I don't want to drag it on so will just answer the third paragraph. The fans parliament don't represent us depending on who you consider us to be. The Eastend rep (one of them anyway) is reasonably well known and gives it a go, but he just can't represent a 1000, it isn't physically possible even if he knew all. In any case with something as important as the ground, which could have a massive impact on not only individual fans but the culture of the club he had little I am told ( things were already decided) to pass on. So what difference has this fans parliament made? Next to none, or little of importance.
Fans have consistently offered solutions. The ire directed the latest defacing of the clubs home kit was predictable, and avoidable. The fans parliament as of yet has made no positive contribution to my day. It could have significant negative ones if it is not proactive in gleaning fans views. In short City need to join the rhetoric up with actions. Simple actions like asking fans how to gain the best benefit from things such as the club's open day, planning in advance friendlies/testimonials, no more autocratic ditching of history and sending the XI looking like Star trek extras. This is simple stuff."Listening clubs" manage it.
Been thinking about this ... Elsewhere well meaning chaps are still bunging out images, and banging on about turning Ashton Gate on its head, adding a Neymar cut x McGeady spin, but nobody from this fans parliament gig has stepped in to say "boys you are off the scent, save valuable life time, jobs done already ... " The working group are fans reps, but have done one. I train people, in that training they get to draw blood with the type of behaviour that would get them locked up elsewhere. A mantra, a teaching is this, asking "wos good bad and how can that be better"? Do it regularly people perform better, feel better.
Off top of my head. The good - Ashton and Backwell friendly. Eastend season ticket price. Kids season ticket. Eastend now having a facility for for alcohol - natch bar. The bad - lack of friendlies at Ashton Gate, no friendly on a Saturday, silly non event of Botswanna tour. Home kit again chosen by people called Kevin. Redevelpoment consultation has it started?? Possibly good - Willem II game next season. Fans involvement in selecting kit next season. Unknowns - Club open day. What could be done better? Quite a lot actually.
Rome was not built in a day and Bristol City will not be able to re-structure the club and the thinking within the Club and Supporters without a lot of effort and some mistakes along the way. But let's give them credit for at last seeing that the way they have operated over the last ten years or so, has been a disaster. Onwards and upwards; COYREDS
Last season City were in Scotland on the day a testimonial was played at Ashton Gate to honour Gerry Gow. Same people chose this season's kit again. Heard lots of words now.
