Best Of

I can only echo what many have already said.

One of the best things about supporting Wycombe (and I imagine you could say the same about many lower league clubs) is that it feels like a community, as opposed to the slick customer experience of the EPL.

And the Gasroom at its best is part of that.

It feels like we are at an awkward crossroads right now given that we are still early days into an ownership regime with seemingly higher aspirations than we have been used to.

Working currently at a company that started small and where I used to know everyone, but has since got considerably bigger and to me more impersonal, sometimes I feel like “be careful what you wish for” in terms of the growth that money can bring.

But back to WWFC - we are where we are, I was sceptical of the Couhigs too, but I think in retrospect we can be seen to have done well by them.

I’m rambling - but just to say that even though we live in uncertain times as far as the direction of the club goes, and the Bloomfield departure was certainly a growing pain I never wanted to see, maybe we can do well under the new structure - but it will be different.

The recent crossfire was pretty relentless, I understand why people would get pissed off and leave, but regardless of whether I agree with the individual posters or not, I’d hope that all find their way back in time.

On a practical note I am also happy to chip in with costs if that helps, though I don’t think that’s the main issue here.

As another exile, I’ve really valued the Gasroom over the years as a way of staying connected with lots of old nonsense.

Generally it’s been great fun, but the reaction around Matt Bloomfield’s departure certainly darkened the mood for me. I could’ve done without some posters shouting ‘move on’ within a week of him walking out / being pushed out. Personally, I don’t think I’ll ever understand why a Wycombe fan would take the word of a rather distant ownership group over that of a bloke who served us well for pretty much his whole career, but maybe that’s modern football now.

It’d be sad if the Gasroom withered away, but @drcongo definitely shouldn’t spend time and energy maintaining something that’s become a pain. I hope that we can all collectively take it back to where it was before - a slightly tetchy home to an odd selection of know it alls.

@drcongo As others have said, and I have previously said this place was a sanity saver during lockdown and since.

Broadly, the debate on here is even tempered and more often than not good natured. It was sad that the events of earlier this year led to entrenched positions, intemperate posts (including one from me, that I deeply regret) and in some instances blatant baiting of people. I, like others, am hopeful that those who have removed themselves (like @Shev & @kipper) find it within themselves to return, as we will be a poorer forum without them.

My final comment on this is to repeat my offer to assist with any funding of The Gasroom.

Whilst I do not know the software used to power it, I do note that the vendor has discontinued support for the open source version & the community forum is recommending anyone on this to migrate elsewhere (Flarum). Amongst other things I do for a living is to build websites and other solutions so am reasonably technically savvy and am prepared to offer a few hours a week to help out if that is of any use.

Time in the gasroom feels like time on the severed floor (an escape from the world, rather than a cult!). My innie doesn't know what he'd do without it.

This is a very good forum and a very enjoyable way of taking a break from work / filling a few minutes of downtime at home.

I would gently suggest that, although sometimes the discussion can be spirited and verge on the rude, it very rarely crosses the line into downright hostility and aggression. Everyone can take time out whenever they need to but there was nothing in the recent debate over Matt Bloomfield that should've led to people quitting the board in protest. People had differences in opinion on an issue that they were passionate about. Most of the arguments for both sides were made cogently and constructively and any ticking off generally only came when the same points were being repeated ad nauseum, belligerently and on multiple threads.

Hopefully on reflection people like @Shev will realise that differences of opinion on a messageboard should be celebrated. And if you don't manage to convince others of your brilliance.... Well there will always be an opportunity to gloat and say 'I told you so' down the line. Much like @aloysius does whenever Max Stryjek comes up in conversation.

I would be genuinely lost without the Gasroom. Working from home most of the time and living away from Wycombe it's long been my way of being able to read and chat about the Blues and other stuff in a mostly polite, intelligent and sometimes very funny way. I think there's only one other Gasroomer I've knowingly met in real life but even so, it feels like a community. To lose it would be a crying shame but keeping it going must be a real labour of love. Like others, I would happily pay towards it's upkeep.

Hats off to Dr Congo and long live the Gasroom.