I agree that there's not exactly a set criteria. For what it's worth, my take on it is that Methven in particular has been very scathing about our fan base. He's been quoted as saying about how we end up wanting every owner to leave. He might have a point where Bob Murray was concerned, a fair number did eventually want him to go (mainly because having given us such a good base with the stadium and academy he struggled to push us on and we were badly failing in the top flight). He mentioned quinn getting criticism, I'm certain that didn't happen. Not in any major way. Drumaville were largely popular throughout. Equally Short was a popular owner for the most part. Of course people ended up wanting him out, but only really at the end when it was obvious he had given up and wanted out as much as we wanted him out and when he was dragging us with a hundred million quid of debt into the third tier. There were years of poor decisions previously and he was still, largely, supported. Any fan base in the world would have wanted him gone when we did. Methven was banging on about this, and trying to make us sound fickle and impatient to cover up their own incompetence, right in the middle of the time when negotiations will have been taking place. I might be wrong, but I see that comment as basically a retort to that. Not any sort of veiled threat for KLD, more a rebuke of Methven's take on our support. They don't speak for everyone, but I think it's quite accurate to suggest that if KLD doesn't majorly **** things up and is trying to do the right thing he'll get a hell of a lot of support from the fan base. What are the standards and ambitions of our fans? Well, there's no set answer, as you say no one can really define that. Broadly speaking though I think most fans want to see the club being run professionally (unlike under Donald), with regard for its future (unlike Donald and, in respect of the finances where we were left with crippling debts that could have killed the club, Short), and I think most expect to see us at least try to improve and compete (we tried that under Short, but certainly not under Donald). Some will disagree with that, but I think if any new owner does those three things they'd be broadly supported by the fan base, with even more support if it includes the academy functioning well. I don't think it's asking for any more than that tbh.
I understand what you’re saying. It’s just in my mind at least, this thread seems to have a life of its own and it’s growing and growing. I guess should we allow the thread to die its own death or should we euthanise it?
What constitutes your lifetime mate? Because in the last 25 years alone we've spent 16 of them in the top flight. In fact we've never gone more than 6 seasons outside of the top flight since first leaving it in 1958, something I'm hoping we come close to repeating now we (hopefully) have competent ownership.
Euthanising a forum thread, that's growing, would seem to be the antithesis of a forum imo. The same debate is happening on social media, RTG, etc which shows that people feel strongly about it. Many who disagree with the timing and tone of the statement are RAWA members. The problem for me is that a few people decide to issue a hasty statement .... ... the media then report it as the red and white army, which we've sang for decades and how we regard ourselves. We're all tarred with the same brush as if we're making demands before the owner has even arrived. Sadly I believe RAWA are well aware of this and actually encourage that state of affairs. I don't like it one bit tbh.
Exactly mate. RAWA are talking about demands and ambitions without having a clue what they are, did we tell them? Ironic as they're expecting the owner to lay out his short and long term plans. They don't need to explain anything to Louis-Dreyfus ... ... he's steeped in football, has engaged people who know the game and is investing millions of his own money. Everyone already knows what all football supporters want ... good football and progress, not complicated is it?
Is this not part of the problem though? As a member of RAWA do I have to read SMB to get messages or information? Do RAWA only represent or liaise with readers of that board? I'm a member of RAWA and have checked all emails I've received from them and the last two were dated 16th December about the foodbanks and 22nd October for joining instructions for a Zoom call (which I attended). No other communication and a post on one message board does not constitute informing or communicating with its members.
Thanks GG. In all honesty every football supporter, on the planet, wants all that. It just comes across as delusional and arrogant that a handful of lads believe they need to explain it to KLD. The man has literally grown up around football and, believe me, I've been to the Velodrome many times and he'll be in no doubt as to what supporters want. We have to rid ourselves of this Donald & Methven obsession and allow KLD to run the club. We all know he'll do things entirely his way, with or without delegations from various supporters groups. Pretending otherwise is just an attempt to appear relevant and vital imo. Our job is to support the club.
I've previously asked for this forum to be included in communications without success, or response tbh. It appears to be an 'us and them' situation which is poor imo.
What is annoying me is that what the fans need to know we have already been told in statements fro Speakman KLD and LJ and in paraphrasing they have spoken of a club with a rich history a desire to develop the youth programme and their intention to get our club back in the top flight and dare I guess maybe challenging for trophies. How much more info do supporters need. Unless they would like the club to give them access to KLD accounts to see how much cash he is going to spend. IMO yes some money is important but putting in the correct people in the right places and giving the club the character and set up to succeed is as important if not more important at this present time than an open cheque book
This thread is becoming the whole Sunderland forum at the moment. Like I said though, just my opinion on the thread. I’m not going to lose any sleep over it!
It appears that RAWA wish to appear to be the only conduit from the club to the supporters. We had a similar situation with D&M, that turned out well. The problem is that, if that becomes the case, a fall out cuts us all off because the club no longer inform us through the normal channels. The club website should be, first and foremost, the source of information. If it come through ALS, RR, RAWA, or whoever there's always the will be ever so slightly spun or misrepresented. What then, the club have to issue a counter statement? Nah, let's not have this elitism, we're all just supporters so let's support the club and presume the new owner innocent until proven otherwise.
Anyone can start threads of their own mate. There's the football Covid crisis, January transfer window, etc etc etc. To paraphrase 'people get the press that they deserve' ... ... or summat like that.
Well to be fair there really isn't anything else for Sunderland fans to discuss as our last 4 games have been postponed and we are waiting on EFL ratification of the new ownership.
Exactly, they involve certain media outlets or forums and exclude others. Imo any statement or communication either has to be on all outlets or at least emailed to every member so at least they're aware beforehand. They can easily use online voting buttons to get a quick analysis of whether people agree or not. Obviously that could work against their own agenda.
There's an unsettling situation developing whereby WMS, RR, ALS, RAWA, RTG, SUNDERLAND TV, etc, are all trying to appear the most relevant. That, imo, is why this RAWA statement was rushed out before the EFL have even ratified the new owner/chairman. please log in to view this image It's claimed that they're only speaking for themselves and their members, yet their own slogan totally contradicts that ... ... deliberately I'm sure.
I agree, the last Comms I got directly from them were the same dates as your emails. They can't expect their members to read these forums and gauge opinions that way surely. People could have multiple accounts, they could be mags or anything. Looking at their social media accounts they have 2k followers on Facebook and just over 9k on Twitter which still doesn't reach their 13k total. If registering to be a member requires an email address to sign up then that's the only true way to canvass opinions of all members. Even then, not all will respond; I think a return rate of around 10% is considered decent from any type of survey.
I don't really agree with that, if you mean sending it to the members so they're aware before it hits the RAWA website or anywhere else, but communication could be improved. I think it needs to be on the RAWA website first (which it is currently, it goes there, they tweet it, and then they ask if someone can post it on smb, normally ghandi floss as he's the rep, but I'll often do it if he's busy). I think if you send it to all members before it goes on the website, someone will copy and paste it onto their twitter or whatever and suddenly it looks a bit of a shambles that there's a RAWA statement posted on a random twitter account before it's released. If you just mean that any statement should be on the RAWA website and then emailed to all members at the same time I agree though. I'm not sure why the emails are fairly few and far between. Maybe there's a way to set it up so it sends them automatically when something is posted onto the website. Like i say, there's lots about RAWA that can likely be improved. Communication is certainly one part . I mean, I see smugs comment about including this forum in communication, it's poor if there's not even a reply. I'll try and post anything on here but I won't always manage and it's not exactly an ideal solution! The group is still relatively young though, maybe they need more people involved so that all queries can at least get a response. Certainly I think they should, even if it's a brief reply. If a fan is taking the time to get in touch they should hear back. I suppose the issue is that someone like me couldnt reply, because I'm not on the committee and they wouldn't want me saying something they didn't agree with, but those that are on the committee are volunteers as well so if there's a lot of emails randomly it'll be hard to get to all of them. It needs some thought tbh
There's now an attempt on RTG to make this an 'us and them' situation as was done with the takeover. In that case most on here were saying the takeover was happening ... ... over there it generally became the opposite partly because of the 'us and them' nonsense. I'd remind Scott934 and @6inarow that there are people on RTG who disagree with you. There are also RAWA members on both forums and social media who disagree with you. People are entitled to their opinion just as you are.
