Unsure if a team winning 5 successive titles is bad for the league or even a club.
Certainly the club is in a mess - but we as fans would like to know just how big a mess!
Each season the crowds decrease and I can remember towards the end of the 5 in a row era that the average had dropped a fair bit (about average of 200).
Remember this was the era before internet reports and the media presence there is at the moment.
It was said by one club official that we used to get 800 people all the time but since the website started we only get about 80! (Comment seemed just a bit off the mark!)
It has been suggested to our board to hold a fans forum so that supporters can put their point across but time and time again this idea seems to be shot down.
I suggested this idea to our chairman on Monday and there was not response.
I'm sure any fans throughout the Highland League would be interested to know what sort of state their club is in and after events on Monday night it does seem that the relationship with directors and support is deteriorating.
It is the loyal support who are paying their money at the gate and following the club each and every week. Wouldn't it be right to tell your own support what's going on?
I'm sure if any of supporter feels the same as myself they will spread the word and back a proposed forum with the club.



Grant 'Neep' Turner

Everyone seems to be slagging the directors at the club. Let's hear what they have to say about the current situation, i.e. what they intend to do about it and what they bring to the running of the club.
Then we can debate whether their contribution is acceptable to the paying support.
Let the forum be their opportunity to convince us that there is a future for the club, and that they are the people to get us out of our current predicament and take it from there.

Paddy you're right there, but we'll wait and wait and wait. I've tried to get a cross-section of views about our current scenario on highlandleague.net, and there is support & suggestions on both sides of this apparent "argument". Steve Rattray compared it with Buckie's problems of 1 year ago. Similar maybe, but according to an article he wrote a year ago a fans forum was proposed (it doesnt say if it was held) I susupect it never happened. Its been so long now since there has been good board/fans communication & that is why I am so disappointed with their current actions. THAT post from Klashmach was right in principle, just wrongly worded. I don't doubt the professionalism of any of the board, but why do they give us, the lifeblood of the club, a silent ear? I Wholeheartedly back Grant's proposal, maybe then we'd get things back the way we all want - Good Communciation, Swaped ideas, Huntly back in the leading lights, HAPPY HUNTLY.

I am a HL.net regular and thought I would visit this site to add my comments. It's a great site Grant. I think a Fans Forum is a great idea provided it's organised well. I am sure the Huntly board may be worried about receiving a torrent of abuse from the fans but provided it's organised well and everybody's intentions are as they should be - to work together for a stronger Huntly then it can only have a positive affect. Disappointed to hear that it was felt that the Internet and sites like these are dimensioning interest in Huntly. I think these sites are great and not only provides a lot of information and debate but allows access for Huntly fans and HL fans alike who are working abroad or down south and can't make games to follow and SUPPORT their teams. It can only have a positive affect. Did the introduction of newspapers years ago have the same affect on supporters, I don't think so.

thanks ever so much for that brilliant comment!

Grant 'Neep' Turner

We do not need a fans forum on this site or any site. It just gives unacountable people a venue for continuous complaining with no solutions offered by them. The Management Committee (or Directors as they prefer to be called) should advertise and call a public meeting where supporters can be SEEN and their offer of HELP identified along with the Directors giving a factual report on the state of the club. You will then be able to see how many people care about our problems. UNITED WE STAND , DIVIDED WE FALL.

By the response I was given by our chairman on Monday night it seemed that they aren't that concerned by what our fans have to say.
Our loyal supporters each have an interest in what is going on at the club but never receive any answers as to what the current state of the club is.
This why I stressed to him that we should hold a fans forum so supporters can put their point across and the board of directors can get feedback.
By ignoring and critiscing your support you are blanking an important part of you club.
clubs should pay attention to what their support have to say - not turning them away!

Grant 'Neep' Turner

I can't believe you've written that "Supporter". Feel very ashamed!

My second attempt at a reply. I have nothing to be ashamed of or is it you?? This dialogue just proves my point, we can get into all sorts of discussions, replys and counter replies from all and sundry, BUT WHAT DOES IT ACHIEVE. The discussion and agenda has to come from the top at a public meeting for supporters and interested parties, which will let EVERYONE see and know what is going on. Identify the problems and then look for achievable solutions.

here here neep!

A fans forum is a great idea! By not communicating with the fans the board are not performing their duties at the club. Do they have something to hide?

All we ask is that they are actively seen to be doing something to bring the club out of its current situation! Right now they seem to be avoiding the flak and directing the blame at anyone but themselves. It is not a time for blame it is a time for pulling together!

Why are they not out trying to fill the sponsored lounge to bring in extra revenue? And if they are then maybe they should change their marketing approach!

Everyone complains about the dwindling support but why are the club not going out to the community and drumming up support? Hold open days! Free admission for children with every paying adult! Create a family atmosphere!

So I challenge the Board to come out and speak with the fans, not to pass the blame onto one another but to resolve the current situation at the club and build a better future for Huntly FC!

Thanks Shanksie for some very valid points
Kids do however get in free into league games if they are under 12 and accompanied by an adult at all Highland League clubs something the League thought would encourage young fans, who are after all the support of the future, to come to the games and of course at Huntly if the kids mums or dads are members of the Big League they get into league games for free as well.
As I said you made some very valid points lets hope they pick up on at least some of them.

Grant 'Neep' Turner

I was not aware that kids under 12 getting in for free already, as you know I work every 2nd weekend and I have Chelsi the weekends I'm not.

But the point I am making is as a fan who goes to games when I can, I was not aware of this! Why are the club not promoting this?

This further strengthens my points about drumming up support within the community!