Supporters Forum

[werstayinup]

Excellent post I too found it informative particularly about from when he took over from Wildes to where we are now, a good night

 

No shock there though is there,if we are being honest

[the valiant]

I was there last night could not listen to another minute after 2 hours of his sob story so left

[ELDERBEZZA]

Can't ever remember meeting a more arrogant, offensive, condescending p r a t than Smurthwaite. Getting to the stage where I don't care who buys the club as long as he isn't involved. Most of what he said was blatant lies (Bell story for one), if he says the Americans have no money to take us forward that to me means that they have. As for threatening to sue anyone who reports details of the meeting, bring it on, on what basis? Are we suddenly in North Korea?

The Supporters Club Meeting on Thursday should be very interesting,as Smurf threatened to sue anybody who reports details of his forum!!Maybe we should all attend !!!They seem to be our only voice !!!

[Jacko51]

I thought some of the comments Norman made about individuals last night who weren't in the room to respond, where quite uncalled for.

 

I was also intrigued by his story about the two Asian players he was going to sign on the basis of a recommendation from the English coach of the Indian national team. He didn't say whether anyone at the club had actually seen these lads play or whether Rob Page had any input into these discussions at all. Norman really needs to follow the example of his hero Bill Bell and leave the football side to the manager.

[ELDERBEZZA]

I thought some of the comments Norman made about individuals last night who weren't in the room to respond, where quite uncalled for.

 

I was also intrigued by his story about the two Asian players he was going to sign on the basis of a recommendation from the English coach of the Indian national team. He didn't say whether anyone at the club had actually seen these lads play or whether Rob Page had any input into these discussions at all. Norman really needs to follow the example of his hero Bill Bell and leave the football side to the manager.

 

I agree ,as I'm still bewildered after listening to all the slagging off certain individuals.He became very touchy whenever questions were asked that he didn't like.I'm certainly "Confused.com" today!!!!!

[smithie]

I agree ,as I'm still bewildered after listening to all the slagging off certain individuals.He became very touchy whenever questions were asked that he didn't like.I'm certainly "Confused.com" today!!!!!

 

He's got to be judged more on his actions, not words.

 

His business interests (as far as I know) haven't needed him to face so many people so publically - and this is clearly not a strong point of his. He may even admit that himself.

 

There is an element of "damned if he does, damned if he doesn't" when it comes to PR. He's slated for sounding off on social media, but cops for it when he goes quiet.

 

I' mmore bothered by the prospect of next season as it stands. I just wish we could get more ST's sold (incidentally, I've yet to receive a reminder, phone call, e-mail or letter asking me to renew!).

[Ben]

He's got to be judged more on his actions, not words.

 

His business interests (as far as I know) haven't needed him to face so many people so publically - and this is clearly not a strong point of his. He may even admit that himself.

 

There is an element of "damned if he does, damned if he doesn't" when it comes to PR. He's slated for sounding off on social media, but cops for it when he goes quiet.

 

I' mmore bothered by the prospect of next season as it stands. I just wish we could get more ST's sold (incidentally, I've yet to receive a reminder, phone call, e-mail or letter asking me to renew!).

 

Didn't know we have got to asked.

[Paul6754]

I find this whole situation, from the Exeter furore to putting the club up for sale to this meeting, bizarre. Does anyone make any sense out of what's going on, is Smurf OK healthwise.

[Jacko51]

I find this whole situation, from the Exeter furore to putting the club up for sale to this meeting, bizarre. Does anyone make any sense out of what's going on, is Smurf OK healthwise.

 

He said last night that he went to hospital after the Exeter game because he thought he was having a heart attack.

[toyahw]

He said last night that he went to hospital after the Exeter game because he thought he was having a heart attack.

I thought it was a stroke? You know, as you do, Vale lose and you have a "stroke". Happens to us all.

[smithie]

Didn't know we have got to asked.

 

No, we don't have to be asked - but modern business practice is all about forging a lasting "relationship" with your customers. That's why so many places have points schemes/loyalty cards etc.

 

How many folk, without any notification at all, may miss the early renewal deadline and decide not to bother renewing at all? How many more tickets (even kids free ones) might we shift if we called ST holders and proactively engage with them? Wouldn't it be a good idea to offer ST holders a reward if they get someone else to sign up for one?

 

For the record, I dislike the commercialisation of football. We're fans, not customers. We go to watch the football,we don't always want a "matchday experience".

 

BUT...we risk falling miles behind other clubs with such short-sighted practices and inertia that seem to be the norm at the moment.

[cheshirevaliant]

Presumably the telephone calls and stamps will have to come out of the budget, smithie, so it's probably not worth bothering? A bit like having a competent CEO? Best just to struggle along then randomly lash out at something, rather than look to improve it.

[smithie]

Presumably the telephone calls and stamps will have to come out of the budget, smithie, so it's probably not worth bothering? A bit like having a competent CEO? Best just to struggle along then randomly lash out at something, rather than look to improve it.

 

I'd go along with saving on stamps, but emails cost nothing and phone calls very little.

 

It's ironic that I get so many emails I'm not interested in, and one I would look at is from the Vale!

 

It also seems daft now I come to think of it that they don't get email addresses of customers in the Club Shop so they can tell people what's new etc.

 

I run a tiny business but even at this level rule 1 is "look after your customers"!!

[Robbie Earle's Perm]

I thought some of the comments Norman made about individuals last night who weren't in the room to respond, where quite uncalled for.

 

I was also intrigued by his story about the two Asian players he was going to sign on the basis of a recommendation from the English coach of the Indian national team. He didn't say whether anyone at the club had actually seen these lads play or whether Rob Page had any input into these discussions at all. Norman really needs to follow the example of his hero Bill Bell and leave the football side to the manager.

 

Who did he mention Jacko?

[Robbie Earle's Perm]

I was at the meeting last night, sat on the front row and listened to everything. Norman gave a presentation and answered questions for over 3 hours. He has clearly had a very tough time in becoming involved with Port Vale. He set out to be an investor but because of what can be described on one hand as mismanagement, on another hand as misrepresentation or on another hand as fraud he had to take personal control of the Port Vale football club and group companies / shareholding etc. He has clearly had to keep the club solvent by his personal intervention and finances. He is clearly very committed to the club now as a supporter and including other members of his family. He admitted he has not always handled the media well, but given all the problems he explained he dealt with I think he sometimes responded from tiredness and stress. I also think the media, and particularly the Evening Sentinel, have on several occasions treated him very unfairly and got him in to trouble. He is genuinely looking for a way forward. He feels he has lost the confidence of the supporters. He has not lost my confidence. I hope he remains. Taking a personal perspective I will renew the two season tickets I pay for but I would prefer Norman remains owner and follows the budgetary proposals he put forward. I don't like hedge fund Americans because they are only interested in profit and Port Vale is an entity that is a business yes, but also a love and a community asset. So overall very well done Norman. An excellent evening.

 

Reading through that seems a very different account to what most people viewed.