To be honest I'm just sick of it all.
This will always be my club, but enough.
My parents (season ticket holders) have just told me they are taking a break from attending BP. In all seriousness as they are both pensioners I doubt they will be back. It's a shame, but to be honest I don't blame them. Over the years they have told me stories of their travels in the sixties and seventies, home and away in their Mini van, picking up hitch hiking town fans. That was "their" time. My era was the Buckley years and although not perfect I realise I was spoilt seeing Town battle with the big guns.
But to be honest the passion I had up to and for a few months after promotion to the league has gone.
Over the years I've became too attached to the club and too emotionally invested.
I can't stand what the current board have done and are doing to GTFC.
When I asked the question at the forum about the chances of a new stadium being started this decade I expected more than I got: 7/10 from Fenty. He no longer fervently promoted the vision I had bought in to.
So the chances of no stadium (I'm sure at the press conference announcing the failed project he will compare us to Bristol Rovers, Scunthorpe and their recent failed attempts, as a sign of the times and current economic climate) and the current state of the team (on the field and in the board) lead me to believe the future of the club is bleak. Why would anyone think differently? What have Fenty and Slade ever achieved in football? So why do some believe they can turn things around? Because they put out a nicely written statement full of political spin? It's not difficult to carry out some Due diligence on John Fenty's reign and see it would only take footballing fortune, no sorry, miracle for him to make this club a success.
I honestly believe the statement was put out as a response to the falling gates. As a result I've also decided to take a break. The club won't lose out financially as I'm also a ST holder. But it will be 3 less bums on seats and if that's what it will take to get the message across, with thousands of others then so be it.
Steve.
A very good post and one that is sad to see, I am sorry you feel this way. I have posted very little on here during this week after a weekend of activity as I wanted time to reflect.
I feel exactly the same way and in reality and probably have done since the fans forum where that tw@t Marley told supporters to "shut up" that is all you needed to know about the current exec.
I want better for sure but actually at the moment I would just settle for a board that cared about the betterment of the club ahead of trying to off load it like sh1t off their shoes. Yes JF at times has put his own money on the table but enough is enough, the loans and financial support does not buy you the the right for ever, you have to earn that season by season in my view.
Also this board appointed Slade for one reason - with him in charge it was unlikely we would get relegated, if we did the chances of the directors offloading GTFC would be less than zero. Though I'm sure he's a nice bloke in real life but in football terms he's yesterday's man.
It's the transfer window and I am embarrassed at what other clubs are doing and how we are falling short. On Sunday on radio & TV we had Newport and Shrewsbury playing in the cup with Podge and the Paul Hurst 5 it felt like Jim Bowen saying "look what you could have won." This Saturday I think I'm more looking forward to seeing Amond than anyone in a GTFC shirt.
I will still go to BP as I am a STH and with a busy work schedule it;s the only time in reality I get with my dad and bless him to a degree he still believes, For me though I am now going to BP out of obligation rather than anything else.
I remember a couple of things about John Fenty that will always stick in my mind,
1 When he was trying to get on the board and wrangling to get a seat he came out in the GET with "I have always wanted to own a football club" "welljon" as you private plate says it's not a fukin Picasso you don't buy it put it on the wall and just leave it.
2. I remember at that time when he was trying to get a seat and giving it the big un in the press we played away at Man City and I was sat near him in that open seating they had at Main Rd Ironically he was sharing a flask with a few hangers on who are still hanging on. I looked at him then and thought he just might be the one to move us forward, man of the people sitting with the fans etc... how wrong could I be all this time later?
So my message to JF is move over and let someone else in, you don't have to call your loans in you have some cash in the bank and hopefully as I wish you no you'll not need to worry about leaving an inheritance for a long, long while yet. Sell your shares for £1 on the understanding we will pay you back overtime once we hi break even each season after the manager has had his budget agreed of course.
So in summary I'll be there Saturday but out of hope more than expectation and obligation more than anything else.
Footnote.............The players might not want to play for Slade but they have an obligation to play for the fans, if they do then maybe I'll walk away feeling a bit better even after Podge sticking the knife in again.
UTM!