We weren't consulted about the move and nobody at CTWD knew about it until after it happened. The criticism seems to be more about the fact that we didn't do anything to help people once it did become known.
They did, because I spoke to some about it. As I said at the time, it needed nothing more from CTWD than a focal point so that a co-ordinated approach to the move could have been attempted. As it was, lots of individuals worked things for themselves. Worse than doing nothing, suggestions for ways to help fans were shouted down, and even afterwards, the move was supported by CTWD. As a consequence, and as was pointed out CTWD, or whatever it's chosing to call itself, has lost a batch of the longer term supporters, replaced by those less likely to be bothreed. An opportunity missed.
It didn't need CTWD to do anything much. The people that would be doing anything, were active anyway, it just needed a focus for them so that each w3asn't just told it was only them. A slight show of understanding the issue would have been adequate.
But I'm a CTWD member and was unconcerned by the move. My best mate is also a CTWD member and has moved to North Stand and is very happy with it. CTWD was founded to oppose the name change, what's the point in trying to use them as a focal point against something that the club had already decided would happen and some members were FOR? Earlier in the season there were lots of fans happy with what was regarded as a better atmosphere.
You misunderstand, the move itself isn't the issue, although I know plenty that hate it, it was the way the move was managed and implemented that's the issue. The fact you're happy is good, but that shouldn't stop others being helped either. That's not what a supporters group should be about in my view. Earlier in the season, the 'better' atmosphere' was debatable. Even if it existed at all, the reasons were far from clearly being due to the stand move. The liklihood is, it could have been better without it.
As I've mentioned several times previously, the issue was the management of the evictions, which was discussed on here when there was still time for things to be done. Have your bollocks back.
You said people at CTWD knew about the seat move in advance, as you spoke to them about it and that's simply not true.
The discussions on here about the seat moves before they happened, which included you, me and others on them says otherwise. You're trying to make it about the applications and principle, rather than the management of the moves themselves. CTWD missed an opportunity to help fans for a very minimal amount of effort. Since then, you and others have plugged the move as a success, even making unsupportable claims in press releases about it.
I agree that the move was handled disgracefully, if I was told to move with no consultation I would feel very bitter. However, I don't think that CTWD were the vehicle to use to make representations to the club for the reasons I've mentioned.
Apart from perhaps early on, I never really asked or expected them to be the vehicle to approach the club. Others were better placed to do that, but needed a central point.
CTWD wanted to be a Supporters Trust at that time and they should have represented a significant number of supporters faced with the evictions. What they could have done is asked for: 1. arrangements for people to be moved in blocks, if they wanted to stay with friends, 2. arrangements for those that wanted to remain in the East Stand be given first choice of seats before they went on general sale, 3. arranged for supporters to have a look at their future seats before moving, and 4. getting the club to agree to consultation in the future with the fans concerned before implementing any move. There's nothing that says the club must talk to the Supporters Trust but I think all 4 points are very reasonable. OLM explained and I excepted that after a long campaign the existing committee members were knackered and a number like myself had not stood for the new committee. I agree with Dutch it was an opportunity lost, but we learn from our mistakes and move on.
In some regards it was all about the way it was done and not really why. The restrictions imposed by the design of the stand, appeared to be a stumbling block when supporters wanted the stand opened up to home fans, but disappeared when it was the club putting the proposal forward. Obi is right learn from it and move on.
Was it **** understandable. Bottle less fannies whoever left. We have a thread on here every so often about people who leave early and they get called to ****. Now its perfectly understandable!! GTF.
I think one of the worst things they have done is make 16 years olds (school age kids) pay the same as someone who is 21 or 22. (if I remember the categories correctly). Talk about how to **** it up for future generations. They really are ****.
First thing our new owners need to do is make it possible for young people to get in to games …its ****ing stupid to have so many who want to go to games and empty bloody seats . That's all Bed time The problem is the PARENTS can't afford a ticket to take there kids They might not want there 13 . 14 year old to go one there own But 3 kids at the same school or in the same class could go TOGETHER. if schools handed out spare tickets for free Unlike you I don't mind ANYONE getting a free ticket and I pay for my pass and one junior pass. My sister pays for the second junior pass I also take them to away games ...coach....seat ....27 quid each for man city ...plus 20 quid each coach . Hopefully when the juniors leave school....get a job they will still go to city And even take there children. I couldn't give a **** if the club give Tickets away to anyone still in education . Why would I ? In March I will have being going for 50 seasons. My dad took me when I was a lad In those days it was cheap to get in. but it's not cheap now and people are being priced out . I want NEW fans coming along for when us old twats are no longer around . In fact I would let the unemployed also have.access to any left over tickets.
Should have subsidised the under 21's supporters for the Villa with the money wasted on those flags, most of which were thrown away or left in the stadium.
