" It is not that cheap to produce them, and they will need a fairly significant number of users to break-even.
First, they have to make sure they have enough bandwidth to stream this stuff, should enough people want to watch/listen."

FLPTV, a company owned 50/50 by ntl and The Football League host and finance both the Official site and Swans World. They are supplying the bandwith to stream the video/audio as part of this agreement, so we are not incurring any cost.

" Secondly, They will need to film/record the content. Even using basic digital cameras (I now work for a documentary company), and a one-man band you are looking at £75 and post-production costs to edit on top."

It is a Football League regulation that the home team has to film every game. When HTV cameras are present, we receive copies free - as there is no highlights deal at present this is a cost we are having to meet at present regardless of any Internet deal. All post-production is being done by FLPTV in London at no cost to us.

" Who is footing the cost should this collapse? The Club? Do we face another ITV Digital here?"

FLPTV are footing the cost. They have always hosted the sites and will continue to do so, and they cover the cost of development etc, so should it all collapse the Club will not be left out of pocket (although I might find myself signing on!)

"You also need to add on your ISP charges."

For you to have accessed the Official Site in the first place to discover Swans World, you must already be meeting this cost?

" On a 56.6 modem, the quality will not be brilliant, and may take you a long time to engage the content stream.So you may want to take out an ISDN or ADSL account. For this you'll incur extra charges such as installation and a new modem. You may also need to upgrade your audio/video card as well!"

Accepted - although I use 56.6 at home without any significant problems.

"Firstly, at no time did Peter contact Toffs, as Toffs did not have a contract with PTV. It was in fact RetroFC who were PTV's commercial partner."

Accepted - an error on my behalf.

"these deals are negotiated centrally, so we have no control...you are the first person to complain about them".
"your query has been forwarded to the relevant people at FLPTV". And: ".FLPTV have reassured me that they have no experience any significant problems with the company." Peter stated this week that the partner site was closed down by PTV not TOFFS "after several Clubs, ourselves included had expressed concern over the service being offered".
So which was it Peter? No significant problems or concern?"

At the time your problem arose, there appeared to be no cause for concern. However, situations do change in business/retail and we later had one or two problems, as did other Clubs. hence, action was taken to end the partnership.

" There was no mention that Peter would follow up my complaint and get back to me.he basically washed his hands of the matter stating that "this is not the responsibility of the Commercial Department."

That was in response to a comment you had made earlier laying blame for the problem at the door of the Commercial Department (of which I am not a part) - In reality, if you'd spoken to the Commercial people they would not have had a clue what you were talking about.

"I shall ring my Area Manager.you can expect a response from him shortly."

I was assured on several occasions that that FLPTV were dealing with the problem. If, as it now appears they failed to do so, then accept my apologies.

" In one response to Tony's article he states: "our commercial partners at the shopping site." So, is the Club responsible for the commercial partners on the website or not?"

We do, as one Club in a 76 team Internet portal have several commercial partners that are centrally negotiated. We are not responsible for them, but we work with them to earn extra revenue for the Club.

" AS a result of the problems RetroFC caused TOFFS, Michelle told me "we have asked Retro to disband their site, we warned the what the consequences would be." This is another piece of Miscommunication by Mr Owen in his repost to me. PTV could have easily removed the link from the Club site. They could not have demanded the closure of the site, only TOFFS could have done that!"

FLPTV did remove the link/end the partnership!?

" Judging by the vociferous defence put up by Mr Owen for FLPTV, I would hazard a guess that it is his responsibility for the site within the Club.or does he have shares in it? Which is it Mr Owen?"

Yes, I am responsible for the site, and no I don't have shares.

Either way, someone at the Club has to take responsibility and ensure that the Customer is looked after. And I for one would like to know who that is.

Every employee at the Club is responsible for ensuring this whenever they deal with a customer. It is regrettable that on this occasion we (I?) fell short of the what was expected. I have apologised to you previously for this, and have no problems in doing so again.

Every single match report, including Bury's, noted that he was visibly incapacitated. I didn't make a diagnosis and recommend a course of treatment -- I simply repeated what everyone wrote, that he was hurt and unable to play at 100%.

Ieuan:
I couldn't agree with you more.

If you are an exile like me I would say this could be right up your street!

But, having said that, it is difficult to completely follow a soccer team by reading about them in comparison to actually seeing them play (as I did while a student a UWS a couple of years back.)

Having said that, thanks to Tony for his unyielding enthusiasm, but I must admit that it is hard to make public statements about Freestone's health when all he did was read the newspapers' reports and the info from fellow fans. No offense, but you Brits have very 'sensational' newspapers!

I am sure that what Tony is saying has lots of merit and seems very well researched, but, to criticize a player you haven't watched is a dangerous and unfair thing to do. Tony, as an American and a history teacher, just think back to JFK's election debate. He was looking stellar on the television compared to his opponent who was sweating profusely under the hot lights, but didn't sound nearly as convincing to the radio audience!

Anyway, that is my two cents (approximately 0.75 of a pence....not a lot)

I do not see one player at the Vetch capable of the very demanding wing-back role - we briefly saw what is required when we had Steven Evans on loan last season.
We do not even seem to be playing the current 3-5-2 system which is currently used in some teams - Terry Evans seems to be playing behind the central two defenders in some sort of early 80s sweeper system. It clearly is not working. Any success we have had in recent seasone has been with a back four, with one midfielder in a defensive role in front of the four.

Also I cannot understand the criticism of Michael Howard, which seems to centre on his lack of attacking and shooting ability. To me he seems a perfectly adequate 3rd Division left back - he marks and tackles well - in the promotion season there was no mention of him being a weak link.

The right back slot was the problem when Steve Jones was injured. Finally, I would prefer to see Kris O'Leary in mid-field, with Neil Sharp (or maybe Theobald) as a centre back partner to Jason Smith.

To be honest I may have done the same as Cusack at 2-0 down he needed his options to chase the game, but really his comments make no sense. Marsh should play against bournemouth if there is even a doubt about Roger, we can not afford to lose Rog for months becasue he gets another knock on the injury, better to make sure he's healed properly.

As for bringing in another keeper on loan, sure if he is a keeper anywhere near as good as Roger, but with no disrespect to Arjen he is nowhere near Roger's level. In fact the only thing he holds over Marsh is experience. Or I would also accept an experienced keeper in on loan as cover for Marsh in case he has a nightmare game rather than have two rookie keepers in the squad.

Now would be a great time to allow Marsh to play a game, give him experience and boost his confidence and morale early in the season in case we need him to step in at the death in a game that REALLY matters.

If we sign a keeper on loan ahead of Marsh what kind of message does that send to him and the other youngsters at the club ? We signed him because he has talent, lets let him show it.

Shame I don't win a ticket for the game although I can't get there on saturday for work purposes.
I feel we are doing well so far and feel that we are getting a balance, albeit a bit shaky right now.
The defence will get together and that will only mean good things for our attack which will score goals a plenty and push us up the table which with more confidence will see more flair bigger crowds and more interest.

Its all going to turn out well - trust me - I'm a Doctor