Lakeside Speedway - Smoke & Mirrors?

[Daniel Smith]

I prefer this forum to an individual club one simply because outside opinion can be added.

 

To many people are a bit cliquey on club forums, you dare go against the grain and you'll know about it.

[E I Addio]

With all due respect, I would not have deemed anything said previously on the Lakeside Forum about Neil as 'vitriolic'.

E I Adio clearly has his own interpretation of that particular word that I (and maybe others) would certainly not share.

Neil did come in for negative comments - most of it justified, for a number of poor decisions. Moreover, during his tenure at Lakeside's Team Manager, it's fair to say that he presided over the worst level of performance from the team than at any time during the Douglas/Cook era. His subsequent 'Sword of Damocles' no doubt being some of his comments via the programme notes.

At the end of the day, and having been a manager for the majority of my working life, you are judged upon levels of performance; and what your team deliver upon. And in today's world, like it or lump it, the manager ultimately has to take the final responsibility - particularly during ongoing periods of abject failure.

Neil made some tactical mistakes, as most TM's do, and is entitled to be criticised for them. However that was one of the things that got blown out of all proportion by the same few who chose not to understand how the fast track system works, chose not to understand how team building is constrained by the points limit, and just dumped all their comments at Neil's feet in a personal manner, even though some of them don't even attend the meetings.

 

Jon Cook has said several times in the programme that he takes responsibility for the teams failings, but do you know what ? Not one of these chronic complainers has had the balls to come to a fans forum and put any of this to Cook face to face.

 

I

Edited February 4, 2016 by E I Addio

[Mjolnir]

Jon I don't think has ever been a fan of them because of this minority element, negativity breeds negativity, you only need to spend 5 minutes on here to see that.

That's why I very rarely post on here these days - sometimes negativity is completely justified but at times it can be a bit relentless on here!

 

I can understand why the promotion want to encourage use of Facebook and Twitter, especially given that it's arguably the best way of engaging younger fans, but I can't see any harm in the forum existing alongside for the fans who prefer that format for discussion.

 

If a new Lakeside fans forum is created, I'd be interested in signing up.

[Humphrey Appleby]

Jon Cook has said several times in the programme that he takes responsibility for the teams failings, but do you know what ? Not one of these chronic complainers has had the balls to come to a fans forum and put any of this to Cook face to face.

They might be called thick or biased...

[Prince Regent]

The problem was, on the fans' forum, there really were relatively few negative comments, but others would then, reasonably enough, jump in to defend whoever was being criticised and then the topic would become much bigger than it needed to, out of proportion to the original post.

I will miss the forum, and am very disappointed with the decision. I'm not on Facebook or Twitter and don't intend to be.

I'll have to come on here more often, I guess.

[LisaColette]

I prefer this forum to an individual club one simply because outside opinion can be added.

 

To many people are a bit cliquey on club forums, you dare go against the grain and you'll know about it.

Similar on the Poole forum, apart from if you go against Starman you'll know about it!

[Starman2006]

Similar on the Poole forum, apart from if you go against Starman you'll know about it!

Nothing to do with me, and you know it..

[old bob at herne bay]

Cannot help but agree with "The Voice of Reason" on this sudden closure of a fans forum, which allegedly was never read by the promoters at Lakeside Speedway.

 

Agents provocateur however posted on there under cover of being just "fans " of speedway without allegiance to the promotion.

 

Maybe the webmaster had enough of the wrangling with the promoters irritation on comments that they didn't like... on a forum they allegedly didn't read ?

 

Still I wish the promotion well in what is probably their last at Purfleet ? I'll read all about it in the Speedway Star.

[Vincent Vega]

Welcome back old Bob you were a superb contributor to the Lakeside forum until those weasels closed it down. Jon Cooks PR with speedway fans is terrible with the heat leader list comment and now this.

 

Hopefully someone will start an unofficial Lakeside fans forum which JC wont be able to touch.

[Daytripper]

 

Hopefully someone will start an unofficial Lakeside fans forum which JC wont be able to touch.

"Someone" might start an unofficial forum. It would be a good thing if "someone" did.

 

But I suspect that "someone" will continue to sit on his backside complaining and hope that "someone else" will do the job. As he always does.

[T.N.T.]

With the likes of Facebook creating a page these days a fans forum isn't really of interest these days. Any team or organisation can have their own page where discussion is open to the world rather than a select few.

 

With speedway being a minority sport it needs as much help from the fans as possible and if the social media gives them a view or connection to each other should be a benefit to both sides.

[Mick H]

With the likes of Facebook creating a page these days a fans forum isn't really of interest these days. Any team or organisation can have their own page where discussion is open to the world rather than a select few.

 

With speedway being a minority sport it needs as much help from the fans as possible and if the social media gives them a view or connection to each other should be a benefit to both sides.

 

Is that why you are posting on one? It should not be a case of either-or. Jon Cook is a dinosaur when it comes to communication and has had it in for the Lakeside Fans Forum for some time. My guess, is that it is pay back, because he believes the whistle blower to the concessions fiasco was a member of that forum.

[sommelier]

Can't wait for the opening meeting, so looking forward to se how Lewis rides. Would be nice to think Tatum can help him, such a talent going to waste

[Gemini]

With the likes of Facebook creating a page these days a fans forum isn't really of interest these days. Any team or organisation can have their own page where discussion is open to the world rather than a select few.

 

 

True and you are even welcome on the Coventry Bees one with your views.

[T.N.T.]

True and you are even welcome on the Coventry Bees one with your views.

 

I am registered on it but we have little to cheer about in recent years and internet issues over the last year or so has meant little and few visits to other sites but still been on Facebook and the BSPA site.

 

I think a few people in speedway are not keem on the social media sites and like to go their own way and dislike people giving opinions on things different to their own views. However it can be a helping hand in some cases but can also be a minefield.

[The Voice Of Reason]

That's just my point though TNT.

 

From what I understand, people can post comments on both Facebook and Twitter; but they do not enable such open debate as witnessed upon a forum.

 

I believe that both also restrict the amount of words used; and anything deemed even mildly negative can be easily deleted by the respective owner?

 

I don't have either, nor do I want them. However, my concern is that they are primarily used as one-way communication tools; in order to drip-feed a one-sided perspective to placate the 'happy clappies'.

 

Moreover, in the case of the Lakeside forum, I can assure people that the positive discussion far outweighed negativity.

 

Clearly, Mr Cook does not want to provide some of his supporters with a platform upon which to make their preferred method of comment. That's fine; it's his call. However, it just saddens me that our management have not been truthful around the true reason(s) for its sad demise.

[TonyE]

That's just my point though TNT.

 

From what I understand, people can post comments on both Facebook and Twitter; but they do not enable such open debate as witnessed upon a forum.

 

I believe that both also restrict the amount of words used; and anything deemed even mildly negative can be easily deleted by the respective owner?

 

I don't have either, nor do I want them. However, my concern is that they are primarily used as one-way communication tools; in order to drip-feed a one-sided perspective to placate the 'happy clappies'.

 

Moreover, in the case of the Lakeside forum, I can assure people that the positive discussion far outweighed negativity.

 

Clearly, Mr Cook does not want to provide some of his supporters with a platform upon which to make their preferred method of comment. That's fine; it's his call. However, it just saddens me that our management have not been truthful around the true reason(s) for its sad demise.

I certainly agree with that.

 

I did post on Lakeside's Facebook page that it was a shame the forum had been closed - my post 'disappeared' - enough said.

[chris4gillian]

Nothing to do with me, and you know it..

 

Not true, you attack anyone and everyone who dares to disagree with the (more often than not) nonsense you post. Your Matt F butt kissing (on here and on our own forum) is embarrassing. The Poole forum itself has been on the verge of closure more than once and is it a coincidence that you're always at the centre of things when these threats by the webmaster are made? You then disappear for a few days to let the dust settle and then you reappear like a bad smell and it starts all over again.

 

Lisa is 100% correct, but she's too polite to say things directly unlike myself.

[The Voice Of Reason]

I did post on Lakeside's Facebook page that it was a shame the forum had been closed - my post 'disappeared' - enough said.

I think that totally proves my point Tony.

 

Clearly, debate via Facebook and Twitter is going to be a complete and utter waste of time if we aren't even allowed to fairly question decisions.

 

Mr. Cook clearly wants everything obliterated that is in contradiction to his own ideas. What a sad individual he has become.

 

Maybe Bryn would like to come back on here and try and justify such censorship - from a promotion that apparently values the views of its supporters?

[Bryn]

PLEASE NOTE! (particularly "The Voice of Reason")

 

a) I am NOT part of the Lakeside Hammers management nor their press officer

I've got far more important tasks to concentrate on other than pandering to your wishes including getting an infection in my right foot sorted out (and time is rapidly running out!) in order that I may walk my beautiful daughter down the aisle on Saturday.

 

Might I suggest that you attend the club's fans forum on on Feb 18 to find answers - the venue is 'just down the road' from Birmingham isn't it! A very upset and angry BRYN WILLIAMS!

 

I think that totally proves my point Tony.

Clearly, debate via Facebook and Twitter is going to be a complete and utter waste of time if we aren't even allowed to fairly question decisions.

Mr. Cook clearly wants everything obliterated that is in contradiction to his own ideas. What a sad individual he has become.

Maybe Bryn would like to come back on here and try and justify such censorship - from a promotion that apparently values the views of its supporters?