Ive had an email back from Brunel
I said
As I am sure you are know doubt aware your recent tie in with Stfc has left the supporters with many questions that we feel we desperatly need answering.
Coverage..
You only are able to transmit to Swindon are there any plans to transmit to the surrounding areas via analogue radio i.e Marlborough,Devizes,Chippenham,etc all places that were able to listen to the game via the BBC.If not have yourself and the club discussed a possible sharing of the games so that maybe those and other places will still be covered.STFC has many older peiople that rely on this service to get thier away game fix and do not have access to Broadband.
Editorial Freedom.
Can you confirm that you have complete editorial freedom with regards to your STFC output?Call me cynical but the snide back handing way this has been dealt with makes me worry that you have promised to only cover STFC stories that are board friendly or perhaps endorsed by those at SN1.Will you be completely impartial and will you voice criticism of the board if and when the supporters raise issues?
Personally I think it may be a nice idea if you were to either come on one of the forums either
www.thetownend.com or the trust or adver site and answer questions that we have at an arranged time..lets have it out once and for all and stop all this speculation and bad feeling that is festering towards the club and more importantly to your radio station.Alternativly schedule an emergency phone in your radio station and here our views.
We as a fan base will not be fobbed off by either you or the club I look forward to your reply
regards
Jamie Robus
and they said
Jamie
Thanks for your email. I’m sure as a fanbase, you do have a lot of questions, we’re 2 working days into the announcement and I’m working through all the issues that are being raised.
Let me tackle your email one point at a time.
Regarding “Editorial Freedom”… We are neither pro or anti the Swindon board. We are neither pro or anti the Trust. The one thing we are; is pro Swindon as a place and pro Swindon Town FC, both on the pitch and in the community.
We will give a balanced view on every aspect of Swindon Town FC. We will ask the difficult questions when they need to be asked, but it is not our business to deliberately build a story out of nothing. We are impartial and the Swindon Town FC board do not dictate editorial control over us. I want Swindon Town FC to be a success in every aspect of their business and as a station for the town of Swindon and outlying areas, we want to support and celebrate any success.
“Coverage”… Our current transmission area is a lot bigger than most people think. We don’t just cover the town… if you travel down the M4 you can get us Chievely Services and down to Bath. The station can also be heard in Marlborough, Malmesbury, Cirencester, Lyneham, Highworth and Wootton Bassett. I recently checked these in my car on a drive around the county. I’m currently looking at potential opportunities to extend the distance that it covers.
Please don’t think that now Brunel FM has been awarded coverage rights, I’m sat on my hands thinking, well the fans will get what they’re given. This isn’t the case at all. I’m listening to all comments… well some of them at least. I’m picking my way through the minefield of insults and soapbox rants to get to the heart of the concerns.
I’m currently in the process of employing a commentary team (can I add that I will not be commentating, I’m a radio presenter and programme controller, not a commentator) I’m looking to find professionals who also happen to be proper passionate Town fans and to give you a better service than you’ve been used to .
I don’t think that the radio station has fobbed anyone off… I’ve published my email address and work telephone number on thisisstfc giving anyone the opportunity to contact myself or Keith Stainer directly, currently everyone who reads the forums has had the opportunity to speak to us directly. Between us, we’ve taken 3 calls and received 10 emails I’ve been as open and honest as possible and have replied to everyone who has taken the time to speak to me. I’m aware that forums are a place for a group of like-minded people to discuss their thoughts and views on different situations, but all have had the chance to speak to me. I’ve even invited one fan and a select number of friends into the radio station to meet with us.
I’ve been putting together a FAQ sheet which should go live on both Brunel FM and official Swindon website tomorrow. As for entering into a forum debate, it will probably be something I look to do in the future, I’m sure you can appreciate that due to the sensitivity of the announcement, It is from now that I’m able to put plans recruitment and solve fans issues. If you could give me a few weeks, as I’m working hard at making sure we get this right.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me…
Hope this helps
Craig
Craig Rance
Programme Controller
Swindon’s 107.7 Brunel FM
Which to be honest is a decent enough reply in my book...we will see
