Darlo Uncovered

Daidy wrote:

loan_star wrote:

Mr_Tibbs wrote:

H1987 wrote:I was going to say, for all plenty of us are very fed up, I haven't really seen personal directed abuse on here. I think it's a damned shame, I didn't want to see anyone go.

That said, whoever is putting the clubs messages out needs to think about their wording and wider public relations. There was no apology in the original messages and now openly attacking fans? Don't get me wrong, anyone who personally hounds volunteers is a dick, but the clubs official website openly attacking its fans!? Who thought that was a good idea, seriously? Even if it's what you think personally, than isn't the place you should be airing that view.

I must have missed that. Where does it openly attack the fans on the Official site?

Attendances at BM were criticised as not being good enough. Also said not enough money was raised but I'm sure the club ask for donations to stop as they had reached a certain figure.

Without wishing to get into a complete dissection of the statement, I would offer the following observations which have stood out to me.

"The board of Darlington FC regrets to announce that Richard Cook has decided to resign from the Board after the fans’ forum this coming Friday 21st April 2017. This is despite many messages of support for the Board in relation to recent events regarding the play-offs, and the unequivocal support of the Supporters Group as majority shareholder."

The second sentence, particularly the "despite many message of support for the Board...." seems an implication that holding a contrary view is either wrong or misplaced.

"Richard, who holds a senior role in a major international organisation, "

Whatever his background, many believe either himself or the board have made a major error but there is still no contrition. He clearly has useful skills but something has gone wrong here, and his working background doesn't mean he is incapable of making an error. Adding this in seems an unnecessary addition to me. Whilst professional experience is clearly useful, I would judge them more on their actions for Darlington which recently I think it's fair to say look like they've fallen short to some extent.

I could add a few more but I think the overall point which I feel the statement misses, is an acknowledgement that some of the criticism is clearly fair, and that a difference needs to be drawn between those asking for an explanation and those just spitting unnecessary personal vitriol. It runs the risk of lumping everyone into an "us or them" narrative which long-term, will be deeply divisive.

Yarblockos wrote:Have to agree with people who are saying the PR seems badly misplaced. Another statement with no apology and no contrition, but instead turning the whole situation round so it is all the fault of people who criticised the board, and people have fallen for it. So here we have a thread disussing people who dare express their discontent rather than a thread discussing the huge fuck up the board made. Reading this statement you'd think there wasn't even a mistake, it was all the fault of fans (how dare they be unhappy).

I haven't seen any personal abuse of Richard Cook on here, I have seen some on facebook though.

Daidy wrote: Attendances at BM were criticised as not being good enough. Also said not enough money was raised but I'm sure the club ask for donations to stop as they had reached a certain figure.

Without wishing to get into a complete dissection of the statement, I would offer the following observations which have stood out to me.

"The board of Darlington FC regrets to announce that Richard Cook has decided to resign from the Board after the fans’ forum this coming Friday 21st April 2017. This is despite many messages of support for the Board in relation to recent events regarding the play-offs, and the unequivocal support of the Supporters Group as majority shareholder."

The second sentence, particularly the "despite many message of support for the Board...." seems an implication that holding a contrary view is either wrong or misplaced.

"Richard, who holds a senior role in a major international organisation, "

Whatever his background, many believe either himself or the board have made a major error but there is still no contrition. He clearly has useful skills but something has gone wrong here, and his working background doesn't mean he is incapable of making an error. Adding this in seems an unnecessary addition to me. Whilst professional experience is clearly useful, I would judge them more on their actions for Darlington which recently I think it's fair to say look like they've fallen short to some extent.

I could add a few more but I think the overall point which I feel the statement misses, is an acknowledgement that some of the criticism is clearly fair, and that a difference needs to be drawn between those asking for an explanation and those just spitting unnecessary personal vitriol. It runs the risk of lumping everyone into an "us or them" narrative which long-term, will be deeply divisive.

don'tbuythesun wrote:No Swans...There's three of you and many of us who are "far away". I think it's disappointing that some personal insults have been thrown around but unfortunately as we've seen on here it's easy to do this when you're not face to face. Hopefully after the fans forum we can move on and people will resort to more constructive comments-there are already many thoughts about moving forward so here's hoping.
bga you are a luddite-I'll sort Twitter with you next week!

don'tbuythesun wrote:No Swans...There's three of you and many of us who are "far away". I think it's disappointing that some personal insults have been thrown around but unfortunately as we've seen on here it's easy to do this when you're not face to face. Hopefully after the fans forum we can move on and people will resort to more constructive comments-there are already many thoughts about moving forward so here's hoping.
bga you are a luddite-I'll sort Twitter with you next week!

Yarblockos wrote:

don'tbuythesun wrote:No Swans...There's three of you and many of us who are "far away". I think it's disappointing that some personal insults have been thrown around but unfortunately as we've seen on here it's easy to do this when you're not face to face. Hopefully after the fans forum we can move on and people will resort to more constructive comments-there are already many thoughts about moving forward so here's hoping.
bga you are a luddite-I'll sort Twitter with you next week!

I'd like you to provide evidence of any personal insults made towards Richard Cook on this forum.

It is now clear that some people cannot tolerate any criticism of the board, and the statement has provided them the opportunity to throw s*** at loyal Darlo fans (who are just as dedicated and care just as much about the club as you do) by insinuating we have been personally abusive to Richard Cook. The atmosphere created is likely to make a fans forum nothing more than a shouting match.

As I have written earlier, this statement has only served to turn fans against each other. Just when I think the statements can't get any worse they bring out another one.

don'tbuythesun wrote:Swans I was referring to the three of you from south Wales as discussed recently! I didn't say anyone had been abusive on here, I was referring to comments made about abuse on social media generally as stated by a number of people. I like to think that this forum hasn't behaved like that.

Darlogramps wrote:If I'm being honest, I think the club saying vitriol from fans is a reason for his departure is being used as an excuse.

I'm not denying personal abuse had been levelled at board members on social media (not so much here, but certainly Twitter and Facebook, and potentially in private). And any form of personal abuse is unacceptable and should be condemned.

But are we really saying a grown adult, who's held senior posts at major companies can't handle comments from a bunch of cowardly keyboard warriors? Did he really log on to the club's Facebook page and get so upset by some comments that he had to jack in his role?

His passion for the club is undeniable judging by his reaction on Twitter today, so would he really let that be tainted by a handful of keyboard warriors?

I do wonder if RC had realised the commitment needed to run the club at the level we're now at, particularly the infrastructure development needed in the short to medium term, could be too much, given his other "senior role at a major international organisation", as the club put it. Maybe he was thinking about easing back on his commitments and this gave him an out. We'll never know.

It also gives the remaining board members a chance to restructure and I guess put out a fresh call for support at the next fans' forum. And it makes it hard for anyone to say that no one is taking responsibility for the mistake.

I still think it's a shame he's decided to step away, whatever the truth of the matter. He's undoubtedly had a lot of experience and frankly was willing to step up when others weren't. It's a big loss and I think we'll find it hard to fill the gap.

But I'm sceptical about the club's reasoning in the statement put out today.

Darlogramps wrote:If I'm being honest, I think the club saying vitriol from fans is a reason for his departure is being used as an excuse.

I'm not denying personal abuse had been levelled at board members on social media (not so much here, but certainly Twitter and Facebook, and potentially in private). And any form of personal abuse is unacceptable and should be condemned.

But are we really saying a grown adult, who's held senior posts at major companies can't handle comments from a bunch of cowardly keyboard warriors? Did he really log on to the club's Facebook page and get so upset by some comments that he had to jack in his role?

His passion for the club is undeniable judging by his reaction on Twitter today, so would he really let that be tainted by a handful of keyboard warriors?

I do wonder if RC had realised the commitment needed to run the club at the level we're now at, particularly the infrastructure development needed in the short to medium term, could be too much, given his other "senior role at a major international organisation", as the club put it. Maybe he was thinking about easing back on his commitments and this gave him an out. We'll never know.

It also gives the remaining board members a chance to restructure and I guess put out a fresh call for support at the next fans' forum. And it makes it hard for anyone to say that no one is taking responsibility for the mistake.

I still think it's a shame he's decided to step away, whatever the truth of the matter. He's undoubtedly had a lot of experience and frankly was willing to step up when others weren't. It's a big loss and I think we'll find it hard to fill the gap.

But I'm sceptical about the club's reasoning in the statement put out today.

Darlogramps wrote:If I'm being honest, I think the club saying vitriol from fans is a reason for his departure is being used as an excuse.

I'm not denying personal abuse had been levelled at board members on social media (not so much here, but certainly Twitter and Facebook, and potentially in private). And any form of personal abuse is unacceptable and should be condemned.

But are we really saying a grown adult, who's held senior posts at major companies can't handle comments from a bunch of cowardly keyboard warriors? Did he really log on to the club's Facebook page and get so upset by some comments that he had to jack in his role?

His passion for the club is undeniable judging by his reaction on Twitter today, so would he really let that be tainted by a handful of keyboard warriors?

I do wonder if RC had realised the commitment needed to run the club at the level we're now at, particularly the infrastructure development needed in the short to medium term, could be too much, given his other "senior role at a major international organisation", as the club put it. Maybe he was thinking about easing back on his commitments and this gave him an out. We'll never know.

It also gives the remaining board members a chance to restructure and I guess put out a fresh call for support at the next fans' forum. And it makes it hard for anyone to say that no one is taking responsibility for the mistake.

I still think it's a shame he's decided to step away, whatever the truth of the matter. He's undoubtedly had a lot of experience and frankly was willing to step up when others weren't. It's a big loss and I think we'll find it hard to fill the gap.

But I'm sceptical about the club's reasoning in the statement put out today.

Darlogramps wrote:.....
But are we really saying a grown adult, who's held senior posts at major companies can't handle comments from a bunch of cowardly keyboard warriors?
.....

spen666 wrote:

Darlogramps wrote:.....
But are we really saying a grown adult, who's held senior posts at major companies can't handle comments from a bunch of cowardly keyboard warriors?
.....

Has anyone said he can't take abuse?

m62exile wrote:An undoubtedly bright and well qualified guy who managed to do the job interning circumstances whilst juggling a family and business life. Like the vast majority, I'd hope he would have stayed and thank him for his contributions. I'm always in awe of those who step up like he has.

Moving forward quickly, as us Darlo fans often have to - thoughts turn to the board's approach to next week's forum. I have no idea who has been writing the last few statements but I believe they've made a bad situation quite a bit worse. Hopefully they have been cathartic to the board in difficult times as they've come out shooting and now it's off their chest.

I'm expecting significant fundraising is going to be necessary, even more than we already know, and the only way this will be achieved is if we can move forwards together. Everything I've seen has suggested to me that the bulk of the fan base are ready to do that, the support for the board has been much stronger than today's statement suggested but if we continue with a 'them and us' attitude we will just not achieve what we need to.

So I'm hoping there's an amicable presentation to kick us off. Explain what's happened, when and why - then start planning where the heck we can take things from here.

spen666 wrote:The level of personal abuse to a volunteer is appealing and i can fully understand why he chooses not to put up with it voluntarily

theoriginalfatcat wrote:

spen666 wrote:The level of personal abuse to a volunteer is appealing and i can fully understand why he chooses not to put up with it voluntarily

Please say you mean appalling - otherwise i feel you've misunderstood.