Its time for a serious talk. When there was a direct link on here to Shedweb the two sites co-existed perfectly amicably and visitors from other clubs could take their pick. Then the link was broken, whether as a deliberate act or an oversight, I don't know, but whoever was responsible should have known what the outcome would be. Patronize Glaws supporters and they vote with their feet. They all went to Shedweb. This site descended into a very unpleasant place which wouldn't have mattered, save it is the face of the Club.

Then Shedweb had problems. Whether mischievously caused or not, again I don't know, but those of us desperate to talk rugby returned here and for a few weeks the site was its old self. Then Bob re-launched Shedweb, and although many of us promised to keeping posting here, we didn't. I've no figures but suspect they get a hundred posts for every one on here.

So my question is, why can't we go back to where we were? Put an open and prominent link on here to Shedweb and give visitors the choice. More importantly make our own supporters feel comfortable posting on both. I have no axe to grind - just the interests of the Club.

It's an idea.
It might encourage more people to post on this 'official' board as well as one ShedWeb. Or it might just encourage more people to use ShedWeb instead of trying this one.

If it is done it ought to be mutual; each site offering side-by-side links to both forums, and links inside each forum to allow hopping back and forth. It would need a bit of co-operation from both parties. It might enrich the experience on both sites.

Fair point Dunc. Jim is the obvious go-between. What do you think Jim?

Its a good idea. Neither forum is particularly intuitive to use, ShedWeb has lost some of its functionality since the relaunch, although the content has lost nothing in content. The forums are a window on the club for visitors, often we get one off posts from visiting fans, the majority of which are good rugby based posts, with the occasional slanderous exception that the mods can pull. .
Linking the two can only enrich the experience for C&W fans and enhance the stature of the club.

I don't think that there should be a 'special' link from here to ShedWeb, but I do think that there could be a 'sticky' thread in this Fans Forum entitled 'ShedWeb Unofficial Forum Link' with an explanation of what ShedWeb is and where to find it.

IMHO ShedWeb has become a badge of honour for many supporters - the revamped site has reset everyone's post count to zero and there is a 'race' to become a top poster - there is a thread about it and frequent comments in the varied topics being discussed.

This forum, now that we have reclaimed it from the multiple personalitied troll (who seems to have reappeared on the This Is Gloucestershire website) has become a good window to other club supporters. I will continue to post, and I will continue to encourage ShedWeb members to come here.

In answer to the question of how the two sites compare, I can offer precise facts. I posted very similar threads on both sites recently...

The 'half time entertainment' thread has had 5 posts (2 of which are mine) and 252 views on here, but has had 36 posts (and now generated a second thread which has already had 13 posts) and 1211 views (and 260 for the 'child' thread).

The 'old photos of Castle Grim' has had 2 posts and 165 views on here, but 26 posts and 1011 views on ShedWeb.

BUT both forums serve a purpose, slightly different to each other, and should be encouraged to continue separately.

You're one who posts on both LO and I commend for you that - I promised to but keep forgetting. I see no reason why the two should compete. To other supporters we are the face of the Club. This site had become an awful advertisement, almost an embarrassment. It was rescued by Shedweb followers and is now a respectable and reasonable site. Trouble is, few people post on it.

Occasionally I look in on other clubs, some are impressive - witty and knowledgeable - Leicester, Saints, Scarlets and Sale spring to mind. But none would be more interesting than Gloucester if we pooled our resources. As it is its only visitors 'in the know' who find their way to Shedweb.

These forums (fora?) are a valuable resource. If they encourage supporters from all over the Country to comment on each other's sites, it can only be for the good of the game.

I try to dip into each place at least once every couple of days.

Actually that's what I really enjoy about rugby online communities (see I managed to avoid the plural question!!?)... informed (if not occasionally one-eyed) 'discussions' with supporters from other clubs.

I think a 'sticky' pointer thread would be a good idea... Jim?...

Not sure I agree with that. Whenever I visit another site I ignore the 'stickies' on the assumption they are about local business.

There should be a direct link between the two sites.

I have only just joined both sites having lurked for several years.

I have links to both sites on my desktop so when I open one I open the other. A link would be good but not that necessary.

It's a rival site by virtue that's its another site that is unofficial.I started a thread on the unofficial site a few days ago asking "members" to support this "place" by visiting it more often.I am a newbie on both forums and it's not my place to really make any suggestion; but I agree with JR1 on this subject who has obviously responded to it and made what I think is a very good suggestion.

Even if the Club don't want to promote the unoffy then I think Bob should still promote the offy with a link to it, and to the overall offy site at least. It's our club and we have a duty to promote it as well as support it. This is the "modern age" and it's a new era for Gloucester Rugby to work with Sponsors, supporters and other local clubs to elevate the region and the Number One Rugby Club in the World.

Whatever it takes to promote co-operation should be backed.The more hits to the offy the better .I would like to see like to see a link from the unoffy from a player profile page(will suggest this to Bob)to this sites player profile page; because it will help (unofficially)to promote the sponsorship of all squad players by more local and national businesses which is what the Club needs as a commercial operation.Forums and their readership should not be underestimated.

I go onto other clubs unoffy site as a guest to read. It's informative and we shouldn't forget that probably dare I say it more people go on the unoffy as guests from other clubs than we imagine. Ask Bob for the stats. If IP addresses were tracked geographically you'd be amazed. More linkage = more hits and from a commercial point of view more hits = more advertising opportunities.I for one like traffic stats. They are very important in any business.That's a good place for the Club to be Jim I am sure we'd all agree with that one Mate.

I agree with Jim and Lower Orchard that a linkage to the unoffy from this place is not realistic.I know neither of you used those exact words but that's about the sum of it. Gloucester Rugby is a business and this forum is part of that commercial operation.It has to be in control of what it is associating with and it has no control over the unoffy and rightly so.The unoffy is if you like the supporters place and it can be an important part of the clubs promotion even though it is totally independent.The unoffy should and I would imagine Bob and Co would be willing( and in effect do this already)to promote the offy voluntarily.keep up the good work here Jim, Dunc and Shaky and thank you for doing what you do to support this fabulous Rugby Club.


Onwards and Upwards!.

(Oh and would those members from the other place who come on here please re-register as a user( if you already haven't) and be brave enough to unmask your identities. It might encourage everyone else to from time to time).

I hope even our most blinkered dinosaurs would dispute that.
In a forum it's everybody's place to make suggestions.


Nice idea.
Shedweb is about supporting Gloucester Rugby and that idea is a way of doing that.

Also, although the official forum might fear losing users if it provided a link to Shedweb, Shedweb has nothing to fear from doing the same. Shedweb's loyal users would never desert it - look how we all went back the minute Shedweb was resurrected. Shedweb will always be more active and therefore more attractive, but it could bring some extra visitors to the official forum, which would be another way Shedweb could support Gloucester Rugby.

Not that we haven't had a lot to talk about this year! But, we may see more postings on here once the season starts. I'm sure there are still quite a few who for one reason or another enjoy reading ShedWeb but prefer not to post on there. Hopefully with the killing of the troll some less prolific posters may join in on here. It would be nice to see.
As someone else posted about this topic (LowerO? Dunc?) it's difficult to try and hold the same conversation on both forums albeit with (some) different characters/opinions. Let's hope for some different posters on here with new thoughts/topics to discuss IDC.