Protest - help please | Basingstoke Town Supporters Fan Forum

skybluecanary
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Protest - help please Apr 25, 2017 20:02:31 GMT

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Post by skybluecanary on Apr 25, 2017 20:02:31 GMT

I'm the photographer at Hitchin Town and since the game on Saturday I've been twice approached to request photographs of the protest before kick-off. I don't pretend to understand the situation at Basingstoke but I thoroughly enjoyed visiting your ground and hope to visit again next season.

I was born in Coventry and am a Sky Blues fan, as you know they’ve lost their ground, I moved to Witney and watched Witney Town and after moving to Hitchin, Witney lost their town centre ground moved to the outskirts and now, no longer exist. Hitchin narrowly escaped the same fate as Witney a couple of years ago, albeit for the next 20 years but I hope you can imagine I have a lot of sympathy for Basingstoke fans and sincerely hope you can avoid playing away from the town.

I don't wish to cause any problems for the protesters so I thought I'd appeal for guidance as to whether I should post these on my Flickr page?

www.flickr.com/photos/davenport_road/albums

Deleted
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Protest - help please Apr 25, 2017 21:42:55 GMT iandavies likes this

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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2017 21:42:55 GMT

I think it all depends on who has requested the photos from you. If it is anyone associated with Basingstoke Town Football Club, then I would say No, as they may be looking to prosecute those fans. The protest in most fans eyes was more than justified and in no way was excessive, violent or in anyway wrong. If you can confirm those names on here or message me, I will check and reply to you.

Thank you for contacting the fans first

iandavies
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Protest - help please Apr 25, 2017 21:52:57 GMT via mobile

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Post by iandavies on Apr 25, 2017 21:52:57 GMT

Totally agree with Larry.

I have defended Club Officials as they have an often thankless voluntary task.

But no one forced them into their roles and there comes a point when even I have to say that, if Club Officials can't empathise with protesting fans (who as Larry stated staged non violent protests), and the depth of feeling among many supporters about what is happening, then such Club Officials are clearly so out of touch with the sentiments of the fanbase that I am afraid that sadly the time has come for those Club Officials to resign once Rafi Razzak, who effectively appointed them, departs.

This Club won't rise from the ashes until there is genuine unity between Club Officials and the supporters and a Club Committee elected by the fans and accountable to the fans at annual elections is the only way a unified base can be laid down to build on for the future.

Last Edit: Apr 25, 2017 21:57:28 GMT by iandavies

tommoore Senior Member Posts: 291	Protest - help please Apr 25, 2017 21:58:34 GMT via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by tommoore on Apr 25, 2017 21:58:34 GMT From what I've heard/been told the club have a video of the whole things plus pictures. But I'd love to see the pictures 😂 #CuffedToThePost

iandavies
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Protest - help please Apr 25, 2017 23:05:35 GMT via mobile

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Post by iandavies on Apr 25, 2017 23:05:35 GMT

Apr 25, 2017 21:58:34 GMT tommoore said:

From what I've heard/been told the club have a video of the whole things plus pictures. But I'd love to see the pictures 😂 #CuffedToThePost

I can't remember who the two fans were who handcuffed themselves to the posts, but they are forever immortalised as legends of this Club in my eyes. 😂👍

And all joking aside, I think that regardless of FA rules, ground regulations and even the technical rule of Law (not that the Police seemed that interested anyway on Saturday) I reiterate that if Club Officials cannot empathise with the passion and love of the Club behind Saturday's actions then it is time for those Club Officials to go, and not the protestors.

If any action is initiated by the Club against any of the fans, then I am going to have to think twice about renewing my season ticket (we will end up with an attendance of zero at Farnborough at this rate).

We got humiliatingly relegated in bottom place ten points adrift in 2015/16 and to top that in 2016/17 we lost our ground - both on this Board's watch - and the fans aren't entitled to stage protests about either?

Enough.

Last Edit: Apr 25, 2017 23:10:28 GMT by iandavies

mike97
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Protest - help please Apr 26, 2017 6:47:44 GMT iandavies and hoody84 like this

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Post by mike97 on Apr 26, 2017 6:47:44 GMT

The fans were completely entitled to protest, did so in a balanced and measured way, broke no laws (the police were utterly uninterested in getting involved, and looked to me as if they wondered why they had been called) and allowed David Ray to talk them off the field. Game started six minutes late. So what. On an emotional day for anybody who cares about BTFC, the voice of protest was registered.

No idea who wants the photos, but I`d suggest they stay under wraps.

At this rate, the fans heading to Cherrywood Road will be so few in number that they can travel up in the mini bus. Embarassing relegation in 2016, ground turns into blocks of flats in 2017. What delights does the Board have in mind for 2018?

I`ve said before, and I`ll repeat, I think it`s time for anybody involved at the top of the club in and around the board to step down as Ali Baba heads into the sunset to count his millions. The last two years have been catastrophic, and desperately sad. Time for new blood, fresh ideas, more energy and open minds. I`d be surprised if that didn`t allow the club to reconnect in and around the borough, with the council and with the public. It might mean lower level football for a while, but right now that`s a small price to pay. I don't quite understand how Hants FA is able to say Yes to BTFC Ladies but No to the men. Sounds pretty discriminatory to me.

campo Senior Member Posts: 329	Protest - help please Apr 26, 2017 7:14:53 GMT iandavies likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by campo on Apr 26, 2017 7:14:53 GMT I shall at some point over the summer be expecting a letter on BTFC headed paper the conditions of my ban, which will no doubt follow what has to be the most peaceful protest in football history

iandavies
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Protest - help please Apr 26, 2017 8:58:54 GMT via mobile hoody84 likes this

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Post by iandavies on Apr 26, 2017 8:58:54 GMT

Apr 26, 2017 7:14:53 GMT campo said:

I shall at some point over the summer be expecting a letter on BTFC headed paper the conditions of my ban, which will no doubt follow what has to be the most peaceful protest in football history

It really was.

A peaceful centre circle demonstration which made its point and dispersed in orderly fashion after David Ray - who conducted himself brilliantly and showed his quality I hear by the way - played peacemaker.

Two fans handcuffing themselves to goalposts but again leaving the pitch, some harmless smoke bombs, streamers and hissing snake balloons.

It clearly didn't affect the players - far from it as they were all over Hitchin attacking the covered end first half.

As for the chants about Rafi Razzak - well, to me there was a kind of rough natural justice about that.

Young fans without much money can't stop a rich man messing with their football Club.

But the rich man can't stop those same young fans calling him the worst things under the sun on the terraces.

There is a price to pay for everything we do in this life - and the price Rafi Razzak pays for snapping up land for £2.4 million and selling it in for £5 million plus to repay himself and maybe even make a profit is what we saw and heard on Saturday.

He probably won't much care - he is all about the money - but the fans are all about the football and in what are surely the dying days of the current administration at the Club the Club Officials would do well to remember that lest they end up being remembered with as little affection as Rafi Razzak now so clearly will be.

No bans for fans or Home games might as well be played behind closed doors next season - few will go.

Last Edit: Apr 26, 2017 9:09:50 GMT by iandavies

hoody84
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Protest - help please Apr 26, 2017 9:22:28 GMT iandavies likes this

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Post by hoody84 on Apr 26, 2017 9:22:28 GMT

Since Saturday I've had all sort of threats written on the KFIB website comments section by a member of the IMG. It is a very sad state of affairs and only distances the IMG/club even further from the supporters.

I thought everyone was really well behaved the first 45 minutes was like a party atmosphere. Lets face there wasn't even a pitch invasion at the end.

Wouldn't it be ironic if I was hit with a restraining order stating that I wasn't allowed near The Camrose or the club, and lets face it if any action is taken on anyone the press would have a field day.

Anyway I think a IMG meeting took place last night so lets hope for positive news...

mike97 God Posts: 702	Protest - help please Apr 26, 2017 9:39:56 GMT iandavies and hoody84 like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by mike97 on Apr 26, 2017 9:39:56 GMT I don't think the risk of being banned from the Camrose will prove much of a hindrance to watching BTFC "home" games next season, Simon. Unless you like to watch construction sites....

iandavies
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Protest - help please Apr 26, 2017 9:41:33 GMT via mobile danner and hoody84 like this

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Post by iandavies on Apr 26, 2017 9:41:33 GMT

My reply on the KFIB website to the "threats" Simon is presumably alluding to....

Will,

I think it’s time for you to resign.

You are so out of touch with the depth of feeling among the fanbase that there is nothing to be gained from your continued involvement at the Club.

You no doubt started out with good intentions, but in all honesty I don’t see you getting elected at the inaugural Community Club Elections and I am afraid there will be no unity between Club Officials and fans, hence no new volunteers, until people like yourself have departed hot on Rafi Razzak’s heels.

Thank you, as they say, for your contribution to the Club and all the best in the future.

Elsewhere.

mickys God Posts: 655	Protest - help please Apr 26, 2017 9:46:14 GMT via mobile iandavies and hoody84 like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by mickys on Apr 26, 2017 9:46:14 GMT Be more ironic if we turn up at Saint Mary's and can't get in

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Protest - help please Apr 26, 2017 15:01:59 GMT

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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2017 15:01:59 GMT

Regarding the original question;

In normal circumstances and you were dealing with a normal club I would say there should not be a problem.

Some years ago we were told we were not allowed to take photo's even from a mobile or digital camera. The reason cited was that the league sponsors had control of such things and everything had to be done via the clubs official photographer.

However looking through the excellent photo's you have provided at various matches you are a 'de facto' official photographer of Hitchen Town. I imagine a long zoom outwards lense making the protesters images not clear may be an option.

Of course you could ask BTFC and join the queue from the 11,000 or so questions to the club that we are still awaiting answers for in the 'What do you want to ask the club ?'.

good luck to Hitchen Town next season and also to Coventry City. The Sky Blues fans deserve so much better than the nonsense currently going on.

hoody84 Full Member Posts: 199	Protest - help please Apr 27, 2017 17:28:45 GMT via mobile campo and iandavies like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by hoody84 on Apr 27, 2017 17:28:45 GMT Excellent front page coverage of the protest from our friends at the Basingstoke Gazette.

Protest - help please

Post by skybluecanary on Apr 25, 2017 20:02:31 GMT

Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2017 21:42:55 GMT

Post by iandavies on Apr 25, 2017 21:52:57 GMT

Post by tommoore on Apr 25, 2017 21:58:34 GMT

Post by iandavies on Apr 25, 2017 23:05:35 GMT

Post by mike97 on Apr 26, 2017 6:47:44 GMT

Post by campo on Apr 26, 2017 7:14:53 GMT

Post by iandavies on Apr 26, 2017 8:58:54 GMT

Post by hoody84 on Apr 26, 2017 9:22:28 GMT

Post by mike97 on Apr 26, 2017 9:39:56 GMT

Post by iandavies on Apr 26, 2017 9:41:33 GMT

Post by mickys on Apr 26, 2017 9:46:14 GMT

Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2017 15:01:59 GMT

Post by hoody84 on Apr 27, 2017 17:28:45 GMT