The problem is that you can't put all fans in the same basket.

Absolutely agree that some fans will just complain and turn up again (I'm probably one of the worst offenders) but many won't and all fans have their own personal turn off and drop out point. Proof of that is clear; you need only consider the numbers turning up whilst we were winning SL Finals and the position now. If we go part time next year there will be yet another significant drop, imo.

The problem for me is that the owners don't seem to be able to give us a reason to turn up. Immediately following everything we've had to put up with in the last three years or so, saying "We're doing all we can", and "things are going to get better" don't cut it, I'm afraid. In one respect I feel a bit of sympathy for ChaLowe - it's not exactly their fault that they're just the latest in a line of, what so far have been a pretty dismal set of owners, but it is what they signed up for. Maybe they should go back to the RFL, who put them in this spot and ask for their money back.

The implication is that nothing between now and then is relevant as we're just filling time. Well, good luck with that. Well, tell him to ring me when that happens, then. The only way I am paying anything next year is now if we are told specifically what is going on, and if I am interested in it. I no longer want to be a part of this farrago, where it is clear that actually, the faithful and long-suffering fans don't matter a flying fsck, and we are being taken for mugs. I have stood for a lot, but I draw the line at having the pis[size.[/sizes taken out of me, and if Marwan Koukash already knows what will happen to our club over the next 3 years yet we have no clue, then as far as I'm concerned let them play out their little games.

You know when someone says something in the house of commons and you hear all those old policitians making strange noises that means they agree with what was said? I'm making those noises at my computer now.

Koucash discussing about potential rebrand of Salford for next season. He's still committed to making it work. The fans are still at the 2200 approx level and have been since 2012. He confirms that about 5-6k fans will make it work. He's looking at the stadium, he's looking at trying to draw in fans from Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale.
I still think this is adding 2+2 and getting yellow.

Totally agree.
They are playing a game, and in a few years time we will find out what it is.
In the meantime they are leading us along like the pied piper.
I may be wrong - but if (sorry i mean "when"icon_wink.gif we get relegated does that mean someone (not mentioning any names) can buy our club for peanuts AND without any RFL criteria (-12 etc) and without any admin links (e.g. court cases) so thats their plan?
Then throw money at it and watch the fans stream back

Unfortunately for us simple fans it may just come down to business is business and the customers come last in their plans apart from them gambling on what S. H. Jimmy says - we will all come streaming back.
To me that is a massive gamble but I expect many businessmen have had that philosophy and it has probably worked. It relies on supporters having shorter memories and a forgiving nature.
My warning to them is that my experience of working and living away from Yorkshire for many years is that it is easy for people to get out of the habit of going to games as you find other things.
It will be hard to get them back when they are in the new habit of doing other things.
They need to keep us all turning up till the hoped new future starts but that needs them to keep us interested and they are failing at that right now.

That all makes sense woolly.
They are trying to keep us interested;
Toovey, Phoenix, possible aussie signings, honouring previous season tickets, bringing loan players in, having ex-players preach to us, re-signing favourites (Chissy), injury updates, "announcement" carrots every so often
But its all just a smoke screen to (supposedly) keep us fans onside.
And tbh if you look at it from a business point of view, next year fat nige gets a cheap Champ1 club with an established brand (cos he, I mean the RFL, bought that back) he gets money (from Koukash or other) to build a team, has Cha-Lo as advisers, Toovey as coach, that team could do well so fans will pay to see it.
And everyone forgets about the $hit that fans have had to deal with this season - oh apart from us that is

Just watched the interview with MK. I can't see how a rebranding in or around Salford would work regarding increasing the fan base. The move to odsal rumour may have some legs.

I definitely think it's true that supporters tend to have a, "forgiving nature", but it isn't everlasting of course and, if provoked badly enough and for long enough, every fan fan is likely to decide that enough is more than enough. It is unfortunate for our current owners, because, in truth, they had no part in the bulk of it, as provocation started quite awhile back and the clock has been ticking for three, four or five years or more.

When they first took over, someone posted a sort of plea to them, (sorry, I forget who) telling them exactly what they had to overcome to win our trust. It was probably the best post I've ever read on here, but sadly, the new owners either didn't see it or decided to completely ignore it. They certainly have done very little to try and win hearts and minds, and for many just a little would possibly be sufficient.

The other week I found and sent an email to Mr Chalmers and Mr Lowe. I didn't mince my words and asked the questions that I thought pertinent and some which came up through this forum. Astonishing Andrew Chalmers got back to me and offered me a meeting before the Fev game today which I went to. I asked FA to come along too, which he did and Chalmers answered our questions honestly and fully for an hour. When I get home after this game, and sober up, we'll type up the minutes run it by Mr Chalmers (who said we could put it up here as long as it's accurate) and let you all know what was said. However, although there is no magic bullet, what he told us in answer to our concerns was very promising.

I look forward to reading them when you can put them up.

Also positive that they was happy to have a meeting with you.

I'll do it as soon as I can. I think it's common courtesy to let Mr Chalmers read what we have written before posting it. I'll post up the email I wrote to him so you can see the questions asked, and answered, after the game when I get home.

Good work

Thank you very much for taking your time to do this. I agree with Chalmers reading it first and then there can be no one who says it's not accurate.