Replacing the Giant Flags

[RoverBB]

 Hello VSC friends

We come asking for a favour if you can spare one.

Most of you will remember that we bought 2 giant waving flags when we formed in 2015 after an initial Crowdfunder.

Over the years we have been asked “where have they gone?” The answer: We don’t know.

In around 2017/18 these flags went missing and despite numerous social media appeals over the years, as of 2021 they never turned up. So we want to do something about it! We want to raise enough money to replace the flags so that we can add them to the pre match atmosphere!!

We hate crowdfunding, but we need your help:

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/blackbankdrfcflagfund

Thanks
Black Bank

[Pancho Regan]

I would always be up for donating towards this kind of initiative, as indeed I did for the original flags.

But do you feel a little embarrassed at asking for donations again when you’ve lost the original flags?

Will the new flags be looked after more carefully?

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I have some sympathy with their plight. Trying to get things going again when in the past they put trust in people to look after these flags only for them to go walkabout.

Not sure what's happened in the past re measures to keep the flags Inc the smaller ones at the Keepmoat by collecting them at the end of each match but it seems a minority of light fingered types seem determined  to spirit them away despite the organisers efforts. Getting trusted volunteers over time to collect distribute and collect flags isn't always that easy.

Maybe regular bucket collections in the Black Bank to cover natural wastage might be another step if not being done already.

[Pancho Regan]

Understood DBR, and I will no doubt donate again.

But collecting money from people to buy stuff brings with it a degree of responsibility. I’m just asking what measures are in place to ensure we’re not putting our money down the drain again this time, to ensure some irresponsible people don’t waltz off with the stuff we contributed to buying.

[RoverBB]

I would always be up for donating towards this kind of initiative, as indeed I did for the original flags.

But do you feel a little embarrassed at asking for donations again when you’ve lost the original flags?

Will the new flags be looked after more carefully?

Morning, the giant waving flags were always stored at the stadium alongside the rest of the flags we used for displays and then one day out the blue they were gone. The club are just as in the dark as we are about it, as there have been so many personnel changes (For example, these went missing when Ryan Murrant was still Head of Marketing).

We held onto hope that they would turn up but after 3/4 years and numerous appeals unfortunately not.

Are we slightly embarrassed that we’re having to go the crowdfunding route? Yes - we hate doing it. But we want the visual atmosphere to be as good as the vocal atmosphere before and during games.

As for storage, we are looking at various different storage options. They are usually housed in the groundsman’s store which is under lock and key so as long as one of us ensures they’re put back there instead of leaving it to the club, like what happened with the first set of lads that ran the Black Bank, we should be okay. We also have 4 set of lads that are willing to store them at home, and have looked at renting a storage facility behind the Keepmoat.

[rich1471]

Somebody out their must know who has them ,they were massive, not like they can use them anywhere

[roversdude]

Agree Rich it’s bizarre what use would they be to anyone other as a flag at a football match, surprised nobody has bragged about having them especially in these days of social media.
Having chipped in for the originals it’s frustrating being asked again but I will anything to enhance the atmosphere.
Is the VSC flag still about?

[silent majority]

Agree Rich it’s bizarre what use would they be to anyone other as a flag at a football match, surprised nobody has bragged about having them especially in these days of social media.
Having chipped in for the originals it’s frustrating being asked again but I will anything to enhance the atmosphere.
Is the VSC flag still about?

Which one? The big surfing flag?

You'll have seen it most of last season as it was draped across the seats in the East Stand.

[RoverBB]

Somebody out their must know who has them ,they were massive, not like they can use them anywhere

We think the most likely case is that somebody took them when no one was looking and has stored at home somewhere, but doesn’t want to give them back - in fear of getting into trouble.

[RoverBB]

I have some sympathy with their plight. Trying to get things going again when in the past they put trust in people to look after these flags only for them to go walkabout.

Not sure what's happened in the past re measures to keep the flags Inc the smaller ones at the Keepmoat by collecting them at the end of each match but it seems a minority of light fingered types seem determined  to spirit them away despite the organisers efforts. Getting trusted volunteers over time to collect distribute and collect flags isn't always that easy.

Maybe regular bucket collections in the Black Bank to cover natural wastage might be another step if not being done already.

The flags that are in the black bucket now only come out of there is at least 2/4 “lead members” are at the game - 1 to sweep the stand after the game for the flags not put back and 1 to stand at the door with the stewards to ensure they stay in the stadium.

We’re not authorised to do any bucket collections. Neither we, nor the club hold the relevant license - this is why we have to rely on crowdfunding.

[RoverBB]

Agree Rich it’s bizarre what use would they be to anyone other as a flag at a football match, surprised nobody has bragged about having them especially in these days of social media.
Having chipped in for the originals it’s frustrating being asked again but I will anything to enhance the atmosphere.
Is the VSC flag still about?

Thank you.

It really does cause us a lot of stress when we organise things only for materials like flags to go missing/get damaged etc.

The VSC flag is still about, as Martin says, it was draped along the east stand for most of last season and we have “borrowed” it once or twice to surf over the South Stand - Gillingham at home comes to mind, first game of the 2019/20 season.

[roversdude]

Cheers Martin my eyes must be painted on

[rich1471]

Somebody out their must know who has them ,they were massive, not like they can use them anywhere

We think the most likely case is that somebody took them when no one was looking and has stored at home somewhere, but doesn’t want to give them back - in fear of getting into trouble.

Could you not put out a social media post say on face book, twitter and say just drop it off at the ticket office or someones home address and no questioned asked, you never know it might work 

[RoverBB]

Somebody out their must know who has them ,they were massive, not like they can use them anywhere

We think the most likely case is that somebody took them when no one was looking and has stored at home somewhere, but doesn’t want to give them back - in fear of getting into trouble.

Could you not put out a social media post say on face book, twitter and say just drop it off at the ticket office or someones home address and no questioned asked, you never know it might work

We have on several occasions over the years. That’s why we’ve decided to admit defeat and Crowdfund to replace them.

[RoverBB]

Many thanks to those who have donated so far. We have now raised 28% of our goal in the first 15 hours.

We couldn’t do it without you.