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General The Board & Senior Management

uptheus said:
What’s the cause for the unrest?
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Steve Gilbert said:
What’s the unrest?
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Conversations I've had with some of those who have left indicate a general disatisfaction with the working environment. There is, without doubt, a drive towards a business model which, theoretically, should see the club as a much better run and more profitable set up. Unfortunately, for many that means less interaction with supporters, fans etc. and more studying of figures, profit & loss charts etc. This has been the case for some time and certainly since the changes to senior management and board.
Not saying that's a bad thing but, it's leading, in my opinion, to putting too greater distance between club and supporter. It may well have been a 'slip of the tongue' but the trend towards making us all customers is in full flow.

The lack of any impetus to communicate with supporters and fans alike has been growing. The, apparent, lack of communication with OxVox, the disbanding of the OUSP in favour of the more controllable FAB. The arrival of a new chairman and director who, again, apparently, have no desire to communicate with us.

Some of those staff who have left are real fans and supporters of the club. They feel, as we do, that OUFC is in their blood and it can be disquieting when their passion is in conflict with their expected work ethics.
 
The Mighty Aldo said:
As always when it comes to what is going on behind the scenes, there are a few hundred(tops) fans who want to know exactly what is going on.
The other regular match going supporters (8000) don’t really give a toss as long as they are seeing decent football, now because we were relegated their main concerns are will we have a team good enough to get back up, and will we keep Mills, Currie, BDK and Brannagan, and should Bloomfield stay
The next most important talked about subject is What the f**k is going on with the stadium.
Who the MD is and has he been interviewed yet, is not high on the list of priorities
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Very true. And, sadly, why the trend behind the scenes will go, largely, unnoticed.
 
Manorlounger said:
Conversations I've had with some of those who have left indicate a general disatisfaction with the working environment. There is, without doubt, a drive towards a business model which, theoretically, should see the club as a much better run and more profitable set up. Unfortunately, for many that means less interaction with supporters, fans etc. and more studying of figures, profit & loss charts etc. This has been the case for some time and certainly since the changes to senior management and board.
Not saying that's a bad thing but, it's leading, in my opinion, to putting too greater distance between club and supporter. It may well have been a 'slip of the tongue' but the trend towards making us all customers is in full flow.

The lack of any impetus to communicate with supporters and fans alike has been growing. The, apparent, lack of communication with OxVox, the disbanding of the OUSP in favour of the more controllable FAB. The arrival of a new chairman and director who, again, apparently, have no desire to communicate with us.

Some of those staff who have left are real fans and supporters of the club. They feel, as we do, that OUFC is in their blood and it can be disquieting when their passion is in conflict with their expected work ethics.
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So, feels like the soul being taken out and replaced with the brain. Shame, as we know a lot about football is based upon emotions and passion which tends to come from the heart & soul.
 
Manorlounger said:
Very true. And, sadly, why the trend behind the scenes will go, largely, unnoticed.
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Whether we agree with it or not, the bigger the club gets the harder it is to appease all fans. As TMA said, the majority of the fan base only care about the on field stuff so the club will concentrate on them.
Long gone are the days where the fans and players are having p**s ups together in pre season.

A club that does seem to get a good balance of being a well run bigger club but still keeping engagement with fans is Brighton so it is achievable.

What we have done with the turn over of staff is get rid of those with strong emotional connection with the club where some may think their decisions making is led by their heart rather than a true business decision.

I’m in the camp of caring about the new stadium, what players we are bringing in, are we getting a decent new shirt and are the tickets priced reasonably and we can purchase tickets as easily as possible. I am not too worried about the new chairman giving us lip service in June because as I always believe, actions speak louder than words.
 
Steve Gilbert said:
Whether we agree with it or not, the bigger the club gets the harder it is to appease all fans. As TMA said, the majority of the fan base only care about the on field stuff so the club will concentrate on them.
Long gone are the days where the fans and players are having p**s ups together in pre season.

A club that does seem to get a good balance of being a well run bigger club but still keeping engagement with fans is Brighton so it is achievable.

What we have done with the turn over of staff is get rid of those with strong emotional connection with the club where some may think their decisions making is led by their heart rather than a true business decision.

I’m in the camp of caring about the new stadium, what players we are bringing in, are we getting a decent new shirt and are the tickets priced reasonably and we can purchase tickets as easily as possible. I am not too worried about the new chairman giving us lip service in June because as I always believe, actions speak louder than words.
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But never forget where you came from.

Brentford seem to have managed that balance.

We’re never going to be a Liverpool, Man Utd sized club (well not in most of our life time), and many of us wouldn’t want to be, and probably why some of chose that smaller club with the close engagement with the club.

Even the bigger clubs are now seeing the importance of that fan/club engagement rather than those Premiership players who get off the team coach and cannot even be bothered to engage e.g. showing no real infinity with the club or the fans.

It’s a dangerous road we’re going down if we take this disengagement approach as I think the 2 go hand in hand.

Anyway, back to the spreadsheet and back to corporate bollox!!
 
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My impression is that since Tim Williams became CEO there has been a shift from family club to corporate club, and (off field) that’s reflected in who has left the club and who has been brought in.

The way Sue Trafford and Michael North were treated was shabby, talk about actions speak louder than words.

Change is inevitable, I get that, but It does feel as if something good has been lost.
 
uptheus said:
But never forget where you came from.

Brentford seem to have managed that balance.

Were never going to be a Liverpool, Man Utd sized club (well not in most of our life time), and many of us wouldn’t want to be, and probably why some of chose that smaller club with the close engagement with the club.

Even the bigger clubs are now seeing the importance of that fan/club engagement rather than those Premiership players who get off the team coach and cannot even be bothered to engage e.g. showing no real infinity with the club or the fans.

It’s a dangerous road we’re going down if we take this disengagement approach as I think the 2 go hand in hand.

Anyway, back to the spreadsheet and back to corporate bollox!!
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I agree. Having a successful business model and well run commercial operation does not preclude maintaining engagement with fans and a closer community feel to the club. Clubs like Oxford succeed and attract new followers through that association. The Man City’s of the world will always attract because of profile and they win stuff. As a club we absolutely need to enhance the link to the fanbase. Sadly I think some key people who are more interested in spreadsheets (probably because that’s the only thing they are being judged by) just don’t get it
 
Yellowoptimist said:
I agree. Having a successful business model and well run commercial operation does not preclude maintaining engagement with fans and a closer community feel to the club. Clubs like Oxford succeed and attract new followers through that association. The Man City’s of the world will always attract because of profile and they win stuff. As a club we absolutely need to enhance the link to the fanbase. Sadly I think some key people who are more interested in spreadsheets (probably because that’s the only thing they are being judged by) just don’t get it
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Indeed, running the club in a more businesslike way and maintaining a good relationship with the fans are different things and don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
 
werthersoriginal said:
Indeed, running the club in a more businesslike way and maintaining a good relationship with the fans are different things and don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
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Unfortunately Football clubs are now being run as businesses with finances being top priority whereas the supporters are taking a more of a back seat . A load of money has been spent on the club’s training around with a no financial return, a mediocre transfer incomings paying a 1 million pound for one who cannot get into the team . Older players on top salaries, re Phillips/Bradshaw , this situation cannot go on indefinitely, there is only so much money you can spend made more serious if the club doesn’t have success.
 
Digby said:
Unfortunately Football clubs are now being run as businesses with finances being top priority whereas the supporters are taking a more of a back seat . A load of money has been spent on the club’s training around with a no financial return, a mediocre transfer incomings paying a 1 million pound for one who cannot get into the team . Older players on top salaries, re Phillips/Bradshaw , this situation cannot go on indefinitely, there is only so much money you can spend made more serious if the club doesn’t have success.
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So that would be Matt Phillips who left at the beginning of February and Tom Bradshaw who was released at the end of the season I assume you are referring to! Not sure how the situation you are referring to is continuing following there departures but heh-ho.
 
Keeper65 said:
So that would be Matt Phillips who left at the beginning of February and Tom Bradshaw who was released at the end of the season I assume you are referring to! Not sure how the situation you are referring to is continuing following there departures but heh-ho.
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Salaries money not well spent !
 
Oxmusk Utd it's got a ring to it ,now he really could take us a journey, the away fixtures could be on another planet .And when you Plymouth and other clubs moaning about the distance there fans travel we could be in another stratosphere.
 
Sarge said:
First went in '62 ( first memory of going to the manor was in '62- went to a few games prior to then i was told) , so, ive been going 64 years , my sister 60 years, middle nephew 46 years, ( all 3 of us are ST holders), my youngest son 30 years, my 3 granddaughters 20 years between them ( 7,8, 5 years respectively, that theyve been going) -220 years total
both daughters and eldest son , and 2 grandsons go on very occasional occasions too, but havent counted them in
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found this from a few seasons back now ( taken by my sister) four generations of OUFC fans at the breeze block

My Dad (rip), my middle nephew, me , my middle granddaughter, my youngest lad
Son in Law ( eldest daughters hubby) , Son in law ( youngest daughters hubby), grandson no2, grandson no1

82613335_10221336302698419_8000900696599691264_n.webp
 
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Sarge said:
found this from a few seasons back now ( taken by my sister) four generations of OUFC fans at the breeze block

My Dad (rip), my middle nephew me , my middle granddaughter, my youngest lad
Son in Law ( eldest daughters hubby) , Son in law ( youngest daughters hubby), grandson no2, grandson no1

View attachment 35809
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Big love for this photo @Sarge but the real takeaway for me is how stylish you are. Lovely sheepskin and flat cap.
 
Eric Blair said:
Big love for this photo @Sarge but the real takeaway for me is how stylish you are. Lovely sheepskin and flat cap.
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There was a time when the sheepskin was the must-have coat on the LRT. Must have been mid-80s. I can remember Dad and quite a few of the lads he stood with wearing them.
 
TL@69 said:
I still have my sheepskin, although it seems to have shrunk in the wash. It’s funny because I don’t remember washing it.
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My seems to have dropped a couple of sizes too.
 
SteMerritt said:
There was a time when the sheepskin was the must-have coat on the LRT. Must have been mid-80s. I can remember Dad and quite a few of the lads he stood with wearing them.
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I had a sheepskin as a student which I loved but it was too warm. I could only wear it for about two weeks of the year.

(f**k me. This might be the most boring thing I have ever written. Really need the season to start).
 
Eric Blair said:
I had a sheepskin as a student which I loved but it was too warm. I could only wear it for about two weeks of the year.

(f**k me. This might be the most boring thing I have ever written. Really need the season to start).
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Did you have gloves to match 😉
 
Eric Blair said:
I had a sheepskin as a student which I loved but it was too warm. I could only wear it for about two weeks of the year.

(f**k me. This might be the most boring thing I have ever written. Really need the season to start).
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I'll continue on that theme.

I had a sheepskin as a student too. Bought it on a Saturday morning and felt like the absolute dog's b*****s. Wore it to the pub that night. Put it on the back of my chair. Came to leave, and someone had nicked it!
 
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