Open Letter To Richard Batho

[silverfox]

Perhaps 50,000 concerned Blades should all email Batho and then he can reply to each email individually. Yes, that would make sense.

Alternatively may be Lenners should email Batho and post Batho's response on here for all to read. Actually, wouldn't that make Lenners the fans rep instead of Batho?

50,000???


eh?

 

[Foxy]

It is indeed very easy and a place where Blades fans communicate on a regular basis.
How odd that the fans' rep would find it so difficult.

It may well be, but what chance do you think there is of anyone wanting to subject themselves to the kind of abuse/rot they would at the moment by coming on messageboard and directly conversing?

In less than 24 hours we ended up closing the thread WE created in order to try an facilitate easier communication with someone you wish to hear answers from, purely because instead of taking the opportunity to get some answers/dialogue people prefered instead to offer cheap jibes or question the validity of a role they claim to know nothing about.

This saddens me, as historically it's not what we have been about in the slightest.

For a man that seems to pride himself in always having the last say, it's a wonder you've so far been unable to operate a telephone or email client and have refrained from multiple opportunities to speak to the men you critisise on a daily basis.

You could have even come along to watch the reserves tonight and stood/sat and talked to Trevor Birch or Richard Batho like the other supporters who I observed partaking in that strange custom this very evening.

Surely theres only so long you can go before admitting you just want to critisise someone rather than address the apparent issues you hide the digs behind?

 

[boo radley]

It may well be, but what chance do you think there is of anyone wanting to subject themselves to the kind of abuse/rot they would at the moment by coming on messageboard and directly conversing?

In less than 24 hours we ended up closing the thread WE created in order to try an facilitate easier communication with someone you wish to hear answers from, purely because instead of taking the opportunity to get some answers/dialogue people prefered instead to offer cheap jibes or question the validity of a role they claim to know nothing about.

This saddens me, as historically it's not what we have been about in the slightest.

For a man that seems to pride himself in always having the last say, it's a wonder you've so far been unable to operate a telephone or email client and have refrained from multiple opportunities to speak to the men you critisise on a daily basis.

You could have even come along to watch the reserves tonight and stood/sat and talked to Trevor Birch or Richard Batho like the other supporters who I observed partaking in that strange custom this very evening.

Surely theres only so long you can go before admitting you just want to critisise someone rather than address the apparent issues you hide the digs behind?

And that why Foxy is clever enough to run the forum and I and someone else are not. Thanks Foxy (and Linz of course).

 

[lenners]

True, but surely you can only communicate with those who are prepared to listen. There would be nothing dignified in an on-line spat with someone who consistently argues that black is white and vice versa - sometimes in the same thread!!!

He doesn't have to have an online communication if he feels queasy about it.
But perhaps he could deign to post what he has been doing, what input he had into ticketing decisions, what suggestions he's made about communication to the club.
You know, just the merest indication that he's doing anything.

 

[silverfox]

This saddens me, as historically it's not what we have been about in the slightest.

This comment says it all.

 

[Worksop II]

Bit of a stalemate here, Lenny not emailing Batho, Batho not comming on here.

Are Lenny and Batho one in the same, Barstewards, he/him/them have us all at it ........

 

[lenners]

It may well be, but what chance do you think there is of anyone wanting to subject themselves to the kind of abuse/rot they would at the moment by coming on messageboard and directly conversing?

In less than 24 hours we ended up closing the thread WE created in order to try an facilitate easier communication with someone you wish to hear answers from, purely because instead of taking the opportunity to get some answers/dialogue people prefered instead to offer cheap jibes or question the validity of a role they claim to know nothing about.

This saddens me, as historically it's not what we have been about in the slightest.

For a man that seems to pride himself in always having the last say, it's a wonder you've so far been unable to operate a telephone or email client and have refrained from multiple opportunities to speak to the men you critisise on a daily basis.

You could have even come along to watch the reserves tonight and stood/sat and talked to Trevor Birch or Richard Batho like the other supporters who I observed partaking in that strange custom this very evening.

Surely theres only so long you can go before admitting you just want to critisise someone rather than address the apparent issues you hide the digs behind?

Sorry Foxy, but Richard Batho's role is not about having cosy chats with the bloke stood next to him at a reserve match.
As for closing the thread, it wasn't me that raised the point but it was entirely reasonable given that Batho has said nothing at all about what the club is doing in his role as fans' rep.
Whichever way you cut it, you can't carry out a communications role without communicating.
You tell me the reason why he can't come on here and simply post what he's been doing?
There isn't one. If he can't face his role or actions being subject to scrutiny or even criticism, he shouldn't be doing the job.

 

[Foxy]

Bit of a stalemate here, Lenny not emailing Batho, Batho not comming on here.

Are Lenny and Batho one in the same, Barstewards, he/him/them have us all at it ........

Perhaps that's why "Len" doesn't wish to break cover and accept my open offer of a pint before any Sheffield United match, that, or there might just be another reason

---------- Post added at 10:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 PM ----------

Sorry Foxy, but Richard Batho's role is not about having cosy chats with the bloke stood next to him at a reserve match.

No, stupid place to talk to fans who approach you, at a Blades match. He probably should have been sat on here being lectured as to why he's done X wrong because you think so Besides, I thought one of your bugbears was that you didn't know his role?

As for closing the thread, it wasn't me that raised the point but it was entirely reasonable given that Batho has said nothing at all about what the club is doing in his role as fans' rep.
Whichever way you cut it, you can't carry out a communications role without communicating.
You tell me the reason why he can't come on here and simply post what he's been doing?
There isn't one. If he can't face his role or actions being subject to scrutiny or even criticism, he shouldn't be doing the job.

What you are saying really, is that he hasn't been communicating in the way in which you wish him to communicate? Unless of course you've done a straw poll of all the fans groups, supporters clubs, working groups and individuals he's been conversing regularly with.

Why don't you ask the man himself why he doesn't sit on here talking to you? You know exactly how to contact him. I don't particularly post anywhere near as regularly as I used to on here as I don't particularly enjoy doing so at the moment... Perhaps other people feel the same?

True, I have to work to pay for the place and I'm doing plenty of work in the background to improve things for next season, but the point remains, at the moment I simply don't enjoy posting here as much as I used to at the moment.

I know full well that the man you feel fit to question and criticise has absolutely no problems whatsoever justifying his role. Quite why he has to justify himself to you rather than his employer I'm not so sure, but I'd hazard a guess if you came out from behind the comfort of veiled digs and actually talked to him, you might even allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised by his work.

Not that the majority of this is all that relevant to your main problems though is it? or weren't they the important bit? was the important bit your "right" to mudsling?

 

[BaldeRunner]

Perhaps that's why "Len" doesn't wish to break cover and accept my open offer of a pint before any Sheffield United match, that, or there might just be another reason

---------- Post added at 10:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 PM ----------



No, stupid place to talk to fans who approach you, at a Blades match. He probably should have been sat on here being lectured as to why he's done X wrong because you think so Besides, I thought one of your bugbears was that you didn't know his role?




What you are saying really, is that he hasn't been communicating in the way in which you wish him to communicate? Unless of course you've done a straw poll of all the fans groups, supporters clubs, working groups and individuals he's been conversing regularly with.

Why don't you ask the man himself why he doesn't sit on here talking to you? You know exactly how to contact him. I don't particularly post anywhere near as regularly as I used to on here as I don't particularly enjoy doing so at the moment... Perhaps other people feel the same?

True, I have to work to pay for the place and I'm doing plenty of work in the background to improve things for next season, but the point remains, at the moment I simply don't enjoy posting here as much as I used to at the moment.

I know full well that the man you feel fit to question and criticise has absolutely no problems whatsoever justifying his role. Quite why he has to justify himself to you rather than his employer I'm not so sure, but I'd hazard a guess if you came out from behind the comfort of veiled digs and actually talked to him, you might even allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised by his work.

Not that the majority of this is all that relevant to your main problems though is it? or weren't they the important bit? was the important bit your "right" to mudsling?

It's all a bit cosy though isn't it? I am a bit miffed that I put up a perfectly reasonable question on the recent thread to Richard Batho and I am assuming I now won't get a reply. So that didn't work. Coming and having a chat with him at reserve games or attending local supporters' clubs groups isn't any use to likes of me who live 160 miles away and am frequently 1,000s of miles away on business like I am now. I am also irked by the 'if you knew him you'd realise what a great guy he is' comments. It's really not the point. I can't get to see him personally, don't think i particularly want or need to but, as i have constantly gone on about on this message board, SOMEBODY needs to liaise with us. It's entirely reasonable to ask the guy whose job it is to liaise to liaise with fans on one of the major forums that we have. It's perverse not to. If it ends up as a slanging match then fair enough but the feeling i am left with is that we fans who only have message boards like this to try and keep in touch are really not worth the effort. It is so easy to sort this - why can't this club get anything right these days?

 

[Vancouver]

I SOMEBODY needs to liaise with us. It's entirely reasonable to ask the guy whose job it is to liaise to liaise with fans on one of the major forums that we have. It's perverse not to...

But this is exactly what Foxy and Linz were offering but every mention of Batho turns into one or two people who haven't got the manners to stick to the original point of the thread. Some people just can't get past their egos.

 

[BaldeRunner]

But this is exactly what Foxy and Linz were offering but every mention of Batho turns into one or two people who haven't got the manners to stick to the original point of the thread. Some people just can't get past their egos.

Look, I left junior school many years ago. If some people 'misbehave' that does not mean the whole class gets punished. Should i go and stand in the corner now until someone owns up? This is getting very silly. The guy is the official fans' liaison officer. Please just liaise and give me some insight into what the club that i have suppported for nearly fifty years is actually doing.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

My Uncle went to a meeting with Richard Batho last week and discussed several points with him, one of his main gripes was the tunnel bar - not opening on time, not having a float ready and generally losing custom because they aren't ready straight after the match -apparently this will all be fed back to the club. Other points discussed were what we run out to and the youth cup final, how will we get fans to Lane, so to say he's doing 'nothing' is factually incorrect.

 

[oaklandrdblade]

Look, I left junior school many years ago. If some people 'misbehave' that does not mean the whole class gets punished. Should i go and stand in the corner now until someone owns up? This is getting very silly. The guy is the official fans' liaison officer. Please just liaise and give me some insight into what the club that i have suppported for nearly fifty years is actually doing.

Isn't the easiest way forward for you to simply email him?

 

[dingledog]

This comment says it all.

A true philospher, mines a pint please.

 

[lenners]

Perhaps that's why "Len" doesn't wish to break cover and accept my open offer of a pint before any Sheffield United match, that, or there might just be another reason

---------- Post added at 10:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 PM ----------



No, stupid place to talk to fans who approach you, at a Blades match. He probably should have been sat on here being lectured as to why he's done X wrong because you think so Besides, I thought one of your bugbears was that you didn't know his role?




What you are saying really, is that he hasn't been communicating in the way in which you wish him to communicate? Unless of course you've done a straw poll of all the fans groups, supporters clubs, working groups and individuals he's been conversing regularly with.

Why don't you ask the man himself why he doesn't sit on here talking to you? You know exactly how to contact him. I don't particularly post anywhere near as regularly as I used to on here as I don't particularly enjoy doing so at the moment... Perhaps other people feel the same?

True, I have to work to pay for the place and I'm doing plenty of work in the background to improve things for next season, but the point remains, at the moment I simply don't enjoy posting here as much as I used to at the moment.

I know full well that the man you feel fit to question and criticise has absolutely no problems whatsoever justifying his role. Quite why he has to justify himself to you rather than his employer I'm not so sure, but I'd hazard a guess if you came out from behind the comfort of veiled digs and actually talked to him, you might even allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised by his work.

Not that the majority of this is all that relevant to your main problems though is it? or weren't they the important bit? was the important bit your "right" to mudsling?

I've asked Richard Batho, on here, what he's done over the last our months.
You tell me why he can't answer that, on here.
At the moment, we have the bizarre situation where the fans rep, the communications man, now apparently has a spokesman to do his communicating.
The key decisions, which we apparently had a working group to cover, involve ticketing.
So, what was the outcome of this working group?
The existence of this working group is tucked away on the official website but it is there.
So, what did it do? Or is it a working group whose workings must remain secret.
And though you probably didn't realise it you probably hit the nail on the head in your post. Certainly in the absence of any public communication.
"Quite why he has to justify himself to you rather than his employer I'm not so sure."
You said it, Foxy.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

I've asked Richard Batho, on here, what he's done over the last our months.
You tell me why he can't answer that, on here.

That's like having a complaint about your bank and posting your gripes on Moneysupermarket.com. Seems clear to me, you can e-mail him directly but you haven't.

 

[SotonBlade]

I've asked Richard Batho, on here, what he's done over the last our months.
You tell me why he can't answer that, on here

You can quite easily e-mail him. Why should he come to you?

If he had to approach every fan himself it'd be a bloody farce!

This club has thousands of fans, so if you really, really want an answer to any question, try going directly to the right person instead doing the forum equivalent of a snobby diner and clicking your fingers shouting 'Garcon!'

I'll repeat what many have said on here, i'd be highly against anyone from the club contributing regularly on a forum. It would spiral to something of Strafford proportions!

If you're not getting what you want then e-mail the guy directly to air your concerns, instead of coming on here slating the guy because he's not searching out your posts on a forum. If you have a problem with your council tax do you call/e-mail the council or moan about it to your mates down the pub hoping that someone from the council will be in there and overhear your predicament and help out???

It's not hard to send an e-mail. I'll even create a how-to guide if it's that difficult.

 

[FleaPitBlade]

Richard Batho's email address must have been posted about 500 times on this forum, every time somebody mentions his name.

I emailed him with queries I had, and guess what, he answered. Within the hour. Then he called me.

I think its safe to assume everyone on this forum has fingers, a mouse, eyes, the internet, a keyboard, an email account and a brain - so therefor he isnt inaccesible to anybody using this forum.

 

[Micalijo]

Perhaps that's why "Len" doesn't wish to break cover and accept my open offer of a pint before any Sheffield United match, that, or there might just be another reason

---------- Post added at 10:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 PM ----------



No, stupid place to talk to fans who approach you, at a Blades match. He probably should have been sat on here being lectured as to why he's done X wrong because you think so Besides, I thought one of your bugbears was that you didn't know his role?




What you are saying really, is that he hasn't been communicating in the way in which you wish him to communicate? Unless of course you've done a straw poll of all the fans groups, supporters clubs, working groups and individuals he's been conversing regularly with.

Why don't you ask the man himself why he doesn't sit on here talking to you? You know exactly how to contact him. I don't particularly post anywhere near as regularly as I used to on here as I don't particularly enjoy doing so at the moment... Perhaps other people feel the same?

True, I have to work to pay for the place and I'm doing plenty of work in the background to improve things for next season, but the point remains, at the moment I simply don't enjoy posting here as much as I used to at the moment.

I know full well that the man you feel fit to question and criticise has absolutely no problems whatsoever justifying his role. Quite why he has to justify himself to you rather than his employer I'm not so sure, but I'd hazard a guess if you came out from behind the comfort of veiled digs and actually talked to him, you might even allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised by his work.

Not that the majority of this is all that relevant to your main problems though is it? or weren't they the important bit? was the important bit your "right" to mudsling?

Come off it - you don't post much anymore, must be that nasty Lenners character spoiling it for everyone.

You do recognise don't you that the club is in near total meltdown. 10k season ticket holders lost in a handful of years. Chief execs earning 10 times more tnan their counterparts at cluibs in the soon to be same division. Inept managers and inept players we will have to literally give away or face insurmountable cash flow problems.

If Batho's role is to keep your fans groups happy with stewards who say 'good morning' as you enter the ground and sort the hand driers out then he should say so. If he has meetings with Birch then I believe the role should involve telling us exactly what was asked of Birch and hopefully what was said in reply.

---------- Post added at 09:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:26 AM ----------

I've asked Richard Batho, on here, what he's done over the last our months.
You tell me why he can't answer that, on here.
At the moment, we have the bizarre situation where the fans rep, the communications man, now apparently has a spokesman to do his communicating.
The key decisions, which we apparently had a working group to cover, involve ticketing.
So, what was the outcome of this working group?
The existence of this working group is tucked away on the official website but it is there.
So, what did it do? Or is it a working group whose workings must remain secret.
And though you probably didn't realise it you probably hit the nail on the head in your post. Certainly in the absence of any public communication.
"Quite why he has to justify himself to you rather than his employer I'm not so sure."
You said it, Foxy.

Really top class stuff Lenners.

---------- Post added at 09:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:27 AM ----------

That's like having a complaint about your bank and posting your gripes on Moneysupermarket.com. Seems clear to me, you can e-mail him directly but you haven't.

Whu should he? My perception of the role is that it's not about individuals e-mailing him and gettinmg individial responses back. 'My daughter was unhappy with the stale bread with her hotdog'. 'Very sorry, we are looking into it - thank you for your support'.

If that is the case then let's see what Batho has had and what he has replied with.

 

[SotonBlade]

Makes me sad that some people are intent on just being plain negative. Some of us see the negatives and get on with it. Carping on solves nothing.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

You can quite easily e-mail him. Why should he come to you?

Richard Batho's email address must have been posted about 500 times on this forum, every time somebody mentions his name.

You guys must be on lenners' ignore list

I normally think these threads are tedious and quite pointless but reading through this one is actually providing much hilarity.

 

[boo radley]

It's all a bit cosy though isn't it? I am a bit miffed that I put up a perfectly reasonable question on the recent thread to Richard Batho and I am assuming I now won't get a reply. So that didn't work. Coming and having a chat with him at reserve games or attending local supporters' clubs groups isn't any use to likes of me who live 160 miles away and am frequently 1,000s of miles away on business like I am now. I am also irked by the 'if you knew him you'd realise what a great guy he is' comments. It's really not the point. I can't get to see him personally, don't think i particularly want or need to but, as i have constantly gone on about on this message board, SOMEBODY needs to liaise with us. It's entirely reasonable to ask the guy whose job it is to liaise to liaise with fans on one of the major forums that we have. It's perverse not to. If it ends up as a slanging match then fair enough but the feeling i am left with is that we fans who only have message boards like this to try and keep in touch are really not worth the effort. It is so easy to sort this - why can't this club get anything right these days?

I've asked Richard Batho, on here, what he's done over the last our months.
You tell me why he can't answer that, on here.
At the moment, we have the bizarre situation where the fans rep, the communications man, now apparently has a spokesman to do his communicating.
The key decisions, which we apparently had a working group to cover, involve ticketing.
So, what was the outcome of this working group?
The existence of this working group is tucked away on the official website but it is there.
So, what did it do? Or is it a working group whose workings must remain secret.
And though you probably didn't realise it you probably hit the nail on the head in your post. Certainly in the absence of any public communication.
"Quite why he has to justify himself to you rather than his employer I'm not so sure."
You said it, Foxy.

Would either of you like me to get him to call you? if so supply me via PM your phone number and I'll ask him to do so.
Len, Any chance of you actully answering my questions or setting up that poll to prove yourself right?

 

[Ollessendro]

And Brownie in the past has had the cheek to say that myself, Lenners and Micalijo are attention seekers. What is this, other than a look at me post/aimless rant?

Has Brownie contacted Batho directly? Absolutely not! I e-mailed Batho yesterday and he responded within minutes. He took the time to call me in the afternoon to discuss my issue. I would not call that zero communication with fans.

 

[boo radley]

And Brownie in the past has had the cheek to say that myself, Lenners and Micalijo are attention seekers. What is this, other than a look at me post/aimless rant?

Has Brownie contacted Batho directly? Absolutely not! I e-mailed Batho yesterday and he responded within minutes. He took the time to call me in the afternoon to discuss my issue. I would not call that zero communication with fans.

The difference is Brownie has only openned the thread and has not posted since probably taking on board what most peoples views are. When you write you OP's you keep bumping them like i do.

He probably has emailed Batho after considering what people have suggested.

 

[Ollessendro]

The difference is Brownie has only openned the thread and has not posted since probably taking on board what most peoples views are. When you write you OP's you keep bumping them like i do.

you mean he has deliberately dropped a bomb and got the hell out of there. Posted a contentious, controversial thread (for reaction) and then just sat back and watched.

 

[Micalijo]

And Brownie in the past has had the cheek to say that myself, Lenners and Micalijo are attention seekers. What is this, other than a look at me post/aimless rant?

Has Brownie contacted Batho directly? Absolutely not! I e-mailed Batho yesterday and he responded within minutes. He took the time to call me in the afternoon to discuss my issue. I would not call that zero communication with fans.

I think 'boring' was his last attempt at debate with my goodself. Maybe he has a point but even so this one is incredible!

 

[boo radley]

you mean he has deliberately dropped a bomb and got the hell out of there. Posted a contentious, controversial thread (for reaction) and then just sat back and watched.

Which is better Bumping or Dropping bombs? there's only one way to find out

 

[raul]

Up to 87 replies now Ollie, you must be getting worried.

 

[Micalijo]

Up to 87 replies now Ollie, you must be getting worried.

I must confess I thought I had cornered the market in Batho threads and quick fire centuries but I'll have to try a bit harder now there is competition.

 

[raul]

Competition is growing, observe how Boo has Olliecised his own Killa thread to increase it's reply count. Risible.