Open Letter To Richard Batho

[Highbury_Blade]

Not sure what all this is to indicate but.....

There has been at least 2 public and open meetings arranged for fans to turn up and ask their burning questions. It's up to YOU to turn up to these tbh.

I'll be posting the Questions from the last meeting/forum this afternoon!

Hang fire

FFS Kopped why should the fans of Sheffield Utd go down to the meetings? Batho should be taking a much more proactive role, and reaching out to those fans that can't make it as they're otherwise pre-occupied wearing their keyboards out. Perhaps he should be doing home visits, and making sure he brings biscuits with him too.

 

[lenners]

No Boo, I do not expect Batho to come on here to have an open debate - though I see no reason why he should be afraid to if he believes in what he is doing.
What I do expect - and what anyone would normally expect - is that a fans rep regularly demonstrates accountability to the people he's meant to represent.
That could be in programme notes, on the official website, via the media or simple updates on here or all four.
Expecting fans to go to the fans rep to demonstrate accountability is not how things should work.
Of course, if he sees things differently and he sees himself as accountable only to his employer then that should be made clear.
But publishing details of working groups etc on the website, including on ticketing, and making it known he's looking at ticketing ideas and then reporting back nothing about the results is not demonstrating any real accountability to anyone.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Expecting fans to go to the fans rep to demonstrate accountability is not how things should work.

Yes it is.

 

[lenners]

Yes it is.

You name me one other example of a representative communications role where the person undertaking that role would expect people to go to them to find out what they were doing and never published anything.
It's bobbins and you know it.
If it was really the case, the club would never have published what he was said to be initially doing on the website.

 

[JJ Sefton]

You name me one other example of a representative communications role where the person undertaking that role would expect people to go to them to find out what they were doing and never published anything.
It's bobbins and you know it.
If it was really the case, the club would never have published what he was said to be initially doing on the website.

Hes a liason between the club and its fans. Get off your arse and get in touch, doesnt seem to have been difficult for those that have tried.

 

[Micalijo]

Yes it is.

Oh no it isn't.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Oh no it isn't.

Liason means liasing and that requires more than one person (try liasing with yourself). Batho, it seems to me, is there to be liased with if people are willing.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Expecting fans to go to the fans rep to demonstrate accountability is not how things should work.

So are you saying that he should approach fans individually? Knowing not whether they have any relevant concerns or grievances, thus making accountability irrelevant in most cases.....you really are straining to make your case here len.

 

[JJ Sefton]

So are you saying that he should approach fans individually? Knowing not whether they have any relevant concerns or grievances, thus rendering accountability irrelevant in most cases.....you really are straining to make your case here len.

Ive been sat in all day waiting for him to call.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Ive been sat in all day waiting for him to call.

Me too, he should know that we have issues to discuss.....his Batho sense should be tingling!

 

[lenners]

Hes a liason between the club and its fans. Get off your arse and get in touch, doesnt seem to have been difficult for those that have tried.

Didn't think you'd answer.
I have no problem with people contacting him, going to meetings etc that's all part of the brief, all good stuff.
It's the complete lack of his reporting back to all fans ie the people he represents what he's been doing that is the problem.
My particular issue is ticketing which is the most important issue for all fans.
We've apparently got a working group. What happened to its workings as regards season tickets or match day prices?
If you publish the existence of such a working group, expect people to expect you'll publish the results.
Tis the way the world works. Otherwise people will get the impression you're setting up talking shops to talk to each other for no-one's real benefit.

---------- Post added at 04:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:21 PM ----------

So are you saying that he should approach fans individually? Knowing not whether they have any relevant concerns or grievances, thus making accountability irrelevant in most cases.....you really are straining to make your case here len.

Lordy, we haven't got our thinking cap on today, have we.
Though, ironically, you have proved my point in an inside out, back to front kind of way.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Didn't think you'd answer.
I have no problem with people contacting him, going to meetings etc that's all part of the brief, all good stuff.
It's the complete lack of his reporting back to all fans ie the people he represents what he's been doing that is the problem.
My particular issue is ticketing which is the most important issue for all fans.
We've apparently got a working group. What happened to its workings as regards season tickets or match day prices?
If you publish the existence of such a working group, expect people to expect you'll publish the results.
Tis the way the world works. Otherwise people will get the impression you're setting up talking shops to talk to each other for no-one's real benefit.

They published the ticket prices, put the seats up for renewal, the deadline has passed and we know the new prices. They've also confirmed the future policy on mini-season tickets and promotions for next season. What else do you need to know?

---------- Post added at 04:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:24 PM ----------

Lordy, we haven't got our thinking cap on today, have we.
Though, ironically, you have proved my point in an inside out, back to front kind of way.

Have I? Have I really? So much so that you didnt care to explain why straight off. I'll await your couple of minutes thinking time to come up with a twisted explanation as to why.....oh the tangled web you weave len.

 

[JJ Sefton]

It's the complete lack of his reporting back to all fans ie the people he represents what he's been doing that is the problem.
My particular issue is ticketing which is the most important issue for all fans.

You mean like this...

http://www.s24su.com/showthread.php?22891-Meeting-Notes-dated-9th-April-10am

 

[lenners]

They published the ticket prices, put the seats up for renewal, the deadline has passed and we know the new prices. They've also confirmed the future policy on mini-season tickets and promotions for next season. What else do you need to know?

---------- Post added at 04:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:24 PM ----------



Have I? Have I really? So much so that you didnt care to explain why straight off. I'll await your couple of minutes thinking time to come up with a twisted explanation as to why.....oh the tangled web you weave len.

I think perhaps you misunderstood what the working groups were or are, if they still exist.
I would like to know what the working groups said to the club about season tickets or match day prices, what ideas were put to them and what the club said in response. Fairly straightforward accountability stuff.
As regards your second point, it's a bit bleedin' obvious that publishing stuff online, in the programme, wherever, means you don't have to contact every single fan to explain what you've been doing, how things have worked, what response there was from the club etc.
You know, I know some folk have difficulty with the self-evident but on this subject even I'm a bit shocked by the furious attempts to bury heads into the sand.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

I think perhaps you misunderstood what the working groups were or are, if they still exist.
I would like to know what the working groups said to the club about season tickets or match day prices, what ideas were put to them and what the club said in response. Fairly straightforward accountability stuff.
As regards your second point, it's a bit bleedin' obvious that publishing stuff online, in the programme, wherever, means you don't have to contact every single fan to explain what you've been doing, how things have worked, what response there was from the club etc.
You know, I know some folk have difficulty with the self-evident but on this subject even I'm a bit shocked by the furious attempts to bury heads into the sand.

There we have it

I never said anything about working groups len, you were discussing the accountability of Mr Batho to the people he represents (i.e. the supporters) and I asked if you were implying he should approach every supporter individually. Instead of answering that you've opened the subject up further to muddy the waters.

Who is burying their head in the sand? Most supporters of this club know that there are problems but most choose to get to the heart of the matter and discuss what can be done to change things. All you and certain other posters want to do is discuss the accountability of a fans representative! Deary me.....you know I find when it comes to getting stuff done in a working environment.....the results are the relevant issue. But if its a full account of the discussions and processes that you want.....

WHY DONT YOU CONTACT BATHO DIRECTLY AND ASK! Why should he assume anyone else is interested in how they got from point A to point B? He needs to be asked first len and you have the question.

 

[Kopped]

I think perhaps you misunderstood what the working groups were or are, if they still exist.
I would like to know what the working groups said to the club about season tickets or match day prices, what ideas were put to them and what the club said in response. Fairly straightforward accountability stuff.
As regards your second point, it's a bit bleedin' obvious that publishing stuff online, in the programme, wherever, means you don't have to contact every single fan to explain what you've been doing, how things have worked, what response there was from the club etc.
You know, I know some folk have difficulty with the self-evident but on this subject even I'm a bit shocked by the furious attempts to bury heads into the sand.

What's been published via the OS stands!

What I have just posted about the last Meeting/forum, stands!

There is more ticket information out there than there has ever been.

 

[lenners]

SteelCity, it's not about me or anyone else contacting him direct.
I'm sorry you can't grasp the accountability issues but I guess it's just beyond you.
C'est la vie.

---------- Post added at 04:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:50 PM ----------

What's been published via the OS stands!

What I have just posted about the last Meeting/forum, stands!

There is more ticket information out there than there has ever been.

Are you Richard Batho?

 

[SteelCity Blade]

SteelCity, it's not about me or anyone else contacting him direct.
I'm sorry you can't grasp the accountability issues but I guess it's just beyond you.
C'est la vie.

How many times have we seen this?....someone corners you with a question and you dodge it by clouding the subject until you have no choice but to walk away from the debate. You've suggested that I've indirectly justified your point and that I cant grasp "accountability issues" - yet you still haven't explained why you think this. Make me see the naivity and error of my ways len.....

1. Why did I prove your point (please provide a simple, relevant answer).

2. Why can I not grasp the accountability issues (as above).

 

[JJ Sefton]

SteelCity, it's not about me or anyone else contacting him direct.

Indeed. That might require you getting off your arse and why bother when its so much easier to sit around slagging off some bloke?

 

[SteelCity Blade]

I think len's pc might be broke again Walthy.

 

[boo radley]

Len,It would seem to me that if the club decide he is doing a good job then that coveres his accountability. If they assess him as not doing enough then they will tell him. If he continues to under perform to the clubs perceived standard then you will have your wish of getting him removed. If he should be accountable to fans it seems to me that most are happy with his approachability. Some are not happy with the 'True Blades' Campaign, and some you will never satisfy and moan about a bloke they refuse to talk too (thats snobbery).
Have you ever considered that the club may have laid down some ground rules about his limits on ways of communicating?

 

[diplomat]

Am I right in thinking that even having a rep and working groups that have access to the board is a damn sight more than any/most other clubs?

Hopefully a working model can be found and then improved upon but it all starts with people engaging it and then helping to improve it.

Slagging off something that you don't know much about won't improve anything.

 

[lenners]

Len,It would seem to me that if the club decide he is doing a good job then that coveres his accountability. If they assess him as not doing enough then they will tell him. If he continues to under perform to the clubs perceived standard then you will have your wish of getting him removed. If he should be accountable to fans it seems to me that most are happy with his approachability. Some are not happy with the 'True Blades' Campaign, and some you will never satisfy and moan about a bloke they refuse to talk too (thats snobbery).
Have you ever considered that the club may have laid down some ground rules about his limits on ways of communicating?

I've considered all the above - particularly your first line.
As regards your last line, that would clearly be something else Batho should make all fans aware of.
All roads lead back to communication and you don't fulfill that role without communicating to all those you are representing.

 

[JJ Sefton]

I've considered all the above - particularly your first line.
As regards your last line, that would clearly be something else Batho should make all fans aware of.
All roads lead back to communication and you don't fulfill that role without communicating to all those you are representing.

Youve not looked at Kopped's report then?

 

[lenners]

Youve not looked at Kopped's report then?

I looked at a report produced by another fan who I understand is not Richard Batho.
You explain to me why a fan, whose report I take in good faith but have no way of ratifying, is doing Batho's job.

 

[chipsncake]

Len,It would seem to me that if the club decide he is doing a good job then that coveres his accountability. If they assess him as not doing enough then they will tell him. If he continues to under perform to the clubs perceived standard then you will have your wish of getting him removed. If he should be accountable to fans it seems to me that most are happy with his approachability. Some are not happy with the 'True Blades' Campaign, and some you will never satisfy and moan about a bloke they refuse to talk too (thats snobbery).
Have you ever considered that the club may have laid down some ground rules about his limits on ways of communicating?

Know what Boo you may be right, RB may have his restrictions and at best that leaves us with a communications officer who will only communicate if you communicate with him first. In other words he relies on those fans that can be bothered, to ask him questions, in order to keep him in a job. Surely at some stage he will realise it is in his own interests to provide the fans, on an ongoing basis, with information on all matters he is privvy to in his position which we would normally be kept in the dark about. Or is he restricted not only in the way he communicates but also what he communicates making his position pretty useless anyway.

 

[JJ Sefton]

I looked at a report produced by another fan who I understand is not Richard Batho.
You explain to me why a fan, whose report I take in good faith but have no way of ratifying, is doing Batho's job.

You could argue that by getting off his arse and going Kopped is doing your job.

 

[lenners]

You could argue that by getting off his arse and going Kopped is doing your job.

You could but it wouldn't have any relevance to the point being made, which I suspect you actually recognise.

 

[JJ Sefton]

You could but it wouldn't have any relevance to the point being made, which I suspect you actually recognise.

The point you are supposed to be making keeps changing.

Have you tried contacting Batho?

 

[lenners]

The point you are supposed to be making keeps changing.

Have you tried contacting Batho?

My point remains entirely consistent and you're intelligent enough to know that the responsibility for reporting back shouldn't fall to a fan or Linz or Foxy or whoever.
On occasions, it maybe fine for any of those to mention something or even do what Kopped's done.
But it's really part and parcel of Batho's job.