Interesting thing for me is despite the many “failings out” on here, at meet-ups everyone gets on like a house on fire to best of my knowledge, except the Aussies of course that couldn’t be bothered turning up
Indeed, The written word is always harder to understand, no facial expression, tongue in cheek sarcasm etc. Also many read things in different time zones, not the same on an evening after a few beers and someone else is on their way to work in the morning. We are all in this TOGETHER we have the same goal, but different opinions on how to reach it. As such is the joy of human diversity. MOT ALAW BTW, i have met up a few times with a LUFC aussie, from the old 606 days.
It's also worth noting that not only do we all get on, but some brilliant days/nights out have occured solely because of this forum and our love of Leeds United. Given the different social and political aspects that's a huge testimony to our group. We easily to put those differences to one side and focus on the important things in life like humility and respect for one another. To my knowledge there has never been a cross word uttered and there's such a spirit of comradeship that it's just a pleasure to be a part of.
I guess it also depends on how you view a forum. If you make friends, have meet ups etc I can see why you might feel it’s a club ... are emotionally invested in it ... have a right in how it’s run etc. If, however you see it more as just an entity where you can kill some time and chew the fat over subjects of interest - then you don’t feel it owes you anything. If you get banned you just go elsewhere or form a whatsapp group with your pals.
Was typing that at the same time as your post Jammy. Guess it highlights the point. my view is if you’re all great buddies, why does the forum matter, it’s just a vehicle to the friendship not the friendship itself. Why not all go elsewhere where glory’s not banned for your banter. You could still still post here as well if desired? Are chesh and WJ really best mates when they meet up?
The only part I'd disagree with there Eire is, for around 5 years I was a mod on a forum and in my time doing it, I think we permanently banned 2 posters, one for posting hardly anything but racial content the other was similar but got also got aggressive with posters on a Friday night, when he was obviously on the piss, both got warnings, then one was given a 2 week ban but it continued. The problem was,good members were leaving the forum in numbers , it has happened 3 times since, not for racial content but the fact good posters were leaving because of the abuse. I believe in all of those cases the the correct decision was made for the good of the forum. I believe in free speech but folk don't come on these places to be abused.
Good point. I can only speak as an emotionally invested member so don’t know how the others feel. Through this forum, I’ve had some memorable meet-ups, some one dayers and some weekends. I’ve been lucky to have had mates here organise match tickets when I couldn’t get them but also have been able to return the favour for a few through my involvement with west of Ireland supporters club thankfully. Maybe forum means more to us overseas posters as it maintains links with the club
Point one yes chesh and WJ really are best mates in reality. Two, Twitter is the vehicle for discussions with others. Doc and glory frequent twitter,, we regularly chat
The reason we're great buddies is solely because of the forum. Hopefully you'll understand it's the glue, the raison d'etre and without it we'd just be a disparate group of guys with a boatload of differing opinions. And yes believe it or not both chesh and WJ are amazingly good company both individually and collectively.
Yeh it’s a delicate balance Gessa... high volume ‘controversial’ posters generate a lot of debate they maybe pull new people in to engage but equally drive people away. I watched my favourite boxing forum go down the pan when a few clowns turned every thread into a slanging match. Good posters left and it went into terminal decline and has never recovered. I took a spell on here for a while because every thread seemed to be about glory and his itk banter. I’d be fine if he came back, just don’t see it as my business.
No idea. Can ask him. Suspect it got a bit negative here at times, some of you are like that you know He’s a positive kind of guy
Good point but before this goes down the glory route, I mentioned other posters too that I’d like to see active. Did your boxing forum have an ignore button like here?
Had a feeling it was some of the negative posts, guess he’ll return if he feels the time is right, can’t see it happening before the Fulham game
Life’s about people Jammy. This forum is just how you met. Now you have met, you’re all friends, you don’t need a forum to tell you that... or at least any particular one. You can keep in touch on any forum. Thanks for the heads up... I look forward to reminding chesh and wj what good buddies they during one of their next 10 page slanging matches
He was defending the clubs transfer policy in January when pretty much everyone else was panning it. Think he’d just had enough
Of course you're right and that's why I'm still good friends with a couple of people who are no longer on the forum. The general collective however is maintained through the communications we have on here...FFS you don't think I'd give some of these idiots my phone number do you