Have a look at SOC on Facebook.

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"our electorate seeks less to be informed and more to be validated." Sad times.

Surprised that this has gone through to the 'keeper so easily when normally anything remotely like this turns into a 20 page thread debating 40 million other issues.

The treatment of Bob and Justine has been utterly disgraceful by the club.

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

What do you mean Rhino?

Sherrin or Psychologist can probably shed more light on it than I can.

Cliffs = Club basically pushed them out of the picture in regards to SoC and took it over themselves in a very ham fisted way. Essentially they relieved them of their official duties and position right on the eve of Xmas.

Don't want this to appear factional or political, as I have no interest (vested or otherwise) in it. Irrespective, shit form to loyal club servants.

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

If it's the Justine I'm thinking of, I thought she had a more all-round events management role at the club? That's a bit of a shame really, as genuine supporter functions are looked on favourably at sporting clubs the world over. Even the super-rich Man City hold them, with several squad players rolling in each month.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Justine is Bob's daughter. She did all SoC events for next to nothing. It's completely [REDACTED] that this has happened, but once again those that run the club have massive ego's that are getting larger because they think the club is on the verge of something big. The fact is, the only thing bigger than the ego's running Carlton is the giant debt hanging over the clubs head.

ThePsychologist sponsored the SoC matchday events at Etihad last year. Yet he was in the dark as much as anyone even after the letter from Bob came through as we were both wondering about the golf day. They've already missed out on thousands. But that's ok...there's still money coming in from the AFL to keep us safe from the wolves. Carlton supporters have no right bagging the likes of North while this is happening.

Don't get me wrong - I love the Carlton arrogance, but it's misplaced when it's directed at your supporter base.

Dear Spirit of Carlton Member,

The executive wishes to place on record its sincere thanks to you, as a valued participant in the Spirit of Carlton Past & Present (SoC) for supporting the cause over these past five years, as together we’ve contributed to the resurgence and reinvigoration of the Carlton Football Club (CFC).

As you may be aware, the SoC has undergone significant structural changes in the lead-up to the 2012 season – primarily to ensure that the SoC works more closely with the CFC to utilise the Club’s substantial resources as it strives for its 17th premiership and nears the 150th anniversary of its existence.

Accordingly, the SOC will now conduct its activities more along the lines of a past players’ association to help realise its and the CFC’s short and long-term objectives.

The 2012 Executive Team is as follows;

David Rhys-Jones (President); Geoff Southby (Secretary); Jason Reddick (Treasurer/Public Officer (CFC)); Matthew Hogg, Alex Marcou, David McKay and Dennis Munari (Exec Members/General Committee); Mandy Hunter (Marketing Support (CFC)); and Jamie Sanderson (Website Manager).

2012 Membership is available at a reduced annual cost of $50 ($30 for pensioner members), with a subscription form attached for your convenience.

As the SoC is reverting back to a past & present players and officials group, membership will no longer be available to supporters. As such, the SoC encourages you, as a passionate supporter, to acquire a CFC membership package.

However, please note the SoC has set aside the match day event on May 6 for you to join past players and officials in a special SoC tribute to CFC supporters for contributing to the cause over the past five years. Ticketing and seating will be available to you at a cost on the day, with more details to follow.

Key events for 2012 are a Theme Lunch celebrating the 40th & 30th Anniversaries of the 1972 & 1982 premierships scheduled for Friday, August 3 at Etihad Stadium; and a Past Players’ Annual dinner scheduled for Wednesday, September 12 at Visy Park.

Two matchday events have also been confirmed for Etihad Stadium – a Past Player Father/Son & Daughter Day (Round 6, Sunday, May 6); and 1987 Premiership 25th Anniversary Day (Round 8, Sunday, May 20).

The Golf Day and Dinner will not be staged in 2012.

The SoC can also confirm the distribution of funds to the following key categories in 2012 - CFC Players (new tech equipment and facilities for team and individual performance improvement); needy past player welfare & support; SoC/CFC history management; and administration & running costs

In closing, all at the SoC look forward to your on-going valued support in 2012 in what will unquestionably be an exciting season for the Mighty Blues.

Yours sincerely,

The Executive, SoC

yeah nah

As we all hate SOC now can we unsticky this?

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dane's trolling again

Jars needs to brush up on his proofreading

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"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

I dunno...I'm pretty sure that's accurate Woj

I was a member of SoC for a few years and I must admit that I was suprised that SoC had accepted members from outside the ex-player/official group. I therefore have no problem with the club and SoC deciding to limit membership to past players and officials.

But surely the club could have handled the transition in a more professional manner with about a million times more tact and diplomacy to ex-members such as me. I contributed in excess of $6,000 in the last season to SoC, purchasing memorabilia and signed jumpers at functions, etc. To find out via a message to members on the SoC website is deplorable. Surely they could have at least sent an email to members who were being "expelled". And couldn't they have a non players category membership, say an associate membership, that did not provide the full entitlements of past players but still offered a sense of belonging.

I am not privy to what went on with the administration between the Club and SoC but I had many experiences dealing with Bob Lowrie and Justine (that all involved me contributing to SoC) and I enjoyed to contact because it was obvious I was dealing with people who had a real passion for Carlton.

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“Before you criticise someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticise them, you're a mile a way and you have their shoes."

I re-read the letter. It's actually one of the best 'Thanks for your contribution, but due to circumstances we control please get [REDACTED]' letters I've ever read! Massive slap in the face to the supporter who was led to believe theirs was an ongoing contribution that was directly assisting current players in their quest for success.

With the cash that was put in to the SoC, a letter to its members would have at least been palatable. It further reiterates the widening gulf between club and its most important stakeholder. People like NTBlue, Freddy47, myself and others don't want our money back, just some common courtesy and respect.

It's apparently not forthcoming, so my response to them 'telling' me to buy a football club membership is the same as theirs to me. 'GAGF'.

Maybe I'm too idealistic, but I just like to think the club i love goes about things better than this.

Really disappointing stuff on the board this week, all eminently avoidable with just a little bit of common sense, compassion, resppect and good will.

All these things start adding up over time.

Just going to unsticky this; feel free to continue discussion and even update the thread over the time, but TC no longer receives updates on the SoC, nor is it a supporter organisation any more it seems. Que cera, etc.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

killing the golden goose...

Great analogy.

I have had no involvement with the SOC, but after reading that letter I feel compelled to comment. For people that have been involved - that don't qualify for the 'new' version this is terrible. It's a thanks for all your dollars, now you can leave us alone please. I remember the old past players room under the Pratt stand, you used to be able to go down there before the game or at half time for a small fee - I think finger food got passed around and there would be speeches, cheap beer etc.

You know, like a footy club.

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

Time for Spirit of Carlton II

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Can't you start your own superstar Carlton supporters group, and get the club to support it?

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dane's trolling again