TWITTER & FB FEEDS

[Trek]

The great danger is that if we don't restrict sensitive discussions to the members' forum then it's open house from all and sundry from other clubs looking to cause mischief and poking their nose in our business.
In any event, there is more information on our OWS for all and sundry to see than every website in the UCL and the majority of other non-league clubs.

[Bob's Bitch]

Am I the only one who is sceptical regarding the members only forum? Segregating fans of the same team is plain wrong in my eyes. The motto of the club is "One Fan, One Vote, One Community, One Club"... where as it should be "One Fan, One Vote, One Community, One Club - As long as you pay the membership fee, otherwise you're excluded from things"... Not everyone can perhaps afford the membership fee, for whatever reasons, or simply don't want to pay it as they pay their way each week to watch the games anyway. It doesn't make them less of a supporter because they don't want to or can't pay a membership fee. This is meant to be a community club, not a members exclusive club. The whole "do not tell anyone anything that goes on in members only chat" is strange too, why is it a secret? Should there be secrets between fans of the same clubs when it regards a club both people love?

I completely disagree. I love the members' forum concept. The problem with the old Trust was that they couldn't communicate with the fans, the forum means that our board can always be asked questions (rather than just during fans' forums) and can communicate with the members easily. As for your point about the membership fee - really?! It's £20, it's fine to be a casual fan, just don't expect the same privileges as the members, the members pay for the privilege. It's £20, if you can't spare £20 in a year then you probably shouldn't be coming to the games, because they probably cost £20 when you consider admission + drinks + food.

Some information should only be trusted with the members.

[SouthRushdenJFC]

I totally agree with the Membership Concept, and my personal view is that why would anyone chose not to be a member? To me it shows your commitment to more than the team, it shows your commitment to the ethos of the club, the future of the club and is your way of protecting your club from what has happened in the past.

By being a member you get a lot more than being able to vote, which let's face it is a major reason to be a member as it gives you a direct say in how the club progresses, you get all the benefits kindly given by a our business partners. You can also, if you wish, put yourself up for the board elections and directly be involved in the running of the club.

The Members Forum gives you a better understanding of how the club is run and a chance to directly question board members on anything that is concerning you, although we are all more than happy to answer any questions at any time as fully as we can, as well as team management.

[mattreddan]

To me it shows your commitment to more than the team, it shows your commitment to the ethos of the club, the future of the club and is your way of protecting your club from what has happened in the past.

So, theoretically speaking, by that logic you'd consider someone who has been to the last 15 years worth of games less commited than a newcomer with a membership? :| Commitment is following your team each week, through bad times & good times. Getting involved with how the club is run doesn't mean you're any more committed than non-members, some people simply don't have the time for that but they will still show up week in week out to support the team on the pitch.

I understand why larger clubs have memberships, priorities on match day tickets, etc, but as this level I really don't see why it is needed.

At the end of the day, we all love the club & everyone deserves to know whats going on regardless of whether they've paid a membership fee.

I completely disagree. I love the members' forum concept. The problem with the old Trust was that they couldn't communicate with the fans, the forum means that our board can always be asked questions (rather than just during fans' forums) and can communicate with the members easily. As for your point about the membership fee - really?! It's £20, it's fine to be a casual fan, just don't expect the same privileges as the members, the members pay for the privilege. It's £20, if you can't spare £20 in a year then you probably shouldn't be coming to the games, because they probably cost £20 when you consider admission + drinks + food.

Some information should only be trusted with the members.

Apologies but that is nonsense. Anyone can be a member, paying £20 doesn't make you any more trusted than a fan from any other random club. I'm sure if someone from another club REALLY cared about knowing our business they could access the site some way or another, even by just buying a membership. Making it restricted doesn't stop other clubs from knowing any sensitive issues on there. What is stopping someone from signing up and posting everything said in there on another site? Absolutely nothing. & Yes of course I can afford the £20, but I choose not to, and not EVERYONE can afford that, does that mean they're less of a fan than you because they don't have a membership card? Of course not.

[Diamond_ Wolf]

Am I the only one who is sceptical regarding the members only forum? Segregating fans of the same team is plain wrong in my eyes. The motto of the club is "One Fan, One Vote, One Community, One Club"... where as it should be "One Fan, One Vote, One Community, One Club - As long as you pay the membership fee, otherwise you're excluded from things"... Not everyone can perhaps afford the membership fee, for whatever reasons, or simply don't want to pay it as they pay their way each week to watch the games anyway. It doesn't make them less of a supporter because they don't want to or can't pay a membership fee. This is meant to be a community club, not a members exclusive club. The whole "do not tell anyone anything that goes on in members only chat" is strange too, why is it a secret? Should there be secrets between fans of the same clubs when it regards a club both people love?

I completely disagree. I love the members' forum concept. The problem with the old Trust was that they couldn't communicate with the fans, the forum means that our board can always be asked questions (rather than just during fans' forums) and can communicate with the members easily. As for your point about the membership fee - really?! It's £20, it's fine to be a casual fan, just don't expect the same privileges as the members, the members pay for the privilege. It's £20, if you can't spare £20 in a year then you probably shouldn't be coming to the games, because they probably cost £20 when you consider admission + drinks + food.

Some information should only be trusted with the members.

Agreed! Yes times are hard for lots of people financially, but it's £20!!! That won't even pay for half a night out. If it cost a 100 quid or so for membership then I could understand. It's not some secret club or M15, it's our club and if you can't afford 20 quid over the course of a year then it's a poor show I'm afraid.

[Diamond_ Wolf]

I'm sorry but almost everyone can afford £20 even of times are very hard!

[SouthRushdenJFC]

So, theoretically speaking, by that logic you'd consider someone who has been to the last 15 years worth of games less commited than a newcomer with a membership? :| Commitment is following your team each week, through bad times & good times. Getting involved with how the club is run doesn't mean you're any more committed than non-members, some people simply don't have the time for that but they will still show up week in week out to support the team on the pitch.

As that's your definition of commitment, then I would have to agree with you. My definition is different and covers the whole club and not just the first team.

Which co-incidently is yet another positive for the club everyone has the choice.

[mattreddan]

I'm sorry but almost everyone can afford £20 even of times are very hard!

It's not about the £20 fee, it could be any amount... my point is WHY is it needed? So far the reasoning behind it, keeping information sensitive etc is all flawed, like I said.. anyone, AFCR&D fan or not could access that site, whether they pay or access using another method, and could 'leak' and 'sensitive' information from there without question.

[Pigman]

No-one is saying that a member fan is more important that a non-member fan, and both have a vital roll to play in our future.

At the end of the day this football club is a Community Benefit Society, a members owned/run football club. That means paying a membership fee to be able to vote in the important decisions of the club, having a real say. As part of that membership package there is a members only Forum and other benefits such as discounts on merchandise etc.

Now if you don't want to be a member and just want to choose to come along to games and support the lads, thats great !! You're no lesser fan than anyone else and no-one thinks you are, we're all in this together. Being a member doesn't make you a better fan, but it does give you benefits and as with anything in this world, you get what you pay for. The membership fees paid helps to make this football club stronger, thats why we urge all those that can afford it to join.

I know how tough times are for people, especially in my job role which takes me into some of the most deprived areas, but the club is constituted in law as a members club and I think it is all the stronger for that.

There is no "them" and "us" at this football club, and in truth people posting on here get responses from Board members anyway, but this is an unofficial message board and totally seperate from the football club - as a members club we officially offer a members only forum, at the price of 38p a week (or about 5p a day) along with all the other benefits.

The important thing is that we all get behind the 11 lads on the field every week and cheer them on

[rudolph_hucker]

At the end of the day we all want the same thing. I'm a member but as I'm also a spanner I forget my password so where do I stand?? I stand on the terraces every week supporting the same team and wanting the same aim as other members and non members. We are definitely not an elitist club.