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Post by Si Bradbury on Feb 3, 2014 13:19:05 GMT
As per today's club announcement www.oufc.co.uk/news/article/00030214-yellow-army-1336857.aspx the Yellow Army has announced its plans moving forward. Big Plans ahead for Oxford United Supporters
The Yellow Army has revealed it is working on plans to expand its supporter-led activities aimed at boosting U's fans match-day experiences and raising funds for United's next manager. Members of the Yellow Army said final discussions are taking place that will see a wider 'working group' established to help encourage the collective work of United fans. It will herald a new era for the Yellow Army building on its success since forming in the summer. The Yellow Army has issued an appeal for more fans to get involved and help make a difference as the club enters a fresh chapter with a new first team manager due to be appointed. Further details will be unveiled shortly, including new merchandise, bold match-day initiatives and fresh marketing projects. The Yellow Army remains focused on its key goals of improving the match-day experience for United fans and fundraising. It represents and includes every U's fan and we all play a part. Joe Nicholls, of the Yellow Army, described the move was the "logical next step" in the Yellow Army’s development and said it was hoped full details would be announced in the coming weeks. He said: "The Yellow Army has gone from strength to strength since it was formed just six months ago. “Highlights have included the Yellow Army Party, raising money for Dave Langan, the Big Walk, the partnership with the Oxford City Stars and working with the club to improve the bar and match day atmosphere. “We’re in the final stages of our plans to take the Yellow Army to the next level and it is hoped it will result in an even better supporters collective that goes on to achieve even more for the club and fans. Some of the ideas some fans have are very exciting and we're looking forward to seeing them take off. "The Yellow Army is everyone who supports Oxford United. Whether it's helping on match days, organising events to raise money, attending matches or listening to the radio or Yellow Player. We're all the Yellow Army. “We believe that by encouraging more United fans to get involved, strengthening the working group and improving communication between fans, the Yellow Army will continue to improve." The committee behind the 12th Man Fund has decided to leave the Yellow Army working group and will now return to its original roots and work independently to raise money for the club. Mark Sennett, chairman of Oxvox, said: “This is a very exciting time for the club, we’re in a strong position in the L2 table and we want to make sure the supporters are all set to get fully behind the new manager when he is appointed. "OxVox have a great working relationship with the Yellow Army - as we're all fans together and are all United." You can be part of the next phase of the Yellow Army – get in touch via yellowarmyoufc@gmail.com Read more at www.oufc.co.uk/news/article/00030214-yellow-army-1336857.aspx#BWcVueV4jz0wKTas.99
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 13:38:18 GMT
So why did 12th Man decide to leave?
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Feb 3, 2014 13:43:57 GMT
I can't make head nor tail of that 'announcement'.
Does it basically say 'Marketing speak, marketing speak... The Yellow Army is going to be doing some more (completely unspecified) stuff. Marketing speak, marketing speak... The 12th Man is no longer working with the Yellow Army. Marketing speak, marketing speak..."?
Might it have been better to wait until there was actually something to announce - or am I missing something?
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Post by Si Bradbury on Feb 3, 2014 13:52:46 GMT
I can't make head nor tail of that 'announcement'. Does it basically say 'Marketing speak, marketing speak... The Yellow Army is going to be doing some more (completely unspecified) stuff. Marketing speak, marketing speak... The 12th Man is no longer working with the Yellow Army. Marketing speak, marketing speak..."? Might it have been better to wait until there was actually something to announce - or am I missing something? Perhaps the Yellow Army wanted to communicate what the latest developments were and keep people informed? I am not part of the Yellow Army working group but will consider joining.
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Post by Si Bradbury on Feb 3, 2014 13:54:42 GMT
So why did 12th Man decide to leave? That's a good question. I will come back to you on it.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Feb 3, 2014 14:33:03 GMT
Perhaps the Yellow Army wanted to communicate what the latest developments were and keep people informed? That's my problem. I can't actually see anything concrete in the way of developments? I'm probably just being thick!
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Post by McVicar on Feb 3, 2014 14:34:21 GMT
Yes I thought the same, didn't really say anything, would have been better to wait until there was something to say?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 14:52:48 GMT
This is a typical spiteful act by Sennett and his gang.
There is absolutely no need what-so-ever for this latest wheeze for it cuts across many things that the 12th man are already doing.
Trevor Lambert and his 12th man people will be furious I would imagine.
Absolutely disgusted.
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Post by Mark Sennett on Feb 3, 2014 15:20:25 GMT
Thanks for your post aren. The 12th man decided to move away from the Yellow Army and we wish them well as they have every right to do that. The Yellow Army was set up to improve matchday atmosphere, hold fan run initatives and fundraise. So there's no change there. The 12th man and Yellow Army worked together for the past 12 months and all invovled raised decent sums from various events. There's no reason that this won't continue. Everyone invovled in the Yellow Army is looking forward to various things we have planned and will announce in due course. It's a natural progression from ast things such as the party, Langan collection, and the walk. This statement simply gives an update as to where we are.
Anyone interested in joining the YA working group feel free to drop me a line.
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Post by Si Bradbury on Feb 3, 2014 16:28:28 GMT
This is a typical spiteful act by Sennett and his gang. There is absolutely no need what-so-ever for this latest wheeze for it cuts across many things that the 12th man are already doing. Trevor Lambert and his 12th man people will be furious I would imagine. Absolutely disgusted. You're not the only one who is absolutely disgusted. It is an open secret that there are some personal issues involved, which is a bit sad when everyone involved in all these groups are trying to do good things for our football club. There are issues which some on the 12th Man have with those involved in the other fans groups. These are well-documented, especially on another forum. Some of these publicly-aired issues– from my understanding – are reasonable and sincerely-held; some, however, are highly pejorative, untrue and near defamatory in some cases. Those involved in the other fans groups – Mark Sennett, Joe Nicholls, Charlie Methven etc – have generally tried not to express their own reservations about the behaviour of some members of the 12th Man Group in public, which I personally think is the right approach. However, if some of this b*llshit carries on – to the benefit of whom I cannot imagine – then few could blame them for giving those issues an airing as well. I am pretty disgusted with some of the 'going-ons'. Surely it’s best if everyone gets on with doing the best they can to support our club, and leaves others to do likewise in peace. Both Trevor Lambert and this statement make clear that the 12th Man have decided to go their own way. Meanwhile, the Yellow Army will focus, as the statement says, on matchday atmosphere etc. Best for all if it gets left like that, no?For those who imply that this is all some sort of a stitch-up against the 12th Man, perhaps you might consider this: none of the other groups involved have prior connections between each other. Nor did the people involved in those groups even know each other before the Yellow Army…. Yet it is the 12th Man Group who have the problem, seemingly with all the others. Make of that what you will! Good luck to the 12th Man Group (and I speak from someone who helped start it at the beginning and contributed for the opening few years with plenty of other good-minded people) with their future endeavours.
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Post by iambungle on Feb 3, 2014 16:53:47 GMT
Sounds like we need Harry Hill to sort this out.
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Post by stevegilbert on Feb 3, 2014 20:14:56 GMT
I find it hard to understand why that 3 groups who want the same thing (success on and off the pitch) for Oxford United Football Club can't all work together.
A few people are acting like children and throwing their toys out the pram it seems. There are situations in every day working life that we find ourselves not agreeing or personally liking someone within that company but you get on with the job as professionally as you can.
The people in these groups are adults and should really start acting like it.
Rant over.
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Post by foley on Feb 4, 2014 10:45:04 GMT
I find it hard to understand why that 3 groups who want the same thing (success on and off the pitch) for Oxford United Football Club can't all work together. A few people are acting like children and throwing their toys out the pram it seems. There are situations in every day working life that we find ourselves not agreeing or personally liking someone within that company but you get on with the job as professionally as you can. The people in these groups are adults and should really start acting like it. Rant over. I totally agree with Steve. Surely everybody should be working together on this? It appears from the outside that there are 2 groups fundraising due to 'personality issues'. From where I stand it would make sense having one group who work together or the good of the club. Sounds as if we are a little 'dis United' on this
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Post by pottersrightboot on Feb 4, 2014 11:00:57 GMT
I am reminded of Peoples Front of Judaea v The Judean People's Front. Personalities seemingly more important than policies.
All rather confusing to the ordinary OUFC supporter if you ask me.
Can I also be constructively critical of this press release? Release something when you've got something to say, otherwise it's just white noise.
Oxvox should consider changing its name by the way. There are a few too many separate entities floating around.
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Post by Long John Silver on Feb 4, 2014 12:30:24 GMT
What's the difference between fund-raising done by the 12th Man and Yellow Army, and is it used on different things? It all seems a bit over complicated to me to have two different groups basically doing the same thing as far as fund-raising is concerned.
And I agree with the others that the statement basically says nothing - it should have been put out when there was actually something to say.
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Post by m on Feb 4, 2014 14:11:15 GMT
All a bit embarrassing to be honest, and I can't imagine it will do anything but harm either cause.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 14:39:51 GMT
Not quite sure why people are throwing a few criticisms about. People have been demanding to know what's been going on for the last week on this subject matter with the folk at Aren's other residence all egging HeadingtonTrevor on to confirm the 12th Man people have left the group. Well they got their wish by the looks of it.
This article addresses that and it clearly states the 12th Man have decided to part ways. It goes on and states that the remaining YA people are re-focusing on the match-day experience and will be bringing out some new merchandise.
What's the big drama all about? Should they just kept quiet and not told anyone and get more grief?
I am a little annoyed that reading between the lines, the idiotic behaviour and decision-making of a few people looks to have finished the 12th Man off. Let's just hope that they can sit around a table and sort it out but once you've gone and announced on forums (YV) that you have decided to leave, then it's highly unlikely. To that end, it was a stupid decision to leave the group and you can now lay in your bed. The 12th Man was for everyone wasn't it, yet some have gone and cocked that right up.
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Post by heel on Feb 4, 2014 15:43:47 GMT
Good post telephus. Apparently 12th man will only work with you if they like you reading between the lines. God knows why 12th man want out of that partnership as the club was giving them more promotion than ever before. Agree with telephus that it seems that 12th man is no longer for everyone if your face doesn't fit then you ain't part of the crew. Agree statement did not have much substance guessing it was written in haste after HeadTrev revealed 12th manners were offski and Yellow Army wanted to confirm this. Will be interesting to see what plans both groups have now. Anyone raising money for OUFC is gold in my eyes.
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Post by Long John Silver on Feb 4, 2014 18:58:04 GMT
Who, apart from Trevor, is on the 12th man committee?
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Post by yellowshert on Feb 4, 2014 22:21:19 GMT
Can I seek clarification on all of this? A simple yes or no would help. I cannot be the only one who is completely confused about who does what.
12th man - fund raising to raise money for transfer fund. Responsible for events and fund raising in the 12th man bar? Main organiser is Trevor Lambert?
Yellow army - fund raising to improve atmosphere at ground? Main organiser is?
The 12th man and yellow army have recently "separated" and intend to continue to raise money separately.
Is the purpose of the new yellow army campaign to combine improving atmosphere and raising transfer funds?
Based on my understanding I admire both groups for what they are trying to achieve and respect the amount of work both groups put in but surely they both realise either a single group or two separate groups with clear lines of what they are both working towards is best for them, the club and the supporters.
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Post by Trevor L on Feb 5, 2014 15:07:16 GMT
In response to LJS's enquiry, current group membership details from the 12th Man website:
"A group of fans organises the 12th Man. The current members, in no particular order, are Rose Green, Don Gale, Ray Whittaker, Trevor Lambert (treasurer), Steve Sykes, Paul Ridgley, Michael North, Liam Wakeford, Danny Johnston, Paul Wakeford, Kim Ridgley, Sue Trafford, Lee Brooker and Dave Cudd. Membership is open to any Us fan who wants to get involved and contribute to the working of the fund. If you may be interested in joining you can contact me, Steve Sykes the group secretary, by emailing info@ox12thman.org.uk"
In reply to the wider comments I don't see any need for a lot of melodrama or unpleasantness about this. Joe Nicholls and co so far as I am concerned are doing an excellent job in and around the stadium at home games and at away games too, and more power to their elbows (or arms, or banners, or whatever). Every discussion I have had with Joe has been friendly and positive and I'm sure that will continue. I am sure that Mark Sennett and co are doing what they are doing diligently too with regard to OxVox. What hasn't worked is the attempt to organise events like the Party via a pretty loose arrangement of four people without proper management, we have winged it so far but we have stepped away from doing things that way before we came a cropper. Simple as that. We'll have more to say about the future at an appropriate time.
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Post by Trevor L on Feb 5, 2014 15:10:59 GMT
"12th man - fund raising to raise money for transfer fund. Responsible for events and fund raising in the 12th man bar? Main organiser is Trevor Lambert?"
That's about the size of it, yellowshert. But we're not responsible for the price of the beer!!
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Post by Kerry Yellow on Feb 5, 2014 17:35:33 GMT
In response to LJS's enquiry, current group membership details from the 12th Man website: "A group of fans organises the 12th Man. The current members, in no particular order, are Rose Green, Don Gale, Ray Whittaker, Trevor Lambert (treasurer), Steve Sykes, Paul Ridgley, Michael North, Liam Wakeford, Danny Johnston, Paul Wakeford, Kim Ridgley, Sue Trafford, Lee Brooker and Dave Cudd. Membership is open to any Us fan who wants to get involved and contribute to the working of the fund. If you may be interested in joining you can contact me, Steve Sykes the group secretary, by emailing info@ox12thman.org.uk" In reply to the wider comments I don't see any need for a lot of melodrama or unpleasantness about this. Joe Nicholls and co so far as I am concerned are doing an excellent job in and around the stadium at home games and at away games too, and more power to their elbows (or arms, or banners, or whatever). Every discussion I have had with Joe has been friendly and positive and I'm sure that will continue. I am sure that Mark Sennett and co are doing what they are doing diligently too with regard to OxVox. What hasn't worked is the attempt to organise events like the Party via a pretty loose arrangement of four people without proper management, we have winged it so far but we have stepped away from doing things that way before we came a cropper. Simple as that. We'll have more to say about the future at an appropriate time. As a relative newbie to this forum and having read the various comments on here and on that other, rather odious forum (YV) I would like to make the following comments with regards to the highlighted portion of your quote. . . . Therein lies the problem Mr Lambert. You still refuse to offer any praise to Sennett or the fourth individual, Methven for the contribution and hard work they have put in. You didn't have one nice comment to make in that quote about the other two. What actually is the issue you and obviously others have with the members in that group? You appear to have made a mistake by throwing your toys out of the pram and I for one am surprised that your group haven't come running back to the table begging to stay. The Yellow Army are best off without this continual nasty and vindictive under-current.
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Post by Mark on Feb 5, 2014 17:54:30 GMT
Is the current 12th Man Fund still relevant to a league 2 (or league 1) side, where the Chairman has put a veto to short term loans, and a focus instead on using the younger players from the development squad?
Five years ago, the player budget was presumably fixed, and short term loans or conference level transfer fees could be afforded.
Today the player budget is at the whim of the chairman whether he decides to spend some money from a Cup run on it, or not as the case may be, or if he decides he wants an extra player, or not.
The terms of the 12th Man monies raised are I believe that they can only be spent on players' wages / transfer fees / loan costs and sundries in addition to the existing budget. What's more, the club can request to dip into the fund at any time so long as the former conditions are met.
Is the Fund ever going to have enough to make a significant contribution to the playing squad? £50K over five years is probably much less than 1% of the total wages.
Anyway, well done for all the fund raising efforts over the last five years, I've put my hand in my pocket for several of the activities, and appreciate the supporter's unity it gave during our Conference years.
Would the fundraisers consider it the right time to close the 12th Man Fund in its existing form, and start again with a more general remit to assist the club in anyway they see appropriate, whether it's for instance on the youth team, the concourses, the first team, or whatever?
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Feb 5, 2014 18:26:13 GMT
Would the fundraisers consider it the right time to close the 12th Man Fund in its existing form, and start again with a more general remit to assist the club in anyway they see appropriate, whether it's for instance on the youth team, the concourses, the first team, or whatever? I sort of agree with the main thrust of your post, in that as we hopefully go up the leagues the relevance (in terms of effect it will have) of £10k or even £20k will reduce, as player costs/wages etc go up. In fact as you say, even now player signings are obviously more dependant on the chairman than on us putting a few quid in a bucket, sponsoring a walk etc. However - and this is why I'm not quite so sure about the sentence I've quoted above - the thing that specifying that the money is to be used on (or towards) a player does do, is to give us a bit of a sense of involvement. Someone we'll see play and can think to ourselves that we helped bring him to the club. I'm not sure that the concourse (surely Stadco's responsibility, and you might get 'well I dont sit in the east stand so I won't get the benefit') or the youth team (very worthy, but would we ever see what we have 'bought'?) would provide the same level of engagement. Running the first team? More likely, but there would always be the sense that the 12th man money was being used instead of, rather than as well as, the club's normal budget. One thing I did think the fund was going to be used for last season was to 'brand' the stadium with a large club badge on the ends of the stands. What happened to that idea?
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Post by amershamdave on Feb 5, 2014 18:47:21 GMT
In response to LJS's enquiry, current group membership details from the 12th Man website: "A group of fans organises the 12th Man. The current members, in no particular order, are Rose Green, Don Gale, Ray Whittaker, Trevor Lambert (treasurer), Steve Sykes, Paul Ridgley, Michael North, Liam Wakeford, Danny Johnston, Paul Wakeford, Kim Ridgley, Sue Trafford, Lee Brooker and Dave Cudd. Membership is open to any Us fan who wants to get involved and contribute to the working of the fund. If you may be interested in joining you can contact me, Steve Sykes the group secretary, by emailing info@ox12thman.org.uk" In reply to the wider comments I don't see any need for a lot of melodrama or unpleasantness about this. Joe Nicholls and co so far as I am concerned are doing an excellent job in and around the stadium at home games and at away games too, and more power to their elbows (or arms, or banners, or whatever). Every discussion I have had with Joe has been friendly and positive and I'm sure that will continue. I am sure that Mark Sennett and co are doing what they are doing diligently too with regard to OxVox. What hasn't worked is the attempt to organise events like the Party via a pretty loose arrangement of four people without proper management, we have winged it so far but we have stepped away from doing things that way before we came a cropper. Simple as that. We'll have more to say about the future at an appropriate time. As Trev has stated, I'm part of the 12th Man group. I don't want to be drawn into a massive argument over this, but in my opinion, we should have just the one group raising money for the club. Another for the political side, and so on. I can tell you this; Trev and the other fundraisers have done a fantastic job (and still do) raising money. It will be stupid if we have too many groups raising money by selling goods, because we might have our products clashing and the fans won't know who to turn to. Oh, just to show there's no bias on my part; OX VOX do a great job. The flag-makers do a great job. But. No talking about disbanding the 12th Man please. How important is the 12th Man? The clue is in the name of the bar - THE 12th MAN BAR! ALL bloody fans of our club who go out of their way to improve the club's name and fortunes are worth their weight in gold. OKAY?! Dave (we are United) Cudd
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Post by pwoufc on Feb 5, 2014 20:04:30 GMT
This is all getting a bit silly. I am a member of the 12th man group and have to say I have no ill feeling towards Mark Sennett, or Joe Nicholls and like them both. In fact I first entered the 12th man group when showing Mark my cartoons, with a view to raise money for the 12th man fund. I cannot really comment on Charlie Methven as I haven't met him, but am sure the club's interests are his priority, and that's all that matters. The 12th man group left the yellow army for 2 reasons 1 when events like the Party were organised we had 4 leaders all with different visions so the final event could have been better, as nobody know who was in charge etc. (Although I enjoyed it) 2 We also had confusion with fundraising as people didn't know who they were donating to, transfers, crowd displays etc. The 12th man group is here to raise transfer funds and when people donate they know that's where it will go.
It may prove to be a mistake for the 12th man group to leave the yellow army only time will tell, but my decision was made mainly to help stop confusion as to where raised money goes.
I have worked directly for the club in the past, and have worked for both the 12th man (cartoons, badge design, and current mugs design and producing) and the yellow army, (the legends banner design, party tickets, etc) I have also stood raising money for Dave Langan with buckets at the superb away game at Portsmouth. I will continue to help both the Yellow Army and the 12th man. We all want to help the club, and although some people may not get on that's up to them. Groups like the 12th man, Yellow Army, Oxvox and OUFC are bigger than individuals. Lets get on with supporting the team and hope they get the p word.
If you want to help the 12th man you can join the committee, or donate via the website. Also any help you feel you can give the yellow army would be much appreciated. Any work no matter how small makes a difference.
As far as the 12th man still being relevant we did a survey a few years ago asking that question, and what we should raise the money for. Trevor I am sure will have the full results if needed. Maybe the question should be raised again?
I also echo what Dave says that all the groups do a great job and do oufc proud.
COYY United We Stand
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Post by yellowshert on Feb 5, 2014 22:32:53 GMT
Thank you Trevor and fellow 12th man volunteers for clarifying your position regarding what you do. I want to make it clear that I have a great deal of respect for what you have and still do for OUFC.
However...
My issue with the 12th man organisation at present is that you have aligned yourself with the yellow voice forum.
Why do you have a section on a forum which when you google "Oxford United forum" doesn't even appear on the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or even the sixth page of results? It may appear no the seventh page but when I started getting result returned talking about a hotel in Torquay even I got bored. How do you expect people to communicate with you beyond your physical presence at the ground every two weeks?
If you are serious about getting more people involved the this is the most popular forum and this is the one you should have a presence on.
Whether you like it or not that forum is also just a site for people with some trumped up problems regarding Oxvox and in particular Mark Sennett. If they had something of substance beyond making factless accusation then maybe people would listen to them but having had the misfortune of hearing one of them talk at a recent Oxvox meeting it was obvious they did not.
I think your organisation is and will continue to be stained by this association and unless a proper dialogue is in place to organise one effective fund raising group you will eventually, sadly become irrelevant because as other have already said here 15k for player funds is now a drop in the ocean. Being involved in improving the match day experience is a much more effective cause in my opinion.
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Post by finlandia on Feb 6, 2014 5:24:38 GMT
I think that the money they have raised makes them anything but relevant.
It's all too confusing, just want to know where the money raised is going. Not generic statements, just clear concise targets and aims for both groups
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Post by Gary Baldi on Feb 6, 2014 9:01:51 GMT
United We Stand eh?
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