General Commercial and Marketing

It now feels like the club are almost trying to upset it’s fans on purpose now.

If they carry on this way then they will be in for a shock when it comes to being able to fill the new stadium because of you upset fans now, they will find other things to do with their leisure time and once you lose them, it is very very hard to get them back.

I think it’s time to hear from @OxVox on this matter along with their views of the clubs new idea of having 2 fans forum while at the same time diluting the fans groups.
 
There will be another side to this that the club could put across if they want to; but they'll have to say something pretty remarkable for me to understand why they have done this. Although the funds raised from these sales go the clubs charity, the club may feel like they are missing out on revenue and may have 'branding' concerns. Someone earlier in the thread referenced that maybe club's commercial partners like The Terrace may not want the competition / have clauses in their agreements etc, but there is no way The Terrace would object to the likes of Sue Trafford selling merchandise for charitable reasons.

Ironically this is something that a 'top 30' club might do, i.e want total contol over all branding / merchandise etc, but I think the club have massively 'missread the room' here. It would be interesting to get more of an explanation from the club re this.

Also I hadn't clocked the update about the new proposed fan engagement model until I read this thread. What a crock of sh&t that new proposal is, it might be a new fandangle model in line with FSA guidelines but I do wish we could revert back to the more simple times of having one elected independent voice consisting of representatives voted for by the fans speaking with the club. The suggested model proposes that representatives have to go through a selection board! No thanks, lets revert back to Oxvox beng the voice of the fans.
 
I really cannot believe that a few used shirts, scarves and hats would create a significant drop in the club's profits. The old shirts etc aren't 'off brand' they're part of the club history. I don't know who is pulling this bloke's chain but he is way out of line.
 
Upthecowboys said:
There will be another side to this that the club could put across if they want to; but they'll have to say something pretty remarkable for me to understand why they have done this. Although the funds raised from these sales go the clubs charity, the club may feel like they are missing out on revenue and may have 'branding' concerns. Someone earlier in the thread referenced that maybe club's commercial partners like The Terrace may not want the competition / have clauses in their agreements etc, but there is no way The Terrace would object to the likes of Sue Trafford selling merchandise for charitable reasons.

Ironically this is something that a 'top 30' club might do, i.e want total contol over all branding / merchandise etc, but I think the club have massively 'missread the room' here. It would be interesting to get more of an explanation from the club re this.

Also I hadn't clocked the update about the new proposed fan engagement model until I read this thread. What a crock of sh&t that new proposal is, it might be a new fandangle model in line with FSA guidelines but I do wish we could revert back to the more simple times of having one elected independent voice consisting of representatives voted for by the fans speaking with the club. The suggested model proposes that representatives have to go through a selection board! No thanks, lets revert back to Oxvox beng the voice of the fans.
Click to expand...
and that is the mentality and actions you are seeing whilst ignoring the values of a true community club
 
The issue I have with recent announcements regarding Fans Forums, Yellow Army sales items etc. is that all these controversial decisions are being made/announced by Adam Benson. He is not a board member, as far as I am aware. He has a commercial role within the club. It is a business function. What we are dealing with here affects fans, supporters not business partners or suppliers.
There is a fundamental problem which, to me at least, gives the impression that the club wishes to distance itself from us, the fans and supporters.
If this is a direction instigated and endorsed by the boardroom with the complicity of the owners, it would be very interesting to know why?
It is increasingly difficult to understand the motives behind recent activity.
 
Sarge said:
I really dont think there is a credible 'other side' to the story... Sue Trafford and Michael North have been selling current, and pre-loved, club merchandise plus programmes ( matchday and collectables) for many years, raising funds for the clubs own Community Trust charity.
I was told very reliably, that the club has stopped them selling items and raising much needed funds for OUFCs own community trust due to some of the merchandise on offer not being compatible with the clubs brand. Which in my opinion is utter bollox - Old/ preloved OUFC shirts , they were Club items, as were other donated items, are old football programmes ( many of them old OUFC programmes) not club items, produced by the cub?

Driving a(another) wedge between supporters and the club this is- when IS the promised Fans Forum

oh wait a moment the same people who've stopped the clubs charity raising funds have stiched up the supporters by watering down FFs and creating another bollox quango
Click to expand...

Concerning and disheartening.

On the face of it an own goal from the club, appears petty and unnecessary.

@OUSP Secretary @OxVox any comments?
 
Once again, it is not what is being said, but how it is being said. If you're the club, then assess, discuss with stakeholders and announce (together, if possible). Instead the news comes out via social media and Benson and the club - AGAIN - look like plums.

The disconnect between the club and fans is still enormous at times. We must do better!
 
As an OxVox member, I would like them to raise this as a matter of urgency, along with
the non-appearance of a fans forum,
and the instigation of yet another supporters panel.

Is there any reason they are being so quiet? I don't want them to be confrontational with the club, but they are supposed to be representing the interests and concerns of the supporters (and as was said above, that is more than just the new stadium - there are years to go for that project).
 
Manorlounger said:
The issue I have with recent announcements regarding Fans Forums, Yellow Army sales items etc. is that all these controversial decisions are being made/announced by Adam Benson. He is not a board member, as far as I am aware. He has a commercial role within the club. It is a business function. What we are dealing with here affects fans, supporters not business partners or suppliers.
There is a fundamental problem which, to me at least, gives the impression that the club wishes to distance itself from us, the fans and supporters.
If this is a direction instigated and endorsed by the boardroom with the complicity of the owners, it would be very interesting to know why?
It is increasingly difficult to understand the motives behind recent activity.
Click to expand...


Comes back to the mindset of the club viewing and treating supporters as customers.
 
ZeroTheHero said:
As an OxVox member, I would like them to raise this as a matter of urgency, along with
the non-appearance of a fans forum,
and the instigation of yet another supporters panel.

Is there any reason they are being so quiet? I don't want them to be confrontational with the club, but they are supposed to be representing the interests and concerns of the supporters (and as was said above, that is more than just the new stadium - there are years to go for that project).
Click to expand...
It is probably worth contacting them directly as you are a member. Either via this online form...


...or via the email address enquiries@oxvox.org.uk

There are a lot of members on here, perhaps a flood of emails may get some sort of response.
 
Manorlounger said:
Therein lies a potential problem.


(Allegedly)
Click to expand...
Interesting comment. Are you saying that it could be that OxVox are worried about upsetting the owners due to the new stadium?

While I understand that in a way, it doesn’t mean they should sit back and let the club rip the heart out of the club.
The last time an owner/club hierarchy tried to ‘push around’ the fans we lost the ultras.
 
greatunclekip said:
Remember the days when fans were valued? Free hot dogs, trips to Austria and Spain- halcyon days.
Click to expand...
Yeah, those hot-dogs were well worth it. Daryl’s crew really knew how to look after the fans, well, as long as they didn’t sink thousands of man hours making incredible banners and doing everything they could to improve the atmosphere.

A real man of the people, that fella.
 
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