Frazzie

Well, it must have been a startling coincidence, as there was no plans afoot to reproduce the photo when we met, and within about a fortnight they were on sale. I take it the folk in the shop said it was their idea to man the old Ladbrokes stall aswell? Frazzle

That was at our request, but I see it as being mutually beneficial. I'm certain Leeann would be happy to hear individually from any supporters - that's not why I made the request to go through the Trust. The reason I did that was twofold: Firstly, it would allow us to gauge issues that are affecting the core support, rather than just a small handful of our own members; and also it would give us the chance to, where relevant, broadcast any outcomes or findings, hopefully giving the club a bit of much needed good PR with the fans. However, if you'd rather it was a private matter and keep the response to yourself, that's absolutely not a problem. I'm just trying to fulfill what I see as being one of (if not THE) most important roles of the Trust. Frazzle

There was a bit of a childish slanging match between FirParkCorner FC and WTFC when the latter started up. It started because in the WTFCs first game, against FPC, one of their players (who shall remain nameless) headbutted the quietest, most inoffensive guy (again, nameless) in our team in an unprovoked attack. Without going over old ground, there was then tit-for-tat nonsense on both messageboards for quite a while afterwards, which was as boring for those involved as it was for all the 'Well fans who had to read it. Throughout all of this, myself and fatcalf (in my mind anyway) maintained a reasonable relationship and rose above the nonsense. However, I now find that, using a medium which casts a potentially wide net, and which allows me no response, he has painted a picture of FPC and WTFC which is entirely unfair. I'm not going to allow any bilge to start up again - I was very angry when I first read the bit in the book. Now, upon reflection, I'm just disappointed in the author. Frazzle

If I'd known the book was going to dredge up petty issues from the past and report a one-sided dig at FirParkCorner FC, I'd have spent my tenner elsewhere. I resisted the strong urge to fire said book straight in the bin when I read that part, and will finish the read, but not been an enjoyable experience thus far. Frazzle

The Trust met with Leeann and John Boyle about a month or so ago, and I must echo the sentiments of the above - I was extremely impressed with her. Not only her manner at the meeting (I was wary of 'bluster' after the same meeting with Ian Stillie a year previous) but since the meeting, steps that we suggested have actually been taken. Most of you East Standers will notice that the tannoy has been fixed - that was Leeann. Seaspn ticket holders may also note that the MST boards for the match numbers are back in use - Leeann again. Even something as seemingly insignificant as the Panoramic Fir Park photos on sale in the club shop are off the back of a suggestion made at that meeting. There was obviously many more, broader issues discussed and I am confident that these will be addressed, given time. What I would say is that we are to have regular meetings with Leeann and I would ask that people, rather than emailing or writing to her directly, contact the Trust and we shall raise points on your behalf. The reason I ask this is that it would allow us to better gauge the thoughts and feelings of the fans, and broadcast any further developements that are made off the back of it. It would benefit the rest of the fanbase if they were aware that peoples concerns were actually being listenned to and dealt with. I assure everyone that anything along those lines will be dealt with swiftly by the Trust and every step of the progression will be communicated back to the fan who raised the point, and the end result potentially rolled out to rest of the supporters. Frazzle

Exactly. I work in Newton Mearns and if I knew they were coming out tomorrow, I'd go in late, but the fact that I'll already be at work when they're suddenly put on sale means I'll have no chance of getting one. On that note, can you go and pick up a ticket with a ST book, even if the book is not your own? Frazzle

OnTheFringes, you're right when you say that the Trust doesn't have the membership base to justify saying that they represent the core support in a voting sense, but every statement the Trust issues, and every action taken by the Trust, is with consideration of the views of the 'Well fan base in its entirety, and not just it's own members. For example, on the other thread here I am hoping to champion the cause of the 'Wellboys as a MST duty, but I would doubt if there was even one Trust member within their group. Unfortunately, this is how we are in a catch 22 situation. If you, as a 'Well fan, raise a concern with regards to the football club, the Trust will discuss it and take any action we feel to be neccesary to attempt to address it. That won't motivate you to join the Trust, as you know you'll be represented by us anyway. The real surge in membership will only come if we ever gain an elected seat on the clubs board as everyone will want a vote on it, but our chances of getting that will remain slim as long as we have so few members. Answers on a postcard for that one? Frazzle

Andy - what's the chances of being able to watch the game from outside the ground? Up a tree, top of a hill, etc? Frazzle

The Trust have written to the club, seeking clarification that any amendments to the Charter will be ran past us in advance - that was in reaction to the concessionary age for OAPs being raised from 60 to 65. Frazzle

Nancy - the less said, the better. Frazzle

The Fans Charter says that organised supporters groups should be given preferential treatment for tickets, along with season ticket holders. The MST are an organised Motherwell fans movement who give thousands of pounds a year to the club, and represent the views of the core support, and we haven't been given any tickets (not that I think we should have been, mind you!), but the Association to the best of my knowledge, contribute nothing to the club and are of no value to anyone other than their own few members, yet they get tickets. I don't see that as being fair. Having said that, I understand that with the supply and demand that the club were never going to be able to please everyone and I respect the decision that has been taken, even if I don't agree with it. At least it has been made clear in advance, which has been a problem in the past. Frazzle

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, I suppose, but mine lies in the answer to these two questions: - What does the Association do for the club or the fans (or anyone apart from themselves)? - What is the average number of fans the Association take to away games? I don't know how many members they have, but the size of the organisation doesn't justify 20% of the tickets, especially when almost all of their members will have season tickets anyway and, thus, another bite at the cherry. Also, it has been well documented that season tickets are becoming less and less value for money, so I can't understand how if I pay the best part of £300 to the club at the beginning of the season, I have a far lesser chance of getting a ticket than someone who pays £15 to Jim Frame! Frazzle

Well, I'll do my utmost to be there when they go on sale, but if I miss out, I miss out. I must admit, I do object to the Supporters Association getting 100 tickets, but not a lot I can do about it. Frazzle

The permanent memorial WILL happen. Unfortunately, due to poor DVD sales, we're having to have another event in February, so the memorial won't be about for a few months yet. On the subject of the minutes applause/silence/whatever, the Trust elected not to promote this as an organisation. That's not to say that we don't support the notion individually - personally I think it would be a poignant tribute - but that we didn't want to be involved in anything that may distract the players, keeping in mind their own comments at the Tam Cowan night in April (DVDs available now, if you haven't heard B)) Frazzle

I was actually just about to suggest that the Match Commander attends any meeting. On behalf of the Trust, I can say that this sort of case should be our bread and butter and I would be only too happy to attend any meeting with the Wellboys, acting on their behalf. However, I think any meeting without the Match Commander would be almost pointless as when we raised some very similar points to those in this thread with Ian Stillie about this time last year, he basically passed the buck onto said Match Commander. We have requested meetings with him through Strathclyde Police but do no avail as yet. I do, however, appreciate that the Match Commander changed around the time of our request and we haven't been chasing it up over the past few months. I think it would be in your best interests ('Wellboys) to discuss amongst yourselves whether you would like the MST to take this up and drop me a pm with what you decide. Frazzle

The ever-criticised programme and official website man makes another misleading blunder! So, if the game's NOT on the 22nd as your title suggests, when is it? Sorry, couldn't help myself... Frazzle

We safely stand in the East Stand every single week without fail. We purchased our season tickets at the turn of the century (used that phrase to sound old) for a spot that would allow us to stand without being in anyones road, while sacrificing a good view. We haven't caused any mayhem in all our years of standing there and what I would appreciate is some consistency. It's seldom the same steward two games in a row at our area, but we're usually left in peace. But then a big game comes along or there's a 'crackdown' and suddenly we're harrassed by halfwits with daft coats and walkie-talkies. Regardless of what happens on the park - the price is going up, the standard of the product is going down. It doesn't take an expert to figure out that'll go tits-up sooner rather than later. Frazzle

Regardless of anyones opinion of the 'Wellboys, has anyone noticed that when the Old Firm fans stand up and jump about at Fir Park, the stewards and police are nowhere to be seen, but when it's the Motherwell support, all hell breaks loose? I think it's to be applauded that a full section stands up en masse - a big GIRUY to the "yella jaikit" brigade that think they rule the world. Frazzle

Like McCormack and Lappin from last season? Frazzle

A club looking after their own fans first? A novel concept. Good luck to them. Frazzle

There was also a steward tonight - a wee blonde bint - who came over to a mate of mine and displayed exactly why nobody has any time for anyone in a yellow jaiket. A guy who was minding his own business, as he does each game, was growled at in a disgusting manner for almost no reason at all. Slightly taken aback, he replied 'Whit?' and got the exact same snash, except a bit more growlier. When pulled up about it later, she got even more tetchy and blamed the behaviour of the 'Well Boys for her shocking manner. There's too many stewards like that at Fir Park and, much like the police on the streets, actually do more harm than good as their attitude could potentially ignite a situation rather than defuse it. It is quite obvious that there is little or no training involved in the job, and it's quite disgraceful considerring how much it costs our club over the course of a season. Frazzle

Aye, you're right. What I mean is, I think the ticket is worked already. Porter, Hughes and Quinn I all fully expect to be gone come January. I also expect McGhee not to replace them and I expect a very long next five months. Frazzle

McGhee actually reminds me more of McCleish than Malpas because no matter how pish a team he puts out, he'll give the media a few soundbites after the game to keep them sweet, and there'll never be a bad word written about him. A journalist who was interested in doing his job properly would be asking some really difficult questions at this stage and tearing him to shreads, but because he's a media whore it doesn't happen. Nobody has asked him why he has failed to sign a centre half in three transfer windows, or why there was no replacement for McCormack waiting, even though he knew he was leaving at least six months before he did. He also needs to be held accountable for having no plan B whatsoever and for being incapable of positively influencing a game with a substitution. His time is coming to an end, and fast. Frazzle

Whether we like it or not, guys like Hughes, Porter, etc are the best standard of player we can realistically hope to have in our team after January as McGhee has proven now that he can only sign a decent player if JB gets his cheque book out. Now that it looks like another Euro jaunt is out of the question then these guys will be working their ticket and we really will be in deep shit. Frazzle

I can't be arsed reading what everyone else has written because I just want to vent my own frustration here to save me putting a hole in a hall. I thought the boy Saunders did ok. Klimpl looked utter pish, Reynolds likewise (as usual). Hammell was murder, as he has been since he came back. The midfield actually did ok in spells at the beginning. The wrong substitutions killed us. The new Messiah Murphy didn't do much. We were worth a goal tonight probably, and we should really be walking away from tonight frustated that they held us to a 0-0 draw, but the fact that we couldn't keep hens out a close meant it was another routine home defeat. Kilmarnock are dreadful, had players missing and didn't play well at all, but still never looked like they were going to get anything less than a win, and that is deeply worrying. Frazzle