Panthers Journal - how does it rate.

[loupowell52]

I would welcome opinions on the Panthers match programme.  In my opinion, compared to years gone by and other clubs offerings it is an overpriced, advert filled load of old tat.  Crammed with pages of sponsors pics, exclusives on which player prefers tea or coffee, and the ramblings of our outdated GM, the Panthers Journal really is looking a tired publication.  I do not know the sales figures but surely the Club can do better than this.  Also, I do not like the trend of one edition covering two, three or even four games.  It represents a cheap and easy to compile programme that contains very little readable or interesting content.  Whilst on my hobby horse, why not Club Yearbook this season.  That is one publication that we could be proud of with a real sense of being and history.  The Quiz book is simply another money making idea that fails miserably.  It is absolutely abysmal.

[iginla]

But it’s always been an overpriced,advert filled load of tat !

[bobness]

That's as may be. Which is why I've not bought one for 20+ years.
Buy one if you like, it's a free country.

[The Flying Shirt]

Does anyone even buy them?

[ashfieldpanther]

I bought them for over 20 years, and enjoyed reading the stats page, player profiles, news of other teams. But I guess they are primarily produced to advertise sponsors goods and services. It must be difficult to constantly produce something fresh, which is why they've tended to produce 1 issue covering a weekend if we are home both days, or a midweek and a Saturday. I stopped buying them cos I ran out of storage space, and because the price went up along with everything else, plus you get most of the info from tinternet

[Yotes]

I assume sales are pretty low, they don't even do one per game anymore do they?

The vast majority of programmes are a load of tat, in my experience, not just at Panthers.

[spik]

Been a keen collector of these. But now that I am not at matches its a chore getting them all, so I have stopped since 2017.
My collection starts in the early first era and the factual information and pictures (not seen) would complement if used.
Offered to write a section that would have included many things not penned before but was told that they had their writers already.
These writers would be the ones who write the same material or are 'mates of', who get things wrong as they are literally there for the thrill. Not the job.

eg) A piece on the first players who dressed for the team. It ended up being a copy of an old Hockey World paper, the only problem it was the wrong team and was a Scottish team called the Panthers playing at the same time. Told the writer but no apology or remark after that, so hiow can you trust the information written?

Always thought the pages needed a re-vamp but because they have no idea it's the same old stuff. Just a subtle change is even needed eg) showing all the old jersey types but a quiz is safer as it means less effort.

However, the Programme/Magazine/Journal is not the worst. Over the years I have seen some terrible ones and Panthers are not the worst by far.

GM once stated how WE brought out a programme for each match unlike others but the boast wouldn't last long as we also put one out for several games. That would be due to time/effort/gain otherwise we'd be doing one each time. The club keeps staff to a controlled safe minimum but surely could benefit from the use of expertise from the people in the crowd -  who have the knowledge or skills. No, its a closed shop now and selected personnel are brought in. I could give you fans who know more and do a fine job outside the inner circle. Alas,  nothing like this will happen.

Why on earth stop the Annual also, because someone is writing another piece and has no time, because only one person can subscribe effort to do it?
The quiz book is a very good idea but could have come out at a separate time. So no tradition again. What of next season? Trading cards stopped too. I can only guess the calendar sells well.

[ashfieldpanther]

I'm really disappointed they haven't done a yearbook. Although it gets very annoying reading 'Moranese' all the time. He can't put a spin on the player backgrounds or the game stats, and that's what I enjoy looking back at most. Quite often I'll pick one of the yearbooks out of the bookcase, and look at the individual game reports as they bring back memories.

[spik]

Jan 24, 2020 16:43:15 GMT ashfieldpanther said:

I'm really disappointed they haven't done a yearbook. Although it gets very annoying reading 'Moranese' all the time. He can't put a spin on the player backgrounds or the game stats, and that's what I enjoy looking back at most. Quite often I'll pick one of the yearbooks out of the bookcase, and look at the individual game reports as they bring back memories.

That's my point about staffing, one man virtually runs it all. It could be well organised that several people add something for the journal and the editor checks over it all.
Tradition of the Annual and all it's game sheet stats in there has gone now (with the player pics etc moving into the quiz book) as you say.
However i did buy the GM book on his trials with the surgery and it was a decent read. But I'd rather the Annual didn't lose place over this if that was the case.

I'm writing down a few details and backing it all up with permissions from sites and such as regards some hockey history. If I get this out published sometime it will be for those who appreciate the history and will have ALL of the domestic competitions and the winners of each season from day one. The origins and early days to now. Only problem for me is I don't have the inclination to sit at a computer all day, every day as I am PC illiterate. Any offers?

If only I won that lottery.

[kievthegreat]

Jan 24, 2020 16:10:27 GMT spik said:

eg) A piece on the first players who dressed for the team. It ended up being a copy of an old Hockey World paper, the only problem it was the wrong team and was a Scottish team called the Panthers playing at the same time. Told the writer but no apology or remark after that, so hiow can you trust the information written?

I'm guessing this was the Perth Panthers? Still a pretty rudimentary mistake. 

[spik]

Jan 24, 2020 19:00:12 GMT kievthegreat said:

Jan 24, 2020 16:10:27 GMT spik said:

eg) A piece on the first players who dressed for the team. It ended up being a copy of an old Hockey World paper, the only problem it was the wrong team and was a Scottish team called the Panthers playing at the same time. Told the writer but no apology or remark after that, so hiow can you trust the information written?

I'm guessing this was the Perth Panthers? Still a pretty rudimentary mistake. 

Indeed.

[Higgy]

With the advent of social media most fans can get the info they want online so the day of the programme is nearly over I feel.