The use of the message board

[mark]

I think it is about time we addressed the problems we seem to have as a club.

What amazes me is, that since the website was re-vamped and the message board set up, even in our successes we manage to tarnish them with needless bickering and personal vendettas.

Of course within the club there will be many who have different opinions on the matters which are brought up, however, these opinions should be discussed in a well thought out manner, avoiding any personal remarks towards the person who holds them.

As a club i fear that we are breaking apart. One only has to read through the posts to see that Preston Harriers is a club marred by jealousy and pettiness.

On a post designed to congratulate an athlete on their success on a national level it is very disappointing that someone feels it appropriate to critique the individual. To be honest, the fact is that Danni won and deserves congratulating. End of!

What pleases me, however, is that it is not a difficult matter to rectify. Quite simply, CONGRATULATE those who achieve great things, SUPPORT all our athletes and collectively lets strive to improve.

Taking heed of this, i would like to say how much I enjoyed the Northern League match at Witton park on Sunday. It was nice to see that we can pull together on the track to achieve. Thanks to all that helped make it happen and to all the athletes that represented the club.

We have some tremendous talent in so many areas within our club, which we need to nurture and support. So lets get a grip, move on, and use this message board to DISCUSS matters, with an open mind, and celebrate our club and all those who are part of it.

Mark

[rick]

mark said:

On a post designed to congratulate an athlete on their success on a national level it is very disappointing that someone feels it appropriate to critique the individual. To be honest, the fact is that Danni won and deserves congratulating. End of!

... Quite simply, CONGRATULATE those who achieve great things, SUPPORT all our athletes and collectively lets strive to improve.

Mark

Two very good points Mark.

[The Observer]

A case of an ego or two getting a little bit large at times.....I agree generally but these boards exist for people who love the club & the sport to express opinion. Problems happen when more prominent club members express their personal opinion of others eg Pete Benson naming Pete Hancock & Mr & Mrs Welfare for his resign to back down. Can of worms is opened & it carries on. There seems to be a continuing bitterness towards ex athletes or coaches offering valuable opinion as if they were some kind of outcast. Perhaps they are 'ex' for a very good reason. Just because Helen Clitheroe (dont take this personally Helen, you are an absolute star) is at the club doesnt make it a blue print for success. John Nuttall has always been a club member but if we are honest has barely turned out for the club in major events with any regularity. Top athletes are self centered, they need to be for good reason. I follow the North Fylde/Blackpool board too and dont often see this kind of infighting. Maybe its an indication of a potential power struggle within the club? To myself (and I dont know Pete Benson or Pete Hancock at all...never met them) I will say that it reflects greatly on Bob & Angela that they chose not to respond to comments made about them. Along with messrs Harries, Noblett and Warnock they have never sought to raise their personal profiles & that is the issue. Stop being so BIG TIME people & get on with the sport. Its worth it

[annefsweeney]

Using the message board to make a personal comment, I would just like to say how much I enjoyed Sunday afternoon at Witton Park. Having run a 5k race on Sat am and 10k race on Sunday am, I thought I'd go down and watch some of our real athletes competing. Being rather senior in age, I dont know the names of all our young competitors but without exception, all who I spoke to were a credit to their parents. There didnt appear to be any egos among them and all just gave their support to their teamates throughout all events. There appeared a really great team spirit among them and if there is one person who should be praised on the womens side it is Hayley who not only organised the team but even ran the 400metres race when totally unprepared for it just for the points. Not only that, but she succeeded where Bob has failed in the past by asking me in such a way that I coudnt say no to run the 1500 metres race. The fact that I was last did not stop being encouraged throughout and I actually quite enjoyed it and wouldnt be averse to taking part again.
As others have said, surely this message board should be for making observations, praise and encouragement rather than other reasons. Other means of communication should be used have personal criticisms.

[Simeon woan]

I think that we should use some kind of log-in system to record who writes what. ditch the 'guest' entry term. That way if people do step out of line, we have the details to contact that person and directly find out what needs to be addressed, sorting the point before it blows up. just an idea.

As for ego's.. I think this has to come with the job being an athlete. An ego to me is being somebody havin pride in oneself, and enjoying what they do, adding a little spice to the competition. cockyness can sometimes be mistaken for ego, as i've come across a few lads with this attitude in comps! lol

Bob is the best! uncle bob.. your number 1

[petercrook]

Mark first of all I agree with what you say.

However I suspect, as I know do others, that the people who generally stir up the trouble on the message board, are indeed ex members, who for some reason feel bitter towards the club.

Maybe it is that they feel they made the wrong decision in leaving the club and have become jealous, who knows.

It is quite clear that a couple of people posts under several user names. I believe that a check of the IP address would confirm this. It is an act of extreme cowardice in my opinion to insult another member, particularly a junior and not have the courage to leave a real name.

To that end, I fully agree with Si Woan, people should not be allowed to log in as guest. Generally the people who attempt to drive rifts in the club, post as guest. I'm no expert but would it be possible for only one username to be allowed from one IP address. I realise this may cause problems, for instance my daughter could only post from the same username as myself, but she could always introduce herself as Jessica Crook. I also realise that people may have access to computers at work, college or internet cafes, so could in any case post under a couple of names, but it may at least cut down their attempts to sabotage the board.

Whilst, differing of opinions is often healthy at a club, lets hope we never get to the stage of BWAF messageboard, which resorted to personal attacks on Coaches, Athletes and parents.

A tightening up of the log in system, may hopefully prevent this.

[rick]

First. It seems strange to me that a thread started to congratulate a fellow club member on her great achievements this summer didn't continue in the spirit that it had been started.

As the Administrator I'll go through a few options that we have on the board.

I can see IP addresses and block them. As far as i know, and I'm no expert, if someone posts under different aliases from the same machine they will have the same IP address. They could always use a different machine of course.
AOL subscribers have what is called an AOL shared proxy. If I blocked one AOL subscriber I might end up inadvertently blocking 6 other message board members.

Guest Posting vs. Members Only
I allow Guest posting in order to make it as easy as possible to use the Message Board. BW&F and Wesham who use similar message boards have a similar policy and for the most part I think it works.
I have no objections to having posters sign-on before they post. But who are you all going to call when you forget your passwords?

It was an area of the board set up at the request of the then Chairman Pete Hancock (at the request of the committee) as a place where contentious issues that appeared on the board relating to the club could be moved. e.g. The Northern League thread from last year).
It hasn't been used in earnest. An example would be if a thread got nasty it would be moved and a marker left directing people to the new location. To gain access a password is needed. I would expect that this would only be given out to paid-up members of the club and could be changed every year.

An administrator can alter or delete posts and block IP addresses. I have only had to do that on a few occasions. We've had a few mildly offensive posts and Spam from China. I did inadvertently block a couple of Anne's friends once until I found out they were just trying to be funny. If you feel a post is offensive please let me know.

Another option would be to make certain Sections of the message board for logged-on members only. Guests could read the threads but would be unable to post.

Peter. Yes. Your daughter could use your Member's log-on and simply "sign" her name at the bottom of the post. A friend of mine, who is on another board I subscribe to, uses his wife's User name rather than logging her out and signing in as himself. It sometimes gets a little confusing.

I don't know if it's possible to link a User name to an IP address in a way that it makes it impossible to log-on from another machine. If a User name is being used we, or at least the Admin people, should know who it is.

Part of the problem is the nature of message boards. Some of the nicest people I know come over in a totally different way as soon as they get in front of a computer. It's as if the usual checks that we use in the real world to keep our behaviour within acceptable limits doesn't apply on boards. added to that: the odd throw-away line that when said might be forgotten about within seconds hangs around on the Internet for months waiting to offend someone.

Those are my thoughts.

I'm happy to listen to other suggestions. We could make all or part the board members only for a trial period and see if it drives people away.

What do you all think?

[syoung]

I must say i do agree with many of the comments posted here. I do find our message board quite an aggressive forum in fact when i read the "WELL DONE DANIELLE ROONEY" thread i was shocked at some of the comments and felt it was a sad reflection on the club that people feel the need to exercise "politics" in such a public forum.


However for what it is worth here are my comments: -

- My view is that to remove the facility to comment as guest would not be an issue as I think if people have something to say they should have the strength of conviction to put their name to the comment and not hide behind anonymity.

-Ego. Define ego ? Whilst i agree it is a good thing for an athlete (or indeed anyone) to take pride in what they do, i don't think it is acceptable to do this at the expense of other peoples feelings or efforts.

Mark's comments "Quite simply, CONGRATULATE those who achieve great things, SUPPORT all our athletes and collectively lets strive to improve." are quite correct and impossible to disagree with. I think Mark captures, for me, what the club is about a place in which people can be supported to reach their personal goals regardless of if these goals are to win Olympic gold or to run once around the track. As i think both of these groups of people have an equal right to be part of Preston Harriers and should both be supported.

[The Observer]

Can I apologise for my above posting. It wasnt meant to upset or alientate anybody at all. It was written very late at night after a bottle of wine. In the sober light of day it doesnt read as it was intended too. I fully support anybody who puts time into clubs. They have my total admiration. I just find it frustrating when personal digs, if thats the right word, are made. I hope all can pull together and support each other. We are all involved in a superb sport and are lucky. I am an ex Preston Harrier. I joined another local club (near the sea & close to the tower) a few years ago due to work & travel. I am not bitter at all. I want all clubs to do well & raise the profile of athletics. I feel foolish for what I have written & so darent put my name to this. I would take too much stick at the next road race. Sorry once again & good luck