We have to careful not to blame the club for decisions we make. Things change. Our circumstances change. Our responsibilities change. The people with whom you go to matches changes. And I think it's easier for supporters to coat their waning desire with effects from the club's [non] activity rather than look at what has changed for them personally.
For example, and The Black Cat will no doubt tell me otherwise, but as people who live in Weaste the situation has changed for our ilk. What popping round the corner was before is now going to be an effort. The logistics of getting to and from matches is still unknown. This isn't a whinge per se. Most folks made a considerable effort - in cost and travel time - to get to The Willows. And for as many locals who drop off, they may be made up from Barton and Winton folk. However, I'm sure there will be long-time supporters from East Salford who will watch Salford less regularly, finally 'calling it a day' because of the travel aspect... and blame it on their loss of faith in their club. (Watch out for me doing exactly this in 12 months!)
For me, this move is vital for the Reds to remain relevant. We have to kowtow to the R.F.L and if moving to a new stadium placates them then so be it. Because National League is death. I enjoy watching those matches on telly but attending them in person is a different matter. 2008 was a season that I certainly wouldn't want to revisit with any relish, even though we won everything. So if it's a case of seeing Salford wither and die at The Willows or go for another shot at the big time in Barton, I know what I'm choosing.
Quote: Karlos13 "The most annoying thing however, is that it is pretty obvious that the club would at the drop of a hat trade it's current fanbase for a new family orientated happy clappy brigade. The attitude seems to be that we are not too bothered about the current fans as Barton will attract a totally new fanbase. Pretty risky strategy.'"
It is risky; look what happened to Manchester Storm. However, it depends on the parents. When we talk about attracting families we need to think how a match day is pitched. It cannot be compared to an afternoon at the cinema or a day at Alton Towers but it is comparable to other spectator events. I wonder whether some rugby league clubs fall for the former and get their targeting wrong. Surely a parent who has been to sporting events before, whatever that sport may be, is far more likely to take their children to matches. Now these families may also be 'happy clappy', but at least they are more likely to stick with the club for longer rather than moving to the next fad.
The ideal for football clubs (all codes), the one they are unabashedly aiming for, is the N.F.L model. This is where groups of people go to one game in the season, as an outing, and spend spend spend. The environment was fostered mainly because N.F.L games are very expensive and few and far and between. What a winning combo. But most rugby league clubs' identities aren't strong enough to benefit from this exclusivity.
Quote: Karlos13 "The shadow of Sale - whilst most accept that we need to generate income and sharing is the obvious solution most fans worry about the publicity we will lose as the MEN is more interested in Union and Kennedy wrecking things. I am worried we will become a 2nd class club in our ground.'"
I'm not so much concerned about the Reds here - we're getting what we're been given - but Salford, the city. The people that should be looking at themselves is Salford Council. There's a considerable risk that its flagship stadium will be synonymous with Sale and [the very nearby] Trafford Council. I can't see the R.F.L being chuffed about it either.
Quote: Karlos13 "But do you seriously think Salford, as currently constituted, can sustain the running costs of that stadium alone?'"
Yes. Are you therefore implying that if the Sale partnership doesn't come off, the club is heading for certain insolvency? And why are we quick to assume that if Sale do come onboard, it would halve our costs? The JV may see the arrangement rather as potentially paying off the stadium in half the time.
Quote: Karlos13 "Yeah when we were offered Maine Rd etc?'"
Salford Council backing for a new stadium resulted from the whispers they heard from the Maine Road thing.
Quote: Karlos13 "Having seen how disillusioned everybody is on here though and the total lack of excitement for the new season to come I wanted to post ahead of that meeting to ask you guys for ideas that you would like me to present to JW. So anybody with any sensible ideas and solutions (sacking the board will not be something I plan on bringing up) then please do let me know!'"
Well, all the marketing ideas you will get from here have been tried. But whether they've been stuck with for any length of time is another thing. So I would like to see the club finish initiatives they boldly espouse to the end rather than losing faith too early. PR is clearly sh
it and needs a shot of something very strong and very addictive. For example, ask an R.L. journo about their thoughts on Salford.
Quote: Karlos13 "Just a few things are troubling me about this, doesn't the club already pay someone to do this job? There are two reasons I ask, firstly if I were that person and I read that my boss was speaking to someone on matters of my position I'd be A) inquisitive as to why the Chairman would speak to someone from the "outside" about things that are under my remit, B) Does that mean that the Chairman has no far in me and C) a bit peeved. On the other hand why does the chairman see it fit to speak to someone regarding the failings of one of his own members of staff rather than either speak to that person directly regarding his concerns about the way I operate or to my line manage (i.e. the chief exec) and tell him to make sure I up my game. If the chairman is aware that the person in his employment is doing their job to a sufficient standard then either tell them or fire them. This all appears a little sneaky to me.'"
Well that's one way you can take it. In many professions though it's common to have an in-house team and external consultants or agencies defining policies and guides. It doesn't necessarily point to inadequacies or poor communication in an organisation. But...
Quote: Karlos13 "Next year was to be my little lad's first year of regularly going to games; we were all set to purchase season tickets for Barton. However, at the risk of sounding melodramatic, I don't think I can face inflicting such a poorly run club on him. Unlike his dad, I want him to enjoy his rugby, not see it as an obligation. There's a successful, well run club on our doorstep who all his school pals support anyway and, much as it'll pain me, I'd sooner take him there.'"
If your doorstep is Wigan or Warrington and you live there, fair play. If you live in Walkden or Cadishead, hang your head man. Hang your head!
