MESSAGE FROM RON

After the Walsall game I thought I would have a look at the Griffin Park Grapevine, for the first time this season. So I asked Peter G. to print me off the previous couple of weeks, which he did. Having read it I think there are some things to be said even if it`s only to clarify one or two misconceptions.
First of all I went to Spain after the victory against Bournemouth. You all know my young son was going to school in Spain this year because I told all of you a number of times last season and even thought I might live there this year. Depending on what is happening with him at his school I may have to go a number of times this season or at least my wife will have to. It`s a simple choice, travel backwards and forwards during the season a few times or stay there permanently. I chose the former but if the Brentford fans preferred I stay there it can be arranged. I don`t want to be anywhere I`m not welcome.
As for Ray Lewington, he does a superb job as First Team Coach and/or Assistant Manager - call him what you like. Ray has managed in almost every division and I have no hesitation in him being in charge of the team, in fact he likes it. What he doesn`t want to be is Manager, he doesn`t want the stress of being in charge or the responsibility and tells me he likes it the way it is. As two matches were won whilst I was away, even though we didn`t play well, it could be said that the change was successful.
I returned late Tuesday, we had just beaten Colchester, and the next day Wednesday was a day off for the players. I was at training on Thursday but away on business on Friday and I didn`t think it right to come back for one day and take over the team particularly as we had just won two games with Ray in charge. As it happened we played badly at Luton, but if we had won or drawn I might well have told Ray to continue the run at Port Vale. It`s not about who is in charge, it`s what`s in the best interest of BFC at the time. I took the decision to leave Ray in charge at Luton and I would do the same again. I also think he needs to be in charge for some matches as he enjoys his job more, so it suits everyone. If the fans don`t agree with that it`s unfortunate, but I manage the Club and it`s a management decision I make in the interest of BFC. In my view Brentford is lucky to have Ray Lewington and anyone who doubts his ability doesn`t know what they are tallking about (SB?).
I, after making the decision to leave Ray in charge, looked to see where I could go and I took my wife to see Sam and his wife at Cardiff. We had dined with them on returning from Spain and he had enquired about a number of our players and it suited me to have a look at what he had as well as looking at Mansfield. He had previously also made an enquiry for Lloyd which we had turned down with his agreement.
We watched the game, I liked Legg and Bowen, and drove home. I sat next to Ian Butterworth during the second half who was being interviewed for the Assistant`s job and discussed most of the Cardiff`s players with himm during the game.
I`m not really interested in what Scouse Bee thinks, he doesn`t like the manager, or the coaches and thinks the players are overrated. His language is foul and I`m glad he was given the ultimatum.
I`m not standing down and continuing to fund, as I have no confidence in anyone else spending the Club`s money. If you want someone else to take over that`s fine, they can have the Club for the £850,000 it cost providing they are prepared to secure the overdraft of £2.5 million. This will include the Stadium which perhaps will dispel the notion that someone wants to buy it, or that I`m interested in building on it. I`m not interested in trying to make a profit out of BFC and the Stadium and players are worth considerably more than the liabilities. However I`m also not interested in funding the trading losses at £1.5 million per year and at the same time be slagged off by the so called fans who now do not turn up in sufficient numbers to justify a non league wage bill, never mind ours.
What really bugs me is that at the start of the season I was convinced I had put a squad together that could challenge to get into Division One. This, after a season of consolidation in Division Two when two of the promoted clubs got relegated and the third one struggled the whole year and survived on virtually the last day. Our injuries were abnormal - at one time a complete first eleven plus a number of younger players - yet the fans moan that the squad is too large, that we are not playing attractive football, the players aren`t good enough or the coaching staff aren`t, and I`ve reached the limit of my ability. Nobody seems to understand that the squad is large because half of them are unavailable, we cannot play attractive football when half our best players are injured, and because Boxall, Anderson and Powell are players with pace who are injured we are supposed to do something about it.How many more players are we supposed to sign, and bearing in mind everyone knows we were losing £1.5 million before the injuries, which I was funding, where are we supposed to find the money for more?
On top of all this of course, because we aren`t winning every week and playing attractive football the gates go down to 4,000 even when we are at home to the League leaders, which means another £20,000 per game in our forecasted gate receipts is lost. I thought when I came to the Club that it was a two way deal...I`ll put the money up and you support the team - but you haven`t done that, you`ve criticised everyone and everything whilst half the squad have been unavailable.
Even without them we have still picked up points, stayed in touch, and only lost three League games - the reserves only one. I`m extremely grateful for the 4,000 who still come but the knockers I think are blind to reality. Last Saturday`s performance showed that we have a good and capable squad. It`s such a pity that so few of the fans have so little faith, they don`t deserve good staff or good players.
There is also another reason why we don`t get crowds...our fans are dying according to an old director. Let`s face it this club hasn`t attracted any kids for twenty years and gates have always been going down.
Also I have no problem with the Board, we meet twice a year, without an argument that I can recall, which is another accusation on the web, and Ray and I are in complete agreement on almost everything - not seriously at odds with each other as you say.
If Evo leaves the pitch, Oli is skipper by the way.
We do not tell our midfield to play deep, in fact we change personnel if they are too deep because we tell everyone to push forward if we are in possession and we have spoken to them at length about the problems it creates for the rest of the team.
Javary incidentally was given time off to go home for the birth of his first child, a son - he was away for ten days and needed extra training to get back in contention. He did two training sessions with Geoff Taylor and the Juniors on the day we went to Port Vale. He wanted to and I okayed it.
I cannot believe anyone prefers Simon Marsh to Gibbo.
Crowe was injured and unavailable for the Port Vale game where we gave two players their first start, yet still got a point. Marshall wasn`t injured but came off so we could change the formation.
I think I`ve answered all the points that were worth answering in the period that I read. If I`ve missed anything it`s because I didn`t consider it worth replying to. You wanted me to be honest with you, well I have been - you may not agree with me but that is just your opinion instead of mine which is what football is all about.
I`m not fed up and losing interest. If I had to say what I feel at present, which I don`t, it would be that I`m disappointed. I`m disappointed because I thought I could do great things at Brentford, better perhaps than many of these so called other Managers, but the gates are appalling. The only future is in a new ground unless another three thousand people turn up each week. I`ve spent money on players and when they are all fit you will see that we have a great squad and good enough to go up. But they may not come back in time for this season`s promotion race.
I don`t believe we`ve had the support promised and I feel sorry for the true Brentford supporter who deserves to see the job done and the Club in Division One.
We have got the staff and the players to do it, but we will not be able to keep them unless the gates improve.
Ron Noades

Well I'm sure that if you had been so frank in the pst then more supporters would have warmed to you Ron.
Fair play to you for coming out and wearing your heart on the sleeve. If you keep supporters as informed as what you've just done then we will have little to moan about.
It's all this secrecy and silence that poeple don't like.
Keep people in the know and you'll get a lot more support - even if some of it is things we may not like.

What a FANTASTIC response. That's all that can be said! Well done Ron.

Thankyou for taking the time to respond to the concerns of the fans with this message.

A simple and frank statement goes a long way to raise the spirits of the fans.

What you should realise having been involved in football for as long as you have is that supporters are emotional people and when you read these messages you have to cut through the knee jerk reactions to a bad defeat or performance as some people like myself sit and think about it for days afterwards.Likewise you have to see the moaners for what they are.I have a mate who has a ST at Old Trafford and says that there are sections who moan all game and wanted ferguson out after the euro defeat last week.
It is not a bees problem only!!

If you believe that we have a squad as strong as you have said than when the injuries clear up you will be able to prove it to us and then the crowds will go up.
We can do no more to raise the attendance than go to the game!!
I think that I speak for most of the people on this board when I say that the first 6 months of last season was one of the best periods to watch brentford in many a year as we were outstanding.
When we reach those heights again you will see the attitude and belief of people in the stands change once again, but to expect an extra 2-3000 people each week the way we have played recently (due to injuries or not) is unrealistic.
We have just won 4 home games on the trot, we beat another promotion chaser on saturday and people will start to sit up and take notice and the crowds will go up when they think that something is going to happen.

Thanks for that lengthy and honest reply, Ron.

I know that all loyal supporters are aware of the financial commitment you have made to the club and that your hopes and aspirations are the same as ours.

We all find the home attendances deplorable - especially when you consider the players we still can call on, even discounting the long term sickies (this is the worst injury situation I have known in 47 years of following the Bees).

Yes! We do need a new home - all other clubs who have moved had seen a dramatic upturn in attendances, as well as the money earning opportunities from seminar hire, sponsorship increase, executive boxes, etc. Let's hope the Council see sense in the near to immediate future on this.

Let's hope the injuries soon clear up and we are back up in a play-off contention (we do, of course, have two matches in hand over a lot of teams).

WELL SAID RON !!!

Now perhaps the whingers and the whiners will shut the f**k up for a while and let the man get on with the job. But why do I doubt it ??

A big thank you Ron for taking the time to respond to the comments on this board.

Can't really argue with anything you said.

Agree totally MB
Thanks Ron for the note it certainly makes very interesting reading and not many people can really find to much there to argue about.

Ron,

Thanks for your time in addressing this forum.

Your right about our fans they are dying... Fulham used to take the piss out of us saying that they've never seen such an old crowd. We do need to bring the kids back... how about a quid-a-kid for the rest of the season. It must make sense, more scarves, programmes accomanying adults etc...

On your holiday front, us mortels take time off and so do our bosses without our business colapsing, and although unusual in the football world (I surpose like teachers your expected to take your holiodays in the summer) I personnelly do not see anything wrong with that, although I can sse how it can lead people to question your comitment to Brentford FC. Whats in a job title eh, it aint important.

With regard to our faith, I ask for your understanding, I stopped attending becuase of David W£bb as did 1k others, a further 1k stopped after a play off deafeat against Crewe. We were well clear that year with 6 games to go, Champagne on ice, sold our leading goals scorer, slipped into the play off position and lost at Wembley (We played so badly that if we were at the races there would have been a stewards enquiry - allegedly W£bb didn't even do a team talk and our biggest supporter wasn't even in the country). I returned because I beleived in you.

We've been promised a new ground for years, whislt we have watched our own glorious ground be destroyed (The loss of the great Royal Oak stand was mourned by the departure of a further 1k fans).

Don't listen to the fans becuase you will never hear the silent majority. Listen to your conscience, after all only you know if you are giving the club your best/ leaving it in safe hands.

Having re-read your comments at least three times, I would like to make the following point: No club in the country has the competition for surporters that we do, Brentford fans could equally surport QPha, Fulham or Chelsea.

Brentford fans have not been rewarded for their loyalty and if you look at the record books the club has consatntly under achieved. If I was the chairman, and had the resources to do so, I'd give out vouchers for a free game a Christmas to all those who entered the ground on Saturday and all the spare tickets I'd make available to all of the surporters that we have had and have lost. Maybe lightning strikes twice, maybe some of thefans we've lost have kids of their own ready to be hooked.

PS If it really is you, I'm affraid that you must prove it by tugging your ear as you walk to the dug out and of course doing the same when we score.

Keep the faith and up the Bees

Originally posted by Ricko:
Well I'm sure that if you had been so frank in the pst then more supporters would have warmed to you Ron.
Fair play to you for coming out and wearing your heart on the sleeve. If you keep supporters as informed as what you've just done then we will have little to moan about.
It's all this secrecy and silence that poeple don't like.
Keep people in the know and you'll get a lot more support - even if some of it is things we may not like.

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Well put Ricko.The main problem in recent times is that fans have felt alienated by the officials of the club.This message board is great, for those with the facilities to access it,for getting the latest on events at GP.I think it is right and proper that the fans that do bother to turn up are kept informed of what is going on for fear of losing them too!!
I have my own opinions on the new ground scenario and I still have my doubts about BFC and other clubs futures,particularly in major cities.
But Mr.Noades has been honest here I feel and his comments will extend my patience with the club a little further.
I hope everyone will turn up at GP on Saturday to give the WHOLE CLUB the support it deserves and needs at this moment in time!

Thank you Ron for telling it as it is. It is nice to know that the fans are being heard and listened too and hopefully this will not be the last occasion that Ron can respond to the worries of the fans.

firstly, it is an excellent response, however, you say we need a new home and the general consensus on here is that we're prepared to move...so what's happening with that??

but thanks for your time and effort in replying to us, you have my utmost respect as son to a palace fan who realises, along with many others, what a good thing they had at the time and what idiots they were for wanting you out...

Well said. I hope that this makes some of the more intemperate supporters think before blindly criticising the team, set-up etc...

Before this letter was posted I was going to mention how impressed I was by the amount of information that Roy McFarland gives out and his genuine responses to fans' queries in the Cambridge Evening News and that this was something we could do with. However, I think that Ron's letter is better as it is not so much a PR exercise as a genuine attempt to respond to points that we have all raised between ourselves without putting them directly to him.

As he says, our job is to support. It is all we can do, and even those of us hardy souls who are still coming have not been vocal enough in support. Walsall was the exception, where 4000 sounded like the 7000 we aspire to. I was disappointed with the support at Cambridge though- once again, no Hey Jude.

Thanks Ron for takeing the time to come on here and let us know what you think please can you do this again say once a month.it would be nice to know your views on the way the club is going on and off the field.

by Ron:
I don`t want to be anywhere I`m not welcome.

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I don't recall any talk either here or elsewhere, from anyone who is seriously unhappy with your being at this club. Granted a few supporters are a little sceptical when the Cardiff and Palace monsters rear their ugly heads, as they do often, and your non-show at matches is understandable if a little worrying if this is to be permanent under the status quo.

BTW, as regards the stadium, I train weekly at Gateshead International Stadium, and it is worth pointing out what can be achieved with the support of the local council. What is really ironic is that the fans of Gateshead FC are unhappy with the club playing at an 11,000 all-seater ground! They don't know they're born!

Agree with all above, well done Ron- speaking to us at this level has to boost our trust in you and all you are trying to achieve.
However, you are criticising the wrong people for the attendances- we are the people who go every week, no matter who the opponents are, how we are playing, and whatever the weather. The inevitability is that you will only attract the floaters if the team is doing well, or if the football is known to be value for money. As mHead said, we can't do more than come to the game.
But good on you, I'm sure not that many chairmen could be bothered to spare the time for an unofficial board like this.

I feel sorry for Peter how had to type all that out.

Bit more sceptical than some of my fellows I think, but still pleased with hearing it from the man himself. An excellent way of improving the relationship between the club and the fans. Unfortunately that brings me on to the first of my “issues” with what you say;
1. You make a lot of disparaging comments about the support – whilst I agree the numbers are too low I cannot say that the marketing dept have transformed under your (ultimate) leadership. The corporate side seems to be doing well, but many people still wonder why 4,000 kids are not given free tickets every game. Lets show some imagination rather than blaming the supporters. I would also query who “promised” you support – you are the owner and chairman of a lower division club which needs to increase its gates – what have YOU done to increase the gates?
2. You cloud over the issue of the conflict between Manager and Chairman. Ray is either manager or not. You say not, but that he has all the qualities to be manager. You say you are, but don’t accept any criticism for team performance. Make someone responsible and accountable (and before I get flamed on here that is not necessarily a criticism of anyone’s managerial skills or a suggestion that “accountable” means that I think they should be fired for recent performance – I think we are actually doing okay but I confess to not having been to all the away games).
3. Glad that you have identified a figure for the sale – it’ll give me something to save for! ;-) Just out of interest how does this relate to your purchase – I know the £850k is the same but the overdraft required to be covered has increased hasn’t it? Or is the figure you quote what existed when you bought? For the rest of the readers that equates to £1000 per attendee. Cut out kids and the like and you’ll probably end up with £2500 per attendee. Crystal Palace supporters trust managed to get hold of about £1m when the club was about to go bankrupt. Can’t see us getting anywhere near that. Shame, I fancied being one of the owners of Brentford Community Football club!

A big thanks to Ron for taking the time to read through what the fans think and responding to the points made. Although he has picked up on a number of points with which he disagrees, I trust he also noticed that much of what is said is supportive of what he is trying to achieve for Brentford and we are not all conspiracy theorists!

Thanks Ron for the extensive reply and some "grown up" truths. I'm sure you understand (and have experienced) that no matter what Club you choose to run, there is an element of support that will never be happy and know it all!! However, you should also know that Brentford have a core group of passionate supporters who are very aware of the improvement in play and prospects since you've been with the club. I for one am very relieved to hear that the Ground will come back to the club in the event of any sale, as without that, BFC will disappear.

The majority of supporters are very grateful that Brentford are still in business and remain optimistic that we can eventually improve to where we would like to belong - the first division. Where we can play Palace, QPR, Fulham, etc on equal terms.

The support is very worrying, as it is with most 2nd and 3rd division teams. We're no worse and unfortunately no better than most of the rest. A concerted effort to attract the kids is the only way to improve that.

Finally having had the opportunity to watch the Walsall game, I have no doubt of the potential of this current squad.

May your involvement with Brentford Football Club be a long and happy one!!

Many thanks Ron but I'm sure you'll agree that the club have failed to attract new support for a number of years and there has been little sign of any initiative at the club to remedy this. There is not a lot of point complaining to us here who turn up regularly it is a question of reaching out to schools, clubs etc. and those who have, for whatever reason, drifted away over the years.

Ron we love you!!

What a great response. I feel now that the man cares as much as I do, which makes me feel confident that he will takes us to the the promised land, well Division 1. True, we do need a new stadium but we've got to address the dying attendence figures now. I think that now we've got this response that we the BEES FAITHFUL have to make our own steps to getting more fans to come along. I reckon we should all try to bring along 1 friend this Saturday. Bring along your son/daughter, brother/sister, wife/husband, who ever just bring them along.

COME BEES WE'VE HAD THE KICK UP THE BACKSIDE SO RESPOND TO IT!!

Come on lets list some other ideas.

Interesting comments and hopefully puts to bed some of the OTT comments about Ron's commitment etc.

I cannot agree with his comments about the crowd though. We on this board are those that probably attend every match and always will do so. Our loyalty is unquestionable.

Why more of the floating supporters have not turned up is something the club management needs to address, not have a go at us. I am sure he is frustrated by the low crowds but 50 years of mediocrity is not overcome by one good season.

I agree with Ron's comments about the squad, it is good enough to go up, if they play well enough. Keep the faith as his predecessor said.

Thanks for that Ron. I hope that makes the moaners realise what really goes on.

I think people fail to realise that the injuries the team have suffered and the knock-on effect of different personnel each week. Now we are getting a more consistent side we are playing better (there is still room for improvement but that will come).

I think Ron has proved once and for all that he passionately wants BFC to succeed as much as we do. Lets get behind the team and try and get to the play offs.

UP THE BEES!!!!!!!!!!!

Good stuff Ron and I'm sure you'll earn a lot of respect for bothering to come on hear and make your points. My slight gripe is about the defensiveness of your argument and I would urge you to realise that a forum such as this by its nature lends itself to criticism rather than praise. In my short time on the Grapevine, I've probably made some rather silly criticisms which find their way to the keyboard before I've had a chance to think.....but it's never so tempting to pour forth when things are going well at Brentford.

Your comments have got me thinking again about what Brentford (or any other lower division club) really stands for. In your language it seems to be about striking a deal between ownership and support, and in many ways I agree with that philosophy. Afterall, that bond of trust and support is what I believe will always differentiate our club from a company. However, I think that relationship is a very delicate one and I agree with those above that query whether there's anything more supporters can do. Perhaps there's an extent to which you're biting off your nose to spite your face in criticising those that support Brentford week-in, week-out.

You should be aware that the overwhelming majority of us recognise the enormous amount you've done for Brentford in the last 2/3 years. It is no small measure of your success that for several contributors to this board, our relegation in 1997/8 can be savoured retrospectively. I'm enjoying my 11th season as a supporter and 1998/9 was, without doubt, the one I savoured most. However, I believe there is scope for marketing Brentford and the vast majority of that responsibility must fall to you and your staff at the club.

What has annoyed me most over the past year has been the perceived secrecy at the highest level of the club and the apparent distance between you and the supporters. In that respect, I am genuinely delighted that you took the time and trouble to give such a full and frank reply on this board.

“You wanted me to be honest with you, well I have been - you may not agree with me but that is just your opinion instead of mine which is what football is all about.”

Ron,

The above extract from your statement sums up what Bees fans have been looking for from you (honesty) and what this board is about (a forum for individuals opinions).

I welcome your statement, whether it is unpalatable or not, I do not agree with everything you said but the fact you have said what you have said will help clear up a lot of speculation. The one constant criticism of you has been a lack of communication on key issues. You have taken a giant step forward by issuing this statement and, in common with a number of other postings on this site, call for you to carry on responding to concerns on a regular basis.

I believe the above extract also shows that you recognise that supporters will have opinions that will differ to those of yourself. I do not believe there is anything wrong with this – as you say this “is what football is all about”. So do not get too hung up about those who disagree. I think that if you polled the Bees fans the vast majority would be happy about the general direction of the club and appreciate what you have done so far.

We all care about Brentford FC and hope you consider the supporters an important part of the team (and not only just a source of revenue). A key part of showing this is, is allowing us fans to express our opinions and you listen and respond. In this way we get to understand each other’s point of view and as a result we will be best placed to work together for the common good of the club. This way the club will become stronger.

Please carry on communicating!

A fascinating response, and very welcome from all who read this board.
I seriously reckon that the fans on this board appreciate where Ron is coming from, but unfortunately, there are those who will not have read the above, and are unlikely to appreciate this response from Ron that has done wonders for club/fan relations.
I think that some of the things that Ron has addressed have been covered at length on this board, but what is important in his mind is:

a) Do the fans want me here?
My reply is yes, and anyone who thinks that his financial aid alone is not enough, should re-examine their head.

b) Will we get a new stadium?
I'm not in a position to answer this, and I'm afraid I am becoming sceptical. I heard rumours of a big announcement at the end of October, but nothing has materialised.

c) Our gates are too low, and will we get these fans back?
I have too much to say about this, but Shaggy has eloquently put forward my main argument, which is that Brentford FC maketing dept. is simply not bold enough.

d) Do we have a squad strong enough to get into Division 1?
I believe so, but as Ron and many others have pointed out, having so many injuries is not going to help the fluency of the team.
As Ron pointed out, it is not unrealistic to believe that we will be lucky to get promoted this season, but certainly not undeserved if we do.

As 'Ayes Bee has pointed out, many of our fans have deserted us, believing we were a sinking ship, and unfortunately these fans will only return when success returns to the club. Getting these fans to return will only happen if we get to Division 1, but we need to attract young blood, and kid for a quid, would be an ideal solution. Much of the ground is unoccupied, and therefore mihgt as well not be there. Stick in kids, etc for cheap prices, they'll return the favour through the club shop and canteens.

I hope that Ron returns to the board in some capacity in the future, as this gets the current fans motivated. Gibbo managed to really cause some excitement, and I'm sure that this thread will extend to a number of pages. I hope that Ron takes the time to read these responses, as he may well appreciate what we have to say.

Cheers Ron! You've got my support.

Some interesting comments Ron, thank you.Even if the sceptics ( with long hair,mates of Scooby )are not completely convinced the pr is great at last.This sort of communication goes a long way to bond management and supporters.

Re low attendences,many postings on here have covered this,there were notes by Gary H in the Colchester prog on what is being done and planned.It all seems too little too slow.Plans for a one off in a few months time etc.Why not do it now ! What are the economic reasons not to run the quid a kid scheme on a semi permanent basis whilst our gates are so low ? The kids spend whilst their inside.Anyway thanks again.

Any chance of a weekly ' chat ' ??

PS ,I hope you read all the replies to your posting and therefore will read this too.I have offered my services in the past ( I know Jamies wife did also, but mine will involve, hopefully more than three people at one time)I will offer to help through marketing etc in my free time,working with the club to try to attract back the crowds.I sure I will not Bee the only one to offer this

[This message has been edited by Bigbee (edited 07 November 2000).]

Great stuff, Ron - many thanks. This makes a big difference to real fans like us. Most of the other stuff I wanted to say is above, but:

a) on imaginative ways to entice people in, how about incentives for people who transfer allegiance - some serious thought needed, but eg. discounts on scarves, shirts, mouse mats,... for those who trade in theirs from another club {just an idea, but you know how quickly kids get through this stuff}

b) you may not be keen, but we would welcome you into any of the local pubs in the hours before a game. We will be in the New Inn from 11.30 on Saturday. I promise you a pint, and an honest chat!

Interesting stuff from Ron and i agree with 99% of it.

One point is that by making the statement on here, only @10/20% of regular Bees fans will read it! In many ways the comments are "preaching to the converted" as most (?) regulars on this board are regular supporters every week.

I`d like to see some widespread coverage of this article (no, not just you Teamtripe!) - national press, EVERY local paper, Sat`s proggy (article in full please PG!!?), Teletext BBC, ITV & Sky and extensive stuff in this week`s Chronny (especially).

The statement "i thought the deal was i`ll put the money in, you lot back me" is a poignant one. But most of the readers on this board HAVE been turning up week in ,week out!

We need to get the message across to the widest possible audience....spread the word. Publicity, thats what we need.
Ron - YOU are the main tool for getting us this.

As others say, we are all desperate for bigger gates than we have so the club can progress but we need pro-active ventures NOW!!

As you acknowledge, there are not enough kids coming to GP. We need to do things to reverse this trend. Against the leaders Walsall we had @9000 empty seats......it was tragic for such a superb game of football ;better to give seats away (or £1) . I think most kids would have loved that match and once you`re hooked as a kid, you`re hooked for life. However, our kids prices are totally out of touch with our rival clubs. This needs addressing URGENTLY.

Up the Bees

PJ

Originally posted by strepsils:
b) you may not be keen, but we would welcome you into any of the local pubs in the hours before a game. We will be in the New Inn from 11.30 on Saturday. I promise you a pint, and an honest chat!

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Good idea mate, get him pissed so he sees double the crowd!!

I'm absolutely gobsmacked!

Massive thanks to Ron, and of course to Peter G. You wouldn't believe how good this has made me feel about Brentford. With colleagues and mates supporting 'big' clubs, they could only dream of this.

A huge thank you to the moderators of this board. The new bulletin board, in my opinion, has made such a difference to most of the people using it. We have read comments from players, of course Peter G, and now the main man.

Having read the free kids for Christmas idea on the BFC site this morning, I was immensely pleased. Reading Ron's affirmation that he is committed has made it better still. There are 4 thousand or so members to the 'official' web site, 500(?) or so subscribers here (although I appreciate that several of these will be abroad). We've said it before, but in the light of Ron's comments, it's more important than ever: lets get our colleagues, our relatives, our friends to Griffin park. With the right efforts from the club (commercially, as well as the continued efforts on the field) we CAN get attendances up.

This is as good for me as the fans forum with Micky Adams in the darkest hours. I'm not getting carried away, but this is a great (little) club (;-)) and with the help and committment of Ron, the players, staff and fans, we can achieve what we want to.

I hope you understand, Ron (as I know that Peter G does) that even if we moan or are upset, the majority of us want what's best for the club.

I got shouted down for telling a moaner to shut up at Reading. He told me it was probably my only away game of the season (not true) and ruined my day, but that doesn't matter. It's BFC that matters. Look at the response to Gavin Mahon's efforts on Saturday. It was totally refreshing to hear him clapped.

Anyway, this has rambled enough. Thanks again to all, and COME ON YOU REDS!!

Fantastic to get a response to all the points raised from the horses' mouth, so to speak. We only complain and question things because we care so much Ron!

Agree with most of what has been said in response. We do have the players to get into Divsion 1 if we can get them all fit and playing well. If not this season, hopefully next.

The main area of concern is attendances, but i fear that Ron's post is a case of preaching to the converted. We are the people who go to the games. I live within 2 miles of both Old Trafford and Maine Road yet haven't missed a league game home or away this season.

The problem Brentford and smaller clubs face is that with the Premiership and so much TV coverage and media hype surrounding the big clubs it is much easier nowdays for a kid to claim allegiance to Manchester Untited, Chelsea, etc, even if they live in Brentford. The gap is widening and there is nothing that can be done. However, this doesn't mean that we can't implement initiatives like quid a kid, etc. because we have to do something.

Good to see Ron putting his thoughts and opinions to us,after all at the end of the day he is our leader and we all knew as one Palave fan said,it will be a rollercoaster ride. But as much as I respect him for this and applaud the communication,he is preaching to the converted,to the people who love this club however much some of us may get on each others nerves. Therefore to you Ron I say this. You are our high profile which will attract people back and it was working in the third division,but then suddenly that summer after the championship you seemed to disappear of the papers. When you arrived, armchair premier supporters were several times a week coming to me with this,that and the other which they had read in the papers. I didnt even have to push my inverted snobbery anymore and I dont buy newspapers as they are ZOG tools. YOU were promoting the club by yourself and it was working.Then silence followed by all the Palace saga and so now I have to snipe again at Spurs supporters who never go and QPR supporters who didnt even realise that they werent in the first round cup draw.
So I say to you Ron,you are our leader so please lead us thru football,media and our supporting life whilst you are part of us.Only you can get people thru the turnstiles now by matching,or trying to other high profile Chairman/Managers.
Anyway respect for your contribution on here.

Moribee, will Scouse Bee have read this do you know? It would be interesting to know his thoughts after this whether he can post them himself or via somebody else. I wonder if his attitude will have changed or maybe this has made no difference to his feelings. I'm sure others would be interested to know.

Ron deserves everuyone to get behind him. Our recent performances are on the up, he's cleared up any gripes or misconceptions, the chomp craze may well be re-born-....... let's build on that and go forward.... with Uncle Ron

Little I can add other than my thanks to Ron for the first cyber fans forum.

PG - looks like you've got some good copy to include in the programme.
Any chance of using the 'new' site to do a 'chat room' with Ron occasionally? That way BFC get the hits on its own site!

Ron, if you think you're unwelcome at BFC just listen as you walk along the touchline on Saturday (yeah, Ok, if we're four down at Half time, perhaps not - but you know footie fans!). Anyone like to nominate a Chairman who has had as much support as Ron?

The one thing I might have hoped you could have said was when (assuming details can't be released yet) we might hear more on the new stadium plans.

Jimbee - Scousebee was an "assumed name" of a well known GPG member (with no connections to Liverpool that I know of). I think it's likely that he will read this, but who knows what he'll make of it.

As for the stadium, Clive, don't hold me to it, but I reckon we'll hear something pretty soon.

I can't say anymore about Ron's post than what's already been said. Top stuff!

So peeps, whattya say? Time to get those white wigs back out?!?!?! I THINK SO!

Well done Ron for coming out and saying what needed saying. At least we have a Chairman that will say what he feels and not hide behind the club.
I hope that Ron has also taken note of the positive comments on the board as well as the criticism.

How to increase crowds?...The quid a kid or free kids is banded around quite often.
Just to play devils advocate, if I had paid £100 for my child to attend I would demand refund if all the games became quid a kid for the rest of the season!!

I would offer the following.
Current ST holders under 5 get free ticket next year.All under 10 get ticket for £20, under 16 get £25.
For the whole of next season all new ST for under 16's cost £30 and all under 16's can pay on the door for £2 for every game.

The fact is apart from Bees fans who are disillusioned and could be persuaded to re-attend, the average punter from SW London and home counties doesn't at this moment find Brentford an attractive option.

The new stadium is the best way to draw these people in. Apart from that, I think some increase in gates will count on the council's redevelopment of Brentford Town Centre. If new people can be drawn into Brentford, then's a good chance they can be lured into GP. If all the plans can be agreed and started soon then I believe some people will think along these lines:

Saturday Games - New Brentford Town Centre has good pubs, bars and restaurants. Maybe engage in a Leo Sayer (all dayer) with football at GP on the menu. New Brentford is also a pleasant place to drink after the game.

Evening Games - after work, drinks in the new Brentford followed by footy at GP and maybe food, drinks after.

A pretty sweeping prediction, but I know I could attract more people from my workplace if the drinking/eating scene in the town was better, making it an alternative to Twickers, Ealing, Richmond and Chiswick.

Well done Ron, honest and open communication is all that many of us have sought.

Now it's time for some BOLD marketing to return your/our club to greatness.

Bugger the number-crunchers. Get the kids in (refund the season tickets if needs be for the kids) but servicing the next generation costs us very little. I've said it before and I'll say it again.. they buy programmes, bring their mates (and hopefully dads, buy food, merchandise and we build a database for the future. Come on Ron, it will take time, and kids can be fickle but attract the juniors and we will build a base for the future (wherever it may be).

The kid initiatives are our biggest hope. However GP is not a kid/family friendly ground.

Thank you for such an pragmatic and honest response Ron. To tell you the truth, I thought that these were lost arts nowadays at the boardroom level of most football clubs, regardless of what level they play at! I too would echo my disappointment at the level of (vocal) support at the Cambridge Utd. away match recently. At the moment, I'm living in Norwich and as a consquence I don't get to see as many games as I would like to. However, I agree with the comment made by 'Ayes Bee about the possible reintroduction of the kid a quid scheme for the remainder of the season. Alternatively, a friend of mine mentioned another possibility which would increase the average attendance at GP. Apparently, Cardiff City introduced an innovative (albeit short-lived) incentive scheme whereby the ticket prices for the home fans were a reflection on Cardiff's league position at the time (i.e. the lower their league position, the cheaper the next home match would be). At least that way the attendances would remain fairly healthy (i.e. about 5,000 - 5,500) right through to the end of the season when, year in year out, most of the Bees fans have been lost. In the past this has clearly been due to the team getting relegated or narrowly missing out on promotion (as in '96) or merely because the club has succumbed to "mid table obscurity" for yet another season.
On the whole, I think that the current squad is talented and committed, if a little raw. I understand your own views about signing players over a certain age, but I would like to see a little more experience in the current side. After all, players such as Gary McAllister have been signed by Liverpool and are playing brilliantly and also helping youngsters such as Danny Murphy and Steven Gerrard. The same could be said of Stuart Pearce at West Ham who is assisting with the progress of Rio Ferdinand enormously. Clearly, players such as Owusu, Rowlands and Powell (to name but 3) will develop into future Premiership players (hopefully while still at the club!) but I feel that signing a couple of carefully selected "jouneyman pros" would aid the progress of these 3 and the rest of the squad immensely.
In any case, I am still very confident that BFC is in the right hands, both at boardroom level and on the pitch, and I strongly believe that the current squad is certainlu good enough to get into the play-offs at least. Furthermore, I'd say that most of the niggles that have been made about yourself, the coaching staff, the proposed ground switch etc. are a result of the fact that many Bees fans trully believe that the club has enormous potential and just want to see it realised. We hardly need remind ourselves of the W£bb era to clarify this. The first team he assembled was certainly good enough for the 1st division and yet he disbanded it for a fraction of what it could have been worth to suit his own immediate ends. Our current first team (injuries permitting!) could be that good again but I'd say that our current squad is much, much stronger.
Anyway, thanks for everything that you've done so far for the club.

Up the Bees!

Originally posted by Pauly Paul:
The kid initiatives are our biggest hope. However GP is not a kid/family friendly ground.

Click to expand...

Sorry PP that's absolute rubbish.

GP is friendly, I have had no reservations about bringing my son to GP since he was four years old. There are occasional problems but you learn to steer clear of them. How about an unaccompanied kids enclosure (properly stewarded - not by the current Muppets). The number of ladies at my end of New Road is testament to the nature of the club.

GP is family friendly, let's extend the reach, through the kids, to as many families as possible. The saddest sight you can see are the local kids wearing ManUre and Arse strips rather than the proud red and white stripes.

Sorry should have included this. I urge all GPG poster to take a look at the Teamlies take on Ron's statement. If anything was designed to p*ss him off, this is it, talk about taking things out of context!!!

My opinions have been summed up already, however I should add... "Its good to talk" !!!

Unfortunately, Nigel, Teamtalk have their own agenda, which is to stir up controversy - as it generates more calls to their rip-off telephone lines. They pose as a friend of the club, but nothing could be further from the truth. They are in fact entirely parasitical - recycling information, rumours and second-hand news and peddling it to the gullible. We laugh at their inaccuracies, but you only need to look at their "Your Say" page to realise that there are Bees fans out there who fall for it all and as a result believe all kinds of tosh that undermines the club.