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With regard to the clubs vote on the Checkatrade Trophy.

The club appreciates that the fans view on the format of the Checkatrade Trophy is a negative one.

However, from the clubs perspective it is a valuable source of income, which I am sure that you would all appreciate is very welcome.  The board has taken the decision to vote yes to this format. We feel very strongly that this is not the first step to premiere 'B' teams entering the football league.  I can assure all of you 100% that should that issue be presented in the future, the vote of this board would be a resounding NO.

This decision was not taken lightly and was the subject of much discussion between all members of the board. However, we believe the fans have a right to know why we have voted as we have. I understand that there may well be a boycott by many fans.  Whilst disappointing, it is of course up to the fans themselves as to whether they attend or not.

As well as an extra source of income, it is also a chance to give valuable game time to some of the younger and also fringe members of the squad.  It would be nice for them to experience the fantastic support of which we all know our fans are capable of providing. As non chairman,  I would ask you to support the team and I know the manger and players would very much appreciate it too.

The above is purely from myself and is in no way related to any official GTFC statement.  It was knocked up by me in 10 minutes.  Wouldn't it be nice if the club could spend at least that much time on PR ? !!

These are NOT my views.  In my view we should have voted NO.  It's just an attempt to show how the club could have let the fans know.

Even if it did come from you bubble ship matey, I don't trust those in charge at the club should such a payout to accept it buy their vote as this checkatrade deal has proved, money talks.

Once you lose trust....

It's my understanding that two thirds of the clubs voted in favour of this format, which means one third voted against. I presume they still play in the competition and are paid the prize money accordingly, so a no vote would have made no difference to the club's involvement, but a huge difference to the fans perceptions.

Quoted from ginnywings

It's my understanding that two thirds of the clubs voted in favour of this format, which means one third voted against. I presume they still play in the competition and are paid the prize money accordingly, so a no vote would have made no difference to the club's involvement, but a huge difference to the fans perceptions.

absolutely. You would have only had to have a peek on here to see the feelings about it. They could have not sold out and still had the same result.

Quoted from headingly_mariner

absolutely. You would have only had to have a peek on here to see the feelings about it. They could have not sold out and still had the same result.

Vocal minority. :-/

Quoted from headingly_mariner

absolutely. You would have only had to have a peek on here to see the feelings about it. They could have not sold out and still had the same result.

I don't doubt that, it certainly isn't my opinion and I think the vote should have been NO. But all I was doing was trying to show the club that a half decent statement would have at least taken some of the sting out of the decision that they did make anyway.

And trust me, I wouldn't trust our board as far as I could throw Mat Rhead. !!

Quoted from Civvy at last

I don't doubt that, it certainly isn't my opinion and I think the vote should have been NO. But all I was doing was trying to show the club that a half decent statement would have at least taken some of the sting out of the decision that they did make anyway.

And trust me, I wouldn't trust our board as far as I could throw Mat Rhead. !!

Yes Civvy, it's clear what you were getting at and the thread has maybe gone off on a tangent a little. I think the club did release some statements saying what you have put in your version, but they were after the event, piecemeal and badly worded.

The Luton board for instance discussed the issue with some fan groups and explained their thinking. Our board made the decision and then tried to justify it when the majority of fans made it known they were not happy, either by being vocal, or simply voting with their feet. As i said in another thread, they totally mis-judged the fans feelings on this and not for the first time.

Quoted from Civvy at last

I don't doubt that, it certainly isn't my opinion and I think the vote should have been NO. But all I was doing was trying to show the club that a half decent statement would have at least taken some of the sting out of the decision that they did make anyway.

And trust me, I wouldn't trust our board as far as I could throw Mat Rhead. !!

I completely agree with you, they've made a complete mess of it. Instead of doing that, you get the nonsense that Wraith was spouting and instead of condemning that at the forum, Fenty tried to back it up.