Is a Glenman in charge of updates?  You'd be forgiven for thinking it based on some recent activity!

Despite the fact he's a friend of mine, I don't think anyone could doubt the value Smurf used to bring to the official site. In my opinion his input was always going to be missed and instead we now have to suffer him most Saturday's.

Multiple personnel have been drafted in to do the work of one, and in the main they are doing a fine job.

With one exception.

On Tuesday 27th Nov Vs Coleraine, there appeared on the live update service a comment on screen that stopped some using the service, and those I know who where made aware of it to voice their disgust at the individual in question. I have a close friend exiled in Scotland who was not happy at seeing the comment.

This individual referred to the Linfield players as "Blue Dogs". Now to add insult to injury, the arrogance of this particular individual when challenged about it was nothing short of offensive, even if not in the slightest bit surprising to this writer. (Take a look at-

http://www.irishleaguesupporters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4072&page=6

in particular the phrase "I will provide it in what ever way I see fit.")

Much to his credit, the owner of the SSS web site allows many views (some not exactly matching his own) to be aired, provided they are valid and primarily views the author thinks will be of interest to Linfield fans. As a result not only I, but more colourful contributors, have been critical of the Linfield board for what has been interpreted as treating Linfield fans with contempt, although lets not discuss the rights or wrongs of those views now.

I will still acknowledge that I feel this board are more receptive than past ones, and I myself have had a very positive experience of them listening and acting to genuine complaints or concerns.

With that in mind, I believe they will not be happy at the phrases used by this individual. I cant for one minute think the players will loose sleep over this comment, but that is just a side issue. This service is for fans, and if fans find offence at this comment (and many did do) then any complaint raised is valid.  So, with that in mind who does this person think he is to be so dismissive of those complaints?

More to the point what do the board think? Somehow I can't see them being too happy that the potential for further alienation between board and fan base exists based on the foolish comments of one verbose, ignorant individual.

It does not matter if the complaint is valid or invalid, and yet this one clearly is valid. It is the mannerism in which it is dealt with that counts. Whether the board like it or not, this response comes from someone connected in a official capacity at Linfield and therefore the response has repercussions.

Remember this individual was very hypocritical when criticising a past player and his actions (for reasons many of us will remember), and mocked, yes MOCKED, Linfield fans who missed out over the debacle surrounding the Irish Cup final 2006 ticket sales. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

The board need to be careful. That old mantra about "no-one likes us we don't care" has never been truer and we need to have a united front. The last thing the board need is to allow further antagonism to grow between them and the fan base. It shouldn't over such an individual as this, but it is unavoidable. 

Especially if they are seen to be happy with comments more commonly associated with rivals fans and meant as a derogatory term.

They need to sort this out.