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well i aint looking for nor indeed expecting a 50 page answer or anything like it. just a few thoughts thats all.
this issue was knocking about a fair bit in the past and for quite a while.
just didnt think it wud require such a long and hard thinking process tbh.
surely its something you've thought about b4?
I was asked recently what I would see as the goals / roles / functions of a supporters club. Still not sure why ask me specifically, but I said I’d reply so here’s some nonsensical rambling:
First off, pigeon-holing is a pet-hate of mine and can be a dangerous occupation, eg say it often and loud enough that a supporters club is a closed shop and people will start to believe it. There is no hard and fast rule for what a supporters club should be but there are plenty of things a supporters club could be.
One important aspect is the status of any supporters club. It can be official or unofficial, and there are cases for both, but, imho, there is no half-way house. Either way there are certain ground rules you have to obey if you claim to be a Cork City supporters club (because you are representing the club); they just differ if you’re going to be official or unofficial.
An active supporters club is something that City badly needs. It’s something we don’t have at the moment that a lot of other clubs do. When you think about the amount of work that volunteers/ordinary fans do for this club you can see how they have contributed to the recent progress, be that in some sort of official capacity, getting a bit more active on matchday, supporting fundraisers, etc. A supporters club would enhance this aspect of the club to no end (eg the last official supporters club provided a lot of people with a path into their current roles, if you like) and that goes for any official or unofficial supporters club.
Fundamentally a supporters club brings a certain type of supporter together; the type that cares that bit more than your regular punter. The average fan goes to Turners Cross every second Friday, probably makes occasional trips further-a-field, might buy the programme, or even a Lotto or half-time draw ticket, but probably does little else. Doesn’t think too much about City during the week, how they might do certain things better, how they’re making a balls of other things and that’s fine. People are entitled to support the club as much, or as little, as they want.
However, by stepping up to the plate and joining a supporters club you are saying that you care more. That you want a better deal for supporters. That you think you can make a difference. That you think there is something worth getting involved in. Whatever really, because there are lots of different ways a supporters club can go. Lots of things for it to get involved in.
There appears to be a common misconception that a supporters club is some sort of way of ‘tricking’ people into doing work for the club. I can only presume that in the past some people got this perception and it snowballed from there. Any supporters club role, official or not, is decided by it’s members. At the end of the day it will be down to the members to decide what the supporters club does, and does not, get involved in. Personally, I hope it sets no boundaries to begin with and sees what way the dice roll. I would also hope that it is not a closed shop and that it is open to all supporters to participate, if they so wish.
Fair play Joe ....... very well put
Thats about right i'd say ... it is up to who ever gets involved.Quote:
At the end of the day it will be down to the members to decide what the supporters club does, and does not, get involved in.
true, we havent been recognised yet, but actually anybody can book a room there, either for a fee or free with 4 weeks notice. just ask at reception.Quote:
Originally Posted by xtreme rebel
just to note again that there will be a meeting of the CCS Society UCC in the new bar @ 5pm on tuesday the 9th. we'll be standing by the door so you WILL see us if you come. please do attend, if we get one good meeting we'll be sorted for approval by the guild. certain high-profile members of this board, take note.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShedEnd.com
:D .... :p
just a thought but wouldnt this meeting have been better organised for after the game tonight. might have got a lot more people to attend
thats not my choiceQuote:
Originally Posted by xtreme rebel
im not here to think, im here to offer opinions ;)
:DQuote:
Originally Posted by thecorner
And a fine job you do!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil
cant u just feel the sarcasm ;)
does this mean they will be getting involved with ian on the buses and somebody "officail" from the club will be travelling on them, watching everything and eventually people getting barred from bus tripsQuote:
Originally Posted by xtreme rebel
dont like the sound of that
That wont happen .... unless Ian has words with ya !!Quote:
Originally Posted by thecorner
Ok anyone else think Pat Dolan: Commander of Rebel Army is a wee step too far !? !? I'm waiting for the day the likes of Colm and Éanna are armed with Ak-47s!
Who put 'Rebel Army Regiment' in the thread title?
It won't be called that.
As for people getting barred from bus trips? You're having a laugh are ya Corner?!! :D
thank god it wont be called that. too much of a dolanism
up *ahem*
gwan up
stuck in work so couldnt make it....can whoever attended give a brief summary of what went on please....
I'll give it a lash anyway .....Quote:
Originally Posted by NorthoftheLee
About 30 attended for the first meeting/open forum
It was agreed that it was just an open forum, for people to air their views and opinions and give suggestions. A means of seeing what initial interest was in having a functioning supporters club and a means of finding out which supporters in the room would be prepared to volunteer themselves to take up roles within the supporters club. It was suggested that it would be a chairing committee to get the ball rolling, who will meet soon to get things up and running for the next meeting.
It also recognised that the lotto committee, the family enclosure, fourfiveone and the buses all played a vital role for the club at the moment and that the club should look at means of interacting with them, to give them support and work together.
There was also mention of possible CIT, UCC and an up and running exiles supporters club and the club should look at supporting them. Regional supporters clubs were mentioned and it was observed that the interest in the club comes from way beyond the city limits and that the supporters club needs to involve fans from everywhere and look at means of doing this.
It was outlined several times that the supporters club so be open for all to get involved and that it should look at involving all willing fans in the club, realising that different people would get involved in varing degrees, i.e. take up a role or one off committees and events.
The others might have more to add but that was the gist of it all. Very positive anyway for the first meeting.
was there anyone there from the club in an official capacity
Not so much an offical capacity ... more there to help out in getting a club running and off the ground. There was mention of an elected fan attending various meeting that the club have to give fans opinions. Also recognised that the supporters club needs to relay any question or issue that supporters might have and to get their feedback on various issues.Quote:
Originally Posted by exile
Cheers face. I agree with the clubs being linked together with the Club but did it specify the cit/ucc/exiles supporters clubs would be seperate from the main official club or affiliated?