YTFC Forum

darren · Joined: 28 Dec 2005 Posts: 334 Location: Yeovil, Somerset

I received the letter below today, and have had a bit of time to think about this.

I have no problem at all with the removal of the club logo from this site. However, I note with interest that forums such as the one run by rivals.net continue to have the club's logo. Bearing in mind that their forum contains many libellous statements and is often full of abuse towards the club, I am surprised the club has not requested it's removal.

Also, a quick search on the Internet identifies many other sites, fan sites or other forums that contain the club's logo. I do consider it unfair that these sites continue to display this logo, bearing in mind that they are not associated with the club.

I was not asking for the club to form a partnership, or to even have any reciprocal links. All I was offering was the opportunity to establish a dialogue between this forum and the club. A working relationship, so that any posts that the club were unhappy with could be removed if the club gave a valid reason. If the club continue in this vein, I will be less likely to react to any requests for removal of posts in future.

I do wish to point out at this stage that this forum is independant of the club and will continue to be.

Mr Hopper pointed out that all the club got in return for it's 'transparency' was anonymous criticism. That is incorrect. There were views on both sides of the debate, unfortunately the club seems to have a blinkered and distorted view of this. If they didn't, they would also be aware of the generally positive views that came out once Mr Webb broke his silence.

I note the comments about a Football League discussion on a Code of Practice for football forums. This is something I was not aware of until today, and the various owners of other team's football clubs I have contacted today are also not aware. Therefore, how can a Code of Practice be devised for forums when the forums themselves are not able to participate in the discussion? Codes of Practice are voluntary.

The club still point out the fact that the forum hides behind 'blatant anonymity'. This is simply untrue. I have fully identified the company that is behind this forum, and myself. Posters on this forum are also not anonymous - anyone can be identified by IP address amongst other data under a Court Order. I am sure Mr Hopper, having done his research is aware of this fact. Bearing in mind that I have fully identified myself to Mr Hopper, I am puzzled as to why the letter was addressed to me personally, and not to myself through my company.

Please feel free to comment on this matter. I will be issuing a press release later this week to the local press in order to defend this forum's position.

bowerboy · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 619

"we do not wish to have any relationship with any forum due to the blatant anonymity they continue to hide behind. "

This is the line in the clubs response that has got my back up. :evil:

I respect your point of view with this letter and fully support the independency of the forum and the freedom of free speech!

For me this stance with the fans is tarring us all with the same brush and as bad influences and as not having the club at heart. :shock: This is an own goal IMO and another incident that shows how the club has failed to move forward in this area. The internet and this sort of forum is the future and the club has failed to embrace the good these can do and work together in dealing with the minority element they say are working to destroy the club.

This sort of incident just goes to show me that the club has not got my interests on there agenda and only wish to take my money and I have no voice unless I am a member of one of the official supporters clubs/ organisations.

Well 35 years supporting this club and I have to say this is one of the saddest days for me personally. I now just like the club have to consider my position and possible withdraw my financial support from the club in every way. :cry:

I now must write to Mr Fry so that I can explain how the clubs actions and allegations over the last few weeks have done nothing to improve relations with the fan base only destroy it. He can pass my letter to the press office for a standard reply back to me. :roll:

If the club do read this unofficial site and wish to take issue with this post they can contact me! They have my address I have been a season ticket holder long enough.

Keith Chinn –AKA, bowerboy

Somertonian · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 145

I understand the concerns of the club to some extent.

Some of the criticism has been unwarranted and potentially libellous. The identity of the poster is not immediately clear and this anonymity gives them the confidence to make their sometimes wild accusations.

IP addresses do not necessarily identify an individual in a way that could stand up in court. I could register from an Internet Cafe/College/Library etc and still make these claims. The only way that comes to mind immediately would be for a token fee to be charged that required to be paid by credit card. This would, in all probability, limit the number of users but that would not necessarily be a bad thing. Although I don't always agre with some of my own posts (!) I would be prepared to defend, explain or apologise for my views as necessary.

The issue regarding the 'club' crest is interesting. I doubt that any particular copyright exists for the crest as it probably belongs to the town of Yeovil and is in the public domain (I could be wrong about this). Even if the crest was subject to copyright laws, a minor change to the detail would probably getr around the laws. I consider it unlikely that a non-profit making forum would be found guilty of breach of copyright anyway and it would be unwise of the club to pursue such a matter beyond a gentle request via solicitor's letter.

It's important at this stage to not sour the relationship between the fans and the club any further. I believe a meeting between thye relevant parties should be able to put this matter to bed once and for all.

Personally, one of the things that really attracted me to watch football at HP was the happy, 'family' atmosphere. I don't mind the club losing occasionally and it wouldn'y overly bother me if the club was relegated back to the conference but the bickering and bad-feeling does make me less inclined to renew my season ticket next season.

BTW, if anybody at the club wants my home address, mobile number etc., please just ask.

:)

S

Green-day · Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Posts: 15

Surely the club logo actually belongs to the council if I remember correctly. So it is not really for the club to tell you to take it down.