spent some time on sunday afternoon having a look at twitter for the first time. some of the wakey players were very easy to track down, and they all seem to talk to each other through their posts. it was also really clear that backside licking fans have instant access to their heroes, fantastic access and interaction, but what happens when a player/employee slags off fans or vice versa as is bound to happen once the games actually start?

the players are young men, and young men can be foolish and write some pretty daft stuff. there’s plenty of talk about booze, training and family life etc. i just hope the club has the sense to brief the lads about what is and what isn’t acceptable even under their own names. direct access is great, but i hope that it the club prompts players to be responsible, mature and measured in what they put. i kind of feel sorry for some already when they get hit with messages like "is xyz a good player/lad?" - err what do you expect them to put?

overall i enjoyed looking at it, but the number of characters that are available doesn’t allow for the level of debate you can get on here, and do people really want to read about andrew glover’s golfing exploits? i think the club seem to be making every effort on twitter, with lots of posts. this managed output is an excellent way of promoting the club.

Welcome to 5 years ago!



Personally, I find it all a bit inane and rather irritating, but it's here to stay and people now expect the organisations they have a relationship with to have a social media presence. I do it myself in a corporate guise and it definitely works on that level.

As for the young lads and the foolishness of some of their offerings - where were you when Jarrad Hickey told Uptoncat to jeff off via Twitter? Or when AG and JE twittered quips about inbreeding in Cas? On that level, I think [uall[/u staff should be briefed up front about the club's expectations of them in terms of managing their own image and from then onwards, their social media output should be monitored; for anyone who crosses the line, disciplinary action is appropriate.

It seems a bit heavy-handed, but in the words of the late, great Uncle Ben "with great power comes great responsibility." For salutory lessons, see Messrs Bailey and Cockayne.

yes well i'm old school when it comes to stuff like twitter. never been on facebook in my life and i have no desire to. also a relative newcomer on here, so i missed the cas inbreeding stuff, which whilst amusing to 12 year olds it is a bit lame and lacking in imagination.

really easy to spot the usual suspects from on here, sucking up to players that they've never met and kissing the backsides of the ones they have: as if they are actually part of their lives! no real harm in it i suppose, but lines are very easy to cross.

Its not hard for a player's under performance to be soon brought into question as a result of said player's comments on social media site's such as facebook, twitter and god knows whatever other site's the yoof are currently employing in cyber space.
They need to be aware of their professional responsibilities, but fans need to be equally aware of what young sportsmen's lives are about and that at the end of the day, its all supposed to be a bit of fun.
Anyone who has played sport at any level at any club, knows the craik that goes on, and what a hoot it used to be, these lads should be allowed to be just that, "lads" but it is they who must respect the fortunate position they are in, and are held in.
Oh to be young and daft and good enough to have played professional sport for the club i love, but then again maybe not!!!

They should be given training to what they should and shouldn't put. The club also needs to create an AUP which the players need to sign.

Twitter and Facebook, just like money and alcohol, are good servants but bad masters.

Excellant post by everyone. I myself think it is good banter but you are right it could get out of hand.

I hope the club reads these posts and makes everyone employed by the club aware of the danges and their responsibilities.

Perhaps we should put our concerns on facebook ( I know the club does respond to facebook ) and make the club aware of our we feel?

I don't think I'm speaking out of school when I tell you that this is already in place - one of RA's first acts I believe, which is very encouraging.

if the club are reading this, could they please explain the difference between “their”, “there” and “they're” to andrew glover. oh and also “your” and “you’re” to virtually all of them.

Talking of backsides

You seem to be so far up your own that you have to criticize others

If it bothers you what people are putting then don't read it.
Simples

The price you have to pay for instant information I'm afraid - most of it is done on the go from an iPhone or iPad and as I know from experience, they don't always play ball with the finer points of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

one thing really confuses me about twitter: why do they think i need to see pictures of their food?

My company uses twitter but also watches for employee problems, I think most companies would warn emploee's of their conduct if they thought it was lacking
#ilovefirst lol

Think thats a bit harsh TBH, some of the lads on there are coming from the other side of the world and it's got to help with the settling in process for them to know that there are some decent folk where they are going.

Easy dont take your phone out on a night out. Just give any people interest a business card thats what I tend to do. The ivory shade of white.

fair enough. we all have opinions. personally i want to watch good honest players play, not suck up to them on the internet or in the bar after the game. each to their own i suppose.

So if someone wants a beer after the game and discuss it with the players it's sucking up? Grow up you fool.

that's not quite what i wrote you fool. one of the things that makes rugby league great is that you can get closer to the action and perhaps share a few words with a player. however there is plenty of "he's a nice bloke how dare you say he played rubbish" spouted on these boards. look at the fawning over jason demetriou and kevin henderson, and how we should have kept them.

if people have friendships with players then that's fine and fantastic for them, but at times on here and no doubt on twitter if i were prepared to look there are posts that are all about showing the world that posters are pally with players. "give my love to your wife and kids (names them all too) etc." turns my stomach it does, maybe becasue i'm a bloody misery.

all i am saying that there are inherent dangers with forums, and social media sites, and that the club need to act responsibily,

Welcome to the club! I think we should develop a badge and perhaps a secret handshake?

Because you signed up to twitter it's your own fault I'm afraid.

I would have to agree with that. If a person is 'Old School' then why sign up to 'Modern' social networking media? Surely that's a contradiction.

I think 'some' forget that when they comment on twitter they are publishing a comment that can be seen by anyone. Some will take offence at what is said, its not just a closed circle they are in. I agree that training should be given so that they don't walk into stuff they shouldn't. They should also realise that their 'personal' account will have fans interacting with, unless they block everyone they don't want, and that unfortunately not all interactions will be bottom kissing. All real 'celebs' are aware of that, and in our own little RL bubble - they need to too.

Some intriguing comments posted by Andrew Glover and Martin Hopkins today. Not entirely sure if it’s Trinity related, in isolation perhaps not, but read in conjunction with each other;

I think AG is on jury duty, could be wrong though

Why would Martin Hopkins and Sarah Elston be involved today though? And just out of interest cos it got me thinking, did anything ever become of the threats from the Richardson clan for unfair dismissal?