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Establishing a 'Saints Web Forum' Fans Representative.

Colinjb

By Colinjb,
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Colinjb

Colinjb

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Posted (edited)

Following on from the 'Saints Trust meeting' thread this idea has come up.

 

It is a distinct possibility that Saints Web Forum is the largest paid membership unofficial fans 'thing' that Southampton FC has. We obviously represent a wide snapshot of the opinions of the fanbase and as such could be seen as being better served then an organisation like the Saints Trust to represent fan opinion.

 

There are a few 'worries' in recent club policy that yes, do need to be addressed. Regardless of personal opinion that is clear to see, and taking ourselves as an organisation to represent fan opinion makes clear sense.

 

So, the questions I see are as follows.

 

1) Would the mods and administrators of this community be happy to allow the formation of an elected representative to convey the views of the forum to the wider media/club?

 

2) Do the members of the forum itself see this as worthwhile?

 

and of course.....

 

3) How would the formation of a 'constitution' for this idea be managed if it was seen to be a good idea?

 

There is a lot of open subject matter here. However, as a raw idea. It's a start.

Edited by Colinjb
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StuRomseySaint

StuRomseySaint

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There doesn't need to be a representative as such, as in an individual... just a closer link with the Echo so that stories are not published from one individual claiming to represent 1000 members.

 

Just Steve Grant giving the press/media a true reflection of what the feeling of the fans is on various issues.

 

However if some people want to set up a social commitee so I can meet Once Bitterne and punch the little c*nt in the face, I'm all for it.

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The Kraken

The Kraken

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There doesn't need to be a representative as such, as in an individual... just a closer link with the Echo so that stories are not published from one individual claiming to represent 1000 members.

 

Just Steve Grant giving the press/media a true reflection of what the feeling of the fans is on various issues.

 

I posted on the other thread, but would be more than happy to see this happen, Steve always gives a very balanced view.

 

And if it keeps professional gobsh!tes Illingsworth and McFeat away from speaking for "nearly a thousand Saints fans", all the better.

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StuRomseySaint

StuRomseySaint

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I posted on the other thread, but would be more than happy to see this happen, Steve always gives a very balanced view.

 

And if it keeps professional gobsh!tes Illingsworth and McFeat away from speaking for "nearly a thousand Saints fans", all the better.

 

To be fair to Steve, when representing the Saints Trust etc I have seen him give interviews which are not views of himself, but those of the majority etc... If he was used more then I am sure he would speak as an overview of opinion on the boards, as to his own personal opinion.

 

Having said that, he might not want to.

 

I still cannot believe that in the Echo today it states the Saints Trust have 1000 members.

 

I'm off to get a copy and frame it.

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Turkish

Turkish

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To be fair to Steve, when representing the Saints Trust etc I have seen him give interviews which are not views of himself, but those of the majority etc... If he was used more then I am sure he would speak as an overview of opinion on the boards, as to his own personal opinion.

 

Having said that, he might not want to.

 

I still cannot believe that in the Echo today it states the Saints Trust have 1000 members.

 

I'm off to get a copy and frame it.

 

But it does say not all of them are current members.

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Turkish

Turkish

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Which shows what a joke it is. At one point it HAD 1000 members. I would doubt it has a tenth of that now.

 

I think that is a little optimistic, the members are Nick Illingworth- chairman and Jason Mcfeat, Vice Chairman, and oh, that's it.

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The Kraken

The Kraken

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To be fair to Steve, when representing the Saints Trust etc I have seen him give interviews which are not views of himself, but those of the majority etc... If he was used more then I am sure he would speak as an overview of opinion on the boards, as to his own personal opinion.

 

Having said that, he might not want to.

 

I still cannot believe that in the Echo today it states the Saints Trust have 1000 members.

 

I'm off to get a copy and frame it.

 

Exactly right. This is what I said on the other thread...

 

It all depends on who the "elected" person is as to whether it would work or not.

 

When making press comments Illingsworth very rarely expresses his views as just his own, and McFeat is even more forthright in proclaiming what the entire Trust are feeling at any given time. Quite how they would know is anyone's guess but there they are speaking apparently for close on 1000 members

 

However, without wishing to shine a light up his @rse, Steve Grant's comments in the Echo always seem to come across as very balanced, and are usually expressed as a personal view even though he appears in print as a moderator of the forum. Whether Steve would actually want the role of forum spokesman is another matter altogether, but I for one would welcome it in place of the current arrangement of rent-a-quotes who claim to speak for all their members but in actuality only speak for themselves.

 

I think the role can work, but the spokesperson has to ensure that they do not try to suggest what the majority of forum members are thinking, but simply raise a concern that a sizeable amount of people have raised certain objections to something. You'll never get a common consensus on anything and therefore should never claim to do so. But a comment along the lines of "a large number of people have, through the forum, expressed sincere disappointment at the lack of consultancy and notice prior to the announcement by the club to scrap the payment plan" is factual and should offend no-one.

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SO16_Saint

SO16_Saint

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I agree with this, I think it's an excellent idea. Where do we start with regards to nominations, will it just be a 'hat in the ring' thing?

Don't know how it would start, but my vote would go for Turkish.

 

He would scare the **** out of the others simply by running through the alphabet

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Turkish

Turkish

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B- Biased, what TSF representative would be towards fans.

 

But that is a stupid quote then.

 

Thats like saying Saints have 250,000 season ticket holders... but not all of them are current season ticket holders. :rolleyes:

 

Why do you think i :badgrin: at it. Word for word it says "The Saints Trust- who have about 1,000 members of their co-operative, though not all of them are current members-asked for a meeting with Cortese, over a week ago to express their concearns, but have yet to be given a reply"

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Colinjb

Colinjb

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I think the role can work, but the spokesperson has to ensure that they do not try to suggest what the majority of forum members are thinking, but simply raise a concern that a sizeable amount of people have raised certain objections to something. You'll never get a common consensus on anything and therefore should never claim to do so. But a comment along the lines of "a large number of people have, through the forum, expressed sincere disappointment at the lack of consultancy and notice prior to the announcement by the club to scrap the payment plan" is factual and should offend no-one.

 

Bang on. It's about communicating concerns, not mass sweeping generalisations. If it ever got to that point the idea would lose credibility, much like Illingsworth et all have already.

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SuperMikey

SuperMikey

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Don't know how it would start, but my vote would go for Turkish.

 

He would scare the **** out of the others simply by running through the alphabet

 

What about a Turkish/Wiltshire Saint combo?

 

A - ARSELICKINGF^CKWITTEDCUMGUZZLER

B - B1TCHINGSH1TFACEDC^NTCHOPS

C - ....

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Turkish

Turkish

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Don't know how it would start, but my vote would go for Turkish.

 

He would scare the **** out of the others simply by running through the alphabet

 

Why thank you, talking of which....

 

C - Co-operative, something the saints trust claims to be, but is not.

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lenwilkins

lenwilkins

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There doesn't need to be a representative as such, as in an individual... just a closer link with the Echo so that stories are not published from one individual claiming to represent 1000 members.

 

Just Steve Grant giving the press/media a true reflection of what the feeling of the fans is on various issues.

 

However if some people want to set up a social commitee so I can meet Once Bitterne and punch the little c*nt in the face, I'm all for it.

 

That would be the Steve Grant who was on the Board of The Saints Trust until a few months ago would it?

 

Good plan.

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Thedelldays

Thedelldays

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People will always blame someone giving their opinion to the media as "trying to speak for the fans" when infact, the person usually never claims this and many fans just get jealous.

 

agree...nick illingsworth is being far more constructive about the issue than nearly all of us on here

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StuRomseySaint

StuRomseySaint

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People will always blame someone giving their opinion to the media as "trying to speak for the fans" when infact, the person usually never claims this and many fans just get jealous.

 

Errr...

 

It clearly states on the article that "The Saints Trust have handed The Daily Echo the following statement" .....

 

How many of his 'members' ( lol ) did he consult about this?

 

So it clearly states that Nick contacted the Echo... go figure...

 

Having said that, on this one particular subject, the more the merrier if it means putting more pressure on SFC

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buctootim

buctootim

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A cyber warrior is someone who makes threats in cyber land that they would not carry through in real life.

 

I am requesting that someone set up a social so I can punch Once Bitter in the face in realy life.

 

Thats because you know hes old. Brave man. That makes you one of the most pathetic posturers on here.

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BARCELONASAINT

BARCELONASAINT

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Although in principle this is a decent idea it will not work and it will not unite the fans.

You only have to read the recent threads on here to see the diverse opinions covering many topics.

An elected member will never truly represent the masses because the masses will never agree on any subject, there will always be differing opinions.

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StuRomseySaint

StuRomseySaint

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Thats because you know hes old. Brave man. That makes you one of the most pathetic posturers on here.

 

I don't know who he is actually... he has a pop from his PC but has so far refused to make himself known.

 

( I am slightly suspicious that it is a friend, who also lives in Bitterne, on a windup )

 

Oh... and I think you are a bit of a c*nt as well, if that helps.

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Colinjb

Colinjb

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Although in principle this is a decent idea it will not work and it will not unite the fans.

You only have to read the recent threads on here to see the diverse opinions covering many topics.

An elected member will never truly represent the masses because the masses will never agree on any subject, there will always be differing opinions.

 

True, but the amount of people who do feel that an issue is important can be measured. It would not be about conveying one single overridding agenda, it would be about seeing if these issues actually ARE important to a large section of the fanbase and then ensuring the concerns are heard.

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Turkish

Turkish

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You mistake me for someone who gives a ****.

 

This could be another idea for half time entertainment, TSF fights in the centre circle for all those that have fallen out during the week on here, last man standing wins, one shield and one weapon each, to the death. It'd be just like the gladiator days (not the one that used to be on ITV and is now on SKY) In fact, why dont we elect or spokesman that way too?

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StuRomseySaint

StuRomseySaint

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True, but the amount of people who do feel that an issue is important can be measured. It would not be about conveying one single overridding agenda, it would be about seeing if these issues actually ARE important to a large section of the fanbase and then ensuring the concerns are heard.

 

The problem is, as with the installment plan threads... you get the usual mongs who just want to disagree and aggravate people just for the sake of it.

 

If people could just ignore subjects that they have no interest in on this forum then maybe it would work.

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buctootim

buctootim

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This could be another idea for half time entertainment, TSF fights in the centre circle for all those that have fallen out during the week on here, last man standing wins, one shield and one weapon each, to the death. It'd be just like the gladiator days (not the one that used to be on ITV and is now on SKY) In fact, why dont we elect or spokesman that way too?

 

Good plan. We'd only need one sumo suit tho.

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The Kraken

The Kraken

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Although in principle this is a decent idea it will not work and it will not unite the fans.

You only have to read the recent threads on here to see the diverse opinions covering many topics.

An elected member will never truly represent the masses because the masses will never agree on any subject, there will always be differing opinions.

 

To add to what Colin has responded with; the forum also has the facility for obtaining, in a short space of time, a poll on any given issue. The spokesperson can then give accurate figures in terms of percentages and number of people polled on any particular subject. It doesn't need to be siding for one particular argument, just reflective of a significant amount of opinions.

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stevegrant

stevegrant

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That would be the Steve Grant who was on the Board of The Saints Trust until a few months ago would it?

 

Good plan.

I think your concept of time might be lacking somewhat, I resigned from the board of the Trust in January 2008.

 

For what it's worth, I'm not in favour of the idea.

 

It'll only end up with the same old situation where those "in charge" get the "you don't speak for me" comments aimed at them, and as a result those people might decide to leave the forum as they feel it's not a "forum" in the true sense anymore.

 

This forum has grown because of its diversity of opinion, forming a "group" like that would only serve to reduce that, IMO.

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Colinjb

Colinjb

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The problem is, as with the installment plan threads... you get the usual mongs who just want to disagree and aggravate people just for the sake of it.

 

If people could just ignore subjects that they have no interest in on this forum then maybe it would work.

 

It's a fine line. The use of Polls could be used to act as an indication of importance in an issue. What cannot bicker cannot lie.

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Saint Fan CaM

Saint Fan CaM

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While the idea that this forum is a more valid representation of views is correct IMO. However, there is absolutely no need for a single representative to be pushed forward as "the voice of TSF".

 

It is abundantly clear that the site is able to publish sensible polls to enable fans to express an opinion. The missing component is that TSF has no formal link to the club and the OS. If that aspect was in place, the club could request the criteria for a poll to TSF MODs - they put the poll in place and any paying member (of TSF or indeed perhaps even any ST holder) who wishes to express an opinion could do so. The results could then be published via the OS and used as consultative notes in Board meetings. It would be so easy to set-up at little or no cost and wouldn't involve some trumpted up individual turning up on TV screens claiming to be the "voice of the fans". Open, transparent, truly reflective of fans views.

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StuRomseySaint

StuRomseySaint

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I think alot of people don't want a spokesperson because they are jealous and don't want someone else getting the glory.

 

I personally couldn't give a fook, as long as the organisation they claim to be chairman/spokesman for exists and they don't ask to sit in on board meetings etc.

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Ponty

Ponty

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If the club want to know the general feeling of the fans on here they can log on and have a look for themselves.

 

And, Stu, keep making threats against other users and you'll find yourself with a lot more time to not give a sh** about the new kit and the suchlike. Cheers.

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