Is Foot.ie just becoming a talking shop?

**Kingdom** · 10/06/2009, 3:51 PM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

Some of the comments in the thread seem to suggest that the Fans Forum has kind of gone off-topic, i.e. discussions there are about football, rather than fans -- with all the associated stuff like banners, displays, meetups, etc.

Yes I think that is where the problem lies damahsta

Originally Posted by Sligo Hornet

That may be fuelled by a few who were "red carded" from here

Ok fair enough if they've issues, but no need for it to be a constant theme, it looks completely childish to me.

**NeilMcD** · 10/06/2009, 3:56 PM

My original point was about the Fans Forum aspect of it. This has seemed in my view wained. Eaststand is right about the accomodation options on the various match threads etc.

I was not having a go at anyone at all. The talking about tactics and formations and various players is part of any forum. What I specifically was referring to was the energy from the site in relation to the fans forum aspect of it.

Things like the T Shirts for Dan Nolan, the Flags etc. The fun aspects of being a supporter I think have wained in this part of the site which. foot.ie is still great for tips on flights and hotels etc. In my view the FANs forum has the potential to be the best part of the site. Taxis being organised, buses being organised that sort of thing. Its teh best way of meeting people wecoming to people who go to trips on their own etc.

**pineapple stu** · 10/06/2009, 4:25 PM

The Fans' Forum was always kind of vague, to be honest. Whereas the Ireland forum is for talking about matches, players, etc, the Fans' Forum is for arranging stuff specifically to do with the fans, and the two main things there are really the away games and sorting tickets. It was never really that busy except in the lead up to a match. Stuff like new chants come up every once in a while, but end up repeating themselves and drop away very quickly.

On flights, taxis, buses etc, being arranged for away games, this is obviously up to the people going to games. So it seems the general problem is that the forum itself is too quiet? I'm not sure how we can encourage more travel arrangements, to be honest. The Cyprus charter flight has a separate thread, and I've no problem in general giving such items a thread on their own, or else I'll link a post in the general away match thread from the summary thread.

Possibly the number of threads has died down since the idea of one big thread for away games took off, but I think that's the best way to keep everything together (with the summaries as well).

Any suggestions though, let us know.

**Sheridan** · 10/06/2009, 5:55 PM

I'd be all for closing down the Ireland section if they feel they have alternative elsewhere anyway.

**Junior** · 10/06/2009, 6:46 PM

and not even a winking smilie now now........

**NeilMcD** · 10/06/2009, 7:03 PM

I think the crux of the issue I suppose is that most of the people on YBIG go to the Ireland away games and are pretty vocal at them and its not the same here. Therefore the fans forum can be quiet and you get people who have no interest whatsoever in the Irish team, taking threads off topic or taking them a road that is well travelled.

**Razors left peg** · 10/06/2009, 7:35 PM

Originally Posted by Sheridan

I'd be all for closing down the Ireland section if they feel they have alternative elsewhere anyway.

I still dont understand why someone who has an obvious dislike for the national team wastes their time even reading the Ireland forum let alone write comments

**NeilMcD** · 10/06/2009, 7:50 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

I still dont understand why someone who has an obvious dislike for the national team wastes their time even reading the Ireland forum let alone write comments

Lets not let him ruin the thread. Move on.

**paul_oshea** · 10/06/2009, 8:14 PM

Its called a love hate relationship, deep down he loves it really

I think what neil is getting to, is "a get up and go" factor associated to YBIG. Almost a brotherhood without sounding cheesy, thee is great camraderie, a good sense of belonging and a great sense of community. They are also really good at actually doing things and organising things, from what ive seen away at matches and the odd time im over there gancing.

**NeilMcD** · 10/06/2009, 8:20 PM

Spot on Paul.

**Sono_il_capo** · 11/06/2009, 1:33 AM

For what it's worth I find Foot.ie not the most user friendly in terms of navigation compared to YBIG.ie and there seems to be better banter on YBIG.

Also the layout on YBIG is an awful lot better IMO.

**Claret Murph** · 11/06/2009, 6:51 AM

I think Neil and Paul have a very good points , a lot on here post on YBIG also and I know I will carry on posting on both sites .

I just feel that foot is more an armchair fan really and YBIG are the hardcore , that's how I see it myself .

**dahamsta** · 11/06/2009, 8:59 AM

We're getting lots in terms of feedback and that's good, but little in the way of suggestions. Moderation seems to be a problem, but the forum effectively has 3 mods in pineapple stu, gustavo and eirebhoy, and they'll need to know how to lead the forum if it's to be improved. Navigation and usability has been highlighted as a problem and that's my issue, but I need specifics if I'm to fix it. What, specifically, can we do to improve things in the forum? Bullet points and details are needed if we're to do that.

adam

**bennocelt** · 11/06/2009, 9:13 AM

May I ask - what are YBIG like for LOI - or do they just stick to Ireland?

**RogerMilla** · 11/06/2009, 9:16 AM

Originally Posted by bennocelt

May I ask - what are YBIG like for LOI - or do they just stick to Ireland?

lots of LOI fans on ybig benno , and plenty focus on it in the fanzine , interview with richie sadlier in the next issue !

**pineapple stu** · 11/06/2009, 9:18 AM

One option could be to split the away game threads into separate threads on accommodation, tickets, pubs, flights, things to do and miscellaneous, with the first post kept as a summary. May focus the mind a bit more. But in terms of "this forum's not as good as this other one", vague comments won't really achieve a huge amount.

**irishfan86** · 11/06/2009, 10:12 AM

In terms of navigation, having the fans forum as a sub-forum makes it less accessible. Perhaps giving it full forum status like the Ireland section, World Cup section, etc. would make more people visit it from the main page.

**paul_oshea** · 11/06/2009, 10:33 AM

I think its down to the people i.e. users as much as it is anything else, or in fact all.

**Sligo Hornet** · 11/06/2009, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

I think its down to the people i.e. users as much as it is anything else, or in fact all.

Is that another Forum paul?.......How does it compare?

**NeilMcD** · 11/06/2009, 10:41 AM

Yeah I would agree Paul, I would not really think that the format of the site is the main reason. More the culture. I think JT's post in relation to Cyprus is a perfect example. I think foot.ie looks great and the threads are kept very well, but a new user like JT is probably going off feeling as if she has just had her knuckles rapped. I think for people who are very au fait with forums this site works well but for those that are new and not sure how things work, their is an element of snappy school teacher about and this in my view should be relaxed a little for the fans forum, due to the nature of the fans forum which is about creating fan spirit and organising buses and giving advice etc etc.

Again I do not want to see this as having a go at anyone, just my views as someone who has posted for a good while and likes to get involved with various fans and I have met many people from this site on away trips through this site etc.