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Post by creaner on Feb 9, 2016 17:56:25 GMT
It seems that no application for planning permission has yet been submitted but `we` are getting there. If it takes so long to get through this preliminary stage how long will it be before the money to build is raised and the work is completed? Will the Club be able to survive in exile well into the 2020s which seems likely to be necessary ? Why do you think the planning application hasn't been submitted?
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dragon
First Teamer
Posts: 355
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Post by dragon on Feb 9, 2016 19:24:47 GMT
Humblest apologies, I had misread the recent WN article. Apparently the application was made in 2014 but has still not been decided on. As a significant birthday approaches, I have begun to doubt whether I shall survive long enough to see the Club return to the Faithful City ! Good luck to all involved in the process.
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Post by creaner on Feb 9, 2016 23:30:15 GMT
Humblest apologies, I had misread the recent WN article. Apparently the application was made in 2014 but has still not been decided on. As a significant birthday approaches, I have begun to doubt whether I shall survive long enough to see the Club return to the Faithful City ! Good luck to all involved in the process. Keep the faith!
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Post by canalender on Feb 10, 2016 9:10:05 GMT
It seems that no application for planning permission has yet been submitted but `we` are getting there. If it takes so long to get through this preliminary stage how long will it be before the money to build is raised and the work is completed? Will the Club be able to survive in exile well into the 2020s which seems likely to be necessary ? Why do you think the planning application hasn't been submitted? In the Worcester News Alan Coleman was quoted "Following the submission of the Supporters’ Trust application, consultation has taken place with numerous bodies, including Sport England and the Highways Agency, which both made formal objections to the application. The city council has worked through the issues they raised with the trust, and is now waiting for the trust to submit revised proposals as part of the same planning application which will overcome these objections. When the city council receives this, we will then need to re-consult with all the objectors, before a final decision on the application can be reached.” Have revised proposals been submitted?
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Post by creaner on Feb 10, 2016 11:52:07 GMT
Why do you think the planning application hasn't been submitted? In the Worcester News Alan Coleman was quoted "Following the submission of the Supporters’ Trust application, consultation has taken place with numerous bodies, including Sport England and the Highways Agency, which both made formal objections to the application. The city council has worked through the issues they raised with the trust, and is now waiting for the trust to submit revised proposals as part of the same planning application which will overcome these objections. When the city council receives this, we will then need to re-consult with all the objectors, before a final decision on the application can be reached.” Have revised proposals been submitted? Yes. In January. Next meeting to discuss outstanding issues with WCC is February 24th..
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Post by canalender on Feb 10, 2016 14:05:46 GMT
Thanks, I can not find any recently added documents on the council's planning website.
I can understand the need for an updated Playing Pitch Strategy and a new transport assesment and travel plan based on the swimming pool being in place.
The new South Worcestershire Playing Pitch Strategy refers to Worcester City Football pitches stating 'Spare capacity is restricted at peak times'.
Is this true? The two biggest sites, Perdiswell hasn't been used for years and I can not remember Pitchcroft pitches being fully utilised.
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Post by citytoon on Mar 7, 2016 22:54:05 GMT
Looks positive but will need to hear the other side of the story before getting any hopes up...
Is committing "to work together to bring club back home" just talk or is there any substance and planned action behind it?
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Post by creaner on Mar 7, 2016 23:18:11 GMT
Looks positive but will need to hear the other side of the story before getting any hopes up... Is committing "to work together to bring club back home" just talk or is there any substance and planned action behind it? We shall see. I doubt that we would have been in that meeting without the extra attention gained from the excellent fan response. Don't go quiet though, this is an ongoing process. Keep the faith.
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Post by citytoon on Mar 7, 2016 23:39:53 GMT
Don't worry, we will not let up until City are back home in Worcester. One plea though- fan engagement requires an open dialogue between ST/Club and fans. We can't help if we are in the dark. What you saw on Saturday was a result of the openness and transparency at the AGM. More of the same please.
As for Mr Bayliss. I am happy to give him the benefit of the doubt for now but will judge him on action (or lack of it) rather than statements in the press/on twitter. My concern is that a lot of what is said by him publically is done so with the local elections in May in mind. Time will tell... Getting them round the table is a start.
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on Mar 7, 2016 23:59:32 GMT
Citytoon, I will always endeavour to be as open and transparent as is possible. My philosophy is, and will always be, its the stakeholders that matter, not just the shareholders, and this is very true of a football club, where shareholders ARE stakeholders, but typically the stakeholders are the more active in the business. And by stakeholders, yes I mean predominantly supporters! Everyone has to be aware though, that when there is negotiation, with many moving cogs, if one cog asks for full confidentiality, then every other cog has to play along with that. And its then when stakeholders feel like they are being kept in the dark, it happens in many business situations, and can be unavoidable. Where news and information can be in the public domain, I will make sure it goes there, in that way everyone avoids speculation, which leads to rumour, which leads down the wrong path of confusion. The amount of work, and the rate of progress since the turn of the year has been phenomenal, I don't think its a coincidence that this corresponded with the strengthening in the boardroom, and a unity and dialogue between the Board and Supporters Trust. Its only just begun, creating a ripple has never been my style, making waves, thats what its about!!
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Post by citytoon on Mar 8, 2016 0:35:08 GMT
Everyone has to be aware though, that when there is negotiation, with many moving cogs, if one cog asks for full confidentiality, then every other cog has to play along with that. And its then when stakeholders feel like they are being kept in the dark, it happens in many business situations, and can be unavoidable. Where news and information can be in the public domain, I will make sure it goes there, in that way everyone avoids speculation, which leads to rumour, which leads down the wrong path of confusion.
I fully accept that and appreciate how these things work. My plea was for information to be made available when it can. It is a two way process and fans need to have the information and facts to hand to be able to be active in supporting the cause. I can tell you that 50ft banner wouldn't have been there if it hadn't been for the information that came out of the recent AGM. I think we all appreciate the open and transparent approach, which is refreshing. Keep up the good work and we'll support you in whatever way we can. Bring on the waves!
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Post by Croc on Mar 8, 2016 10:00:47 GMT
citytoon - what would you think of forming a "Supporters Steering Group" (of ordinary guys like most who got the banners off the ground) - to regularly meet and discuss ongoing developments and to formulate plans for future awareness-making / publicity / action.
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on Mar 8, 2016 11:10:05 GMT
citytoon - what would you think of forming a "Supporters Steering Group" (of ordinary guys like most who got the banners off the ground) - to regularly meet and discuss ongoing developments and to formulate plans for future awareness-making / publicity / action. Are we not in danger of ending up with a Judean Peoples Front, the Popular Front of Judea and the Peoples Popular Judean Front here? This is already what the work of the Supporters Trust is all about. Supporters able to formulate plans and also then receive backing (which might even be financial) and more support to make these plans happen. We do need to restructure a bit within the Trust, at the moment it tends to be too board driven, and these initiatives like banners, protest songs etc. they have been driven by members. Lets get everything under one umbrella organisation, and its already here - The Supporters Trust!
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Post by thesecondjack on Mar 8, 2016 11:24:45 GMT
The idea of a fans forum in the near future is certainly welcome, hopefully it'd be on a day I'm available! Much like Jem however, I think a slightly tweaked ST would be a better move than making a non Supporters Trust, 'trust of supporters'. I've certainly noticed from a few fans at times that the ST do a great job, but could perhaps be more open to new blood. The problem of course with letting everyone make the decisions is then you have too many chiefs, too few indians. CityToon already runs the Geordie Branch of supporters as it is! I believe it's very much the popular front. SPLITTER!
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Post by citytoon on Mar 8, 2016 12:24:22 GMT
"Leader of the Newcastle branch of the Worcester City Supporters Trust" was I believe how I was referred to by the Thursday Nighter chaps. It is a self appointed dictatorship up here in which I govern/rule over the sole member, myself I agree that it is better to work together as one group rather than create splinter groups. We have the vehicle for that in the form of the ST however it does need reform/some tweaking in my view to make it more accessible to the fans. I would be keen to relay my experiences from the banner campaign and put forward some suggestions for improving the current interface with the ST. It needs to be as easy as possible for people who want/are willing to help the club (either giving their time or financial support) but don't know how to go about it/who to contact etc. Who is the person to raise this with? Is that you Jem?
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Post by creaner on Mar 8, 2016 13:33:06 GMT
"Leader of the Newcastle branch of the Worcester City Supporters Trust" was I believe how I was referred to by the Thursday Nighter chaps. It is a self appointed dictatorship up here in which I govern/rule over the sole member, myself I agree that it is better to work together as one group rather than create splinter groups. We have the vehicle for that in the form of the ST however it does need reform/some tweaking in my view to make it more accessible to the fans. I would be keen to relay my experiences from the banner campaign and put forward some suggestions for improving the current interface with the ST. It needs to be as easy as possible for people who want/are willing to help the club (either giving their time or financial support) but don't know how to go about it/who to contact etc. Who is the person to raise this with? Is that you Jem? Get in touch with me or Jem. As for new blood for the Trust, yes please!
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Post by citytoon on Mar 8, 2016 13:58:44 GMT
"Leader of the Newcastle branch of the Worcester City Supporters Trust" was I believe how I was referred to by the Thursday Nighter chaps. It is a self appointed dictatorship up here in which I govern/rule over the sole member, myself I agree that it is better to work together as one group rather than create splinter groups. We have the vehicle for that in the form of the ST however it does need reform/some tweaking in my view to make it more accessible to the fans. I would be keen to relay my experiences from the banner campaign and put forward some suggestions for improving the current interface with the ST. It needs to be as easy as possible for people who want/are willing to help the club (either giving their time or financial support) but don't know how to go about it/who to contact etc. Who is the person to raise this with? Is that you Jem? Get in touch with me or Jem. As for new blood for the Trust, yes please! Great, thanks. Will drop you an e-mail within the next few days.
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Post by richwidd on Mar 8, 2016 14:44:40 GMT
The idea of a fans forum in the near future is certainly welcome, hopefully it'd be on a day I'm available! Much like Jem however, I think a slightly tweaked ST would be a better move than making a non Supporters Trust, 'trust of supporters'. I've certainly noticed from a few fans at times that the ST do a great job, but could perhaps be more open to new blood. The problem of course with letting everyone make the decisions is then you have too many chiefs, too few indians. CityToon already runs the Geordie Branch of supporters as it is! I believe it's very much the popular front. SPLITTER! I didn't know ANY of the people now running the Supporters Trust before it was reformed in the late 2000's (Jem Pitt excluded and he has only recently come onto The Trust Board). IN the past two - three years we have had several meetings with 100+ people in attendance and we always appeal for new members and people to help, very few come forward. Lots of people make their own judgement on what they think it is or isn't. It is what you make it so come & find out. Of those who spoke at WCCC in April 2008 (You know the one, it was when the Club was Sold for £7.36 Million on the eve of the meeting) Four are still around and actively involved. Two who were not involved then and who I had not met before are now on the Club Board along with Jem.
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Post by thatloudbloke on Mar 8, 2016 15:58:30 GMT
I Spoke to Rich W on Saturday & said Jackthesecond & I would be willing to attend ST meetings & get involved to assist taking things to another level, as for the few coming forward i think this was shown on Saturday with the banners, & other parts going on, there were a few new faces assisting but most were ST or directors & the same people, we will do as much with the banners as possible but need assistance getting them in place before & taking down after games, I have said that i would store them & i will try & get some put up with owners consent in the City, my big ask is can anyone out there find places that we can display banners & let me know, the big one has to stay for use at the ground IMO, we from the banner appeal have ideas that we will discuss with ST (board)not sure if thats the correct words, & lastly is there a meeting planned for discussions.
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Post by thesecondjack on Mar 8, 2016 16:32:30 GMT
I fully get what you are saying Rich, and I agree, I was simply relaying what I have heard from others in the not too distant past.
From personal experience, back when SGL was sold, I'd have been 16/17 years old, and was just happy going to games and watching the match, thinking that everything was all sorted and that we'd still be playing in Worcester come 2013 (or 2016 for that matter). Now a little older and hopefully a lot wiser, I'm happy to get involved - how exactly I'm not too sure, but willing to give anything a go! Perhaps it's the same for others, happy to get involved, but not sure what exactly they can do to help.
I believe the ST is brilliant, without it the club probably wouldn't exist, and the additions to the club board of Jem and Rob have so far at least been a breath of fresh air.
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Post by Croc on Mar 8, 2016 16:40:54 GMT
"Leader of the Newcastle branch of the Worcester City Supporters Trust" was I believe how I was referred to by the Thursday Nighter chaps. It is a self appointed dictatorship up here in which I govern/rule over the sole member, myself I agree that it is better to work together as one group rather than create splinter groups. We have the vehicle for that in the form of the ST however it does need reform/some tweaking in my view to make it more accessible to the fans. I would be keen to relay my experiences from the banner campaign and put forward some suggestions for improving the current interface with the ST. It needs to be as easy as possible for people who want/are willing to help the club (either giving their time or financial support) but don't know how to go about it/who to contact etc. Who is the person to raise this with? Is that you Jem? This is what I was meaning (sorry I didn't make it entirely clear initially). The main thing with the ST in the past is that some of us have offered to help with stuff - but have not been gotten back to. I'm sure that I'm still a member (I found my old membership card the other day) - but I haven't had any communication about when meetings were happening or if help was needed on matchdays other than on here. I'm sure with the new upsurge in interest that this will be resolved in time.
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Post by blueandwhitearmy on Mar 8, 2016 17:17:11 GMT
Not sure if this is the right topic, However I was speaking to Cam Moseley last night on Twitter and he said he wondered if a coach/mini bus would be put on for more matches. Him and his mates used the Supporters coach to Gloucester (They were the ones who caused/involved with the trouble) Since having a talk with Carl and Matt they have changed their ways, I think however they are not welcome on the supporters bus because of what happened at Gloucester (Fair enough I understand why) I think that by not having the option of a coach we are missing out in away numbers as Cam said him and his mates would go to most away games if a coach/minibus option was available.
Millie Gaffey was in the conversation and said it has been spoken about in the past and said its alot more complicated if we wanted the coach/minibus to be available regularly to away games. Just feel that by not offering a coach/minibus we are missing out on creating a better atmosphere at away games.
I understand there will obviously be costs to the club should they consistently offer coach/es to away games but feel if we were to get people to put their names down on a list a few weeks in advance of the game so we had a rough idea of numbers interested we could then work out whether a coach/minibus would be appropriate.
Dec
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Post by cloud on Mar 9, 2016 9:34:22 GMT
Of those who spoke at WCCC in April 2008 (You know the one, it was when the Club was Sold for £7.36 Million on the eve of the meeting)... I often think about those few days in 2008 - the selling of the ground a couple of days before the supporters were due to meet to re-affirm their concerns about the proposed sale. Unbelievable. On a current point - I echo the remarks about the progress that's been made since the AGM. Thanks goodness we eventually had one.
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Post by alwaysnextyear on Mar 9, 2016 15:37:13 GMT
Jem Pitt has been a breath of fresh air on the Board, although with his " no nonsense, doesn't suffer fools gladly " style, I must admit I was surprised at his appointment based on his contrast to previous directors. Everyone appreciates that some matters have to be confidential at times, but if things can be in the public domain, I am sure that we will be told asap. It's just a shame that a well overdue AGM was the belated catalyst.
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on Mar 9, 2016 16:38:22 GMT
I'm afraid the old comfortable traditional way of running a non-league football club, with Directors barely venturing out of hospitality areas and directors boxes just doesnt work anymore. We all proved on Saturday that progress, and awareness, of the football club and its challenges is led by stakeholders - you the fans!! It is a shame that it takes bad news to be the catalyst, but WCFC is no different to any other club here. It was really interesting talking to Andy Walsh the General Manager of FCUM on Saturday around the challenges that they have had to get where they are now. And none of it could have been done without the fans involvement, and he is just a fan! It was quite funny as we were both talking in the boardroom, and neither of us had a club blazer and tie on!! And both of us stood on the terraces! As Directors, we'll get it wrong at times, and last night I ended up in an argument after the game, and with hindsight, I was wrong. My fault for not knowing about a discussion that had taken place, but thats ok, at least we talked (loudly), and Rich, I apologise. There should be no barriers between fans and directors, and anyone who wants to grab me to chat, to give advice, to get advice, to shout at me, I'm easily found - just look for the Fedora hat!!
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on Mar 9, 2016 16:44:13 GMT
I Spoke to Rich W on Saturday & said Jackthesecond & I would be willing to attend ST meetings & get involved to assist taking things to another level, as for the few coming forward i think this was shown on Saturday with the banners, & other parts going on, there were a few new faces assisting but most were ST or directors & the same people, we will do as much with the banners as possible but need assistance getting them in place before & taking down after games, I have said that i would store them & i will try & get some put up with owners consent in the City, my big ask is can anyone out there find places that we can display banners & let me know, the big one has to stay for use at the ground IMO, we from the banner appeal have ideas that we will discuss with ST (board)not sure if thats the correct words, & lastly is there a meeting planned for discussions. We need a refresh of the Supporters Trust now, which is the most positive news possible! One thing we need to do is spread the load, as the load is becoming bigger, and we should be able to break down into sub-committees with responsibilities. I'll be talking with FCUM about how this can be achieved so we can keep up the momentum. The most pleasing part of all of this is , we have momentum, and we have people, and we will need to improve the dialogue, we know that, it is in hand!!
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on Mar 9, 2016 16:47:26 GMT
Not sure if this is the right topic, However I was speaking to Cam Moseley last night on Twitter and he said he wondered if a coach/mini bus would be put on for more matches. Him and his mates used the Supporters coach to Gloucester (They were the ones who caused/involved with the trouble) Since having a talk with Carl and Matt they have changed their ways, I think however they are not welcome on the supporters bus because of what happened at Gloucester (Fair enough I understand why) I think that by not having the option of a coach we are missing out in away numbers as Cam said him and his mates would go to most away games if a coach/minibus option was available. Millie Gaffey was in the conversation and said it has been spoken about in the past and said its alot more complicated if we wanted the coach/minibus to be available regularly to away games. Just feel that by not offering a coach/minibus we are missing out on creating a better atmosphere at away games. I understand there will obviously be costs to the club should they consistently offer coach/es to away games but feel if we were to get people to put their names down on a list a few weeks in advance of the game so we had a rough idea of numbers interested we could then work out whether a coach/minibus would be appropriate. Dec Dec - Millie has spoken to me about this in the past, and did some really good work on costs / pricing that we should look to revisit for next season. There has to be a way of doing this in a way that isn't a risk to the club in terms of cost, and is attractive to supporters in terms of price. I will ask Millie if she can do a refresh of the work that was initially done
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2016 20:02:13 GMT
The role of the supporters' club within the club is also something that should be examined. They should be at the forefront of change, but where are they?
Regarding Mr Pitt, I know he has had his run ins with people, but he took a lot of abuse from the old board when he saw through their scam. A lot of the threats and intimidation went unreported - but he stood his ground. Believe me, he's more than just a "trouble maker". We're lucky to have him.
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Post by jimbo on Mar 9, 2016 20:28:39 GMT
[quote author="@archieclaines"
Regarding Mr Pitt, I know he has had his run ins with people, but he took a lot of abuse from the old board when he saw through their scam. A lot of the threats and intimidation went unreported - but he stood his ground. Believe me, he's more than just a "trouble maker". We're lucky to have him.[/quote]
Here here !!
Better without that ruddy hat tho hahaha
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Post by blueandwhitearmy on Mar 10, 2016 3:14:08 GMT
Not sure if this is the right topic, However I was speaking to Cam Moseley last night on Twitter and he said he wondered if a coach/mini bus would be put on for more matches. Him and his mates used the Supporters coach to Gloucester (They were the ones who caused/involved with the trouble) Since having a talk with Carl and Matt they have changed their ways, I think however they are not welcome on the supporters bus because of what happened at Gloucester (Fair enough I understand why) I think that by not having the option of a coach we are missing out in away numbers as Cam said him and his mates would go to most away games if a coach/minibus option was available. Millie Gaffey was in the conversation and said it has been spoken about in the past and said its alot more complicated if we wanted the coach/minibus to be available regularly to away games. Just feel that by not offering a coach/minibus we are missing out on creating a better atmosphere at away games. I understand there will obviously be costs to the club should they consistently offer coach/es to away games but feel if we were to get people to put their names down on a list a few weeks in advance of the game so we had a rough idea of numbers interested we could then work out whether a coach/minibus would be appropriate. Dec Dec - Millie has spoken to me about this in the past, and did some really good work on costs / pricing that we should look to revisit for next season. There has to be a way of doing this in a way that isn't a risk to the club in terms of cost, and is attractive to supporters in terms of price. I will ask Millie if she can do a refresh of the work that was initially done Maybe this sounds stupid but whatabout a members card or an Away travel membership, That when bought by a fan pays upfront for away travel to matches, Maybe there could be different variations of it also. Clubs within so many miles, Clubs further than so many miles and then one for all away league games. Might be a bit far fetched but may help the club financially as well as the supporters being able to attend away games
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