137!! | Basingstoke Town Supporters Fan Forum

steve
Senior Member

Posts: 442

137!! Apr 24, 2014 23:37:01 GMT

Quote

Post by steve on Apr 24, 2014 23:37:01 GMT

Interesting facts written by Gazette reporter John Boyman in his latest report on the Concord match,

'Two years ago, nearly 1,700 people turned up to the Camrose on a Wednesday night to watch Town take on Dartford in the semi-finals of the Conference South play-offs. Fast forward to last night, and just 137 people were in attendance as Basingstoke brought the curtain down on a disappointing season in front of their home fans'

In just 2 seasons Town have gone from possible Conference status to a slide this season which has seen them being sucked into a relegation battle out of the Conference South. Crowds since that semi final night have gone downhill fast, news of a new ground is only available to a few inside the club and sponsorship and reveue appears to be down on previous seasons.

Does not make for good reading does it.

RIP CAMROSE - SADLY AND UNCEREMONIOUSLY TAKEN AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE OF BASINGSTOKE . NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN

Prejudice is a great TIME SAVER. You can form opinions without having to get to the FACTS.

wam
Full Member

Posts: 152

137!! Apr 25, 2014 12:03:09 GMT

Quote

Post by wam on Apr 25, 2014 12:03:09 GMT

No it certainly does not. It is becoming very clear there is a major problem behind the scenes within the club which has to be placed at the feet of those running the club. Such a change of fortunes on the field of play as we have seen this season, cannot be blamed upon the players, they had shown their ability in the early season, so something is affecting the dressing room, hence Jason comes under attack. But Jason has also shown he is capable of leading the team to success (he got a mid table team to the playoffs two years ago). I suggest he is being affected by whatever is the real problem, which is also affecting his players. Face up to it, the problem, what ever it is, lies in the Board Room, and needs to be resolved with urgency.

jack
Junior Member

Posts: 69

137!! Apr 25, 2014 12:57:44 GMT

Quote

Post by jack on Apr 25, 2014 12:57:44 GMT

Bill, people haven't been coming because we started well and have fallen away and in recent weeks have had 'nothing to play for' (in terms of not being able to reach the play-offs and no relegation battle) and the football not being great to watch (maybe due to the players being aware of the 'nothing to play for' scenario). IMO, this is mostly due to some of the current crop of players not being good enough. The difference in our attendance in 2 seasons is noticeable but not as bad as losing 1500-odd people as John's report has you thinking. Out last midweek home game of 2 seasons ago was against Truro, which attracted a gate of 318 and that was when Jason was first in charge and we were starting our play-off push.

Attendances at this level have dropped for the majority of teams over the last few years but so many factors affect this such as who is in the division; we don't have teams supported teams like AFC Wimbledon, Woking or Salisbury of years gone by and on average, less fans are traveling away throughout the clubs. To put it in to perspective, we were the 17th best attended team in the division 2 seasons ago and 15th best last season. This season we're still the 15th best supported team in the division on average and at 312 on average and that is no great feat. Next season I'd be very surprised if our average attendance wasn't above 312.

wam
Full Member

Posts: 152

137!! Apr 25, 2014 13:55:32 GMT

Quote

Post by wam on Apr 25, 2014 13:55:32 GMT

Why will it be more? We got bigger gates than recent attendances in our Hants League days. Our local team here in St. Ives, get bigger gates than 200 in most games and peaked at over 400 for one league game and they play two steps below Basingstoke. If we are 15th out of 22, when Basingstoke has probably the largest catchment area population in the league, gates of around 300 are abysmal. I do agree Jack that all the points you make are valid and will reduce attendances, but that is only part of the problem. All the points raised in various postings about people helping the club and being treated badly are cannot be ignored. There have been numerous people over the years who have made those sort of complaints. The club's failure to embrace its supporters is wrong. The demise of the Supporters Club is yet another indication that things are not right behind the scenes. I think the decline in attendances signifies deeper problems.

mickys
God

Posts: 654

137!! Apr 25, 2014 16:15:51 GMT

Quote

Post by mickys on Apr 25, 2014 16:15:51 GMT

Bill, when we played in the Hampshire League how many live games of football were on the T.V., ( these days there are at least one or two six days a week ).
How many drive through fast food outlets and coffee shops were there, how many tv's, game consoles and computers did your children have ?. People are just not interested in football at this level or even one or two leagues higher especially those from Basingstoke.
Yes they all come out of the woodwork for the big games but do they return one or two games latter.
This season we had new clubs in the league like Concord, Gosport and Whitehawk, teams with an away following of less then twenty between all three of them, next season we already have Dartford down and Hemel and Wealdstone promoted teams with a good away following so yes the average will be up next season.
So IMO unless the F.A address the issue of grass roots football and players wages clubs like ours will go out of business

steve
Senior Member

Posts: 442

137!! Apr 26, 2014 10:02:31 GMT

Quote

Post by steve on Apr 26, 2014 10:02:31 GMT

Mickys

You make very good points about other distractions these days from yesteryear but what have drive through fast food outlets and coffee shops got to do with going to football? I cannot see the connection there at all.

Your right to point out about people looking to attend big games only but it’s when the big games come along the club need more foresight and incentive schemes to trap a few into coming again but they never do. The club get wrapped up in the big game moment themselves and the publicity that it generates and then wonders why the crowd for the next game goes back to 200.

Basingstoke Town without doubt is a sleepy town regarding the local football team; however on the odd occasion in the past it has been woken up which proves the support is out there but it needs go ahead people to wake it up. Clearly the club have not got any Ian’s or Cliff’s (good people) around from a few years ago who generated lots of support from within the town but then they had door shut in their faces as often is the case.

RIP CAMROSE - SADLY AND UNCEREMONIOUSLY TAKEN AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE OF BASINGSTOKE . NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN

Prejudice is a great TIME SAVER. You can form opinions without having to get to the FACTS.

marjon
New Member

Posts: 2

137!! Apr 26, 2014 15:47:09 GMT

Quote

Post by marjon on Apr 26, 2014 15:47:09 GMT

I have read the comments made by mickys but are we to rely on visting fans to make the figs look good, the board have clearly lost sight of what is wrong and i see no evidence for some time now that they have any idea how to address the problem, which is how do we get more people interested in BTFC. I have spoken recently to a guy who was a board member who clearly had some real good sound ideas but it appears that as it was not the idea of certain board members they were rejected, is it not time for the chairman to admit the people he has around him just cannot do the job to get the clubs following increased. I feel for jason who I feel will be the possible scape goat rather than the chairman admiting his current board is not capable or able to turn the club around, why does he not see this, the current board have had long enough to get to grips with what is clearly evident to the followers of BTFC.
Also what is happening with the clubs plans to offer youngsters the chance to play in a new league on saturdays surly these boys will be already with youth teams playing on sundays, is it a good idea to set up teams in competion to the local clubs and put at risk of injury and tiredness, with extra training for BTFC, their club and then games on saturday and sunday, for kids at U10 its a lot and then I see the parents will have to pay a deposit of £100 for their son to play for the clubs team, is this only a way to generate income for a failing club, I am sure the local teams are not impressed and this will only cause clubs to not allow there teams to come to watch games so it could clearly be a big mistake for the club if they want to build relationships with all the local clubs, so again is it an attempt for a quick fix or will it be another blunder by the board. Wake up and smell the coffe mr chairman please as we want a club in basingstoke but with Directors who care and can deliver, clearly the current board have run out of ideas so its time for a change and quick please.

localfootball
New Member

Posts: 14

137!! Apr 27, 2014 7:53:02 GMT

Quote

Post by localfootball on Apr 27, 2014 7:53:02 GMT

Basingstoke is a sleepy town. The only way too get people out of the house to watch the team is if people know the players or get a chance to know the players. Either the players must do more in the football community or we have to sign players that are local, have friends and family and are good enough. Quite tough either one but BTFC can't just blindly follow the same blueprint all the other clubs do, who incidentally have the same problems. Spectators would have to accept we won't get existing good players but they may develop. What I do think is support the people who are giving their time write or wrong they are doing more than all the moaners. The club isn't yours it's the chairman who keeps it afloat with his money.

You moaners why don't you try by putting money into a local club, you can start with £50 in a under 6 team put into action what you say you would do and show us all you were right. It's just the same as BTFC but a everything has a few naughty knocked off. Now talk, moan or get on and tell us how you did by 2015.

davidpartridge
Senior Member

Posts: 278

137!! Apr 27, 2014 10:22:42 GMT

Quote

Post by davidpartridge on Apr 27, 2014 10:22:42 GMT

Apr 27, 2014 7:53:02 GMT localfootball said:

Basingstoke is a sleepy town. The only way too get people out of the house to watch the team is if people know the players or get a chance to know the players. Either the players must do more in the football community or we have to sign players that are local, have friends and family and are good enough. Quite tough either one but BTFC can't just blindly follow the same blueprint all the other clubs do, who incidentally have the same problems. Spectators would have to accept we won't get existing good players but they may develop. What I do think is support the people who are giving their time write or wrong they are doing more than all the moaners. The club isn't yours it's the chairman who keeps it afloat with his money.

You make some very valid points here and regarding local players I wholeheartedly agree, but the last part of this paragraph is I’m afraid so very wrong.

The club should NOT be relying on one man’s money and we should never have to be beholden to that one man to keep OUR club afloat. The club has been here for many years before him and those of us who have also been here for a very long time would like to see it go on for many years beyond him.

The club should be here for the WHOLE town, the community of Basingstoke & Deane, NOT just for those who are in the inner circles of the Chairman’s private club or for ONE local youth football team. It should be open to ALL, for ALL to enjoy EQUALLY.

With regard to my personally putting money into a local club, if we don’t take into account any previous input over many years by my parents of myself (donations, buy a brick – remember that one, anyone? season tickets, events etc etc etc) and take only my personal recent involvement at btfc, I would say in excess of £50K, excluding loans that I am still in the process of getting back (and on which I have lost interest if I had invested elsewhere), and four years of my life that I won’t get back (most of which were spent wading through treacle and being under attack from the free football & prawn sandwich brigade). How did I get on? I was very successful thank you until it looked like real progress was going to be made and I became a threat and had to be removed. Anything else you’d like to know in order to make a balanced judgement?

Of course, I wasn't here for the glory years

But, never mind, Nev'll Fix It!

Club Office News
Senior Member

Posts: 372

137!! Apr 27, 2014 13:04:27 GMT via mobile

Quote

Post by Club Office News on Apr 27, 2014 13:04:27 GMT

" and being under attack from the free football & prawn sandwich brigade). How did I get on? I was very successful thank you until it looked like real progress was going to be made and I became a threat and had to be removed. "

Dave,

Apologies for having to interrupt your work of fiction mid-flow but in order to protect the clubs interests it's important that the club respond to wild inaccuracies.

You resigned, you even admitted as such in the Gazette article. That cannot be disputed no matter how hard you try to re-write history to play the victim. Plenty of people were in the room at the time & email trails still exist.

You make reference to your 4 years at the club (sadly not often referred to as the Golden Era of the clubs history by the way) but your suggestion of the prawn sandwich & free football brigade is a serious accusation to make. Who are you referring to? You need to name names. As has been stated time & time again ALL directors pay for a full season ticket, player sponsorship etc etc.

Now, dry your eyes, blow your nose & take a minute. With the libel laws in mind please tell us who the 'prawn sandwich & free football brigade' are that stood in your way during your time at the club. It is a serious accusation to make & one that as a club we should look very closely at if those people are still amoungst us.

davidpartridge
Senior Member

Posts: 278

137!! Apr 27, 2014 14:52:53 GMT

Quote

Post by davidpartridge on Apr 27, 2014 14:52:53 GMT

Nice try Lee but lets keep this as grown up as possible shall we?

With regards to my “resignation”, for the record, technically this happened twice. Firstly in January 2011 when my efforts to further the commercial development of the club were slammed back in my face during a very short, abrupt and embarrassing meeting with the Chairman. I was told on this occasion that I could not possibly leave and my resignation was not accepted.

Following many emails, as you say, and attempts to meet with the Chairman to resolve ongoing issues regarding the Courts, loans (and his continued denial of them), and other matters , it became apparent that nothing could be resolved and that efforts were being made to make my position untenable. After a stormy discussion where I refused to back down in the face of intimidation at a Board Meeting in November 2012 I believe I said something like Ok then, I quit. This was what appeared in the Gazette.

This was never followed up and I continued unsuccessfully to try to resolve matters, but was unable to attend the Board meeting in February 2013 (I can tell you exactly where I was as it was a very important commitment) and in my absence, the opportunity was taken to accept this “resignation” behind my back. This was then broadcast around the Clubhouse and a member of my family was told of my “removal” from the Board before I received the Chairman’s email the following morning. Current Director Mr Waller was also alleged to have said that I had to go because there were too many families involved at the club.

You have stated openly on this forum that the Board would be willing to meet to discuss issues. I am happy to do so, and discuss accusations made against myself along with details that I can back up of statements I have made. When would you like to do so?

Of course, I wasn't here for the glory years

But, never mind, Nev'll Fix It!

Club Office News
Senior Member

Posts: 372

137!! Apr 27, 2014 15:12:01 GMT via mobile

Quote

Post by Club Office News on Apr 27, 2014 15:12:01 GMT

Thank you for clarifying that there is NO such 'prawn sandwich & free football brigade' . That's a very important step in the right direction for you and we can now move forward from that inaccurate & potentially damaging suggestion.

So far as any meeting is concerned the Chairman & Directors will all be at the end of season presentation dinner next week if you wanted to speak to any of them or all of them. It really isn't difficult to get hold of anybody at the club, you have all the telephone numbers & any contact details you may not have are on the website. If however you wanted a more formal meeting then that can be arranged.

This club is open to ALL for the benefit of ALL of the town. Anybody reading this that would like to test that assumption please approach any member of the board at next weeks dinner, at a match, by email or telephone.

localfootball
New Member

Posts: 14

137!! Apr 27, 2014 20:36:44 GMT via Tapatalk

Quote

Post by localfootball on Apr 27, 2014 20:36:44 GMT

Did I read that post correctly? Dave Partridge put £50K into the club with no shares or part ownership in return? Would like to meet you Dave whoever you are. Why would you do that? A person who does do that surely wouldn't just have a go at people on a small fans forum all the time you must have better things to do. But surely it was your choice and you realise, if that what you did, you have only yourself to blame

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

davidpartridge
Senior Member

Posts: 278

137!! Apr 27, 2014 22:44:56 GMT

Quote

Post by davidpartridge on Apr 27, 2014 22:44:56 GMT

Apr 27, 2014 15:12:01 GMT Club Office News said:

Thank you for clarifying that there is NO such 'prawn sandwich & free football brigade'

Errm...... where did I do that? But never mind, I know what I said and I'm sure there are others who can read as well.

Sorry but I won’t be forking out £25.00 in order to gain audience with the Chairman or the BoD at the End of Season Dinner I’m afraid. And if it was easy to get a polite or reasonable reply from anyone at the club I'm sure we wouldn't be where we are today.

On 31st March you posted:
Dave, in view of the above if you would like to send this account a direct message with a suitable date then the board of directors would be more than happy to discuss any issues you wish to raise as has always been the case.

On the same day I replied:
But if you are sincere, as any meeting date will need to be entered in the chairman’s diary and confirmed several times so that he cannot deny it was there, perhaps it would be more appropriate for you to advise me of available dates. Look forward to hearing from you.

Today you post:
If however you wanted a more formal meeting then that can be arranged.

Its a game of bluff and this meeting is just never going to happen is it?

Last Edit: Apr 27, 2014 22:46:01 GMT by davidpartridge

Of course, I wasn't here for the glory years

But, never mind, Nev'll Fix It!