|
|
Post by KapitänHöhlenmensch on Apr 22, 2008 12:01:57 GMT
Well the eleventh hour has been and gone, is there any news from today's press conference? My refresh button can't take anymore hammering!
|
|
|
|
Post by Roger on Apr 22, 2008 12:14:07 GMT
I thought you were the one with the press card (unless that was just a request ;D ).
|
|
|
|
Post by KapitänHöhlenmensch on Apr 22, 2008 12:18:55 GMT
 If I could've had the time off and a train fare to Worthing I'd have been there! |
|
|
|
Post by jj on Apr 22, 2008 12:21:03 GMT
Press release is now on official site. Pictures to follow.
|
|
|
|
Post by KapitänHöhlenmensch on Apr 22, 2008 12:27:16 GMT
Fantastic news! Really good news for the club and it's fantastic to know that A2B are a proper Worthing firm and their support for the club is very, very genuine.
Thank you everso much to Jon and all at A2B and I really hope this is the start of the rejuvenation of Worthing FC.
|
|
|
|
Post by jim on Apr 22, 2008 12:29:26 GMT
Congrats to Jon July08, and all at the club. Off and on field looking good for a bright future.
|
|
|
|
Post by soulrebel on Apr 22, 2008 12:42:43 GMT
TAXI FOR BLOOR !!
|
|
|
|
Post by Adam on Apr 22, 2008 13:07:20 GMT
Jon as I said to you on Saturday, I heard the news on Tuesday night at the cup final. Im really pleased as I think its a great move, for both the club and a2b - especially if the club get promoted and start getting the exposure it deserves. Nice comments too including the mention of the hardy bunch that are there week in week out.
|
|
|
|
Post by maniac on Apr 22, 2008 14:33:12 GMT
good news,so perhaps we can get a decent toilet by tea hut,and small stand enlarged so we can get a propper view from the back.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sparky Rebel on Apr 22, 2008 21:37:31 GMT
All very positive stuff and this does appears to be generally good news that we have a keen sponsor with some business background who is talking the right game, yet some of the actual content of the press release does requires closer scrutiny. As a football fan and a Worthing fan personally I find it unacceptable that Woodside Road is being renamed again as it is against the basic ethos of what football should be about especially at this level of the game. The ground and the club were here long before any single sponsor and should still be here long after any single sponsor. While beggers cannot be choosers we do play at Woodside Road which for better or worse is the name of our ground. Identity is a key part of being a football fan, I would expect any sponsor who has respect for the fans to fully understand that and to show this by waiving any claims to renaming a clubs ground. It will be interesting to see what is done with regards to a signage at the the front of the ground. Does an artists impression exist of the new signage and why was this not included with the press release considering it has been prominently mentioned? In the end would it be better value to spend the money going towards signage on actual facilities for the fans at the ground which surely will attract more supporters than a shiny new sign? The comment - " Then hopefully, together, we can help the club to leave that league and head into the Football League." What does this actually mean? Is this a realistic aim for Worthing FC to become a Football League team? If so in what time-line and how will this actually be done both financially and stadium wise? While stretched goals are all very well, they need to be realistic; Worthing FC in League Two would be totally and utterly amazing but the investment financially and in infrastructure to get us there will not be small; how would this be achieved? As for movement of the Sponsor's company call centre to the ground under the sponsorship deal. What is the content of this planning application? What is going to actually be built and where on the ground? How is the new facility being funded and who will actually own it? What happens after the three years (or any additional years) of the sponsorship are up? Before anyone jumps down my throat, as a fan of Worthing FC over many years I have the interests of our club at heart and some of the questions posed could directly impact the future of our club. A little more explanation in the structure of the statement would maybe have helped. Sadly we have had to many false dawns so forgive me for not wanting to jump up and down without question at the present moment; I hope my general and specific concerns are unfounded and this is a truly positive move for our club; however some convincing is needed - both actions and time will tell; fingers crossed  Welcome to the club Jon and wishing you the best of luck. |
|
|
|
Post by Roger on Apr 23, 2008 6:00:53 GMT
As a football fan and a Worthing fan personally I find it unacceptable that Woodside Road is being renamed again as it is against the basic ethos of what football should be about especially at this level of the game. Unfortunately, it seems to be an almost inevitable consequence these days of any significant sponsorship. If any change were needed, I would have much preferred A2B Woodside Road but at the end of the day, it will be Woodside Road to me whatever it's officially called. Do you know any Horsham fan who called the Atspeed Stadium anything other than Queen Street? Yes, there is a mock up in the Rebels Tavern but as that will be closed on Satyrday, hopefully it will be displayed in the main bar too. At first glance it looked a bit garish to me but I guess the sponsor calls the tune. If the groundshare with Horsham gets the green light from the League, then hopefully a significant part of the rent can be put towards ground improvements which would benefit the fans of both teams. Not wishing to put words into anyone's mouth but I can't help feeling that Jon's enthusiasm ran away with him there. We all know that it's not realistic - it's almost as daft as believing that the Pissing Pan would be hosting Conference National games  My understanding is that no building will be required. The offices previously used by Pinnacle are now vacant as they have a smart new place near the crossing gates. Presumably some sort of radio mast will be needed but with the stuff all round the ground already hard to be believe that will be a problem. Yes, I echo those sentiments and look forward to meeting Jon - he does sound like a genuine enthusiast and that's something we need a plenty if we are to progress on and off the field. |
|
|
|
Post by ian on Apr 23, 2008 8:16:39 GMT
My view is that I am totally neutral about naming the ground and have no strong feelings one way or another. I think that The A2B Worthing Stadium is a whole lot better than The Victor Gladwish Stadium! I think that the signage looks great, but I would add the phone number (232323) as well. It's all about number recognition, remember 118118!
I also understand that existing unused space vacated by Pinnacle will form the new offices for A2B and that radio aerials are unneccessary due to the very advanced technology used by A2B. The other important aspect is the effect that A2B could have on Woodside Road. Firstly, it would be manned most of the time and would make the ground more secure by having someone on site. Secondly, for those who enjoy "a cold drink or two", there is an on-site taxi firm to take them home or into town. All good.
I think that talk of the Football League is overly optimistic but I'd rather have a new sponsor talking about the remote possibility of the Football League rather than the County League!
I've only known Jon a short while but he is an enthusiastic and passionate football man and I hope that the sponsorship is beneficial to both WFC and A2B. The big question has to be to him, are you now a prawn sandwich man or will you still be slumming it in the burger queue with us lot? ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Adam on Apr 23, 2008 8:31:20 GMT
Ian I gather you were at the Press Conference, and had a bit of a suprised look on your face!
Personally no problem with re-naming the ground, although it's obvious that on the terraces and around the town it will always be woodside road. What is a big plus for Jon is that every time the ground is mentioned (whcih will be every week assuming the Horsham thing is finalised) it will be a2b's name in print. That's the point of the exercise.
I know that the club are selling 'conference' ambitions to prospective sponsors, and I have no reason to believe that these ambitions are not genuine. Whehter we can actually make significant strides in the 3-5 years being mooted is down to many factors, and a decent sponsorship deal goes part of of the way to providing cash for investment.
Haven't seen the signage but anything that spruces up the appearance is going to be a good thing. Agree the phone number must be added from a common sense point of view.
The news about opening up the Tavern is good so long as they advertise it properly. Get people down there. The summer is the time to try out little initiatives, so as to establish what works best and carry it on to next season.
|
|
|
|
Post by KapitänHöhlenmensch on Apr 23, 2008 9:26:52 GMT
I too don't have a problem with the name of the ground. Shirt sponsorship, nice as it is, doesn't get seen by many, but seeing A2B Stadium written on the back of the Herald, when you walk past it etc etc, it sticks in your head, and cab customers usually just go for the first one that comes in their head. Now hopefully that will be A2B.
Glad it's not an individual's 'name' as well, as Gladwish was just an ego trip for a sad, lonely old man and his two bit bought brides. This is a hell of a lot more than that, it's a supporter supporting his local club, and I'm pleased to call it the A2B stadium, along with Woodside Road.
There's no point marketing the club as a dead in the water Ryman League side, as Ian and AG48 said. We all want Worthing to be the best they can be and this squad of players can certainly take us to the next level and maybe more with one or two additions.
The signage sounds good, as does the Tavern opening more. I really hope these commercial ventures inspire Worthingfolk. I'd love to be able to make it, but obviously can't. These ideas sound marvellous though and can only be worth a try.
All in all very positive news for a forward thinking and forward heading club.
|
|
|
|
Post by Roger on Apr 23, 2008 10:01:43 GMT
The news about opening up the Tavern is good so long as they advertise it properly. Get people down there. The summer is the time to try out little initiatives, so as to establish what works best and carry it on to next season. The first thing is to get we fans down there - enough of us have criticised the lack of anything happening before so we have to get up off our rear ends first to put our money where our mouths have been, then try to attract outsiders. But, yes there are plans to publicise the events using essentailly free media opportunities (one of us is Press & Publicity officer for the local branch of CAMRA ) and I know the new bar regime have other plans going forward. I don't think I'm betraying any confidences in saying that you will be able to look forward to a big screen TV (at long last, I hear you shout  ) in the main bar for the start of next season. This is being jointly funded from Butch's fundraising and from the proceeds of the T-Hut so something is going back to the supporters. It's only a start but from small acorns ................. And a message for everyone out there. Please support the presentation evening. |
|
If I could've had the time off and a train fare to Worthing I'd have been there! 
) in the main bar for the start of next season. This is being jointly funded from Butch's fundraising and from the proceeds of the T-Hut so something is going back to the supporters.