Arranging centenary events and a more professional attitude from the people running the club will not cost anything. Sadly it would appear! Once again, that the only improvements that have been made are by the supporters. The programme is fantastic now. The new official website is really great and the club shop much better than it used to be ............ I bet the supporters were behind all of these
The fantastic programme and great website are due to Paul, the Commercial Manager.
-- Edited by Falconwood_1 on Thursday 22nd of August 2013 07:39:29 PM
There are numerous posts on the site regarding how the club can give a better supporter experience and gain more support. Some are great ideas whilst others are ridiculous - like pulling down the bar and getting a grant to build another.
The simple fact that the the people running the club are not interested. Why do you think nobody has done anything about the 50 year centenary? Surely if they had their finger on pulse a game against against a top league or premier side in pre-season would have got a big crowd and decent revenue for the club. We should have loads of events planned during the centenary season and the fact that we have not tells us a lot about where the club think its priorities are And how interested it is in it's supporters. who they not remember it was the supporters who saved the club a few years ago?
jamie is trying really hard to make the club succeed on the pitch but this work is going to go to waste if the club do not get a reality check.
Arranging centenary events and a more professional attitude from the people running the club will not cost anything. Sadly it would appear! Once again, that the only improvements that have been made are by the supporters. The programme is fantastic now. The new official website is really great and the club shop much better than it used to be ............ I bet the supporters were behind all of these
Maybe BUT we HAVE NO MONEY FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS!!!
Lets get on with supporting the team in what is a VERY difficult season
The clubs priorities right now are to stay in the league....that will atttact more sponsors and maybe even a buyer...thats the key part for me
I really dont care what the bar looks like or whether the burger bar is run by the club (who would do it)
Whilst I understand what you are saying Mark, and why, you are a long standing supporter its this sort of short-term-ism that causes problems.
Yes, staying in the league is a massive priority. THE massive priority. But not the only thing that needs addressing.
The chances of sponsors being found and/or a buyer will only improve if we sort the off-field problems wherever possible. People should care what the bar and other facilities look like. A better bar, better ground, better facilities, better PR, etc etc will have a knock on effect on everything else.
What I do agree on is the lack of desire from within the club. That itself should be as large a priority as staying in the league as all the on-field work is somewhat ruined if the off-field only falls further behind.
Money making opportunities do not grow on trees. We are small fry in this division compared to some. I don't expect miracles to occur overnight. But when money making opportunities come along and the club pushes them away I am at a loss as to how we can resolve this in the near future.
Arranging centenary events and a more professional attitude from the people running the club will not cost anything. Sadly it would appear! Once again, that the only improvements that have been made are by the supporters. The programme is fantastic now. The new official website is really great and the club shop much better than it used to be ............ I bet the supporters were behind all of these
I did wonder with the 50th anniversary would there be any special events? Expected to see a organising committee and a few events such as a game against a premier league team, a golf day, a sportsman's dinner, an auction of memorabilia, a game of Welling legends v Arsenal Legends etc etc. But typical Welling nothing at all has been organised and am very disappointed that no events have been available and the anniversary will be gone. That's why I didn't buy any shares as I have no confidence in the club to move forward. I have watched Welling from the early eighties until the end of the Kevin Hales era home and away. I still cannot forgive the club for backing Kevin Hales despite numerous letters from myself and others, the fanzine and the fans on the terraces calling him to resign, I was at Hyde when we were thumped with Paul Copley playing up front. I gave up watching Welling almost totally because of this and have only returned from the Grimsby match last season onwards. I have to say that I agree that the Football management side of things is the best organised and most professional I have ever seen at Welling but am still annoyed at our lack of coverage on the BBC etc which I feel is the fault of the family again. I wish the club every success on and off the field and am waiting for some support from Bexley Council (Maybe Welling should field some candidates in next year's local elections!!) Hasta Luego!!
I did wonder with the 50th anniversary would there be any special events? Expected to see a organising committee and a few events such as a game against a premier league team, a golf day, a sportsman's dinner, an auction of memorabilia, a game of Welling legends v Arsenal Legends etc etc. But typical Welling nothing at all has been organised and am very disappointed that no events have been available and the anniversary will be gone. That's why I didn't buy any shares as I have no confidence in the club to move forward. I have watched Welling from the early eighties until the end of the Kevin Hales era home and away. I still cannot forgive the club for backing Kevin Hales despite numerous letters from myself and others, the fanzine and the fans on the terraces calling him to resign, I was at Hyde when we were thumped with Paul Copley playing up front. I gave up watching Welling almost totally because of this and have only returned from the Grimsby match last season onwards. I have to say that I agree that the Football management side of things is the best organised and most professional I have ever seen at Welling but am still annoyed at our lack of coverage on the BBC etc which I feel is the fault of the family again. I wish the club every success on and off the field and am waiting for some support from Bexley Council (Maybe Welling should field some candidates in next year's local elections!!) Hasta Luego!!
The club has moved forward. We've gone from nearly going bust, to play off final to champions and promotion. We are miles ahead commercially from where we have been for many years. We have a programme that we can be proud of (and it's a long time since we could say that). Personally I think the website is excellent as is Wings TV We have representation at a senior level with the club - I can't remember if its actually on the board. We've a thriving supporters association that makes money and actively supports the team. And we've a forum where no one has threatened anyone etc for ages so as a group of supporters we've also moved forward. There has been so much negativity recently despite starting the season, in my opinion, far better than most of us thought likely / possible. The idea that the club can be blamed for the lack of BBC coverage just about takes the biscuit. Such a shame really.
I don't think people are blaming the club for BBC etc, but the club isn't faultless.
Yes, we're a long way improved on previously, programme, Wings TV, etc, but we're still light years away from where we should be striving for. So yes lets be positive, and lets make it happen ... BUT THE CLUB MUST BUY INTO IT. Supporters can't be relied upon exclusively. Its not fair, and its not as profitable as it could and should be.
Now...I have to ask a question...please bear with me
Who is 'the Club'
If you are talking about 2 people then whatever their faults I think they dont do too bad!!
We dont have 40 people who run 'the club'
Thats why I always feel from some of the comments that some think there are hoards of people sitting around at PVR all week twiddling their thumbs whiile drinking coffee
Their major fault was not letting anyone in to the regime before...that has changed!!
There is more visibilty - although there is a way to go
We are in a far better place....I think the next step IF it could happen is a buy out...If and When a REAL one does appear (and it will IF we stay in this division) then we can take the next major steps
Their major fault was not letting anyone in to the regime before...that has changed!!
A shame that they only saw fit to correct this fault when they were left with no alternative if they wanted the club to stay afloat. I've said before that whilst having a representative gives us access to some information, I genuinely don't feel like we have any real power and influence on the board. The two who we consider "the club" will out-vote the 1 representative if they want to.
There is more visibilty - although there is a way to go
A long way.
We are in a far better place....I think the next step IF it could happen is a buy out...If and When a REAL one does appear (and it will IF we stay in this division) then we can take the next major steps
Unfortunately I suspect the debt level is what is putting potential investors off - it certainly seemed to be the case with Dean Lee when I spoke with him last season. Most of our complaints come about because we're desperate for this to happen. It's understandable that people will complain if they see that common sense improvements that could bring in additional income, and therefore reduce the debt, are being ignored by "the club".
Yeah I dont disagree too much with that apart from the debt level which is pretty small (from what I am to believe) compared to others that have had buy outs.....Ebsfleet for one
Yeah I dont disagree too much with that apart from the debt level which is pretty small (from what I am to believe) compared to others that have had buy outs.....Ebsfleet for one
Our debt is pushing six figures, and its growing not shrinking. And when someone approaches the club with potential investment they get harassed by other clubs asking for them to invest there.
I believe that a substantial amount of the debt owed to the 41/42 supporters has been cleared through payments and through season tickets being bought as part of the repayments.
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Welling United FC. Banging on the walls of Woking dressing rooms since 1963..
I accept your point about the BBC Coverage but also pre season all other Conference Premier Clubs Friendly results appeared in the National Press with the exception of one club Welling. Also every other clubs transfer dealings are always on the BBC, no mention of Harry Beautyman anywhere last Friday!!
I think the Hobbins have done a fantastic job over the years with no support from Bexley Council and am proud to support my home town team. The commercial side is a lot better but maybe we need some help on the PR side, the Bexley Mayor and Council Leaders should be invited down to a game and given hospitality as it might help with getting some ground improvements, just an idea. I intend no hostility and am 100% behind the club. Come on you Wings!!
I think the Hobbins have done a fantastic job over the years with no support from Bexley Council and am proud to support my home town team. The commercial side is a lot better but maybe we need some help on the PR side, the Bexley Mayor and Council Leaders should be invited down to a game and given hospitality as it might help with getting some ground improvements, just an idea. I intend no hostility and am 100% behind the club. Come on you Wings!!
Re: inviting the council, I believe this was done/attempted some time ago.
The reason for "no support from Bexley Council" is largely due to the fact we owe them a s**t load of money.
Yes we may owe them money BUT why as the premier team in the area are they not helping us out with errrrr....maybe not charging as much or indeed at all!!
The fact is they have NO Interest in a football team in Bexley...That is the issue
Look at D**tford...they have been GIVEN a stadium to play in
Bexley council could and should have done far more over the years. Imagine if they had invested in our ground 20 years back and we had 1,000+ average. The knock on effect could have been pretty good for the area - shops see an increase in business, pubs get more custom, even the hotels get a sniff of extra trade. All extra income for the borough. No doubt the lack of progress with the council is due to reasons between the council and club but so many councils would love to have a Conference National club, especially one that has not drifted down the leagues since we were last in it and one that gets far more coverage than before. BBC Local radio (Kent) hasn't helped - the BBC Trust is the one to look into this matter.
