Toxic AVFTT

Bob Hatton

Bob Hatton

Well-known member
Morning fellow pool fans. Like many of you I started reading AVFTT when it was a paper magazine long before the digital age and its primary focus was a platform for all Pool fans to share a common understanding of how lucky we are to support the boys in tangerine and discuss all things pool related. It brought together harmoniously all sexes, creeds and nationality without favour or predujidice and focussed on our common love of being a pool fan. We live in a town where we have a mixture of people both rich and poor with different beliefs and cultures but none of this mattered and we all stood shoulder to shoulder either on the Kop or in the scratching shed or south paddock.

What I find horrible now is reading thread after thread where pool fans are openly hostile to other pool fans who have the temerity to disagree with the post in some way. Much of it verges on bullying and various factions have emerged where groups of individual posters support each other collectively to try and shout down other groups.

Its all very tedious and not what AVFTT was created for. I know there are sub forums and believe me I have tried ignoring individuals and only focussed on the football related posts but it now permeates into almost every thread and the cliques poison and sour the board by the personal dislike they have now developed over time.

Let's remember when we get back in the ground we could be stood shoulder to shoulder with each other and walking down Wembley Way singing pool songs We are all the same and even if our political views differ we must respect each other and nobody has the right to ridicule or belittle anybody else.

Looking forward to a much brighter 2021 when we are free of this virus and we can all meet up pre match for a beer and encourage the team to achieve their best. UTMP
 
Bob Hatton said:
Morning fellow pool fans. Like many of you I started reading AVFTT when it was a paper magazine long before the digital age and its primary focus was a platform for all Pool fans to share a common understanding of how lucky we are to support the boys in tangerine and discuss all things pool related. It brought together harmoniously all sexes, creeds and nationality without favour or predujidice and focussed on our common love of being a pool fan. We live in a town where we have a mixture of people both rich and poor with different beliefs and cultures but none of this mattered and we all stood shoulder to shoulder either on the Kop or in the scratching shed or south paddock.

What I find horrible now is reading thread after thread where pool fans are openly hostile to other pool fans who have the temerity to disagree with the post in some way. Much of it verges on bullying and various factions have emerged where groups of individual posters support each other collectively to try and shout down other groups.

Its all very tedious and not what AVFTT was created for. I know there are sub forums and believe me I have tried ignoring individuals and only focussed on the football related posts but it now permeates into almost every thread and the cliques poison and sour the board by the personal dislike they have now developed over time.

Let's remember when we get back in the ground we could be stood shoulder to shoulder with each other and walking down Wembley Way singing pool songs We are all the same and even if our political views differ we must respect each other and nobody has the right to ridicule or belittle anybody else.

Looking forward to a much brighter 2021 when we are free of this virus and we can all meet up pre match for a beer and encourage the team to achieve their best. UTMP
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Totally agree Bob.
People will always disagree with one another that’s a fact of life but people who’s only contribution is to post vile disgusting comments says a lot about them and absolutely no need at all for it on here sadly I don’t think it will ever stop though like the keyboard racists out there amongst us (Bright Samuel) so so sad.
Anyway all the best to you Bob.
 
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Jaffa_The_Hut said:
Totally agree Bob.
People will always disagree with one another that’s a fact of life but people who’s only contribution is to post vile disgusting comments says a lot about them and absolutely no need at all for it on here sadly I don’t think it will ever stop though like the keyboard racists out there amongst us (Bright Samuel) so so sad.
Anyway all the best to you.
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And you Jafffa
 
It was only because I saw this post on 'Latest Posts' that I clicked on it - delighted it is in the Politics forum as it is a forum I never read as I know what it'll be like. This new forum is excellent - you can ignore posters, the separate forums have taken away the nastiness from the football forum and AVFTT is a far better read for it.
 
The day you take social media too serious is the day to walk away from it.

The explotion of sites from the likes of Facebook, Twitter Instagram etc and to how this site has improved and grown with increasing numbers your always going to have a certain amount of bile posted it will always happen.

For every one horrible post there are x100 fair comments so don't let the minority spoil your enjoyment of the site and avoid the political side of the board(brilliantly now split) if you want to avoid spats.
 
I totally agree with you Bob. AVFTT has got much worse since the creation of the the politics side of the board and agree with me or not it has given a platform to many posters who didn't post too often on football and general day to day topics to spread their messages of hate. And as you say, behind all that is clear evidence of cliques. In fact, we have a good number of new posters who simply don't post about BFC or football at all.
I recognise what BFC76 says in that you can ignore posters and not come on to this side of the forum and I suspect many don't do that for fear of the vitriol they are likely to receive simply for having a different political view but in my mind these cliques and people need to be challenged.
That's just my opinion.
Hope you have a good 2021 and that AVFTT can get back to what it was primarily created for and that is our support of BFC.
 
I think people can get heated, but that happens on the football board as well. Some of the stuff on here is very good, I've learned a lot about Brexit and so on by reading posts by people like Mex, Robbie, El Burro and others, BFCx3 is always interesting on COVID etc.

I'm not bothered about people having their views challenged. It's a lot worse when some posters try to shout other people down for having a view full stop. Mentioning no names, don't want it to get toxic 🤣
 
coppiceman said:
I think people can get heated, but that happens on the football board as well. Some of the stuff on here is very good, I've learned a lot about Brexit and so on by reading posts by people like Mex, Robbie, El Burro and others, BFCx3 is always interesting on COVID etc.

I'm not bothered about people having their views challenged. It's a lot worse when some posters try to shout other people down for having a view full stop. Mentioning no names, don't want it to get toxic 🤣
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Out of interest who are the others ?
 
Being rude and abusive on a regular basis is an unfortunate character trait of some posters that social media readily allows due to relative anonymity. For those that are prone to it, football loyalties are of little relevance and each new day is an opportunity for a spat with someone. It`s just the way they roll. Accept it and avoid.

Some want, and will always seek, confrontation and division above all else. They are in the minority; the vast majority of posters on here are decent and well-mannered.

If you come on here for a little bit of information and mirth, avoid the snakes and listen to the ladders. There are plenty of posters who can inform and amuse from a position of experience and knowledge.

Learn to filter out those that are unnecessarily argumentative, repetitive and tedious. Just like in real life avoid bores and dullards.

Anyway, all the best to everyone for 2021...🙂
 
I love the ignore feature. I already knew who the WUM, run chasers etc, where from the previous site. I still get caught from time to time but not as much as the old site. Found that much more divided if I'm honest with the Oyston situation.
Anyway, all the best everyone.
 
It’s time to let the grass regrow over the Brexit battlefields and move forwards together. It won’t happen tough.
 
The day that someone's opinion on here starts to bother you is the day to delete your account and stop reading.
I don't find this board very toxic at all, people post different opinions and we discuss them from our different view points, there is nothing wrong with that and I enjoy it. it is what a politics board should be for.
Personally I don't like name calling or attempts to shut (or shout) people down who hold a different opinion. There is a fair amount of playing the man not the ball from all sides and I have probably let myself down more than a once on here. I apologise unreservedly if I have ever offended or upset anybody, this is just a message board and shouldn't be taken too seriously.
Contributing on here is generally enjoyable and the debates on the politics board are the most interesting thing about AVFTT IMO.
 
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GJJW said:
I love the ignore feature. I already knew who the WUM, run chasers etc, where from the previous site. I still get caught from time to time but not as much as the old site. Found that much more divided if I'm honest with the Oyston situation.
Anyway, all the best everyone.
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Agree GJJW a lot I've spoke to where put off with the toxity of old Avftt and wouldn't touch BHS with a barge pole this site is a comfy pair of slippers in comparison.
 
Whenever I see the output from the idiots, the ignorant and the obsessed on here (most of whom have yet to make a contribution on this thread), I console myself with the thought that if everybody were to believe in the same things and behave in the same way, the world would be a boring place.
 
I've also had some great tips on walking routes, places to camp, tv shows, films, places to visit, double glazing, workmen etc. Its a really helpful site when you think about it.
We have also raised loads of money for the club on this site through various methods and other causes too. Very generous bunch.
The good far outweighs the bad.
 
spudgun said:
Being rude and abusive on a regular basis is an unfortunate character trait of some posters that social media readily allows due to relative anonymity. For those that are prone to it, football loyalties are of little relevance and each new day is an opportunity for a spat with someone. It`s just the way they roll. Accept it and avoid.

Some want, and will always seek, confrontation and division above all else. They are in the minority; the vast majority of posters on here are decent and well-mannered.

If you come on here for a little bit of information and mirth, avoid the snakes and listen to the ladders. There are plenty of posters who can inform and amuse from a position of experience and knowledge.

Learn to filter out those that are unnecessarily argumentative, repetitive and tedious. Just like in real life avoid bores and dullards.

Anyway, all the best to everyone for 2021...🙂
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You're spot on about the snakes. Stealth is a feature snakes possess isn't it? Single agenda to entice and capture their prey.
 
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Brilliant post Bob Hatton. This board at times is vile, yes we do have the option of not visiting it but as fellow pool fans why should we feel we need to walk away from it at times. I have noticed this hunting in packs to get the last word, and the abuse and vitriol that can come with it. Why cannot we be more tolerant of each others views. After all, as the poster says we all have something wonderful in common.
 
Good post Bob👍. The message board is great to exchange views on BFC good times and bad times and also other sports. Then you’ve got the politics forum where we seem to have experts in every possible political field and current affairs (if you let them believe that), but my view is very simple, ignore them and don’t feed their egos.

Then on the other hand as GJJW has said above, it’s a great place to seek advice and ideas outside of BFC and politics like double glazing, tree pruning and which leg of your trousers to put the ferret down first of which the Yarkies always provide the best advice.

All the best and stay safe in Aus👍
 
TangerineBayern said:
Good post Bob👍. The message board is great to exchange views on BFC good times and bad times and also other sports. Then you’ve got the politics forum where we seem to have experts in every possible political field and current affairs (if you let them believe that), but my view is very simple, ignore them and don’t feed their egos.

Then on the other hand as GJJW has said above, it’s a great place to seek advice and ideas outside of BFC and politics like double glazing, tree pruning and which leg of your trousers to put the ferret down first of which the Yarkies always provide the best advice.

All the best and stay safe in Aus👍
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I am not Aussie Bob, I am the Bob living on the damp Fylde coast. I was BH on the old Avftt and I think Aussie Bob was from BHS. Anyhow all the best Bayern
 
Great OP Bob. We know the type of poster you are referring to and their absence from this thread is telling. An online forum is there for posters to give an opinion and for others to agree or disagree by giving their opinion. What unfortunately dominates this site are the insults, toxic comments, sarcasm and pack hunting by posters and groups of posters who are not prepared to accept that others have opinions that contrast with theirs.

I find I learn a lot from others posters on many subjects. What astounds me is that we have some highly qualified experts on here, including doctors, lawyers, economists, (plumbers 😁) etc who give valuable opinions and experiences but who are abused by posters who hold themselves out as experts on every subject. I know of one Pool fan on here who is an acknowledged specialist in his field, an author and well known lecturer on his subject, yet he is regularly told his opinions are wrong by posters who would struggle to tell their arses from their elbows. I'm sure none of this would happen if we were speaking face to face in the pub.
 
Ruperthoop said:
I am very certain that much of this would not happen in a pub speaking face to face. This board can be enjoyable when posters respect each other.
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Would anyone say to someone in the pub the shite we all post on social media it's not like that.
Enjoy it or don't use it ,that's why Facebook ain't for me or Twitter but use WhatsApp and Messenger.
 
I remember reading about the psychology of why people are more vitriolic online and its a fairly obvious answer, words feel as though they have less potency when you are behind a screen so replying to a opinion you disagree with, with "shut the fuck up you absolute nob'ed!" feels quite normal. In real life you are more aware of the language you're using, there are also potential repercussions if you speak to someone like that in a pub.

I remember seeing a particular case of this on a match night thread where a poster was going about behaving like that regarding Critchley being sacked. It actually made me cringe to know that it was a fully grown man hurling abuse at people behind his screen because they were saying Critchley shouldn't be sacked. Quite hilarious when you think about it actually, unfortunately it is the way of social media..
 
20togo said:
I totally agree with you Bob. AVFTT has got much worse since the creation of the the politics side of the board and agree with me or not it has given a platform to many posters who didn't post too often on football and general day to day topics to spread their messages of hate. And as you say, behind all that is clear evidence of cliques. In fact, we have a good number of new posters who simply don't post about BFC or football at all.
I recognise what BFC76 says in that you can ignore posters and not come on to this side of the forum and I suspect many don't do that for fear of the vitriol they are likely to receive simply for having a different political view but in my mind these cliques and people need to be challenged.
That's just my opinion.
Hope you have a good 2021 and that AVFTT can get back to what it was primarily created for and that is our support of BFC.
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I can't speak much on how the politics board operates as I barely come over this way, but I have to say I believe it to be a necessary evil.

I was a "lurker" on the old site post-boycott, I remember around Brexit and the General Election it was close to unbearable with the sheer amount of politics threads. They were actually outweighing the football ones, there is clearly a demand for political debate on here so it is much better for a poster such as myself who doesn't want to read about politics on a football forum for it to be separated!
 
20togo said:
I totally agree with you Bob. AVFTT has got much worse since the creation of the the politics side of the board and agree with me or not it has given a platform to many posters who didn't post too often on football and general day to day topics to spread their messages of hate. And as you say, behind all that is clear evidence of cliques. In fact, we have a good number of new posters who simply don't post about BFC or football at all.
I recognise what BFC76 says in that you can ignore posters and not come on to this side of the forum and I suspect many don't do that for fear of the vitriol they are likely to receive simply for having a different political view but in my mind these cliques and people need to be challenged.
That's just my opinion.
Hope you have a good 2021 and that AVFTT can get back to what it was primarily created for and that is our support of BFC.
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I know what you are saying 20s but the politics thing makes me chuckle. You can see how a thread is going to slide into nastiness after a couple of posts.

The posters I have little time for are on the football side who slag our own players off and seemed delighted when they make a mistake, they are really the lowest in my view.
 
I think the forum is fine personally. It’s an internet chat room that’s all. I don’t find it overly nasty. I think it reflects on the politics/Brexit/covid side the polarisation of views and the lack of tolerance of other views prevalent in today’s society. No better no worse.
Also this is an open forum for all who don’t break the site rules not just people who just want it a certain (their preferences) way. If rules are broken by a poster then the Mods should step in.
Ive only used the ignore function for one person but the option is there for all. The option is there for private messaging if you feel someone has attacked you etc. You can also report a post to admin if that’s your preference. Also Humour is often easily misunderstood in written form rather than face to face But does that mean we all need to be over mindful of making a joke/good naturedly taking the piss? I don’t think so

I see it as a good forum and like some above have said the good massively outweighs any bits of silliness.
 
TangerinePeel said:
I can't speak much on how the politics board operates as I barely come over this way, but I have to say I believe it to be a necessary evil.

I was a "lurker" on the old site post-boycott, I remember around Brexit and the General Election it was close to unbearable with the sheer amount of politics threads. They were actually outweighing the football ones, there is clearly a demand for political debate on here so it is much better for a poster such as myself who doesn't want to read about politics on a football forum for it to be separated!
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Yes, I understand that pov and it's a very valid one. I just feel that because of this separate board, this extremism and hatred comes to the fore more. Ain't no big deal though. It is what it is now. Too late to go back.
 
Bloodtangerine said:
I think the forum is fine personally. It’s an internet chat room that’s all. I don’t find it overly nasty. I think it reflects on the politics/Brexit/covid side the polarisation of views and the lack of tolerance of other views prevalent in today’s society. No better no worse.
Also this is an open forum for all who don’t break the site rules not just people who just want it a certain (their preferences) way. If rules are broken by a poster then the Mods should step in.
Ive only used the ignore function for one person but the option is there for all. The option is there for private messaging if you feel someone has attacked you etc. You can also report a post to admin if that’s your preference. Also Humour is often easily misunderstood in written form rather than face to face But does that mean we all need to be over mindful of making a joke/good naturedly taking the piss? I don’t think so

I see it as a good forum and like some above have said the good massively outweighs any bits of silliness.
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Your humour comment is spot on. Too often it's missed or overlooked with the written word on here. I know there's some serious issues going on at the moment but some people seem to have forgotten what humour is.
 
20togo said:
Read my first post. I'd much rather challenge some-one than have a veiled dig at them like a snake in the grass would.
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Says the person who can't resist having a snide dig even when the comment is about the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy. Another hypocrite on this thread thought nothing of wishing me a shitty Christmas.
 
catinstalbans said:
Says the person who can't resist having a snide dig even when the comment is about the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy. Another hypocrite on this thread thought nothing of wishing me a shitty Christmas.
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I disagree with your whole agenda for coming on AVFTT Cat.

But I genuinely hope you've had a good Christmas and I also hope you have a good new year too. My comment on the Hitchhikers thread was an attempt at humour. See my earlier reply to Blood..
 
What I think is sad, is that some posters sho used to contribute regularly on the football side, now spend their time purely on the political forum. It's a shame.
 
20togo said:
Your humour comment is spot on. Too often it's missed or overlooked with the written word on here. I know there's some serious issues going on at the moment but some people seem to have forgotten what humour is.
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Some people are more humourless than others...that’s just life I guess
 
Actually think there’s far too much politics on here. I agree it contributes to cliques which spreads into arguments over nothing on the football side of the forum.
Perhaps this split of the forum should be:
News, Covid-19 and Other Stuff (non-footy related)?
Take the Politics out almost entirely. By that I mean delete the threads. It’s just an excuse for an argument most of the time, and it’s not like anyone will change their mind or opinions over anything posted on here. So it’s all wasted time and blood pressure increased for nothing.
 
tangerine_neil said:
Actually think there’s far too much politics on here. I agree it contributes to cliques which spreads into arguments over nothing on the football side of the forum.
Perhaps this split of the forum should be:
News, Covid-19 and Other Stuff (non-footy related)?
Take the Politics out almost entirely. By that I mean delete the threads. It’s just an excuse for an argument most of the time, and it’s not like anyone will change their mind or opinions over anything posted on here. So it’s all wasted time and blood pressure increased for nothing.
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What you are advocating censorship now!!!
Only joking I do agree politics threads have no place on a footy forum, devisive to our fan base.
 
tangysider said:
What you are advocating censorship now!!!
Only joking I do agree politics threads have no place on a footy forum, devisive to our fan base.
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If you look at say the PNE Online message board as an example, the politics bit is in a News and Current Affairs section, with 1 sticky thread for Covid experiences, 1 normal thread for Covid news, 1 thread for Brexit, 1 thread for Trump. All messages are posted in there. There’s not multiple threads littering the board and it’s the same few individuals arguing with themselves in perpetuity.

e.g.
FA7D5821-09BF-4A95-B073-1E819C60B69E.jpeg
 
ElBurroSinNombre said:
The day that someone's opinion on here starts to bother you is the day to delete your account and stop reading.
I don't find this board very toxic at all, people post different opinions and we discuss them from our different view points, there is nothing wrong with that and I enjoy it. it is what a politics board should be for.
Personally I don't like name calling or attempts to shut (or shout) people down who hold a different opinion. There is a fair amount of playing the man not the ball from all sides and I have probably let myself down more than a once on here. I apologise unreservedly if I have ever offended or upset anybody, this is just a message board and shouldn't be taken too seriously.
Contributing on here is generally enjoyable and the debates on the politics board are the most interesting thing about AVFTT IMO.
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It's a good post that.... 👍

If you have strong opinions or if like myself, you enjoy sometimes being a bit controversial to develop a debate, then you have to have broad enogh shoulders to accept a bit of flack. The name calling isn't great and we're probably all; guilty to a greater or lessers extent of getting sucked into that kind of nonsense.... Someone perhaps says something that grinds your gears, you're having a bad day, Blackpool have lost or maybe just had one too many etc... It happens!!

On the whole it is harmless fun...You get to learn a lot and in situations like this pandemic in particualr it kind of helps to make some sense of the whole mess or at least talk about it.

I do think there are some who simply struggle with debate and any form of conforntation etc... Personally I enjoy it and I never hold any grudges whatsoever.... I've crossed the line plenty of times and like you EBSN, I never set out to offend anyone, though I'm well aware that I have been guilty of that at times.
 
Well this is all a bit snowflakey isn't it?

I think the main forum is fine.

I think the politics forum is fine if endless bickering month after month over the same issues floats your boat. Not for me. I did contribute initially but realised it's completely pointless as people's views are so polarized.

Overall I don't find any of it particularly toxic and I think the moderation is spot on.
 
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