Me and DRFC

[Lesonthewest]

And thus spake the Trojans whilst Cassandra tried.....

If you don't understand the reference to Richardson, then there's not much point really is there?

BobG

Oh great, more delphic utterances from Bob. What does it mean? What should we read into this? Do we need to make a sacrifice? We need some form of prophet to descend to earth (i.e. actually attend a game) to tell the poor, ignorant masses (i.e. those who attend games week in, week out) what they should be doing. Could Bob give us his only son (Viva Rovers) in order that we might see the light and trudge off semi-disconsolately to spend the rest of the season muttering about conspiracies and plots.

This really is pathetic. We punched above our weight for four seasons, was usually either the smallest or second smallest club in the Championship, ran a £3millon deficit each season (financed by three Directors who were not compelled to finance this) and even with the efforts of SOD (peace be upon him) we were going backwards pretty much every season we were there. Change was needed, it was tried, it ended in a mess and we got relegated. Club now cutting its cloth accordingly (arguably should have been done from 2008 onwards) and is making an effort to reengage with supporters and has a robust, realistic long term plan which means we also get control of the stadium.

Get behind YOUR club!

Totally agree with your excellent post, just glad we have got rid of the loan system & have our club back. I am feeling a little more optimistic & looking forward to the new season, glass half full for me.

[RobTheRover]

I could tell you,  for instance, that we had an excellent player lined up to join us recently,  but his agent demanded a clause in his contract that he was selected every match he was fit. The club said no.

I know that was only a minor point in your post but bloody hell, what a ridiculous demand! Are such clauses common in football?

Depends on the agent,  I guess Chris. This particular one uses that line all the time,  I understand.

[Capmeister]

BobG, am assuming ur from my Dad's era or thereabouts, Docherty, Sheffield, Bycroft and later Jeffery. Pop waxed lyrical about those days. He took me when we bumped along the bottom of Div 4. Re-election was a common event. He saw the good times, a lot of bad and then the resurgence after Richardson of which I remember your involvement being particularly vociforous from our (the fans) perspective. For some reason this latest setback has really knocked the stuffing out him. I've tried to understand why he feels this way but can't bottom it. What's your perspective? Me, I'm gutted SOD left. To me we've replaced the organ grinder with the monkey but I still have the passion. However bad it gets, and mark my words it's gonna get a whole lot worse, my spirit will never be crushed cos I started off at the bottom!!

[RobTheRover]

Capmeister,  the worst is over and there is a new positivity in the club. The "experiment"  (god,  I hate calling it that)  was a failure,  and the price has been paid by us all, from JR and the board down to us guys. Everything since Gavin has taken over the reins has been designed to return the club to a platform where it can grow again organically,  and this has been successful. I heard from the club today that the initial phase of this rebuilding has already shown us to be on target to be within budget this season, which is a brilliant position to be in within such a short period of time. Control within the club has been restored, and that is massively important. Ally to this the positivity of the new keen and eager players and the feel good factor is starting to come back to the team.

[Chris]

Thankfully I'm starting to feel a whole lot better about Doncaster Rovers. There's still a long way to go but it's amazing how much good can come out of improved communication between the fans and the club! Let's give Mr Baldwin a life-time contract!

[RobTheRover]

Exactly my point,  Chris. I think a lot of people now realise a corner has been turned.

Just up to Dean to finish assembling the squad now that we know where we are and the players to deliver on the green stuff for the next 9 months. No pressure then!  :-)

[Capmeister]

Rob, I genuinely want to believe you. Don't know you from Adam but you clearly have access to a sort of inner sanctum or you're the conduit through which the club passes info. I applaud you as a genuine fan that does more than me an average fan. I sometimes think that commitment gets clouded cos ur so close to things and want to stay understandably positive. As I stand some distance back I do not see this change manifesting it's self on the pitch, which, at the end of the day is where it counts. I'm happy to be wrong and publicly exposed and flogged for my views. If nothing else your objectivity when accounting for views such as mine, is, at least refreshing.

[Chris Black come back]

Capmeister,  the worst is over and there is a new positivity in the club. The "experiment"  (god,  I hate calling it that)  was a failure,  and the price has been paid by us all, from JR and the board down to us guys. Everything since Gavin has taken over the reins has been designed to return the club to a platform where it can grow again organically,  and this has been successful. I heard from the club today that the initial phase of this rebuilding has already shown us to be on target to be within budget this season, which is a brilliant position to be in within such a short period of time. Control within the club has been restored, and that is massively important. Ally to this the positivity of the new keen and eager players and the feel good factor is starting to come back to the team.

Rob - does "be within budget" mean the same as previous seasons, i.e. that we are budgeting for a loss (although hopefully not £3million) which will need to be covered again by our Directors, or does it mean that we are really trying to genuinely break even, with Directors only putting in cash to smooth the balance sheet over the course of a season? I would love to think we are self-sufficient.

[RobTheRover]

What it means, and I should have elaborated, is that certain interim elements of the business plan target have been met already through the prudence of the club.  This is a great sign, and demonstrates the commitment to make the business plan achievable and realistic.  We have a platform now to build the team upon, and I'm sure we will have a side to be proud of this season.

[BillyStubbsTears]

That thread title. Got me singing along

Me and DRFC
We got a thiiiiiiiing......goin' on.
We both know it's wrong
But it's much too strong
To let it go.

We meet every fortnight. It's the same old shite
3 o'clock and it sounds like no-one's there.
Wringing hands. Making all kinds of plans
While the PA plays a bunch of w**k songs.

Meee-ehhhh ahhhh-and DR...DRFCeeeeee-hee-hee-hee DRFC, DRFC
We got a thinnnnnnnnnnnngggggggg....goin on
We both know it's wrong
But it's much too strong
To let it go.

We gotta be extra careful
That we don't build our hopes up too high.
Cos we just had a relegation
And we got no decent pies.

Etc, etc and so forth...

[Capmeister]

..........do you reckon it's co-incidence it's about a Welsh named woman. Extra marital affairs always hit the rocks. I wonder if ours will founder with Coach saunders?