Hi Neil, you had already decided to cancel the meeting before you knew anything was going on at the Crown. I don't see why people using the other side of the pub could have really affected an informal meeting of 5 or so people. It seems it was cancelled in haste, and rather than find a quick solution it was easier to criticise. Just an observation.
One thing the OSC really struggles with is letting people know what they are doing. I have no idea of membership numbers, agendas, projects or what the membership fees are being spent on. As someone far away, this gives me no motivation to become a member. Take the website for example -
Accrington Stanley - Official Supporters Club . The next meeting is September 2012 apparently, our manager is Paul Cook and we are excited for the coming 2012 /13 season.
When I was in the UK for the first 3 months of the season I saw little activity regarding fundraising or recruiting new members and poorly attended meetings. I understand it's hard to get people volunteering but what specifically are you currently trying to get people to volunteer for? What is the supporters club currently doing to raise the profile of the club? If I can't find it while looking then it really does not seem to be working. Why are less than 1% of our 1000 core supporters actively going to meetings? Nobodies fault like I say, It just does not seem to be doing much at the moment.
Everyone has seen the Ultras go into decline and everyone acknowledges it. I think a much larger decline has happened in the OSC over the last 5 years, but it has a pat-each-the-on-the-back culture and people don't like to criticise it publicly.
I am not saying the OSC should just be there to serve the club but it does have a part to play in improving the match day experience for supporters, I think it's nowhere near to delivering its potential.
As for it being hard for a fan to have their view heard? Walk into reception, on a match day you will immediately be talking to a director, ask for Mark - he will be lurking, nobody is inaccessible. Also is the club not fan run? Joe Cirino is fan director, is the OSC the best route?
The Excellence Award? The criteria is not that high to get one and they tell you what it is. It's really sad we no longer get them.