I couldn't find the link to the forum on the main website and had to get here via a Google search. Is this a glitch or a response to the recent suggestion that posters on here have disproportionate power and influence?
Personally, I suspect that it might be a conspiracy to deny me wider recognition as I continue to lead the Predict 6, albeit by an increasingly slender margin :)
Such is this forum's influence in the game that any predict 6 winner must be in with a shout of getting Blatter's post if he ever decides to call it a day!
No Leon, im a creature of habit, news page first then forum. Hopefully any EU sanctions after the crimea vote will include docking Chelsea 10 points :)
Oh dear!! Just alienating the most loyal fans even further. What do they expect to gain by this? all they will do is increase the negative comments from certain members, the players and staff will still continue to read and everybody loses, is it really that bad on here? I read a lot of other non league forums and a few independent Aston Villa ones and the banter and criticism the players and team gets can be absolutely fierce and without any remorse. I just feel sorry for those people that put a lot of hard work in to running this forum and have nothing but good things to say about the club and defend them to the hilt. Will their staunchest supporters now also feel alienated?
I have to say that if you encourage an open, public forum, then you can expect to receive views from both ends of the scale. Johnw is right about some other forums - they can be savage. All you need to do is take on good ideas and ignore any unwarranted and undeserved criticism, which shouldn't hurt anyway. For my part, having been a supporter, season ticket holder, boot cleaner, youth team player, reserve team player, reserve team manager, assistant manager, with such roles at the PF spanning over 45 years, I was always made to feel a very welcome guest on my infrequent returns to the PF. However, it appears that this is no longer the case, as the powers that be take umbrage to some of the content in my postings. For this reason, I will not make any further comments on this forum. I have had the privilege of working alongside some superb managers (Peter Sillett, Dean White,Garry Wilson, George Wakeling), seen plenty of fabulous players (Matt Stock, Ernie Batten, Stuart Myall, Danny Simmonds, Stuart Playford, Terry White......I could go on!), shared some great banter with the likes of Tony Cosens (a lifelong friend) and enjoyed some of the best moments of my life at the PF. But that's it - I will not set foot inside the club I have supported and worked tirelessly at, for so many years, ever again. It is a truly sad moment for me. I am sure the club won't care a jot and would probably adopt a 'good riddance' policy. So be it...I have the utmost admiration for the loyal bunch of supporters without whom the club could not survive. I hope that success is not too far away, and those supporters have a stronger constitution than I do.
Well I really hope you reconsider Overthehill as it is so sad to see supporters leaving in there droves. My old pals Barry, Keith and Les have all left over the past season and a bit and are being replaced by teenagers who enjoy a free day out, barely watch the football and wouldn't be seen dead at an away game. You clearly care about your local club and have fantastic memories from the past and it would be truly sad if you decided to never return under the present ownership.
I also hope that you reconsider, Overthehill. I find it sad too see the most knowledgeable, loyal and longest-serving people leaving the club. I've been coming for eight years already, and haven't even Comte played stopping. From a wee little ten year old coming to the football, I've always been more than happy to pay, and in a way, I've worked my way up from being a ball-boy, Leonard the Seagull and now programme co-editor. I too, hope to grow my knowledge and loyalty to the club like Overthehill, because I think these people are truly priceless to the younger generation.
Hi Overthehill. I trust you will reconsider your decision not to attend the Pilot Field any more. Having myself been involved at the club for 38 years in various position including 14 years as Treasurer before I resigned in 2006, I must know you well. It would be interesting to know you are. What ever you decide Best Wishes to you. Dave
How sad is it that Overthehill should feel this way, but by going, surely that is giving them what they want, please stay and see it out, the management changes over the years, the supporters don't, so reconsider.
Its a sad day when you break ties with the supporters, but these supporters even more, if they do read these posts.
Come on and talk to us, and explain, but more importantly reconsider, please........
I would be interested to find out from the club why they have dropped the link to the supporters forum and kept the link to Rye's forum on, as they are the biggest critics and haters of the club and DW around.
John am I correct in saying neither you nor Dan knew about this. Note your point about Rye Forum and agree.....surely Twitter and Facebook should also be removed.
Without wanting to justify the decision, with two separate instances of the forum being cited; in Crones departure and Ray not returning(supposedly). You can sort of see why the club might want to disassociate itself from the forum. Strange, as John points out that Rye's forum is still on there though.
With all due respect to Overthehill I feel I should tell the story behind his post. I have never to the best of my knowledge seen Overthehill until Saturday when he came to the guests turnstile saying his name was on the guest list. I pointed out that this was not the case and indeed showed him the list to prove it. He then said he'd contacted the club on Thursday to arrange a complimentary ticket, I understand from the secretary that he was scouting for Peterborough. He asked to see the secretary and I informed him that due to how close it was to kick off that it he was most probably busy, I then informed him that he would have to pay to come in he turned and walked away.
I'm not disputing that he may well have worked at the club however is that Hastings United or in fact Hastings Town, maybe someone with more knowledge than me can confirm? I've not seen him working at the club in any capacity in the recent years I've been helping out and in fact wonder if he's helped out in the last 10 years?
The situation with scouts requesting complimentary tickets has arisen before, if a club has failed to let our club know in time they have always paid and been reimbursed by their parent club therefore if he was scouting for Peterborough surely he could of recouped his money from them?
I'm sure that he has benefited on more than a few occasions over the years in watching a game at the ground without paying so to ask for a payment which ultimately he could claim back isn't in my opinion to much to ask.
The club issue a lot of complimentary tickets at each and every game to players past and present, press, assessors guests etc etc there is a whole array of people who benefit that would ordinarily have to pay to come in. I feel Overthehill is playing the poor old me card and looking for sympathy. That's how it happened and in fact would question how many games he's actually been to this season at home if any?
Although I was not going to post again, I am not prepared to allow Lenny The Lion's comments to go unchallenged. Whilst some of his account is correct, some is not. I was not on official business, which is why there was no formal request for tickets from another club. I was merely visiting my old club to support the team and catch up with old friends which I do about 4 times a year when I return to Sussex. This informal arrangement with the club has never been an issue until, it appears, I started posting on this forum. I have been advised that this is why my name was not on the guest list, which I suspect was well-known by officials of the club. I'm not getting involved in a tit-for-tat exchange with Lenny about who's given more to the club over the years, and the suggestion that I am playing a 'poor old me card' and looking for sympathy (was I upset about paying a tenner to get in? I think not!) is crass and insensitive. This whole issue has nothing to do with free tickets and anybody who thinks it is, is very wide of the mark. So this is the last post I will do, you won't see me at the PF again, so good luck to all.
As I stated Overthehill I understood by the secretary that you were scouting on behalf of Peterborough. How can I be expected to know any different? I'm not a mind reader and can only go on information given to me at that time. I most certainly am not suggesting that I have done more for the club than yourself, there are many more people volunteering at the club who have been there a lot longer than I have, I was merely saying that I haven't seen you at the club in the last few years since I have been involved.
Without wanting to justify the decision, with two separate instances of the forum being cited; in Crones departure and Ray not returning(supposedly). You can sort of see why the club might want to disassociate itself from the forum. Strange, as John points out that Rye's forum is still on there though.
I think that the Rye forum issue will probably be addressed as well. I personally dont see the problem. After all, its just a link that anyone can find and we are not the only club that doesnt have a link to the supporters club forum. I started this forum ( Dan improved it) and was surprised that there was a link then as its not the norm. Just my opinion, but its nothing I will lose sleep over. There have been incidents on here which makes me wonder as Simod has alluded to. Fact is that the club does not have to have a link - many dont. Whatever the reason, its done and for me is a non issue.
Tbh pats right, can't and won't pretend I wasn't surprised or disappointed when the link was removed but as said certainly not only club not to have a attached forum and in a way independence is required for everything to be fair on here.
We come 1st on all google searches etc for Hastings forums so not hard to find.
Practically it changes nothing. It's done and it's not the end of the world.
Don't agree Dan. The link has been there for as long as the forum has been going and I can't see what the club gain by removing it, it just gives ammunition to the knockers. I know it is easy to find but it just seems a bit petty to me.
Always enjoyed seeing Overthehill at the Pilot Field-someone who has worked hard for the club in the past. Hope a way can be found to settle this issue so that he can enjoy visiting his home town club again.
Santa - you always have my respect but appeasing the knockers shouldn't be an issue. I agree that it will give some ammunition but really how sad that would be if someone takes issue over a link. Chris B - don't faint- I agree with your post in that the club should not have links that it seems to endorse. That's why so many don't .
Tim - I don't understand. What issue? If I moved away from Hastings tomorrow and didn't work for the club - I would expect to pay to come in. In fact - at some games this season when I haven't been working I have paid to come in and rightly so. ( I wasn't asked to pay - I just did)
Id like say that Pat has previously paid for his guests too and not expected for them to come in free of charge. Unlike some others that think they are entitled to guests, needless to say they are informed of the pricing policy.
Chris B - don't faint- I agree with your post in that the club should not have links that it seems to endorse. That's why so many don't .
There sure is some weird stuff going on, on here today.
Forgive me if I'm wrong but from what I remember isn't the link to Rye United a link to their website and not directly to their forum? Small issue and probably nit picking but I too think it would be a good idea to remove that link. Unfortunately I have no control over.
At the end of the day this is the 21st century and I would say the majority of supporters are intelligent enough to find a website ie a forum from a football club from google or any internet servers, so I personally do not see a problem with the link being removed as if you like to keep up to date on such forums you just favourite it and it's there at your disposal whenever you wish to look it up, as it stands with the mild arguments between supporters on here about this issue surely it looks to outsiders that there is somewhat of an unease between us all.( not that it matters as it is a forum of opinions only)
Don't agree Dan. The link has been there for as long as the forum has been going and I can't see what the club gain by removing it, it just gives ammunition to the knockers. I know it is easy to find but it just seems a bit petty to me.
I can't see the gain either tbh and think think their could be some potential losses in fact but like I said am over the initial disappointment of something I spent a long time setting up initially removed from the site and believe that practically it makes no significant difference to its operation, ideals of fair discussion or prospects.
I personally am drawing a line regarding this and not going to worry about it anymore.
In regard to the Overthehill discussion from what appears to be the situation I assume it is his own choice and absolute right of free will not to pay to attend in future rather than any other issue that can be changed by the club short of re-providing free entry? When so vocally opposed to the board on here, not particularly surprised that free entry may be a bit hard to obtain as a assumed right even with great service under previous regimes or taken up rarely And a bit surprised that he was surprised tbh! Or am I mad in thinking this?
Personally sad to read OTH's comments on here this evening though I can see both sides of this debate. All I will say is that he is a lifelong supporter of the club who has given a huge amount over many years and, I suggest, any comments that have been perceived as critical simply reflect his passion for the club and his desire for the club to progress.
I think I have sat next to OTH on every visit he has made to the PF this season and always enjoy his knowledge and appreciation of the game.....and winning any "in play" bets that we happen to have during the course of the match.
Chris B - don't faint- I agree with your post in that the club should not have links that it seems to endorse. That's why so many don't .
There sure is some weird stuff going on, on here today.
Forgive me if I'm wrong but from what I remember isn't the link to Rye United a link to their website and not directly to their forum? Small issue and probably nit picking but I too think it would be a good idea to remove that link. Unfortunately I have no control over.
Sorry Barrie that was me trying to be humourous about Pat agreeing with Chris,
