19 replies to this topic

[ruffyed]

I have never posted on this site before ( I have been a regular viewer ) but in view of the resurgence of the doom and gloom merchants amongst our ranks I felt compelled to write . I used to be a football man but after I watched my first RL game between Oldham and Rochdale on Boxing Day many years ago I was an instant convert to RL and ORLFC( even though Oldham lost on the day ). I was quite simply blown away by the intensity of the game , the level of commitment and the refreshing honesty of players on both sides compared to the dross which was being served up at football matches . Since then the faces and names have changed season by season , sometimes for better sometimes for worse , and there have been the usual ups and downs which spectators at all clubs have to rejoice or endure alike , but in spite of all this I remain as passionate about the game in general and ORLFC in particular as I was at that first match which brings me to the current situation . Yes it does look as if we may be in for a tough season .Automatic promotion would seem to have already gone and even a good run in the play offs seems unlikely at this stage . Everybody has got their own views on the make -up of the team and the lack of experience but it is the clubs decision to concentrate on youth in the first team and the reserves so this is where we are . I don't know if this will be successful but I know if everyone collectively throws in the towel at this point in time then the club is finished . However if we continue to get behind what is most certainly the youngest group of players I have known at ORLFC we shall hopefully see signs of improvement as the season progresses which should stand us in good stead for the future. Obviously not all the young players will make it at this or a higher level but as long as more do than don't we'll be OK . I know that watching your team lose is difficult to contend with , even more so when you get thrashed as we did last Sunday , I feel the hurt as much as anyone , but if this is the price we have to pay to ultimately move the club forward then I for one am happy to go along with this . So whatever the doom and gloom merchants may say I will continue to support my ORLFC and I hope that there are many other diehards who feel the same . Finally a message to all the doom and gloom merchants , if by posting on this forum means that you still have some feeling for the club then bury the hatchet and get down to Whitebank and give the players the support they need . If you cannot bring yourelf to do this then continue to enjoy your Sunday lunches in Aberystwyth or whereever or whatever but move on and accept that you are no longer an ORLFC supporter , however long you may claim to have been a supporter in the past , and stop posting your messages of doom and gloom on this forum .

[Logic]

Well said 'ruffyed'- I couldn't agree more.

[Robthegardener.]

I have never posted on this site before ( I have been a regular viewer ) but in view of the resurgence of the doom and gloom merchants amongst our ranks I felt compelled to write . I used to be a football man but after I watched my first RL game between Oldham and Rochdale on Boxing Day many years ago I was an instant convert to RL and ORLFC( even though Oldham lost on the day ). I was quite simply blown away by the intensity of the game , the level of commitment and the refreshing honesty of players on both sides compared to the dross which was being served up at football matches . Since then the faces and names have changed season by season , sometimes for better sometimes for worse , and there have been the usual ups and downs which spectators at all clubs have to rejoice or endure alike , but in spite of all this I remain as passionate about the game in general and ORLFC in particular as I was at that first match which brings me to the current situation . Yes it does look as if we may be in for a tough season .Automatic promotion would seem to have already gone and even a good run in the play offs seems unlikely at this stage . Everybody has got their own views on the make -up of the team and the lack of experience but it is the clubs decision to concentrate on youth in the first team and the reserves so this is where we are . I don't know if this will be successful but I know if everyone collectively throws in the towel at this point in time then the club is finished . However if we continue to get behind what is most certainly the youngest group of players I have known at ORLFC we shall hopefully see signs of improvement as the season progresses which should stand us in good stead for the future. Obviously not all the young players will make it at this or a higher level but as long as more do than don't we'll be OK . I know that watching your team lose is difficult to contend with , even more so when you get thrashed as we did last Sunday , I feel the hurt as much as anyone , but if this is the price we have to pay to ultimately move the club forward then I for one am happy to go along with this . So whatever the doom and gloom merchants may say I will continue to support my ORLFC and I hope that there are many other diehards who feel the same . Finally a message to all the doom and gloom merchants , if by posting on this forum means that you still have some feeling for the club then bury the hatchet and get down to Whitebank and give the players the support they need . If you cannot bring yourelf to do this then continue to enjoy your Sunday lunches in Aberystwyth or whereever or whatever but move on and accept that you are no longer an ORLFC supporter , however long you may claim to have been a supporter in the past , and stop posting your messages of doom and gloom on this forum .

Absolutely brilliant fella

[SINGE]

I have never posted on this site before ( I have been a regular viewer ) but in view of the resurgence of the doom and gloom merchants amongst our ranks I felt compelled to write . I used to be a football man but after I watched my first RL game between Oldham and Rochdale on Boxing Day many years ago I was an instant convert to RL and ORLFC( even though Oldham lost on the day ). I was quite simply blown away by the intensity of the game , the level of commitment and the refreshing honesty of players on both sides compared to the dross which was being served up at football matches . Since then the faces and names have changed season by season , sometimes for better sometimes for worse , and there have been the usual ups and downs which spectators at all clubs have to rejoice or endure alike , but in spite of all this I remain as passionate about the game in general and ORLFC in particular as I was at that first match which brings me to the current situation . Yes it does look as if we may be in for a tough season .Automatic promotion would seem to have already gone and even a good run in the play offs seems unlikely at this stage . Everybody has got their own views on the make -up of the team and the lack of experience but it is the clubs decision to concentrate on youth in the first team and the reserves so this is where we are . I don't know if this will be successful but I know if everyone collectively throws in the towel at this point in time then the club is finished . However if we continue to get behind what is most certainly the youngest group of players I have known at ORLFC we shall hopefully see signs of improvement as the season progresses which should stand us in good stead for the future. Obviously not all the young players will make it at this or a higher level but as long as more do than don't we'll be OK . I know that watching your team lose is difficult to contend with , even more so when you get thrashed as we did last Sunday , I feel the hurt as much as anyone , but if this is the price we have to pay to ultimately move the club forward then I for one am happy to go along with this . So whatever the doom and gloom merchants may say I will continue to support my ORLFC and I hope that there are many other diehards who feel the same . Finally a message to all the doom and gloom merchants , if by posting on this forum means that you still have some feeling for the club then bury the hatchet and get down to Whitebank and give the players the support they need . If you cannot bring yourelf to do this then continue to enjoy your Sunday lunches in Aberystwyth or whereever or whatever but move on and accept that you are no longer an ORLFC supporter , however long you may claim to have been a supporter in the past , and stop posting your messages of doom and gloom on this forum .

If Carlsberg did first posts on a forum...
Excellent post.
You should do it more often!

[OutsiderLookingIn]

If Carlsberg did first posts on a forum...
Excellent post.
You should do it more often!

wot he said!!

excellent post mr/s ruffyed!!

[Monk]

I have never posted on this site before ( I have been a regular viewer ) but in view of the resurgence of the doom and gloom merchants amongst our ranks I felt compelled to write . I used to be a football man but after I watched my first RL game between Oldham and Rochdale on Boxing Day many years ago I was an instant convert to RL and ORLFC( even though Oldham lost on the day ). I was quite simply blown away by the intensity of the game , the level of commitment and the refreshing honesty of players on both sides compared to the dross which was being served up at football matches . Since then the faces and names have changed season by season , sometimes for better sometimes for worse , and there have been the usual ups and downs which spectators at all clubs have to rejoice or endure alike , but in spite of all this I remain as passionate about the game in general and ORLFC in particular as I was at that first match which brings me to the current situation . Yes it does look as if we may be in for a tough season .Automatic promotion would seem to have already gone and even a good run in the play offs seems unlikely at this stage . Everybody has got their own views on the make -up of the team and the lack of experience but it is the clubs decision to concentrate on youth in the first team and the reserves so this is where we are . I don't know if this will be successful but I know if everyone collectively throws in the towel at this point in time then the club is finished . However if we continue to get behind what is most certainly the youngest group of players I have known at ORLFC we shall hopefully see signs of improvement as the season progresses which should stand us in good stead for the future. Obviously not all the young players will make it at this or a higher level but as long as more do than don't we'll be OK . I know that watching your team lose is difficult to contend with , even more so when you get thrashed as we did last Sunday , I feel the hurt as much as anyone , but if this is the price we have to pay to ultimately move the club forward then I for one am happy to go along with this . So whatever the doom and gloom merchants may say I will continue to support my ORLFC and I hope that there are many other diehards who feel the same . Finally a message to all the doom and gloom merchants , if by posting on this forum means that you still have some feeling for the club then bury the hatchet and get down to Whitebank and give the players the support they need . If you cannot bring yourelf to do this then continue to enjoy your Sunday lunches in Aberystwyth or whereever or whatever but move on and accept that you are no longer an ORLFC supporter , however long you may claim to have been a supporter in the past , and stop posting your messages of doom and gloom on this forum .

[Monk]

Excellent post.

Can you post this on a OAFC forum it may get us a few more through the gates.

Even with our limited resources in the past we have never gained promotion when we've been relatively flush. So why not take the longer route (AKA the Wenger route) with the kids, lets just hope it'e a bit quicker or have we already past that point.

As has been used by others 'KEEP THE FAITH'

[bigred]

Well meaning platitudes and I do not for a minute doubt your sincerity. However, just who has decided that we have to put up with watching a poor side getting hammered every week and yet paying £2 a game more for such a dubious pleasure?
I'm not a big fan of blind loyalty - it tends to stifle debate on what problems may exist around the team and club at present. Surely people should be concerned that we are rapidly going from priding ourselves on having support that was the envy of some clubs in the league above, to gates on a par with our near neighbours in Rochdale!
It's alright having a dig at the stay-away fans but the simple truth is that it's entertainment and if that entertainment is not deemed to be value for money then consumers will not repeat the experience.
As for myself, I enjoy camping at weekends during the summer but have often rushed back on a Sunday to make sure I get to the game on time. Last season we went home and away and missed about 3 games in total. I just cannot summon the enthusiasm this season to cut short my weekends away to watch a poor side - if that means (in your words) that I can no longer be classed as a supporter, then so be it!

[ruffyed]

Not well meaning platitudes Big Red , just telling it as I see it . Of course it is your choice where you spend your hard earned money , the same as all the other people who no longer turn up to support the Roughyeds and I wouldn't have it any other way . I don't need someone to tell me what I should spend my money on .I just don't buy into the notion that it is somehow acceptable for ex supporters to come onto this forum and keep peddling their doom and gloom comments . If you cannot find the enthusiasm to turn up for matches thats fine but why do you feel the need to come on here to pass on your negative comments .... just move on . I can cope with negative comments , I might even agree with some of them ,but I prefer to listen to balanced , constructive comments from an informed source ie someone who actually saw the match .
As for your comments regarding entertainment , you seem to be mixing up entertainment with winning . No -one has a divine right to win every match or beat someone just because you have done in the past .Yes we are going through a bad patch at the moment and it hurt on Sunday to be so outplayed in every department but the match was no less entertaining for that , just ask the Swinton supporters if they thought it was entertaining , and if you look closely enough positives can always be taken from adversity . One such positive was the outstanding debut of Shaun Robinson . Surely the best debut I have witnessed from a rookie ,particularly as he was playing in a well beaten side . If the current policy can unearth a few more diamonds like him it won't be long before we are back to winning ways , sorry ....entertaining ways , that is of course if we continue to have a club , which comes back to my main point that the told you so doom and gloom merchants are serving no useful purpose on this forum unless their motive is to see the eventual demise of the club . I can see no logical reason why this should be the case so why keep making the negative comments ?
Anyway best of luck for the future ...hope you and your family get as much pleasure from your camping as I get from supporting my team . Then hopefully its a win / win situation .

[Shaw Lad]

So basicly what your telling us, after our biggest home defeat since we were formed ( 135 years ago) you should'nt come
on this forum with any doom and groom or your not a true fan. Well sorry to inform you but it is a FORUM so if you dont
like that dont read it.

[graham6]

At the end of the day it is sport which is why we all keep going to watch it because you just dont know what is going to happen if it hurts you to watch your team lose thats natural millions of supporters have shared the same emotions since the greeks, watch the game have a whinge and a pint, have a gloat if you win dont be so serious guys its what sport is all about i watch because i love the rugby and i will watch it for ever and a day and if it really hurts for you to part with your hard earned dont go and we will tell you all about it on the monday see you at keighly, roughyeds for the win

[Tony Mac]

So basicly what your telling us, after our biggest home defeat since we were formed ( 135 years ago) you should'nt come
on this forum with any doom and groom or your not a true fan. Well sorry to inform you but it is a FORUM so if you dont
like that dont read it.

Hi Shaw Lad

I don't think that is what ruffyed is telling you. He's saying it to the stay away fans, and quite rightly in my mind. I used to be a real fan of football and rugby many years ago, watching both ORLFC and OAFC but, probably since the early to late eighties, I find no enjoyment at all watching a football match and can't understand why millions of people do. With the plight of OAFC as it is I could quite easily go on their forum and preach doom and gloom, but as I don't support them then I don't think it's right to do so. And that is exactly what ruffyed is saying when he says, and I quote "I just don't buy into the notion that it is somehow acceptable for ex supporters to come onto this forum and keep peddling their doom and gloom comments" Hope that clears it up.


Tony Mac
The King Of Wishful Thinking

Edited by Tony Mac, 01 April 2011 - 08:46 AM.

[Tony Mac]

I have never posted on this site before ( I have been a regular viewer ) but in view of the resurgence of the doom and gloom merchants amongst our ranks I felt compelled to write . I used to be a football man but after I watched my first RL game between Oldham and Rochdale on Boxing Day many years ago I was an instant convert to RL and ORLFC( even though Oldham lost on the day ). I was quite simply blown away by the intensity of the game , the level of commitment and the refreshing honesty of players on both sides compared to the dross which was being served up at football matches . Since then the faces and names have changed season by season , sometimes for better sometimes for worse , and there have been the usual ups and downs which spectators at all clubs have to rejoice or endure alike , but in spite of all this I remain as passionate about the game in general and ORLFC in particular as I was at that first match which brings me to the current situation . Yes it does look as if we may be in for a tough season .Automatic promotion would seem to have already gone and even a good run in the play offs seems unlikely at this stage . Everybody has got their own views on the make -up of the team and the lack of experience but it is the clubs decision to concentrate on youth in the first team and the reserves so this is where we are . I don't know if this will be successful but I know if everyone collectively throws in the towel at this point in time then the club is finished . However if we continue to get behind what is most certainly the youngest group of players I have known at ORLFC we shall hopefully see signs of improvement as the season progresses which should stand us in good stead for the future. Obviously not all the young players will make it at this or a higher level but as long as more do than don't we'll be OK . I know that watching your team lose is difficult to contend with , even more so when you get thrashed as we did last Sunday , I feel the hurt as much as anyone , but if this is the price we have to pay to ultimately move the club forward then I for one am happy to go along with this . So whatever the doom and gloom merchants may say I will continue to support my ORLFC and I hope that there are many other diehards who feel the same . Finally a message to all the doom and gloom merchants , if by posting on this forum means that you still have some feeling for the club then bury the hatchet and get down to Whitebank and give the players the support they need . If you cannot bring yourelf to do this then continue to enjoy your Sunday lunches in Aberystwyth or whereever or whatever but move on and accept that you are no longer an ORLFC supporter , however long you may claim to have been a supporter in the past , and stop posting your messages of doom and gloom on this forum .

Hi ruffyed

A terrific posting. And can I reiterate what was said previously....."if Carling did first posts".......priceless!!


Tony Mac
The King Of Wishful Thinking

[bigred]

Not well meaning platitudes Big Red , just telling it as I see it . Of course it is your choice where you spend your hard earned money , the same as all the other people who no longer turn up to support the Roughyeds and I wouldn't have it any other way . I don't need someone to tell me what I should spend my money on .I just don't buy into the notion that it is somehow acceptable for ex supporters to come onto this forum and keep peddling their doom and gloom comments . If you cannot find the enthusiasm to turn up for matches thats fine but why do you feel the need to come on here to pass on your negative comments .... just move on . I can cope with negative comments , I might even agree with some of them ,but I prefer to listen to balanced , constructive comments from an informed source ie someone who actually saw the match .
As for your comments regarding entertainment , you seem to be mixing up entertainment with winning . No -one has a divine right to win every match or beat someone just because you have done in the past .Yes we are going through a bad patch at the moment and it hurt on Sunday to be so outplayed in every department but the match was no less entertaining for that , just ask the Swinton supporters if they thought it was entertaining , and if you look closely enough positives can always be taken from adversity . One such positive was the outstanding debut of Shaun Robinson . Surely the best debut I have witnessed from a rookie ,particularly as he was playing in a well beaten side . If the current policy can unearth a few more diamonds like him it won't be long before we are back to winning ways , sorry ....entertaining ways , that is of course if we continue to have a club , which comes back to my main point that the told you so doom and gloom merchants are serving no useful purpose on this forum unless their motive is to see the eventual demise of the club . I can see no logical reason why this should be the case so why keep making the negative comments ?
Anyway best of luck for the future ...hope you and your family get as much pleasure from your camping as I get from supporting my team . Then hopefully its a win / win situation .

Can I firstly point out that I am not, as you put it, an ex-supporter. The only home game I have missed so far this season is the Swinton game. Ordinarily I would have rushed back to watch such a game, but the despondency from watching previous performances meant I didn't have the usual enthusiasm to watch what was obviously going to be a loss - even I however was shocked at the extent of such a loss!
As to your understanding of my use of the term 'entertainment', can I just say that of course I do not expect the team to win every game - that would be crass in the least! I DO however expect the team do be at least competitive! I know that some players were missing and that obviously weakened the team to some extent, but to expect people to pay increased entrance fees in the middle of a recession to watch a poorer team is in my view either economic incompetence or complete contempt for the spectators in general.
I don't know what your views on the team at present are, but mine is that it has been clearly obvious for at least two seasons that the side is hideously over-reliant on one player - Neil Roden, and it's criminal that we have not sought to strengthen such a key area as the half-backs. Is it a co-incidence that the team looks totally devoid of ideas whenever he isn't playing?
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for giving local talent a break, we do have some talented players in the town at all levels, but to expose them to Championship 1 rugby without good experienced players to guide them around the pitch is a recipe for disaster, it isn't fair on the lads and it isn't right to complain if people choose not to watch such mis-matches in the future!
As for me, I will still get along to games, I have seen plenty of poor Oldham sides over the last 40 odd years, but it wont stop me expressing my concerns over the way that I feel the club is currently heading!

[ruffyed]

Thanks Tony for the clarification to Shaw Lad . Couldn't have put it better myself . I fully agree that everyone is entitled to their opinion and can express it on here if they wish . I just don't understand why people who have voted with their feet and turned their backs on the club , for whatever reason , feel the need to come on this forum and gloat at every misfortune the club suffers . Rather like a messy divorce when someone won't let go .... just move on , let go ,and enjoy your new pastimes. Like my dad used to say to me ' if you can't say something good about someone just say nowt ' That is all I am trying to say .....

[ruffyed]

Apologies to you Big Red if I had misunderstood your earlier posting . My comments were solely aimed at postings from ex supporters and I am glad to hear this is not the situation with you . Have read your comments and do not particularly disagree with any of them . The over reliance on Neil Roden has been all too evident but good half backs don't come cheap these days and since the departure of BQ , not going into the whys or wherefores of that one , the need to pay off outstanding debts to the taxman , and the vitally important task of improving the facilities or lack of them at Whitebank , money has been in short supply . I saw Mick Diveney play for the reserves several times last year and was always impressed by him so I think he at least deserves a chance to prove what he can do at this level ... my view is that it is pointless having young talent in the reserves if they are never given the chance at first team level so the juries still out on Mick but I certainly don't blame him for the situation we are in at present . As for the general age of the side I've always believed if you are good enough you are old enough so again time will tell .The increased charges are not ideal but I personally would rather pay the £2 extra and still support my team rather than turn my back on them and run the risk of being another nail in their coffin because I am passionate about the club and do not want to see it wither and die for the sake of a CBA attitude . Obviously I like everyone else want an upturn in playing standards and results but the players need all our support at present and I and hopefully you and many others will be there to give them that support for many years to come .
Now I propose to go back into the background where I belong before I upset anyone else .

[bigred]

I don't think you need to apologise for potentially upsetting anyone 'ruffyed'! I'ts a forum for people to post their views, and obviously it would make for poor reading if all had the same observations to make.
You seem like a reasonable and rational person and God knows we need more of those on here! So keep posting and do not disappear into the background.

[Tony Mac]

I don't think you need to apologise for potentially upsetting anyone 'ruffyed'! I'ts a forum for people to post their views, and obviously it would make for poor reading if all had the same observations to make.
You seem like a reasonable and rational person and God knows we need more of those on here! So keep posting and do not disappear into the background.

Hear, hear bigred. And please listen to him ruffyed.


Tony Mac
The King Of Wishful Thinking

[Karen88]

I don't think you need to apologise for potentially upsetting anyone 'ruffyed'! I'ts a forum for people to post their views, and obviously it would make for poor reading if all had the same observations to make.
You seem like a reasonable and rational person and God knows we need more of those on here! So keep posting and do not disappear into the background.

Roughyezs and company silence please !!!!!!!!!!

[rocksinthehead]

Edited by rocksinthehead, 03 April 2011 - 05:38 AM.