BANNED FROM FINCH FARM

[Tubey]

I got a reply from Elstone and he cc'd Mark Rowan on the reply, unsurprisingly doesn't say much other than he is aware of this and that they have explained the decision in full and are not willing to discuss it further.

I'll try and paste it in here when I'm at a computer but its not particularly interesting reading. I replied almost immediately and got another reply after about 10 minutes basically repeating what he'd already said.

 

[Bungle]

Attempt at copying and pasting from my phone

First Reply

'We thought through our decision carefully and considered all the facts available to us.

The details will remain private.

I have to say I do not recognise the Club you describe nor the personnel you identify. Our reputation is different and one we have worked hard to develop. We would not wish to jeopardise that. We will continue to preserve and enhance it.

Yours sincerely

Robert Elstone'

2nd Reply

'I, of course know the person you are talking about. I do not recognise the personnel you refer to nor the attitude that apparently seeps out of the Club.

Our decision has been explained in full.

Robert

When he says that he does recognise the club or staff I'm talking about he's referring to me calling them a bunch of twa*s, although I did it in a polite way. With hindsight I might have got further had I not laid into them.

 

[tommye]

right. Sent an email to mark rowan earlier. Basically outlining my disgust at AB's treatment and why i won't be spending any of my hard earned at any official outlet. His response was

From: Mark Rowan (Everton) 



Tommy,

I appreciate the email and the feedback.

Unfortunately, I cannot go into details on this as it is a private matter.


What I can disclose is the decision was taken after due thought and
consideration by a number of senior of club officials.
Decisions of this
nature are never taken lightly.


Can I also make you aware that this situation does not relate to the
content of any of the match reports posted.


I duly note your comments re merchandise and am disappointed you feel this
way. 


Kind regards


Mark Rowan



 

[Goat]

"Can I also make you aware that this situation does not relate to the
 content of any of the match reports posted.

"

 

[Tubey]

"Can I also make you aware that this situation does not relate to the
 content of any of the match reports posted.

"

That's a load of crap.

In September 2011, I was denied access to Finch Farm on the grounds that I was from ToffeeWeb / GrandOldTeam. I had been attending and writing for over 12 months but someone at the Club decided enough was enough. Thankfully, the Club changed their mind on banning me and I was allowed to support the Club.

I have no reason to disbelieve the above statement and that was a while ago - and has not been disputed by anybody, including Dan. So if they changed their minds on the ban, that means they acknowledged the initial reason for the ban was the journalism for GOT.

It seems ridiculously far fetched to believe that isn't at the very backbone of what has happened here.

The saddest thing about this whole thing (other than a Blue being thoroughly shafted by these idiots, obviously) is that the club have managed to turn the fairest Evertonian forum on the internet completely against them in one fell swoop, for no reason whatsoever.

I'd understand it if GOT was involved with the Blue Union or KEIOC, but it's not. I'd even understand it if it had the tone that Toffeeweb can adopt. But without a shred of bias this is comfortably the most neutral Everton website out there.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

"Can I also make you aware that this situation does not relate to the
 content of any of the match reports posted.

"

I was about to copy and paste the same.

 

[Sharpys top lip]

That's a slap in the face.

 

[tommye]

just replied asking him to come onto the forum to explain the clubs decision. Not holding my breath like. . . . .

 

[noharmdone]

Lads, im donning my kevlar hat here, but Im amazed you even got a reply ! Let alone one like this ?

 

[Anonymous]

Go for.......

I honestly don't think she's allowed to. She'll be given a brief and instructed what to engage with and what not to on social media. The account is Everton branded and the club are paranoid and frightened to death of actual engagement with the fans so all you will see on there is the odd response to somebody who says something nice.

I'm 99% certain that she won't respond to you, but I honestly wouldn't hold it against her personally if she doesn't.

Aim for Tyrrell, Rowan and Elstone tbh.

Alan Irvine.

Rowan & Elstone are not based at Finch.

This is an outrage, though I'm absolutely certain I know the reasons why they've stopped you attending and can understand a few of them. I can also explain how it's a bit hypocritical and how your suggestions were very valid. But, not for the world to see.

 

[tommye]

Alan Irvine.

Rowan & Elstone are not based at Finch.

This is an outrage, though I'm absolutely certain I know the reasons why they've stopped you attending and can understand a few of them. I can also explain how it's a bit hypocritical and how your suggestions were very valid. But, not for the world to see.

Can you not give an outline to your thoughts?

 

[Tubey]

Alan Irvine.

Rowan & Elstone are not based at Finch.

This is an outrage, though I'm absolutely certain I know the reasons why they've stopped you attending and can understand a few of them. I can also explain how it's a bit hypocritical and how your suggestions were very valid. But, not for the world to see.

Although Irvine is head of the academy, I think it's a decision from a bit higher up than that. Indeed, the OP mentions Rowan etc. as at the meeting he went to. Correspondence to Irvine may have an effect and be dragged up the scale to the boardroom, but to be frank we have a press officer for the exact purpose that fan interaction is streamlined and, supposedly, dealt with properly. It's just a shame we have the largest group of morons imaginable in key positions who are souring relations constantly.

I think there's an easy solution for Everton here, but they won't take it. Simply, interact properly with the fans - accepting an interview with the owner of the most influential, unbiased Everton fansite on the internet instead of burying their heads in the sand may be a decent place to start....

If the reasons you believe exist is in regards to safeguarding, I'd agree with you, except there's no documented complaint as far as I can see, no police involvement, no records of harassment, nothing sinister ever seen on social media, and the guy has been doing this type of thing for years and years without a sniff of a complaint until he started publishing reports on GOT.

Coincidence?

 

[Anonymous]

They ring true with guidance given by clubs youth academies due to the implementation of the EPPP. Every club has tightened EVERYTHING now due to the lifts on restricted access to other clubs.

 

[Joao Moutinho]

Alan Irvine.

Rowan & Elstone are not based at Finch.

This is an outrage, though I'm absolutely certain I know the reasons why they've stopped you attending and can understand a few of them. I can also explain how it's a bit hypocritical and how your suggestions were very valid. But, not for the world to see.

Can you not give us a hint in the right direction?

 

[Anonymous]

Although Irvine is head of the academy, I think it's a decision from a bit higher up than that. Indeed, the OP mentions Rowan etc. as at the meeting he went to. Correspondence to Irvine may have an effect and be dragged up the scale to the boardroom, but to be frank we have a press officer for the exact purpose that fan interaction is streamlined and, supposedly, dealt with properly. It's just a shame we have the largest group of morons imaginable in key positions who are souring relations constantly.

I think there's an easy solution for Everton here, but they won't take it. Simply, interact properly with the fans - accepting an interview with the owner of the most influential, unbiased Everton fansite on the internet instead of burying their heads in the sand may be a decent place to start....

If the reasons you believe exist is in regards to safeguarding, I'd agree with you, except there's no documented complaint as far as I can see, no police involvement, no records of harassment, nothing sinister ever seen on social media, and the guy has been doing this type of thing for years and years without a sniff of a complaint until he started publishing reports on GOT.

Coincidence?

On the first point - the press officer represents the company, not its customers. And that's what they're seeing us as. Not fans anymore. People's club my arse.

Secondly, I totally agree with the fan interraction

Finally, it sort of is to do with safeguarding but also other stuff too.