PATHETIC!!

[TLCW]

According to the official web-site the number of members currently stands at 216.
This strikes me as a pretty pathetic number.
In the summer we had 567 members. It even rose to 568 after an appeal from the board!
No doubt the low figure reflects dissatisfaction with the board- no AGM, the on-going saga of the ground development and the shirt fiasco spring to mind.
However the Board and Managers have managed to keep us in this league for five seasons which is no mean achievement and shows their commitment to the club.We have never managed five consecutive seasons in the Conference before. To put this in context you have to go back to the mid 1950's for the last time Barrow managed to go five seasons on the trot without being relegated or applying for re-election at this level or above.
It may be I am preaching to the converted here but we need to increase our membership if we are to have any credibility at this level.
I am sure most supporters want us to stay in this league. Membership is a simple way to show support for the club and raise much needed funds. We need to get out and persuade, beg and cajole friends, neighbours, workmates and relatives to become members.
Forget the shortcomings of the Board- Just do it!!

[BERSATUBOY]

I sure as heck will NOT just go out and do it. It is because of such ameteur comments from a certain Board member that I have renewed my membership. I still will do my bit but not as a member until such apology has been given.

[BERSATUBOY]

OOPS last post should HAVE NOT RENEWED

[DaveP]

If there hadn't been such an admin shambles at renewal time maybe more would have renewed!!

[xerxes]

If there hadn't been such an admin shambles at renewal time maybe more would have renewed!!

What was the admin shambles? I hadn't heard anything about this, but I maybe it explains why I haven't yet had any acknowledgment of my renewal or a new membership card, etc.

[oldtimer]

I don't often get involved in politics on here BUT..........IMHO the low figure reflects how difficult it was to renew your membership in the summer. It was impossible to renew my own membership easily online as that facility was not available. I never received a renewal letter but knowing renewal was due I had to physically go to the club shop and then, even though I'm an existing online member, had to fill in another application form. I still have no membership card and my online membership account wont open for some reason.

It was only by perseverence that I managed to renew my membership ( I still have the receipt as my only proof ), so is it surprising that any member less committed than myself would allow their membership to lapse even if unintentionally?

To renew membership of our club has been very difficult. To allow it to lapse is easy. Other organisations of which I am a member make it very easy to join and renew, but very difficult to leave. That's how it should be with our club.

I have memtioned this to the club and know that they are aware of the situation as I see it.

Rant over.

[spirit of 1990]

Your right TLCW. I haven't got mine yet, which is pathetic as I never NOT intended to renew. I always seemed to be doing something else but after your promt I WILL be getting it weekend.

It is because of such ameteur comments from a certain Board member that I have renewed my membership.

I know it was meant to say "haven't" but it's still a poor reason to be honest (well, IMO)

I suppose we're all entitled to our reasons though, but who is you NOT renewing hurting? you, us, the club that's all - so looking at it like that, it does seem a little petty to be honest.

[saltcellar]

I renewed my own and my son's memberships in early August at the club.
Was told they had no membership cards in then, but they were expected in later that week.
Was told they would be posted to me if I could not get back the following week to pick them up.
10 weeks later I still have not received them.
Sounds like a lot of people are in the same boat.

[Spanner]

To renew membership of our club has been very difficult. To allow it to lapse is easy. Other organisations of which I am a member make it very easy to join and renew, but very difficult to leave. That's how it should be with our club.

Agreed. It baffles me why the club don't strongly encourage people to join by Direct Debit. I mean, it's not one of those things where you join and think "I'll try for a year then see if I can get a better deal somewhere else". You join because you want to make a contribution and commitment to the club and know full well that you're going to get next to nothing of any value in return. So if you're going to sign up for one year then you're probably prepared to commit for a bit longer. And having done mine by DD for years, I'm sure it's less effort for all concerned in the long run.

Anyhow, with so few members (and many of those of us who remain living in exile anyway) it's no wonder they're having so much difficulty arranging an AGM...they probably can't find a venue small enough.

[barrowaberdeen]

I renewed my own and my son's memberships in early August at the club.
Was told they had no membership cards in then, but they were expected in later that week.
Was told they would be posted to me if I could not get back the following week to pick them up.
10 weeks later I still have not received them.
Sounds like a lot of people are in the same boat.

This is the boat I am sailing in also.

[LDBF]

I renewed my own and my son's memberships in early August at the club.
Was told they had no membership cards in then, but they were expected in later that week.
Was told they would be posted to me if I could not get back the following week to pick them up.
10 weeks later I still have not received them.
Sounds like a lot of people are in the same boat.

This is the boat I am sailing in also.

+2

[bafcdirect]

The number quoted on the official website is out of date and has not been updated recently unfortunately.

The number of members as of last week was just over 450 if my memory serves me correctly.

I have asked miller Waite to update the number and hopefully this will be done sometime tomorrow.

John Mackay

[tictactoe]

I have renewed my membership but not received a new card or any notification. IF we ever have an AGM will we all be allowed entry.

[EHB]

This club is so good at disengaging fans its not even funny.
I know the board are volunteers but they are also professionals, and in many cases succesful businessmen who should know that good PR is key as is looking after your loyal clients and customers. Why are we so bad at the basics. Amateur clubs are ran so much better than this.

FRUSTRATED!!! AAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!

[ant]

I renewed my own and my son's memberships in early August at the club.
Was told they had no membership cards in then, but they were expected in later that week.
Was told they would be posted to me if I could not get back the following week to pick them up.
10 weeks later I still have not received them.
Sounds like a lot of people are in the same boat.

This is the boat I am sailing in also.

Same here.