Minutes of Monday's Structured Dialogue Meeting attached

Two questions from me:
1. Who the fuck are the "Tangerine Seasiders"? - I've read the explanation by the way but dear me............
2. What would possess BSA to ask this question, apparently immediately following on from the rather emotional sounding response from the club to a less inflammatory question about the training ground?;
"Given that it is unlikely that 2020/21 season ticket holders will be able to attend live home matches, how is the Club planning to compensate them for the 2021/22 season? And given many other clubs have offered refunds to 2020/21 season ticket holders, why did the Club not offer season ticket holders the option to take a season break to protect their existing preferred seats?" (BSA)

This just takes me right back to the reason why some chose not to oppose the Oystons, and once they were booted out, certain Mushrooms' stout and in my view immoral defence of their right to the best seats in the house at the expense of those who made an effort.
This group should be put out to grass. It's embarrassing!
 
What I am sick of reading we all knew what we where buying into when we bought ST no we didn't neither did the club otherwise they wouldn't have sold any because that stick beating is starting to cheese many off.
I bought one and knew. Of course there was going to be a chance that the pandemic could drag on. I also knew we'd get ifollow for home games. It was on the website when I booked our tickets.

If you chose not to read it then caveat emptor as they say in retail.
 
I bought one and knew. Of course there was going to be a chance that the pandemic could drag on. I also knew we'd get ifollow for home games. It was on the website when I booked our tickets.

If you chose not to read it then caveat emptor as they say in retail.
For a whole season I don't think so otherwise no on would have bought one.
That's the point I'm making but hey your happy with crappy Ifollow.
 
Just to clarify a few things above,

I’m the Ryan Jackson who attended the forum the other night (not as a member of any particular group). I was invited (I assume) because I sent an email with a handful of questions to Steve Roland (as I’ve done ahead of most forums so far) and whilst they’ve usually been answered it gave me an opportunity to hear the answer to my question in full and straight from the board this time.

The response Brett Gerrity gave wasn’t a rant at all and was actually quite calm. I think what is missed in the minutes is that Brett is answering a number of questions on a similar topic with one long answer. I think the season tickets must be getting a lot of attention for him to decide to do that but I can confirm he wasn’t ranting - there was no anger. It was very professional and maybe when written down the professionalism and context as well as some of the language used is maybe misinterpreted - after all the SLO can only make notes that are so good !!

I’d also note that the first 7/8 questions were all out to the board before the meeting and were basically pre answered. That’s possibly why some of the timings and order of questions seem ‘off’.

I’m very thankful to have had the opportunity to chat to Ben, Brett and Linton and I would encourage anyone on here to take the opportunity to join the forum if possible or if invited.
 
For a whole season I don't think so otherwise no on would have bought one.
That's the point I'm making but hey your happy with crappy Ifollow.
I do think the clubs should look as a minimum to augment the iFollow offering with a wraparound show and bespoke commentary
It’s dead easy to do and would massively increase the match day experience
Otherwise it is what it is
Hopefully this nightmare will be behind us shortly
 
I do think the clubs should look as a minimum to augment the iFollow offering with a wraparound show and bespoke commentary
It’s dead easy to do and would massively increase the match day experience
Otherwise it is what it is
Hopefully this nightmare will be behind us shortly
Yep Portsmouth got it bang on Saturday but we are meant to feel like we are getting something for being a ST holder when we are basically getting sod all.
So I can understand why questions are being asked when we are paying more for the same product on offer and don't start me on two of us watching on a streem in my household.
 
I do think the clubs should look as a minimum to augment the iFollow offering with a wraparound show and bespoke commentary
It’s dead easy to do and would massively increase the match day experience
Otherwise it is what it is
Hopefully this nightmare will be behind us shortly
The club are working on it !
 
Sadler is a wonderful owner, better than anything we could have hoped for. But he’s clearly thin skinned and struggles with criticism, even when it’s constructive and well intentioned. He needs to stay off AVFTT for a start.
 
Just to clarify a few things above,

I’m the Ryan Jackson who attended the forum the other night (not as a member of any particular group). I was invited (I assume) because I sent an email with a handful of questions to Steve Roland (as I’ve done ahead of most forums so far) and whilst they’ve usually been answered it gave me an opportunity to hear the answer to my question in full and straight from the board this time.

The response Brett Gerrity gave wasn’t a rant at all and was actually quite calm. I think what is missed in the minutes is that Brett is answering a number of questions on a similar topic with one long answer. I think the season tickets must be getting a lot of attention for him to decide to do that but I can confirm he wasn’t ranting - there was no anger. It was very professional and maybe when written down the professionalism and context as well as some of the language used is maybe misinterpreted - after all the SLO can only make notes that are so good !!

I’d also note that the first 7/8 questions were all out to the board before the meeting and were basically pre answered. That’s possibly why some of the timings and order of questions seem ‘off’.

I’m very thankful to have had the opportunity to chat to Ben, Brett and Linton and I would encourage anyone on here to take the opportunity to join the forum if possible or if invited.

I also was in the meeting and while the message was robust, it was in the context of BG saying how tremendous the support had been generally. It reads far worse than it sounded when you were actually there. And it should be noted that this was a minute or so at most in a meeting that lasted over an hour and was very positive. Given how many hard knocks football has taken in the last eighteen months or so, the mood music was very good really.

I think these meetings will be a great thing, when the club get used to hosting them and we get used to asking good questions. But it is early days yet, and the next one will be better still, I'm sure.
 
I also was in the meeting and while the message was robust, it was in the context of BG saying how tremendous the support had been generally. It reads far worse than it sounded when you were actually there. And it should be noted that this was a minute or so at most in a meeting that lasted over an hour and was very positive. Given how many hard knocks football has taken in the last eighteen months or so, the mood music was very good really.

I think these meetings will be a great thing, when the club get used to hosting them and we get used to asking good questions. But it is early days yet, and the next one will be better still, I'm sure.
Well said
 
I also was in the meeting and while the message was robust, it was in the context of BG saying how tremendous the support had been generally. It reads far worse than it sounded when you were actually there. And it should be noted that this was a minute or so at most in a meeting that lasted over an hour and was very positive. Given how many hard knocks football has taken in the last eighteen months or so, the mood music was very good really.

I think these meetings will be a great thing, when the club get used to hosting them and we get used to asking good questions. But it is early days yet, and the next one will be better still, I'm sure.
They should stream and then context is maintained
Can’t understand their reluctance
Would be great PR
 
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
TAM its aimed at all sources not just here as on the Pool FB there have been many people moaning about no-refund being offered.
Even on threads telling season ticket holders how to access iFollow for free.
It was a meltdown sometimes, but think they have got the message now as complaints have dwindled.
 
If you buy a season ticket during a worldwide pandemic and then moan because you can't go to games, congratulations - you're an idiot.
Bollocks when they went on sale the R-rate/hospital admissions/and death rates where low and we where all eating out shopping and going to the pub.
We even did a test event in September and we all thought it would be October at the latest.
 
The ones present at the meeting are saying the response was calm and not angry like it sounds written down. So stream the damn thing. We can send a vehicle to Mars but we can't live stream a meeting online?
We did a live conference at work a few weeks ago where viewers could submit questions (not on a chat on a side view bar, it was much more professional), and it was dead easy to do.
We could avoid all this unnecessary reaction if the club would embrace technology!
 
The ones present at the meeting are saying the response was calm and not angry like it sounds written down. So stream the damn thing. We can send a vehicle to Mars but we can't live stream a meeting online?
We did a live conference at work a few weeks ago where viewers could submit questions (not on a chat on a side view bar, it was much more professional), and it was dead easy to do.
We could avoid all this unnecessary reaction if the club would embrace technology!
Just set up a Facebook group and you'll get invited or how about putting it out on Facebook. 😁
 
Not true. I was at this one !! And I’ve never been in a ‘clique’ in my life 🤣

Or maybe now I’m in the inner circle and just don’t know it ???
LA1, you were clearly teacher's pet. 😀

It was the first such meeting I'd attended too. And it is NOT like me to be in a clique and not be aware of it....
 
The ones present at the meeting are saying the response was calm and not angry like it sounds written down. So stream the damn thing. We can send a vehicle to Mars but we can't live stream a meeting online?
We did a live conference at work a few weeks ago where viewers could submit questions (not on a chat on a side view bar, it was much more professional), and it was dead easy to do.
We could avoid all this unnecessary reaction if the club would embrace technology!
Just FYI the request to live-stream (or at least record and release on YouTube) these SD meetings has been put to the club on more than one occasion. It's not a step they've been prepared to sanction up to now, preferring to let the minutes do the job they're designed to do. IMHO the meetings are conducted in a constructive, frank and professional manner with the board giving considered and detailed responses to the questions posed. There is certainly no ranting and no need for a Jackie Weaver.
 
The ones present at the meeting are saying the response was calm and not angry like it sounds written down. So stream the damn thing. We can send a vehicle to Mars but we can't live stream a meeting online?
We did a live conference at work a few weeks ago where viewers could submit questions (not on a chat on a side view bar, it was much more professional), and it was dead easy to do.
We could avoid all this unnecessary reaction if the club would embrace technology!
I always say never have a fallout by txt as almost everything can be taken out of context.
When written down its very easy to miss construe stuff.
 
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Sadler is a wonderful owner, better than anything we could have hoped for. But he’s clearly thin skinned and struggles with criticism, even when it’s constructive and well intentioned. He needs to stay off AVFTT for a start.
He's not on here. If he was there would have been no rant from his employee about ST refunds. I'd spend two days looking for posts wanting a ST refund, other than extreme financial reasons and find nothing. It was a rant for a prepared purpose.
 
Just FYI the request to live-stream (or at least record and release on YouTube) these SD meetings has been put to the club on more than one occasion. It's not a step they've been prepared to sanction up to now, preferring to let the minutes do the job they're designed to do. IMHO the meetings are conducted in a constructive, frank and professional manner with the board giving considered and detailed responses to the questions posed. There is certainly no ranting and no need for a Jackie Weaver.

That's fair enough, but I wonder what they're worried about that they won't sanction it? Has that been asked? If the questions are set, and the club gets an advanced copy then really it's only allowing fans to hear the tone of the answers etc. They're not going to get put on the spot.
 
Just FYI the request to live-stream (or at least record and release on YouTube) these SD meetings has been put to the club on more than one occasion. It's not a step they've been prepared to sanction up to now, preferring to let the minutes do the job they're designed to do. IMHO the meetings are conducted in a constructive, frank and professional manner with the board giving considered and detailed responses to the questions posed. There is certainly no ranting and no need for a Jackie Weaver.
Have the minutes done their job on this occasion ?
 
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If you buy a season ticket during a worldwide pandemic and then moan because you can't go to games, congratulations - you're an idiot.
That's fair enough, but I wonder what they're worried about that they won't sanction it? Has that been asked? If the questions are set, and the club gets an advanced copy then really it's only allowing fans to hear the tone of the answers etc. They're not going to get put on the spot.
That’s the point
The COD’s one got 1000 live views
How many would ours get
No one is suggesting everyone can ask questions but allowing fans to view the SD meetings should be a free hit for the Club
 
I confess that I found BSA's question on ' compensation ' ill-considered. Maybe that influenced the reply from Brett.
So then , if BST were approached/contacted by an individual member and asked to raise the subject of refunds they'd ignore that request?
 
He's not on here. If he was there would have been no rant from his employee about ST refunds. I'd spend two days looking for posts wanting a ST refund, other than extreme financial reasons and find nothing. It was a rant for a prepared purpose.
From what I gather he’s a regular reader and is influenced quite heavily by this site.
 
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.
Agree with this but seems the actual meeting didn't come across as the notes suggested which can happen when reading, you dont get that tone.

It was a little weird to go off on that tangent. Probably shouldn't have mentioned it and focused on the support the vast majority have given which looks to have been tremendous.

I dont know how many of the 4k ST holders would ask for a return, I can't imagine a lot.

If there was 50 thats just over 1%, some may have lost jobs etc, although it was clear at the time your always going to get some who try or need it.

It's probably just something of nothing this. The clubs going the right way, media is improving, little improvements here and there all the time, like Sadler said incremental improvements leading to big change in the end.

👍👍
 
Just FYI the request to live-stream (or at least record and release on YouTube) these SD meetings has been put to the club on more than one occasion. It's not a step they've been prepared to sanction up to now, preferring to let the minutes do the job they're designed to do. IMHO the meetings are conducted in a constructive, frank and professional manner with the board giving considered and detailed responses to the questions posed. There is certainly no ranting and no need for a Jackie Weaver.
Clearly this is an example of why the meetings should be streamed.

The job of minutes is not to inform a wider group of the of the content, context and feel of a meeting, more to document and record notes of salient points.

Minutes (even verbatim) can be misinterpreted by anyone who was not privy to the way points were made, to think they can be used to cascade a meeting to the masses is naive at best.
 
Just to clarify a few things above,

I’m the Ryan Jackson who attended the forum the other night (not as a member of any particular group). I was invited (I assume) because I sent an email with a handful of questions to Steve Roland (as I’ve done ahead of most forums so far) and whilst they’ve usually been answered it gave me an opportunity to hear the answer to my question in full and straight from the board this time.

The response Brett Gerrity gave wasn’t a rant at all and was actually quite calm. I think what is missed in the minutes is that Brett is answering a number of questions on a similar topic with one long answer. I think the season tickets must be getting a lot of attention for him to decide to do that but I can confirm he wasn’t ranting - there was no anger. It was very professional and maybe when written down the professionalism and context as well as some of the language used is maybe misinterpreted - after all the SLO can only make notes that are so good !!

I’d also note that the first 7/8 questions were all out to the board before the meeting and were basically pre answered. That’s possibly why some of the timings and order of questions seem ‘off’.

I’m very thankful to have had the opportunity to chat to Ben, Brett and Linton and I would encourage anyone on here to take the opportunity to join the forum if possible or if invited.
That's interesting.
I was on the point of posting about the difference between the written word and the spoken one in the context of Gerrity. Thank you for your clarification.
The 3 questions, which I sent to BST, (and copied on here) were put to the Board so I'm happy that I can ask questions and get them answered even if I don't live in Yorkshire or London 😉 😉.
 
Re the season ticket T&C and saying everyone knew what they were signing up for and if we couldn't go to a game to watch on ifollowi.. Yes that's true but I think anyone would have thought at that time that they would only miss one or two games and no one could have thought we would be watching a whole season on ifollow.
Also it would be nice if SS as chairman spoke about it rather than it being discussed on a fans forum in which he was, understandably, not available.
If clubs like AS can offer refunds I am sure BFC could too and I suspect most fans would not take up the refund in any case. Be interesting to see what they offer ST holders for next season as briefly mentioned in the meeting.
 
Just to clarify a few things above,

I’m the Ryan Jackson who attended the forum the other night (not as a member of any particular group). I was invited (I assume) because I sent an email with a handful of questions to Steve Roland (as I’ve done ahead of most forums so far) and whilst they’ve usually been answered it gave me an opportunity to hear the answer to my question in full and straight from the board this time.

The response Brett Gerrity gave wasn’t a rant at all and was actually quite calm. I think what is missed in the minutes is that Brett is answering a number of questions on a similar topic with one long answer. I think the season tickets must be getting a lot of attention for him to decide to do that but I can confirm he wasn’t ranting - there was no anger. It was very professional and maybe when written down the professionalism and context as well as some of the language used is maybe misinterpreted - after all the SLO can only make notes that are so good !!

I’d also note that the first 7/8 questions were all out to the board before the meeting and were basically pre answered. That’s possibly why some of the timings and order of questions seem ‘off’.

I’m very thankful to have had the opportunity to chat to Ben, Brett and Linton and I would encourage anyone on here to take the opportunity to join the forum if possible or if invited.
I’ve no need to doubt what you and Robbie are saying about the conduct of the answers and the meeting. Thanks for sharing.

With that in mind and the direction I and others have taken on our responses to the meeting minutes I would really hope the club see the need for these sort of things to be broadcast to the wider fan base so things like this arnt lost in translation.

For the life of me, I can’t see why this doesn’t happen, just have a few representatives from the various groups pose some questions, perhaps with a few ‘random’ fans such as yourself. The SLO could filter them and if they are the same iterations of questions from a few people, he could just advise them to ask another one? BM or BG could also give us a statement or presentation about what’s happened since the last meeting and future goals. These AGM types of meetings would only need to happen a couple of times a year. I think we’d all be satisfied with that.

They’re improving practically everything at the club I’m sure they’ll get this right. Just don’t understand the reluctance not to stream it.
 
For a whole season I don't think so otherwise no on would have bought one.
That's the point I'm making but hey your happy with crappy Ifollow.
You're blaming the club for an ongoing worldwide pandemic. The terms and conditions said no refunds. It didnt say refunds if there are less than ten home games or some such.
 
LA1, you were clearly teacher's pet. 😀

It was the first such meeting I'd attended too. And it is NOT like me to be in a clique and not be aware of it....

Possibly won a little bit of favour by diverting the conversation away from DVD production !! Also I feel I may have been inadvertently representing the ‘youth’ at the meeting so perhaps that brought me favour too haha !

I do feel some of the questions from some of the groups seemed to just repeat questions that have been answered many times before. It must be quite frustrating for Ben, Brett and Linton at times.

I also found it odd no one else jumped on the Revoe story so I’m pleased I asked about that. I think the board were completely caught out with that story being released by the Gazette. I’m pleased I asked about the penthouse too as I think there’s a lot of stories they would like to share but possibly can’t at this time.

I don’t know about you Robbie but I completely understand why the board are reluctant to open the meetings up on a large scale (I think the worries about any sort of accidental embarrassment are valid ones) but when you have the fall out we’ve seen today and tonight following the minutes you must hope they reconsider.

Very nice to be able to (possibly) put a face to a name now too ! Pleasure to digitally meet you.
 
The ones present at the meeting are saying the response was calm and not angry like it sounds written down. So stream the damn thing. We can send a vehicle to Mars but we can't live stream a meeting online?
We did a live conference at work a few weeks ago where viewers could submit questions (not on a chat on a side view bar, it was much more professional), and it was dead easy to do.
We could avoid all this unnecessary reaction if the club would embrace technology!
Note the answer to the first question.
 
I'd hope that BST would advise said member that such a question was not in the best interests of our club. It's a tone deaf question in the circumstances.
I suspect this issue has been kicking around in the background for some time and Brett was trying to put the matter to bed once and for all.
 
You're blaming the club for an ongoing worldwide pandemic. The terms and conditions said no refunds. It didnt say refunds if there are less than ten home games or some such.
Totally wrong I'm despututing the fact we all knew what we where buying into and in a way defending the club as they wouldn't have sold them in the first place if they had an incline what was going to happen.
They capped it at 4k for a reason.
 
Clearly this is an example of why the meetings should be streamed.

The job of minutes is not to inform a wider group of the of the content, context and feel of a meeting, more to document and record notes of salient points.

Minutes (even verbatim) can be misinterpreted by anyone who was not privy to the way points were made, to think they can be used to cascade a meeting to the masses is naive at best.
One of many good reasons for having fans group representatives at SD meetings is so they can feed back to their members what transpired at the meetings in a more anecdotal and nuanced way than the bald minutes would ever do - and I hope they have all done that or plan to do so shortly. I know that only caters to a percentage of the fan base (though a sizeable one).
 
Totally wrong I'm despututing the fact we all knew what we where buying into and in a way defending the club as they wouldn't have sold them in the first place if they had an incline what was going to happen.
They capped it at 4k for a reason.
I can only say I did know what I was buying into. Surely capping the number shows they knew it might be a long haul as advertised. They would have sold a lot more if they thought it was going to get back to normal.
 
I am glad I didn't comment having read the minutes a few hours ago, and thanks to those who were there for putting the minutes in context. 3 Points:

These minutes were presumably approved and undoubtedly sounded like the fanbase was being threatened, over an issue many of us haven't even seen raised. The Golden Goose comment can only be read one way.

The board needs to remember that, whilst we are all Blackpool Mad fans, they are still, at heart, an entertainment business and we are customers.

Streaming this meeting, even if it was done after the event on YouTube, might have saved an awful lot of grief. If they refuse to so do, it is on their heads if there are any misunderstandings.



Memories for us are pretty long, we absolutely revere Simon Sadler and what he has done for the team, for the town, and for his plans for the future. However, when his team feels comfortable with taking us to task (I'm being polite), those memories give a little stir.

IMHO, this was totally unnecessary, if individual fans, probably really struggling financially, had got issue, maybe dealing quietly with them might have been the better way forward.
 
Wow! Theres that many supporters groups that I didnt know we had that many supporters for.

Might start up my own group to get an invite to the next meeting so I dont need a DVD sent to me.... who's up for joining the Blackpool Old Lads Local Official Clubs Koala Special ....... Bollocks for short. You get a badge for a £25 entry signing on fee.
 
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