Stadium/ground improvements

[deadly]

Terrible PR

At every level this looks so bad.

Who on earth was behind this decision ?

[Terry]

I find it hard to believe some of the posts in this thread.

The idea that the club would turf out disabled supporters from the Main Stand.

Surely not, simply beyond reason.

[Sword65]

I'm afraid it's as I've been saying for the last 2/3 years,the club no longer respect or care about the fans which as most of you know is one of the reasons I haven't been to a home game in nearly 2 years.The last game i attended i left before kickoff having been treated like shit.Alas it seems the way of many clubs at this level of football,clubs that have forgotten non league values. Ever since this club turned professional/full-time/whatever we have become a Billy Big Bollocks club,no time for people just their money.😪

[Dickie]

I am aware that you have from time to time had a 'bit of a dig' about the way the club is run sword, but if this report is true, it is beyond the pale.
It would be such a very, very bad decision, that I am still reluctant to believe anybody at the club could be so callous.
Nobody except daveu has defended the club in any way and even he seemed to be saying that if it makes a few quid then that's fine.
They can do what they like.
No it isn't ok daveu, the club should be much more than just money and profits.
It should have at it's centre, a heart and soul that cares for the community and supporters.
How we treat and regard our disabled members matters.
It says something about all of us.

[Harry]

On Facebook currently under the title 'life in the rain in a wheelchair at the Gallagher' there is a video from a supporter.
The film pans up to where they used to be located with a good view and sheltered from the elements.
Now they just get soaked and can't be moved to anywhere dry
Can't help but feel that someone at the club lacks proper respect.
Very disappointing.

[nick]

Bizarre that these posts are included in the thread 'Stadium/ground improvements'.

I could think of some other more appropriate headings.

[jdl]

I find it hard to believe the club has done this without reason - or maybe it's just some sort of cock-up?

Considering the expense and effort the club put in to installing that lift, and the problems it's caused (the MS couldn't be expanded that side because of it), they obviously took the welfare of disabled supporters very seriously.

So why would they change now?

I suspect there's more to this than we know. But, as always, the club lets these things fester far too long before saying anything. They really do need to tighten up their PR and fan communication.

[Raymondo316]

Oct 30, 2024 9:00:24 GMT Harry said:

On Facebook currently under the title 'life in the rain in a wheelchair at the Gallagher' there is a video from a supporter.
The film pans up to where they used to be located with a good view and sheltered from the elements.
Now they just get soaked and can't be moved to anywhere dry
Can't help but feel that someone at the club lacks proper respect.
Very disappointing.

There's also a reply to that post from someone whose friend or family member is in a wheelchair and isn't happy about being moved to the Genco

[Raymondo316]

Oct 30, 2024 13:46:48 GMT jdl said:

I suspect there's more to this than we know. But, as always, the club lets these things fester far too long before saying anything. They really do need to tighten up their PR and fan communication.

Its been talked about on the Facebook group since August, and still these supporters don't know why they were told they are no longer welcome in the main stand.

Said area now has people sitting in whom no doubt spend more money, so are seen as more important.

[pwoodstone]

I’ll write to the club as JDL points out, we don’t know for sure what reasons there might be.

[ade]

Oct 30, 2024 13:46:48 GMT jdl said:

I find it hard to believe the club has done this without reason - or maybe it's just some sort of cock-up?

Considering the expense and effort the club put in to installing that lift, and the problems it's caused (the MS couldn't be expanded that side because of it), they obviously took the welfare of disabled supporters very seriously.

So why would they change now?

I suspect there's more to this than we know. But, as always, the club lets these things fester far too long before saying anything. They really do need to tighten up their PR and fan communication.

They have not even had the decency to talk directly to the people affected. Terry please at least explain this to those supporters of many years, who now have to sit unprotected in the rain.

[Dan]

I still find it impossible to believe that the club has acted in the way described.
Treating our disabled supporters well is what we all want to see from our community club.
Is it all down to a misunderstanding and poor communication or has there been an overwhelming imperative that has caused the club into this course of action.
But of course as per usual we are given no explanation.

[jackster]

The longer this goes on, the worse the smell gets.

[OldBoy73]

Oct 30, 2024 8:26:34 GMT Dickie said:

I am aware that you have from time to time had a 'bit of a dig' about the way the club is run sword, but if this report is true, it is beyond the pale.
It would be such a very, very bad decision, that I am still reluctant to believe anybody at the club could be so callous.
Nobody except daveu has defended the club in any way and even he seemed to be saying that if it makes a few quid then that's fine.
They can do what they like.
No it isn't ok daveu, the club should be much more than just money and profits.
It should have at it's centre, a heart and soul that cares for the community and supporters.
How we treat and regard our disabled members matters.
It says something about all of us.

Well said.
Who on this forum has any kind of real contact with anyone at the club to both verify the accuracy of this story and get a response from them to it?
It can’t be true but it seems to be.
In which case it would be heartless and demands an explanation.
Or leave the smell and dissatisfaction to fester.
I will always be grateful for what Oliver and Terry did for the club but they are way way past their sell by date now and we desperately need new owners with a real passion for the club who can restore us to a true family and community club again with a strong relationship with fans. Like in the 3in4 years.

[stones1]

Oct 29, 2024 22:03:21 GMT pwoodstone said:

Oct 29, 2024 21:22:47 GMT stones1 said:

That’s where they were. If the club want to maximise revenue and move them from there to sell the seats then fair enough; but for the sake of optics if not morality make sure whatever alternative found is suitable

Nah it’s not fair enough. Where does it bloody end. We, as a club, mainly Oliver, will use grassroots this and that when it suits but if this is what has happened, to make a few extra thousand, it isn’t right.

I’d like the club to comment though. It might be a mis-communication.

Sorry, perhaps I should be clearer.

I believe that the club is well within its rights to rearrange for its own benefit, But only if this isn’t at the *genuine* detriment to those it affects. This is obviously not the case with the current situation.

Agree RE the lack of good comms that come out the club, but the bottom line is - the club just doesn’t feel structured enough in the back office side of things. The whole operation feels very reactive rather than proactive, and even then the reactions come too far down the line.

Personally just feeling sorry for those affected by this situation and hope that either a suitable alternative solution can be found or the changes reverted.