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Post by colstoncrawford on Apr 19, 2024 20:16:46 GMT
First, off, I'm not suggesting for a moment all is right; it clearly isn't.
But... I've never known things so toxic. Social media has a lot to do with it. I've also never known views turn as fast as they do now (the "sacked" [wrong word really, it wasn't a job] volunteer being a classic example, someone who had his picture taken with Pato proclaiming that this top bloke needed time and that he was right behind him as recently as March, and we were already in a bad run then).
Jimmy went from hero to zero very quickly. Dino likewise. Pato even faster. It's as if some people, certainly not most on this forum, feed off controversy and change. Stability, patience doesn't interest them.
I remember the "Clough out" banner when we went bottom of the Conference for one day (we played Sunday and won), a year before the Man U cup tie. Had we had Twitter then and Facebook was more developed, the clamour for NC's head would have been long and loud, based on what we now see. Of course, we know what happened next.
I also recall plenty of doomy voices saying Rowett wasn't the answer when we lost 7-1 at Bristol Rovers, which was actually one of the most unjust scorelines I've ever seen. Everything they hit went in, with some deflections (Mustapha Carayol's screamer was the best). Rowett then built the squad Jimmy took up.
I'll repeat, this isn't an endorsement of Pato. Nor will it be a condemnation.
But when I talk about perspective, I'm looking at the fact that, for the first time in a very long time, we've had a few rough seasons.
Then I try (and fail) to imagine what it would be like to be a fan of York, Southend, Scunthorpe, Yeovil, Torquay, Darlington. Their fans have suffered season after season of torture. Even Mansfield... a club in decline struggling to stay in business when we played them in the Conference, now back in League One. It was still Division Three the4 last time they were here. Or Wrexham... 16 years of failing to get out of the Conference when they lost their league status.
I think of Luton, Oxford, Cambridge, Shrewsbury, Lincoln, Doncaster, Grimsby and a few others as established league clubs with proud histories... but they've all fallen out of the league and had to come back.
And then us. A few rough seasons. A few rough seasons isn't going to have me saying stuff like "I'm not going again until he's gone" or "I'm not renewing my season ticket." (I'll renew it the second I'm no longer reporting on the club, like I did last time, by the way. Also, I should add that there's only me going, so I get that it's a more tricky equation if you're taking the family or travelling a long way for games).
We go down this year? It's two relegations in 46 years. I'll live. If I support Rotherham I see one every two years.
Yes, a lot needs sorting out this summer, up or down. Yes, the tea bars are poor. No, there's no decent beer in the ground. Yes, there are some annoying kids behind the goal. And a few more things.
But the way some are talking, we're on a one-way ticket to hell. Nah, not by a long chalk. Perspective.
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Post by bennyboy on Apr 19, 2024 21:07:27 GMT
You say you'll renew your ST.
I've got to ask, do you have to pay to watch and report on Burton Albion?
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Post by colstoncrawford on Apr 19, 2024 21:22:17 GMT
You say you'll renew your ST. I've got to ask, do you have to pay to watch and report on Burton Albion? Perhaps re-read what I put? But, for clarity. I started attending in 1979. I started reporting in 2003. I finished reporting in 2013. I returned to reporting five years ago. So that's 16 out of 45 years it's been a job and no, I don't pay when it's work. Couple of games a season, usually, I'm on holiday but go anyway. Pay for those. |
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Post by bartonyellow on Apr 19, 2024 21:27:23 GMT
Very rational post.
And I agree with all lot of it, but the reason there is so much criticism is the trajectory of the club is clearly downward and people are rightly concerned.
The manager has to go - that is not a knee jerk reaction, he has to go. Simple as. Dress it up whichever way you like but fans are deserting us in their hundreds. He is the reason for that. As was Dino.
2 terrible appointments.
Couple that with a selling culture in January, poor communication from the top, some Niggly issues around the ground , has led us to be in this vortex of depression and gloom.
The perspective is that it is all reversible and quite easily.
New manager
New operating officer below the chairman to run the club
Ticket offers
Then we will once again be on the up.
I’m prepared to go down in order to go up again one day.
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Post by 11railwaycuttings on Apr 19, 2024 21:50:02 GMT
No it’s not right on what is going on at Burton Albion,but this thread is just fire fighting for Ben Robinson and his bad decisions.
How can you say four seasons of anti football and fighting relegation,that the fans have to accept it,they are the only ones who seem to care after all they are Paying Customers!
Nobody actually has asked the chairman any straightforward slightly difficult questions on the current plight of the team.
The press and those who work for the club can circle the wagons,but it’s just not going to work the fans have had enough!
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Post by sinfinbovril on Apr 20, 2024 3:54:48 GMT
Great post, Colston. I've been thinking a lot about this too over the last few months. I've found myself editing A LOT of my initial posts cos I've been angry and then changed them to be fairer.
Here's a few bits to add:
1) I'd rather be a Burton Albion supporter than a Bury supporter. Or a Kettering Town supporter. Or a Rushden & Diamonds supporter etc etc.
2) The JFH Great Escape was a lot of fun - though I personally wasn't watching at that point.
3) Dino's journey last season was incredible and mostly enjoyable. Mostly. I could wax lyrical about that for a very long time. But even before the transfer window, he was clever in the way he used the limited resources he had - that's why I'm so down on MP - JFH left Dino with a right crap squad but he managed it brilliantly. It CAN be done.
4) Rochdale were in League Two for 35 years. Ha! Ha! Ha! Just imagine....
5) NO - I did NOT want Gary Rowett in charge for a full season. He got us safe but the football was dreadful. Losing 4-1 to Barnet at home....tut tut. Seems I was wrong.
6) I renewed my season ticket straight away - weeks ago - flash git.
One thing that's helped me get over myself is some of the posts on here. Being resigned to relegation is a lot better than being furious about it. National League - I'll be there.
Having said that, Tuesday night seems ages ago and it's now Saturday morning. I feel mildly positive. Tonight, I guess we'll all be ranting again at an inept performance with non-existent tactics. It'll be business as usual and I'll join in. See you there x
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Post by bartonyellow on Apr 20, 2024 5:39:41 GMT
Great post, Colston. I've been thinking a lot about this too over the last few months. I've found myself editing A LOT of my initial posts cos I've been angry and then changed them to be fairer. Here's a few bits to add: 1) I'd rather be a Burton Albion supporter than a Bury supporter. Or a Kettering Town supporter. Or a Rushden & Diamonds supporter etc etc. 2) The JFH Great Escape was a lot of fun - though I personally wasn't watching at that point. 3) Dino's journey last season was incredible and mostly enjoyable. Mostly. I could wax lyrical about that for a very long time. But even before the transfer window, he was clever in the way he used the limited resources he had - that's why I'm so down on MP - JFH left Dino with a right crap squad but he managed it brilliantly. It CAN be done. 4) Rochdale were in League Two for 35 years. Ha! Ha! Ha! Just imagine.... 5) NO - I did NOT want Gary Rowett in charge for a full season. He got us safe but the football was dreadful. Losing 4-1 to Barnet at home....tut tut. Seems I was wrong. 6) I renewed my season ticket straight away - weeks ago - flash git. One thing that's helped me get over myself is some of the posts on here. Being resigned to relegation is a lot better than being furious about it. National League - I'll be there. Having said that, Tuesday night seems ages ago and it's now Saturday morning. I feel mildly positive. Tonight, I guess we'll all be ranting again at an inept performance wih non-existent tactics and it'll be business as usual. I'll join in. See you there x And the sun is shining! |
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Post by bennyboy on Apr 20, 2024 6:27:36 GMT
You say you'll renew your ST. I've got to ask, do you have to pay to watch and report on Burton Albion? Perhaps re-read what I put? But, for clarity. I started attending in 1979. I started reporting in 2003. I finished reporting in 2013. I returned to reporting five years ago. So that's 16 out of 45 years it's been a job and no, I don't pay when it's work. Couple of games a season, usually, I'm on holiday but go anyway. Pay for those. Yes sorry I re-read the post and immediately deleted it, for some reason though it is still here. I suppose I could have used edit instead. Anyways yes understood, I thought odd you would need to pay to report too.👍 |
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Post by ianmcgibbon on Apr 20, 2024 6:48:08 GMT
Agree with much of Colston's post.
Football gets me out in the fresh air and I enjoy the walk.
And you always have a chance of that Zeli Ishmail moment.
18-0 today, for us. I always go for 18-0.
Not been right yet, but I was half right at Manchester City.
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Post by everard on Apr 20, 2024 8:04:44 GMT
I agree with all of Colston's post.
I renewed my season ticket cos I'm a seasoned Burton Albion supporter.
I did also message my views to the club on what felt like having my arm twisted to sign up before knowing which league we'll be in next season...
Today however, some doubt has crept in about that renewal... not because I fear the result of today's game or the performance of a group (as MP calls them) of players in yellow shirts not really good enough for League One (the table doesn't lie whatever anyone thinks or says).. but..
.... because I'm not honestly looking forward to watching the match stood among folk shouting and swearing with such aggression and venom about and at Albion players, the manager and Sir Ben.... that's not what I think supporting a club is about. The mood they create is indeed toxic and unpleasant...I know this is causing some not to attend... Maybe as many or more than the football we're currently watching...
Perhaps next season these people will have become so aggrieved and so consumed by their anger that they won't continue to attend and the uncomfortable atmosphere they engender and disperse among us will be gone with them and we supporters can get back to supporting... in good times and bad.
Bring your criticism to this forum, message the club directly but politely and constructively, attend supporters evenings to ask questions...
... but it's my view that during games at the Pirelli if you can't say, shout or demonstrate owt positive, say, shout or demonstrate nowt...
Mutter and moan to those around you who are probably feeling like you but check your need to draw attention to yourself by competing with others to scream the loudest and coarsest abuse...
I am in no position to dictate the behaviour of others...I wouldn't want to...I'm encouraging a pause for thought perhaps, asking for some restraint, cooler heads... and I'd love to hear some of the humour I used to hear shouted by fans from terraces in less angry times seemingly past........ and... this is just a viewpoint I'm sharing on a fans forum....
Now I await the 'Happy Clapper' retorts and the 'I pay my money' entitlement to do as I please commentary...
But please don't be too abusive if you feel compelled to respond.
I share the feelings of frustration and disappointment that have built up among all fans this season..
Thank you.
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Post by colstoncrawford on Apr 20, 2024 8:05:07 GMT
No it’s not right on what is going on at Burton Albion,but this thread is just fire fighting for Ben Robinson and his bad decisions. How can you say four seasons of anti football and fighting relegation,that the fans have to accept it,they are the only ones who seem to care after all they are Paying Customers! Nobody actually has asked the chairman any straightforward slightly difficult questions on the current plight of the team. The press and those who work for the club can circle the wagons,but it’s just not going to work the fans have had enough! A rant in which you pre-suppose to speak for “the fans”, as so many do. It absolutely is not “firefighting for Ben Robinson”. You have simply missed the point, spectacularly. But probably deliberately. I also can’t help it if you missed the answers to the questions when they have been asked, or if you just didn’t like the answers, or if you missed the critical articles I have written. |
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Post by Ilson Brewer on Apr 20, 2024 8:45:42 GMT
I agree with all of Colston's post. I renewed my season ticket cos I'm a seasoned Burton Albion supporter. I did also message my views to the club on what felt like having my arm twisted to sign up before knowing which league we'll be in next season... Today however, some doubt has crept in about that renewal... not because I fear the result of today's game or the performance of a group (as MP calls them) of players in yellow shirts not really good enough for League One (the table doesn't lie whatever anyone thinks or says).. but.. .... because I'm not honestly looking forward to watching the match stood among folk shouting and swearing with such aggression and venom about and at Albion players, the manager and Sir Ben.... that's not what I think supporting a club is about. The mood they create is indeed toxic and unpleasant...I know this is causing some not to attend... Maybe as many or more than the football we're currently watching... Perhaps next season these people will have become so aggrieved and so consumed by their anger that they won't continue to attend and the uncomfortable atmosphere they engender and disperse among us will be gone with them and we supporters can get back to supporting... in good times and bad. Bring your criticism to this forum, message the club directly but politely and constructively, attend supporters evenings to ask questions... ... but it's my view that during games at the Pirelli if you can't say, shout or demonstrate owt positive, say, shout or demonstrate nowt... Mutter and moan to those around you who are probably feeling like you but check your need to draw attention to yourself by competing with others to scream the loudest and coarsest abuse... I am in no position to dictate the behaviour of others...I wouldn't want to...I'm encouraging a pause for thought perhaps, asking for some restraint, cooler heads... and I'd love to hear some of the humour I used to hear shouted by fans from terraces in less angry times seemingly past........ and... this is just a viewpoint I'm sharing on a fans forum.... Now I await the 'Happy Clapper' retorts and the 'I pay my money' entitlement to do as I please commentary... But please don't be too abusive if you feel compelled to respond. I share the feelings of frustration and disappointment that have built up among all fans this season.. Thank you. Happy clapper. 😉 |
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Post by everard on Apr 20, 2024 9:28:25 GMT
Thanks Ilson - I shudda known you'd bring a smile to the table ...well to the forum...maybe the lads will have brought a smile to the table by FT this afternoon... but I'm breathing normally throughout...
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Post by mikeyboy on Apr 20, 2024 9:37:30 GMT
Lovely to see some positivity and I hope you all feel the same at 5 o’clock. Personally I still feel there is a lot that needs putting right at the moment and has for a fair while (since Cloughie ‘saved the club’ by leaving). Not just on the pitch but off it too and I think annable hit the nail on the head yesterday or Thursday as to why we have lost our way. Just carrying on as normal isn’t going to get those vital messages over to the people with influence unfortunately.
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Post by sinfinbovril on Apr 20, 2024 11:56:03 GMT
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Post by bennyboy on Apr 20, 2024 12:06:41 GMT
Well I made my mind up about not renewing my ST about 5 home matches ago. I said back then I'll still attend but probably not as many, probably not midweek matches.
I don't really care what happens today, I've lost that love of, it's match day getting excited and looking forward to the match. The pre match drink and chat amongst friends is now the highlight rather than the main event of the match itself.
Can't help feeling like it, I speak for myself when I say a break from football is needed.
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Post by annable on Apr 20, 2024 12:26:54 GMT
I agree with much of Colston's opening post but one thing I really don't like is how we quite often hear fans saying things like "punching above our weight" or "It could be worse just look at....(any of the teams quoted above)".
I actually don't believe we are punching above our weight where I firmly believe that from bottom half of league one downwards(as far down as you want to go) your resources, or lack of, become less important from this point downwards. After all we have been at this level for coming up to 10 years so have proved that it can be done as have lots of other "smaller" teams. Yes, money helps if you want to compete at the top end of divisions but surviving in divisions is easier that winning them. Also, how do you define "weight" in footballing terms? If you put all 92 PL/EFL in order of say company turnover then my guess is that it will bear little resemblance to the structure of what the divisions look like now. If it did somebody like Bradford would probably be in the Championship.
As regards comparing ourselves the clubs that have failed badly both on the pitch and also in terms of financial performance then for me that is a dangerous attitude to have and is also defeatist and lacks ambition. In a competitive environment like football you should setting your sights high and not thinking "it could be worse we could be Gresley Rovers" or whoever.
There are ways and means of fans expressing views and yes it's worse when things are going wrong and there have been some very over the top responses(not so much on here) but elsewhere i.e. Twitter or Facebook and some damn right out of order comments. We have had a good run in the last 15-20 years and its been fantastic and all we expect is that the owner does as much as possible to keep us where we are within the clubs and his own resources(as far as he is prepared to go personally). The recent run of 8 home defeats on the trot is unacceptable in football terms and if it turns out to be 9 at 5.00pm I for one won't be leaving the ground thinking "it could be worse we could be Torquay". Not interested in anyone else, BAFC comes first.
Fingers crossed for today. COYB!!
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Post by sleepless on Apr 20, 2024 17:32:36 GMT
First, off, I'm not suggesting for a moment all is right; it clearly isn't. But... I've never known things so toxic. Social media has a lot to do with it. I've also never known views turn as fast as they do now (the "sacked" [wrong word really, it wasn't a job] volunteer being a classic example, someone who had his picture taken with Pato proclaiming that this top bloke needed time and that he was right behind him as recently as March, and we were already in a bad run then). Jimmy went from hero to zero very quickly. Dino likewise. Pato even faster. It's as if some people, certainly not most on this forum, feed off controversy and change. Stability, patience doesn't interest them. I remember the "Clough out" banner when we went bottom of the Conference for one day (we played Sunday and won), a year before the Man U cup tie. Had we had Twitter then and Facebook was more developed, the clamour for NC's head would have been long and loud, based on what we now see. Of course, we know what happened next. I also recall plenty of doomy voices saying Rowett wasn't the answer when we lost 7-1 at Bristol Rovers, which was actually one of the most unjust scorelines I've ever seen. Everything they hit went in, with some deflections (Mustapha Carayol's screamer was the best). Rowett then built the squad Jimmy took up. I'll repeat, this isn't an endorsement of Pato. Nor will it be a condemnation. But when I talk about perspective, I'm looking at the fact that, for the first time in a very long time, we've had a few rough seasons. Then I try (and fail) to imagine what it would be like to be a fan of York, Southend, Scunthorpe, Yeovil, Torquay, Darlington. Their fans have suffered season after season of torture. Even Mansfield... a club in decline struggling to stay in business when we played them in the Conference, now back in League One. It was still Division Three the4 last time they were here. Or Wrexham... 16 years of failing to get out of the Conference when they lost their league status. I think of Luton, Oxford, Cambridge, Shrewsbury, Lincoln, Doncaster, Grimsby and a few others as established league clubs with proud histories... but they've all fallen out of the league and had to come back. And then us. A few rough seasons. A few rough seasons isn't going to have me saying stuff like "I'm not going again until he's gone" or "I'm not renewing my season ticket." (I'll renew it the second I'm no longer reporting on the club, like I did last time, by the way. Also, I should add that there's only me going, so I get that it's a more tricky equation if you're taking the family or travelling a long way for games). We go down this year? It's two relegations in 46 years. I'll live. If I support Rotherham I see one every two years. Yes, a lot needs sorting out this summer, up or down. Yes, the tea bars are poor. No, there's no decent beer in the ground. Yes, there are some annoying kids behind the goal. And a few more things. But the way some are talking, we're on a one-way ticket to hell. Nah, not by a long chalk. Perspective. Perspective is irrelevant. All that matters is to win more games than we lose and play entertaining football along the way. |
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