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Post by tim on Mar 9, 2007 20:39:56 GMT
Nine years ago I decided to build a WCFC website, as City were amongst most of the clubs in the Southern League in not having a site. While it was an unofficial site, I still sought the opinions of the Board of Directors, who approved of the idea but were reticent about having a message board as they believed the moderation would be onerous, and they were not keen on the prospect of any comments being mistakenly attributed to the club. Once the message board had done its trial period though, and had been seen to be a great success, not only were the club very enthusiastc about the opportunities it presented, they wanted to make my site the club's official site.
Amongst the benefits that the message board brought to the club were that so many people who had been exiled from Worcester were able to come together and discuss all aspects of the game. Over time the exiles started making the long (for some) journey back to the Lane on a regular basis, and often met up for away games too. The joys of WCFC had been rediscovered by many, and the addiction was back.
Over time, the message board community had expanded, several hundred members but primarily still the same hardcore of people. New members arrived, some posted quite a lot, some hardly ever. One or two became regular posters.
Then.......after a couple of changes of message board, brought on by technical problems as much as anything, the board culture began to change slightly. Whinging about players and performances became more commonplace, and the general discontent that always surfaces when it becomes apparent that yet again we have a season of failure on our hands began to rear its ugly head again.
You know the rest. What took nine years to develop, nurture and grow as something we were all proud of has been ruined in a day. Why?
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Post by creaner on Mar 9, 2007 21:02:51 GMT
Tim, whilst one messageboard has changed this in no way diminishes the effort that you and many others have done over those years in trying to promote a forum for like minded people to discuss their common interest. WCFC.
I like to feel the genuine City fan still maintains the ethos that started you off in the first place, City first, second and third (though not league position unfortunately).
I wasn't sure if I could make the game tomorrow but will definitely be there now! The club comes first. Always. C'mon you Blues!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2007 21:04:45 GMT
"The joys of WCFC had been rediscovered by many, and the addiction was back."
And for that I'll be eternally grateful Tim. Maybe some whingers had upped the volume, but did that really necessitate complete closure? And who initiated it? And who runs the old board now? What can and can't we discuss there, here or anywhere? Can we really only say positives about the side, the management and the club in general? We're still waiting for answers.
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Post by tim on Mar 9, 2007 21:11:02 GMT
I wish I knew the answers to those questions! I can't get in there myself now to find out what's going on.
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Post by StopfordianWCFC on Mar 9, 2007 23:06:52 GMT
Agreed its a very unsatisfacory situation.
As I have posted alsewhere I have no problem with moderation - even if it has to be by a uniform wearing drunkard! (sorry Mazey - do I get a yellow card for that? ;D)
The current situation on the old board leaves a bad taste in my mouth. There are so many unanswered questions, which is further stirring up rumours and ill feeling. I really think the parties involved should make a proper statement and end all the speculation.
I find it extremely frustrating that the 'moderators' on the old board have not revealed who they are. What purpose does that serve? Furthermore - are they really deleting posts already and banning people? If so, how will that help - as it will only result in a mass relocation!
As for Brooksider's 'shutting down' of the other board - initially it smacked of (for want of a better word) petulance. But conspiracy theories now abound..... i hardly know what to believe. All quite amazing for a little football club message board.
Lastly, I doubt whether the football club is really niaive enough to think that "shutting down the board" would stop internet discussions about the club. History shows that things just migrate to a new home in cyberspace very quickly when confronted. I suspect that the only thing the club really wanted was to encourage a little bit of self control to be exercised by us fans - and perhaps to 'have a cyber word' with some of the worst culprits of full on negativity. Its a shame that this message came via AM on full charm offensive!
I hope that on this alternative forum or indeed the other Marie Celeste site (whatever I don't care which) we can now return to Tim's "good old days". In times past I never felt that my freedom of expression was curbed and there were always moderators on all the City boards until Brooky's incarnation of this forum 9 months ago! Perhaps if you give a child its head, things will really only end in tears.
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Post by DazaB on Mar 9, 2007 23:21:00 GMT
The only uniform I wear is my wickes one!!! If you were implying I am still at school, I'm not! first warning for you  |
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Post by StopfordianWCFC on Mar 9, 2007 23:24:14 GMT
The only uniform I wear is my wickes one!!! If you were implying I am still at school, I'm not! first warning for you It was the wickes number to which I was referring - its world famous is it not? |
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Post by DazaB on Mar 9, 2007 23:30:35 GMT
it is. If you attend the barrow game on the friday night, I shall be sporting it then.
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Post by LeedsWCFC on Mar 10, 2007 1:26:03 GMT
Amongst the benefits that the message board brought to the club were that so many people who had been exiled from Worcester were able to come together and discuss all aspects of the game. Over time the exiles started making the long (for some) journey back to the Lane on a regular basis, and often met up for away games too. The joys of WCFC had been rediscovered by many, and the addiction was back. Tim, I have to agree wholeheartedly with you there. The contact provided by the message board(s) has been a factor in my more frequent attendance at games these days. It has also resulted in new friendships with some first class people. |
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Post by wh on Mar 10, 2007 7:57:18 GMT
Although I look like an old git, my WCFC history is not impressive at all, apart from the odd big City game in the past. The first game (which is when I got the city bug) was David Holmes debut 2001 ish?.
Since then I have only missed 2 or 3 home games and a major factor in this sudden addiction was TJ's message board it doesn't just do a brilliant job of keeping the exiles involved.
Tj's MB was moderated sympathetically, criticism was allowed but anyone overstepping the mark were dealt with. I'm OK with that and we have to give this MB and Darrell & Mazey time to find their feet and a balance.
Re: club involvement in the demise of the other MB..
As I said on another thread, I have spoken to DB and the club has had nothing to do with the changing situation on the other MB over the last few days.
As TJ says above the club did enjoy and welcome the sensible debate and constructive criticism which the MB's provided.
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Post by B*ue dragonstander on Mar 10, 2007 9:40:47 GMT
Hi friends. Lots of common sense above. Happy to be here. I will moderate my comments and try to keep them constructive so no harm comes to the excellent fellows who have created this MB. The MB(s) have been instrumental in allowing us exiles to keep in touch and I have met numerous superb City fans and decent people who I would never have known otherwise.
I have , of course, forgotten, how to get my City Forward Forever (latin please DB?) avatar back up but no doubt it will return. Off to the Lane now.
Actually it is a sad day for me. Terry O'Donnell (Clive's dad for those who know the 6' 7" former programme editor of the Club) died in the early hours of yesterday morning after a brave fight. A devout Liverpool and City and football fan he took me to my first game at the Lane back in 1972. He will be sadly missed.
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Post by StopfordianWCFC on Mar 10, 2007 9:50:11 GMT
BDS - That is terrible news about Clive's dad. Please pass on my condolences.
I won't be there today as I have baby flu!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2007 10:37:50 GMT
That's terrible news. My sincere condolences to Clive and all the family. He was a lovely man.
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Post by oldboyblue on Mar 10, 2007 11:34:20 GMT
Sorry, read the link and thought it was about the Hyde striker seddons
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Post by DazaB on Mar 10, 2007 17:27:32 GMT
I have , of course, forgotten, how to get my City Forward Forever (latin please DB?) avatar back up but no doubt it will return. Off to the Lane now. There you go BDS |
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Post by B*ue dragonstander on Mar 12, 2007 13:58:22 GMT
Thanks so much TM. I am so relieved as at my age it is quite hard to remember how...er . um
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Post by smog on Mar 12, 2007 22:28:57 GMT
tim, it looks like all the work you have done has not gone to waste!! a lot of us who post on here are men of a certain age, grumpy old men who remember when city really were the best non league team in the country and although those days are gone there s always hope for the future! it s probably a good thing that the young bloods have taken up your baton they might show us how it should be done.
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Post by DazaB on Mar 12, 2007 23:50:19 GMT
kieran, young?  ;D |
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Post by smog on Mar 12, 2007 23:54:26 GMT
well he s more of your yoda type!
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Post by smog on Mar 12, 2007 23:56:51 GMT
.......young skywalker....... or should that be terrace crawler???
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;D