Away Travel 24/25

[is4]

I am not a committee member.
But I was just passing on to other posters the information that I had.
Hoping that helped them.

[halftimet]

is4, please continue to post if you have any information.

MarkF’s comment was more about not hearing any news through official channels this close to our first away fixture.

[markf]

Aug 2, 2024 6:38:47 GMT is4 said:

I am not a committee member.
But I was just passing on to other posters the information that I had.
Hoping that helped them.

And I was actually responding to John's post not yours. The clue is in the "thanks John" sentence

[is4]

Fair comment.
But I was not referring to John's post.
I was giving a general comment to other posters and trying to help.

[newboy52]

Probably why you haven't heard too much is a large section of the 5 committee members are away on Holiday.This is quite common in July and August when a lot of people go away. This is a disgraceful state of affairs, they must be shameless in doing so. I don't know why those at the AGM. didn't elect a new committee. Mind you out of the 16 or so members attending ( other than the current committee in attendance), how many would step up and be counted and come forward to help ?. How many will help the S.Club on match days---don't all rush.

[markf]

So all five of you were away for a month, the same month?

Sorry, but I believe the coach booking process was announced at the AGM. I didn't attend but a 100 round mile trip for at most a 45 minute meeting ain't happening.

That info could have been communicated in the days after the AGM. I am pretty sure members give email and phone numbers when joining each season. What's the point if they're not going to be used?

When I was secretary back in the 90s, most people didn't have home computers so everything had to be posted. We seemed to manage.

To give out the coach booking details just 10 days before the first away match isn't a good look and it needed a retired member of the committee to do it too.

As for volunteering, i am not sure too many people can lecture me on that.

I am highly aware that serving on the SC Committee can be a thankless task but those who do are providing a service and communicating changes in a timely fashion is a big part of that.

In the interim I have made alternative arrangements for Tamworth. I hope you don't miss my cheery disposition on the coach for that trip too much.

[newboy52]

I am sure your happy and jovial nature will be sadly missed on the coach to Tamworth, hey ho we will get over it.!!
Its time to get some facts straight as to the coach away travel.
A supporters get-together/meet up was being planned by the S.C.( being advertised extensively on Facebook , X , Amber planet etc ) in June to take place on Sunday 21st July, so as to be able to give supporters the chance to have a chat and look over the 'New 'home end. We could also take any coach bookings, by cash ,card or Bank transfer on the day, for the away trip to Tamworth on 10th August, in the newly positioned S.C. Hub, it was hoped Steve Morrison , would be attending along with 1 or 2 players, to answer any questions on the day.
It promised to be well attended with many Supporters showing interest in in attending, the S.C. AGM was on the 15th July , informing those present about being able to book the coach on Sunday 21st
On the Thursday 18th July, the Football Club decided at short notice to cancel the meet-up as it 'did not fit in with their desired timetable '.We then cancelled all the arrangements along with it went the facility of booking and paying for the coach in person, for Tamworth.
From February last season ,it was agreed with the F.C. that the Supporters Club members would book coaches online via the Main Club website along with away match tickets .We being told the money was ring fenced and would be paid over on a Monthly basis. To date no Supporters Club coach fare money has been paid back to the Supporters Club bank account.
We having been told it would be paid in June, then definately in July, now it is put back to mid August.
But in the meantime we have paid out for a total of 15 coaches last season and this season, some of which have been expensive long-distance coaches, all having been paid out of the S.C. bank account.
With that in mind we have had to introduce a different system of booking and receiving payments for Coach Journeys, that new system is currently being set up, as soon as it is ready , notification will be publicised , to all S.C. Members.
That new system was not finalised at the AGM so no details were given out, as it was under discussion.
As per the previous post booking of Tamworth Coach is as johnp post on 1st August on this listing, meet time of 8am,departure time of 8.15am.
The Football Club were asked to advertise the Coaches on their website ,but have shown little inclination to do so, hence the lack of notification re the Tamworth Coach.
There will be another posting regarding the next four away coaches planned in the near future.

[brian54]

If what you say is correct that the club have held on to monies paid by supporters for coach fares that is very wrong and Rob Oates needs to explain why!! NOW Why not go back to collecting fares in cash at boarding. Any one booking , failing to cancel with 48hrs notice ,then not turning up does not get on the next coach until they pay. Worked fine thro 60s 70s 80's and may I say 90's . Sometimes the old ways are still the best. I can not recall Jane Taylor complaining of having difficulties collecting fares and I certainly did not.

[newboy52]

What I say is certainly true, being in a prime position to oversee the S.C.Bank account on a daily basis. As regards coaches we have to pay our coaches in advance before they arrive. So if as you say roll up and pay on the day , if only 15 turn up and pay £40 each, the coach will run at a possible loss of £900-1000. Do we say to those that have turned up, No the coach cannot run, or do we run it at a substantial loss, if the latter we wont survive too long.
If you book a holiday ,show tickets, etc when do you pay ? The coach booking is no different to these.

[markf]

Thanks for the in depth response re the coach situation. Apologies for this late reply but I was at Welling this afternoon watching the team.

The club owing the supporters club money is not a good look particularly if it has been promised to be paid but missed two deadlines. Unfortunately, I suspect the club has had other debts to pay and the SC probably drops down the pecking order as it is an extension of the club rather than an outside entity. Still, no excuse.

However, having pointed this out you then suggest the club was late in advertising the coach for Tamworth and how to book etc after you had requested it to. Why rely on them if they have already let you down? Interesting that their notice only appeared after John's post on here.


That still does not explain why it took a short thread requesting details not being given a prompt response. Not all of us use Facebook, I didn't go on it for 18 months. Last season, amber planet was a consistent source of coach travel detail but there was nothing posted on here until late last week. Meanwhile, others had already booked while others had no idea how to.

That was my main issue. I understand why the change was considered necessary but that change needed to be communicated across all platforms in a timely fashion. It wasn't.

Moving forward, I think you're right about advance payments if you have to pay up front for coaches. Makes sense.

But please can you ensure, like last season, that travel details are posted on here as well as FB or the club website and in decent time? Thanks.

[sufc1898]

Just a question
Why is the coach leaving at 8.15 on Saturday?
The journey is about 2hrs45mins, so even with the coach driving slower than the average car, plus a possible stop, I would say we’ll be there about midday?

[sufc18]

Aug 5, 2024 16:17:57 GMT sufc1898 said:

Just a question
Why is the coach leaving at 8.15 on Saturday?
The journey is about 2hrs45mins, so even with the coach driving slower than the average car, plus a possible stop, I would say we’ll be there about midday?

Sounds good to me. Allows for any unexpected delays on motorways etc. If we arrive early it also gives time to have a look around the town rather than just there, football, back 👍🏻

[voiceofreason]

With reference to advertising coach travel, Paul and I have been plugging this as soon as the fixtures came on on Facebook. I also ask for the details to be plugged by the club, this came out last week.

This is a new process due to the club not taking bookings anymore and also, having our first fixture away.

I personally don't go on Amber Planet as I do find it quite critical at times. However, Mark, if you had contacted me directly like many others, I would have answered any questions raised, even when I was on holiday.

[markf]

Contact who? You're on here as the voice of reason. Is that how you're listed on directory enquiries? I haven't a clue who you are other than that you're on the SC committee.

Couldn't make it up. Jesus

I will also restate that not everybody goes on Facebook and last season this forum was a way of communicating travel info.

If a change in procedure is made it needed to be communicated to all platforms that had been previously a source of such info.

It's called a consistent approach.

Looking at the first list of away travel, you will be more than cheered to know I am unlikely to be on any of them as Eastleigh, Woking etc are easier for me to drive to from my sunny south coast enclave. But thanks for listing. It's what was asked for.

[voiceofreason]

And here lies why I do not go on Amber Planet.

You know me as Alison, I know you occasionally go on Facebook, so you can always message me via that or I am sure you may have my details from last season.

I will always reply to any queries/questions sent to me, albeit, sometimes not straight away due to work.