Supporters Club?

maccawozzagod · 13-03-2007, 00:32

I would like to know what the webbers think about the supporters club and its role at ASFC.

Should we have an OSC?

Do we need an OSC?

What would it take to get you involved?

What events would you support?

We have an open day planned but other than half a dozen or so members nobody is interested

We respond to requests and put on an act. Nobody comes.

We have the poker nights which is a bit of fun. Nobody comes.

I have thrown open the doors to all and sundry to come along and air your views. Nobody comes.

This time last year there was a lot of arguing and slagging about the OSC should do this and that, the OSC should be seen to do xyz, the OSC needs to be more transparent and friendly.

We have done this and that, we are being seen to do xyz, we are transparent and friendly. And still you aint bothered one bit.

We could close the doors entirely and stop bothering with trying to aid the club, we could stop trying to push things such as cheaper away travel, we could stop being approachable and helpful to all and sundry. But I dont want to.

I could push corporate membership to the max instead of personal membership and do 20 times less work for the same membership income. And corporate memberships aren't interested in poker nights/open days/artists etc.

We do what we do because we want to make a difference.

We want to improve camaraderie between fans.

We want to improve the atmosphere.

We want to improve facilities.

Above all I want the OSC to become a powerful body of many people whose money and influence stretch way beyond painting things to actually becoming an asset and a consulted medium between paying customer and ASFC.

To all those people who have spent this season bigging up the fact they are a stanley supporter to work colleagues but aren't a member of the OSC, JOIN next season please.

To all those who think we have done some good things this season but also think they can help to improve upon it - turn up to a meeting and help us.

To all those who keep bleating on about the club should do this that or the other but they aren't willing to get off their arses to do summat themselves - shut up or join in.

To all those who haven't got involved but want to keep sniping at those who do - get a life.

Most of this season we have spent thinking or talking about next season. We have neglected some of the smaller things in lieu of trying to maximise the bigger things next season. We want to introduce corporate membership, we want to have monthly (at worst) events in the clubhouse, we want to reach 1000 members for the first time ever, we want to start doing merchandise, we want to make a difference.

We want above all else to breach the void that the club itself does not. If the club cannot provide it - we will. If the club are not doing a good enough job of providing something - we will. But we will not do it with just the volunteers we have now.

Thanks for this season go to (in no particular order) Outback Ozzy and Miss Ozzy (travel from Wigan and are present at everything), Zero, Sparkie, UK Cowboy, Spud, Harwood Red, Doug, Squaddie, Accymad and family, Kipax and Accyred. Sorry if I have missed anybody but its late now and I will correct as and when. Also thanks to Revived Red and Marty71 - live well away from Accy but have contributed. Thanks to Accy Jay at the OAKLEA who has offered discount to OSC members on their pre/post match drinks and has also contributed in numerous ways, thanks to those who heeded the call to start the kiddies christmas party collection early (still ongoing so dont forget to collect your change) More thanks to people who have contributed toward the various raffles we have had along the way. More thanks to everybody who has complimented us along the way, thanks also go to those who have pointed us in the right direction sometimes or have given us ideas. They may not have been used yet but they will be somewhere along the line - its all filed or logged somewhere.

Finally as a general overview thanks go to everybody who has done something to help ASFC other than just turning up to a game. A club like ours is nothing without the fans and we can and will continue to make a difference. We have some of the best fans in the country and we need to show it more often.

[email protected] · 13-03-2007, 08:16

Heineken, refreshes parts others can't reach!

Well that was a statement of intent if ever I saw one.

This is one keen dude, who needs support.

GET DOWN TO HIS NEXT MEETING please.

ukcowboy · 13-03-2007, 18:40

Excellent post Macca, and thanks must also go to you for the work you do on the OSC's behalf.

MACCA FOR PRIME MINISTER!!

stanley convert · 13-03-2007, 18:46

I,ll be with you next season macca (work shifts, so it,s difficult sometimes to attend meetings etc but will do my best to get involved)

AccyJay · 13-03-2007, 18:57

Well done Rob. Keep up the good work.

Bagpuss · 13-03-2007, 21:41

This is what I posted in another thread last night before you start this one:

I really feel for you guys, when Macca was trying to get elected I listened to his ideas and although I thought he was over the top on some things I turned up at OSC meets to get him elected.
Now it's a few months on and I have watched and read with interest how things have gone. Good ideas fail to attract the interest they deserve, your time and effort seems to go unrewarded. So I ask you why do you do it and is it worth it, as I see it all people seem to want barring a few is a badge and card.
Macca and OSC committee carry on if you like but from where I stand it looks a pointless exercise.

Let me answer some of your questions:
Should we have an OSC? Yes

Do we need an OSC? Yes but I don't think we have the support or interest to have an active or as you say powerful OSC.

What would it take to get you involved? I don't want to be involved, I was going to make some excuse about no time which may be true but what's the point its not my bag as they say.

What events would you support? I want to buy stuff like spud - T-shirts, badges I want stuff I can use for pressies etc.

K.S.H · 13-03-2007, 21:47

Some people just don't want to join, I'm not a member and no intentions of being one, but that's for personal reasons that I don't want to go into detail about, that doesn't mean I won't do anything for the club. I do my bit with the posters and the league table as well as giving my support to every home game and a few away ones. I also but programmes, 50/50 tickets, use the shop and the clubhouse

Bagpuss · 14-03-2007, 14:46

You're not exactly getting the sort of feedback from this thread as you would have hoped Rob, I think it says it all as regards interest in what you want to achieve.

Bazf · 14-03-2007, 15:02

As an overseas supporter I would hope there would be a club contact besides a business voice on the other end of a phone or a "press no 1 to speak to.." the OSC could be that contact. I think to be a member should be free, registered but free, that way you have a list of people who you could turn to.
Should we have an OSC? Yes

Do we need an OSC? Yes but I think it needs channeling in a different direction. Yes it rasises money for stanley but does it need to? First put the supporters club on a good footing then be the voice of the supporters to the club. Take over the away travel, sell Stanley merchandise, have OSC nights but do them for the OSC not to raise money for the club. The reason for a supporters club is like any club, everyone has the same intrest following Accy Stanley.

What would it take to get you involved? I am a bit far away but I do everything I can to help, has the stuff arrived yet Macca?

Kiwi John · 14-03-2007, 17:11

Its always the same.a few do the work of many.Just as a thought,instead of having 'little' events to raise money,and seeing as many complain about the club shop and its lack of product/size,why not put your energies into setting up a shop in town? You could work something out with Eric re royalties,and have a mix of volunters and a fulltimer to run it.You could run an online store from there as well.Your stock would be limited only by immagination. Just a thought..

maccawozzagod · 14-03-2007, 17:29

thought about already and partially explored, but the problem would be bringing in enough revenue to pay at least one member of staff, rent, rates, bills and then stock.

It is possible that Hyndburn Borough Council would help towards some of the cost such as waiving the rates but it would still be a drop in the ocean. Maybe looking to start again with a market stall possibly or Ossy Mills etc.

Lets get merchandise on the road again first and then see what interest that stirs up. Merchandising was on the agenda (details to follow in full later this week) at the OSC meeting this week, it was agreed by all that it would be worth investing in select items that would virtually guarantee to sell out. Watch this space as regards the first item, once they've gone we'll get the next item, and so on and so forth. We have neither the money nor the space to buy a batch of, say 10, products and start an online store.

But as I said, once we get going we may surprise ourselves.

Urban Spaceman · 15-03-2007, 10:14

Rob, I want to say a big "Thank You" for all that you and all the other good folk you mentioned do for the OSC and the time which you all give up for ASFC.

Living a long way from the club poses problems for many of us fans - and attending events at the FES organised by the OSC or Stanley home matches is very difficult, more often than not. In our situation, apart from regular donations to swell the coffers, it is hard to know what to do - other than sponsor a player's kit (which we do),wear our ASFC shirts and OSC badges with pride and try to spread the word as far and wide as we can.I also try to attend as many away matches as I can within the confines of a very busy life.

If I lived in the area, I would love to be involved and would do my level best to help at all times, because I know from past experiences with committees, it is the same few who always do all the work, and getting fresh volunteers is more difficult than striking gold.

Once again, your efforts are really appreciated Rob !