*** EXTRA Fans' Forum - Weds 25th Nov ***

[STAR Voice]

We're running another Fans' Forum next week - in the Royals Suite (not the Princess Suite) at the MadStad on Weds 25th November, staring at 7.30 pm (not 8 pm as usual).

This will be a bit different to the usual type - a lot less formal than usual, with no "press conference" stylee top table etc. In attaendance to answer questions will be Brendan Rodgers and a number of players (we have an idea who will be there but these still need to be confirmed). there'll also be time for autopgraphs and phots at the end of the evening.

As usual, admission is free for STAR members, and you can join us on the night.

Apologies for the late notice of this - it's been complicated putting this together, and it's only been confirmed yesterday.

http://tinyurl.com/yechknl

[Barry the bird boggler]

Sounds brilliant, well done to STAR for organising such an event.

[TFF]

Why the change in format?

I can't make this one which is a pity but surely the usual format is more inclusive, everyone hearing the questions and the answers.

This way BR is going to be asked 20x "relieved?" and 20x "loan striker?" and there won't be such a comprehensive round up in Reading Matter for those of us that weren't there.

[STAR Voice]

We want it to be more of a conversation than what we usually have, which is much more ofa "press confeence."

So we're going to use what is known as a "goldfish bowl" format. We have a circle of chairs in the middle (the "bowl") and anyone can join that circle, with the only rules being that only people sitting in the bowl can talk, and there muct always be one empty chair in the "bowl". This means that if someone nw joins, someone has to leave - the person who's been talking teh longest or who teh conversation has moved away from. We'll have facilitators there ready to police it and decide who should move out if no-one does it themself.

Hey, it may not work, and I'm sure this is setting us up for the usual HNA sneers and jibes, but what the hell - everyone wants to try something a bit different and we think this is a good idea. We saw it used at the Supporters Direct conference we recently attended and we were really impressed at just how effective it was in achieving what we want, which is to allow the discussion to be informal and to go where it wants to without being too led by a Chair, and also that everyone gets a chance to participate.

But to answer one of your specific points, all the other chairs will be in circles around the central "goldfish bowl" so everyone there should be able to see and hear what is happening in the "bowl" even if they don't want to join in themselves.

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

Can i join up and come to throw fish food into the mix???


why not try something different, the real sneerers won't be members, too tight to join.

[TFF]

Tbf that sounds just about formal enough to work - I was imagining BR and team walking into the room and getting buttonholed for an hour while everyone else struggled to hear.

[CMRoyal]

We want it to be more of a conversation than what we usually have, which is much more ofa "press confeence."

So we're going to use what is known as a "goldfish bowl" format. We have a circle of chairs in the middle (the "bowl") and anyone can join that circle, with the only rules being that only people sitting in the bowl can talk, and there muct always be one empty chair in the "bowl". This means that if someone nw joins, someone has to leave - the person who's been talking teh longest or who teh conversation has moved away from. We'll have facilitators there ready to police it and decide who should move out if no-one does it themself.

Hey, it may not work, and I'm sure this is setting us up for the usual HNA sneers and jibes, but what the hell - everyone wants to try something a bit different and we think this is a good idea. We saw it used at the Supporters Direct conference we recently attended and we were really impressed at just how effective it was in achieving what we want, which is to allow the discussion to be informal and to go where it wants to without being too led by a Chair, and also that everyone gets a chance to participate.

But to answer one of your specific points, all the other chairs will be in circles around the central "goldfish bowl" so everyone there should be able to see and hear what is happening in the "bowl" even if they don't want to join in themselves.

This sounds brilliant, wish I could be there. Hope it works as well as it sounds!

[Barry the bird boggler]

Again, well done to STAR for trying this idea it sounds really worth a go, like playing 5/6/7 a-side with rolling substitutes!

Just a couple of other points, you say players will be attending as well, does that mean there will be a number of "bowls" for people to join or will the management and players be herded into one big bowl meaning that the nature of the questions/answers are not quite as open as expected e.g. with Shane Cummings and Brendan Rodgers sat there would any one dare ask Brendan why on earth he bought him?

Also having more bowls may be better if there are, say 200 or so in attendance and only 20 seats available.

Finally, how long would you anticipate the event lasting?

[STAR Voice]

We're thinking of just the one bowl, because we don't really want an "us and them" between Brendan and the players (we expect a minimum of two players, but hopefully 4 or 5). The idea is that this will be a conversation which flows, with the players as well as Brendan joining in, rather than the usual question & answer, question & answer, and so on. The assumption is also that we won't get everyone just asking questions to Brendan.

We are in a smaller venue this time, but as this has been arranged at such short notice we don't think that'll be a major problem as we expect fewer people than normal - and it means everyone will get the chance to hear what's going on (that'd be another disadvantage of having two "bowls").

We expect the semi-formal stuff to end after 2 hours (i.e. at 9.30 pm) and after that Brendan and the players will be available for photos, autographs, etc.

[Compo's Hat]

Where's the Royals suite?

[Barry the bird boggler]

Thanks to STAR for organising a great night, really different way of doing things. Let's hope its not too long to the next one!

[Sarah Star]

Yep, worked better than I expected.

[Royal With Cheese]

Will anyone be posting a synopsys of what was said?

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

SS alrwady did she made a fooool of herself

[Sarah Star]

Shhh... Only you, me and Alex Pearce know that though



oh

[Royal With Cheese]

Spit roast didn't go down to well then?