Nothing changes, if nothing changes: Foxes Trust statement on relegation

[Foxes_Trust]

1 minute ago, Globalfox said:

Maybe I am confused but since Mr Bason is the Trust nominated rep on the Fan Advisory Board and co-chairs it with Susan Whelan is he not ideally placed to secure these answers for us?

The FAB may also have plans to raise questions and concerns - that will be up to them to raise if they do (FAB is wider than just the Trust representative).

 

The Trust believes that the Fan Engagement Framework (and FAB as part of it) should be there to bolster and widen the communication with supporters rather than to replace direct dialogue with fan groups (like the Trust and UFS). So it's important that fan groups still have an opportunity to engage directly with the club.

[rugbyblue]

1 hour ago, PAULCFC said:

It's probably just easier to accept they don't care about us plebs.

That really is the top and bottom of it.  Its the reality.  "Do they increase our matchday income and cause minimum fuss and not ask awkward questions?" 

"no?"

"f*#k them then"

 

Its not just us either.  I think if you ask anyone who has attended games at any club in the top two divisions for more than 15 to 20 years they will tell you the game is almost unrecognisable both on and off the pitch.

 

That said, well done to the trust, ufs, osvaldo and anyone else who is trying to make a difference.  I fear it is in vain the way the game has gone/is going but as they say "if nothing changes, nothing changes "

Edited 21 April by rugbyblue

[Paninistickers]

2 hours ago, Foxes_Trust said:

This time, we will be expecting answers

Have you tried waterboarding? 

 

..... seriously though,.don't expect or demand answers. Call the out

.Be a pressure group. An opposition party, a management in waiting. Be the consciousness and heart and culture that the club don't / won't have.  

 

 

 

 

[Mickyblueeyes]

You know what, by no means perfect but the best statement this organisation has issued in 3 years. A damn sight better than the Susan Whelan love in last time. For that, good, go harder next time. 
 

This club is in serious trouble and Foxes Trust needs to be at the forefront banging heads. I am probably at a far more cynical stage than you but the fact you’re getting there gives me hope. 
 

This is now more than about relegation or promotion. More than cups (yes!). This is about getting this club back to the pride we all have for it. This season is the worst ever and not fit for this clubs heritage.

 

The trust needs to stand at the front of it. 

[joachim1965]

1 minute ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

 

 

This is now more than about relegation or promotion. More than cups (yes!). This is about getting this club back to the pride we all have for it. This season is the worst ever and not fit for this clubs heritage.

 

The trust needs to stand at the front of it. 

This.

[David Hankey]

I can't help thinking that if was your Club and you were the Owner would you reveal everything that is going on?

 

We all know we are in dire straits and feelings are running very high.

 

Reading the above comments many appear to have their own opinions of how things should be resolved but none of us know the true ins ad outs of what really is going on.

[jayfox26]

Good to see that people are trying to hold the board etc to account and demand answers but I feel the only way this board and owner will actually listen is when we have an empty stadium. Sadly that will never happen as there are far still far too many KP sympathisers and too many that think that turning up the to stadium is actually helping. 99% of the time, turning up to the stadium and supporting your team through thick and thin is absolutely the right thing to do, but we are way past that now and I fear that the only way to get Top and co to listen is though an empty stadium. These final 5 prem games would be the perfect chance to do this, but like i said, it will sadly never happen. 

[davieG]

27 minutes ago, David Hankey said:

I can't help thinking that if was your Club and you were the Owner would you reveal everything that is going on?

 

We all know we are in dire straits and feelings are running very high.

 

Reading the above comments many appear to have their own opinions of how things should be resolved but none of us know the true ins ad outs of what really is going on.

I don’t believe we are asking for everything I’m not convinced we need to know everything. At the moment it’s nothing, anywhere in between would be a step forward. 

[AjcW]

32 minutes ago, David Hankey said:

I can't help thinking that if was your Club and you were the Owner would you reveal everything that is going on?

 

We all know we are in dire straits and feelings are running very high.

 

Reading the above comments many appear to have their own opinions of how things should be resolved but none of us know the true ins ad outs of what really is going on.

I honestly don't think it would take much communication wise to get things ticking over smoothly again.

Vichai had a 5 and 10 year plan, one that most people laughed at (i believe european football was in there?)... but it was something to aim for.

If they came out at the start of next season and pinned a "Here's where we want to be in 5 years' up for everyone to see... to give them something to aim for and be held accountable for, i think the majority would buy into that!

[Lako42]

3 hours ago, Parafox said:

Is there any (PL) club that divulges the inner workings of their board and the decisions they make, to any officially recognised supporters group?

What a surprise that this is the first response 🙄

 

Really are our own worst enemies. 

 

 

[Lako42]

38 minutes ago, David Hankey said:

I can't help thinking that if was your Club and you were the Owner would you reveal everything that is going on?

 

We all know we are in dire straits and feelings are running very high.

 

Reading the above comments many appear to have their own opinions of how things should be resolved but none of us know the true ins ad outs of what really is going on.

Word soup 

[Vestan Pance]

I appreciate that you and others are spending their time trying to do what is best for the club but, this is a different game now, they don't care, they will pretend they do, it's all a smokescreen.

 

The only way to have made a difference was to have advised supporters to not renew STs until there was evidence that changes will happen to stop this club sliding into the abyss under the current directors.

 

The renewals have happened, we're now going into a gun battle armed with a butter knife.

[Parafox]

1 hour ago, Lako42 said:

What a surprise that this is the first response 🙄

 

Really are our own worst enemies. 

 

 

 

I'm not sure what you see wrong in my post. 

 

Name a club that is outright honest and genuinely engages the supporters focus groups?

 

I can't think a single one outside of the PL and Championship.

 

Those in league 1 and below don't have the resources to enable them to be financially and morally secretive and disingenuous to their fans. Unlike us and probably all clubs in the PL. We don't know where the investments and funding comes from. It could be Turkish barbers for all we know.

 

At least they (in lower leagues) can mostly be open and honest with their fanbase as they're not invested in the pursuit of the riches of the PL. Sure they want success, but they know what they're about and they get on with it. They're not about to sell their soul to the devil.

 

I just want honesty and openness. And we ain't getting that anytime soon.

[Freeman's Wharfer]

Of course an empty stadium is the strongest message you could deliver but it’s just not going to happen.

 

This is football and people are emotionally tied to it. It’s also a club with thousands who will happily step into the shoes of any season ticket holder not renewing or (when we’re in the Premier League) plenty of tourists willing to buy a matchday ticket as a one-off to see a game. You don’t want your longest-standing and arguably most passionate fans substituted out of the stadium for those that would inevitably just replace them.

 

Any dismissal of another approach that is grounded in “stop going” is starting from a position that sounds great in theory but is impossible in reality. It’s better to accept that and then think about what other routes are available than to dismiss any other efforts because they’re not an empty stadium.

[FrankieADZ]

good luck

[Parafox]

2 hours ago, David Hankey said:

I can't help thinking that if was your Club and you were the Owner would you reveal everything that is going on?

 

We all know we are in dire straits and feelings are running very high.

 

Reading the above comments many appear to have their own opinions of how things should be resolved but none of us know the true ins ad outs of what really is going on.

 

I hold you at odds on many of your posts (mainly political) but this I have to agree with you.

 

We don't know and no-one is about to tell us. 

 

Which is to the shame of the club.

 

We all invest in it to some or other degree, by buying a matchday ticket, buying a season ticket, buying a very expensive box, buying merchandise etc. Therefore are we not in some small measure, also investors?

 

Surely investors, even at the most basic level, should be kept informed?

 

But no. As I have posted earlier, football clubs seem to be above any type of honest declaration.

 

If we knew what was happening, we'd understand and that would generate support.

 

As it is, we're waving hands in the darkness hoping someone will make a connection to reassure or at least acknowledge our concerns. Being kept in the dark and not knowing why fails us as supporters. The club do not respect or acknowledge us anymore.

 

Thanks for the cardboard clappers by the way. And yeah, your "beer" is shite. The "food" is overpriced and the toilets are rank.

 

But you don't care. £££££.

 

Let's stop paying them. But the sheep won't.

 

Stifle their income. That's the only way. Don't go to games, don't buy the shitty merch, don't go to meets n greets with players who've done fk all for the club. 

 

Withdraw your support. It's the only way.

 

Top will never be bankrupt but he needs to either invest more or **** off.

Edited 21 April by Parafox

[Chrysalis]

Are you then going to sit silent for another 2 years when they ignore you again?

 

If you serious you have to continually harass them and keep making it public.

[PAULCFC]

1 hour ago, Freeman's Wharfer said:

Of course an empty stadium is the strongest message you could deliver but it’s just not going to happen.

 

This is football and people are emotionally tied to it. It’s also a club with thousands who will happily step into the shoes of any season ticket holder not renewing or (when we’re in the Premier League) plenty of tourists willing to buy a matchday ticket as a one-off to see a game. You don’t want your longest-standing and arguably most passionate fans substituted out of the stadium for those that would inevitably just replace them.

 

Any dismissal of another approach that is grounded in “stop going” is starting from a position that sounds great in theory but is impossible in reality. It’s better to accept that and then think about what other routes are available than to dismiss any other efforts because they’re not an empty stadium.

Thousands who want a ST now........lets see

[The_77]

The Vichai statue outside the stadium is a perfect microcosm of how the club is run.
 

Anyone with a basic understanding of English would know that “The Possible Man” is an awkward phrase that doesn’t mean the message intended to be conveyed about Vichai.
 

The club brass and suits aren’t there to help make decisions, advise and add expertise, they are there to rubber stamp decisions and say yes to what the owner wants. 

[Mickyblueeyes]

I do have a question for @Foxes_Trust and, including you both as I think you’ve suggested you’re part of the board - @CosbehFox @Freeman's Wharfer the fact the club have ignored you for two years.  Was that raised directly with Whelan when you met her ? 
 

If you want to maintain confidentiality of your meeting and not divulge her response (which I doubt was of any value), fine. However, it is absolutely critical to know: a) if it was raised; b) if it was - without divulging her actual response was a clear solution presented by Whelan; c) if it wasn’t, why not as that is a huge failing. 
 

 

[Xen]

12 hours ago, Foxes_Trust said:

The FAB may also have plans to raise questions and concerns - that will be up to them to raise if they do (FAB is wider than just the Trust representative).

 

The Trust believes that the Fan Engagement Framework (and FAB as part of it) should be there to bolster and widen the communication with supporters rather than to replace direct dialogue with fan groups (like the Trust and UFS). So it's important that fan groups still have an opportunity to engage directly with the club.

All well and good, but does the FAB believe that as well? Not a dig at you/the trust - more the case that since the FAB came in the club has felt even more disconnected from the fans, not less.

[Xen]

9 hours ago, AjcW said:

I honestly don't think it would take much communication wise to get things ticking over smoothly again.

Vichai had a 5 and 10 year plan, one that most people laughed at (i believe european football was in there?)... but it was something to aim for.

If they came out at the start of next season and pinned a "Here's where we want to be in 5 years' up for everyone to see... to give them something to aim for and be held accountable for, i think the majority would buy into that!

"Over the last few years, we've made decisions believed to be in the best interest of the future of the club, but the club's fortunes have clearly not lived up to that expectation. We are committed to getting the club back on an even footing for the fans, starting with an independent review which will categorically be delivered publicly on X date, followed by a long-term plan (with timescales/deadlines) for success in all aspects of the club, both on and off the pitch."

 

No fluff about valuing the fans, or acting like this was unforseeable. Just give us an honest, succinct statement acknowledging the errors and explicitly committing to change that will be seen openly by the fans. It wouldnt be perfect, but it'd be a damn sight better than anything offered to date and I think most fans would feel cautiously optimistic hearing that.

[grobyfox1990]

Good statement

[grobyfox1990]

9 hours ago, Parafox said:

 

I hold you at odds on many of your posts (mainly political) but this I have to agree with you.

 

We don't know and no-one is about to tell us. 

 

Which is to the shame of the club.

 

We all invest in it to some or other degree, by buying a matchday ticket, buying a season ticket, buying a very expensive box, buying merchandise etc. Therefore are we not in some small measure, also investors?

 

Surely investors, even at the most basic level, should be kept informed?

 

But no. As I have posted earlier, football clubs seem to be above any type of honest declaration.

 

If we knew what was happening, we'd understand and that would generate support.

 

As it is, we're waving hands in the darkness hoping someone will make a connection to reassure or at least acknowledge our concerns. Being kept in the dark and not knowing why fails us as supporters. The club do not respect or acknowledge us anymore.

 

Thanks for the cardboard clappers by the way. And yeah, your "beer" is shite. The "food" is overpriced and the toilets are rank.

 

But you don't care. £££££.

 

Let's stop paying them. But the sheep won't.

 

Stifle their income. That's the only way. Don't go to games, don't buy the shitty merch, don't go to meets n greets with players who've done fk all for the club. 

 

Withdraw your support. It's the only way.

 

Top will never be bankrupt but he needs to either invest more or **** off.

We obviously aren't investors, we are stakeholders. Stakeholder reporting is a common part of business operations, from public to private businesses. Giving up and accepting that 'we are where we are' will achieve nothing. We need the trust and its Board pushing the club to engage in more stakeholder reporting, like they are doing

[David Hankey]

What we all need to remember is that this was Vichai's dream.

 

Now he is no longer with us the Club is a different organisation and my view is that Top does not have the same vision or ambition as his father.

 

To him where we are, Premier League or the Championship, doesn't really matter like it does to us.