No autographs please
WBAFC Training Ground. Please note under no circumstances will players be allowed to stop to sign autographs. This is not their decision. Thank you for your co-operation.
So there it is, the new sign outside the main gate at the training ground.
The club may well have very valid reasons for this sign but I can't imagine what it gains from such a gesture.
We're told the players have not had any part in this - after all what more have well-paid footballers got to do with their day after a two-hour training session? It takes, what, about two seconds to sign a piece of paper?
I've seen the look of disappointment on fans' faces when they've seen a car travelling up the drive only to discover it's a non-playing member of the club's staff leaving for a lunch break or otherwise. Clearly it's important to them.
Supporters give up their time, kids spend their school breaks watching their heroes in action on the training field and trying to grab a moment for a quick 'hello' or autograph as they leave afterwards. Playing devil's advocate, perhaps some of these autographs are finding their way onto ebay? In which case advise the players to personalise any messages. It'll only add an extra five seconds onto their time.
Sadly, whatever the reasons, it puts further distance between club and its fanbase.
That may not be regarded as a pressing issue for Albion these days, but there may come a day when the club will be desperate for fans. And while there are those who will always stick by the club, there are others who will remember this latest message of intent and use it as one of the reasons to stay away.
The new sign merely contributes to the general erosion of the relationship between the club and the supporters it should be serving.
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Chris Lepkowski - Mail man Chris Lepkowski’s view of what’s going on at West Bromwich Albion FC.
Chris,
This is seriously ridiculous on the clubs part. I am at an age where a player’s autograph doesn’t bother me anymore. But when I was a kid I wanted them.
Not a very good image to portray to younger ST holders (who’s ST has probably been paid by there parents), I had a favourite baggie player when I was younger and got his signature, no doubt most of our younger baggies do. So not to be able to get their signature is probably pretty demoralising or upsetting too them at the point of training ground.
Is there nothing a few words in the clubs ear would do?
An absoloute ridiculous decision by the club.
We aren't a big international team with millions of worldwide supporters. We are Albion a family club that should be close with the supporters.
I have NEVER been to the training ground to get autographs, but it's just being told that you CAN'T - annoying, un-neccessary and a decision that leaves me furiated
Hi Chris. I've got alot of time for yourself and your covering on the Albion. Would it be possible if you could ask the club as to why they are doing this? Otherwise fans will speculate and this is an own goal by the PR team.
When i was younger i pesterd my father to get the signatures of players. It means ALOT to the younger fans, they are the lifeblood of the football club. We are a HUGE football club, we are a family club, we always have been.
Is there any chance they could explain why they are stopping the lifeblood of the fanbase from wanting signatures?
I will try and get an answer from club. When I asked today nobody was able to give a definitive answer.
I am very upset about this decision.
We foreign fans have travelled at a considerable expense to watch the Albion and visit the Hawthorns in the good, bad and dark times.
Every time, we were given excellent treatment, and this is one of the things that kept me supporting the club for 19 yrs.
Now, we know that the club's doors are closed for us. This is hardly encouraging, especially when other clubs like Man Utd and Liverpool have a much more open policy to their fans - for example Man Utd send 2-3 players a year to Malta to visit fans.
How does the club expect us to attract new blood to start supporting the Albion with such an attitude?
Moreover, does the club really think that any of its 'star' players' signatures will be auctioned on online sites? The autographs of the likes of Regis, Statham, and Tony Brown would be worth that, however we are talking of an average squad to be honest.
Conrad
This is a very poor PR own goal from the club in my opinion. Without the next generation of supporters, all garnering their enthusiam for the club, it's players and the training ground and stadium, WBAFC is nothing. I hope the club rethinks this decision quickly.
It is sad that we live in a day and age were football clubs and their players are becoming so distant from the supporters, without whom they would be very little. Spiralling wages have probably seen to that to an extent, but when the club ringfences their players as if they are precious cargo, I thnk we are beginning to see the end of football clubs as community institutions.
I am a season ticket holder with 30 years of support under my belt. As a lad I distinctly remember being able to stand in the Halfords Lane stand near to the dressing rooms as the teams ran out. I remember Forest at home in 1979; Francis, Birtles, Anderson, Woodcock all brushed past us on the way out. Then me and my dad took our seats. Another recollection I have was from the training ground in 1983, the Easter Holidays. It was a miserable day, and me and my Grandad went to watch the players train. I stood there for an hour or so in the miserable weather - the only one there - yes I was sad (still am)! The players went to leave the pitch at the end of the session. Ron Wylie, the then manager, called them all back, and he had noticed that I had been there waiting patiently.He made sure they signed my autograph book before they ent off - the likes of Statham, Thompson, Wile, Robertson, Owen etc. I had a soft spot for Wylie after that , even though he was out of his depth at the time.
Stories like that have galvanised the loyalty of supporters through the ages - what will happen to the kids' loyalties now?
Chris, I note this move by the Club with the same dismay as expressed by others above. Without explanations it becomes an afront to all supporters whether or not they ever go to the training ground themselves. I'm a grandad encouraging my gransons to "take the faith" - I'd hate to have to disappoint them by discouraging any attempt for them to fulfill what is any young boys dream of going to meet their heroes in this way.
Can you tell me too whether or not there is an attempt to change the demography in the club - they keep saying " no concession seats will be available in the West stand" when booking comes on line for games.
HI Chris,
I cannot understand these type of decisions on an otherwise well run club.
I sometimes wonder if the management at director level have forgotten the roots and the ‘type’ of business football is.
That although it can (hopefully) be run along good business practices that is in common with other business it has a uniqueness common ONLY to football.
Most of us support a club that a loved a family member followed, and then was taken along to our first game as ‘right of passage’
Can still remember coming over the top of the Brummie Road end terrace, standing in amazement on seeing the Hawthorns for the first time, the grass was so green, the smells, noise and excitement of the crowd.
These were the times of Ray Potter, Bobby Cram. Chippy Clark. Stan Jones, etc.
Younger supporters were passed down to the front an experience that has stayed with me the rest of my life, we felt part of a whole, then in turn I have converted my children to Baggies, and so the line continues.
Standing outside the player’s entrance, collecting autographs, having pictures taken, cutting out newspaper paper for the scrap book, was all part of the experience of football for the young supporter.
Rather than banning the signing of autographs they should encourage the younger supporter and all actives that secure the future of the club we love.
This is the true nature of the ‘football business’
I believe that all under eights should be free!
My first season was spent being allowed to ‘duck’ under the turnstile.
The thought being, if you were small enough to get ‘under’ you were too young to pay.
Please reconsider, reach out into the community, lets build a well run club we can be proud off and the future is secure!