Birch

[Mike - True Blue Tinter]

Someone is distributing posters to away fans at Palace.

This is getting ridiculous now.

 

[fcukcov]

I can't say as I've missed Peter Jones if I'm honest.

We didn’t even get a reply to a request for a prize for the raffle at the FT v TB charity match this year. Previous years Peter Jones has sorted something out. Means we raised around half of what we have in previous years.

EDIT: I have stated in the past and I still believe this to be true that Peter Jones left for his own reasons relating to health (of him or a close relative).

 

[Harbro-Fox]

Someone is distributing posters to away fans at Palace.

This is getting ridiculous now.

Dear Lord, pathetic.

Far more concerned about Saturdays fame and players coming in e.t.c. than whether Birch stays or not, maybe its because I'm a bit younger and didn't see Birch in his playing days but this really is ridiculous.

 

[SJN-Fox]

Dear Lord, pathetic.

Far more concerned about Saturdays fame and players coming in e.t.c. than whether Birch stays or not, maybe its because I'm a bit younger and didn't see Birch in his playing days but this really is ridiculous.

Like I say, it's not the Birch going per se, it's more the gradual erosion of the club into just a faceless entity. Whether you like him or not is irrelevant as is age. What's more important is the way the club seems to be distancing itself from its supporters and that should be a concern for everyone.

 

[homer]

I can't say as I've missed Peter Jones if I'm honest.

I have - he was the one person at the club who was genuinely sympathetic to the needs of the fans, often in the face of trying circumstances - particularly the actions of some of the utter wankers that the club employed, or contracted services from

Always courteous, often apologetic, sometimes quite embarrassed when picking up the peices of another corporate cock-up and actually trying to help

Always there at the end of the phone, always there to respond to emails and letters, and always seeking to provide support and assistance to fans when asked

He was never replaced, and the club now has no customer relations management whatsoever

 

[Ian Marshall]

I have - he was the one person at the club who was genuinely sympathetic to the needs of the fans, often in the face of trying circumstances - particularly the actions of some of the utter wankers that the club employed, or contracted services from

Always courteous, often apologetic, sometimes quite embarrassed when picking up the peices of another corporate cock-up and actually trying to help

Always there at the end of the phone, always there to respond to emails and letters, and always seeking to provide support and assistance to fans when asked

He was never replaced, and the club now has no customer relations management whatsoever

I spoke to Peter Jones a couple of times and found him to be communicative, concerned and willing to act on things which were important to the fans. Whether is was issues with the club itself, the ticket office or helping out with other things. He was very supportive when I asked for a few favours for the charity I run. In the end, nothing quite came off, but I really appreciated his endeavours.

I can only echo some of the positive comments therefore that people have made about the role he played at the club.

 

[fcukcov]

I have - he was the one person at the club who was genuinely sympathetic to the needs of the fans, often in the face of trying circumstances - particularly the actions of some of the utter wankers that the club employed, or contracted services from

Always courteous, often apologetic, sometimes quite embarrassed when picking up the peices of another corporate cock-up and actually trying to help

Always there at the end of the phone, always there to respond to emails and letters, and always seeking to provide support and assistance to fans when asked

He was never replaced, and the club now has no customer relations management whatsoever

Absolutely spot on Homey

 

[Matt_B]

We didn’t even get a reply to a request for a prize for the raffle at the FT v TB charity match this year. Previous years Peter Jones has sorted something out. Means we raised around half of what we have in previous years.

EDIT: I have stated in the past and I still believe this to be true that Peter Jones left for his own reasons relating to health (of him or a close relative).

I have - he was the one person at the club who was genuinely sympathetic to the needs of the fans, often in the face of trying circumstances - particularly the actions of some of the utter wankers that the club employed, or contracted services from

Always courteous, often apologetic, sometimes quite embarrassed when picking up the peices of another corporate cock-up and actually trying to help

Always there at the end of the phone, always there to respond to emails and letters, and always seeking to provide support and assistance to fans when asked

He was never replaced, and the club now has no customer relations management whatsoever

I agree, based on the one time I spoke to him. But I didn't say he didn't do anything, but I haven't missed him personally, same as I doubt I will Birch.

 

[alex]

I have - he was the one person at the club who was genuinely really in to my cadbury canal. He would often like to cuckle my gladdys just before kick off in the naughty ticket hut outside the 1884. When the Holiday Inn's roof blew off, we were exposed to the elements having been embracing in the top floor. Luckily we were under the duvet at the time.

FFS.

 

[Hazzman]

He was never replaced, and the club now has no customer relations management whatsoever

It's a generic e-mail I think which sums it all up.

Like I say, it's not the Birch going per se, it's more the gradual erosion of the club into just a faceless entity. .

That's Football full stop, it evolves. We don't have lads sitting on brick walls, we don't have pay on the gate in a literal sense, every kiosk is ran by a third party firm. It changes with the times and sadly those times are currently financial and 'customer' led.

 

[Feriol]

Maybe you should look into what Birch actually does before spouting off and alerting everyone to your ignorance on the subject.

Spouting off? People are saying its terrible that he is leaving, I asked what he does as I can't draw an opinion on the subject without knowing.
I would say its worse for people to draw opinions and support campaigns when they have no idea what he does.

 

[wiggy]

EDIT: I have stated in the past and I still believe this to be true that Peter Jones left for his own reasons relating to health (of him or a close relative).

He was pushed out by the then new Marketing Manager (who himself has since been sacked for being pish) and had them for constructive dismissal.
Since then Pete's been 'replaced' by the faceless email Fanzone lark. If you're lucky your greivances and requests are now dealt with by one of the many 16-year-old work experience monkeys in the marketing dept...

 

[Blue Maniac]

He was pushed out by the then new Marketing Manager (who himself has since been sacked for being pish) and had them for constructive dismissal.
Since then Pete's been 'replaced' by the faceless email Fanzone lark. If you're lucky your greivances and requests are now dealt with by one of the many 16-year-old work experience monkeys in the marketing dept...

Customer service at its very best in 2010.

 

[Ian Marshall]

Football with the times and sadly those times are currently financial and 'customer' led.

I accept this, but stand by my original post on the matter.

I accept that times change and then all clubs needs to be financially prudent and also that if someone is not adjudged to be adding value of any sort, then they are, by the very nature of that statement, surplus to requirements.

I think some people, and this isn't a criticism or a cheap shot at anyone on here, can get a little clouded as to what 'value' really means. I also don't want to be too critical of the club as we don't know the full details as to what is going on here, BUT I do get the impression that LCFC as an entity is a little too focussed on balance sheet assets and £££s and perhaps not focussed enough on off balance sheet assets (to list a quick few, reputation, brand, customer satisfaction, customer service, genuine PR rather than LCFC spin, stakeholder relations) etc.

Basically, we all know that Birchenall isn't everyone's cup of tea but I really do think he adds value to LCFC and its relationship with its fans and its community. With Peter Jones going previously, the erosion of customer service by the ticket office and the tireless spin of the MM/LCFC PR machine, it all just feels a lot more plastic than it really needs to.

 

[Mike - True Blue Tinter]

I echo those sentiments entirely. In 2001 I won the competition to be at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new stadium. At lunch afterwards John Elsom's wife told me that she was especially proud that directors and visitors from other clubs always said that Leicester was their favourite ground because everyone at the club treated all visitors so warmly, and genuinely cared about the club.
I sadly agree with you that the 'one big family' side of LCFC is being eroded. There are many small intangibles that contribute to a feeling of being part of a club and wanting to be involved. These all contribute in small ways to the 'bottom line' of a balance sheet. Sadly I feel the Birch is just one more such intangible that is being swept away.
If people have no caring human contact with the club, they are far less likely to invite new people to come to matches if they cannot say why City is a great club to be a part of. Even the friendly regular steward in B3 adds, in a small way, to my matchday experience.
Even more frustratingly, as any you of running busineses will know, against total running costs, adding in small, caring human touches is often very cheap and the savings made when you remove them are often more than cancelled out by subsequent loss of custom from disgruntled customers.

 

[Cate Fox]

I echo those sentiments entirely. In 2001 I won the competition to be at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new stadium. At lunch afterwards John Elsom's wife told me that she was especially proud that directors and visitors from other clubs always said that Leicester was their favourite ground because everyone at the club treated all visitors so warmly, and genuinely cared about the club.
I sadly agree with you that the 'one big family' side of LCFC is being eroded. There are many small intangibles that contribute to a feeling of being part of a club and wanting to be involved. These all contribute in small ways to the 'bottom line' of a balance sheet. Sadly I feel the Birch is just one more such intangible that is being swept away.
If people have no caring human contact with the club, they are far less likely to invite new people to come to matches if they cannot say why City is a great club to be a part of. Even the friendly regular steward in B3 adds, in a small way, to my matchday experience.
Even more frustratingly, as any you of running busineses will know, against total running costs, adding in small, caring human touches is often very cheap and the savings made when you remove them are often more than cancelled out by subsequent loss of custom from disgruntled customers.

 

[Hazzman]

I take IM's and MTBT's comments on board but quite a lot of you say in reference to business, you could simply delete 'LCFC' and insert another club. I went a fair few games as a neutral throughout the divisions last season and there were probably at best three club who seem to have a basis of a relationship with their fans. Unsurprisingly, two of them have a long history of being a non-league side.

All things said the communication and organisational side to the club this summer has been a shambles.

 

[Matt_B]

OK maybe I'm still missing this, but all of this is because he is at the national age of retirement, and unless an agreement can be reached he has to leave? It sounds like the club has given what it feels is a reasonable offer to continue with his match day duties, but he wants more?

If any of that is wrong then fine, but if it isn't, then why do people insist that the club is forcing him out? I must be missing something.

 

[Mike - True Blue Tinter]

The national age of retirement is not mandatory. It can be imposed by an employer if it chooses to. Lots of people work into their 70s or beyond. The question on here many people are asking is, why do LCFC want to remove Birch from his ambassador/charity/human, caring part of LCFC role? Anyone can announce 'The teams are now gathering in the tunnel' and blow a whistle to start a relay race for 8 year olds. It is all the important stuff they are kicking him out of.

 

[Macky]

The question on here many people are asking is, why do LCFC want to remove Birch from his ambassador/charity/human, caring part of LCFC role?

Granted. But another question a lot of people are asking is, how do we know that LCFC want to do this?