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Reply | Co-chair’s Christmas message
at 19:32 23 Dec 2024
The thread on here about that forum in Feb ‘20 with some quotes provided by the club’s Twitter account:
Fans forum thread by 442Dale 16 Feb 2020 21:39May as well start it with a request: does anyone know the time it starts? Might have missed it but can’t find much promoting it recently, just this:
https://www.daletrust.co.uk/2020/01/forum-rearranged/
Presuming it’s 7.30?
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Reply | Pitch inspection 10.30
at 16:33 22 Dec 2024
Not sure which fans put too big a burden on the Trust regarding expecting to know levels of detail. There’s little recently that springs to mind that fits this.
My post was quite explicit that it’s the lack of a structured process that has hamstrung the Trust and the club itself for much longer than recent years.
Not having such a process allows your first paragraph to occur. They don’t have to live with it if it was actually sorted so everyone knew where they stood.
If that was in place, situations like the timing of an AGM, the postponement of a football match would be better dealt with. Of course, some may not think these matter too much, but for those who do they’ll feel more engaged by being aware of a structure that exists to offer information. |
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Reply | Pitch inspection 10.30
at 13:12 22 Dec 2024
Of course I agree that the Trust has an important part to play but it’s reaching a point when the same drum is being banged year on year, so it becomes less likely much will ever change.
So many have stepped up and since stepped away yet the same issues have existed over the years. The eventual response from Jamie Willoughby regarding the club AGM changes was welcome and one which acknowledged the importance of communication with supporters. That it took correspondence from a Trust member to ensure this happened illustrates the lack of structure and process despite this being brought up time and again over the last 10-15 years.
We still have no visible MOU and statements such as “act as a voice for the fanbase” mean little if there’s no consistency in approach.
A example of this:
Look back at Judd’s correspondence re. the AGM he also copied on here, it listed a series of questions. The response that came from that was the one we’ve seen from Jamie Willoughby. There remained an unanswered question.
If you’re going to take questions from members, print them and associated responses. If there is no response to a question, state that. This may appear a small thing but if you look back over the years, generalised responses to enquiries that are generalised does not ensure consistent communication. It’s communication of choice.
The attendance at the recent Trust AGM should be a sobering wake up call for all involved. As should the choice by the Trust to post an update on the postponement yesterday on their website that mirrors what we’ve seen so far from the club, with zero acknowledgment of the feelings of the fanbase of which they should be fully aware of.
https://www.daletrust.co.uk/2024/12/boston-game-off/
So whilst nobody disputes about how fans can influence the Trust, you have to ask why so many have tried and felt the need to eventually admit they could do no more as part of the Trust board - instead choosing to try and influence them better as a member alone. |
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Reply | Oi, Biffos
at 20:14 21 Dec 2024
You’re a Dale fan?
I remember those two as well and many before them too. |
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Reply | Oi, Biffos
at 19:47 21 Dec 2024
How long have I been going then?
It’ll be longer than the 2/3 years you’ve followed a pub team, that’s for sure. |
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Reply | Pitch inspection 10.30
at 19:45 21 Dec 2024
Today shows little evidence of a club who are interested in the thoughts or feelings of their “community”. |
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Reply | Pitch inspection 10.30
at 18:12 21 Dec 2024
Had enough of banging my head against the Trust’s wall too. Not going to be sending those questions to them, they can and will read them here.
If they’re bothered, we’ll see a response. |
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Reply | Oi, Biffos
at 17:41 21 Dec 2024
In all seriousness, give it a rest now. We get it, but you’re just ruining threads all over the place and this situation is far too important for the whole board to get derailed again.
If you choose to do so, expect the game in February to be off and it’ll be all on you. That’s how chaos theory works. Probably. [Post edited 21 Dec 17:42]
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Reply | Pitch inspection 10.30
at 17:26 21 Dec 2024
Over six hours and nothing more than the original brief statement about the postponement. It’s disrespectful to not even acknowledge that supporters will rightly want more information with a commitment to at least say something more will follow. Maybe it will, but it already speaks volumes that we’re yet to be sure of that.
The Trust should not need prompting via their members to seek a thorough explanation of the current state of the pitch and what the plans are.
They are supporters themselves and we know that without doubt they’ll have read the reaction on here (they mention the messageboard when speaking to fans in meetings/directly) and on other forms of social media. They have to act on this, and with a Trust representative on the club board we should hope to hear something via the Trust site on Monday at the latest - even if, again, it’s to acknowledge they’ll be taking it up with the club as a matter of urgency.
As they do read, there are some simple questions that need answering:
1. What are the current specific issues with the pitch that led to today’s postponement?
2. Are all future games in doubt if there is rain in the 24 hours before kick off?
3. What are the short term solutions that are being sought; ie. will we look to purchase proper rain covers?
There is no reason why these can’t be asked, with a response from the club being provided ahead of Christmas if possible.
I’m sure others have further questions that can be added too. |
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Reply | Pitch inspection 10.30
at 14:09 21 Dec 2024
The pitch at Spotland was raised in 2020.
Until the club provide a detailed explanation of the issues it is all speculation but it’s a basic fact that having proper covers that prevent rain falling onto the pitch is better than rain falling directly onto the pitch. The company who provides them would then be able to advise around the problems getting the water off them. Presumably as they’re involved in this sector they’ll have a bit more idea than we do.
Covers are something we could purchase immediately, sorting drains and pitch structure can only be tackled at the end of the season. We have to act now. |
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Reply | Pitch inspection 10.30
at 11:57 21 Dec 2024
They’ve done the drains before. We’ve heard it all and nothing changes. Proper covers will at least give us more of a chance and are an immediate action that can be taken. Those suppliers will be able to advise how the covers are used most effectively. |
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Reply | Pitch inspection 10.30
at 11:55 21 Dec 2024
The covers that Matchsaver provide appear to be a potential answer looking at the sports and different clubs they supply. They might not solve every problem but of the cost of 8 of those is thousands, so be it. Better than the money that disappears each time there’s a postponement and, more importantly, the reputational damage and goodwill lost.
The club have to be seen to be doing something different. At the moment we’re back in the world of Trigger’s broom. |
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Reply | Pitch inspection 10.30
at 11:33 21 Dec 2024
What gets me is the total disregard for how people feel by not providing more detail in advance and immediately following the postponement. As if we should all just acknowledge it’s rained and accept it.
Whether there’s something to follow over the next few hours remains to be seen, but they’ve already failed to keep fans aware of the potential problems. You either care or you don’t.
Culture and attitude. |
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Reply | Pitch inspection 10.30
at 11:06 21 Dec 2024
Quick, sign a wide player!!!!!
Not sure we’ve enough left now. |
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Reply | Pitch inspection 10.30
at 11:00 21 Dec 2024
Our last Saturday home league game was on the 9th of November. That will be the only Saturday home league game we’ll have played between 20/10/24 and 25/1/25.
That’s if it doesn’t rain on the 24th January. |
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Reply | Pitch inspection 10.30
at 10:17 21 Dec 2024
The Oldham game was understandable because of the extremes in the weather but we’ve got real issues of the pitch isn’t draining after a day/night of on and off rain.
We all know about the problems of the past, but there needs to be clarity about the current situation and what else can be done to ensure games aren’t regularly in doubt. Rather than add wide player #11 in January, any available finance should be used to finally get a proper rain cover for the whole playing surface.
It’s quite reassuring to return to this debate a quarter of a century later. |
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Reply | Oi, Biffos
at 12:39 20 Dec 2024
They took money off the council despite having a rich owner?
What a horrible club. |
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