The Unwritten Rules of the COYS Saints and Sinners Board
By COYSDC Limited
January 6 2015
There has been some debate about what is, and is not acceptable on the Saints and Sinners message board of ComeOnYouSaints.com. In order to clarify some of the whys and wherefores of the site, we produced some time ago a list of "do's and don'ts” for the site. This not something we have felt the need to revisit, as we are dealing with a (mostly) adult reader/postership, but events of the last few months lead us to believe that it would be useful for some people to know where the boundaries are.
The UNWRITTEN rules of COYS Saints & Sinners Message Board
These rules are not prescriptive, exhaustive, or even mandatory, but the site does need to protect itself from any legal action. So imagine the following to be like a good contract. Read it once, and then file it away, with hopefully no need to ever to return to it!
Why is this site not Facebook?
COYS was originally set up on the old GeoCities web services and was taken into the Rivals organization by the founder, Chris Gleadell. The business model for Rivals very soon became untenable, and Durham Associates, a PR and Marketing Communications company, set up Sportnetwork and offered a home to the sites that had been on Rivals and widened the network to include many other sport’s sites. It is now the largest Network of unofficial supporters sites in the U.K. with the fastest growing sports-based web portal serving over 10 million page impressions per month (and growing) to more than 500,000 unique users – offering a perfect advertising and sponsorship platform for brands looking for a young, sport-mad, male marketplace. Click here to open a new browser window to visit the site.
When the founders of ComeOnYouSaints decided to step back, a not-for-profit company – COYSDC Limited - was set up and shares offered to raise the capital to buy them out and ensure that the site moved forward. The current board comprises:
Jonathan Stockham
Tim Empson
Wilma Thomson
Phil Hollis
The role of COYS is to publish a News-Based discussion board, which in turn helps to generate the revenues to keep the Network viable. COYS is usually at or near the top of the Rugby sites, which is why our requests for articles and previews/reviews are so important.
This is the current leader board for the rugby network (January 2015)
| Site | Views | Visitors |
| Comeonmylovers.co.uk | 25278 | 2743 |
| ComeOnYouSaints.com | 20291 | 1960 |
| DrunkenWasps.com | 19588 | 1709 |
| TheLeicesterTigers.co.uk | 14277 | 1231 |
| The Craic www.londonirish.org | 13696 | 1271 |
| ComeAllWithin.co.uk | 12658 | 1571 |
| bristolrugby.net | 11327 | 1169 |
| TheSaracens.com | 10556 | 1258 |
| Comeonyouwarriors.co.uk | 9540 | 1103 |
| SaleRugby.co.uk | 7893 | 1152 |
The Saints and Sinners Board on this Network has been in use for over 15 years. It is not connected with the recently set up “Saints Sinners" group on Facebook.
We have a Facebook presence for emergency communications - it can be found here
The (un)written COYSDC rules
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There is such a thing as free speech, but only if you're prepared to pay the legal bills. Postings of a libelous or inflammatory nature will be removed. This applies to messages about players, opposition, referees, other posters, etc. It's best to say "I think Player Y is better than Player X because..." rather than just "Player X is useless." (Criticism should always be constructive with basis in fact as the poster sees it) “IHMO” is a good rule of thumb as a starting point for such posts.
Good-humoured banter can be expected from all quarters. If you feel something is offensive, or have any complaints, report it to an administrator at once.
Please keep any pictures in messages (including signatures) to a reasonable size - just because a lot of people now have broadband it doesn’t mean everyone has. When submitting photos to editors@comeonyousaints.com , please try and put a label on each one, describing the action.
For legibility reasons, we much prefer messages in English as opposed to "text speak". Bad language, even using ***'s, is not allowed - there are many youngsters who read this site.
Posting under multiple names to put weight behind your own ideas ("sockpuppeting") is frowned upon, except, of course, when done in an overtly comic manner.
Golden rule - don't say anything on the message board you wouldn't say to someone's face. Especially when some posters are bigger than others! If in doubt, best to leave it.
Saints and Sinners Board is for Rugby Related items BUT FRIDAY IS ANYTHING GOES DAY when this rule does not apply
NO SPAM. All spam messages will be deleted. In addition unagreed adverts or links to other sites which can be construed as “Click-Bait” will also be deleted.
Do not link to or advertise sites, which offer free to air streaming of Paid for TV matches. There will be zero tolerance of posters who do this on the site.
Non-Saints or rugby-related messages should be on FLATT EARTH. (Although we are considering the future of this site). Threads that start on topic and veer away (as many often do) are OK.
Just because you disagree with someone's views, this is no reason to attack them. This site encourages reasoned debate, and indeed delights in rambling waffle. As long as it's within reason. If people disagree with you, it’s just that, they disagree with you. If many people disagree with you, its just that, many people disagree with you. It’s not a clique ganging up on you. Further reading suggestion
The editors do not like deleting posts but, if we feel the need to, we will. This isn't a democracy and our decisions are final.
Don't think we're cliquey or "closed shop" because we've put these rules down, we have to draw certain lines or we'll be in deep trouble.
Errr.............that's it
If you don't like the above perhaps you should consider where you want to post - other rugby websites and forums are available and can be found by the click of a mouse.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Bridesmaids no more.
My following point is raised in the context that the Editors/Board make this enjoyable forum possible for which I am incredibly appreciative.
Whilst recognising this isn't a democracy; it has always struck me that the Editors endeavour to foster a fair culture and moderate as consistently as humanly possible.
I still struggle to understand why raising recruitment (which to be a rounded discussion can involve discussing existing player gaps/performance) is viewed as inflammatory whilst threads accusing a referee of wilful cheating (Steve Walsh refereeing England) or threads accusing another club of breaking the salary cap or posts suggesting players had a terrible performance/should be dropped/lose captaincy etc are any less inflammatory. (As an aside, I'm not advocating these threads/posts be removed).
This is the one area I seem to fall foul of the rules and have had a couple of posts/threads deleted.
Recruitment posts are usually one of the most read threads so clearly there is a genuine interest from a significant proportion of readers. Similar threads which allow discussion of player performance are also popular on other teams' fora.
To minimise the risk of upsetting people I've even tried giving a warning at the start of a post that the contents would talk about recruitment with reference to player performance so please don't read if this is likely to upset you.
If the answer is simply that any such discussions will always be something the Editors view as inflammatory whilst the other examples are not considered such that's fine. If the answer is simply its not a democracy so tough without an explanation that would be a shame but equally is your prerogative.
P.S. Would I be prepared to say what I write to the face of a player. Absolutely Yes. It's not personal and the aim is always focused on how can the Saints team be improved.
But to emphasise: However you choose to respond, thanks once again for taking the time out to set out the standards you apply and making this forum possible.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" Evelyn Beatrice Hall
I would perhaps add one other rule - exhortation
Please treat all other posters with respect - whoever they are -good manners cost nothing and actually help us all to get along.
Quote:Non-Saints or rugby-related messages should be on FLATT EARTH. (Although we are considering the future of this site).
Do what you will to the site, but some of us have become attached to the name.....
"Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it."
-- Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161-180 A.D.
So when people say, I can't say what I want, when clearly they can because as far as I'm aware no transfer posts have been deleted I tend to think their real problem is they don't like people disagreeing with them.
Same with refs though I suspect most gave up that counter argument long ago because the same people talk tosh each and every week on the subject.
I still find it incredible that so many other companies promote facebook and twitter. I just don't get the anti-social media thing at all. Don't people want to have private lives anymore?
Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2015:01:07:11:06:01 by Bob Stainsby.
Is it reasonable to be rude to or about anybody else - no (IMHO).
Is it reasonable for someone to raise any topic (eg recruitment) for discussion - probably yes ? (IMHO)
Is it reasonable for somebody else to object to the topic being raised at all, especially if they say why - probably ? Mind you once it's clear that a majority are interested enough to post it's probably best to put up and shut up (IMHO)
Do unto others as you would be done by ? Most definitely (IMHO) so offer a logical argument but don't abuse, scorn or ridicule them for posting it.
Terrace 'B' next to Mav, Shaddo, AB, Jeremy and Spud.
Quote:St Bleach
back in the day, Fridays on COYS saw much humour and merriment which seems to have diminished over the years. We opened our PC's to be greeted by the latest verse from WMS, there were jokes and everything was a little 'lighter' - it would be nice to see a return to traditional Fridays.
We will try to actively encourage this (within the bounds of decency!). Taking ourselves too seriously leads to depression.
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
Quote:tedge
Is it reasonable for somebody else to object to the topic being raised at all, especially if they say why - probably ? Mind you once it's clear that a majority are interested enough to post it's probably best to put up and shut up (IMHO)
Couldn't disagree more. Are you saying the minority or lone poster should be quiet then because majority rules? They shouldn't have their say just because more people disagree with it? Its about debate, not everyone being in agreement and group hugs all round surely?
Quote:fair_weather_fan
You can expect different standards of behaviour from the slightly more mature folk that gained language skills by actually talking face to face compared to those brought up in the era of email and the text message.
sez u gramps lol*
_____________________________________________
The lowest depth to which people can sink before God is defined by the word 'journalist'.
Soren Kierkegaard
Too many times lately we get I know something but can't say or tell who told me.
Should be either tell it or don't post you know something. Whether right or wrong!
Is there a call centre I can telephone?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:01:07:18:46:17 by Longers.
Quote:Longers
This is all very well, but how,do,I find out what the unwritten rules are?
Is there a call centre I can telephone?
We are in the process of setting a call centre up, Longers, but costs are an issue so it will probably have to be abroad...
...in Leicester.
Re the rumour type thread I am such a fence sitter I have splinters in unmentionable places. Yes I sometimes hear something and could post it as a rumour. I cannot name sources as it is not good to them and would stop some info flow. So I usually choose not to say anything. However, as a reader I enjoy some of the rumours - but never about someone's personal life - so rumours x may leave as he has fallen out with his wife girlfriend team mate are in my view off limits.
As I say no easy answer and we will upset some people some of the time.
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
Quote:Chris G
Saint Maul, read the paragraph about people disagreeing with you, its just that not some driven band of authorised people gagging people talking about transfers just some, like me, saying the vast majority of the time its a load of old tosh. Your view, my view, who is gagging who?
So when people say, I can't say what I want, when clearly they can because as far as I'm aware no transfer posts have been deleted I tend to think their real problem is they don't like people disagreeing with them.
Same with refs though I suspect most gave up that counter argument long ago because the same people talk tosh each and every week on the subject.
As a wise man once said, there is my view, there is the other person's view and then there is the truth.
Some of the most fun posts are where people have different views and articulate them well. The thread on Fly Half Speculation just below this thread is a great example. Lots of differing views from own which are well-articulated. Personally I find posts that offer a different view to mine as more interesting. I've changed my view plenty of times in light of well-reasoned debate.
That thread an example of this board at its best. Informed debate without anyone saying we shouldn't be discussing these things even if there is an implicit underlying point that our existing flyhalf options needed to be bolstered.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" Evelyn Beatrice Hall
The more views the merrier. Sometimes I'll react to a post but that's very different from wanting somebody gagged for holding a differing view.
I had a transfer post deleted only a week or two ago. And then when two other posters questioned the validity of deleting my post, their posts were deleted and the thread closed. Whilst a post disagreeing with me wasn't deleted.
What did I say that was so inflammatory? I said a particular player had always given 100% but was very expensive as a 3rd choice and therefore questioned if we might be better off not re-signing him and using the money elsewhere. I also said with his pedigree he'd easily get another contract elsewhere.
I also put a warning at the top of the post advising people not to read it if they were likely to be offended by discussion of player performance/retention.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" Evelyn Beatrice Hall
I enjoy the transfer rumour mill, just saying.