Over the last few months, a few members have complained about the state of this forum, and how newbies have ransacked the place beyond all repair.
Well it's my turn to set a few things straight.
This forum is the best on the net, not only for it's footballing chat, but also for the fact that we actually care about one another.
I have been a member here for just over a year (which is a short time compared to some, I concede), but since I joined, I have made a fair amount of friends, I have met members face-to-face, been to the match with one (albeit we sat in different parts of the stadium), and got tickets from another.
This is not a "bogger you, Jack - I'm alright" set-up. This is a bloody strong unit which looks out for it's long-standing members. Perhaps some would describe this as a "clique", but they need to realise that in all groups there are sections of like-minded individuals who stick together.
If you went out with a group of friends, you would undoubtably favour one or two.
The footballing discussion that occurs in here is also of a high standard, with posters such as BigMick, Ciggy, Dalglish, et al contributing to the debates.
We may not have the in-depth, sometimes depressing sobriety of RAWK, but as JonnyMac has said; Why bother posting on a site that discredits you, or where your work is lost in "2 seconds"?
Perhaps I am in the minority here, but I haven't even considered leaving this magnificant place. I get annoyed when there is a lull in discussion, as I'll wager do most. But to leave would be a backwards step, as I can type to my heart's content here, without it going to waste.
Yes I like to mess around, but it is always in general chat or the polls section. I enjoy arguing with fans of opposing teams, and letting off steam in this harmless fashion.
I feel that I do, however, contribute positively to the footballing discussion aswell.
This to me is what the forum is about. Post in-depth when it is called for, but have a laugh and don't take things too seriously.
- This brings me nicely to my next point:
The Moderators.
I for one feel they get a raw deal on here from certain members, despite their being in a no-win situation. Many mods on other forums just delete anything they disagree with. It's time people were grateful for what they've got:
JonnyMac does wonders for the aesthetics on here. Virtually all of the banners (including mine) have been created by John - usually without request. He is also a top poster, and a funny lad aswell.
St. Mike is a top lad aswell, a funny chap and a quality poster. He seems to let things slide for a while, then cleans up as and when it is required, which is how it should be IMO.
Supersub just doesn't post on here anymore, save for the odd time when the moon is blue.
He again is a quality poster, but presumably (I'm by no means sure) he is sick and tired of certain members complaining about little things that a bit of common sense would resolve, and cleaning up the cack of Hustler, etc.
I do not for one minute suggest I have never given cause for complaint. I just feel that if members who moan alot actually sat there and thought "Well, do I REALLY need to encroach on the Mods' unpaid time to p*ss and whine about a PM, or a comment in a thread, etc", then the Moderators would be here a lot more, and probably have more time to clean up the rubbish that IS around. They're not here to wipe our ar*es, you know!
I would suggest this strategy in the future to all members: Don't moan unless it's racist, sexist, porn, etc. It's just not worth the hassel to the Mods. (I hope I am not speaking out of turn, JM, SM and SS? - It's just how I'd feel in your shoes.)
Finally, and probably predictably, the sheer brilliance of this forum is encapsulated by the words "DrummerPhil".
What other forum in the world, excluding those of a local nature, would react as we have to the sad news about Phil? You tell me one and I'll drink my own p*ss, because I bet you there isn't.
Phil is a popular man on here, but no more so than several others, and yet people have rallied around, are sending their own money to make his life more comfortable, and are affected personally by the news.
I have never met Phil, but I've had a few chats with him on here, and I can tell you something; he's a bloody good bloke. He deserves all of our help, but that would mean absolutely nothing on a forum like RAWK. He would have been a nobody, just like all of us.
Do you even think that Phil would have felt able to tell the members on there about his illnesses? I somehow doubt it.
Here, he is a friend, not a poster. He can rely on us to help him out in a time of need. I feel privileged to be a member on here, purely for that reason.
Maybe you should too.