Wellard wrote:

I thought that was the case, else we’d be playing 6 defenders. Funny Old Game talking rubbish again then.

Wellard why don’t you stick to moaning about Gary not waving hello at you before a game.  Maybe you can make a cardboard sign asking for a wave or his shirt at the next home game?

We played the same formation as we do most games. 3 defenders, 2 wingbacks, 2 central midfielders and 3 forwards. Aaron played down the middle instead of Matt. Fas and Williams played either side of him. In previous games that has been called 1 up front to some, when it’s really 3.  We did not play 2 strikers up front. That made for a different dynamic to our play and worked well at times.

We lost a defender to a red and Freddie Grant came off injured so I’m not sure if we see it again anytime soon now.

I cannot stress enough (AGAIN)

I am not Funny Old Game, this has been confirmed as such by Admin (Blackpool Bluebird) and whilst I am all for spirited debate and everyone’s opinion being valid. Once again, this is personal and my name has been explicitly used in something that doesn’t concern me.

As mentioned before I have my opinions and you don’t have to look far to find them at every home game and most away fixtures, I’m always happy to chat to any of our supporters and discuss whatever they are concerned with.

In recent times I’ve used this forum as a way to gauge albeit anonymous the source, concerns from our fan base pertinent to my role as Commerical Manager and in large, regards the faltering crowds at the TS Stadium.

I beg of you, please email me on commercial@chippenhamtown.com should you wish to discuss anything you feel can help our situation or if you simply want your opinion listened too and deliberated with a club official. Wellard, I now speak directly to you as you seem certain I am Funny Old Game using not one but two usernames. I assure you this is not the case, however you wish me to prove this to you within reason I am happy to do however, for someone so certain they know Simon well enough to make the accusation, I am inviting you for a pint on Saturday (on me of course) in the Bluebirds Bar so as you can introduce yourself to me and I can offer you assurances that I not only am not FOG but I have ZERO personal agenda against any forum user, supporter or their right to an opinion whether it differs from mine or not. And just in closing, your opinion DEFINITELY differs from mine and find myself agreeing more with the likes of Funny Old Game however, that doesn’t mean I don’t think you have a right to one.

I did wrestle with whether to respond to this at all however by my silence it looks suspicious and whilst posting on here has been discouraged due to its anonymity and controversy at times, directly accusing ‘Simon’ of going after one of our supporters even under an alias could be extremely detrimental to my job which without putting too fine a slant on it, pays my bills, raises my child, supports my family. It’s an honour to work for this amazing football club and its supporters but please. Use the correct channels and be the change you want to see in the club. I can help you, so can others. Ultimately we all want the same thing. COYB

Last edited by TheVoice (18/2/2024 4:19 PM)

Rambler, something I myself have likely been guilty of in the past so I don’t profess to waltz in with a new title and a condescending mindset however I felt it important to once again stress that it’s not my way to hide under a new alias when my core job is to ensure supporters enjoy our product and can converse with the club freely without judgement.

I personally believe that a time is coming soon to address certain issues, a fans forum of sorts in person where ideas and concerns can be discussed freely with those who run your club inclusive of the manager who runs the department we care about most. Gary has long impressed on me that he wouldn’t mind doing something like this as he considers himself very accessible as a manager and approachable. The only issue I foresee with this is the challenge being people will have to step out from under the cloud of the forum alias and forever remove the anonymity in order for it to work so I fear that protecting that will leave questions unanswered and change very slight if at all.

I’ve always said it takes an army, I am one man who does his best, as are many others. I’ve read over recent weeks that we don’t care, that we are close knit and clique’s prevent volunteers, that we don’t listen, that issues are ignored etc and I can assure you that’s not the case. Not so long ago I offered a sit down, an open forum of sorts to discuss ongoing club matters. Perhaps something like this again isn’t far off should there be an appetite for it?

I did go that Forum a while back, and although its focus was entirely commercial/marketing matters, it was very useful-- especially as, besides yourself outlining the Club's marketing strategy, The Chairman was there and able to give definitive views on things..as well as make clear the club's spending priorities and income streams. He also talked about the likelihood of a  4G pitch.  Mark Collier used to do a "Meet the Manager" session(s?) in July   if I remember, that focused on all things from a Playing point of view.  The one I went to was pretty poorly attended. I'd be interested in knowing from others how a re-vamped Supporters' Club could function and why the old one expired. Definitely welcome the opportunity for a face-to-face with Gary Horgan ... especially as there has been so much debate about our playing patterns.. particularly up front... as well as the passing around at the back to entice the press. It would be important to have this , however difficult to set up and fit in, during the Playing Season, I think, while issues are live and to the fore. The Close Season ones are always going to be poorly attended I'd guess.
As for people not stepping out from the shadows of anonymity.. hopefully they will be in a comfortable minority. They'll be missing out on an opportunity to listen to and question people that run the Club.
 

Rambler wrote:

I did go that Forum a while back, and although its focus was entirely commercial/marketing matters, it was very useful-- especially as, besides yourself outlining the Club's marketing strategy, The Chairman was there and able to give definitive views on things..as well as make clear the club's spending priorities and income streams. He also talked about the likelihood of a  4G pitch.  Mark Collier used to do a "Meet the Manager" session(s?) in July   if I remember, that focused on all things from a Playing point of view.  The one I went to was pretty poorly attended. I'd be interested in knowing from others how a re-vamped Supporters' Club could function and why the old one expired. Definitely welcome the opportunity for a face-to-face with Gary Horgan ... especially as there has been so much debate about our playing patterns.. particularly up front... as well as the passing around at the back to entice the press. It would be important to have this , however difficult to set up and fit in, during the Playing Season, I think, while issues are live and to the fore. The Close Season ones are always going to be poorly attended I'd guess.
As for people not stepping out from the shadows of anonymity.. hopefully they will be in a comfortable minority. They'll be missing out on an opportunity to listen to and question people that run the Club.
 

Me too! I think an energetic Supporters' Club could be a real asset to CTFC. A preliminary discussion among interested fans while the season is still live, would be good.