Have to agree with @Dr.Spacemanon this. I’ve read the responses to my last post and they come across lacking in any tolerance for people giving up their own time to turnaround what the NUST was to what it is slowly forming. Some people clearly struggle to separate the old NUST and the new NUST which is still in an embryonic phase I feel.
”I didn't stand previously because I didn't have time to commit to it as I know what's required - it's basically like being a director of a company - and let's be clear, they did volunteer. They want this responsibility. Unfortunately if you're going to be responsible then you have to be accountable per not just the rules but the regulations (laws) which govern being a Trust board member.”
This one for example encapsulates the main issues quite well…
You assume those who took it upon themselves to volunteer to have a load of time on their hands or know what they were getting themselves into. The answer most likely is no on both accounts but they volunteered anyway and are doing quite well and have come a long way in a couple of years. Baring in mind mostly under an Ashley ownership it will be interesting to see how they progress under what seems a far more receptive ownership so maybe the time for judgement should be in the coming couple of years not the previous ones.
I may remember incorrectly but out of the thousands of fans who could’ve put themselves forward for election I only seem to recall a grand total of around a dozen people who offered to try their best which was put to a vote and reduced to around half a dozen if I recall. (Personally I would’ve let everyone on and share the load and see where the first 12 months got you with each other’s strengths and weaknesses but they didn’t and no one raised it as an issue so a mute point perhaps but maybe something that might be considered in the future as people offering to help freely should never be dismissed).
So on that note you can still volunteer and offer what time you do have spare to either officially or unofficially to assist the NUST. Reading into your intentions and contrary to what you state it comes across that you might have a bit too much time on your hands to be honest. Let it be known if you were to stand I’ll happily vote for you but with no expectation of your overall time sacrificed and contribution only for any to be a positive one for its members. I’m sure I’ll get my ten pounds worth over the rest of my lifetime.
As for the @Heronsituation before commenting on it I’d like to make it clear I see him as a friend of mine along with @Greg so when I got wind @Heronhad quit the NUST my only concern was if he was ok and his friendship with @Gregwas ok which they both confirmed so. That’s because I see both these individuals for what they. Two fans of a club they dearly love and two absolute gentlemen always trying their best with whatever I’ve been involved with them in, wether it be SackPardew.Com, AshleyOut.Com and to a far far lesser extent from myself WorFlags and NUST.
Ive seen first hand the great sacrifices they’ve made and continue to make for the greater good of this club of ours and for that alone I guess I write this defence of both along with the agreeing with @Dr.Spacemanthat the level of expectation from the NUST is unrealistic and genuinely wonder if some think it’s this big powerful organisation. Maybe one day it might become that but it certainly is a long way from that currently.
I personally from the outside wished as a friend I would’ve had chance to speak to @Heronbefore he quit NUST as I would’ve encouraged him that it’s easier to make change within an organisation than from outside one. I thought his spell was far too short to expect great change and maybe give balance to a vision of the NUST he represents among the fan base alongside the vision of the NUST perhaps @Gregrepresents. His decision however to quit I’ve never once criticised as it was his choice and only he knows how he felt at the time but not only that it was his personal time he was giving up unpaid. The same goes for @Greg. I never took up the Pledge 1892 scheme as personally without any hint of hindsight felt it was clear to me it was going to end the way it has. However it was still a positive incentive with a lot of hard work put in freely again and I had no issues with it and hoped even for them to prove my scepticism unfounded and even though it didn’t it’s going to still have a massive positive effect on the local area if not the club itself directly. Those suggesting it distracted them for the real task in hand also may want to remind themselves of the stone wall which was the ownership at the timeframe this took form under. No one really cared about loyalty points or season ticket sale dates etc then.
“If good men sit idly by and all that...”
You might want to reflect on that statement and hopefully see the irony of the juxtaposition reflect back at you.
Anyway, together stronger…
