Well you can't really ask probing questions in a situation like that ... it just leads to embarrassment and alienation.
People get all y and defensive and make you feel bad for asking.
So people stop going ... and what seemed like a good idea becomes untenable and eventually dies out.

Better to ask via Baz.
It gives the club time to respond sensibly if they want.
Trouble is the more difficult/awkward the question the more the politician type reply.

The club can't claim things are OK, ala Titanic, when they are not.
But it doesn't stop them.

Mind you they have players to keep sweet, while at the same time looking at making changes.
I mean if I was in charge, all the players would walk out.



Nevertheless, I am no fan of bull.
If a problem exists at least admit there are concerns. Don't pretend the fans are seeing things.

If we weren't seeing things which caused concerns then we would all be happy, they must see the same things and care about them. If they acted to sort the problems we would get off their backs.
So why don't they?

It all is encapsulated in that plaque to the left and behind Carl in the dugout videos.
There's your answer ... to paraphrase, it is saying for his own good the coach shouldn't listen to the fans ...
That's all you need to know!

I know it's meant to convey that the coach has to be true to his vision and not get pulled in several directions. But it's still condescending.

Perhaps they ought to replace that plaque with something more fan friendly.

We also had Kyle Wood at the club in 2008. At that time he came to us as a half back although has subsequently been used as a hooker. These were three exceptional young players who contributed significantly to what was achieved that season. Only time will tell if any of the current options prove to be as successful both in the short term for the Dons and ultimately in their careers.

there are two options when it comes to successful half back partnerships:

1) Two solid half backs who do all the basics right and guide the team around a field. (I am thinking Green and Carlisle...sorry to go back that far)
2) One exceptional half back with a hard working, nippy sidekick (I am thinking Cooke and Fawcett)

I don't think we have either but the second option would require less recruitment to get there

At this moment I'd choose Howden with Miller alongside him (btw)

I agree, the club seem to have a very odd attitude with regard to this issue. Very much ... "it's done now, so stop your moaning."
On their side I suppose they will be surprised there is all this kerfuffle with only three friendlies and two competitive games played and no league games played.
"Christ we could be world beaters ... give us a chance."

Yeah they could, but the are not giving themselves a chance in my book with these combinations.

Also, very importantly, not only do the fans want a winning side, they want entertaining.
I am a Dons fan, that is non-negotiable. But if I wasn't, I would be spending my money at Cas.

Thornton may aspire to that kind of play but we are being treated to a bore-athon so far.

I would forgive them the half back issue if it was just this season and it had been a new issue; but we suffered for it badly most of last year. The problem isn't new

They must have thought Jack Miller was the answer as he's the only addition to the half-back ranks.

I hope he is but will he still be a Dons player when he becomes a Mister. You look at Luke Gale last night and he in no way resembles the scrawny youngster (albeit he had more than a touch of class back then) that we saw, and that IMO is the problem, holding onto to raw talent, nurturing it and then getting the best years from that player.

There are not many sportsman around that mirror James Coppinger.

I don't want people to get me wrong about Miller, I like him, I think he can do a job and could become a quality player. It's just that he's our only option at the moment and he needs to be playing alongside a fit, quality partner

Miller came as cover.
Obviously the problem first choice duo of H and H
was what Mr T favoured.
So not much learned there then.

I am not sure I can believe Howden is playing with an injured hip .... how can we get the talent out of him that we have seen in glimpses and that would make a difference?
He ain't fit and he just kicks the ball away to compensate.
So the interplay passing/running game suffers.

If he goes the season I will be gobsmacked.
Barmy playing injured players when the coach makes a big deal of not doing just that.

Which is why I tried to highlight on more than one occasion that we have a very experienced set of forwards, arguably up with the best in the division, but behind them a real miss mash of inexperience, injury pron, discipline pron and no settled pairing 6 and 7.

Thats me done on that subject and I really hope by chance, luck or what the heck we hit on a pair of play makers.

Yes I think we've said it all now.

Not bad for a Friday though ...

Did I ever tell you about halfbacks during the war?
During the war .......

Paul handforth is playing amateur, have they enquired probably not, getting on a bit but has experience
and if he only played when absolutely needed, he could coach the halves we have and educate them i'm sure.
a statement saying they have been looking, but been unsuccessful would help and at least show a sign of intent.

If people honestly think CH and GT aren't aware we are short in the half back department must be kidding themselves. They have made efforts but have failed not due to to money but the fact the players have been given the opportunity to play in the championship. I don't expect them to openly say this, because if I was one of the current players in that position and my coach told the world I'm not good enough it wouldn't help my confidence.

Fair point , but the 6/7 role was a problem last season as well as this .

Was anything said about Brad England at the forum , according to the star has signed a contract for 2017.

There will be a fans forum committee meeting this Wednesday 19.7.17, as anyone got any questions that they would like me to take to the meeting.
Thanks
Baz

www.doncasterrugbyleague.co.uk/a ... el-minutes

www.doncasterrugbyleague.co.uk/a ... el-minutes

There will be a fans forum committee meeting this Monday 21.8.17, as anyone got any questions that they would like me to take to the meeting or email me at bazzer1962@hotmail.com Thanks Baz

There will be a fans forum committee meeting this Monday 21.8.17, as anyone got any questions that they would like me to take to the meeting or email me at bazzer1962@hotmail.com Thanks Baz

Went to my first fans forum meeting yesterday evening . Was impressed by ideas put forward by several fans & the club .
A very positive meeting , I am sure some will say we have heard it all before . Time will tell if the we can achieve bigger crowds & a better match day experience .

No doubt a report will be posted later.

Thanks to Carl for inviting me after being one of his critics !

I very much echo Weighman's words. It was my first meeting. All the people there were offering positive suggestions for moving forwards and it was good to bounce ideas off each other.

I'm sure a full report of the meeting will follow soon.

Fans Panel Meeting
Wednesday 21st August 2017

Attendees: Phil Buxton, Barry Brown, Kiel McCloy, Carol Lindley, Mike Lindley,
Paul Margrave, Carol Green, Gary Fox, Phil Scorah, Chris Scorah, Tracy Armstrong,
Carl Hall, Gavin Baldwin, Shaun Lockwood, Stewart Piper, Ray Green, Jackie Green.

Apologies: Stewart Thompson, Dave Stewart

Updates/Follow Up from last meeting:

• Offer for last 3 games was introduced and Season Ticket holders to bring a friend for £5
• Coaching team remains as: Richard Horne, Pete Green, Rhys Lovegrove and Sean Leaf (Match Day only).
• Players have been going over to supporters after match
• 6 Players have signed 2 years deals
• 3 new signings were made for Super 8’s
• Plan in place to secure top 5 finish – Toronto game was discussed as Players do not arrive home until the Monday evening and semi finals to be played on 24th September
• Will be in Schools later in year
• Whitehaven game was in memory of Liam Maughan

Supporter Feedback

• CH thanked Mike Lindley, Chris Scorah and Paul Margrave for their reports – all good comments
• Home attendances only thing letting us down. Shirt and Match Sponsors hitting targets. We encourage any suggestions.
It was suggested that on field performance determines crowds but this is not the case at all times sometimes it is the quality of the opposition as well.
Not knowing the fixtures for July, August and September affects fans purchasing Season Tickets
• CH announced that on Thursday (24th) the First Team Squad are training at Bentley ARLFC to involve all the juniors. The estimated 100 juniors will then attend the Newcastle game. The Club will then be looking at doing the same at the 2 other local amateur clubs – Toll Bar and Moorends.
Also the Club has invited the 500 attendees from the NCS scheme to the Newcastle game. All this to try and encourage Junior membership of the Club.
• It was suggested that Social Media is not always the best way to promote the Club. Shaun Lockwood, new Head of Communications, is looking at all Marketing and Media during the off season.
Members offered take posters etc round their local villages
• The RL structure is rumoured to be changing in 2019 – no details yet
• It was suggested Fans feel detached from the Players. Can Man of the Match be presented immediately after the game on the pitch? The Coach needs the players back in the Dressing Room after the game to speak to them and injuries to be seen to; also Sponsors have to be given a big consideration. We are one of the few Clubs that Players join supporters in the same room after a match but we are always open to suggestions.
Players who are injured, or not in the squad, could perhaps come over to the Restaurant before the match and speak to the fans and go to the Family Area.
• Cost of events e.g. Presentation Night/Season Launch can be very expensive due to cost of food and drinks – this leads to lack of attendance/support. Can there be any cheaper alternatives?
We need to do something different to attract supporters.

Dons4Life

Could we resurrect a Supporters Group under the Dons4Life name? Events could be held to link the Players with the Supporters. Meeting could be held elsewhere within Doncaster and the Club Doncaster Staff would attend. Proposals could be made and the Group give their opinions – things could be tried and then discussed within the Group to agree what works and what doesn’t. Discussions would be meaningful and staff would go with actions. We hope this will appeal to the attendees here tonight, think about it and see where we want to take this.
An open Fans Forum will be arranged for all fans to attend.

Junior Dons

Club Doncaster is putting a package together for Junior Dons, looking at 5 – 11 year olds and 12 – 16 year olds. We hope this will attract new blood. CH stated that his ambition is to see the Dons Academy and a Reserve grade for Doncaster and if he sees just one player progressing on to play for the First Team he would be very happy. This would be a massive step.
Suggestions were made to have curtain raisers before the game and also option for T-Shirts and Caps to be included in price of the packages.
Discussion took place with regard to a Club ‘Mascot’. This choice will be given to Junior Dons members.

Season Tickets

The Group was asked what they think about introducing a Season Ticket with adds on – the price could include parking, programme and a draw ticket. Also could the Club Doncaster DNA card become an addition? This could increase the number of Ticket sales and increase attendance by making the Season Ticket more attractive for the fans to purchase. (For comparison; Rovers last year sold 2300 Season Tickets whilst this year they have introduced the Under 17’s for £30 and Silver Plus Membership. Sales have gone up to around 5000 for this season).
The Rovers Silver Plus members receive a Dons Season ticket for the extra price which means we have sold 250 Season Tickets already for next season. This is a Club Doncaster contribution to the Dons.
This is another opportunity for the Group to come up with suggestions and ideas.


Other Questions and Comments

• Discussion re communications – up to date information is still not being put on website. CH reiterated that the RFL has control of certain parts of the website and news about players leaving or new signings will not be announced until official paperwork has been RFL sanctioned, regardless of any rumours or news from other websites.
• Season Tickets will not be on sale at a discounted price on the last game of the Season but will be on offer at a discounted price until Christmas. We are going to make the offer attractive to Fans.
• Could a Draw be made for all Season Ticket holders at the end of the season? Prize for example – Juniors to meet the team and Adults a photograph with the team perhaps or new shirt. Shaun Lockwood will be looking at a range of incentives for holders.
• Do we know the percentage of season ticket holders and those who pay on the day?
It is about 40% Season Ticket holders.
• Comment: Richard Horne is a good coach, the fans like his type of rugby and he has got his finger on the pulse. To make a change he needs to sign his type of player to make progress
• Comment: Club Doncaster can’t change things on it’s own and neither can the Fans – we need to work together


CH stated that the 3 main topics which need to be addressed are;
Attendances
Dons4Life
Junior Dons


Carl Hall thanked all for their attendance and would probably meet again before the end of season.

A good report Another Penalty. It is good for fans to have insight into what is happening behind the scenes.

Thank you for your kind comment Danensian.

Baz