Do you think the required change of tack could be summarized as moving from fantasy to reality Chesh ?
Swiss, we are caught up in the reality that is modern football.
Football used to be about history, about belonging, about playing for the shirt, about playing for pride, about being the club from where you lived. Those years are long gone.
You are looking for people who are going to invest in the club who understand football, understand the club and its history, appreciate its fans.
You are looking for players who play for the shirt, the club and the fans.
You are looking for a long term sustainable plan.
All of that is almost fantasy in today's football world and there are very few clubs where that happens.
We have investors, one of whom lives in the fantasy world of being involved with football and the associated limelight. That is not Rovers but it gets him into clubs and associations where he can get that. The other investors know nothing of the club and I believe have been hoodwinked into their investment. They are now realising the reality and the cost.
Modern footballers are short term contract players, few of whom have any loyalty to their club and will move to get something better if they can, or look to secure the contract that will get them the most for their short time in football. They enjoy the adulation if it is there. There are sometimes those who may be playing above their talent level [like say Stuart Sinclair] will interact with fans and be grateful for it. Most though are temporary staff who will go through the motions if required, and as seen yesterday often won't.
There have been few Bristol Rovers owners, who have fitted the model you are looking for. Geoff Dunford looked as if he could but there was no long term sustainable plan to develop the Mem or the club. Higgs came close to that with the student accommodation, but then bottled it when the student people walked away. There were others to talk to but he wasn't interested. Even those two got a lot out of the association with the Rovers, e.g. GD with the use of the Beeches, and he was even willing to get back into bed with Clark Osborne with the South Gloucestershire Arena project. Look at the destruction Osborne had caused getting us out of Eastville and now with Torquay!
The one constant is the fans and even they are now so divided following the B***** years that they are not willing to give the new manager the same time, respect and opportunity they gave B*****. The guts and heart has been torn out of much of the fanbase.
I am 67 and I no longer expect Rovers to go anywhere other than occasional forays near the play offs, a cup run of sorts perhaps every 10 years, and for someone to funds the losses made from their own mistakes or lack of planning for sustainability. My frustration is now turning to acceptance. Yesterday I sang, shouted, cheered, hung my head in my heads and as always, accepted defeat, knowing this is about as good [or as bad] as it gets. Most of the Gasheads yesterday would have spent £80 to £180 each to get there from all parts. I was lucky, I live up the road.
I know you keep shouting Swiss, but it is in an echo chamber. Every time I see you post I know you have the club at heart.
But I now realise, this is reality. This is Rovers. There was a time when there was an opportunity for change when Mike Turl, Kevin Spencer, Colin Williams, etc were involved and there was a load of talented people in the background who could have helped, like Les Fry, John Malyckyj and others. They were pushed out as the Board were frightened of change and losing influence.
The 'Gas' will always be part of my life, memories and history. But we are where we are and that is the reality. Best regards Terry