Just to let you know that, regrettably, I am no longer editor of the club's match day magazine.

This follows a difference of opinion over editorial policy and content.

I'm sure that, whoever produces the magazine from now on, it will still be an excellent read. Thanks to all who have bought it - you made all the hard work worthwhile.

Cheers,

Alan.

How can there be a "difference of opinion over editorial policy and content" when we have the best program in our league?

Who is proposing to change editorial policy and content? If it ain't broke don't fix it!!

Whoever has come up with this nonsense should identify themselves lest all board members are tarred with the same stupid brush. It stinks.

[iFor the first Championship fixture of the season, we have increased the size of our magazine to 40 pages. The reason for the increase is that Rob Parker has been very busy attracting new advertisers to the magazine, and we refuse to compromise on the editorial content, to accommodate those adverts.[/i


Is this the reason?

I can't believe this Alan, I'm shocked.

I know one thing, they won't get anyone else to put in as many unpaid hours as you've done over the last few years, to produce what is generally accepted to be the best programme is the Championships (and better than a lot of SL clubs too).

I'm really sorry to hear this; it's not the sort of news we should be hearing at the beginning of the season and I'm shocked that the BOM (or a member of) would try to interfere with the editorial policy and content of the programme in such a way that would make you resign.

Wow, that's really, really sad news. And crazy. Very, very big shoes to fill, which quite clearly have not been filled yet. It's also very worrying, because "summat must be up"...

[size=150Definitely not[/size. I'm fully supportive of how Rob is attracting more sponsors and advertisers. That's his job, and it pays the bills.

I had absolutely no problem with Rob doing that and was happy to work around it. Don't forget, a few years ago we were running at 52 pages - so if Rob were to attract sufficient advertisers to reach those dizzy heights, that would be fantastic, and I would have been (and still would be) the first to applaud him.

Summat is up - but just with a relationship between 2/3 people.

The club is still being run very well by the entire BOM - and I don't see this changing anything. It's all down to a communications/personality issue, so please I do not want anyone posting gloom and doom on here.

The future of our club is in good hands and this season is going to be great.

I'm sure you are correct Alan. It's not just a matter of personalities though. I imagine 99.9% of fans would have nothing but praise for the quality of the programme over a number of years. That there is someone else who thinks they know better (i.e. they think they can do it better) is both concerning and intriguing, but I suppose we will have to see what the future content is like to know what the difference was actually all about!

As the new regime is so good with press releases, I look forward to a press release from the BOM thanking you for your great achievements in this role!

Thanks Keith. Frankly I'm fed up, but not so arrogant to realise that someone can always do things differently and better. I honestly hope they do and I repeat that I wish the BOM every success - I believe they are sterring the club in the right direction.

Alan has done a fantastic job as editor, I very much enjoy reading his articles and his hard work has ensured our match day magazine really is the envy of most clubs.

I do however hope the programme does not end up now as a load of continuous pages of advertisements because at the end of the day as beneficial as that may be for the club short term, that's not what I will purchase a programme for.

double post.

Good Evening Keith

Well this is unfortunate and regrettable. probably avoidable, and certainly disappointing.

I wasn't going to publically comment on this but will do so just to hopefully put it to bed as on the eve of a new season (the biggest and most important for many years) I feel anything derogatory publically of an official or unofficial nature this week could be harmful to the club and moral generally leading up to a big day and big game on Sunday and none of us want that.

I have not been involved with the match programme and was not party to what has gone on personally as Alan will confirm (so cant be stoned in public on this occasion

) however since reading this earlier today I've spoken with the people concerned and Alan and now understand the situation fully and its sad but we now have to move on.

Unfortunately sometimes things happen we have to just accept them for what they are, this is one of those instances by the look of it. While nobody wants to lose Alan or indeed any volunteer who gives up valuable time to carry out a roll for free, club Directors have to be in control of all aspects of the club and the media and its clear Alan felt his position had become untenable. As Directors and investors we have to implement ways of doing things as we see best regardless of how people have done them in the past or want to do them rightly or wrongly people will view that differently but none the less this is business though in this particular case it saddens me because Alan is undoubtedly committed talented and passionate about our great club and a very nice man to boot and was delivering a great end product.

I have thanked Alan for the support he gave to me personally with Communications side of the business early in my tenure as a club Director and also thanked him on behalf of the BOM for his efforts with the programme over the years and I am sure he will continue to support the club he loves 100% and I will always be happy to see him and have a chat as will everyone associated with the club.

We now have to move on and put this one to bed.

Thanks

Andy Mazey

You've made it sound like he's had a bit of a strop because he can't have full editorial control there Andy.

I know Alan and I know he isn't like that. I've been in more meetings with him than I care to remember and he is one of the most amiable, patient and mild mannered people I know, but he is also one who will speak out when need be. Maybe he spoke out to someone who thinks they know better than him - who knows?

I understand that the Board must have full control of all aspects of the club but surely the BOM is not above listening to, and taking advice from people who have more experience in a particular field than any of you (them)?

Such a shame and surely it could have been sorted out

I'm so sorry it must be my fault for ..............





























Asking for a cheeky photo as a centre spreadl. Lol

Find it funny do you?

I agree mish, Alan is a great bloke and he isn't like that at all, and our club has lost a real gem of a guy.

I disagree Mish I have nothing but respect for Alan and know out of all the volunteers and people I've worked with at the club he's by far and away the most professional and measured gentleman I've had the privilege it work with. I know Alan won't have made the decision lightly and would have thought it through.

In a nut shell a difference of opinion has occurred as Alan stated and Alan has unfortunately chosen to relinquish his duties with immediate effect.

None of us are above listening to anyone indeed I don't believe there has ever been a BOD as open and transparent.

No winners in this instance but it's important it isn't made into a big issue and we must as a club move on and keep on track.

Thanks

Andy

I agree Rob I don't think anyone said Alan wasn't.

Let's move on eh.

Andy

Please don't let this become a "Spanish Inquisition" page. Alan and Andy have been respectful and dignified and obviously do not want details to be in the public domain, lets just let Alan know that we are and will be very grateful for his undoubted hard work to such an excellent standard and hope to see him at games .
thank you very much Alan

Sorry to hear you felt you had no other option but to resign Alan, a big backward step by the BOM (whoever it was in that organisation).

I will miss reading your totally honest views that was often delivered as a true fan who wasn't worried what he had to say but never over stepped the mark.
It was quirky , topical and appropriate.

I do hope the match day magazine will retain the quality it had and also still be topical and not become a 'Thank you RFL' type publication lacking any form of wit thus making it as dull and bland as many other match day magazines.

Alan will be a tough act to follow.

No I damn well don't but I was trying to play it down. As already said it does no good to carry. It on.
Alan always reminded us dates and times articles had to be in for and as a contributor the club will find Alan really hard to replace, sad days I feel.

However I await the new editor getting in touch re the next programme!!!

Like Andy says - time to move on. What's done is done and no going back - just forwards.

Thanks everyone for the messages of support, but it never has been my style to criticise the club on here, and things aren't going to change, whatever my personal feelings about anything or anyone.

I will re-iterate that, despite any difference of opinion, it is my belief that the members of this BOM (all of them) are taking our club in the right direction. I'm sad not to be an active part of that, but I sure want to enjoy the ride.

Best wishes to my successor.

Who made you chief of the fun police you pompous ar$e! It's an unofficial fans forum - people can express whatever views they wish in whatever manner they wish to do it in line with the AUP.