MelbourneValiant

March 7

7 hours ago, Bede said:

I wrote the following account yesterday but decided to sleep on it before posting. I feel I must now clarify, given the responses since the release of the official statement.

OK, so to first explain how this has come about. I am the co-founder of the Black & Gold Group, but also current sitting Secretary of the Supporters' Club. The SC, B&G and NLV have all been interwoven for many years, simply because we are all Vale fans with the same ultimate aims. We all offer differing viewpoints on things but remain active together to provide a widespread view on situations. B&G have remained active, albeit in the background, for many years, mainly as observers and researchers. With my SC hat on, we have been increasingly frustrated with everything at the club, same as everyone else. We therefore requested a committee meeting a couple of months or so ago with the inclusion of Matt Hancock, who has offered himself up to the SC as the conduit between us and the club. The relationship between SC and club has drifted apart as we feel that the club have not wanted to engage with us, and it seems that they have hijacked events that the SC have traditionally held, on behalf of the fans. We all feel that the club are trying to control everything. This meeting was intense. I'm not slow at coming forward with my views, and neither is Paul Dixon, and Matt got absolute pelters. To his credit, he took it all very well. Never argued, never complained, never flounced off or made excuses. He took it all in.

Following that meeting, Mark Porter, Paul Dixon, and I have remained in constant contact with Matt, intensely pointing out the level of unrest amongst the fanbase. He could quite easily cease communications with me because I have hardly been complimentary at times, but I have tried to reflect the level of anger, frustration, disappointment, and downright disengagement from the club. Matt has actively sought to understand all of that. We then held another meeting with Matt to delve a little deeper into the supporter discontent. This then led to Matt setting up a meeting with Carol for him relay the mounting concerns to her, with her full attention. It was then mutually agreed that a meeting should be held between us to face this head on. During this period, other fans have also been voicing their concerns in their own ways to the club, so we therefore asked them to join in a collaborative effort.

Matt then gave us a list of dates that Carol would be available, and the meeting was set. At no point were we given a time limit, a limit on numbers of members that could attend, or any actual pre-requisites at all. All that was asked towards the date looming was a list of names of those attending. The meeting was initially going to be between us and just Matt Hancock and Carol. A couple of us then debated the merits of also requesting the attendance of Paddy. We decided against it, but then as the meeting approached, we were told that Carol would like him to attend. We ran it by our groups, and it was agreed that he should attend.

So, on Monday evening, we held a meeting between 7pm until just gone 10pm. The burning topic, of course, was David Flitcroft. My view remains that I cannot see his position anything other than untenable. A sentiment held by all of us on our side of the table. Let's not dress that up any other way. The overwhelming evidence of fans in the ground, fans in the pubs, fans on social media, forums such as this and radio phone-ins, is that very few have remaining faith in our Director of Football. You must understand that, had we sat down and screamed that Flitcroft is a w***** and he needs to f*** off, a 3-hour meeting would not have lasted 3 minutes. And we would also be doing a dis-service to the other points that needed addressing.

We went into the meeting well researched, with a formal agenda from which to raise our points. After lots and lots of debate around the obvious, we then discussed the other topics; those being the communications coming out of the club, the problems with ticketing, the matchday supporter facilities and overall 'experience' and the potential for better fan engagement with the club going forward. The club seemed surprised at some of the issues raised. They did admit failings in communication, they also saw a different viewpoint on the other topics that they had not considered. Above all else, they appeared genuinely shocked and saddened at what we were telling them, in terms of the overall disconnect between fans and club.

Now, we all know that admitting failure, and expressing shock and sadness at things is all well and good, but they need to let their actions do the talking. We hope that they now understand that loud and clear. It's over to them to deliver results.

So please let me make it abundantly clear. We recognise that fans are not happy. This season, we have seen fans fighting amongst themselves in the stands. We have seen much anger directed at Flitcroft, at our players for abject performances. We have seen growing complaints against the disparity of ground improvements. We have an utterly unworkable relationship between the Supporters' Club and the club. We have seen an alarming lack of respect shown to us fans by the club, not least by way of Carol's letter, David Flitcroft's Podcast, and the ignorance displayed towards our concerns at the last fans' forum.

We are taking those issues to the club because they all need to be fixed. Do not think for one moment that we are easily pacified. But we must be logical. We cannot just rock up with a list of demands. There will have to be compromise and understanding from both sides. The first step in that healing process is to meet and hit the problems head on. Monday's meeting was exactly that. We don't have any answers, or results to report back on, from one solitary, intense meeting. But it is the start of some much needed honest and frank dialogue. How this pans out is yet to be decided.

We've been in much worse states. We have battled to remove two rogue owners in the last 13 or so years. These owners are not rogue. But it's fair to say they have misaligned their focus. Please support us in regaining that. And please understand our respect for the Shanahan family, despite all our current differences.

We've hopefully now opened doors and we look forward to the club holding much more open dialogue with the wider fanbase.

Many sensible fans thank you for your efforts mate. Great stuff.

March 7

Is Benning playing? If so, Benning first goal, Shrews to 4-1 like when Macc put 4 past us under Sinnot.

Zero faith, Schitcroft out, if he stays then Carol out. Moore out, coaches wives out.

March 5

27 minutes ago, Terriertalk said:

I am just trying to give you insight in to what your Club has done.

It’s not going well is it?, playing bottom off the table sides, no new Manager bounce and no wins.

It will not get any better, hopefully though you won’t allow it to get to 23 turgid games like we did.

We are already on 3 wins in 27 I think it is now.

March 4

On 09/02/2024 at 23:10, Wrex said:

Kian Harratt | DATM | HTAFC

DOWNATTHEMAC.PROBOARDS.COM

Animal cruelty and betting on his own team to lose are just the tip of the iceberg apparently. So glad we never went back for him.

I would love to have him back. As long as he does the business on the pitch he could go fox hunting for all I care.

March 2

7 minutes ago, Bycarsbill said:

I was talking mathematics. One has to remain optimistic, although I expect your realism is probably nearer the mark!

I know, apologies. At least I am kinda bothered but given up. During the Hank Twatiker years I don't think I even checked the scores for two seasons. I am heading that way again.

March 2

8 hours ago, Bycarsbill said:

With the number of teams on less than 40 points, it is of course, mathematically possible, especially with one & two games in-hand on most of those teams. Do I really think we will avoid the drop? No!

You mean two defeats in Hand? 🤔

March 2

23 hours ago, Aguar61 said:

We are going to be the loveliest, most sincere club in league 2 next season....and a league lower the next....how can this happen with PHENOMENALLY good players....a committed and wise DOF... Oh yeah, it happens when you have owners who are well intentioned but absolutely clueless... sad to say but true....if you can't see your mate flicker for what he is you are deluded, enough voices have told you,be strong or watch this wonderful club sink like a stone...and that will be your legacy.

It is no coincidence that being nice in football gets you nowhere. Look at M̶K̶ D̶o̶n̶s̶ Wimbledon in the 80's, a nasty team, up and at 'em football. They flew through the leagues and won the cup.

March 2

Clitcroft!!! 🤣🤣🤣

Fraudcroft

Flipchart

Any othera?

March 1

4 minutes ago, Brian Johnson said:

Lets face it, Crosby ditched all his principles in the Wigan, Charlton and Blackpool game to try and save his job. Then he churned out pathetic performances at Carlisle & Fleetwood.

Where did the Mansfield performance in the cup come from? We played a good old fashioned team and went for it.

I have no fuxking idea what we are trying to achieve with this Southgate World Cup 2018/Euro 2020/21 abysmal to watch borefest blollocks.

It is utter crap. My Stokie fan Dad said Stoke are exactly the same and have been all season. Yet I watched the three minute highlights of their Cardiff defeat, they would murder us next season so it is a godsend we will avoid them.

March 1

1 minute ago, TEXAS said:

Is it just me that finds it strange when he says things like "Port Vale have got to do this" etc. ? Maybe just me but I would be saying "We have got to do this" , either way I don't find his interviews all that rousing.

I thought exactly the same yesterday. It is as though he is a manager 'on loan' from the dole for a short period.

Just everything about Vale is strange.

March 1

Is there anybody left on here who actually thinks we will stay up?

February 29

1 hour ago, The French Connection said:

That really is a gross comment. You should remove it.

Righto, changed it for you.

February 29

Even if we win it will hardly be a pant stretcher. We will still be in the relegation zone and will still lose the next game.

I think a lot of Vale fans will leave before the end to go back to the pub.

Derby 8 - Vale 0 I'm going for. I fancy two sending offs for us and a missed penalty just to punch us all in the face a little bit more.

February 28

Game, set and match. We are down.....not that we haven't known that since September.

That was the last chance to prove us fans wrong. You wannk, useless, talentless, spineless, hopeless bunch of rubber johnnies. Every player can facck off. Even Ripley. Even the physio can get fuucked.

February 27

2 hours ago, Biddulph_PV said:

Indeed….potentially c.£35m…..ouch!

Write it off in a loss making football club. They can form a company, and spend 35mil renting office space off PVFC.

February 26

No matter what Carol does, there is no denying that money has been spent in the wrong areas. The football at a FOOTBALL club should have always been a top priority.

Good luck to her whatever she does, for her own sanity I hope she runs for the hills.

February 26

2 hours ago, PVFC FAN said:

I think I remember someone on about her selling the company. Don't remember that though. Not sure

I mentioned it December. I put screenshots up of the share transfers from companies house so I don't why it is only just becoming news now?

February 24

I think there are only a handful of people whose head I would call for after three games. Jim Gannon, Mark Stein, Steve Foley, Ian Cranson. I wouldn't even call for Lou Macari's head.

Darren Moore has a free hit here. The damage is already done.

He needs our backing 100%.

February 24

6 hours ago, WV said:

Don't worry, Melbourne valiant is from one of the most racist, least inclusive countries on the planet and he is just trying to fit in.

You are blinded by your own stupidity. Are you suggesting that I am racist here.

I was merely saying that the club is going down the pan while we piss about with the most unimportant of things.

If people are still against gays then what frickin century are they living in.

But you wouldn't understand my angle as you are pretty brain dead. You come across as "I know this, I know that, I know footballers, I have sources" you know three fifths of fcku all. You can't even read plain English and understand it.

Australia least inclusive? Again you so are clueless it is laughable. We are so multicultural it is unbelievable. It is an amazing way if life here. Better than backwards Britain.

Carol out.

February 24

1 minute ago, Hoppers said:

So are you going or not today mate? 😍😍😍😍😍

No, but I am questioning my sanity as to why I am even questioning staying up until 2am to watch it.

February 24

12 minutes ago, Hoppers said:

Why is it pathetic? - They are awfully nice colours - Niece bought me an official prequal LQBGTQIA+ bobble hat last christmas, and I will be wearing it today - nowt wrong with it.

For clarification purposes, I identify as a Hoppers, am a heterosexual male, with a signed thank you card from Big Bertha after the successful completion of a two girl special session at Kellys Place - Thank you 👏👏👏👏

I dont get involved in all the woke stuff - we all are what we are, and as long as we arnt doing anyone any harm - then rock on whether you be a king, queen or inbetween - lifes too short (and so am I 🙈🙈)

And besides all that, it might help Lofty see the bloody thing when its coming near him

I identify as a fan of Port Vale Football Club......which no longer exists. We are now Port Vale Politically Woke lobbyist group, which happens to have a really <ovf censored> football team.

There are bigger issues in the world if we wanna go political as a club, gays, lesbians, nobody gives a damn anymore, this is so last century, it really boils my urine as we slide to oblivion again.

February 24

Apologies to anyone who read before the edit. I have finally snapped.

February 24

Maybe old school but I think that system worked better. Managers lasted longer and football was an entertaining business.

Just look at the modern day guffball throughout each division these days.

Just my opinion, Yeah, I am old school in many ways. Bring back terracing, ditch goal music......not that we would notice. 🤣

February 24

I want Carol to wake up and smell the coffee. Any manager who identified the players that we have and strategised the way we have played should have been sacked a long time ago.

If Flickers can creat a great environment for players then brill, but he should be nowhere near the first team. Only Darren Moore and his back room staff should should be recruiting players and be responsible for formations and tactics on the pitch.

If it doesn't change, then I would say thank you Carol, but we need somebody to take us forward.

February 22

16 hours ago, Tim vlf said:

there is 3 2s so therefore 3 desmonds mate

16 hours ago, ValeFanInBrum said:

Desmond Tutu (2-2), so one and a half.

70 pages, and the best comments were saved until last.

I'm with VFiB.

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