes decisions.

All I would say is that I am very unhappy with the decision to postpone the official pre-match protests but that if that is the will of the board then I support it.

I know it wasn't an easy choice to make but accept that there are valid reasons.

I will put my energies into being behind the Arkells on Saturday after the match.

You have to Colin

That would be fucking ace headline

You have to Colin?

I know  :mrgreen:

Fair play Al

You can organise it again for the Donny match once these mystery new investors have seen the books and done a runner like the rest of them.

I still feel 150% that this will happen and told the police that this afternoon

I reckon the magic roundabout occupation (not blocking), bannering up and generally congregation of unhappy and protesting souls could still go ahead without much pre planning and does not need any backing of any group.

and  i agree, donny should be the time for a march and i reckon it should become a fans united day.

Your handle is Colin Todd ?

Or am I seriously retarded now ?

Bit dissapointed with the statement to be honest and fear it may have detrimental effect on protest numbers for the whole day....I hope I'm wrong but I fear this was the wrong decision.

I'm very disappointed with this. The Trust were supposed to take that vote and act upon it. Now they've gone against it too. Sturrock has chosen to get involved, not the other way round. A before game protest is not directly in the face of him or the team, it's about generating awareness and exposure.

As I said before, the fact Sturrock hasn't tried to stop the after game protest suggests the club are worried about the exposure this is getting. Nobody else sees us round the back of the Arkells and forgive me for stereotyping a bit here, but the majority people leaving the Arkells don't strike me as people likely to protest.

The club have played their wild card and they think they've won the game. We  still need to do something pre-game around the MR and I'm sure others will. I certainly am.

i know the decisions been made and all that, and i aint trying to change it,
but i've been thinking.
 how will it be any different at the donny game.its still a pre match march and sturrock isn't suddenly gonna give it his blessing is he?
all its doing is delaying it a while :?

that said, it gives more time to organise i suppose

I think delaying the march isn't necessarily bad. Some people will be taken in by the statements and not turn up....if it's delayed when those people realise it's the same old story they will be back twice as angry.

My problem is the media will probably be putting a story out tomorrow saying the Trust have backed down.

You have pretty summed up all of what I feel on this, I am so frustrated by the stance the Trust have taken.  Just what was the point of Mondays meeting? 3 hours of talk / debate just to back protests behind the Arkells.  By disagreeing with protests before the game they will damage any numbers we could have got, we had so much momentum, this just does exactly what the board would want slows us down.

I am still up for anything before hand whether it be a march, a magic roundabout protest.  As I said I fear what this statement will do to support for the protest and support for the trust.

Errrrrrm........won't the magic roundabout still be there after the game?

don't lay the blame on the rest of us, yourself and alan took the 'nettle' from the off!

edit: let me rephrase that...

i think the majority of us probably didn't get involved because yourself, alan and others were taking the lead and in honesty the pair of you are the right sort of people to take that lead. i didn't foresee any possibility of the trust not backing these protests, so i'm quite surprised at the total u-turn you've all made.

now we're back to where we were before monday, lacking leadership and with nothing organised. i don't think it's fair for you or anyone else to blame others for not taking charge of the situation when some of us were unable to attend the meetings on monday and tuesday.

i'm frustrated and feel let down by the trust unwillingness to rock the boat. whatever sturrock has to say that does not refer to the football team is irrelevent in my eyes.

My Trust membership is up for renewal soon. Whilst I appreciate all the time and effort everyone involved puts in, I'm not going to bother.

All mouth and no trousers I'm afraid.

I expected the TRUST to NOT back the pitch invasion. I also expected, that the Magic Roundabout might fall through because of Police Objections. But I thought the march would happen.
I'm not sure what I think now. There are a lot of people who are going to join us behind the arkells, but couldn't get behind the rest.  
The worry Sturrock was expressing, I would assume was concern about chants DURING the game, or am I wrong there. I do appreciate that Luggy recognises that we need to protest tho' & the TRUST stance does tell the world "we respect Luggy & will listen to him, but we Don't respect the powers that be".
No doubt the march will still happen, but it was alaways going to be a major inconvenience for out of towners like myself, so the lack of TRUST backing will definitely have an effect.
On the other hand, I am concerned that the TRUST board have gone back on the mandate given at the meeting. I know things have changed, but the reasons are still there.

FFS maybe some people should read through some other threads before posting.................

The whole point of the march this weekend was because we feared there might not be a club left long enough to wait any longer - what was the point in a "fans emergency meeting" otherwise?

I am annoyed at the amount of people expecting others to sort it.  Unless they are prepared to get involved then they can keep quiet.

Unfortunately the Trusts name has been bandied about enough already and this IMO shows that theres an air of uncertainty about the need to take action and we need to emphasise that there is  NEED and it needs to happen now.

I spoke to Paul about this today and if enough members are dissatisfied with the stance taken then we have no objections at all to an EGM being called where I would glady step down to be replaced by someone else.

Its not a problem

The problem lies with the way things have to be organised and the etiquette that seemingly has to be followed, not with the individuals running it.

In my opinion such an organisation is never going to have the influence it aims for.

where has sturrock asked for the protests to be postponed?

there's nothing on the official site.

He will issue a public statement tomorrow

I certainly wouldn't have spent my whole day last tuesday trying to help sort stuff if I had known this would be the case.  

Whats this about all supporters uniting?  Theres a clear divide already.

Andy I have alot of time for yourself and others on the Trust board but feel this was a massive decision that you guys have got wrong.  I honestly feel this will effect numbers not just in the before protest but also in the after the game protest on Saturday.  One day you are propositioning a full scale protest war with 4 ideas then the next day we just support the same old Arkells protest.  To get this board out we need to crank up the pressure not take out feet off the pedal, at the moment I am sure Mike D and James Wills are very pleased with the latest developments.

If he does/is then the bloke can fuck off as far as im concerned, ive had enough of him telling us to get behind the lads and that the board are lovely cuddly people.

We've had enough of their lies and some fat Scot wont tell me what i can or can't do when it comes to my fucking Football Club.

Lucy, if you want to do something about it then myself and Si are still full steam ahead with the MR idea. Put your energy into helping us instead of having arguments with mates.

no point arguing about it really, someone has to take charge if the trust aren't.

it needs to be someone people respect and will listen to - why can't alan or mex step down from the trust to take control? they are the ideal people to organise this.

Talk about being a patronising ****.

Its ok for you to air your views etc. but I can't air mine?

Youve got a nerve thats for sure.

Upon reflection, our big mistake was to run the meeting and lead the organisation.

It should have been a fans thing with fans acting independantly from any supporters groups.

I dont see why people dont view it this way now and act accordingly if that's what they want to do

Unfortunately I agree with the general sentiment on here, to me this is too big a decision for any individuals to make themselves, it should have only been decided to be cancelled if members agreed. I know it's short notice but something could have been sorted out via email. We just look like all threats and no substance now which is why Diamond Mike and co release the lies they do, they always get away with it  :cry:

Yeah. Blame the best manager we've had for years.

Just ignore what he says unless it's football related.

You gotta remember, he's only been fed their bullshit for 12 months..........................

fred, what is the basis of sturrock's statement? is it to get behind the players (which everyone is and has been doing anyway) or is it to give the board a break?

Whoah! Easy. I didn't mean to be patronising.

Who said about blaming him?

I'm just sick of his outburst against people protesting for the sake of their Club.

its to give full support to the players

To be fair to him Spud, all he's said is that he hopes supporters will leave protests until after the game and focus on supporting the team.

I don't think he was commenting on the pre match protests, I think he was worried about during the game.

I can understand being against chanting during the game even I don't enjoy that and I am staunchly against the board.  A march should have been supported by Trust IMO, its a peaceful protest, has families marching for the love of there club, brings it into the spotlight of ordinary Swindon people and most importantly has no bearing on the match, the outcome or the players performance.

i still reckon we should all bundle onto the pitch at full time.

It was in the Western Daily Press or the Adver today a small bit.... Cant remember,

Well i think most people only protested during the Cheltenham game because we weren't fussed about going out of a tin pot cup.

Totally agree.

Nows not the time to be fighting amongst ourselves and I apologise if you thought I was having a dig.

What I can't understand is the mood change since I went to the pub at 2-00pm.

Before then, everyone was more determined than ever to protest, now, because the Trust aren't backing them, people aren't gonna bother?

I thought the protests weren't Trust organised anyway?

We don't need an organisation telling us whether we should protest: If you want to do it, fucking do it!

You didn't waste your time on monday night though.

The protests were about 2 things in my opinion - to protest about the fact the club is close to extinction and to call for the departure of the board.  What's happened since Monday?  

1.)The board have announced a new investor is in talks and has paid some money to the Revenue.  
2.) Sturrock has called for no pre-match protests.

There's both an emotional and a strategic reaction to this news.
Emotionally I don't believe the investor is real, I don't see what the fuck it's got to do with Sturrock what fans decide to do, I don't believe it will affect the team as they played well enough against Gillingham when considering strike action and I fear for the way this will pan out in the media after we raised the profile of this.  I'm also feeling sick to my stomach and humiliated with the way the board will clap themselves on the back and consider this another defeat for the fans.

Strategically, if the Revenue have had some money we won't be going under next week.  We can present the face of reason in that we are prepared to listen to Sturrock (THIS TIME ONLY) but still make a massive noise outside the Arkells after the game.  We can still make it absolutely clear that unless the concerns of the Trust and the fans are answered the protests will go ahead against Donny.  

In the end I've considerd the strategic approach to be better.  None of us are going anywhere in the next 2 weeks. BUT I think the Trust should respond to Sturrock's statement tomorrow so that the last word is not left with the club.  And obviously there can be no postponement for any reason again

Whatever, please don't fall out over this, I've only just met some of you :D

No not really, you've got a right to your opinion which i respect.

Anybody who won't be protesting now the TRUST haven't backed it are deluded and really need to ask themselves why they need somebody else to hold their hands when it comes to making a decision regarding their stance on their Club!

Like Sam, im disappointed in the TRUST after the recent statement and im glad i didn't waste my time on Monday night going to the meeting.

Well my beef isn't personal.

I didn't expect the Trust to be able to organise the most militant of action (as that's unreaslistic) but some form of protest as per the mandate would have been nice.

Hence why I think some people were rightly trying to get the ball rolling before that. We can't expect the Trust to hold our hands or be our shepherds. I'm just disappointed as now they do seem weak and a pushover.

I'll still be making my banner for saturday and will be protesting before the game. So will a lot of others from the look of it.

But why is it suddenly a waste Si?

I'm getting a bit confused here. Sturrock is asking for no protests until after the game, I read that as no protests during the game.

The Trust can't officially back the protests as they haven't got a mandate from their members.

Why has this created such a u-turn by some?

Because on Monday we had a mandate at the meeting to pursue with 4 protest ideas on the table and the only thing that would stop them would be the legal aspect.  Now with the Trust disagreeing with protests before it will damage numbers and I think the Sturrock plea as a reason is poor as you said he probably didn't want chanting during the game but to cancel backing of the march is the wrong call.

So what did I vote on then? Was that not a mandate?

I thought it was an open meeting, not a Trust one.

I'm not arguing Si, I think that if we got numbers at the protests without Trust backing, it would be even more effective as a show of fans dissatisfaction.

At the meeting, a majority (Trust and non-Trust) voted for the protests. I said I was happy to go along with that and still am.

at what point did i lead the protests? I got asked to talk on tv by you all and i agreed.

You lot are doing my fucking head in. I live  250 mile round trip, i run 3 businesses and i have kidney dialysis for 18 hours a week. i love this football club and i will be at any protest.

I have been in the last few pages accussed of a oscar winning performance of doing a u turn of basically letting you down?

well fucking good. i fucking dare one of you to say that my passion and drive for this club is fucking plastic to my face saturday. fucking go on. oh yteah not so easy when your not behind a screen.twats.

half of you went to that meeting and i didnt here many of you speak up. fucking do something off your own backs for a fucking change.

and bollocks to the trust i hereby resign my position. reasons being i cannot be seen as being " militant" and dragging the rest of the board down with me. a board who i hasten to add give fucking hours and hours of their spare time to try and do whats best for this club.

ok this may be seen as a hissy fit, but those of you that know me will know i dont do fucking hissy fits.

i honestly think the majority of you on here are fucking idiots and i have no fuck ing qualms with saying that to any of you.

the problem is that the two people organising it were trust board members, now they're not involved and have removed their backing altogether.

this has left us without anyone to lead and organise and it's also left a few of us rather bemused by the trust's actions.

frankly i'm pretty disappointed, whether the meeting on monday was an 'official' trust meeting or not is irrelevent - it was chaired by the trust, the votes were passed by the trust, the beginnings of organisation were taken by trust board members.

it's all got a bit messy and frankly i haven't got a clue what's going on now!

edit: and posts like the one above aren't particularly constructive either.

sigh

We don't need leaders, we need organisers.

I haven't (And won't) slag off any Trust Board member (Although, as Mex intimated, I am indeed a twat).

All we need is some people that are local to liase with the police.

Why can't we just march off our own backs?

I bet you think I'm great though.


I was wondering though, how come the protests before the game will affect the players? Considering they were thinking about striking a few weeks ago because of non payment of wages, you would of thought they'd be as glad to get rid of this lot as the rest of us. I'm sure it's always been emphasised that the playing staff have everyone's full support. They must be really sensitive or something.

Because Mex is right. Nobody wants to fucking grasp the nettle. It's all getting personal now which ain't good.

maybe they want to join in?

the players, that is.

Well I'm gonna march on my own then :D

I don't think it'll get much tv coverage, but fuck it.

I'm not able to get to Swindon before Saturday and therefore can't organise anything, but if anyone can on my behalf?

There's too many people now that are afraid it'll be a small number and look stupid. Fuck that, just do it!

That really would send a message to the club................

that's sort of the point i'm trying to make. i was not having a go at anyone - least of all mex - but it's a bit like having the rug pulled from beneath your feet. we had the momentum, the right people were organising the fine details, things were looking alright.

suddenly this has taken a drastic change of direction, i think people are rightly confused.

stuff like post match protests will happen naturally. organising a number of people to congregate in a specific location will not and requires someone to organise this but nobody is willing to take control.

 As a political activist of the 70's and 80's if I didn't know better I'd say, the Trust Board had been got at and sold out its membership.....a classic of the time being Joe Gormley, who was NUM president in the mid 70's when the Heath Government was brought down, but was in fact working for MI5.

I agree with all of that.

I'm annoyed that I can't really do much as I've had commitments this week that couldn't be dropped. Wish it was another story.

I'm not particularly happy that the trust have made this decision on the back of the request from PS, however I can understand the reason they have backed off a pre-match protest for Saturday.

I think that a demonstration after the game will be sufficient to keep the pressure on the board for this weekend however, it should be made clear to them a march WILL be going ahead for the next home game. This will proceed  irrespective of any statements or requests from the club, short of the announcement that a full takeover of the club has happened (and I mean signed, sealed and delivered) and Mick the Bubble & Wills have gone. And it means I'll be able to make it too.

This means that the trust MUST release a statement prior to the Tranmere game stating that this is the case and should continue planning a march through town.  If the Trust aren't prepared to do this, then they can have no complaints whatsoever should fans decide to take independent action to get the message across.  There are some very inventive and resourceful people reading these forums!

The other ideas that were tabled were never going to happen however banners and signs on the Magic Roundabout this weekend should also go ahead but I wouldn't bother with putting any people there as well.  Banners inside the ground might be a good idea too.

Another idea for spreading the word:  
You see the signs at traffic lights for gigs, the circus, earn extra £ etc etc, a few hundred of these posted up on the main roads into the town centre will help.  They're cheap to sort and distribute and there's fuck all else to look at when you're stuck at a red.

 :toppost:

A simple demand for some facts backed up with the promise of action if facts are not forthcoming.

Fucking hell Reg, that's a bit harsh even for a left wing agitator, unless you're taking the piss.

Would I do that?   I'm just trying to offer an explanation for SY's dilemma, but lets face what wouldn't  Paul Davis do for a years supply of black pudding and a van load of knock off fags....Mex a steady stream of Spanish teenagers....Talk Talk a life's supply of denim...and Fred a barrel of Tia Maria.

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: I'm going to have a chat with Mex - he surely can't handle them all on his own

Paul is a vegetarian Reg.

Try a lifetime's supply of plastic trainers instead.

is paul honestly a vegetarian?

This whole thing is becoming silly. Almost to the point where i am even considering not even bothering to turn up at the game or any protests on Saturday. The statement from the Trust today is letting the board of the hook a little. It's a real shame because now they are winning again. They have us fans divided which is exactly what they wanted. I bet Mickey D and Co are reading these boards with comfort this evening.

We have (or possibly now had) the chance to really get to them on Saturday. Whether we will or not remains to be seen. I still want to protest. I probably will. We have to keep the anti board stuff rolling. I don't think many will turn up behind the Arkells though. This whole thread has nearly knocked the stuffing out of me though to the point where i almost can't be bothered at all.

I think he's a vegan, which sounds vaguely nordic

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

YEP course he is..

Bennet expect to bold by the time you are 40.

Nut roasts recede you hair line pal.... :D

bugger, i knew i wore hats a lot for a reason!

Your right.

I want to protest and send the message out.  The message being Mick the Bubble & Wills have had their time and have to go.

We must get the same level that we had at the Cheltenham game this Saturday.

The trust MUST do what I said in my last post or they can forget about my, and many other support.  The politics of the situation are now well and truly finished.

Like I said earlier, Mick the Bubble & Wills have to go, sooner, rather than later. There is no later. STOP BEING GREEDY THIEVING CUNTS and FUCK OFF.

The fact that the fans are protesting AGAINST the current board should give the "new investors" nothing but hope, unless of course they're simply a "front" for the current board (which I think they probably are).

The Board may feel they've got the upper hand. If we turn up with the right attitude and enough people they will be surprised.

My Two Cents.

The trust board was elected by its members. Today they took an executive decision. I have two points of view on it. First is that we all (i think) consider Paul Sturrock to be our best manager for a long time and respect his choices and opinions on the whole. Second is that we all feel strongly about the situation the club is currently in and desperately want to DO something to change it.

This leaves me at a crossroads, i want both. I want PS to back the protests but that is not feasible and he will never publically state that. With him saying that protests are not a good idea before the game I am inclined to both agree with him (we support you and the team)  and disagree with him (I wanna show my feelings about the board). Unfortunately it is contradictory in the current situation.

Most regular posters on here are friends and it cuts me up to see you fighting. It really does. We all want the same thing, but some of you have political responsibility to uphold and cannot release your innner raggghhh (technical term).

We have an opportunity here to do two things by protesting with trust support:

a) Show our feelings to the board
b) piss off the rest of the fanbase that (gullible or stupid as they may be perceived to be) will never then show support to any trust backed protests.

I honestly believe that the solution (as much as there can be one within our grasp) lies in three things:

a) Back the team on Saturday - with all our might. I mean even the Arkells singing.
b) Protest on Saturday - whether it be after the game outside the Arkells, before the game with banners on the MR, whatever, take your pick and FFS just do it. But blend in a bit of pro-Sturrock / team stuff.
c) Continue to support the trust as they work towards an organised protest at the next home game.

It's never going to be ideal for everyone but it's all I can think of, and it's what I will be doing. I have the utmost respect for those on the TRUST board and even those who stood for it because you have passion, and that is what we all try to have in common for STFC.

I hope to see you all on Saturday, before, during or after the match. Remember that we all have our own ideas about this so just do what feels right to you, but for God's sake, just do something.

Fuck me that was preachy, I've had too much wine. Can you delete this mods?

I'm afraid there was a good chance the numbers for a march would have been less than we hoped anyway. With so many people driving to the area around the ground (many from outside town) the prospect of then having to get to Farringdon Park to come all the way back again was in my opinion optimistic.

Yes its frustrating to have gone through 2.5 hours of debate on Monday and understandably some are confused and angry but unlike Monday we are now not yet facing the prospect of our last game so hopefully there is an opportuntity for independent fans to organise protests for the future.
 
The shoppers in the town centre don't need educating about the footie club. If they aren't interested or concerned by now they never will be. Protests need to be in the vicinity of those we want rid off . The back of the Arkells is a good place to start and fans are already there. Surely chants and banner demos before the team come out and at half time won't effect their performance?

Lastly is this forum the best place to air grievances?

Sorry, I disagree.

In any campaign you use every avenue available to exert pressure on those that you want to change their stance.

The media is all powerful now. You play to them, you influence the public, you get the message rammed home.

You are suggesting that a town centre march (either this Saturday, for the next match or any time in the future) is a waste of time and I don't buy that.

sadly, the apathy of the general public is something that nothing could ever change. certainly not when it comes to the football club, which many see as a nuisance!

Not being funny like, but more than a few of you cunts need to fucking grow up fast.

Hissy fits, 'lovey' style public  resignations  from  the  trust  and  pathetic  in-fights over possible public protests with your cyber mates are not going to fucking solve stfc's problems overnight.

Look at the bigger picture, for fuck sake. Quit the selfish ego bollocks, shut the fuck up and stick together. Now is not the time to be falling out.

Someone's tired.

What have you done so far then pal, apart from spout off on an Internet forum?

fuck me that was an interesting read.nice to see the campers are happy.
onto the next thread then 8)

that was my favourite post :mrgreen:

Talk Talk. I don't mind if you disagree but I could do without the pep talk about how to use the media. Ever wondered why direct action has become the preferred vehicle for some campaign groups against having a march?

Firstly a march is not a waste of time and yes it will get media coverage but so will other forms of legal protest and they could have a more direct effect,  even if not so media friendly.

There is no harm in influencing the public either but I think to much importance was placed on this aspect. We already have 6000+ fans. Perhaps we should concentrate on getting more of them active first before widening the base of opposition.

I simply don't think that for this Saturday the numbers we would like would appear, partly due to the practicalities of getting to the start point suggested and partly because others will take the view that they will go to the post match protest instead.

Faringdon Rd park can't be much more than a mile from the CG as the crow flies and people can walk or get a bus down.  

Its not rocket science FFS.

This Saturday probably won't go ahead (march wise) but the trust should still take the lead in organising it for the next home game.

AGREED 150%

there is bound to be a large turnout behind the arkells on saturday.with the trusts backing the demo march pre donny will generate high numbers also

As I posted on another thread,  The way i see it now, a large protest at the back of the Arkells will make it a lot easier & more certain for a march before the Donny match. If people see that it isn't just 30-40 busy bodies then they will be much more confident in turning up for a march. One of the critical things about people turning up, is that they need to know that they won't look stupid, by being just one of a few. In some cases people are just too angry to care, but most prefer to be part of a crowd.

I agree Phil.

I also think a pre-game protest in the magic roundabout area will be a gentle reminder to anyone going to the game that people are still protesting despite the news and there will be people round the back of the Arkells.

Out of interest, why the fuck is Sturrock going to change his stance on pre match protests? If he doesn't want them against tranmere he aint suddenly going to say go for it against doncaster belles.

Ha. Is this the angriest thread we've ever had? Perhaps we should sort it with a poll (no-one hurt me if this has been suggested already).

i find messages like this to be very helpful in uniting the fan base and getting neutrals onside. well done.

post-match protests outside the arkells then?

that's all i need to know.

Being fair, you should take into account the post that prompted this reply