To all those dissatisfied at the moment

I'm completely undecided. I don't really want to go, because I'm so saddened by this latest exhibition of childish incompetence. I honestly thought these people had learnt from their mistakes, and I even wrote a "humble pie" post earlier this year to admit I may have been wrong. But if anything it now seems they've got even worse. They've completely alienated a significant number of fans, including some with several decades as supporters behind them. Nope, there are so many reasons to stay at home.

However, on the other side:-

A) The players. It's not their fault, and I enjoy watching them give their all, even if they don't have a clue what system they are supposed to be playing.
B) The fans. The people around me in Oakwell are gold. I love them. If I don't go, I'll miss them, even though they probably won't miss me.

When I've missed matches before, I've always had a good reason. Illness, holiday, work, playing football/cricket, skint, whatever. This would be the first home match in 55 years where I simply don't want to go. So very sad.

 

i fully get where you're coming from and I'm aware that, as someone who rarely goes nowadays it's easy for me to say, but I think there will come a point where the bigger picture needs to be shown to the owners in terms of non attendance. It's the fans ultimate sanction.
I'm not talking about them stumping up money out of their own pockets, just being straight and thruthful because it's starting to look like they think they can spin any old codswallop to us.
I've always been perplexed as to why these owners are here but, until this issue has raised its head, have been relatively happy with us being run within budget. The time has now come for some clarity though.

 

The problem is - if you've bought a season ticket they have your money and will count you as attending whether you're there or not. I've been 'out' for two years now because I don't like the way the club is being run or owned. How can a conglomerate that owns several clubs be focused on what's best for ours? Despite (according to Wikipedia) being the seventh richest group of owners in the entire English football pyramid, I see little evidence that theses owners have made any substantial investment in our club. Some will say that is prudent. Others will take a different view.

 

That's true, but as far as I'm aware the club gets two attendance figures for ticket holders - the number of tickets sold, and the number who actually turn up. The latter is not publicised but is known internally. So they'll know if lots of season ticket holders fail to turn up.

 

Well I'm glad if that's the case Stahlrost. I'm just sorry it won't have commercial impact on them because I think that's the only language they understand.

 

I could see the point for people who pay by the game - ie hit them in the pocket (they seem to like money), but they've already got my dosh so I'll be going. Besides which, the team still deserve my support, they are struggling at the moment with the change of tactics etc.

 

I'd miss you mate

 

There may well come a point though when there's a bigger issue at stake. I'm not saying we're at that point but if it ever comes down to making a strong statement on the future of the club or missing 90 minutes of football then I'm afraid whether we're top or bottom of the league the big picture will need to be looked at.
I'm not saying this with any expectation that it will happen though as football fans have proven themselves time and again to be incapable of organising effectively.

 

Fishing for compliments still works

 

One idea to send out a message to the owners would be for all fans to abstain fom going to a particular away game...whilst it doesn't hit them in the pocket it would get them a fair amount of bad publicity they'd hate that....followed by planned home protests....think we can learn a thing or two from the Blackpool lads and lasses.....

 

I find all this issue tremendously distressing - especially for those directly affected by the West Stand closure.
Our owners must be called to account for all this distress but I’m finding it hard squaring this with suggesting that we withdraw our support for the TEAM on a matchday.
Don’t ask me what a more appropriate course of action should be because I don’t know.

 

I’m going , any displaced West Stander sitting next to me will get a sympathetic welcome and a hope that their inconvenience is short lived

 

Thats where they have managed to put myself & my grandkids, like sheep being herded into a pen they do not want to go in , its sad really especially has staying away will not impact the club at all , they already have our money so making a stance will not even be noticed . I wonder if our fans have not helped to bring this about themselves, the constant moaning & berating the west stand on forums & social media by other who sit elsewhere will not have gone unnoticed by the big wigs who then in turn thought they could close the stand as that is what the fans basically wanted & did not envisage any protest , it really has upset me so much that I have gone from backing the new owners to despising them in a breath , they have just spun a load of lies .

 

Are there any discernible tactics? I think that is the real problem & playing a formation that does not suit the players available.

I'll be going too to the Sheff Utd game. I'll get behind the team, but that does not mean I'm a happy clapper at the moment.

 

Part of my thinking in starting the thread was with the acknowledgement that a stay away this season wouldn't actually hurt the club financially as they already have the ST money. It would, however, concentrate their minds on what could happen next season if they don't get their act together.

 

There is no way I'll renew next season if this fiasco continues. I watched the team under Iley when attendances were 3-4 k. We really would head in that direction quickly in a few years if this caries on. Off & on the field woes, disregard for fans & zero entertainment.

 

Don`t forget the option of a refund which would impact the club.

 

If I took the refund it would certainly impact me, it would stop me watching the club I love and supported for 60 years , there is no way I can do that , these charlatans will pack in before I do .

 

We are on the open seats next to the back row just short of the dug outs, took years to get those seats as a family group, now shunted over to the bottom corner on the east & cannot have these allocated ones for the next 2 games as they have already been sold for day tickets , treated like s--t , but at least the view will have improved for some of the masses , happy days, not !!