by Chrisgump11 » Sun Dec 31, 2017 12:30 pm
Throughout the last 20-25 years, Rovers have been in worse positions than this. And picking holes is hardly helping unity. Such a surprise to see KG's views expressed so quickly on the theme
As a supporter of some 32-33 years, I have not known the club is such good shape, so well supported and with such good infrastructure. An ageing typical gate of 600-900 has been replaced by a family dominated 2,500+. Not to the liking of a vociferous tiny minority apparently. But then the traditional footballing elite are famous for their far sighted, inclusive attitudes are they not?
So what have the Romans done for us? Sorry Dale Vince
1 saved the club from imminent financial ruin
2 invested in the entire structure of the club - including female section and academy, back office and admin, stadium improvements, non-football activities, raising the profile of the club by huge amounts, producing multi-award affordable catering
3 achieving EFL 2 football
4 amazing community initiative like the Ambassador programme which has done so much to embed the club in the community
4 tons more but you get my drift
Is there room for improvement? Of course there is and mistakes have been made aplenty. But then, in the 1990s most of the challenges now facing our hamlet club were a far off dream. Clinging on to hard won status while small gates ever in decline is a different world and not one wreaking of success
At my age and length of support, I might be expected to be conservative and reactionary. What do I think about veganism, change of badge, change of shirts and so on?
Well I'm neither vegan nor vegetarian but the point is irrelevant. The food at FGR is good tasty food at sensible prices and I do not begrudge the change. The traditional footballista has always been slow to change but many different sports bodies now recognise the sense of footballers conducting themselves as athletes, with diet an important element. Let alone that we have a population beset by obesity. Is 90 minutes once a fortnight so hard to 'swallow'? Besides non vegan food can be brought to the ground anyway if fans are so desperate for a meat 'n milk fix
The badge and shirt? I am old enough to remember Rovers turning out in a sickly all green, let alone black & white stripes. The black and green looks great to my eye and judging by those who wear the shirts off the field, most supporters too. At Wembley on both occasions, the green and black stood out so well that the Grimsby and Tranny hordes were less conspicuous. And the badge - I prefer the roundel, well designed badge to the insipid Barcelona clone any day. My opinion, I am entitled. But ask our average core of 2000+ supporters and I am sure I'd be in the vast majority
So, if you really believe in unity stop carping and adopt the Phil Mitchell mantra after the Newport defeat. GET BEHIND THE TEAM & THE CLUB