The Twe12th Man Website

Meeting Number 9 - Saturday 3rd February 07

Meeting number 9 of The Twe12th Man took place in The Navigation, on the afternoon before the Arsenal match at the Riverside. This was an attempt to attract a larger crowd, particularly those who couldn't normally make the evening meetings due to work commitments or living out of the area. Despite this, a relatively small number of fans turned up, and it was decided that the meetings would go back to their regular Thursday night slot in Dr Browns for the time being.

First on the agenda to be discussed were the large flags produced, to be waved at various points at the Riverside on a match day. The two flags, one red with a white band, the other blue and black stripes, are to be fixed to poles and waved pitch side. The flags are blank at present, although a series of proposed designs to be printed on them were passed round. After discussion, it was decided the flags would remain blank and given a trial run to gauge the reaction before deciding whether we needed to add anything to them.

In attendance at the meeting were representatives of the Middlesbrough Official Supporters club, to discuss ideas and ways of linking up the multiple global supporters groups which now exist. The suggestion was that each group creates a flag, with a view to them being combined and attached together and hung along the upper tier of the West Stand.

The issue of volunteers was raised again, as the Twe12th Man needs people to help on a match day to keep its projects going. Particularly, people are needed in the East Stand to help with the Gibson banner, as well as "flag wavers" for new large flags. It was decided this would be looked into, and volunteers sought, including the possibility of using leaflets to advertise the opportunity.

Finally, a concern raised by a fan prior to the meeting was discussed. It was presented to the rest of the group that the Twe12th Man needed to "inspire" fans in order to create an atmosphere and gain involvement, as opposed to seemingly pushing people into support. This issue was discussed in depth, and it was finally agreed that "inspiration" was indeed the correct way to go about improving the atmosphere - i.e inspiring people to "get involved", rather than current methods which could be seen as pushing people into it.

Next Meeting - Dr Browns - Thursday 8th March - 7pm

T12M