Minutes of Monday's Structured Dialogue Meeting attached

AllOrNothing said:
That's what fans of all clubs do, moan a bit... Its part of being a fan and I'd say part of being an owner. Same way as if we got promoted people will be hero worshipping him. People are moaning at Liverpool for gods sake, it's football. If Sadler is thinking of chucking it in after a few moans about the state of the pitch and the apparent non progress of the long promised training ground then God help us if the moaning really did start. I'd hazard Garrity gave that answer himself as some sort of best bud type defence. If I was sadler I wouldn't be overly impressed with him. Just crack on Simon, ignore the critics and carry on as you see fit I say.
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Its Gerrity btw.

Garrity is on the coaching staff. If you support Blackpool you should know this.
 
So when is the new training ground going to be built?

And then halfway through the answer he moans about fans and ST refunds. A tenuis link at best.

Now if I'm right this q was a read and consider your answer q, so why the deviation? Thinly veiled threat from SS?
 
fcblackpool said:
So when is the new training ground going to be built?

And then halfway through the answer he moans about fans and ST refunds. A tenuis link at best.

Now if I'm right this q was a read and consider your answer q, so why the deviation? Thinly veiled threat from SS?
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Surely it must be a bit demoralising for SS when the fanbase is demanding to know in the midst of a global pandemic when the £10 million-£12 million training ground is going to be built whilst the club loses £4 million and certain fans are asking for ST refunds. That was the point being made.

He might be the saviour of BFC but he's only human.

As usual with some posters on here something is being made out of this when its nothing.
 
TwelveAngryMen said:
My recollection was virtually all on the refund thread said they'd leave their money in even if refunds were ever offered

The only caveat I recalled was it might be appropriate if say someone's financial circumstances had changed ie lost their job

Think it came about as some clubs inc Accy had just offered refunds - and had a similar response
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I can't really get on board with your caveat TAM. The season ticket money was spent last year regardless of ones employment situation, during a normal season if you lost your job you wouldn't expect a refund.
 
Think Brett just telling it how it is. He talks to him more than most so knows how hes thinking. Comes with the territory i suppose but doesn't mean he has to like it.
When you get Oyston stooges like 62 telling him to resign i think even BG knows to ignore those mentalists.
 
Not sure it was a demand Angel rather a request for an update

Think we all know the unique issues the Club is facing and how much SS has committed and not just in monetary terms !

The issue seems to be the ' demands ' for ST refunds but I can only find one thread on that which dated back to November and that was very supportive with everyone pretty much saying they'd leave their money in even if the refund were to be offered. Maybe demands have been made direct to the Club that we are unaware of.

I confess that I found BSA's question on ' compensation ' ill-considered. Maybe that influenced the reply from Brett.

Personally I find it incredible that Simon is committing as much as he is to these projects It's fantastic for both club and town

Equally fans will always ask questions - it's the nature of the beast
 
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Victorsponge said:
I can't really get on board with your caveat TAM. The season ticket money was spent last year regardless of ones employment situation, during a normal season if you lost your job you wouldn't expect a refund.
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It wasn't my caveat specifically rather the one on the thread
 
Selected and highlighted extract from the minutes to emphasise my point.

"Simon does get a little fed up of hearing some people repeatedly asking about season ticket refunds ... his enthusiasm may be diminished when a small number of supporters demand refunds upon tickets that were advertised and sold with everyone aware that the season may not happen. ... I should emphasise that this is a minority of people who are moaning but a vocal minority and they are in danger of jeopardising the good work that is going on."

The vocal minority have not been moaning on AVFTT. I don't know anyone who is moaning and I'm sure that applies to most of us. So we can't influence them.

The club, however, can influence them by making a statement (or providing personal replies if appropriate) explaining the club's position. If they keep moaning, ignore them, (but if there are people claiming extreme hardship, then I hope the club will consider an exception for them).

The vast majority on here have said they don't want a refund and are backing Simon Sadler to the hilt. Thank you Simon. 👍 🍊🍊 Please don't abandon the majority because of a few empty vessels making the most noise.
 
I think a club owner needs to have a thick skin and not listen/read what the shouty minority are spouting....every club has its whoppers but I do think we have more than most...it must be hard though to read some of the tripe written...I know I would find it hard...
 
AllOrNothing said:
That's what fans of all clubs do, moan a bit... Its part of being a fan and I'd say part of being an owner. Same way as if we got promoted people will be hero worshipping him. People are moaning at Liverpool for gods sake, it's football. If Sadler is thinking of chucking it in after a few moans about the state of the pitch and the apparent non progress of the long promised training ground then God help us if the moaning really did start. I'd hazard gerrity gave that answer himself as some sort of best bud type defence. If I was sadler I wouldn't be overly impressed with him. Just crack on Simon, ignore the critics and carry on as you see fit I say.
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Good post.
 
TwelveAngryMen said:
Not sure it was a demand Angel rather a request for an update

Think we all know the unique issues the Club is facing and how much SS has committed and not just in monetary terms !

The issue seems to be the ' demands ' for ST refunds but I can only find one thread on that which dated back to November and that was very supportive with everyone pretty much saying they'd leave their money in even if the refund were to be offered. Maybe demands have been made direct to the Club that we are unaware of.

I confess that I found BSA's question on ' compensation ' ill-considered. Maybe that influenced the reply from Brett.

Personally I find it incredible that Simon is committing as much as he is to these projects It's fantastic for both club and town

Equally fans will always ask questions - it's the nature of the beast
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Fair point TAM but AVTT is not representative of the whole fan base. Some fans not on here may have contacted the club direct or posted on social media.
 
poolseasider said:
Why does everyone have to turn it onto our owner if we criticize anything he has a team around him and staff if they mess up or speak nonsense like BG they should be brought to task no one is having a pop at SS.
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What part of what BG said is nonsense ?
 
AngelBFC said:
Fair point TAM but AVTT is not representative of the whole fan base. Some fans not on here may have contacted the club direct.
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Yes I did amend my post as I thought about that afterwards
The minutes however read as if it's social media posts
I spend a fair amount of time on various media platforms and I haven't seen anything other than the avftt thread and that was last November - and that was topical as Accy had just announced they were offering refunds - no doubt expecting most not to take up which proved correct I think
 
The notion that fans with ST have been banging on the door, in even minority numbers, of BR for a refund is total and utter bullshit. Show me evidence of that which I'm sure will be made up. Odd cases I don't doubt, possibly needing the money, but enough for the tirade delivered?? Give me a break.

And why digress mid answer? Correct me if i'm wrong but this question was sent in advance and the answer prepared the same. Now if posting on here you'd probably review and edit and if you wanted to make the point (see TAM #81), do it in a different way on a separate question (proposed but not taken).

Therefore it must have been pre-meditated and with SS approval (?) which is why I said what I have above.

It pricks people's ears because it's just so odd.
 
Martonmosser said:
What an absolute load of rubbish. Brett’s been going for years (unlike a lot on here). Oh and he’s also paid nothing by the club, he puts his time and effort in for free....... just like when he was trying his best to get his friend Simon to buy the club. Where do you clowns think we would be without him 🙄
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You could lay the same charge at me as I was brought up as a Liverpool fan
I've known Brett longer than many on here as we went to the same school and work in the same profession
He's been a BFC fan for as long as I can remember
 
AllOrNothing said:
That's what fans of all clubs do, moan a bit... Its part of being a fan and I'd say part of being an owner. Same way as if we got promoted people will be hero worshipping him. People are moaning at Liverpool for gods sake, it's football. If Sadler is thinking of chucking it in after a few moans about the state of the pitch and the apparent non progress of the long promised training ground then God help us if the moaning really did start. I'd hazard gerrity gave that answer himself as some sort of best bud type defence. If I was sadler I wouldn't be overly impressed with him. Just crack on Simon, ignore the critics and carry on as you see fit I say.
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Moaning is what football fans do, if the club wins the PL some would moan because they didn’t win it by enough points,I moan quite a bit myself. However there is a world of difference between general moaning and the entitled,me,me,me whining and demanding attitude of some fans. As I said earlier on this thread everyone knew the terms, SS when he bought the club also knew the terms. He knew first hand the decades of neglect that had to be erased, he knew there was a lot of money needed spending, he was prepared to spend it. What he didn’t know, nor did anyone else, was that a global pandemic was in the offing. The last season was curtailed with an immediate drop in the club’s income to zero, in the close season notwithstanding the loss of income he backed the manager to the hilt with an almost complete new squad. As one of the volunteers I can tell you there has been an inordinate amount of money already spent and more to come. The training complex is still in hand at a cost of some £10-12 million, no wonder he despairs at some of the whining that goes on. Before we disposed of the Os some were saying they would take relegation to non league if necessary to rid our club of them. Thanks to Simon that not only didn’t happen, we are in with a shout of the play offs. I renewed my ST and like everyone else have seen no live football, I wasn’t even selected for the one game back. When the time comes I will renew again without a second thought and will consider it money well spent and just wish I was in a position to do more. As someone said in an earlier post, give the guy a break, and be thankful we have got an owner passionate enough and wealthy enough to keep improving BFC and Blackpool as a whole.
 
It’s like a pantomime ain’t it this fans groups asking pre arranged questions etc...
The club should just issue a statement every now and then, fans groups imo need to stick to the basics, not all this holding owners to task about how there holding company is split etc....plus the season ticket thing....no wonder SS may be getting ramped off...😎
 
Unsure how I feel about some of the comments made in that, I don't like the notion that we shouldn't be treated like normal football fans of any other club because we're coming off the back of Oyston. We as a fanbase have been extremely supportive of the new board financially I think, selling out 4k season tickets in rapid time, many refusing refunds last time, spending at the club shop and watching via iFollow week in, week out.

I have no stake in the season ticket refund debate as I didn't buy one, I pay for every iFollow game individually home and away. It just strikes me a bit odd that a question about the training ground resulted in a tangent about season ticket refunds, almost as if they wanted to make sure they got their dig in and villainize a portion of our fanbase who could be asking due to the same economical impact of covid that BG literally mentions as to why people shouldn't be asking for refunds. A lot of that doesn't sit right with me, it is certainly divisive as you can see examples of in this very thread.

I think the higher ups at the club need to develop a thicker skin as responding in this manner doesn't strike me as professional at all. It comes across as a threat, basically outright saying that Sadler might stop funding the club if it continues. BG literally states there that a MINORITY of fans asking about refunds could be enough to prevent Sadler investing anymore, when afterwards he admits the majority of the fanbase have been investing back into the club heavily in a literal financial crisis - that really worries me if true.

I can not explain how grateful I am of Simon Sadler, my suggestion for the East Stand was for it to be named after him, I have plans to commission an away day flag which honours Sadler - I don't think my gratitude can be questioned. I just do not like the implication coming from the board that we as a fanbase have to just shut up when it comes to the club, just pump your money back in - it is a bit of a disgrace really to speak to fans of a football club from the most deprived town in this country, during an economic crisis over the request of a refund.
 
Killingmesoftly said:
It’s like a pantomime ain’t it this fans groups asking pre arranged questions etc...
The club should just issue a statement every now and then, fans groups imo need to stick to the basics, not all this holding owners to task about how there holding company is split etc....plus the season ticket thing....no wonder SS may be getting ramped off...😎
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Its the same clique who go these meetings . The board should just deal with the SLO.
 
It appears Gerrity was quite defensive in some of his answers. I think we all have to take a step back and take note of a few things.

Firstly, for our part as fans, we are obviously extremely grateful that SS has put money in during such difficult times, but equally it isn't the fans fault that match day revenue is virtually non-existent. So there's little point the club agreeing to a fans forum and then getting defensive in answering questions by citing current trading conditions.

Secondly, I don't think anyone is getting impatient and making demands on the training ground, which is how the club seemed to take the question. We're just curious what progress has been made, in the knowledge that we're aware that more progress will have been made in the last 18mths than in the previous 30 years. We know that.

Thirdly, from the clubs point of view, Ben Gerrity is there because he's a trusted friend of SS, not because he's a master at PR. We need to realise that, and bear in mind the current situation is unprecedented and extremely difficult, and things may be said that are perhaps given more importance than they should.

Let's calm down a bit. We're still in by far the best shape we've been in for ages and we'll soon be able to demonstrate our support for SS. The comments on here and the answers from the club also support my view that fans forums really need to be done when questions aren't asked second hand, so those posing them can clarify, or apply context and tone to them. Otherwise they can come across in ways they weren't intended. "When will the club build a training ground" for example is a poorly worded question because it reads as demanding and impatient, and it implies that fans aren't aware that the work has been ongoing and it's the clubs priority (which we are aware from the last meeting). I agree the response was very defensive but asking the question like that is only likely to get a somewhat defensive response. I am assuming the questions were asked as written.
 
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TangerinePeel said:
Unsure how I feel about some of the comments made in that, I don't like the notion that we shouldn't be treated like normal football fans of any other club because we're coming off the back of Oyston. We as a fanbase have been extremely supportive of the new board financially I think, selling out 4k season tickets in rapid time, many refusing refunds last time, spending at the club shop and watching via iFollow week in, week out.

I have no stake in the season ticket refund debate as I didn't buy one, I pay for every iFollow game individually home and away. It just strikes me a bit odd that a question about the training ground resulted in a tangent about season ticket refunds, almost as if they wanted to make sure they got their dig in and villainize a portion of our fanbase who could be asking due to the same economical impact of covid that BG literally mentions as to why people shouldn't be asking for refunds. A lot of that doesn't sit right with me, it is certainly divisive as you can see examples of in this very thread.

I think the higher ups at the club need to develop a thicker skin as responding in this manner doesn't strike me as professional at all. It comes across as a threat, basically outright saying that Sadler might stop funding the club if it continues. BG literally states there that a MINORITY of fans asking about refunds could be enough to prevent Sadler investing anymore, when afterwards he admits the majority of the fanbase have been investing back into the club heavily in a literal financial crisis - that really worries me if true.

I can not explain how grateful I am of Simon Sadler, my suggestion for the East Stand was for it to be named after him, I have plans to commission an away day flag which honours Sadler - I don't think my gratitude can be questioned. I just do not like the implication coming from the board that we as a fanbase have to just shut up when it comes to the club, just pump your money back in - it is a bit of a disgrace really to speak to fans of a football club from the most deprived town in this country, during an economic crisis over the request of a refund.
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A brilliant post. 👍
 
Main priority is the training ground.Safe standing,dvds and re runs on ifollow can be binned. Dropped at clanger with the Penthouse Brett, lets not make more mistakes.
 
TangerinePeel said:
Unsure how I feel about some of the comments made in that, I don't like the notion that we shouldn't be treated like normal football fans of any other club because we're coming off the back of Oyston. We as a fanbase have been extremely supportive of the new board financially I think, selling out 4k season tickets in rapid time, many refusing refunds last time, spending at the club shop and watching via iFollow week in, week out.

I have no stake in the season ticket refund debate as I didn't buy one, I pay for every iFollow game individually home and away. It just strikes me a bit odd that a question about the training ground resulted in a tangent about season ticket refunds, almost as if they wanted to make sure they got their dig in and villainize a portion of our fanbase who could be asking due to the same economical impact of covid that BG literally mentions as to why people shouldn't be asking for refunds. A lot of that doesn't sit right with me, it is certainly divisive as you can see examples of in this very thread.

I think the higher ups at the club need to develop a thicker skin as responding in this manner doesn't strike me as professional at all. It comes across as a threat, basically outright saying that Sadler might stop funding the club if it continues. BG literally states there that a MINORITY of fans asking about refunds could be enough to prevent Sadler investing anymore, when afterwards he admits the majority of the fanbase have been investing back into the club heavily in a literal financial crisis - that really worries me if true.

I can not explain how grateful I am of Simon Sadler, my suggestion for the East Stand was for it to be named after him, I have plans to commission an away day flag which honours Sadler - I don't think my gratitude can be questioned. I just do not like the implication coming from the board that we as a fanbase have to just shut up when it comes to the club, just pump your money back in - it is a bit of a disgrace really to speak to fans of a football club from the most deprived town in this country, during an economic crisis over the request of a refund.
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Amen. Well said.

I'm not comfortable with it either. I've bought two tickets, shirts, paid for every single game including the pre season friendlies and am ridiculously grateful to Sadler for what he's done but the fact is, some people are going to moan. That's football. If your a football fan, that's the way it is. You moan. Moaning is part of why people go to football.

I've also got to be honest, either I'm not following the right people on twitter, not reading here or discord properly, I've not really seen this 'vocal minority' making a big fuss.

I've seen a few people suggest the club could have chucked in a sweetener in order to get sales and the odd person suggest they could get away games free but I haven't really seen a concerted campaign of complaint about it.

I think the way forward honestly would be to look at how we could as a fan base work with the club and support any fans who genuinely are struggling and for whom their season ticket money would make a difference. We've done this before with legal stuff (though obvs there were some, er... 'issues' there) and I'd personally be happy to support anything along those lines. If fans who've bought season tickets are struggling cos of the economic issues then lets do something.

Being told a very rich man is 'upset' by people on twitter. I dunno. I've no reason to question Sadler, so far, he's been amazing and seemed to have all the right intentions but he's living something that none of us could ever dream of and with that, will come some critique.

A better response might have been.

"Whilst the club isn't looking to offer refunds for the reasons we've outlined at the time of sale, we'll look into how we could work with the various fans groups and what support there could be for any supporters who are genuinely struggling because of changes to their circumstances" - Between BST and the MSG and so on I'm sure we could rustle up a few quid for anyone who is genuinely out of pocket and struggling.

Not the statement which *kind of* read "Shut up, buy stuff or fuck off"

I'm not one for making criticism for the sake of it either. It genuinely didn't read well to me.
 
Victorsponge said:
I can't really get on board with your caveat TAM. The season ticket money was spent last year regardless of ones employment situation, during a normal season if you lost your job you wouldn't expect a refund.
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No, but in a normal year, you would get to go to games but, yes, there were clear T+C's - Perhaps the answer isn't for the club to deal with this and maybe Gerrity could have said to BSA - maybe you could do some fundraising to support members? I think ultimately, this is a very odd year.
 
ST, what 250? iFollow 230.

I fail to see hoards unhappy with this.

The off topic moan was ooo imo, but obviously has a purpose.
 
Don’t get people asking for refunds. These are the same people who are constantly moaning about needing to sign new players and asking when the new training ground is being built. Where do they think this money is coming from? Some people expect Sadler to keep throwing money at it and refund the fans.
 
I'm like a few on here in that I just haven't seen the requests for St refunds from what I've read. A few suggestions of a couple of free pies next season or a shirt for a kid of a family of St holders but nothing about this vocal minority demanding refunds.
Me personally, I think SS and team are doing a great job and I'm not a#sed about some blips on the road in these covid times or delays in getting stuff done. Having said that, it really didn't read well to me and I don't really know where it came from. Maybe it was just badly worded and I'll give it the benefit of the doubt this time.
 
td53 said:
Amen. Well said.

I'm not comfortable with it either. I've bought two tickets, shirts, paid for every single game including the pre season friendlies and am ridiculously grateful to Sadler for what he's done but the fact is, some people are going to moan. That's football. If your a football fan, that's the way it is. You moan. Moaning is part of why people go to football.

I've also got to be honest, either I'm not following the right people on twitter, not reading here or discord properly, I've not really seen this 'vocal minority' making a big fuss.

I've seen a few people suggest the club could have chucked in a sweetener in order to get sales and the odd person suggest they could get away games free but I haven't really seen a concerted campaign of complaint about it.

I think the way forward honestly would be to look at how we could as a fan base work with the club and support any fans who genuinely are struggling and for whom their season ticket money would make a difference. We've done this before with legal stuff (though obvs there were some, er... 'issues' there) and I'd personally be happy to support anything along those lines. If fans who've bought season tickets are struggling cos of the economic issues then lets do something.

Being told a very rich man is 'upset' by people on twitter. I dunno. I've no reason to question Sadler, so far, he's been amazing and seemed to have all the right intentions but he's living something that none of us could ever dream of and with that, will come some critique.

A better response might have been.

"Whilst the club isn't looking to offer refunds for the reasons we've outlined at the time of sale, we'll look into how we could work with the various fans groups and what support there could be for any supporters who are genuinely struggling because of changes to their circumstances" - Between BST and the MSG and so on I'm sure we could rustle up a few quid for anyone who is genuinely out of pocket and struggling.

Not the statement which *kind of* read "Shut up, buy stuff or fuck off"

I'm not one for making criticism for the sake of it either. It genuinely didn't read well to me.
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TangerinePeel said:
Unsure how I feel about some of the comments made in that, I don't like the notion that we shouldn't be treated like normal football fans of any other club because we're coming off the back of Oyston. We as a fanbase have been extremely supportive of the new board financially I think, selling out 4k season tickets in rapid time, many refusing refunds last time, spending at the club shop and watching via iFollow week in, week out.

I have no stake in the season ticket refund debate as I didn't buy one, I pay for every iFollow game individually home and away. It just strikes me a bit odd that a question about the training ground resulted in a tangent about season ticket refunds, almost as if they wanted to make sure they got their dig in and villainize a portion of our fanbase who could be asking due to the same economical impact of covid that BG literally mentions as to why people shouldn't be asking for refunds. A lot of that doesn't sit right with me, it is certainly divisive as you can see examples of in this very thread.

I think the higher ups at the club need to develop a thicker skin as responding in this manner doesn't strike me as professional at all. It comes across as a threat, basically outright saying that Sadler might stop funding the club if it continues. BG literally states there that a MINORITY of fans asking about refunds could be enough to prevent Sadler investing anymore, when afterwards he admits the majority of the fanbase have been investing back into the club heavily in a literal financial crisis - that really worries me if true.

I can not explain how grateful I am of Simon Sadler, my suggestion for the East Stand was for it to be named after him, I have plans to commission an away day flag which honours Sadler - I don't think my gratitude can be questioned. I just do not like the implication coming from the board that we as a fanbase have to just shut up when it comes to the club, just pump your money back in - it is a bit of a disgrace really to speak to fans of a football club from the most deprived town in this country, during an economic crisis over the request of a refund.
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Fantastic posts 👏👏
 
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