WE WILL NOT GO DOWN

[deyres42]

 

 

There's a difference between being available and wanting the job

 

Obviously, was simply using those two as an example.

[disjointed]

Barry, let's not pretend he was the best candidate, not when there were people like Simon Grayson, Keith Hiil to name but two available.

 

Johnson fitted the mould that you wanted to appoint - that being someone cheap and willing to work with a shoestring budget.

I would rather have LJ over those 2, Keith Hill would have been a terrible appointment, LJ has a lot to prove, if it goes well he is a new manager that other clubs will look at, he seems ambitious, what better way to progress, by being good at your 1st managers job.

[jsslatic]

Barry, let's not pretend he was the best candidate, not when there were people like Simon Grayson, Keith Hill available.

 

Johnson fitted the mould that you wanted to appoint - that being someone cheap and willing to work with a shoestring budget.

 

KEITH HILL? KEITH HILL?

[deyres42]

 

I would rather have LJ over those 2, Keith Hill would have been a terrible appointment, LJ has a lot to prove, if it goes well he is a new manager that other clubs will look at, he seems ambitious, what better way to progress, by being good at your 1st managers job.

 

Disagree about Hill, think he would have been excellent for us.

 

Certainly not against going with a rookie, had two issues with this appointment however.

 

First one being the timing, secondly, his complete lack of pedigree for the job.

 

I'd wager half of our squad didn't even know he was, which some might argue would be a good thing, however given our league position we really needed a manager who would command instant attention and respect of the squad.

[disjointed]

Disagree about Hill, think he would have been excellent for us.

 

Certainly not against going with a rookie, had two issues with this appointment however.

 

First one being the timing, secondly, his complete lack of pedigree for the job.

 

I'd wager half of our squad didn't even know he was, which some might argue would be a good thing, however given our league position we really needed a manager who would command instant attention and respect of the squad.

What I like about LJ is that he thinks that the youth of the club is the way forward, if we go down so be it, I honestly think this manager has the balls/nouse/skill to turn us into a winning team playing attractive football. But I have been wrong before just hope I am right this time.

[leeslover]

I raise you one Maheta Molonga.......

No. Dean Crowe. Dean Crowe.

[Steve_R]

M ypost chaps was a rallying call. I have ready all the responses but cannot answer every one.

 

I do not believe we will go down and merely mentioned the players being away from home when it appears there is less pressure on them. Rightly or wrongly they do seem to get very nervous at home, certainly when things are not going so well. Dare I mention it, but the away support does appear to be more forgiving when bad things happen.

 

Hindsight is a great thing and perhaps managers should go earlier when you look back . However you always have a belief that someone will turn it around.

 

 

Barry

Why are we still crap away from home then?

[Stevie_J]

Ryan . I have not suggested anyone has on this site but I have received quite a number of personal messages that the appointment was wrong, some of them received tonight.

 

I have merely pointed out that he was given the last ten games to make good and will continue to do his best. Quite honestly he is like a breath of fresh air, a man who cares a great deal about players, in particular the younger ones who need guidance and help both on and off the field.

 

Barry

I think that the appointment was wrong. I think the situation called for someone experienced, who wouldn't have been finding his feet during such a crucial period. I said it at the time and I stand by it.

 

However, you, Simon, et al went for the cheap option. Say it wasn't all you like, you'll not convince me that wasn't a big factor in selecting him.

 

I'm not stupid; I won't blame LJ if we're relegated. I'll blame the board for appointing him and for not sacking Dickov a lot earlier.

[oldhamoafc]

Just out of interest Barry, why did it take so long to get rid of Dickov? And then so long to replace him?

[Lookers_Carl]

Carl. You hit on some interesting points. The catering as you know is contracted out and we are constantly reminding he company of the issue you raise.

 

Programmes are expensive and we are not the only club to re-use then for a re-arranged game. Most fans are interested in the articles in the programme and not merely the names that appear on the squad list for the game.

 

We are currently looking into all aspect of the web use at the club and I am the first to admit that there could be improvements. All the Board are "digitally" minded even to the point of looking at the feasibility of an on line programme.

 

Whether this would be possible in being looked at along with other initiatives.

 

Barry

 

Thank you for the reply Barry.

 

Regarding the catering, I don't have an issue with it being outsourced. However, it is the club who choose the company to whom they contract it to, and by doing so, are trusting this company to do the job properly. If they are not then it is up to the club to do something about this and give the contract to a company who can. Either way, the responsibility still lies with the club regardless of whether it is contracted out or not.

 

Regarding the recycling of programmes, I stand by my original stance here. May cost the club some money in the short term to get programmes reprinted granted, but my concern is the damage done to the reputation of Oldham Athletic as a professional football club that conducts its business in a professional manner. Acknowledged printing costs may not be cheap, but regardless of whether other clubs do so or not, reusing programmes for the original fixture in the event of a postponed game is not professional in any way shape or form.

 

Regarding the official club website, I would love to be able to say "it could be improved a little, or tweak x y and z" but it really is worse than a GCSE project gone bad, and I will never know how it was ever allowed to see the light of day. Regarding the articles riddled with spelling and grammar mistakes, this is something that is completely within the clubs control and with all due respect, should not be happening.

[BristolOwl]

Corney has made a number of calamitous mistakes, both with the 3As and on his own, but his poor judgement and short-sighted meaness is best issustrated by his refusal to sack Dickov. In over 60 years supporting Latics, he was the worst I've ever seen. He might have escaped that epithet if Corney had de-fenestrated him earlier. Why raise this now? Because it illustrates that our demise is being caused by Corney, not the Premiership, the decline of the West etc. He couldn't even give our manager a few weeks before the transfer deadline, in which case we would have been safe by now. By the time LJ realised the horror of our predicament, it was too late. Poor fitness, weaknesses in key positions, lack of morale, poor leadership and a complacent cardre of senior players who believed the propaganda that the cowardly and incompetent diminutive Scot fed them, an absence of strategic and tactical ability etc could have at least been partly ameliorated with signings.

 

A few tens of thousands from the cup run profits could have been well spent, and prevented Corney's fear of relegation. Doubtless the new stand will be postponed if we go down. I still think that the 3As should pay for the stand they pulled down in a fit of panic. Whatever the official explanation, or the feeble excuses that we had at the time, the stand came down AFTER the UK market was going pear-shaped. And it was well after the collapse of US real estate, as the 3As well knew as investors in that market. The stand should have remained. That decision has cost us dearly in money, self-respect and lost points.

 

We are lucky to have LJ but I pray that Corney can off-load himself soon. He might well "love" the club but I think our aged cat has more sense and vision.

[Break The Silence]

My post chaps was a rallying call.

 

I don't think we need rallying Barry. It's the sorry excuse for footballers that will be walking out onto the Gigg Lane pitch at 2.59pm tomorrow that you need to speak to. And I don't mean the Bury team.

 

The sooner this season is over the better. Massive clearout needed.

 

And I appreciate your optimism Barry but I no longer share it and, until recently, I was a self proclaimed Happy Clapper.

 

Fail to better Scunny's result tomorrow and we're gone. League 2 beckons.

[razza699]

Carl. You hit on some interesting points. The catering as you know is contracted out and we are constantly reminding he company of the issue you raise.

 

 

 

Why not bring it in house? Its been terrible for years. Surely its time to look at other methods.

 

Surely with a catering system where each item sold makes money for Latics is better? Rather than a catering company paying a fixed fee whether they sell 300 pies or 3.

 

This way I think promotional days where tickets are cheaper would be much more financially viable if we was making money from the food and drinks sold.

 

Also no bar in the Chaddy End is another way Latics are missing out on money.

Edited April 12, 2013 by razza699

[disjointed]

Don't even think its a case of bettering scunny tomorrow, anything other than a win at Bury and that is it Division 4. I expect the players to run through brick walls, will they? I doubt it.

[Break The Silence]

Why not bring it in house? Its been terrible for years. Surely its time to look at other methods.

 

Why not get the webmonkey to do it? Serving pies doesn't require the ability to spell or string coherent sentences together.

[garcon]

I suspect the reason catering was contracted out in the first place is that the club weren't covering costs. And it would seem that the only way a third party specialist can make any money out of it is by under-stocking and thus removing any risk of wastage.

[opinions4u]

Could a fans group manage the catering?

 

Just a thought ....

 

(I'd rather not lead this one!)

[Lookers_Carl]

Could a fans group manage the catering?

 

Just a thought ....

 

(I'd rather not lead this one!)

 

Or simply just look to take their business elsewhere if the current company arent performing. I am sure there are other catering organisations who would jump at the opportunity to cater for an average crowd of 4000, for a guaranteed 23 times a season.

[Break The Silence]

I suspect the reason catering was contracted out in the first place is that the club weren't covering costs. And it would seem that the only way a third party specialist can make any money out of it is by under-stocking and thus removing any risk of wastage.

 

I'm no catering expert but surely under-stocking to avoid wastage is a bit short sighted? I mean, the mark up on pies alone must be at least 200% if bought from the bakery in bulk...

[garcon]

I'm no catering expert but surely under-stocking to avoid wastage is a bit short sighted? I mean, the mark up on pies alone must be at least 200% if bought from the bakery in bulk...

You would think so, but I'm no catering expert either. Pies are entirely a leisure pursuit for me...

[Wardie]

Thank you for the reply Barry.

 

Regarding the catering, I don't have an issue with it being outsourced. However, it is the club who choose the company to whom they contract it to, and by doing so, are trusting this company to do the job properly. If they are not then it is up to the club to do something about this and give the contract to a company who can. Either way, the responsibility still lies with the club regardless of whether it is contracted out or not.

 

Regarding the recycling of programmes, I stand by my original stance here. May cost the club some money in the short term to get programmes reprinted granted, but my concern is the damage done to the reputation of Oldham Athletic as a professional football club that conducts its business in a professional manner. Acknowledged printing costs may not be cheap, but regardless of whether other clubs do so or not, reusing programmes for the original fixture in the event of a postponed game is not professional in any way shape or form.

 

Regarding the official club website, I would love to be able to say "it could be improved a little, or tweak x y and z" but it really is worse than a GCSE project gone bad, and I will never know how it was ever allowed to see the light of day. Regarding the articles riddled with spelling and grammar mistakes, this is something that is completely within the clubs control and with all due respect, should not be happening.

 

I don't know much (actually, nothing) about catering logistics, I just know that when I am hungry, I expect there to a supply in place that will deal with it..but Carl is correct. If the existing caterers cannot manage a League One match and the meagre crowds that Latics currently get, then surely it is time for a change. The fans are paying customers and, at the very least, should have the option to purchase food from a competent caterer..not queue in the freezing cold, only to be informed that the pies are "sold out..but we have crisps available". The buck stops with the club.

 

The original fixture programmes, if they must be used, could be supplied with a mini-supplement, inserted or wrapped-around the original. It only needs to be a four page affair, in colour and with any updated info etc. Much more professional and would at least display a bit of marketing nous and consideration from within the club.

 

The website is just a disaster from top to bottom. The template that was decided upon, by whoever had the final say, flouts the rules of typography and established design ethics, the journalism is bordering on the rank amateur and the content management leaves a whole lot to be desired. Other clubs have managed to successfully utilise the templates that were on offer, by customizing the code, where the option is available and paying attention to content detail.

[OLDHAMADE]

Never had this problem with Hollands! lol

[oafcprozac]

The club's customer service policy is rotten from top to the bottom, one or two are great but every one else sees a complaint as an inconvenience to them and a personal insult, rather than the paying customer feeling aggrieved. Time and time again issues are raised and we get a representative of the club on here whining about they're doing their best. Well perhaps you are, but your best often is not good enough in satisfying the demand of the paying customer.

 

Alan Hardy would take ownership of an issue and discuss matters personally with you, ok half the time it was mostly piss, wind and excuses (sorry Alan but that's true) but at least he had the time to tell you nothing would change, and give you the excuses as to why that would be. Now at best, the complaints process is ambiguous, the same issues are mentioned on here and complained about time and again, yet very little ever gets done. Now i'm hearing that people are in communication with the club yet very rarely get a reply, never mind a satisfaction response. I would love to see if even the club has a Supporters' Charter it adheres to? The attitude from too many in the club is, "that's yer lot. what else do you expect us to do?" I know finances are tight, but the minute details are the things to get right before you move onto grander ideas. The club needs one contact to liaise with fans and take ownership of communications from fans on a one to one basis, whether that be replying to emails, letters or telephone calls. reassure people their concerns will be heard and their issues will be put to the person responsible - whether that be catering, publishing, website, club-shop, marketing, ticketing, access for disabled fans etc, etc

 

We are a PROFESSIONAL football club, but are run in such an amateurish way that it is no wonder fans have walked in droves. It's not always the product on the pitch that makes people think, why the hell should I bother?

 

You can have all the shiny new stands in the world, but if you have the same attitudes to delivering your brand and that's what Oldham Athletic is in 21st Century Society, sport is big business, ok we're a smaller version of the bigger sporting brands but if you are not offering people what they want in terms of quality all round experience, then your customer base will continue to dwindle and eventually wither and die. A few fans will lap up anything, however increasing numbers want quality and availability for their precious pound in their pocket. They want pies available after twenty past three, they want a cold beer that's not out of date, they want an accessible website with an easy to use interface, they want their Latics Player to work in Sydney or Sholver, they want a quality programme that has been properly proof read, not riddled with factual errors, they want replica shirts that are available in the club shop year round and that are quality enough not to fall apart after a few washes - all little things that could be rectified by more attention to detail.

Edited April 12, 2013 by oafcprozac

[Fervid]

The club's customer service policy is rotten from top to the bottom, one or two are great but every one else sees a complaint as an inconvenience to them and a personal insult, rather than the paying customer feeling aggrieved. Time and time again issues are raised and we get a representative of the club on here whining about they're doing their best. Well perhaps you are, but your best often is not good enough in satisfying the demand of the paying customer.

 

Alan Hardy would take ownership of an issue and discuss matters personally with you, ok half the time it was mostly piss, wind and excuses (sorry Alan but that's true) but at least he had the time to tell you nothing would change, and give you the excuses as to why that would be. Now at best, the complaints process is ambiguous, the same issues are mentioned on here and complained about time and again, yet very little ever gets done. Now i'm hearing that people are in communication with the club yet very rarely get a reply, never mind a satisfaction response. I would love to see if even the club has a Supporters' Charter it adheres to? The attitude from too many in the club is, "that's yer lot. what else do you expect us to do?" I know finances are tight, but the minute details are the things to get right before you move onto grander ideas. The club needs one contact to liaise with fans and take ownership of communications from fans on a one to one basis, whether that be replying to emails, letters or telephone calls. reassure people their concerns will be heard and their issues will be put to the person responsible - whether that be catering, publishing, website, club-shop, marketing, ticketing, access for disabled fans etc, etc

 

We are a PROFESSIONAL football club, but are run in such an amateurish way that it is no wonder fans have walked in droves. It's not always the product on the pitch that makes people think, why the hell should I bother?

 

You can have all the shiny new stands in the world, but if you have the same attitudes to delivering your brand and that's what Oldham Athletic is in 21st Century Society, sport is big business, ok we're a smaller version of the bigger sporting brands but if you are not offering people what they want in terms of quality all round experience, then your customer base will continue to dwindle and eventually wither and die. A few fans will lap up anything, however increasing numbers want quality and availability for their precious pound in their pocket. They want pies available after twenty past three, they want a cold beer that's not out of date, they want an accessible website with an easy to use interface, they want their Latics Player to work in Sydney or Sholver, they want a quality programme that has been properly proof read, not riddled with factual errors, they want replica shirts that are available in the club shop year round and that are quality enough not to fall apart after a few washes - all little things that could be rectified by more attention to detail.

 

Great post couldn't agree more.

[BP1960]

The club's customer service policy is rotten from top to the bottom, one or two are great but every one else sees a complaint as an inconvenience to them and a personal insult, rather than the paying customer feeling aggrieved. Time and time again issues are raised and we get a representative of the club on here whining about they're doing their best. Well perhaps you are, but your best often is not good enough in satisfying the demand of the paying customer.

 

Alan Hardy would take ownership of an issue and discuss matters personally with you, ok half the time it was mostly piss, wind and excuses (sorry Alan but that's true) but at least he had the time to tell you nothing would change, and give you the excuses as to why that would be. Now at best, the complaints process is ambiguous, the same issues are mentioned on here and complained about time and again, yet very little ever gets done. Now i'm hearing that people are in communication with the club yet very rarely get a reply, never mind a satisfaction response. I would love to see if even the club has a Supporters' Charter it adheres to? The attitude from too many in the club is, "that's yer lot. what else do you expect us to do?" I know finances are tight, but the minute details are the things to get right before you move onto grander ideas. The club needs one contact to liaise with fans and take ownership of communications from fans on a one to one basis, whether that be replying to emails, letters or telephone calls. reassure people their concerns will be heard and their issues will be put to the person responsible - whether that be catering, publishing, website, club-shop, marketing, ticketing, access for disabled fans etc, etc

 

We are a PROFESSIONAL football club, but are run in such an amateurish way that it is no wonder fans have walked in droves. It's not always the product on the pitch that makes people think, why the hell should I bother?

 

You can have all the shiny new stands in the world, but if you have the same attitudes to delivering your brand and that's what Oldham Athletic is in 21st Century Society, sport is big business, ok we're a smaller version of the bigger sporting brands but if you are not offering people what they want in terms of quality all round experience, then your customer base will continue to dwindle and eventually wither and die. A few fans will lap up anything, however increasing numbers want quality and availability for their precious pound in their pocket. They want pies available after twenty past three, they want a cold beer that's not out of date, they want an accessible website with an easy to use interface, they want their Latics Player to work in Sydney or Sholver, they want a quality programme that has been properly proof read, not riddled with factual errors, they want replica shirts that are available in the club shop year round and that are quality enough not to fall apart after a few washes - all little things that could be rectified by more attention to detail.

 

Even non league Kidderminster have a better attitude to catering.