Appeal - Forum on Monday

[Barryowen]

I am appealing to all our fans and trust members to attend the forum next Monday. A great deal of work is being completed by members of the Board and club to ensure the long term future of Oldham Athletic. That in itself is a massive plus point when I look at the demise of many clubs who are currently in difficulty, including our visitors tommorow. I make no apology for suggesting that does involved in the work are not getting the support they deserve.

 

I always assumed (wrongly so) that the event would have little difficulty in bringing forward fans in large numbers to put forward and discuss ideas about the new development.

 

This site has been submerged in many high class debates on the matter, some of which need to be duplicated into the room on Monday night when residents of Failsworth will be present. Although people seem happy to rely of this site to make their point, the sale of tickets does not identify with people caring enough to make these points further and express any ideas they may have. People can have little complaint that consultation has not taken place if they do not find the time to attend these types of meetings.

 

This 12 million pound development will form the largest piece of club history for many a year and it really would be sad if the room is not filled on Monday with people who can contribute to the debate. What message do we give to the residents if the club cannot rely on the support of those who genuinely care.

 

It has been said to me that people are refusing to attend on principle because of the £2 admission fee. The issues her are far bigger than that petty debate and I would ask people to put that argument aside in the interests of the club that you all love and support.

 

Please go into the shop tomorrow or Monday and get your ticket. It might just be that you have some idea about the development that nobody else has thought about. You may also be able to provide a counter argument to any other points made.

 

Barry

 

 

 

 

[Diego_Sideburns]

Got my ticket Barry, but what's this about a "12 million pound investment". I thought it had been reduced from the proposed £80m redevelopment of BP to a £20m development off Broadway in Failsworth. Please explain.

[oafcprozac]

I am appealing to all our fans and trust members to attend the forum next Monday. A great deal of work is being completed by members of the Board and club to ensure the long term future of Oldham Athletic. That in itself is a massive plus point when I look at the demise of many clubs who are currently in difficulty, including our visitors tommorow. I make no apology for suggesting that does involved in the work are not getting the support they deserve.

 

I always assumed (wrongly so) that the event would have little difficulty in bringing forward fans in large numbers to put forward and discuss ideas about the new development.

 

This site has been submerged in many high class debates on the matter, some of which need to be duplicated into the room on Monday night when residents of Failsworth will be present. Although people seem happy to rely of this site to make their point, the sale of tickets does not identify with people caring enough to make these points further and express any ideas they may have. People can have little complaint that consultation has not taken place if they do not find the time to attend these types of meetings.

 

This 12 million pound development will form the largest piece of club history for many a year and it really would be sad if the room is not filled on Monday with people who can contribute to the debate. What message do we give to the residents if the club cannot rely on the support of those who genuinely care.

 

It has been said to me that people are refusing to attend on principle because of the £2 admission fee. The issues her are far bigger than that petty debate and I would ask people to put that argument aside in the interests of the club that you all love and support.

 

Please go into the shop tomorrow or Monday and get your ticket. It might just be that you have some idea about the development that nobody else has thought about. You may also be able to provide a counter argument to any other points made.

 

Barry

 

Deliberately holding the meeting at a venue that holds only 300 people and then charging them by inconveniencing people in having to travel to BP to pick tickets up is the reason for the apathy Barry. I'm sure if the meeting was held in the Rochdale Road End there would be thousands of attendees and therein lies the problem. Give the fans and residents a proper voice instead of the half-arsed 'forum' the club has come up with.

[Oafc88]

How come the rocky road end is not being used? is this to come across as trying to be fair to the failsworth residents by not having at the ground and appear biased?

[garcon]

I take it that tickets will be available right up to 5:30pm Monday if any are still available?

 

I suspect it's the having to go to Latics to get the ticket has put more people off than the £2 charge. To show good intent, it might have been an idea to donate the £2 per ticket to a suitable charity (nad advertise as much from the beginning). Only £600 I know, but it would have been a good gesture.

 

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

Deliberately holding the meeting at a venue that holds only 300 people and then charging them by inconveniencing people in having to travel to BP to pick tickets up is the reason for the apathy Barry. I'm sure if the meeting was held in the Rochdale Road End there would be thousands of attendees and therein lies the problem. Give the fans and residents a proper voice instead of the half-arsed 'forum' the club has come up with.

 

Yes indeed. It's not really the £2 that's bothering me so much, but it's the having to trek all the way to Boundary Park, and then trek to Radcliffe school which is the major bugbear.

[Barryowen]

Got my ticket Barry, but what's this about a "12 million pound investment". I thought it had been reduced from the proposed £80m redevelopment of BP to a £20m development off Broadway in Failsworth. Please explain.

Sorry typing error

 

Barry

[Barryowen]

Yes indeed. It's not really the £2 that's bothering me so much, but it's the having to trek all the way to Boundary Park, and then trek to Radcliffe school which is the major bugbear.

You can pick your ticket up in the shop before or after the game. Anyone wanting a lift from Grotton speak up.

 

Barry

[ghostofcecere]

Barry, £2 for fans is bad enough, but do the club really expect the residents of Failsworth to spend £2 for a ticket to attend a debate???

[garcon]

To be honest, for a forum to actually work as such I think 300 is about the maximum number of people you'd want.

 

I can understand the £2 to limit attendance to those who REALLY care. If I was the forum organiser (and I don't know whether they have done this or not) I would have contacted a number of interested parties (at the Lancaster Club, the Allotments group, failsworth Dynamoes, local residents etc.) and made sure any ticket requirements were met, and if necessary sent out by post etc.

 

Could those responsible for the forum tell us exactly who will be attending? I would expect formal representatives of the Lancaster Club, OAFC, the Council as a minimum.

 

We certainly shouldn't be shying away from having all the "anti" groups represented - the forum is our first opportunity to nip many of their concerns in the bud, so that we can get rid of all the speculative nonsense and concentrate on any real issues that remain.

[Diego_Sideburns]

Sorry typing error

 

Barry

 

Please edit your original post Barry. There is enough angst on here about the 12,000 capacity, without giving the impression another £8m has been knocked off the scheme.

[Diego_Sideburns]

To be honest, for a forum to actually work as such I think 300 is about the maximum number of people you'd want.

 

I can understand the £2 to limit attendance to those who REALLY care. If I was the forum organiser (and I don't know whether they have done this or not) I would have contacted a number of interested parties (at the Lancaster Club, the Allotments group, failsworth Dynamoes, local residents etc.) and made sure any ticket requirements were met, and if necessary sent out by post etc.

 

Could those responsible for the forum tell us exactly who will be attending? I would expect formal representatives of the Lancaster Club, OAFC, the Council as a minimum.

 

We certainly shouldn't be shying away from having all the "anti" groups represented - the forum is our first opportunity to nip many of their concerns in the bud, so that we can get rid of all the speculative nonsense and concentrate on any real issues that remain.

 

Agee and would also expect the £2 to be refunded for those holders of Club Shop purchased tickets present on the night.

[Oafc88]

To be honest, for a forum to actually work as such I think 300 is about the maximum number of people you'd want.

 

I can understand the £2 to limit attendance to those who REALLY care. If I was the forum organiser (and I don't know whether they have done this or not) I would have contacted a number of interested parties (at the Lancaster Club, the Allotments group, failsworth Dynamoes, local residents etc.) and made sure any ticket requirements were met, and if necessary sent out by post etc.

 

Could those responsible for the forum tell us exactly who will be attending? I would expect formal representatives of the Lancaster Club, OAFC, the Council as a minimum.

 

We certainly shouldn't be shying away from having all the "anti" groups represented - the forum is our first opportunity to nip many of their concerns in the bud, so that we can get rid of all the speculative nonsense and concentrate on any real issues that remain.

 

Dont take this as a snipe but why is that is the maximum? im sure in the past when in the rocky road end forum, not everyone stood up and spoke, id imagine the majority, at least myself anyway, would just like to be just sat there to take it all in first hand. Also gives those a chance who wernt going to ask a question before they went to ask one, as something while they are there might trigger them to ask one. I know theres plenty of tickets left and i could still go, i just dont agree with paying 2 pounds towards a room to use, when it seems (until Barry answers my questions) that the rocky road could be virtually used for next to nothing!

Edited August 7, 2009 by Oafc88

[longtimeblue]

Please edit your original post Barry. There is enough angst on here about the 12,000 capacity, without giving the impression another £8m has been knocked off the scheme.

 

It's obvious the TTA have decided to stick with the 3 sides and Mr Owen has accidentally let slip about the re-newed plans

Edited August 7, 2009 by longtimeblue

[Diego_Sideburns]

It's obvious the TTA have decided to stick with the 3 sides and Mr Chaytow has accidentally let slip about the re-newed plans

 

Chaytow is the wrong Barry. The clue is in Barry's username.

[garcon]

(to oafc88) I just think that beyond 300 you start to get logistical problems getting people in the audience heard etc.

Edited August 7, 2009 by garcon

[Barryowen]

Chaytow is the wrong Barry. The clue is in Barry's username.

My own opinion is that an indoor venue is more suitable and saves on the expense of setting up facilties including sound equipment. An indoor venue is also more comfortable and ensures that weather is not a consideration. There are some logistical problems if it is rainming heavily and who knows at the moment even though we are in August. I am sure the club had no ulterior motive when looking at this venue.

 

Does it really matter where you are sat and at what location when looking at the importance of the forum.

 

Barry

[longtimeblue]

People were encouraged to march in protest at the original planning application decision of BP not that long ago - I don't think it's a lack of interest, maybe just a case of same old

[boundaryblue80]

Dont take this as a snipe but why is that is the maximum? im sure in the past when in the rocky road end forum, not everyone stood up and spoke, id imagine the majority, at least myself anyway, would just like to be just sat there to take it all in first hand. Also gives those a chance who wernt going to ask a question before they went to ask one, as something while they are there might trigger them to ask one. I know theres plenty of tickets left and i could still go, i just dont agree with paying 2 pounds towards a room to use, when it seems (until Barry answers my questions) that the rocky road could be virtually used for next to nothing!

Come on FFS...let's be sensible about this...the RRE isn't the most practical place to be holding such a meeting like this really is it? With ground plans being handed out etc...I wouldn't fancy sitting in there with wind and rain pissing in...which has been the case for the most of this summer...paper flying about everywhere, struggling to hear half of whats said.

 

If "fans" are really bothered...they'll pay the £2 and stop making up piss poor excuses! It's embarrassing and pathetic!

 

PS My ticket today was number 111 out of 300...I'm sure ppl will be running up to the club in December when we draw a nice FA Cup 3rd tie tho........

Edited August 7, 2009 by boundaryblue80

[Barryowen]

Come on FFS...let's be sensible about this...the RRE isn't the most practical place to be holding such a meeting like this really is it? With ground plans being handed out etc...I wouldn't fancy sitting in there with wind and rain pissing in...which has been the case for the most of this summer...paper flying about everywhere, struggling to hear half of whats said.

 

If "fans" are really bothered...they'll pay the £2 and stop making up piss poor excuses! It's embarrassing and pathetic!

 

PS My ticket today was number 111 out of 300...I'm sure ppl will be running up to the club in December when we draw a nice FA Cup 3rd tie tho........

Good post BB80. Thanks for the support.

 

Barry

[ste1987]

Please edit your original post Barry. There is enough angst on here about the 12,000 capacity, without giving the impression another £8m has been knocked off the scheme.

 

C'mon Diego. Barry has apologised its a typing error. Its hardly giving that impression as he has clarified this.

[dish]

PS My ticket today was number 111 out of 300...I'm sure ppl will be running up to the club in December when we draw a nice FA Cup 3rd tie tho........

 

I take it that you picked it up today around 2pm then?!

 

I'd expect more of a rush on the tickets tomorrow before the game, I might be wrong, but I'd be surprised if the event doesnt sell out. Maybe the Friends of Moston Brook won't be as vocal as I thought....(which won't be a bad thing!).

[Oafc88]

My own opinion is that an indoor venue is more suitable and saves on the expense of setting up facilties including sound equipment. An indoor venue is also more comfortable and ensures that weather is not a consideration. There are some logistical problems if it is rainming heavily and who knows at the moment even though we are in August. I am sure the club had no ulterior motive when looking at this venue.

 

Does it really matter where you are sat and at what location when looking at the importance of the forum.

 

Barry

 

Would it not be possible to use the current sound system that is used at boundary park on a matchday? i went to the roughyeds game last night, so its a recent memory, and im sure the the announcer was able to walk around with a wireless microphone (i think it was wireless) how difficult would be to replicate this with one microphone for the people taking the questions and another for those in the stands? (someone would have to draw the short straw and do a lot of running about obviously)

[ste1987]

I take it that you picked it up today around 2pm then?!

 

I'd expect more of a rush on the tickets tomorrow before the game, I might be wrong, but I'd be surprised if the event doesnt sell out. Maybe the Friends of Moston Brook won't be as vocal as I thought....(which won't be a bad thing!).

 

I agree with that. I think many will be waiting to purchase their tickets tomorrow rather than make a double trip.

[boundaryblue80]

I take it that you picked it up today around 2pm then?!

 

I'd expect more of a rush on the tickets tomorrow before the game, I might be wrong, but I'd be surprised if the event doesnt sell out. Maybe the Friends of Moston Brook won't be as vocal as I thought....(which won't be a bad thing!).

 

12.45pm...was worried I wouldn't get one (altho would possibly have been ok still) but was shocked to see the numbers on the 2 tickets I got. This is the future of our club...whether I'm happy/agree/think this move is or isn't the best of OAFC, being there to hear whats said and proposed is vital. And I also hope (though highly doubt coz they don't seem to want to address it) that they can offer some pure, hard facts as to why a smaller, more viable BP redevelopment can't be done (£20m or even £10-15m at BP...not £80) and how we propose to take on the whole of Manchester for business office space and conferencing sales then I may be a little more convinced that this isn't merely a land deal with us given a token gesture of a future. One whereby TTA say thanks, we tried for you on the pitch and to get the apathetic lot in, but that's it, we're off and we're left in a soulless, non-profit making elephant on the very edge of Manchester and the enemies grasp.

Edited August 7, 2009 by boundaryblue80