Has anyone stopped to think about what will happen to the group as a result of us being promoted to League Two?
We like the use of our flags and bits and pieces but it's going to be so much harder next year in League Two. Some places will be fine, others more firm. I'm sure some clubs with seated away stands will be on us (our standing support in general) like a rash trying to make us sit.
****e atmospheres, less people cheering the team on, further away games and so on. Could well be a turn for the worse for the 'support' side of the club.
Hopefully, this post will be forgotten by the end of next season and I won't be the one saying 'told you so'.
Valid points, but to be honest, none of it really bothers me.
A mate of mine's got a ST at Milton Keynes Dons and I've been with him on a few away trips and found the stewards to be mixed. At Mansfield they kept trying to get people to sit down but gave up in the 2nd half, at Notts County they didn't even try and get people to sit and just let the back 5/6 rows stand up. At Wycombe they tried but gave up in the 2nd half aswell, also banners were allowed in at all 3 grounds.
As for a poorer atmosphere I think it will be the same, if not better, then in the Conference. IMO the majority of seated stand seem to have better accoustics then an open terrace at Salisbury or somewhere. 3 of our loudest away days this season were Cambridge, Stevenage and Oxford where we were in a seated away end. Also I think that if the stewards keep trying to get us to sit down and fail it could improve the atmosphere as it brings a feel of "rebellion" that we don't get in the Conference as we have it all pretty much our own way.
Also the atmosphere from the home fans on away days can't be much worse than it is in the Conference surley? And I'm really looking forward to having some good away support at the Rec for a change, this season Cambridge and Torquay were the only supporters to come here and make any serious noise.
Ticket prices, in my expierience, have been the same as the bigger BSP teams aswell (Oxford, Cambridge etc) and next year I'll be at college too, and it's a hell of alot easier to bunk that than it is to bunk off school, so Rochdale on a Tuesday night would be do-able
We'll also be on Fifa 09!
So in my opinion the positives definatley out weigh the negatives in League 2, bring it on!
Martin, worth posing the question. What we do need (if we go up) is more solid organisation. There are a number of questions and issues that need to be sorted. However, I can actually see us going from strength to strength. Away support (if we go up) should be higher as many people try to do new grounds - usually adds 50-100 when we go to a new conference ground. I, for one, would like to see a more disciplined approach to the RBA and make it more official, and therefore hopefully more of a long term organisation to be enjoyed by members for many years to come
Martin, worth posing the question. What we do need (if we go up) is more solid organisation. There are a number of questions and issues that need to be sorted. However, I can actually see us going from strength to strength. Away support (if we go up) should be higher as many people try to do new grounds - usually adds 50-100 when we go to a new conference ground. I, for one, would like to see a more disciplined approach to the RBA and make it more official, and therefore hopefully more of a long term organisation to be enjoyed by members for many years to come
1) Let's bring back the comittee meetings. Doing this will help to structure current events, where money is going, what's being done about travel, displays, etc.
2) Assign certain things to certain people. I'm happy to carry on with what I'm doing, with the flags and whatever else. Dan's doing the money, Tony seems to be doing travel. Let's assign all of these roles properly, so they are known, and can be called upon when needed.
3) Membership needs to be more of a benefit than a belonging. It's all well and good saying to people "a fiver means you're part of the RBA", but what does it actually give someone? Let's restart giving people a little cheaper away travel (or a little more expensive if they aren't a member). Let's kick on with some more merchandise, but have it a bit more structured this time. Maybe Frank can help with this, as he doesn't seem to be too active in the RBA at the moment, and he is practically the, err, leader.
4) Let's become a group, rather than a load of scattered people. Fans on the East Bank in our area should be encouraged to join the RBA, and should be able to get something out of it. After all, the RBA is based in the East Bank, so the East Bank should be the RBA, right?
I'd like to see us get prepared a little earlier unlike this season.
I think it'd be good if we gave something WITH the membership and do what we used to do also on coaches with the charge a few quid less than non-members.
Like Tony said, if we want this to be continued throughtout the years then we need to have a solid base to work from.
Spot on there Fatboy. I know when trying to get people to join the RBA they'd say "what's the benefits of joining"..."errr, there aren't any"..."so whats the point..." = another fiver lost.
As for the roles, I don't really do anything except take pictures sometimes, so if anyone wants me to do something I'm happy to help.
1) Let's bring back the comittee meetings. Doing this will help to structure current events, where money is going, what's being done about travel, displays, etc.
2) Assign certain things to certain people. I'm happy to carry on with what I'm doing, with the flags and whatever else. Dan's doing the money, Tony seems to be doing travel. Let's assign all of these roles properly, so they are known, and can be called upon when needed.
3) Membership needs to be more of a benefit than a belonging. It's all well and good saying to people "a fiver means you're part of the RBA", but what does it actually give someone? Let's restart giving people a little cheaper away travel (or a little more expensive if they aren't a member). Let's kick on with some more merchandise, but have it a bit more structured this time. Maybe Frank can help with this, as he doesn't seem to be too active in the RBA at the moment, and he is practically the, err, leader.
4) Let's become a group, rather than a load of scattered people. Fans on the East Bank in our area should be encouraged to join the RBA, and should be able to get something out of it. After all, the RBA is based in the East Bank, so the East Bank should be the RBA, right?
I agree with that,but theres also the point that people who are not RBA come and stand in the 'RBA Area'(I'm referring to the area where the drums are). . .we could possibly encourage them to join instead of standing there,jumping(those none members I refer to were the ones who started all that pushing and shoving at Histon)and singing and acting as thought their part of the RBA???Sometimes,I think that RBA scarves,polos etc,badges(E.G anything that has RBA on it)should only be available to RBA members.The scarves are the big issue,cos you've got loaaads of people going around in them,with RBA on it,and they aren't even members. . .
Maybe turn some people down with regards to membership? If they wont benefit the group then they can't join it.
Very good point. We need to become a closer group. Every home game I see people walking around with RBA scarves on and I have no idea who they are!
Btw,I didn't copy your point Wob,I've only just seen it lol
Another point I'd like to make is that people should stop slating those of us who wear 'Casual' clothing(Aquascutum etc),those of you who have seen me,yes,I wear casual clothing,but incase you have not realised,I also wear my Aldershot Scarf along with that casual clothing,so I don't think it's fair of you to call me a hooligan cos I wear a bit of Henri Lloyd or Aquascutum,as I do genuinly SUPPORT the club,and wear the colours. . .
where do i fit in to this then lads? I'm a member, i'm happy to pay my fiver i live 180 miles away in sheffield i do the local games up north i was at the rec saturday im back down on the 5Th Apr, how active do you want me to be?
