Independent Leyton Orient Forum

BoniO wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 2:50 pm Not going to prolong this, but it seems strange that a board member of the Leyton Orient Fans Trust, is unconcerned that his views don't tally with most of the, ahem, Fans.

BoniO wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 2:50 pmAlso, poor that a reasoned criticism is just regarded as just a fan going all "grr, Loft". This sounds a tad distant and arrogant. You're not doing yourselves any favours here.

Ronnie Hotdogs wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 2:54 pm We’ve been here before. Loft have made their call a long time ago.

So long as nothing racist is said, general abuse of the opposition management and playing staff is acceptable.

I don’t agree, you might not agree, but there’s no point taking over their call on this again.

BoniO wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 2:50 pm Not going to prolong this, but it seems strange that a board member of the Leyton Orient Fans Trust, is unconcerned that his views don't tally with most of the, ahem, Fans.

Also, poor that a reasoned criticism is just regarded as just a fan going all "grr, Loft". This sounds a tad distant and arrogant. You're not doing yourselves any favours here.

A Pedant wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 3:09 pm

BoniO wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 2:50 pm Not going to prolong this, but it seems strange that a board member of the Leyton Orient Fans Trust, is unconcerned that his views don't tally with most of the, ahem, Fans.

What are the views of most fans? Genuine question, because we've got 31 likes (at the time of writing) to this on Twitter against only one snarky response, and on here there's the usual contrarianism going on. You are free to disagree with our stance on this, but I see nothing that says we're going against the prevailing view. I suspect most fans don't care whatsoever what we say here (no change there then, I hear some cry. ).

BoniO wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 2:50 pmAlso, poor that a reasoned criticism is just regarded as just a fan going all "grr, Loft". This sounds a tad distant and arrogant. You're not doing yourselves any favours here.

That was directed generally to those who've gone all "grr, LOFT" at us on this board and its predecessors for the past 20+ years. I wasn't saying you were, apologies if it came across that way.

A Pedant wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 12:07 pm I do like to remind the opposition coaching staff quite vocally to stay in the technical area, when they go wandering off to the side of the pitch. Not to mention reminding the 4th official equally vocally to do their job in keeping them there. Pretty sure I've called various players over the years "dirty b*stards" for any number of dreadful challenges, and I've lost count of how much colourful language I've directed towards appalling standards of refereeing over the years.

Admin wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 3:19 pm Loft's view seems to be "Heh - It's just OFF being OFF." - to me it doesn't present well but I'm just one person. Can't say that I cared particularly then or now but it was partly why didn't feel like joining.

Long slender neck wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 3:58 pm Mat is their mate, so LOFT(an old boys club) are never going to do anything unless they really have to.

And theres no evidence he was abusive, but then he hasnt given his account of what happened and I suspect he may plead the 5th on that.

A Pedant wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 3:55 pm

Admin wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 3:19 pm Loft's view seems to be "Heh - It's just OFF being OFF." - to me it doesn't present well but I'm just one person. Can't say that I cared particularly then or now but it was partly why didn't feel like joining.

To be clear, nothing in our mini-statement refers to Mat's behaviour at matches. The rest of the board is giving him our full support over the accusation against him of racist behaviour. No more, no less.

And I'm sorry you feel that way, we are genuinely welcoming to all O's fans - whether they are pro-Mat, anti-Mat or don't give a monkey's about Mat. Mat is one person on a board of (currently) 10.

OyinbO wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 12:19 pm Entertaining as aspects of this may have been, it's also been extremely unedifying. There's a version taking hold that Andrews confected the claim out of pure spite - and the danger with this is that it makes more accurate future claims (and sadly, we all know there will be many) less likely to be believed or to be taken seriously. Much more likely is that Andrews misheard something in the hubbub and genuinely believed something racial was included in the (undisputed) abuse.

Plus, it's a bit much for Mr R***r to claim that he is 100% opposed to all forms of hate crime, isn't it?

Ronnie Hotdogs wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 4:02 pm Loft have done the sums. There will be a few fans that will have left or wont join Loft because of Matt but that’s a price worth paying for 1) the undoubted amount of work he’s prepared to put in for the cause and 2) the number of fans/Panda readers he will bring on board.

Ronnie Hotdogs wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 4:04 pm

Long slender neck wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 3:58 pm Mat is their mate, so LOFT(an old boys club) are never going to do anything unless they really have to.

And theres no evidence he was abusive, but then he hasnt given his account of what happened and I suspect he may plead the 5th on that.

No, he wasn’t their mate. The loft team stems from the Ear and Birky lot.

Ronnie Hotdogs wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 4:04 pm

Long slender neck wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 3:58 pm Mat is their mate, so LOFT(an old boys club) are never going to do anything unless they really have to.

And theres no evidence he was abusive, but then he hasnt given his account of what happened and I suspect he may plead the 5th on that.

No, he wasn’t their mate. The loft team stems from the Ear and Birky lot.

tuffers#1 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 4:24 pm


Don't know why Macklin got abused

A Pedant wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 4:35 pm

tuffers#1 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 4:24 pm


Don't know why Macklin got abused

viewtopic.php?p=250677#p250677

viewtopic.php?p=250689#p250689

A Pedant wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 3:55 pm

Admin wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 3:19 pm Loft's view seems to be "Heh - It's just OFF being OFF." - to me it doesn't present well but I'm just one person. Can't say that I cared particularly then or now but it was partly why didn't feel like joining.

To be clear, nothing in our mini-statement refers to Mat's behaviour at matches. The rest of the board is giving him our full support over the accusation against him of racist behaviour. No more, no less.

And I'm sorry you feel that way, we are genuinely welcoming to all O's fans - whether they are pro-Mat, anti-Mat or don't give a monkey's about Mat. Mat is one person on a board of (currently) 10.

Admin wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 4:47 pm

A Pedant wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 3:55 pm

Admin wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 3:19 pm Loft's view seems to be "Heh - It's just OFF being OFF." - to me it doesn't present well but I'm just one person. Can't say that I cared particularly then or now but it was partly why didn't feel like joining.

To be clear, nothing in our mini-statement refers to Mat's behaviour at matches. The rest of the board is giving him our full support over the accusation against him of racist behaviour. No more, no less.

And I'm sorry you feel that way, we are genuinely welcoming to all O's fans - whether they are pro-Mat, anti-Mat or don't give a monkey's about Mat. Mat is one person on a board of (currently) 10.

I'm sure you are welcoming.

I tried on more than one occasion on the old MB to engage with him sensibly however he just couldn't ever seem to help himself from being totally hot-headed and irrational - his "OFF" monicker was well earned. Add to that the content of his FB page, which at the time was pretty much anti West Ham dribblings and misogynistic abuse of Karren Brady. For the record it was me that first pulled him on it - CEB picked the thread up after and it subsequently descended into their usual slanging match.

Add to this, the disgraceful Karren Brady / Boris Johnson "Joke" on the back page of his fanzine.

I don't know him personally. I see him on match days flogging Panda and just avoid any form of contact - I've no idea if he knows who I am and I'm sure like me, he doesn't really care either way. I'm sure he's more passionate and committed about all things LOFC than I'll ever be so fair play to him.

However, his online persona / fanzine content and match day behaviour is at best questionable. As I say, I'm one person but I suspect there's more like me who decided LOFT wasn't for them based partly on his involvement.

Dunners wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 5:06 pm I reckon Keefboard Warriams and OFF should come on here for a one-off debate, and settle this once and for all.

Dunners wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 5:06 pm I reckon Keefboard Warriams and OFF should come on here for a one-off debate, and settle this once and for all.