Club communication

[Linz]

While the departure of Gary Speed seems to have been met with a collective shrug from United fans, some of the most vociferous comments have been with regards to the communication from the club over the matter.

The news about Speed being approached broke in the Daily Mail on Thursday but it took until Monday for the club to acknowledge it.

I know if this was pointed out, the club would say that they'd refuse to comment on speculation and didn't want to detract attention from the match on Saturday (which didn't really work).

Anyway, if someone were looking to improve communication with the fans, what would you want them to do?

What would you want to hear more of? What would you want to hear less of?

Who would you like to hear more from/about?

What medium would you want them to use? The OS? Radio Sheffield? Star and Green 'Un? Q&As?

I'm asking out of interest mainly, but if there are any suggestions, I'll pass them on to the club on behalf of the forum and see what they say/do.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Don't want to hear anything about our sister clubs, unless it directly concerns us (Ie, players coming/going on loan)

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Can't see anything changing Linz, the O/S can/will only report anything when it's black and white, Radio Sheffield will report on anything and everything and there'll always be speculation on forums. It's damned if you do, damned if you don't for the club and safest in most cases to say nowt until it's for definite.

Would people rather have the situation of Strafford slagging fans off on a forum ? If and when McCabe or whoever actually do come out and say anything, invariably you could pretty much guess the script anyway.

 

[SotonBlade]

I think the club are left in a difficult situation with regards to approaches. I would have thought what happened in this case is that the approach was made late in the week, Speed had already prepared for the match on the Saturday. Therefore they both probably agreed to discuss it after the Barnsley game, allowing them to focus as much as possible on the game, not saying it would have been easy to, but focus as much is possible.

I think where the club slipped up is saying that no approach had been made when, according to the mail, one clearly had. There comm's here should have been that an approach had been made but both the club and the manager had agreed to discuss the matter after the match on Saturday.

It makes clear that the approach is there, but the team is the most important thing and a result in that game is more important.

Just my opinion. Pure honesty from the board is what was needed.

 

[sheffielder]

I think it would have been better for the players if they had seen us saying that we had rejected their advances before the weekend even if we decided otherwise after. Speed didn't rule it out on Thursday on RS and all he could say was he was too busy concentrating for Saturday.

As supporters we generally have no idea whether we owe McCabe 50million or not. Can they be a bit crystal for once on this matter

I would like to hear more about the academy. They might already do this but I want to know the players coming through, give us some profiles and interviews if this is the direction we are going in.

Tell them to stop the MOM awards and especially the announcement by Sinclair which happens a couple of times in the last 10 minutes when generally we have been losing by the odd goal. The atmosphere is awful when this is done.

We might have a reputation of whingers and moaners but when you feel sometimes you are getting the wool pulled over your eyes you never like it.

Good communication is key in any business but more so when you are losing customers by the week

 

[BladeInThatcham]

I agree with Jim, the website is an official site ran by the football club thus will / can only report something when it is done and dusted. What benefit would anyone gain in the official site commenting everytime there was a rumour floating around? I like the fact that I can read rumour, hearsay and bobbins on other websites and forums but I trust that what comes out of the club on whatever form of media means something is done. Leave the rumours and gossip to other sites and just let the club comment on the facts.
In short - all I would like to come out of the club is the facts when things are signed, sealed and delivered. Leave the rest to us on here to wind everyone up with our 'inside knowledge' and upbeat views ala Ollessandro

 

[JohnDenver]

I really don't think comms are that bad. The positive spin on various issues seems to offend many, but it rather washes over me.

If there is one area which would benefit from clarity, it's the club finances. Brutal honesty is what's required there.

 

[lenners]

The main problem with the club's communication is the complete vacuum at the top.
I didn't hear Birch interviewed yesterday but I think that's about only the second or third time he's ever said anything publicly.
McCabe now hardly says anything at all.
When your club is going down the shitter, that is nowhere near good enough.

Secondly, there has been a real lack of honesty and straight-talking.
It was good to see some of Birch's comments today which seemed to be a bit more open.
However, they have to stick by what they say. If circumstances change, they have to be brave enough to come out and say so.
Hiding away just doesn't work.

Third, it's time to drop carrying results and match reports from clubs that have nowt to do with SUFC plc on our website.

Fourth, they ought to be brave enough to apologise for past mistakes and do it publicly.

Fifth, don't send out cheap offer mailouts less than 24 hours before the match.

Sixth, have a complete overhaul and re-think on marketing/pricing and when it's been improved communicate it by every means possible.
That should include direct communication on fans' websites such as this.
The re-think should also include direct interaction with fans' groups to listen to what fans think about pricing, where they've gone wrong and why so many people have walked away.

 

[beightonblade]

No comment ..... is the best option.

 

[parisblade]

What would you want to hear more of? What would you want to hear less of?

In my very humble opinion, it would be nice to create a questionnaire (with participation from the fans) that each newcomer (player, manager, staff) that comes to BDTBL would be asked. A list of questions that would allow us to get to know them a little better than the usual "massive club, should be in the premiership" stuff.

Also, asking Ched to shoot a 2 min interview when he's scored his first of the season saying that he's now on his way to 40+ goals doesn't help anyone, least of all the player.

 

[bricktop]

To be quite honest i very rarely use the clubs website, as i find it full of stuff that i don't really want to know, whilst short on the stuff i need to know.

I tend to glean my information from a handful of websites and get a better picture of what goes off.

 

[raul]

If they haven't got it by now......

 

[Grecian2000]

I tend to glean my information from a handful of websites and get a better picture

A full 5 minutes on and no-one has put this one away. What is happening with the world.

 

[Bristol Blade]

Linz, how about inviting Birch to become a member of the forum? I'm not talking about him becoming a regular poster a la Strafford (which was frankly embarrassing for both him and the club) but maybe we could have a section where members could post questions for him and then he could come on every month or so to answer them. Obsiously the list of questions would probably need editing to keep it relevant.

I realise that BIFF has recently had a Q&A session with him with the possibility of similar events in the future, but this would be a good way to open it up to a wider community.

 

[Linz]

Linz, how about inviting Birch to become a member of the forum? I'm not talking about him becoming a regular poster a la Strafford (which was frankly embarrassing for both him and the club) but maybe we could have a section where members could post questions for him and then he could come on every month or so to answer them. Obsiously the list of questions would probably need editing to keep it relevant.

I realise that BIFF has recently had a Q&A session with him with the possibility of similar events in the future, but this would be a good way to open it up to a wider community.

It's certainly an interesting proposition...

 

[raul]

It's Flat Bob Brizz.....

 

[DP8789]

Linz, how about inviting Birch to become a member of the forum? I'm not talking about him becoming a regular poster a la Strafford (which was frankly embarrassing for both him and the club) but maybe we could have a section where members could post questions for him and then he could come on every month or so to answer them. Obsiously the list of questions would probably need editing to keep it relevant.

I realise that BIFF has recently had a Q&A session with him with the possibility of similar events in the future, but this would be a good way to open it up to a wider community.

This is a great idea in theory, but their would be alot of limitations to what types of questions could be asked. If things werent going great we would all be breathing down his neck and we would get alot of generic answers. And when things were all rosy we wouldnt have much to complain about and it would go quiet.

 

[Kev Gee]

The main problem with the club's communication is the complete vacuum at the top.
I didn't hear Birch interviewed yesterday but I think that's about only the second or third time he's ever said anything publicly.
McCabe now hardly says anything at all.
When your club is going down the shitter, that is nowhere near good enough.

Secondly, there has been a real lack of honesty and straight-talking.
It was good to see some of Birch's comments today which seemed to be a bit more open.
However, they have to stick by what they say. If circumstances change, they have to be brave enough to come out and say so.
Hiding away just doesn't work.

Third, it's time to drop carrying results and match reports from clubs that have nowt to do with SUFC plc on our website.

Fourth, they ought to be brave enough to apologise for past mistakes and do it publicly.

Fifth, don't send out cheap offer mailouts less than 24 hours before the match.

Sixth, have a complete overhaul and re-think on marketing/pricing and when it's been improved communicate it by every means possible.
That should include direct communication on fans' websites such as this.
The re-think should also include direct interaction with fans' groups to listen to what fans think about pricing, where they've gone wrong and why so many people have walked away.

TBH KmC did say recently that previous transfer policys had failed. So i guess thats going abit towards that.

 

[Yossarian]

I'm like "Meh". There's so much speculation about our next boss. I'd sooner everyone just shut the fuck up to be honest. I'm tired of hearing people's half-baked theories about who it will be, speculation, interpretation, updates on the betting odds (which is surely affecting the odds in any case)... Nobody knows nowt, so please, put a sock in it.

That's the (in)communication I want.

 

[Worksop II]

I always find it a bit odd that the Club want you to pay all the time to receive "News"

Like today, John Carver on "Blades Player", not buying it, so not gonna hear the message, always thought it a bit odd mi sen

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Cud ask Ched if he thinks he's a footballer cos non of us do.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I don't really have a problem with nothing appearing on the site till it's official. It is annoying though that the club repeatedly tends to hide announcements after a few hours. I had a look on Sunday and the Speed update about permission granted for him to talk to Wales was dumped several stories behind some plug for one of the club's services (probably the shop) and the latest report on how one of the clubs in 'the Blades Family' did at the weekend. Crazy thought, but at times when there's something really important going on (thinking outloud here, but how about if there's a situation involving the manager potentially going that is dominating the news), it might be a clever idea to have any recent news on this kept as the main story till it stops being news.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I couldn;t care less what comes out of the club to be honest as long as it's the truth.

 

[Yossarian]

I don't really have a problem with nothing appearing on the site till it's official. It is annoying though that the club repeatedly tends to hide announcements after a few hours. I had a look on Sunday and the Speed update about permission granted for him to talk to Wales was dumped several stories behind some plug for one of the club's services (probably the shop) and the latest report on how one of the clubs in 'the Blades Family' did at the weekend. Crazy thought, but at times when there's something really important going on (thinking outloud here, but how about if there's a situation involving the manager potentially going that is dominating the news), it might be a clever idea to have any recent news on this kept as the main story till it stops being news.

Current headlines on the official site right now....

Morgan the coach, on Bladesplayer
Free £25 Bet on England in the Ashes
Carver - the first words
John Carver speaks, on Bladesplayer
Junior Blades' Christmas Party cancelled
Help the Hospices is League's charity
Sign up to the League's Poker tournament.

All dated yesterday, all of the most utmost importance

 

[super_pig]

never go on the official site.. it is some diabolical generic crap that has some back up code going.. <insert name here> in all of the relevant spots.. advert! advert! advert!.. appalling

 

[broomhillblade]

I don't understand what some people expect from the O/S. Do they want a Wikileaks style announcement, telling the world a lot of confidential information?

Surely people don't expect a list of everyone who has applied for the job - the Club's current short list - how much they are prepared to pay in salary and compensation, where appropriate, who they have spoken to so far, and what was said.. etc.

Leave the gossip to the media. The Club has to keep its cards close to its chest, and make an announcement when everything is settled at a time agreeable to all parties concerned.

 

[SwissBlade]

Linz, how about inviting Birch to become a member of the forum?

It's certainly an interesting proposition...

God no! I don't want the Chairman coming on here and talking all the time about this and that, I want him sorting out the running of the football club. Why do we have to hear from the Chairman?

Let him do his job and lets just make sure he does it by not needing to come and constantly answer questions!

 

[Bristol Blade]

God no! I don't want the Chairman coming on here and talking all the time about this and that, I want him sorting out the running of the football club. Why do we have to hear from the Chairman?

Let him do his job and lets just make sure he does it by not needing to come and constantly answer questions!

Did you actually read my post Swiss?

I'm not talking about him becoming a regular poster a la Strafford (which was frankly embarrassing for both him and the club) but maybe ... he could come on every month or so to answer [questions].

 

[Yossarian]

I don't understand what some people expect from the O/S. Do they want a Wikileaks style announcement, telling the world a lot of confidential information?

Personally, I'd like the O/S to be firstly a source of news and an insight to daily life at the club. It seems to be firstly a source of advertising revenue first, then a reviewer of news we've already seen in the national press.

 

[broomhillblade]

Personally, I'd like the O/S to be firstly a source of news and an insight to daily life at the club. It seems to be firstly a source of advertising revenue first, then a reviewer of news we've already seen in the national press.

Foxy and Linz know more about this than me, but I think the Club's Official Site has to be the way it is as a condition of being in the Championship. All Championship clubs seem to have very similar sites. Hopefully, some of the advertising revenue trickles back to the Club.

I believe it is a condition that the Club has to post a certain number of stories every day as part of its commitment - which is why we sometimes get 'nothing' stories. As to being 'a source of news and an insight to daily life at the club' I don't think they do badly at all - but that's just my opinion.