NO IDEA how much of my experiences as a Leeds fan will be relevant to you - but, after reading a few of your threads on here, I felt the need to post.
First, I see quite a few similarities between our situations...though, now we're rid of Bates, we're in a much better position to move forward. The aspects everyone knows about: financial mismanagement, relegation, points deductions, were bad but nothing hurt quite as much as the arguments and in-fighting between the fans. The Bates Lovers as the anti-Bates 'Morons' (Ken's words, not mine) like myself referred to them as. It seems like you'll have the same arguments we've had, loyalists to Sissu(?) will spout "Get behind the team" and claim they just want to go to the football, while everyone else will know these quislings are, whether they know it or not, helping keep your club a) in the doldrums and b) playing football miles away from your home town.
Second, you need to get organised. Now. While a few drunken yobs running on the pitch will grab the headlines, you need a fans group to give the facts behind your stance. The Leeds United Supporters Trust (LUST) did amazing work in raising the profile of the anti bates cause, but always with a positive spin - I.e. our fans deserved better. Countless press releases, radio and TV interviews, blogs, comments on fansites were needed to deliver a simple, consistent message. Raise awareness with peaceful protests, marches etc.
I really don't know how much of this will ring true with you lot or whether the situations really are that similar. I hope for your sakes, enough of you are switched on enough, and care enough, to make decisive positive steps. Get organised with it. This forum looks a good place to start, but admin and mods may have to act to remove quislings who could derail your protests and spoil your chances.
Good luck.
First, I see quite a few similarities between our situations...though, now we're rid of Bates, we're in a much better position to move forward. The aspects everyone knows about: financial mismanagement, relegation, points deductions, were bad but nothing hurt quite as much as the arguments and in-fighting between the fans. The Bates Lovers as the anti-Bates 'Morons' (Ken's words, not mine) like myself referred to them as. It seems like you'll have the same arguments we've had, loyalists to Sissu(?) will spout "Get behind the team" and claim they just want to go to the football, while everyone else will know these quislings are, whether they know it or not, helping keep your club a) in the doldrums and b) playing football miles away from your home town.
Second, you need to get organised. Now. While a few drunken yobs running on the pitch will grab the headlines, you need a fans group to give the facts behind your stance. The Leeds United Supporters Trust (LUST) did amazing work in raising the profile of the anti bates cause, but always with a positive spin - I.e. our fans deserved better. Countless press releases, radio and TV interviews, blogs, comments on fansites were needed to deliver a simple, consistent message. Raise awareness with peaceful protests, marches etc.
I really don't know how much of this will ring true with you lot or whether the situations really are that similar. I hope for your sakes, enough of you are switched on enough, and care enough, to make decisive positive steps. Get organised with it. This forum looks a good place to start, but admin and mods may have to act to remove quislings who could derail your protests and spoil your chances.
Good luck.