The Barberometer

[Spanish Seagulls]

I've given him 10/10 simply because we share the same surname.

 

[Peter Grummit]

Agree with this. He's certainly responsive and will listen to fans. He seems to have the right attitude. Equally, I like the fact that he'll listen, but he's not afraid to stand by what may appear to be unpopular decisions. As long as he stays true to the values of the club. But what are the values? I'd still like to see them articulated much more clearly and written into the articles of the club (and not a customer charter.)

Good point. It's clear to me that Barber sees these primarily as commercial - witness his constant references to 'the business'. It's important there is a mature debate about the balance between commercial and community values, not least because fostering the latter will, in my view, support the former in the long term through a broader fan base. It's a wider point than Barber doing his job and meeting his targets.

PG

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

I have no idea what you're on about.

You've been told the score, but still prefer to go your own way?

After the Fat Boy Slim concert, the prices for food had gone up in the concourse for the Chelsea game , this was put down to a mistake. Which I don't think it was.

 

[The Large One]

After the Fat Boy Slim concert, the prices for food had gone up in the concourse for the Chelsea game , this was put down to a mistake. Which I don't think it was.

The food prices went up at the FBS concert.

Those figures were decided a few months previously.

If you're talking about the 'Pie & Pint' deal, that was down to Azure, and they admitted as much.

 

[MattBackHome]

So I guess you are ok with being called a customer rather than a fan then?

What part? The new shirts? Well of course that is going to happen, and I would be surprised if we have the same local sponsor.

I replied to someone else on my comment above, so it answers your question though.

Those who forget the past, are condemned to repeat it forever. I hope he proves me wrong, but I just don't trust him.

I am genuinely happy to be a 'customer' as well as a fan - they're two sides of the same coin for me (or more precisely, two seperate viewpoints of the same relationship.)

Also would be happy with three shirts and multiple sponsors. Fans don't have to buy any and most will still get Blue & White. If it generates significant additional revenue then why does it matter that we've got American Express on the home shirt, Tescos on the away and KY Jelly on the third?

 

[Hamilton]

Good point. It's clear to me that Barber sees these primarily as commercial - witness his constant references to 'the business'. It's important there is a mature debate about the balance between commercial and community values, not least because fostering the latter will, in my view, support the former in the long term through a broader fan base. It's a wider point than Barber doing his job and meeting his targets.

PG

Spot on!

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

The food prices went up at the FBS concert.

Those figures were decided a few months previously.

If you're talking about the 'Pie & Pint' deal, that was down to Azure, and they admitted as much.

Yes, I know they went up at the concert, but why didn't they come back down afterwards until somebody pointed it out?

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

I am genuinely happy to be a 'customer' as well as a fan - they're two sides of the same coin for me (or more precisely, two seperate viewpoints of the same relationship.)

Also would be happy with three shirts and multiple sponsors. Fans don't have to buy any and most will still get Blue & White. If it generates significant additional revenue then why does it matter that we've got American Express on the home shirt, Tescos on the away and KY Jelly on the third?

Fair play, if that's your opinion on being a customer. But I would disagree entirely.
Also wouldn't want KY Jelly as the sponsor Palace

 

[The Large One]

Yes, I know they went up at the concert, but why didn't they come back down afterwards until somebody pointed it out?

You'd have to ask Azure that.

 

[MattBackHome]

Agree with this. He's certainly responsive and will listen to fans. He seems to have the right attitude. Equally, I like the fact that he'll listen, but he's not afraid to stand by what may appear to be unpopular decisions. As long as he stays true to the values of the club. But what are the values? I'd still like to see them articulated much more clearly and written into the articles of the club (and not a customer charter.)

Totally agree. And I'd go further to suggest that clearly defined and articulated 'values' will be a massive help to build a platform for sustained future success, through a more solid and trusting relationship between club and fans and a greater willingness for people to (literally and emotionally) buy into what the club is trying to achieve in a wider context.

(Edit: including spunking more dough where required)

 

[The Large One]

Fair play, if that's your opinion on being a customer. But I would disagree entirely.

You're genuinely hurt by referred to as a fan of the club, and a customer while purchasing at the kiosks?

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

You're genuinely hurt by referred to as a fan of the club, and a customer while purchasing at the kiosks?

I wasn't a customer when I ate my pie at Withdean I was a fan , so why should that change now?

 

[The Large One]

I wasn't a customer when I ate my pie at Withdean I was a fan , so why should that change now?

What's in a word?

When it came to attending matches at Withdean, you were a fan. When it came to purchasing a pie, you were a customer.

Nothing has changed, apart from the fact that this has now been pointed out to you.

 

[soistes]

What's in a word?

When it came to attending matches at Withdean, you were a fan. When it came to purchasing a pie, you were a customer.

Nothing has changed, apart from the fact that this has now been pointed out to you.

I've always felt that the phrase "when the s**t hits the customer" doesn't sound quite right

 

[father_and_son]

7... but then I don't think he should/could ever get more from fans (sorry... customers) because a number of his targets are in conflict with the fans' wishes!

Only TB can really say how well he is doing against what he has been asked to do.