The Unity Movement

[Bangor Cymru Saddler]

At last, I have got 5 minutes to myself in order to start this long-overdue message (but I think perfectly timed..)

What the Unity movement acheived in 6 weeks last season was nigh on incredible. The passion and devotion shown by those who love Walsall was a real inspiration, not just to fellow Walsall supporters, but I think to certain people at the club.

The major points to come out of the movement I think were as follows:

1. Superb support for the Walsall team which manifested itself in better home performances (surely the whole point of why we are Walsall fans?)
2. A much, much better atmosphere at home games. Support throughout the game, loud and passionate. A sense of feeling together again.
3. Positive action taken by the WFC board - with letters and a better positive attitude shown in some press releases.
4. Roy Whalley after 20 years service is replaced by a younger Stefan Gamble which may herald a new era.
5. Unity becomes known by the media.

So what of Unity now?

As you may have seen, I can't keep up to speed with the Unity movement as much as I would love to.. however, I think our remit has to change just slightly in light of the new attempts by the WFC board. If it was the same old, same old with the same people then I wouldn't be so positive - but I think Stefan Gamble deserves a chance and I hope he is willing to take it.

I think Unity as a movement becomes a transient organisation that will act if anything awry or bad takes place. We have shown that through peaceful protesting, that we can get rewards. I'd like to think of Unity as a critical friend of the club, one that has the steel through resolve to stand up to the powers-that-be and say 'No'.

I do however, think Unity could be embraced by the Walsall FC trust - if the ideas of the majority (as in any democratic society) are taken on board (be that pro-this and anti-that, either way) then I see no reason why the Trust will not get a swell of members from the few hundred or so that have expressed interest in the group, and who staged that sit-in protest at the end of last season. The trust is an rooted organisation, I'd like to think a big influx of Walsall supporters (of any creed or viewpoint - even those thousands of 'Reality' supporters) would give the trust a new burst of life and bring it to the forefront of communication with Walsall FC.

There should be monthly meetings, there should be Fans Focus meetings. I would like the trust to formally request one - I think it would be brilliant for the new individuals involved in the running of our club to be open and honest in front of the people who decide to turn up - no anymosity, no anger - just positivty towards the future, because what we all want at the end of the day is a positive, successful Walsall FC.

I do however, think it is important the pressure is kept up - this can be done overtly or covertly. I think the best and most poignant way at current is to wear yellow when you can - but also to sing and sing and sing at every game to show the passion that Walsall fans do have. It benefits the team, and it benefits yourself - I think people felt some fire in the heart towards the end of last season - stoked after a few years of feeling numb.

Sorry if that was longwinded, I have been super busy - but I hope the discussion that follows is positive and throws up loads of new ideas to take to the trust or WFC in order to make things better.

UTS

[DanWalsallFC]

Just aslong as the chanting and atmosphere is as good as the last few games last season then i'll be happy

[sturgy]

Blimey !! Bonser shuffles the board and everything is deemed to be better, realise Bonser is the issue and things aint gonna change, if things are different let the new boys make the moves, bet they don't

[canadiansaddler]

Blimey !! Bonser shuffles the board and everything is deemed to be better, realise Bonser is the issue and things aint gonna change, if things are different let the new boys make the moves, bet they don't

I don't think Bangor is deeming everything is better but is taking a realistic approach to the situation. I agree the vehicle to take 'unity' forward and build bridges with the club is the trust and everyone should get behind the supporters trust so that the impetus created by unity is not lost

UTS

[Bangor Cymru Saddler]

Blimey !! Bonser shuffles the board and everything is deemed to be better, realise Bonser is the issue and things aint gonna change, if things are different let the new boys make the moves, bet they don't

I don't think Bangor is deeming everything is better but is taking a realistic approach to the situation. I agree the vehicle to take 'unity' forward and build bridges with the club is the trust and everyone should get behind the supporters trust so that the impetus created by unity is not lost

UTS

I couldn't have put it better myself. We all know my feelings on Bonser - that hasn't changed.

[Neil Ravenscroft]

Blimey !! Bonser shuffles the board and everything is deemed to be better, realise Bonser is the issue and things aint gonna change, if things are different let the new boys make the moves, bet they don't

I don't think Bangor is deeming everything is better but is taking a realistic approach to the situation. I agree the vehicle to take 'unity' forward and build bridges with the club is the trust and everyone should get behind the supporters trust so that the impetus created by unity is not lost

UTS

I couldn't have put it better myself. We all know my feelings on Bonser - that hasn't changed.

It's also recognising that shouting at him won't solve the perceived problems. If you really want a change at the top, you will have to take positive steps to find alternative investment, and that sort of approach would look better coming from the Trust. There is no point in trying to "fix it" unless the alternatives are better. I am sure that Jeff would sell up if the right offer came along.

[saddlerJP]

Did that 'Walsall Sales Brouchure' which was talked about in the meeting ever get put together?

[Exile]

Blimey !! Bonser shuffles the board and everything is deemed to be better, realise Bonser is the issue and things aint gonna change, if things are different let the new boys make the moves, bet they don't

I don't think Bangor is deeming everything is better but is taking a realistic approach to the situation. I agree the vehicle to take 'unity' forward and build bridges with the club is the trust and everyone should get behind the supporters trust so that the impetus created by unity is not lost

UTS

I couldn't have put it better myself. We all know my feelings on Bonser - that hasn't changed.

It's also recognising that shouting at him won't solve the perceived problems. If you really want a change at the top, you will have to take positive steps to find alternative investment, and that sort of approach would look better coming from the Trust. There is no point in trying to "fix it" unless the alternatives are better. I am sure that Jeff would sell up if the right offer came along.

Eh?

If you own a business and, by proxy, the premises the business operated in, would you expect your earnest and well-meaning but ever so poor mate (you'd call him a best mate because you feel sorry for him, but you won't because he's actually a bit embarrassing and smells) to sell your business , or would you think you'd have to find a buyer yourself?

Why is it the fans fault a buyer hasn't been found? Stuff that.

[swiftyboy]

Blimey !! Bonser shuffles the board and everything is deemed to be better, realise Bonser is the issue and things aint gonna change, if things are different let the new boys make the moves, bet they don't

I don't think Bangor is deeming everything is better but is taking a realistic approach to the situation. I agree the vehicle to take 'unity' forward and build bridges with the club is the trust and everyone should get behind the supporters trust so that the impetus created by unity is not lost

UTS

I couldn't have put it better myself. We all know my feelings on Bonser - that hasn't changed.

It's also recognising that shouting at him won't solve the perceived problems. If you really want a change at the top, you will have to take positive steps to find alternative investment, and that sort of approach would look better coming from the Trust. There is no point in trying to "fix it" unless the alternatives are better. I am sure that Jeff would sell up if the right offer came along.

Eh?

If you own a business and, by proxy, the premises the business operated in, would you expect your earnest and well-meaning but ever so poor mate (you'd call him a best mate because you feel sorry for him, but you won't because he's actually a bit embarrassing and smells) to sell your business , or would you think you'd have to find a buyer yourself?

Why is it the fans fault a buyer hasn't been found? Stuff that.

A buyer hasn't been found because:-
A) Greedy Bonser wants stupid money for a club with no assets
And
B) He doesn't WANT to sell! Would you if it was earning all that money for your pension? Add to that money that dissappears every year, ( like the cash from Deeneys imminent departure) and it's a nice little earner

In not fooled by any of the sale talk

[boringteacher]

Why is it the fans fault a buyer hasn't been found? Stuff that.[/quote]

A buyer hasn't been found because:-
A) Greedy Bonser wants stupid money for a club with no assets
And
B) He doesn't WANT to sell! Would you if it was earning all that money for your pension? Add to that money that dissappears every year, ( like the cash from Deeneys imminent departure) and it's a nice little earner

In not fooled by any of the sale talk[/quote]

Tend to agree that Boner dont really want to sell - he can cut the clubs running costs to the bone and still make £400k per year on land worth £4 - 5 million. Not a bad return, and the sums will probably work for him on 2500 crowds in League 2. 8 - 10% return, with the land value as a fallback - wish my family had that comfort level, but I'd hope my conscience would stop me from running into the ground something of emotional value to so many people. Still, I suppose that is would a proper fan would think. He'll only sell if some mong is stupid enough to pay him the £7-8 million that would attract him away from his parasitism on the club.

[NEWPORT SADDLERS DAD]

I don't know Boners family situation,but I have this nightmare that he has a son and might hand the reins over to
him this could be a disaster,another leech in waiting.

[SaddlerSteve]

I'd agree with what a few others have said.

Bonser is in no rush to sell and is content to keep the status quo.
He may consider selling but only in the eventuality that someone offers silly money.
Not very likely. And as others have said even when Bonser does hand over the reins, whether it is to someone in his family or if he does sell the new owner is just as likely to be the next pension fund leech.

[Sadlad]

He has daughters only.

[Whitters]

So what's a reasonable rent then?

[Pedagogue]

So what's a reasonable rent then?

I don't know anything about commercial rents but it wouldn't surprise me if a grand a day were quite reasonable for a facility like Bescot Stadium. Doncaster Rovers pay a lot more for the (admittedly bigger and better) Keepmoat Stadium.

However, as we know, that is not the fundamental issue - rather should we be tenants and paying any rent at all?

[Neil Ravenscroft]

A buyer hasn't been found because:-
A) Greedy Bonser wants stupid money for a club with no assets
And
B) He doesn't WANT to sell! Would you if it was earning all that money for your pension? Add to that money that dissappears every year, ( like the cash from Deeneys imminent departure) and it's a nice little earner

In not fooled by any of the sale talk

Then, what is the point of the protest? He won't go away because people shout at him, you know. The only way out is a buyer!

[philthesaddler]

A buyer hasn't been found because:-
A) Greedy Bonser wants stupid money for a club with no assets
And
B) He doesn't WANT to sell! Would you if it was earning all that money for your pension? Add to that money that dissappears every year, ( like the cash from Deeneys imminent departure) and it's a nice little earner

In not fooled by any of the sale talk

Then, what is the point of the protest? He won't go away because people shout at him, you know. The only way out is a buyer!

Agreed (to an extent), but how do you sell something when a) you don't know how much it's being sold for and b) you dont know exactly what you're selling?

It's all very well producing a portfolio for potential investors, but Uncle Jeff has set the club up in such a way that puts off potential investors.

And finally, Jeff has shown the the protests bother him. After all, he banned you! He banned Swifty and Bangor also, so it obviously gets to him - which is a victory in a way. If we can keep bugging him and pestering him and pissing him off then hopefully he'll have a fit of pique and sell the club.

I said it before, if the media had any guts about them and asked the pertinent questions, and pressured the club in to answering those questions then Uncle Jeffs life would have been very uncomfortable last season.

He wont stick around if he's constantly being told to go away.

[saddlerJP]

Did that 'Walsall Sales Brouchure' which was talked about in the meeting ever get put together?

[saddlerJP]

Phil is correct the protests bothered Jeff a great deal and got under his skin, you could see that from his re-action. That should be the pushing off point, would be disapointed if no progress has been made over the summer on the ideas floated at the meeting

[Bangor Cymru Saddler]

Phil is correct the protests bothered Jeff a great deal and got under his skin, you could see that from his re-action. That should be the pushing off point, would be disapointed if no progress has been made over the summer on the ideas floated at the meeting

Hiya - sorry didn't reply sooner - I have been in a lab analysing brain waves - how ironic!

Anyway, this sales brochure must be put together soon. There were some great ideas - I think it's best the people interested in that idea (and in putting it together) get together virtually or in person to discuss it as a focus group - plan?

[swiftyboy]

A buyer hasn't been found because:-
A) Greedy Bonser wants stupid money for a club with no assets
And
B) He doesn't WANT to sell! Would you if it was earning all that money for your pension? Add to that money that dissappears every year, ( like the cash from Deeneys imminent departure) and it's a nice little earner

In not fooled by any of the sale talk

Then, what is the point of the protest? He won't go away because people shout at him, you know. The only way out is a buyer!

As Phil says, the point is to hound Bonser out

[saddlerJP]

Anyway, this sales brochure must be put together soon. There were some great ideas - I think it's best the people interested in that idea (and in putting it together) get together virtually or in person to discuss it as a focus group - plan?

although better late then never, we've just had the perfect 3 months for this to be organised between the 50 people that were at the meeting. I foolishly presumed that as all had gone quiet that was being worked on by a select few.

I also sent a pm to yourself with an offer of help in may (may or may not have been useful) which never recieved a responce. Understand people have things going on in their lives etc but seems like a lot of strong feeling and peoples energy was harnessed towards the end of last season and then released without being put to good use.

[priestley_saddler]

I've kept my powder dry for the last couple of days trying to decide if I agree with Darren's stance, and I'm still not sure whether I do or not.

While I agree to being pleased with Stefan Gambles appointment and The Whalley being moved aside. Up until the bans, the protest didn't concern Whalley at all. He only dragged himself into it by being a numpty. When we had the open Unity meeting, it was discussed that rather than just mindlessly chanting "BONSER OUT", to try and focus on a specific issue, with the freehold being the issue of choice. To my knowledge, this situation hasn't changed.

Also, a huge thing was made around giving the support to the team and making clear the protest wasn't against them. This was managed, so I don't understand why we can't give do as Darren says and give Gamble a chance, AND continue to protest about the freehold situation.

A lot of good ideas were raised at the meeting: Unity taking out a pitchside advertising board (which at the Wolves game I counted nine that were vacant), or even sponsoring a player. Putting pressure on the club to take Unity as a serious organisation, which they'd find it difficult not to do if Unity as a group was pumping money into the club. A lot of positive energy went into this and for the protests to lose steam now, when the thing we were protesting about hasn't changed, appears a bit of a waste.

[DanWalsallFC]

Dont worry, the protests will start again once we have nothing to play for and we're stuck in mid-table..

[NEWPORT SADDLERS DAD]

Phil is correct the protests bothered Jeff a great deal and got under his skin, you could see that from his re-action. That should be the pushing off point, would be disapointed if no progress has been made over the summer on the ideas floated at the meeting

Bonser cannot stand protesting,
I think the last big protest against Mr Merson resulted in the sack almost straight away for PM.

[Neil Ravenscroft]

Phil is correct the protests bothered Jeff a great deal and got under his skin, you could see that from his re-action. That should be the pushing off point, would be disapointed if no progress has been made over the summer on the ideas floated at the meeting

Bonser cannot stand protesting,
I think the last big protest against Mr Merson resulted in the sack almost straight away for PM.

Ah, but there is the difficulty! You see, organising protest against something is easy - what is needed is something positive. That means financial contributions, or a lot of work being put in. Unfortuantely, that's the point at which an awful lot of faces vanish over the horizon, normally.

[PINNACLE]

Phil is correct the protests bothered Jeff a great deal and got under his skin, you could see that from his re-action. That should be the pushing off point, would be disapointed if no progress has been made over the summer on the ideas floated at the meeting

Bonser cannot stand protesting,
I think the last big protest against Mr Merson resulted in the sack almost straight away for PM.

Ah, but there is the difficulty! You see, organising protest against something is easy - what is needed is something positive. That means financial contributions, or a lot of work being put in. Unfortuantely, that's the point at which an awful lot of faces vanish over the horizon, normally.

What, you mean to say that "UNITY" has stayaways as well could'nt make it up if i tried

[swiftyboy]

Protesting against Bonser needs to continue, with the onus on still providing positive vocal support for the team

[Neil Ravenscroft]

Protesting against Bonser needs to continue, with the onus on still providing positive vocal support for the team

To try and make the point again, to what end? If we accept for a moment that you are correct and all Jeff is interested in is getting the £400,000 per year paid into his pension fund and that amount is covered by the commercial activities (which it is), then what good will chanting at him do? According to that argument, he wouldn't care, as long as he was getting the cash! You need an end stategy.

[swiftyboy]

Protesting against Bonser needs to continue, with the onus on still providing positive vocal support for the team

To try and make the point again, to what end? If we accept for a moment that you are correct and all Jeff is interested in is getting the £400,000 per year paid into his pension fund and that amount is covered by the commercial activities (which it is), then what good will chanting at him do? According to that argument, he wouldn't care, as long as he was getting the cash! You need an end stategy.

An end strategy is impossible with Bonsers unreasonable and unrealistic terms. So the only way to force him out is to make him uncomfortable by whatever means possible