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Post by scoobydoogas on Jan 5, 2018 10:09:10 GMT
It has been a bit of a chore this season and I've had my doubts about getting a ST next year. You are right, it's not really even about the football. It's about the match day experience. As I walk in the Mem gates I see 2 poor ladies stood wet and freezing selling programmes in all weather. I make my way towards the Clubhouse bar where if I'm lucky I can fight my way past 100 smokers to squeeze into a tiny toilet for a quick wazz. I take a look at the queue for the bar which stretches back to the door and don't even bother. Maybe I could stand outside in the wind and rain and buy one from the back of a horse box? On second thoughts.... I then think about having a browse in the club shop before I realize that it's inside a part of the ground I can't access after 2pm. And even when I'm early its tiny entrance allows for one person in or out at at a time. Then there is no where to try anything on. Not that they have any stock of anything you'd want. Especially just before Xmas. So I make my way over to the Young Pirates cabin. Occasionally I will buy some sweets for HTY, but normally I just put his name in the draw ticket box in the hope he wins the chance to be the mascot. To be honest I try not to spend too long in the YP cabin, it really smells bad. Once I've done that I make my way down through the turnstile that is so small I have to lift my rucksack over my head to get through and make my way down to the tent end. Oh, what's that? It's another trailer outside in the rain where I can buy a beer.....nah, you're alright. Next stop, the pasty hut. During my 20 minute wait behind 10 people I look at the posters on the doors. Ooh look. Pie of the day is Turkey and Cranberry. That sounds nice. When I eventually get to the front of the queue I am greeted by a young person who is on their first day. (No joke, we have had a new staff member in the SS pasty hut nearly every single week). They inform me that they do not actually have any of the pies advertised and they proceed to list all the food they have this week. Just like the vendor, it seems we have to have new pies every week at the pasty hut too. God only knows why we can't just make a decision on what food to sell. So, I order my pie and more in hope than anything else I ask what the Meal Deal options are. We all know it's out of date cheese and onion crisps and a twix. They never have anything else anymore. I politely decline and then help the server add up the cost of 2 pies and a tea before then helping them work out the change from a tenner. I then make my way to sit in a lovely prefab tent, that's windy and freezing bloody cold all year round. Now I come to think about it, what's not to like? When can I renew my Season Ticket again? you take a ruck sack ? if they ever remake carry on camping you could play the Charles Hawtrey part. Oh, hello
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Post by scoobydoogas on Jan 5, 2018 10:11:58 GMT
At the Portsmouth game I was feeling flat and I mentioned to the guy that I gave my spare ticket to that I was 50/50 about buying season tickets next year due to results, not enjoying games so much etc (I have to buy for me, Mrs Scoobydoo and Scrappydoo?. I reckon my voice carried onto the pitch cos 30 seconds later Stuart Sinclair scored the equaliser. Can you have a moan everytime we’re losing please.😀 UTG! Ha Ha. I generally do but I think Sinclair is the only one listening and he's usually out of range. Now maybe if I barked it would get more attention.
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Post by Squiffy on Jan 5, 2018 10:13:52 GMT
Wow! What do people really expect from supporting a football club? Relax, it’s just a game of football which is there as entertainment (although I do accept that some people’s livelihoods depend on it) and every team has its ups and downs (Wednesday, Forest, Leeds, Coventry, Bolton, etc). We’re roughly in the middle of League 1, we score a fair few goals, there’s some excitement, there’s some awful defending, there’s agony and ecstasy in equal measure.
I bet the supporters of some of our more traditional foes, like Northampton, Bury, Swindon, Carlisle, Port Vale, Crewe, Wrexham, Tranmere, Hartlepool and Leyton Orient would gnaw off their own legs to be in our position. Look at where our recent adversaries Barnet and friends at Torquay are now!
I know we have much more potential and we’ve suffered a series of disappointments (although people should recognise that players are always transient) just when we thought things were looking up, however don’t miss the good in the present by clinging on to the past or a future that was someone else’s vision.
The lads might not be training on it yet, but the new owners have at least bought us a field which we can call our own (even if we have to lend them some jumpers for goalposts) and that hasn’t been something we can say for a very long time. It’s baby steps, but they are in the right direction and consistent with trying to evolve the club.
I chose Rovers because I preferred blue, much to my old man’s disappointment, and I don’t get to as many matches as I would like, but I can’t see myself ever falling out of love with my team no matter what they put me through. Just try and enjoy the ride. UTG.
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Post by markczgas on Jan 5, 2018 10:14:36 GMT
LP - send it as a letter to the club and ask for a reply ;-)
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Post by Antonio Fargas on Jan 5, 2018 10:26:59 GMT
It has been a bit of a chore this season and I've had my doubts about getting a ST next year. You are right, it's not really even about the football. It's about the match day experience. As I walk in the Mem gates I see 2 poor ladies stood wet and freezing selling programmes in all weather. I make my way towards the Clubhouse bar where if I'm lucky I can fight my way past 100 smokers to squeeze into a tiny toilet for a quick wazz. I take a look at the queue for the bar which stretches back to the door and don't even bother. Maybe I could stand outside in the wind and rain and buy one from the back of a horse box? On second thoughts.... I then think about having a browse in the club shop before I realize that it's inside a part of the ground I can't access after 2pm. And even when I'm early its tiny entrance allows for one person in or out at at a time. Then there is no where to try anything on. Not that they have any stock of anything you'd want. Especially just before Xmas. So I make my way over to the Young Pirates cabin. Occasionally I will buy some sweets for HTY, but normally I just put his name in the draw ticket box in the hope he wins the chance to be the mascot. To be honest I try not to spend too long in the YP cabin, it really smells bad. Once I've done that I make my way down through the turnstile that is so small I have to lift my rucksack over my head to get through and make my way down to the tent end. Oh, what's that? It's another trailer outside in the rain where I can buy a beer.....nah, you're alright. Next stop, the pasty hut. During my 20 minute wait behind 10 people I look at the posters on the doors. Ooh look. Pie of the day is Turkey and Cranberry. That sounds nice. When I eventually get to the front of the queue I am greeted by a young person who is on their first day. (No joke, we have had a new staff member in the SS pasty hut nearly every single week). They inform me that they do not actually have any of the pies advertised and they proceed to list all the food they have this week. Just like the vendor, it seems we have to have new pies every week at the pasty hut too. God only knows why we can't just make a decision on what food to sell. So, I order my pie and more in hope than anything else I ask what the Meal Deal options are. We all know it's out of date cheese and onion crisps and a twix. They never have anything else anymore. I politely decline and then help the server add up the cost of 2 pies and a tea before then helping them work out the change from a tenner. I then make my way to sit in a lovely prefab tent, that's windy and freezing bloody cold all year round. Now I come to think about it, what's not to like? When can I renew my Season Ticket again? you take a ruck sack ? if they ever remake carry on camping you could play the Charles Hawtrey part. Hugo's matchday bag: 1 Head rest 2 Ruck sack 3 Spare ruck sack 4 Half time tea bladder 5 Stand-by spare ruck sack 6 Back up half time tea bladder 7 Binoculars in case we get the ball into the north end penalty area 8 Shades for our dazzling mobile phone light goal celebrations 9 Camera in case Wael wants a selfie 10 Spare batteries for camera and head lamp 11 Tin opener for half time Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages 12 Blanket 13 Spare blanket 14 Pan for half time Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages 15 Spare pan for half time Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages 16 Spare head rest 17 Spoon for half time Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages 18 Portable cooker for half time Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages 19 Spare spoon for half time Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages 20 Cooking implements for half time Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages 21 Sterile hand wash 22 Emergency spare blanket 23 Toothpaste for post Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages cleaning 24 Toothbrush for post Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages cleaning 25 Stand by emergency spare blanket 26 Head lamp 27 Stand by head lamp 28 Spare sterile hand wash 29 Stand-by spare sterile hand wash 30 Emergency lighting 31 Mug for half time tea 32 Back up emergency lighting 33 Back up stand by emergency spare blanket 34 Emergency spare sterile hand wash 35 Reserve back up stand by emergency spare blanket 36 Emergency reserve back up stand by emergency spare blanket 37 Hat
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Post by Topper Gas on Jan 5, 2018 10:33:55 GMT
Wow! What do people really expect from supporting a football club? Relax, it’s just a game of football which is there as entertainment (although I do accept that some people’s livelihoods depend on it) and every team has its ups and downs (Wednesday, Forest, Leeds, Coventry, Bolton, etc). We’re roughly in the middle of League 1, we score a fair few goals, there’s some excitement, there’s some awful defending, there’s agony and ecstasy in equal measure. I bet the supporters of some of our more traditional foes, like Northampton, Bury, Swindon, Carlisle, Port Vale, Crewe, Wrexham, Tranmere, Hartlepool and Leyton Orient would gnaw off their own legs to be in our position. Look at where our recent adversaries Barnet and friends at Torquay are now! I know we have much more potential and we’ve suffered a series of disappointments (although people should recognise that players are always transient) just when we thought things were looking up, however don’t miss the good in the present by clinging on to the past or a future that was someone else’s vision. The lads might not be training on it yet, but the new owners have at least bought us a field which we can call our own (even if we have to lend them some jumpers for goalposts) and that hasn’t been something we can say for a very long time. It’s baby steps, but they are in the right direction and consistent with trying to evolve the club. I chose Rovers because I preferred blue, much to my old man’s disappointment, and I don’t get to as many matches as I would like, but I can’t see myself ever falling out of love with my team no matter what they put me through. Just try and enjoy the ride. UTG. We can't call it our own as it's owned by DS not BRFC? I assume we'll still have to pay rent as we do at Cribbs etc at present?
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Post by Antonio Fargas on Jan 5, 2018 10:43:04 GMT
We can't call it our own as it's owned by DS not BRFC? Course we can.
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Post by Hugo the Elder on Jan 5, 2018 10:55:50 GMT
you take a ruck sack ? if they ever remake carry on camping you could play the Charles Hawtrey part. Hugo's matchday bag: 1 Head rest 2 Ruck sack 3 Spare ruck sack 4 Half time tea bladder 5 Stand-by spare ruck sack 6 Back up half time tea bladder 7 Binoculars in case we get the ball into the north end penalty area 8 Shades for our dazzling mobile phone light goal celebrations 9 Camera in case Wael wants a selfie 10 Spare batteries for camera and head lamp 11 Tin opener for half time Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages 12 Blanket 13 Spare blanket 14 Pan for half time Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages 15 Spare pan for half time Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages 16 Spare head rest 17 Spoon for half time Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages 18 Portable cooker for half time Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages 19 Spare spoon for half time Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages 20 Cooking implements for half time Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages 21 Sterile hand wash 22 Emergency spare blanket 23 Toothpaste for post Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages cleaning 24 Toothbrush for post Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages cleaning 25 Stand by emergency spare blanket 26 Head lamp 27 Stand by head lamp 28 Spare sterile hand wash 29 Stand-by spare sterile hand wash 30 Emergency lighting 31 Mug for half time tea 32 Back up emergency lighting 33 Back up stand by emergency spare blanket 34 Emergency spare sterile hand wash 35 Reserve back up stand by emergency spare blanket 36 Emergency reserve back up stand by emergency spare blanket 37 Hat I'm ashamed at how close to the truth this post is
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Post by inee on Jan 5, 2018 11:53:32 GMT
Well i'm either weird or in a minority or both, I love matchdays when i can make it, i love how decrepit everything is ,the chaos dodgy food, the anger and energy of the crowd, middle of the blackthorn is absolutely the best part of the ground ,goal celebrations with the younger fans (20s -30s age group) getting knocked on me arse sometimes during those celebrations, or if stood at the end of the blackthorn quick fag and a chat during 1/2 time. The mem at least give me some comfort in the atmosphere that is missing and oldness in most grounds, the old style camaraderie that is slowly disappearing from grounds you know the odd elbow to the face when the crowds jumping around quick apology from the elbow owner and back on with having a laugh. To me thats my football experience, as all the cares and hassles of the previous week seem to disappear in those moments, maybe it's an age thing(no im not young) ,maybe it's just a throwback to the 70's 80's work yer arse off during the week and have a bit of a laugh on a yesterday. Listening to some moaning about the bogs always gives me a chuckle, i miss the old style toilets remember those ,couple of walls no roof, gutter to water in and wading through a sea of water to get out
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Post by Hugo the Elder on Jan 5, 2018 13:32:47 GMT
LP - send it as a letter to the club and ask for a reply ;-) I don't think the club gives a sh** what we think.
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Post by scoobydoogas on Jan 5, 2018 13:38:08 GMT
Well i'm either weird or in a minority or both, I love matchdays when i can make it, i love how decrepit everything is ,the chaos dodgy food, the anger and energy of the crowd, middle of the blackthorn is absolutely the best part of the ground ,goal celebrations with the younger fans (20s -30s age group) getting knocked on me arse sometimes during those celebrations, or if stood at the end of the blackthorn quick fag and a chat during 1/2 time. The mem at least give me some comfort in the atmosphere that is missing and oldness in most grounds, the old style camaraderie that is slowly disappearing from grounds you know the odd elbow to the face when the crowds jumping around quick apology from the elbow owner and back on with having a laugh. To me thats my football experience, as all the cares and hassles of the previous week seem to disappear in those moments, maybe it's an age thing(no im not young) ,maybe it's just a throwback to the 70's 80's work yer arse off during the week and have a bit of a laugh on a yesterday. Listening to some moaning about the bogs always gives me a chuckle, i miss the old style toilets remember those ,couple of walls no roof, gutter to water in and wading through a sea of water to get out Sounds like the away end at Portsmouth.
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Post by Midsomer Murderer on Jan 5, 2018 14:26:58 GMT
Yesterday, Billy Bodin went away And now I hear that Luke James is here to stay, oh I believe in yesterday
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Post by warehamgas on Jan 5, 2018 14:37:49 GMT
To be fair to the ALQ's they have "invested" up to £12m on the club so a bit harsh to say they aren't spending anything, they must know sooner or later they have to spend money at the Mem or just cut their losses and sell up. We now need to see DC backed in the transfer market along with a decent end to the season or I can see s/t taking a dramatic drop this summer, we also need Wael to give us DS' vision for the future. Although looking at things from a different angle surely watching a mid table div 1 side with a decent manager/players that care is a damn sight better than the cr@p we watched under PT/PB/MM/JW in the past? A million times better. You just can’t please some people. You’re right socrates it is better. But Topper is right as well when he says Wael needs to give us his vision for the future. If he did that and gave us an idea of what was going to happen it would be far better than keeping quiet and almost appearing to be afraid to tell us bad stuff. Christ, I’ve been hearing and seeing negative stuff for 50 years I can take it! UTG!
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Deleted
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Yesterday
Jan 5, 2018 14:38:42 GMT
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2018 14:38:42 GMT
You must be the chap I speak to on the blackthorn every so often! If not uncannily similar story! KTF mate even if not at the games! UTG! Funny how some of the most disillusioned fans are the longest serving and most passionate! 😔
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Post by warehamgas on Jan 5, 2018 14:40:37 GMT
Well i'm either weird or in a minority or both, I love matchdays when i can make it, i love how decrepit everything is ,the chaos dodgy food, the anger and energy of the crowd, middle of the blackthorn is absolutely the best part of the ground ,goal celebrations with the younger fans (20s -30s age group) getting knocked on me arse sometimes during those celebrations, or if stood at the end of the blackthorn quick fag and a chat during 1/2 time. The mem at least give me some comfort in the atmosphere that is missing and oldness in most grounds, the old style camaraderie that is slowly disappearing from grounds you know the odd elbow to the face when the crowds jumping around quick apology from the elbow owner and back on with having a laugh. To me thats my football experience, as all the cares and hassles of the previous week seem to disappear in those moments, maybe it's an age thing(no im not young) ,maybe it's just a throwback to the 70's 80's work yer arse off during the week and have a bit of a laugh on a yesterday. Listening to some moaning about the bogs always gives me a chuckle, i miss the old style toilets remember those ,couple of walls no roof, gutter to water in and wading through a sea of water to get out Sounds like the away end at Portsmouth. A hundred times better than the away end at Doncaster’s old ground. Blimey that was awful, I always thought you should wash your hands when you left that ground!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2018 14:53:49 GMT
Yesterday, Billy Bodin went away And now I hear that Luke James is here to stay, oh I believe in yesterday suddenly he’s not half the player he used to be. Crippled and walking gingerly. Oh I believe in injury’s!
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Yesterday
Jan 5, 2018 17:35:11 GMT
via mobile
Post by sfdgas on Jan 5, 2018 17:35:11 GMT
I've read this forum for a long, long time and never really felt inclined to join in. I felt quite sad reading this post, as it's hard to argue with a lot of it. The Mem is not good enough and losing the UWE was a massive blow.
One thing I find bizarre though is how apathetic and down a lot of the fanbase seem atm. We are having and average to bad season yes, but things are still the best they have been for nearly 10 years imo. I can't blame WAQ for the UWE falling through and he certainly can't be blamed for the state the Mem is in. He is by no means perfect but I do find it puzzling why so many seem to be so negative towards him.
Anyway, sorry to hear you won't be at the Mem anymore. But hopefully one day you'll be able to come back and watch us in a shiny new stadium.
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Post by lpgas on Jan 5, 2018 21:13:57 GMT
LP - send it as a letter to the club and ask for a reply ;-) I don't think the club gives a sh** what we think. I sent a letter to Hamer on January the 3rd. I'll let you know if anything returns, doubt it somehow. Always got a letter from GD though
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Post by gas2 on Jan 5, 2018 22:07:14 GMT
I gave up watching rovers ten years ago nothing there to get me back watching at the moment as we've been lied to by past and present owners over the years
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Post by Topper Gas on Jan 5, 2018 22:14:53 GMT
I've read this forum for a long, long time and never really felt inclined to join in. I felt quite sad reading this post, as it's hard to argue with a lot of it. The Mem is not good enough and losing the UWE was a massive blow. One thing I find bizarre though is how apathetic and down a lot of the fanbase seem atm. We are having and average to bad season yes, but things are still the best they have been for nearly 10 years imo. I can't blame WAQ for the UWE falling through and he certainly can't be blamed for the state the Mem is in. He is by no means perfect but I do find it puzzling why so many seem to be so negative towards him. Anyway, sorry to hear you won't be at the Mem anymore. But hopefully one day you'll be able to come back and watch us in a shiny new stadium. Who else can you blame? The big issue for me regarding the UWE is that we were never given any clues following the takeover that the stadium wouldn't go ahead when they must have know for months a deal was unlikely, probably around the time Currah & co were given the boot.
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