The Worst Idea I Have Ever Heard...

Not to be a debbie downer at such a good time. But, I heard the FO is planning to run the three supporters websites next year as well as the content.

What surprised me more, is that the groups even HSH leaders seem alright with this. Personally, to be honest I think it's a little bit of laziness. Apparently I heard that HSH received some international requests for merchandise after the West Ham purse fight went international. Unfornately, their website hasn't been updated since March.

Even with that said. Personally, I think the idea of the FO running supporters websites is mere stupidity.

Think about it this way. The FO isn't asking us to run their business and websites so why should they run ours?

Are we that lazy as a collective to do it ourselves? Do we really want a bunch of techie's hired by the Crew with no emotional attachment at all to the Crew running our content? Do we really want them running our team stores? What happens if a less supporter friendly FO comes into charge 5 or 10 years from now? Or we have new owners?

I think it's great for them to offer, if it's a noble offer. But, why should anyone but the fans run the websites. I know there's enough technically gifted individuals in the Nordecke to do it ourselves. With 5 or 10 we could easily pull it together in the off-season.

I just don't know how anyone could ever fathom this as a good idea. It scares me a little that anyone would.

And, I know there are some fans interested in dedicating their time to making a Crew Supporters Online Network themselves. I could name a couple of people from each of these: HSH, CSU, and outside the section with the skill. I'm sure there are some La Turbina members that could lend to making a spanish version. I'm willing to lend support, my knowledge on codes, and my content. But, I have a feeling our groups will let the FO take it over out of lassez-faire-ness.

Don't get me wrong, I could deal with if they wanted to offer formats because I guess we can't figure it out ourselves (although I know we could). But, at least give the fans the passwords and let them update the content.

And, don't get me wrong, I definitely like how the team has added their own blog, etc. I can appreciate a donative gift, especially if it isn't a trojan horse. But, we should all decline it. The FO shouldn't take over any of the supporters websites. Let's have enough faith in ourselves that we can do it together as a group in the offseason.

We need to keep ourselves busy somehow in the offseason anyways. :-)