"Mark Sennett" wrote:I am disappointed with your comments but am always glad to hear any feedback. Firstly I should point out that in the end the club DID NOT see the statement before it was made public.
I couldn't agree more that we should be an independent voice of our members and the fans. This is a serious issue and hopefully you will agree with the tone and content of the statement. At the same time it should be noted that we do have to work closely with the club, a criticism of OxVox during your tenure on the committee was that it was not able to engage with the club directly.
OxVox's relationship with the club has significantly improved over the last 18 months and that is credit to the club (especially Kelvin) and the OxVox committee. Having said that we are not lap dogs for the club by any stretch of the imagination. We regularly discuss difficult issues with the club.
The issue with ticketing at this game was also a complex issue and something that we have been aware of for a while. If we didn't have the relationship we currently have with the club we would not have been privy to this information. Due to this fact many of us felt it was necessary that we should consider consulting with the club before releasing a statement.
You posted above: 'OxVox of late is turning into a farce, and a somewhat pointless group of young wannabees without meaningful direction.'
Could you please elaborate on why the Trust is becoming a farce? Our membership is at an all-time high, we showed 'teeth' during the points deduction campaign and in our statement in regards to pitch covers.
I assume the second part of the quote was a direct attack on myself and Simon. How exactly are we a pointless group of wannabees without meaningful direction??? The amount of hours that Simon and I dedicate to OxVox and the 12th Man each month would equate to a full time job for both of us that we have to balance between our own jobs and our families. We expect nothing in return and simply do the roles to the best of our ability as we are passionate about Oxford United and fellow fans. There is no ego trip involved if i wanted to get my voice heard I can do that in my day job. We do this because we want to and because not a lot of other fans are able to dedicate the time to do so in our place.
As for leadership I think Trevor is doing a great job in a role that is both challenging and with few rewards. We work on a democratic committee of 10 people from a range of backgrounds and opinions and this is not always easy to manage but IMHO Trevor is doing a fine job.
I would be delighted to hear your response and an explanation as to why you felt it necessary to criticise myself and Simon. Please don't take any of the above as a personal attack as I have always felt that you and I get on very well.
Sorry for the long reply guys. Would be interested to hear other's view on OxVox and this statement.
The statement is OK. Has it been copied to NLP for inclusion in tomorrow's issue?
There is no problem working closely with he club, in fact that is a must. But there is a problem when you think you have to run a statement in front of the club before releasing it. I'm glad to read that you changed your mind.
Having a little dig at me about my time on the committee is fine, I'm big enough and ugly enough to take it, but you should at least get your facts straight, there was never any problem with OxVox meeting with the club whilst I was on the committee. In fact I was on the first panel to meet with the club.
The issue of ticketing wasn't remotely complex. I look forward to an explanation as to why you think it was.
IMHO, OxVox is achieving relatively little. 12th man was set up and run independantly of OxVox. OxVox may wel be trying to interlope in, but don't try to pull the wool that 12th man is run by OxVox. It isn't.
I am aware that there is regular infighting to determine matters such as who will get to hand Kelvin the 12th man cheques. Frankly that's pretty pathetic.
I've got no criticism of Trevor or Simon or anyone individually. I'm not even sure why you have mentioned them.
I just think OxVox needs to re-evaluate what it stands for and find a more focussed direction, rather than meandering and achieving little.