Supporters Charter Group Apology

[David]

I just want to apologise for the delay, my absence, my handling of the situation and try to explain what has happened.

The meeting on Wednesday was scheduled to end at 8.45pm, my last train home was 9.33pm, I slipped out just after 9pm as I didn’t have clothes, medication, toiletries with me as I wasn’t planning on staying overnight.

When the meeting had finished, an agreement was made where one statement would be written and signed off by all groups, this is the first time anything like this had been agreed, I was under the impression we would be allowed to report back as normal.

Being completely unaware of this, whilst waiting for my train I saw a conversation take place on my Twitter timeline discussing the meeting minutes, when would they be out.

I replied, that the meeting minutes were not taken and we would be sharing the information ourselves, which as I say I was under the impression would be allowed, why else attend? I thought I was being helpful.

Now I can see on reflection I was clearly naive in not appreciating the number of fans waiting online for what was said at the meeting, would see the tweet whilst was part of a conversation, which was also public and could be seen and shared by others. The tweet blew up online having been retweeted, I’m not exaggerating when I say maybe hundred or more replies, some abusive to the point where I had to turn notifications off as my phone was freezing with as I came back into an area with phone signal.

On the forum I did pre warn members not to expect anything Wednesday evening, the minutes can sometimes take a few days to a couple of weeks before being released. I was going with the intention of asking the club if the minutes could be released within 24 hours or that we could release the information immediately. Obviously once we was told the minutes would not be taken all that went out the window and believed we was free to report back immediately, and that was the plan.

Again, I was clearly naive to the fact fans on Twitter would not be aware of this, so when I wasn’t replying to all the tweets with thumbs up or down if it’s good news, or are we going to have a club next week the levels of abuse increased, despite my plea for being understanding I wasn’t in the position to do so.

With my write up, I had no intention of adding any personal opinion, it would be just what was said and allow you all to read and take it as you will.

As you will be well aware, all fans see things differently and I didn’t want to raise any expectations or disappoint fans, then receive more abuse as it wasn’t what they were expecting.

I put myself in this situation through naivety, but I don’t accept that the abuse was warranted at all, I have removed the twitter account from my devices and will no longer be active on that account, opting now for a private account as I have no interest in twitter fame.

I would seriously urge anyone that did send me abusive tweets to have a think how they talk to people online and their demands, if this is this what celebrities have to deal with on a daily basis, I’m glad I’m just a nobody!

Punjabi Rams, who I honestly can’t thank enough stepped in and put some tweets out from their account to give some information in my defence. You guys are awesome, didn’t need to do that but again, I honestly can’t thank you enough. Quick plug www.punjabirams.co.uk, @PunjabiRams on Twitter, go give them a follow if you are on there.

On the train home I started to do the write up on my notes app, realising I need to get this out asap, first thing to defuse the situation I felt I had created.

Thursday morning, as I was consulting my notes and finishing off the write up, there was a few things I wanted to fact check with the club were totally accurate, there has been times where things have been misheard in the past (Boycie ahem) and needed correcting, I didn’t want this to happen. We’re human, mistakes can happen, I believed I had time to ensure there were none.

I decided, and this was not requested by the club but to send my write up to them, asking if they could read it over and everything I had written was totally accurate, leaving ??? <—— fact checks where I was a little cautious over.

They agreed and I again naively yet again assumed that this would be back with me in a few hours……despite the previous night listening to just how busy they have been.

Now whilst I understand and totally agree that this meeting is important, the club staff are as I’m sure you can imagine really busy, now I need to really stress here that this is in no way the fault of the club, this is on me 100%.

No tweet, no forum post, none of this situation exists.

Meanwhile The Supporters Charter Group are scratching their heads as to why I’ve gone it alone, I can only apologise to them also, as I say I was under the impression that we would all be reporting back ourselves which I have explained privately with them.

A single statement isn’t something I would have been personally happy with but that is what was agreed in my absence.

I haven’t felt comfortable coming back on the forum if I'm honest, ignoring the fact I insinuated what was said at the meeting would be out Thursday on the forum, I feel like I have let you all down and for that I’m sorry.

Just to add, this apology wasn’t asked for, it's something I feel is owed to you all.

Should someone have gone that could have stayed all evening? Ideally yes, although Paul (Boycie) was unavailable to attend. Since the formation of 2017 it has only been either myself or Paul that has attended, I didn’t feel it would be right to send someone new which in hindsight was the correct call, they may have also not been able to attend until the end of what I’m led to believe turned out to be almost a 4 hour long meeting, putting themselves unwittingly into a similar situation I have.

I know you are all frustrated, the accusations of attention seeking, sitting on information, teasing, trying to get more views, followers etc. and even censorship on the forum are simply not true, they come from people that do not know me or how the forum is run at all, which is disappointing hearing it said by members that have been on the forum for a number of years now.

Finally, I do want to say thank you to those who have sent supportive texts, PM’s, DM’s, tweets you name it over the last few days, despite asking to be given time, it’s you who I put the hours in for, I will learn from this and work on handling things better in the future.

I would also like to thank the moderators who have been trying their best to keep on top of the situation, without them this forum would have crashed and burned over the last few days so please be respectful to them, even if at times you do not agree with decisions they have made. 

David

 

[i-Ram]

@David. I have seen your apology. There was no need - it seems clear that you and the other attendees were railroaded.

Even though it seems you couldn’t give the actual answers anyway, were any of our questions asked, and did you get any response. Or was it just a one man talking show.

Please can you share the sanistised meeting notes that Mel Morris agreed could be shared with the fanbase.

Thank you for representing us.

[David]

We was not railroaded, if you have read the apology you would see I have said this is not the clubs fault and I stand by that.

If what I say isn’t read and accepted as the truth, as you say there is no need to say anything is there, as it feels like I am being accused of lying here.

 

[MackworthRamIsGod]

1 minute ago, David said:

We was not railroaded, if you have read the apology you would see I have said this is not the clubs fault and I stand by that.

If what I say isn’t read and accepted as the truth, as you say there is no need to say anything is there, as it feels like I am being accused of lying here.

 

You did nothing wrong.

At the end of the day it's only bloody football. Thanks for attending, I'm getting the impression there is very little you could share that isnt already out there on Twitter somewhere.

Dont beat yourself up!

[David]

13 minutes ago, MackworthRamIsGod said:

You did nothing wrong.

At the end of the day it's only bloody football. Thanks for attending, I'm getting the impression there is very little you could share that isnt already out there on Twitter somewhere.

Dont beat yourself up!

I have beat myself, won’t lie, but I appreciate your comments.

It’s just a frustrating situation as it’s blown up over basically some confusion, which I hold my hands up to my part in that.

I have unlocked the apology topic and merged i-Rams topic into this, was hoping it would just be read and taken for what it is, but will read whatever comments come my way and take it on the chin.

At this time I would prefer not to discuss the meeting itself, I understand this will only add further to the frustration, and I will face the music with what comes with that as it’s not fair on the moderators to be out here alone having to handle a situation that is not of their making.

[Andicis]

1 hour ago, David said:

I put myself in this situation through naivety, but I don’t accept that the abuse was warranted at all, I have removed the twitter account from my devices and will no longer be active on that account, opting now for a private account as I have no interest in twitter fame.

I would seriously urge anyone that did send me abusive tweets to have a think how they talk to people online and their demands, if this is this what celebrities have to deal with on a daily basis, I’m glad I’m just a nobody!

Absolutely. I have been a bit out of the loop this summer as I haven't really wanted to read anything DCFC for a while, but came across some of the stick you were taking on Twitter the other day. Definitely some toxic elements to our fanbase, and Twitter giving them a voice just makes it poisonous. I found it completely out of order. 

[RadioactiveWaste]

People are just upset about the club, not with you. Doesn't make it ok to have a go at you. I'm sorry if i posted anything sarcastic.

and thank you going to the meeting in the first place.

[David]

Just now, Andicis said:

Absolutely. I have been a bit out of the loop this summer as I haven't really wanted to read anything DCFC for a while, but came across some of the stick you were taking on Twitter the other day. Definitely some toxic elements to our fanbase, and Twitter giving them a voice just makes it poisonous. I found it completely out of order. 

Yeah, took me by surprise, whilst at the same time proud of what has been built here and adamant the rules we have in place are needed.

Twitter is a basically a lawless land, a great platform to stay up-to date with football news, your exposed to the toxic side of not just football but politics also. 

I have a real love/hate relationship with the platform, having removed the app sometime on Thursday, by Sunday I think it was I just felt lost and created a new account which will remain protected.

[MuespachRam]

1 hour ago, David said:

I just want to apologise for the delay, my absence, my handling of the situation and try to explain what has happened.

The meeting on Wednesday was scheduled to end at 8.45pm, my last train home was 9.33pm, I slipped out just after 9pm as I didn’t have clothes, medication, toiletries with me as I wasn’t planning on staying overnight.

When the meeting had finished, an agreement was made where one statement would be written and signed off by all groups, this is the first time anything like this had been agreed, I was under the impression we would be allowed to report back as normal.

Being completely unaware of this, whilst waiting for my train I saw a conversation take place on my Twitter timeline discussing the meeting minutes, when would they be out.

I replied, that the meeting minutes were not taken and we would be sharing the information ourselves, which as I say I was under the impression would be allowed, why else attend? I thought I was being helpful.

Now I can see on reflection I was clearly naive in not appreciating the number of fans waiting online for what was said at the meeting, would see the tweet whilst was part of a conversation, which was also public and could be seen and shared by others. The tweet blew up online having been retweeted, I’m not exaggerating when I say maybe hundred or more replies, some abusive to the point where I had to turn notifications off as my phone was freezing with as I came back into an area with phone signal.

On the forum I did pre warn members not to expect anything Wednesday evening, the minutes can sometimes take a few days to a couple of weeks before being released. I was going with the intention of asking the club if the minutes could be released within 24 hours or that we could release the information immediately. Obviously once we was told the minutes would not be taken all that went out the window and believed we was free to report back immediately, and that was the plan.

Again, I was clearly naive to the fact fans on Twitter would not be aware of this, so when I wasn’t replying to all the tweets with thumbs up or down if it’s good news, or are we going to have a club next week the levels of abuse increased, despite my plea for being understanding I wasn’t in the position to do so.

With my write up, I had no intention of adding any personal opinion, it would be just what was said and allow you all to read and take it as you will.

As you will be well aware, all fans see things differently and I didn’t want to raise any expectations or disappoint fans, then receive more abuse as it wasn’t what they were expecting.

I put myself in this situation through naivety, but I don’t accept that the abuse was warranted at all, I have removed the twitter account from my devices and will no longer be active on that account, opting now for a private account as I have no interest in twitter fame.

I would seriously urge anyone that did send me abusive tweets to have a think how they talk to people online and their demands, if this is this what celebrities have to deal with on a daily basis, I’m glad I’m just a nobody!

Punjabi Rams, who I honestly can’t thank enough stepped in and put some tweets out from their account to give some information in my defence. You guys are awesome, didn’t need to do that but again, I honestly can’t thank you enough. Quick plug www.punjabirams.co.uk, @PunjabiRams on Twitter, go give them a follow if you are on there.

On the train home I started to do the write up on my notes app, realising I need to get this out asap, first thing to defuse the situation I felt I had created.

Thursday morning, as I was consulting my notes and finishing off the write up, there was a few things I wanted to fact check with the club were totally accurate, there has been times where things have been misheard in the past (Boycie ahem) and needed correcting, I didn’t want this to happen. We’re human, mistakes can happen, I believed I had time to ensure there were none.

I decided, and this was not requested by the club but to send my write up to them, asking if they could read it over and everything I had written was totally accurate, leaving ??? <—— fact checks where I was a little cautious over.

They agreed and I again naively yet again assumed that this would be back with me in a few hours……despite the previous night listening to just how busy they have been.

Now whilst I understand and totally agree that this meeting is important, the club staff are as I’m sure you can imagine really busy, now I need to really stress here that this is in no way the fault of the club, this is on me 100%.

No tweet, no forum post, none of this situation exists.

Meanwhile The Supporters Charter Group are scratching their heads as to why I’ve gone it alone, I can only apologise to them also, as I say I was under the impression that we would all be reporting back ourselves which I have explained privately with them.

A single statement isn’t something I would have been personally happy with but that is what was agreed in my absence.

I haven’t felt comfortable coming back on the forum if I'm honest, ignoring the fact I insinuated what was said at the meeting would be out Thursday on the forum, I feel like I have let you all down and for that I’m sorry.

Just to add, this apology wasn’t asked for, it's something I feel is owed to you all.

Should someone have gone that could have stayed all evening? Ideally yes, although Paul (Boycie) was unavailable to attend. Since the formation of 2017 it has only been either myself or Paul that has attended, I didn’t feel it would be right to send someone new which in hindsight was the correct call, they may have also not been able to attend until the end of what I’m led to believe turned out to be almost a 4 hour long meeting, putting themselves unwittingly into a similar situation I have.

I know you are all frustrated, the accusations of attention seeking, sitting on information, teasing, trying to get more views, followers etc. and even censorship on the forum are simply not true, they come from people that do not know me or how the forum is run at all, which is disappointing hearing it said by members that have been on the forum for a number of years now.

Finally, I do want to say thank you to those who have sent supportive texts, PM’s, DM’s, tweets you name it over the last few days, despite asking to be given time, it’s you who I put the hours in for, I will learn from this and work on handling things better in the future.

I would also like to thank the moderators who have been trying their best to keep on top of the situation, without them this forum would have crashed and burned over the last few days so please be respectful to them, even if at times you do not agree with decisions they have made. 

David

 

I only got to….Medication.? Got problems down below son, can’t perform.? Speak to @DarkFruitsRam7 he will give you a few tips…

[Seth's left foot]

At the end of the day, the club should’ve communicated with the fans better and the output from that meeting rests with the club. 
Don’t worry about what has happened, those ‘fans’ who have abused you should stay off this forum and go forth…

Hopefully the wait will be worth it! 

[David]

3 minutes ago, RadioactiveWaste said:

People are just upset about the club, not with you. Doesn't make it ok to have a go at you. I'm sorry if i posted anything sarcastic.

and thank you going to the meeting in the first place.

Appreciate and yeah I get it, which makes the atmosphere on Saturday more incredible.

Sat watching the game without the forum or social media, wasn’t sure what to expect. But when the South Stand got going straight from kick off with support for Rooney, the hairs stood on end again, for a couple of hours put this side of football out the mind. 

[OoooMarkWright]

I sympathise with you @Davidover the twitter backlash. Not on there myself so don’t quite get it. Am I right in thinking you won’t be releasing any details of the meeting?? Basically the same as the RamsTrust statement. What a drama over nowt if so! 

[David]

4 minutes ago, enachops said:

I sympathise with you @Davidover the twitter backlash. Not on there myself so don’t quite get it. Am I right in thinking you won’t be releasing any details of the meeting?? Basically the same as the RamsTrust statement. What a drama over nowt if so! 

I am still hoping to get my own write up out there as promised, but at this stage do not want to put a time frame on it. 

Rams Trust have published a statement and Jim Wheeler has spoken on Radio Derby on the meeting. That’s all out there now for those that are interested.

[Stagtime]

Appreciate all your work mate, it’s hard getting any information this side of the world about any team that aren’t the top 6. Whenever I’m allowed back over there the first shouts on me?

[thederbyram]

What I couldn't get my head around was the nameless "club fan account" Twitter pages giving you stick.. how is it fair that someone who gets to remain anonymous and is supposedly a page that talks Derby, yet can have an opinion on and question your intentions. Here I know we are anonymous but we're moderated, so fine.. it's just cowardice.

 

Anyway don't beat yourself up too much, you'll have enough time to wallow when Lamar takes your Steelers to the cleaners twice this year.

 

- oh, and I'm glad you're not on Twitter any more - couldn't be having you taking the piss out of my draft selections every time I post ?

Edited August 10, 2021 by thederbyram

[Ramarena]

The club should not have been putting this upon @David and the others. 

If they wanted to get the information/their side of the story out there they have established channels to do that, without putting attendees under the inevitable pressure and scrutiny!

[David]

40 minutes ago, thederbyram said:

What I couldn't get my head around was the nameless "club fan account" Twitter pages giving you stick.. how is it fair that someone who gets to remain anonymous and is supposedly a page that talks Derby, yet can have an opinion on and question your intentions. Here I know we are anonymous but we're moderated, so fine.. it's just cowardice.

 

Anyway don't beat yourself up too much, you'll have enough time to wallow when Lamar takes your Steelers to the cleaners twice this year.

 

- oh, and I'm glad you're not on Twitter any more - couldn't be having you taking the piss out of my draft selections every time I post ?

Not sure which pages you are referring to, haven’t been through and read the notifications, removed the app then just created a new account.

[thederbyram]

13 minutes ago, David said:

Not sure which pages you are referring to, haven’t been through and read the notifications, removed the app then just created a new account.

Doesn't matter mate, just snidy little digs that aren't worth your time.

 

I did get this incredible response though:

 

[David]

3 minutes ago, thederbyram said:

Doesn't matter mate, just snidy little digs that aren't worth your time.

 

I did get this incredible response though:

 

Dropped you a follow on my new private Twitter account, had to see who you’ve been drafting this time 

[thederbyram]

5 minutes ago, David said:

Dropped you a follow on my new private Twitter account, had to see who you’ve been drafting this time 

I feel rather special now ?

 

Either way, more important things in life than some misunderstanding, especially now the real football's back. Hopefully we'll see your face around this place like usual - it'll all be forgotten about soon enough!