Joined: Dec 22 2001 Posts: 7760 Location: Prestwich - the original heart of Salfordshire
There's been a few threads on here recently which have involved people criticising things that club has (or has not) done (away shirt, merchandise etc) and other people rushing to defend the club, so I thought I'd see if a disussion could open up.
The question is - where is the line between raising a concern that something is not being done well, and whinging? Do the negative posters think that the club can't do anything right? Do the positive posters think the club can do no wrong?
I think it's just the nature of online forums. Hiding behind a username means that people can post their unedited opinions and not have to suffer any great consequences. I don't mind though, I'd rather have a few controversial posts to spark a bit of debate than everyone agreeing the "yes, the club have done 'X,Y,Z' wrong, but it doesn't make a great deal of difference to my life".
Due to my location I can't make FR meetings, but do you tend to find the same polarised opinions towards the club as on here?
Joined: Apr 17 2007 Posts: 140 Location: Spooner Street
Its a strange one this- Im a season ticket holder at both Salford & Utd. Things at Utd get me more wound up than anything- prices, corporate, not wearing poppies on their shirt for the Chelski game etc. but i kind of accept it as thats the way it is and onfield success is a great ditterant for moaning.
With Salford i feel a lot more closer to the club, like im part of it- i think thats down to its relative small stature and me living 5 minutes away so i constantly feel more let down by them when things dont go well. Its not that i dont feel like the club cant get anything right its just at times it seems like a headless chicken with no direction. Yes we've got plans for this that and the other but all the setbacks and negativity i keep hearing constantly leave me feeling frustrated and concerned for the future of the club.
The club in my opinion do more things right than wrong but we only hear about the wrong- other fans only hear about the wrong, so theres more negativity surrounding the club than positivity- hence all the moaning!
TOMMO2 wrote:Its a strange one this- Im a season ticket holder at both Salford & Utd. Things at Utd get me more wound up than anything- prices, corporate, not wearing poppies on their shirt for the Chelski game etc. but i kind of accept it as thats the way it is and onfield success is a great ditterant for moaning.
With Salford i feel a lot more closer to the club, like im part of it- i think thats down to its relative small stature and me living 5 minutes away so i constantly feel more let down by them when things dont go well. Its not that i dont feel like the club cant get anything right its just at times it seems like a headless chicken with no direction. Yes we've got plans for this that and the other but all the setbacks and negativity i keep hearing constantly leave me feeling frustrated and concerned for the future of the club. The club in my opinion do more things right than wrong but we only hear about the wrong- other fans only hear about the wrong, so theres more negativity surrounding the club than positivity- hence all the moaning!
.....and breathe.
I agree with your post, re the Salford aspect & what is highlighted is very
very true.
Sometimes I feel that from some fans points of view, strangers looking on here will get the opinion the club do absolutly nothing right for the game or the fans.
Maybe a forum meeting through F/Reds, with club people is an answer, where you can come along & air your views, be they right or wrong in your eyes & get some answers from the club. Put suggestions forward & get replies as to if they are workable or not from the club.
On the other hand, some posters may be perpetual moaners, & always see the negative in everything & need to whinge(incidentally, I have one of those in my family, not Alan)
I think the club try, with limited resources, but they are never going to please everyone no matter what.
Joined: Dec 22 2001 Posts: 7760 Location: Prestwich - the original heart of Salfordshire
I've been asked to post this by KOTS who can't access the site at the moment
king of the shed wrote:Great topic Iain and hopefully we’ll get a reasoned debate out of it.
I have certainly reduced my contribution to this forum over the past 12 months mainly due to this very subject.
I have in the past complimented the club and ‘stuck up’ for them/it when it has been merited and I will continue to do so in the future, however I have also berated some of the things they have done in the past. If I’m honest, and a number of you know this already, I/we have kept very quiet on a number of club related issues (I think it’s around 20) all non-playing I will add.
The club know who I am and I’m not hiding if I say something they don’t like then fine, they come and talk to me about, put me straight, but I find it’s an us versus them mentality at times (and most defiantly not always) and they have been critical of their own customers and when things are suggested it’s you don’t know what you’re talking about. Having said that a hell of a lot of the time the club are very open to hear (If not always listen) to us and their very presence at FR meetings is a fine reflection of this and a credit to them.
I’ve supported the club in every possible way over my life and that will never change. I’m entitled to my opinion just like every other subject I may chat about in the pub, at home or in work. What I don’t want is shouting down when my opinions do match others.
I’ve been criticised in the past for being too close to the club or maybe toeing the party line but that was never my intention, I have great friends at the club and I consider Salford RLFC and it’s staff, players & fans as family, I will support and defend them when I feel its merited and I will complain likewise.
I see no point constantly defending the club when they do things wrong (and again visa versa) nobody would defend the rail network, the police or any council constantly as they’ll all make mistakes bad decisions. I think too may people take it personally but I only say what I think and I make no apology for that and that will not change.
We know there are people who come on hear to wind us up or just to have a pop but I’m sure those of use with and modicum of intelligence would ignore these ‘contributors’ but we have to remember this is an INDEPENDENT fans forum and as such people are entitled to their say, the whole concept of the Turkey was born out of frustration at the club (I’m told) and that’s how it is if people don’t like this then I’m sorry but maybe you’re in the wrong place.
Joined: Dec 22 2001 Posts: 7760 Location: Prestwich - the original heart of Salfordshire
TOMMO2 wrote:The club in my opinion do more things right than wrong but we only hear about the wrong- other fans only hear about the wrong, so theres more negativity surrounding the club than positivity- hence all the moaning!
It's our club and when the people running it act in an amateur way it annoys me. Plus the current state of the team and the little hope of it getting better leaves me very frustrated. In these instances I feel compelled to moan on and off here. Club apologists over every single issue rile me as well.
Joined: May 23 2008 Posts: 844 Location: City Of Salford
The thing that stresses me out is what goes on off the field with regard to the stadium & i also feel that the people who run the club can sometimes be amateur to say the least, i know we cant afford to buy all these world class signings which is fair enough i can deal with that but what gets me angry is not knowing where the club will be in 3 years time, yes ill still be there if we play Swinton but for me i will not be able to rest until the stadium starts coming out of the ground, the fact its bin going on so long does test everyone's patience & i think its the not knowing where we will be in 3 years times that's triggers my anger.
As an person often involved as an apologist, I happen to agree an open debate is needed.
I defend when I feel is being derided without any look at the positives and/or the matter is discussed in one of the moaning-bandwagons (that I hear so often at work and in pubs). One says "x" is wrong and everyone joins in with criticism of "x".
Although I hope to be as Salford to my dying day as I am now, I realise that Rugby League is a minority matter and that Salford RLFC is a minor player in that area. The club tries hard and (for me) succeeds in a very contested and annoyingly hostile entertainment market. I often feel that some posters do not step back and see how pay-to-attend sports are doing in this age of pay-to-view-at-home. I think that we do well.
I also get annoyed when punters complain when our chair does not spend all his money: he has given enough (in my opinion) and, although perhaps open to criticism elsewhere, should not be judged as not caring.
I stopped going to United when I felt not wanted except as a paying customer. I never feel that at Salford.
Sad preacher nailed upon the coloured door of time;
Insane teacher be there reminded of the rhyme.
There'll be no mutant enemy we shall certify;
Political ends, as sad remains, will die.
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