The end of an era… This message Board!

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2016:05:13:21:58:30 by Cov_InPeace.

A real shame that this website will cease to be, it's one of very very few outlets for Cov fans to contribute to - to both discuss & vent, and with the current communication issues coming from the club it will be sadly and sorely missed. Thank you for your fine work, and I hope someone does decides to take over the mantle of website creating and moderating.

I am very sorry to hear that you will be closing down this website, but I quite understand your reasons.
I would like to thank you for all the assistance you have given me over the years sometimes against all adversities, and a heartfelt thanks for your personal comments.
May i wish you a peaceful summer.
I will be sending you a personal message shortly.
Tom

tom little

To James and Dave very many thanks for this msg board it has been a great pleasure to read and contribute most of the time. Through this msg board I have made a lot of friends at many clubs. One very laughable occasion was James April fools day posting which pulled a lot of peoples legs, remember CB ? Please take care Dave and I hope your health improves. It has been a great read. very many thanks.

covmick/Michael Carter

This is such a shame and Dave, we owe you and James a considerable debt of gratitude.
The thing that I find a bit strange is that, so far at least, no one has volunteered to take on the mantle of administrator/moderator. I know I am not capable, being a bit of a dynasaur when it comes to IT, but surely there must be someone out there who could assume the mantle?
Dave, please accept our sincere thanks, and best wishes for the future.

Thanks Dave and James for running what has been a lifeline for those who care about all things Coventry RFC. With the closure of this site and Tim's blog who knows where we'll get our information from in the future!

Sorry to hear that you're standing down from running this forum, and thanks for all the work you've done on it over the years.
We don't always agree on either rugby or the forum, but I have appreciated the work you have done to keep it running for so long.

Very sad news indeed. Two very respectable sources for news and debate announcing closure in the space of a few short days will leave many cov fans bereft of any club news. The offy site will have its work cut out to come anywhere near, but that is a challenge that Mr Winter must face.
Dave thank you very much for all your sterling work.

great shame that this is closing but many thanks for running it till now. i confess i didnt appreciate that it was run by a cov supporter on a voluntary basis.
i havent the IT skills to take it on but hopefully some one will step up!

Many thanks, Dave (and James) for all your efforts over the years. The Messageboard has been the mainstay on which supporters have relied for so long, providing us with information and discussion that's been unavailable elsewhere.
It's contribution in promoting the club on and off the field shouldn't be underestimated, especially when Coventry's very existence was in question.
Very sad to see it end, but entirely understandable in the circumstances.
All the very best in the future, and thank you once again for all you have done to promote Cov over such a long time.

Tim

Many thañks chaps for all your hard work, I for one will miss the nightly forage through the daily posts and news.
How will we keep up to speed with current issues? With my stone age knowledge of computers,I am most grateful for your considerable input, hopefully someone will take up the mantle.
With the new signings anounced next season could be a momentous one.
Have a great summer, roll on September.....!!

Dave,

Although I've not posted here (that I can remember), I've certainly got plenty of value out of the message board as I've transitioned slowly over the years from supporting CCFC to CRFC. So my sincere thanks for all of the work that you and James have put into it.

If you and the others can forgive me my unfortunate background in the association code, I'd certainly be willing to try to help keep this all going - or maybe start something new along the same lines.

Do you want to send me a PM perhaps, and we can discuss?

Cheers,

Russ.

Twelve years ago, eh? Blimey, if that makes me feel old I can't imagine how all you old codgers feel.

From the website's inception I never would have imagined it would grow to anything remotely what it has become now. I can safely say that it's success has been squarely down to my dad; his endless determination and patience to provide an outlet for fans of the club to worship, applaud, discuss, vent, disgrace and challenge its very existence has been remarkable.

Many things have changed in those twelve years but I will always be happy what has been achieved and most importantly I am proud of my father and what he has given to a club and community he cares very dearly about.

Cheers, Big Ears x

Quote:

Cov_InPeace
Dave,
Although I've not posted here (that I can remember), I've certainly got plenty of value out of the message board as I've transitioned slowly over the years from supporting CCFC to CRFC. So my sincere thanks for all of the work that you and James have put into it.

If you and the others can forgive me my unfortunate background in the association code, I'd certainly be willing to try to help keep this all going - or maybe start something new along the same lines.

Do you want to send me a PM perhaps, and we can discuss?

Cheers,

Russ.

I also would be willing to help keep the forum going. On the rugbynetwork.net home page there is a run your own site link, which gives a step by step guide. It's free apparently and fairly easy to do or so they suggest. Is this what you had in mind, Russ, or did you have other ideas? (Taking over management of the existing site isn't an option)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:05:03:21:11:07 by rustyroof.

Hi RR,

I've dropped the guys at SportsNetwork a line, to get their take on it. I'll ping you a PM so you've got my my contact details.

I'm doing this on the assumption that most people here would still like somewhere to post/debate stuff about CRFC and that I'm not treading on anyone's toes.

If that's not the case then please shout up now, and I'll go back into hiding!

Cheers,

Russ.

Hi Russ

Thanks for hopefully taking the reins. Can this site be active until the new one takes over or will it be a simple admin change? This site has been great for years, would be a shame for it to go.

Quote:

Mikey C
Hi Russ
Thanks for hopefully taking the reins. Can this site be active until the new one takes over or will it be a simple admin change? This site has been great for years, would be a shame for it to go.

Morning Mikey,

In truth, I don't know. I don't want to disrespect all of the previous work that James and Dave have done here to create all of this, and I also don't want to hassle Dave whilst he's got far more important things on his mind. There could be any number of reasons why just taking this site over isn't an option

As soon as there's a plan (looks like RR might be dobbed in here too!) I'll post back here. Don't get me wrong though, I've got a full-time job too, so I'm more than happy to step aside if someone else comes in with more time/ability/knowledge.

Cheers,

Russ.

James, as you know only too well I am one of the old codgers to whom you refer (such audacity from the kids these days). I was an even old codger when I fell for your April Fools trick (so did old Kimbo too, actually, heee heee) a few years back.
Whilst you may have started the message board, and then handed it on to your dad to administer when you left home to start your career path, the fact is that we owe you both a very sincere vote of thanks. I has been tremendously useful and has served as such a lively and vibrant means of communication between posters. If there are, as appears to be the case, two or three volunteers to continue with the message board, or something similar, it shows how much it is valued.
You and your dad are to be congratulated, and thanks very much.

Congratulations to you two on running one of the most useful rugby club sites I have come across.

Very best wishes for the future to both of you.

Alistair Bruten

Dave/James I have just been made aware of the closure of this forum, thank you both for keeping it alive for so long. Coventry RFC is certainly going through changes"

I am so pleased to hear that you are getting a lot better Peter. I have chatted with you and your lovely wife Jackie on occasion when me, Rob, Debbie, John and Mandy have joined you for a few drinks after games. Best wishes to you, and I look forward to buying you a beer at the start of next season

Coventry have always been one of my favorite sides, and the fact you are still here despite the manifest injustice of the play-offs and the sense of superiority and entitlement shown by Wasps who feel they are perfectly able to parachute themselves into another club's back yard.

However, as a Bristol supporter, I am aware that our Sportnetwork site is on at least its third editor/publisher so I'm not sure why this one has to cease because the current incumbent has decided to move on. I'm pretty sure several others have experienced similar transitions.

Quote:

Gray_Lensman
However, as a Bristol supporter, I am aware that our Sportnetwork site is on at least its third editor/publisher so I'm not sure why this one has to cease because the current incumbent has decided to move on. I'm pretty sure several others have experienced similar transitions.

As far as I can see yes, Sportsnetwork would continue to be a perfectly viable place to keep the forum, under new management.
Whether it's the best place I don't know.

Just to come back to everyone on this, we're (that's me and rustyroof, so far) just finalising a plan that I hope works for everyone.

In essence we'll do something that respects the wishes of Dave and James whilst keeping a forum/site going. I should have more news on this by tomorrow.

Cheers all,

Russ.

Well done, CIP and RR. I'm quite certain that a great many people (not just Cov supporters) will be very grateful to you. Your willingness to take on the Message Board is to be applauded. Thank you.

Quote:

timdouglas1
I am so pleased to hear that you are getting a lot better Peter. I have chatted with you and your lovely wife Jackie on occasion when me, Rob, Debbie, John and Mandy have joined you for a few drinks after games. Best wishes to you, and I look forward to buying you a beer at the start of next season

---

Thank you Tim' as you can see on road to recovery, bit more legible than my piece when in hospital.

CiP & RR.

First of all, thanks for planning to take on an online supporters' forum for the future. It's a valuable resource for the club, even if I can understand why the club does not want the responsibility for running an official one in house.

A few quick questions if I might.

Will the two of you be running it under your real names, or anonymously?

Cov_InPeace. I see that your account is only fairly recently active on this forum. Are you as new to it, or have you previously been posting under a different account name?

If I were to be involved, I would prefer to do it anonymously. All I would be doing as an administrator, as far as I can see, would be loading up Cov Tel articles pertaining to Cov whenever they appear. The board manages to moderate itself. So my presence as an administrator would be low-key to the point of invisibility. My sole aim is that the board continues as before.

I am happy to provide my previews of the games and reviews of the results that appear on the offy website, after publication there first.

Quote:

OldNick
CiP & RR.
First of all, thanks for planning to take on an online supporters' forum for the future. It's a valuable resource for the club, even if I can understand why the club does not want the responsibility for running an official one in house.

A few quick questions if I might.

Will the two of you be running it under your real names, or anonymously?

Cov_InPeace. I see that your account is only fairly recently active on this forum. Are you as new to it, or have you previously been posting under a different account name?

Hi Nick,

Thanks and fair questions - here's the full disclosure:

I've been around the board for a fair while, but I've only recently started posting here. I wouldn't use multiple accounts on the message board (excepting if I was separating admin duties from personal posts).

Russ is my real name, but I would rather not put my full identity on a public website. I can see that many here are happy to do so and that's fine, but forums by their nature are a place for free comment and usernames are a well-accepted way of managing the process.

Free comment, of course, does not include libel or trolling or personal abuse or the like, which is generally the point of moderation and that's why IP addresses and email addresses are kept by the provider. However, from what I've seen this is a pretty grown up place, so I don't see many issues there.

The only reason I'm volunteering for this is that I don't want to see the board die - it's too useful a source of information and debate. I've got a proper job, so I'd be more than happy to let anyone else do it if they fancy it: I'm not doing this for fame, glory or riches.

Hope that helps clarify but let me know if there's owt else. PM me if you'd prefer.

Cheers for now,

Russ.

P.S. I should add that I'm not a season ticket holder. I go to most (but not all) home games and whilst I love the club I suspect I am nowhere near as knowledgeable or dedicated to the cause as many here. For that reason, and as before, don't expect anything particularly useful from me on the postings front - I'm just here to 'facilitate' (to use a bit of management BS!).

Thanks for the answers gents.

CIP and RR - I'd like to meet you two guys if only to shake you by the hand and thank you for taking on the Message Board. Much appreciated.

Quote:

Charliebravo (Cliff Bennett)
CIP and RR - I'd like to meet you two guys if only to shake you by the hand and thank you for taking on the Message Board. Much appreciated.

No worries Cliff. In truth the real work is done by the posters like you and people like Tom snr who generously share their knowledge and information. And of course Dave and James who got it all going.

Russ.

Thank you for both stepping in to keep the unofficial alive. I know that some at the club do not like the site, but that is exactly why it needs to be kept going to allow supporters to air their views. If adverse comments are made on the official F B site they are quickly moderated, such a shame that constructive critism is ignored.

Mornings,

Just to briefly revisit this, I understand from Dave that at least one other person has now stepped into the breach and offered to keep this all going.

On that basis I'm going to step back here. I'm more than happy to help out if required, but I don't want to get in the way if there's someone else who is keen to take it on.

I know that Dave's really not well at the moment, and so I'm sure doesn't need too much traffic on this. My polite suggestion is that we give it a little time to work itself out. The good news is that regardless of who does it, the board lives on.

More importantly, hope you're feeling better soon Dave.

Cheers,

Russ.

It's all rather unclear at the moment.

First of all I'd like to say a huge thank you to all the kind messages for all the work undertaken by James and myself over the past twelve years, it has meant a lot to us.

After careful and lengthy debate we have agreed that Russ is to take over the running of the website.

Just to keep you informed Sportnetwork were going to create a new website for Russ and link it to this website, if we did not want the material on this website being used. May I add, It was never our intention to end the website if someone was willing to take over and run it correctly under the same rules. After liaising with Russ I have every faith he will adhere to this request and will go forward and do a sterling job.

I'm sure everyone will get behind Russ and wish him the very best in the coming months.

Hi Dave,

Many thanks for this, I'm sure it must feel a bit like handing over your firstborn to a complete stranger.

My line on this, which I'm quite happy to share here openly, is that if you ever want the site back (perhaps when you're feeling a bit more chipper), then it's yours for the asking. I know you've not requested this, but it seems like the decent thing to offer given all of the work you've put in.

Anyway, on that note I'll disappear for now and start to get to grips with the admin side of it. The basic idea though is that nothing much changes, the board goes on as it has under you, Dave.

Cheers,

Russ.

... ooh, I wonder what this button marked 'Set The Controls for The Heart of the Sun' does...

This is very good and most welcome news, Russ, and we owe you a significant vote of thanks. And am I right in thinking that, as you are taking over "as is", rather than Sports Network creating a new website, we will have a seamless transition?

Quote:

Charliebravo (Cliff Bennett)
This is very good and most welcome news, Russ, and we owe you a significant vote of thanks. And am I right in thinking that, as you are taking over "as is", rather than Sports Network creating a new website, we will have a seamless transition?

Absolutely, Cliff. Dave has permitted me to take over the site as is, so because of his kindness there's no need to take this out of your favourites/blocked sites (delete as appropriate).

Once I've got to grips with it, I'll be taking on help from rustyroof (assuming he's still up for it) to keep the content as fresh as possible and just to keep a general eye on things. But basically it's business as usual, and no thanks required (though your kind words are nonetheless appreciated). I'm just glad we can help keep it all going.

Just to add, I've de-stickied this thread so that the more recent threads and news start to overtake this one.

I hope this isn't seen as any disrespect to Dave and James, but I just wanted the club news to start to take over again as we move on.

Russ.

Good news all round - great work done by Dave and James, volunteers ready to preserve the site and seemingly no egos involved anywhere at all.

Thank you and best wishes