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Rob’s Column – if City were to sign Grealish….
Courtesy of the Lincolnshire Echo
If Lincoln City were to sign Jack Grealish on loan tomorrow with Everton still paying his wages, it’d be reasonable to assume most Imps fans would be in favour. Even so, there’d be a small minority not so sure. He’d be targeted by opposing defenders or our players wouldn’t be on his wavelength, they might say. Conversely, if we offered several hundred thousand for a Staveley Miners Welfare FC thirty-nine year old centre half with dodgy knees, there’d be a huge majority scratching their heads but a minority very pleased, even if most of that minority was the lad’s family.
I cite these unlikely situations to show that the club regularly set strategies and make decisions that can please nearly all of us but it’s rarely absolutely everyone who’s on board.
When the idea to cease production of a matchday programme was mooted our Trust, with two reps in the boardroom, agreed that on balance that was sensible. Clubs up and down the country are doing the same.
A number of supporters were unhappy though. A programme was, as it had been for many years, both a source of information and a keepsake of the match they attended.
Our Trust facilitated meetings with fans about it all. Surveys were carried out. Further discussion ensued with club staff. When it was clear the decision could not be reversed the challenge was put – ‘if you’re that miffed why not produce one yourselves?’
So it was that ‘Impress’ – a new ‘progzine’ with the strapline ‘By the fans for the fans’ – was launched prior to the Stevenage fixture. Co-editors Melanie Tointon and Phil Bradley developed it and sought contributions. Nervousness about its prospects soon abated when it sold out in about an hour and a half.
The next challenge is to keep it going and make it a sustainable project. But whilst the club made a decision that many supported it shows that a keen minority can achieve a lot if they have the will to do so.
Whether or not ‘Impress’ proves to be impressive in content and longevity, you have to admire the determination of fans to get it up and running. People power, especially in football, can make an impression, and you’ve got to admire that.
