I no longer look at any of the Bristol Rovers football forums, so I have not seen for myself any evidence that there has been a collective meltdown over the decision of the Rovers to abandon the UWE stadium project. Given the recent history on forums, I am sure there has been. People will be angry, people will be worried, people will demand statements and explanations and they will want something to be done. They will not always be clear what that something is that they want done but rest assured they will want someone else to do it. I have been involved in these situations in the past so I hope my experience will be of help to those who want something to be done.
1. Overreact to any information the club gives out and believe anonymous forum “experts” who have “sources” who know something no one else does. One or two of them really will, but others will have bumped into Ken Masters in the bar and he will know less than anyone.
2. Demand the board of directors make detailed statements.
3. Don’t believe the statements when they are made. “They are hiding something.”
4. Demand that something must be done. There is no need to say what.
5. Make sure that the person who does it isn’t the person who suggests it. “I don’t have enough time myself.”
6. Call for a meeting at a nearby pub. Holding a meeting in a pub always shows you are not serious about doing anything really.
7. 20 people turn up at the meeting, all of whom agree that something must be done. Agree a catchy name for the group, like “Rovers Campaign for someone to tell us something, if you wouldn’t mind, please.”
8. No one has any idea what that “something” is but things can’t go on as they are.
9. Call for another meeting next month.
10. 10 people turn up at the meeting, all of whom agree that something must be done and complain about supporter apathy.
11. Call for another meeting next month.
12. Meeting cancelled due to lack of interest.
13. Er…
14. That’s it.
In a few years time, a further crisis develops at the football club. Revisit the above action plan.
I hope this helps.
