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Post by miamigas on Apr 21, 2022 22:37:37 GMT
There's another forum? UTG! The alternative forum, just type gas guzzler into Google, but beware it may well depress you! I'd feel like I'm cheating on me missus with another who's even more miserable then. I'll stick with what I've got, no point in diluting my love and affection. UTG!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2022 22:45:37 GMT
Oh dear, I typed into Google to have a look.
I’m sure there is some good stuff on there. The few minutes having a look however made my mind. I’ll stick with this one. UTG
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Post by Kingswood Polak on Apr 22, 2022 0:43:08 GMT
The OP on this thread makes all the usual gripes and groans on here pale into insignificance. Apart trom the South stand situation for want of a better word, it begs the question why come out with this long list of unsubstantiated allegations mainly against our CEO at this moment in time? As Tilly says ex employees can easily obtain advice if they have been treated unfairly and employment laws have been broken. This seems to be in my opinion a rehash of many things mentioned on here before by a very bitter individual or two who I would suggest would be better off with his mates on the other forum. You used to be much more tolerant of those of us with questions and who feel a disconnect from the club we grew up with. Is there any reason for the change ? It feels like it was written by someone else when I think of how you used to be
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Post by mftc on Apr 22, 2022 7:13:02 GMT
Regarding your mentioning about the club going cashless, if it would have happened pre covid I think it may have left fans feeling alienated but the long period of when businesses were card payment only, has definitely coaxed people off cash. Only the other day I got on a bus for the first time in 3 years & the driver said, oh you got cash, everyone else was either paying by card or an app on their smartphone. I expect some fans will take issue like when we stopped being able to pay at the turnstiles, but it doesn’t take long before it becomes the norm. Great points. We have to keep moving forward to progress. I think we’re implementing change slowly and effectively 👍🏾 I should imagine most people on here are aged between 15 and 65, but no doubt there are 80+ year old fans who don't use forums or social media, that will not be aware that the stadium is going cashless. I think newer staff are not responsive to the 5% of people who will have real issues. Rather than trying to accommodate their needs, they have changed forced on them - because it is easier, yes cost effective and "the way the world is going". With the club advertising on the website and on Twitter, there may be many fans who are not informed. Could lead to teething problems next season. Also I hope the club have a contingency plan if /when the systems crash. Re loyalty, really it is only the fans who show it. Players, managers, owners and directors generally are not around long term. With all the award ceremonies TG attends, I can see him being head hunted soon. Surprised that Adam Tutton has not head hunted by a top FA or prem related club. Maybe he had the chance but stayed loyal to the club. Despite all the good recent on field things, I still think AT and the CT are the best thing to brag about regarding the club.
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Post by bidefordgas on Apr 22, 2022 7:44:24 GMT
The OP on this thread makes all the usual gripes and groans on here pale into insignificance. Apart trom the South stand situation for want of a better word, it begs the question why come out with this long list of unsubstantiated allegations mainly against our CEO at this moment in time? As Tilly says ex employees can easily obtain advice if they have been treated unfairly and employment laws have been broken. This seems to be in my opinion a rehash of many things mentioned on here before by a very bitter individual or two who I would suggest would be better off with his mates on the other forum. You used to be much more tolerant of those of us with questions and who feel a disconnect from the club we grew up with. Is there any reason for the change ? It feels like it was written by someone else when I think of how you used to be Jules I am now 72 and have just passed my 65th anniversary of watching my first ever Rovers game in 1957 at home to Notts Forest. We won that age 3-2 and have been a supporter since then. Have been on the forum/s for a fair few years now before twitter etc took off and they were far friendlier places in those days for want of a better word. I must say I really use to enjoy posting and there were some really great posters who have long since past or simply gave up because of how combative the place had/ has become. Suffice to say I think that is the reason why it would appear I have changed and been more questioning of other people's opinions. I took a break for a while after being called all sorts on here including being a bully boy etc in the early days of JB. I have returned and been much more careful in my opinion. I can assure you people who know me still know I am the same mild mannered person I ever was but I suppose the nat.ure of some has rubbed off a little on me and I do indeed question more than I did before. I am not adverse to people's own viewpoints but accept change and don't consider myself a moaning old bugger. I am just getting on with life, enjoying it and especially seeing our club on the rise after the events of the last few years. All things in life have changed and the Rovers are no different so I am accepting of that. Onwards and upwards I say, after all its only a game, but a bloody good one!
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Post by warehamgas on Apr 22, 2022 8:17:43 GMT
Well said DrF. Indeed. Never understand why some on here have a low opinion about the other place and some on the other place have a low opinion about this place. Quite bizarre. UTG! I think it's fair to say there are a greater number of chips on shoulders on the other forum Not sure. They're different certainly. UTG!
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Post by gashead99 on Apr 22, 2022 8:38:01 GMT
I hadn't until the south stand season ticket and FGR issues. It is clear from how we were treated that we were just a ticket price. Most of us have been saying for years why are we letting an handful of season ticket holders cost the club thousands, it's a sensible business decision by the club, nothing more, nothing less. As far as Gasheads now being customers not fans I personally feel more of a connection with TG & Wael than I ever did when the likes of NH and "we never planned for relegation" TW were running the club. And therein lies the problem. A handful of season ticket holders - loyal supporters for many years - discounted in one sentence by a fellow gashead. I don't think we've cost the club thousands at all. Our advance monies have actually helped the club in what have been difficult times. You can count on one hand the number of times capacity has been an issue in recent (and not so recent) years. Don't get me wrong, I want the club to progress as much as anyone. What many don't seem to realise is that we had seats in the South stand for a reason. There are no other seats, other than the SW stand (which is a relatively new addition) available so it became a lottery as to where and with whom you could sit. It is also now the family stand - we are being allowed to sit there despite not qualifying as a family - there may be issues with regard to that going forward. Personally, I would not choose to sit in the family stand - if there was a choice. The group I have been with for many years has now been broken up - but don't worry we'll get over it! Just as everyone else will get used to looking at empty blue seats for a high percentage of games next season.
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Post by gasandelectricity on Apr 22, 2022 8:39:48 GMT
To me I think it’s indisputable the club is run in a more professional way than it used to.
Normal businesses use redundancy to make staff redundant all the time, only to readvertise the jobs months later or maybe even less with a subtle change of title.
It might not be the family club it has always been as a result but if it gets us the progress we need perhaps that’s a price worth paying.
For instance, I remember in the days of Hamer and Starnes some long serving members of staff were moved on and there were whispers (rightly or wrongly) that some had been benefiting personally from club business where they shouldn’t.
Ultimately if members of staff aren’t able to do their jobs adequately (not saying in this case they are or aren’t, were or weren’t)
I do worry that some of those decisions might not be completely just but without the full facts we just have to assume that Tom is making the right decisions to take the club forward.
The club seems to be moving forward in many ways, there are some that I’m not personally convinced are any better, but on the whole it seems like progress is being made.
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Post by Kingswood Polak on Apr 22, 2022 9:56:05 GMT
You used to be much more tolerant of those of us with questions and who feel a disconnect from the club we grew up with. Is there any reason for the change ? It feels like it was written by someone else when I think of how you used to be Jules I am now 72 and have just passed my 65th anniversary of watching my first ever Rovers game in 1957 at home to Notts Forest. We won that age 3-2 and have been a supporter since then. Have been on the forum/s for a fair few years now before twitter etc took off and they were far friendlier places in those days for want of a better word. I must say I really use to enjoy posting and there were some really great posters who have long since past or simply gave up because of how combative the place had/ has become. Suffice to say I think that is the reason why it would appear I have changed and been more questioning of other people's opinions. I took a break for a while after being called all sorts on here including being a bully boy etc in the early days of JB. I have returned and been much more careful in my opinion. I can assure you people who know me still know I am the same mild mannered person I ever was but I suppose the nat.ure of some has rubbed off a little on me and I do indeed question more than I did before. I am not adverse to people's own viewpoints but accept change and don't consider myself a moaning old bugger. I am just getting on with life, enjoying it and especially seeing our club on the rise after the events of the last few years. All things in life have changed and the Rovers are no different so I am accepting of that. Onwards and upwards I say, after all its only a game, but a bloody good one! Thank you for clarifying this my friend as I felt like it was maybe someone else, posting under your username. I admire your tenacity and how you and Kevin travel so far to keep watching. You both have my respect for that. Yes, things change I agree but personally I feel all the NDA’s and strange tax accounts to be something that should be questioned. Maybe we were better off before the internet gave us access to such content eh ? Wishing you both all the very best fella. You have always been very honest and open and I think both qualities are to be admired
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Post by Kingswood Polak on Apr 22, 2022 10:05:40 GMT
To me I think it’s indisputable the club is run in a more professional way than it used to. Normal businesses use redundancy to make staff redundant all the time, only to readvertise the jobs months later or maybe even less with a subtle change of title. It might not be the family club it has always been as a result but if it gets us the progress we need perhaps that’s a price worth paying. For instance, I remember in the days of Hamer and Starnes some long serving members of staff were moved on and there were whispers (rightly or wrongly) that some had been benefiting personally from club business where they shouldn’t. Ultimately if members of staff aren’t able to do their jobs adequately (not saying in this case they are or aren’t, were or weren’t) I do worry that some of those decisions might not be completely just but without the full facts we just have to assume that Tom is making the right decisions to take the club forward. The club seems to be moving forward in many ways, there are some that I’m not personally convinced are any better, but on the whole it seems like progress is being made. If you research, closely enough and with patience then I think you would be rather concerned. Things may look like they are progressing but it’s a classic case of misdirection if ever I saw one. If anything I am guilty of being ambitious but it woukd seem that is not the case when you dig further. I am not having a go at any single person but overall. 6 years after taking over, we do not even have plans in place for a new stadium and if you ask the club about it, you do not get a reply or get a reply but, very much like a politician, replies to something completely different
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2022 10:08:43 GMT
To me I think it’s indisputable the club is run in a more professional way than it used to. Normal businesses use redundancy to make staff redundant all the time, only to readvertise the jobs months later or maybe even less with a subtle change of title. It might not be the family club it has always been as a result but if it gets us the progress we need perhaps that’s a price worth paying. For instance, I remember in the days of Hamer and Starnes some long serving members of staff were moved on and there were whispers (rightly or wrongly) that some had been benefiting personally from club business where they shouldn’t. Ultimately if members of staff aren’t able to do their jobs adequately (not saying in this case they are or aren’t, were or weren’t) I do worry that some of those decisions might not be completely just but without the full facts we just have to assume that Tom is making the right decisions to take the club forward. The club seems to be moving forward in many ways, there are some that I’m not personally convinced are any better, but on the whole it seems like progress is being made. You are not wrong. Its almost like the Gas is moving to a much more Corporate identity. Wrong analogy I know, but we are moving from a regional club identity to a more and I use the phase again Corporate idea that will promote us in a much wider audience. Some will like that others wont. I was with my lad at an event in the London area for youth football, even my lad said players were talking about various clubs they play for and clubs they support. I'm not kidding you, players chatting between themselves from various clubs when my lad said "Bristol Rovers" a lot said Who? ? The same with a Bristol City lad that I know that was there, the same thing Bristol City Who? although they were known a little bit more than us. I know we can argue the London clubs and dare I say it the Northern Clubs tend to sit in a bubble. But I do believe that until a "Bristol Club" reaches the Premium league, both clubs have to do what they can to change the views and market themselves to the wider masses to stay alive. Change is uncomfortable, but the way the world is, I think we need to embrace change for the long term future of the club. I think that's what we are trying to do, and league 1 football next season will only help that.
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Post by baggins on Apr 22, 2022 10:22:39 GMT
To me I think it’s indisputable the club is run in a more professional way than it used to. Normal businesses use redundancy to make staff redundant all the time, only to readvertise the jobs months later or maybe even less with a subtle change of title. It might not be the family club it has always been as a result but if it gets us the progress we need perhaps that’s a price worth paying. For instance, I remember in the days of Hamer and Starnes some long serving members of staff were moved on and there were whispers (rightly or wrongly) that some had been benefiting personally from club business where they shouldn’t. Ultimately if members of staff aren’t able to do their jobs adequately (not saying in this case they are or aren’t, were or weren’t) I do worry that some of those decisions might not be completely just but without the full facts we just have to assume that Tom is making the right decisions to take the club forward. The club seems to be moving forward in many ways, there are some that I’m not personally convinced are any better, but on the whole it seems like progress is being made. If you research, closely enough and with patience then I think you would be rather concerned. Things may look like they are progressing but it’s a classic case of misdirection if ever I saw one. If anything I am guilty of being ambitious but it woukd seem that is not the case when you dig further. I am not having a go at any single person but overall. 6 years after taking over, we do not even have plans in place for a new stadium and if you ask the club about it, you do not get a reply or get a reply but, very much like a politician, replies to something completely different Apart from the Stadium (and Gawd knows where we are with that), everything has progressed.
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Post by o2o2bo2ba on Apr 22, 2022 10:35:05 GMT
"This isn't the club I recognise" Unprompted quote. December 2021, quoted by a semi celebrity skin head GasHead that if you were in North Bristol in 80s, he would have been ever-present. We looked up to him, back in the day. We still do. Hey.......everyone has their relationship with everyone here and the club, staff, owners managers, coaches, some are more invested emotionally than others, but the fact we all commune on here exactly equates to the same fact we don't just judge our consumption of the club as a cold business transaction...? We all take things further. Sometimes on a business/commercial level, sometimes on a more personal level..... that's why you're here on this forum. That's why I'm here on this forum. This is also why for some months, I've withdrawn my engagement here: Imagine my disdain and disgust? The club I love and have embraced since a kid, treating employees and staff like a commodity....I know they treat players like this (staff) but us fans, indeed patrons of the club that pay our way are certainly not far from next treatment. The new CEO (TG) decided to make a sweeping round of redundancies, with roles and jobs that were still needed and not therefore made obsolete or, redundant....? Unless my understanding of basic employment law has altered? I thought there was a duty of care...?.....a duty of care that once highlighted, the club are honoured and legally bound to help one of their own. I can say, with a heavy heart, TG has been a director and been well aware of numerous incidents (that he's nonchalantly ignored) within his directorship appointment, leading to the mental health breakdown of some employees. Doesn't give a fig. Not interested. Even when he issued his staff survey last year, the results were ominous, instead of focusing on how to improve the mental health issues surrounding his management of situations, all his interest was to pepper the safeguard officer at the time to betray confidence and inform on whom said what. It's disgusting. So..... instead of helping, it was far more productive to sweep them all aside to "restructure" when in thinly veiled "replace" was more apt..... without the necessary paid up expenses. To staff that have loyally served the club through hard times. I'm not saying he can't change things his way, but it has to conducted in the proper and correct manner, not employ an inept HR "person" that has become a guest in his box. For this, and many other incidents, some too private to share, some not to betray the trust of individuals, (for instance I have evidence the club broke furlough laws circa March 2020) I have chosen to stop extra funding to the club, it won't mean jack to TG or you, or anyone in like but it will satisfy my conscience.... it's left me with total apathy and (ironically) shifting my emphasis of support to the very least of caring in the club - the players - because my trust and faith has all but withered for the structure of employers that has resonated leaving me to think, for me, this isn't the club I recognise. A question of loyalty? I guess that works more than one way. In lockdown, some staff were relied on and championed as much as the missed fanbase. It appears a falsehood, when there's a £ to be exploited (ask some South Stand season ticket holders re FGR match!?) or nepotism behind the scenes....so my post is here to add balance and awareness for those whom are interested. The future may be Bright, the future may be Gorringe (for anyone that remembers the pun from advert) but for me I can holistically see it isn't like this for everyone.. Thank you for your indulgence and patience, it's nice to see some recognised posters still here. And to some new ones. As ever, brothers and sisters and inbetweeners: UptheGas! This is a bit like something that Knowall or members of the old SC used to write, make accusations or ITK comments about situations but with no real meat on the bones for anyone else to make head or tale of. You say it won’t mean much to TG, well it doesn’t mean much to us either. Could you elaborate a little further about whom you mean I’ll assume that if furlough rules have been broken, that the club has been reported to HMRC and the money returned? I’ll assume that if TGs management style is intolerant, arduous, heavy handed and without compassion that this has been reported to Wael for his consideration? I’ll also assume that all complaints around any form of dismissal has been reported to make a case for a tribunal? The case around the south stand has been explained, and as unfortunate and inconvenient it is, until we get a new stadium there isn’t much that can be done. It was hardly done in any malice by the club was it. EFL rules plus a crap stadium is what has caused the problems. I'm liking your assumptions, but you know what assume means....it makes an - yea well you get the idea I did o p allude to no one would really care, because it doesn't directly affect them or their loved ones. Which is fair enough. Understandable. Unfortunate, but understandable. Your post around the south stand reflects that.....but this isn't about you or me. It's a question of loyalty (as per title), given that we as a fanbase (I assume you and most here regularly attend) appeared to have been genuinely missed during lockdown, the approach regarding displacing season ticket holders is very impersonal. Given that the club treats some of it's staff with disregard to ignoring mental health issues, given that the club treats season ticket holders (bread and butter of the club, whom helps pay close season, whom else individually contributes more?) with disregard, given both of those things, how long will it be before they treat more here with disregard? Perhaps then more will wonder about a question of loyalty.
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Post by o2o2bo2ba on Apr 22, 2022 10:36:29 GMT
If you research, closely enough and with patience then I think you would be rather concerned. Things may look like they are progressing but it’s a classic case of misdirection if ever I saw one. If anything I am guilty of being ambitious but it woukd seem that is not the case when you dig further. I am not having a go at any single person but overall. 6 years after taking over, we do not even have plans in place for a new stadium and if you ask the club about it, you do not get a reply or get a reply but, very much like a politician, replies to something completely different Apart from the Stadium (and Gawd knows where we are with that), everything has progressed. Stewarding? Kids/elderly with cash only? Ticketmaster?
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Post by baggins on Apr 22, 2022 10:42:30 GMT
Apart from the Stadium (and Gawd knows where we are with that), everything has progressed. Stewarding? Kids/elderly with cash only? Ticketmaster? I've never had a problem with Stewards so can't comment on that. Ticketmaster? Yea, can be a pain to renew Season Tickets but I only cussed 5 or 6 times and that was sorted within an hour. Cash only? That's a weird one. Cash processing at the bars certainly takes longer than a quick swipe and maybe cash payments involve more staff to sort the admin?
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Post by o2o2bo2ba on Apr 22, 2022 10:46:16 GMT
To me I think it’s indisputable the club is run in a more professional way than it used to. Normal businesses use redundancy to make staff redundant all the time, only to readvertise the jobs months later or maybe even less with a subtle change of title. That's just it! It wasn't readvertised months later!? Bang on... And whilst it might be run from the outside more professionally, um, inside (for instance) Queen night wasn't exactly a brilliant success, was it? I wonder whom had the bright idea of setting everything up, selling tickets and booking the performance BEFORE consulting his own staff and SAG? 🤭 You don't have to dig too deep. Yes, some things have improved I think we can all see that, but some of the important traits that have made our club what it is have been lost along the way.....some posts think that's a price worth paying, some regret that and feel more disconnected......some won't even care.
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Post by gashead1981 on Apr 22, 2022 10:48:32 GMT
To me I think it’s indisputable the club is run in a more professional way than it used to. Normal businesses use redundancy to make staff redundant all the time, only to readvertise the jobs months later or maybe even less with a subtle change of title. It might not be the family club it has always been as a result but if it gets us the progress we need perhaps that’s a price worth paying. For instance, I remember in the days of Hamer and Starnes some long serving members of staff were moved on and there were whispers (rightly or wrongly) that some had been benefiting personally from club business where they shouldn’t. Ultimately if members of staff aren’t able to do their jobs adequately (not saying in this case they are or aren’t, were or weren’t) I do worry that some of those decisions might not be completely just but without the full facts we just have to assume that Tom is making the right decisions to take the club forward. The club seems to be moving forward in many ways, there are some that I’m not personally convinced are any better, but on the whole it seems like progress is being made. If you research, closely enough and with patience then I think you would be rather concerned. Things may look like they are progressing but it’s a classic case of misdirection if ever I saw one. If anything I am guilty of being ambitious but it woukd seem that is not the case when you dig further. I am not having a go at any single person but overall. 6 years after taking over, we do not even have plans in place for a new stadium and if you ask the club about it, you do not get a reply or get a reply but, very much like a politician, replies to something completely different You say this Jools and yet when I asked you what misdirection is there, and what worries you, the things you mentioned were relegation, the charge over the Mem and the lack of stadium progress. Clubs get relegated. It’s part of the danger of football so whilst annoying, it happened, lessons were learned and our trajectory is very much upwards now. The charge on the Mem has been rebutted goodness knows how many times and whilst there has been no progress on the stadium front we have made unquestionable progress as a club since Wael took full control. TG being built, re organisation from the top down. There are more positives to mention now than negatives and the next steps will be the stadium as and when we can.
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Post by Tilly's Thighs on Apr 22, 2022 10:48:45 GMT
Apart from the Stadium (and Gawd knows where we are with that), everything has progressed. Stewarding? Kids/elderly with cash only? Ticketmaster? I've not personally had a problem with stewarding this season, (or any other season). What sort of things are happening? Kids/elderly with cash only - I've particularly wondered how this will work with kids, I can't see parents wanting to accompany them to the food outlets everytime they want some form of refreshment. Maybe a club card which can be loaded up with funds would solve this? Ticketmaster - I've only had positive experiences, I am aware that's not been the case for everybody, sometimes it is the user who is at fault, sometimes the provider needs to fine-tune the system once it is operating. Not living in the Bristol area, it's much easier for me than having to buy tickets at the club shop or spend ages on the phone.
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Post by o2o2bo2ba on Apr 22, 2022 10:53:18 GMT
Stewarding? Kids/elderly with cash only? Ticketmaster? I've never had a problem with Stewards so can't comment on that. Ticketmaster? Yea, can be a pain to renew Season Tickets but I only cussed 5 or 6 times and that was sorted within an hour. Cash only? That's a weird one. Cash processing at the bars certainly takes longer than a quick swipe and maybe cash payments involve more staff to sort the admin? The stewarding has been worse than useless. Some don't look old enough for long trousers (pardon the pun for anyone old enough to remember) and some don't appear to understand English..... whilst it might not have affected you personally, a few actually don't feel safe if there was an emergency given this basis...... having said that I was genuinely laughing they searched an 80year old friend's bag going into East Terrace a few months ago! Haha! He felt like a proper proud villain! Great entertainment. Many have had problems with Ticketmaster, me personally no problems, but their inefficiency and complaints was one of the reasons it was brought back in house for away tickets and now you can roll up to Shop like you could in old days ... Only after July 1st, don't do it with that papery metaly thingy that folds.
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Post by gasandelectricity on Apr 22, 2022 10:53:50 GMT
And whilst it might be run from the outside more professionally, um, inside (for instance) Queen night wasn't exactly a brilliant success, was it? I wonder whom had the bright idea of setting everything up, selling tickets and booking the performance BEFORE consulting his own staff and SAG? 🤭 I’m afraid I’m missing the context here because as much as I actually like Queen I have zero interest in going to a Queen evening at the Mem. Much in the same way they do bike training and what not at the Mem.
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