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Post by Milkie on Apr 14, 2019 9:07:38 GMT
I visited Lincoln City yesterday, my local side these days, the starkest contrast between them and Stoke is the unity that runs through the football club. The directors sit with the fans to understand the fan experience they have fans on the board to understand the issues, the players, management, groundmans to the tea lady share a vision and direction. They are not scared to make tough decisive decisions, they sacked the club caterers mid season for poor performance and instead now let individual catering booths to local businesses, the variety and choice is incredible. They listen to the fans and involve them in all areas of the club, open training sessions, fanzone, singing zone, smart ticketing, temporary seating areas etc etc the list goes on, in short they are everything we are not, unified on and off the pitch.
Until the club is unified from the top to the bottom we are making the managers job harder and harder, he can not rely on the 12th man come match day, so many little things annoy you during the match day experience that your ability to stay objective and support the team is eroded, contributing to the atmosphere we have had for the last 3 years. Clearly we need a re- focus , a direction that is shared not just through the club but with the fans as well, I am struggling to see any efforts from the club to even realise this is a problem! Just how do we move forward?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2019 9:10:35 GMT
As a side note, Stockport County implemented their new online ticketing service yesterday. They now provide the ability for fans to buy a ticket online, print it off at home or scan a smart phone at the turnstiles.
They are a National League North side. Repeat, a National League North side.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2019 9:17:10 GMT
Start winning would help
GD
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Post by Edward Tattsyrup on Apr 14, 2019 9:20:49 GMT
Public execution of Scholes and Cartwright on the centre circle after the last home game. That wouldgarauntee that everyone stayed for the lap of ambivalence.
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Post by Milkie on Apr 14, 2019 9:21:20 GMT
Lol, that’s been our strategy since Scholes was employed, allowing him off the hook and sacking the manager when things turn sour. 4 managers in 18 months prove we need to be looking beyond just the football side for the root cause of our problems! An extended period in the lower division relying on ticket and concession sales might start to focus their attention !
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Post by cobhamstokey on Apr 14, 2019 9:22:21 GMT
Results are important but I do feel that getting rid of Scholes and Cartwright would be a start. I get the impression they’re a big part of the problem. We need a fresh pair of eyes overseeing the club. They’ve made too many bad decisions and need to pay the price.
I think the majority of fans know there’s an issue with the infrastructure.
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Post by mattythestokie on Apr 14, 2019 9:32:05 GMT
Get rid of Bojan for starters, unfortunately.
Regardless of what you think of him, he’s causing major problems at the club.
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Post by sheikhmomo on Apr 14, 2019 9:37:43 GMT
Get rid of Bojan for starters, unfortunately. Regardless of what you think of him, he’s causing major problems at the club. How so? |
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Post by greenhoff on Apr 14, 2019 9:47:39 GMT
I haven't got a bastard clue. The decline of the club over the last few years is absolutely staggering.
Perhaps the root and branch restructure we were promised last Summer will actually happen.
Somethings got to change. I remain unconvinced by Jones.
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Post by rorystowel on Apr 14, 2019 9:53:55 GMT
Get rid of Bojan for starters, unfortunately. Regardless of what you think of him, he’s causing major problems at the club. Why does Bojan have to get mentioned in every thread ffs! We need a Bojan Jar on this forum, every time someone starts a thread about him or crowbars him into an unrelated thread they get fined a quid. |
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Post by boskampsflaps on Apr 14, 2019 9:54:26 GMT
Start winning, we're at a point of rebuilding now but it seems pretty clear from the booing that there's a decent amount that haven't got the patience for it, start winning and pretty much everyone will be happy.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2019 9:56:44 GMT
Get rid of Bojan for starters, unfortunately. Regardless of what you think of him, he’s causing major problems at the club. Christ on a fucking bike. |
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Post by Vadiation_Ribe on Apr 14, 2019 10:10:22 GMT
Maybe it's why Jones sounded hurt when answering Nigel's booing comment yesterday. He's come from a club unified in every way, and he's trying his best to get a unified Stoke City.
The caterers at Luton could be a good point - we've stuck with that shocking streaming service all season when it should've been sorted after a couple of matches. Don't forget all the good stuff the club do though; the community stuff and coach travel for a start, and most recently a brilliant tribute to Gordon Banks.
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Post by dadofsam on Apr 14, 2019 10:10:58 GMT
Did you here Jones' banging on about how he's played Bojan, the fan's favourite, so pointedly?
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Post by mattythestokie on Apr 14, 2019 10:11:20 GMT
Get rid of Bojan for starters, unfortunately. Regardless of what you think of him, he’s causing major problems at the club. How so? I don’t think managers want to play him, but are feeling like they have to and giving in to the fans. The club didn’t get rid of him because of the uproar it would cause, yet this manager (along with managers prior) don’t really rate him. It just seems like they don’t like it when they play him, and then when they don’t play him, the fans get restless and think he should be playing. I just think it would be easier to take him out of the equation if the manager doesn’t rate him. Else it will end like Rowett. |
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Post by nottsover60 on Apr 14, 2019 10:13:18 GMT
1. Back the manager when he decides which players should go (regardless of what they cost or contract length - pay them off if necessary). I had a strange feeling yesterday that something had gone on in the dressing room and players were carrying it over onto the pitch.. The pre match warm up seemed very low key and the players practising shooting didn't score one goal that I saw.
2. The club need to be far more open and accommodating with fans. The odd supporters question time doesn't help the majority to feel included. Credit where it's due on the community side they are great but as a fan living away from Stoke the ' we need you, you are really important' plea doesn't seem genuine. They need to give something rather than keeping the first team as a closely guarded elite.
3.Their communication on social media seems confined to office hours even if a youth team are playing. It's easier to find out about our various youth and ladies teams from opposition sites. A few more videos of training and actually seeing players working together and enjoying each other's company might help us feel included.
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Post by miggo on Apr 14, 2019 10:20:01 GMT
I don’t think managers want to play him, but are feeling like they have to and giving in to the fans. The club didn’t get rid of him because of the uproar it would cause, yet this manager (along with managers prior) don’t really rate him. It just seems like they don’t like it when they play him, and then when they don’t play him, the fans get restless and think he should be playing. I just think it would be easier to take him out of the equation if the manager doesn’t rate him. Else it will end like Rowett. I agree 100%. I love Bo the team should be built around him but this cannot carry on. Out with old, and start a fresh. Easier said than done. |
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Post by richardparker on Apr 14, 2019 10:21:17 GMT
We need leaders ... on the pitch, at club management level and in the board room.
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Post by sheikhmomo on Apr 14, 2019 10:29:06 GMT
I don’t think managers want to play him, but are feeling like they have to and giving in to the fans. The club didn’t get rid of him because of the uproar it would cause, yet this manager (along with managers prior) don’t really rate him. It just seems like they don’t like it when they play him, and then when they don’t play him, the fans get restless and think he should be playing. I just think it would be easier to take him out of the equation if the manager doesn’t rate him. Else it will end like Rowett. I get what you're saying but the manager is clearly wrong in this instance and his menstrual outburst yesterday was completely incongruous with how he claims to want to play the game. I think it's being increasingly obvious he hasn't got much of a clue. We have no choice but to give him a fully funded window and a full pre season but it is really akin to jumping off a cliff. We could sprout wings but equally we could full flat on our face and have a road runner Acme Anvil land on us. I have zero faith in him at this moment in time. |
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Post by tony1234 on Apr 14, 2019 10:30:17 GMT
I visited Lincoln City yesterday, my local side these days, the starkest contrast between them and Stoke is the unity that runs through the football club. The directors sit with the fans to understand the fan experience they have fans on the board to understand the issues, the players, management, groundmans to the tea lady share a vision and direction. They are not scared to make tough decisive decisions, they sacked the club caterers mid season for poor performance and instead now let individual catering booths to local businesses, the variety and choice is incredible. They listen to the fans and involve them in all areas of the club, open training sessions, fanzone, singing zone, smart ticketing, temporary seating areas etc etc the list goes on, in short they are everything we are not, unified on and off the pitch. Until the club is unified from the top to the bottom we are making the managers job harder and harder, he can not rely on the 12th man come match day, so many little things annoy you during the match day experience that your ability to stay objective and support the team is eroded, contributing to the atmosphere we have had for the last 3 years. Clearly we need a re- focus , a direction that is shared not just through the club but with the fans as well, I am struggling to see any efforts from the club to even realise this is a problem! Just how do we move forward? Excellent post and question. I think we can look at the principles of successful organisations and apply them to Stoke and see the glaring chasms. Strategy - There is a clear focus on what its trying to do and be. When we got up, I think we had it. A DNA, way of playing, set of players who were bought in.... it all made sense. Culture/accountability - People are accountable for delivering their part. it is a clear part of the strategy. (There is no accountability for the football side it seems - the bumbling, failing imbecile who runs it would have been long gone). "Business model"/Tactics - In business parlance, they know how they make their money. In football - they know how to win games, they have routes to score goals. Leadership - People lead by example. You can be a leader at any level of the organisation. Its basically about owning issues and taking responsbility for solving them - and co-opting others to help. Teamwork - It follows from culture and leadership. People get behind the team ethos and see the whole as more important. Skills - There needs to be the right balance of expertise for all the key jobs. Once you've created an organisation that does this, it will not only be successful, but also be attractive (to fans, other players etc). Fans will also see the "whole" and have a tangible force to get behind. But when its dysfunctional, confused, ineffective, you are asking a massive amount for fans to "heal" the club from their support alone. Its a great, thought provoking post!. |
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Post by Cast no shadow on Apr 14, 2019 10:38:19 GMT
We needed unity after coming down, then split the support with the signing of mcclean.
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Post by Milkie on Apr 14, 2019 10:51:09 GMT
It can still be a working mans ballet, however, what the working man finds acceptable today when compared with 12 years ago is very different. By comparison my match day experience yesterday:
Tickets purchased on an App, very simple, easy to use , details saved took less than a minute to buy , 1-0 Lincoln.
Arrival and parking, club organised car parking, friendly stewards directing you to the fanzone, just about a draw.
Pre match, fanzone outside the ground, numerous bars and local eateries, outside seating screening football, meet the players for all reserves, injured players etc etc, football related entertainment for the kids and big kids 2-0 Lincoln.
Entry to stadium, scanned my phone , by a steward , no issues 3-0
All food outlets are run by local business, all accept card/ phone payment, plastic bottle only bar, half time, ale is easily purchased, still queues for food. 4-0
Stadium, tired but full and vibrant, call it a draw
Football, average yesterday, but the fans stayed with them, helped by promotion! 5-0
Exit, still carnage around the ground, however, the plan is at least reasonably well controlled and due to its location, there is numerous escape routes, all the formal bars are opened for fans , so you can choose to stay and have a pint and wait for the traffic to disperse! 6-0
Let’s not forget the context, this club was non league 2 years a ago. 3 years ago a new owner took over a disfunctional club averaging 1500 fans, he brought in a new board, CEO and the Cowleys, 2 promotions, play offs and their first Wembley win, 9000 sell out crowds , a club unified, we hav3 a long way to go to bring this club back, but it can be done
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2019 10:53:51 GMT
It can still be a working mans ballet, however, what the working man finds acceptable today when compared with 12 years ago is very different. By comparison my match day experience yesterday: Tickets purchased on an App, very simple, easy to use , details saved took less than a minute to buy , 1-0 Lincoln. Arrival and parking, club organised car parking, friendly stewards directing you to the fanzone, just about a draw. Pre match, fanzone outside the ground, numerous bars and local eateries, outside seating screening football, meet the players for all reserves, injured players etc etc, football related entertainment for the kids and big kids 2-0 Lincoln. Entry to stadium, scanned my phone , by a steward , no issues 3-0 All food outlets are run by local business, all accept card/ phone payment, plastic bottle only bar, half time, ale is easily purchased, still queues for food. 4-0 Stadium, tired but full and vibrant, call it a draw Football, average yesterday, but the fans stayed with them, helped by promotion! 5-0 Exit, still carnage around the ground, however, the plan is at least reasonably well controlled and due to its location, there is numerous escape routes, all the formal bars are opened for fans , so you can choose to stay and have a pint and wait for the traffic to disperse! 6-0 Let’s not forget the context, this club was non league 2 years a ago. 3 years ago a new owner took over a disfunctional club averaging 1500 fans, he brought in a new board, CEO and the Cowleys, 2 promotions, play offs and their first Wembley win, 9000 sell out crowds , a club unified, we hav3 a long way to go to bring this club back, but it can be done "Your comments have been noted. We will monitor the situation". |
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Post by rushmerestokie on Apr 14, 2019 10:56:31 GMT
Getting Rid of the Pizza Boys would be a good start . Club needs a good overhaul starting behind the scenes !
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Post by TinkerT on Apr 14, 2019 11:03:36 GMT
I've smashed this drum for years with the club and got nowhere. The bank behind the old sentinel stand and family stand should have been made into steps, move a access turnstile at the top by the buses and turn the whole bank/behind the stand with a fan zone with BBQ style food joints and different brewery options, or local food shops willing to offer different food. Put up some screens and heaters for winter and the steps will also allow a better exit after the game. Spoke with the SC when they were rebuilding the pathway but nothing came of it. They could also extend this to behind the boothen and make dellilahs bar extended and become a key part of it.
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Post by stokie23 on Apr 14, 2019 11:47:55 GMT
It can still be a working mans ballet, however, what the working man finds acceptable today when compared with 12 years ago is very different. By comparison my match day experience yesterday: Tickets purchased on an App, very simple, easy to use , details saved took less than a minute to buy , 1-0 Lincoln. Arrival and parking, club organised car parking, friendly stewards directing you to the fanzone, just about a draw. Pre match, fanzone outside the ground, numerous bars and local eateries, outside seating screening football, meet the players for all reserves, injured players etc etc, football related entertainment for the kids and big kids 2-0 Lincoln. Entry to stadium, scanned my phone , by a steward , no issues 3-0 All food outlets are run by local business, all accept card/ phone payment, plastic bottle only bar, half time, ale is easily purchased, still queues for food. 4-0 Stadium, tired but full and vibrant, call it a draw Football, average yesterday, but the fans stayed with them, helped by promotion! 5-0 Exit, still carnage around the ground, however, the plan is at least reasonably well controlled and due to its location, there is numerous escape routes, all the formal bars are opened for fans , so you can choose to stay and have a pint and wait for the traffic to disperse! 6-0 Let’s not forget the context, this club was non league 2 years a ago. 3 years ago a new owner took over a disfunctional club averaging 1500 fans, he brought in a new board, CEO and the Cowleys, 2 promotions, play offs and their first Wembley win, 9000 sell out crowds , a club unified, we hav3 a long way to go to bring this club back, but it can be done "Your comments have been noted. We will monitor the situation". 100% this ! Reading the supporters council minutes is so depressing. Good points raised by the council, no actions taken by the club . |
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Post by march4 on Apr 14, 2019 11:54:41 GMT
It easy to unite the club.
Bring in a manager our squad of international footballers will respect.
Results will improve and the crowd will be happier.
Appointing lower league managers was always doomed to fail.
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Post by Pugsley on Apr 14, 2019 12:00:54 GMT
It easy to unite the club. Bring in a manager our squad of international footballers will respect. Results will improve and the crowd will be happier. Appointing lower league managers was always doomed to fail. Clearly incorrect. Your mate was a lower league manager when he came and we got promoted. We employed a well respected manager when he left in Hughes, and he did well at first before the wheels fell off big time. The right manager is the right manager, no matter his background. |
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Post by roylandstoke on Apr 14, 2019 12:04:20 GMT
Start at the very top.
New CEO: the current one has not moved with the times- electronic ticketing etc
New Director of Football: the current one has overseen the decline of the club into the lower reaches of the championship whilst spending top half Premier League money.
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Post by nottsover60 on Apr 14, 2019 12:09:41 GMT
Before and after the match is such a non-event once you've visited the statues there is nothing to do. A couple of burger bars outside the ground and catering inside that you can't get to cos the concourse is so busy.(Even our local non league club have an outside burger bar) What if you don't like burgers and chips?
Once inside the concourse is so busy it's difficult to get to your seats or the toilets. The toilets don't flush when it gets busy, one of our toilets hasn't locked for about 3 seasons, the toilet paper and paper towels run out, the water is freezing cold (with the warning of very hot water!)
After the match there is nothing to keep people entertained to ease the rush off the car parks. The food outlets and bars are shut even when the match kicks off at 12.30 or 4.00 when you really would like something at the end especially if you live an hour away (or an hour and a half if you include getting off the car park). They even switch off the tvs in the concourse before everybody has left.
Does that sound like a club who are trying to include the fans? A small attention to detail would make us feel a bit more cared for.
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