New Morecambe FC website - background, bonus items and more

[Posh]

First of all, for those who don't know me, I worked on the new website as a volunteer, so I can't speak for the club. However, as I run an internet company I was able to bring a bit of experience to the process. As a result I wanted to explain a few things about the new site that may not be immediately obvious. These are personal comments

The first thing is that the site is hosted on the premiumtv domain. It probably would have been better to have used morecambefc.com (hey Keith couldn't sort it for Shrimpsvoices so why should we ). However morecambefc.com has been re-pointed to the new site so you can still use this domain.

What happens to the old site? The old site, unlike the new one, retains its archive material and a lot of character thanks to the people who worked on it. As has been said Mat Seage has been done a sterling job in managing it for a few years now. Our hope, and negotiations are in progress, is to turn the old site in to a big archive of our non-league days that anyone can dip into as they wish. More detail will be provided in due course.

Now the new site. This has been, incredibly politely, a very difficult job. The site will have snags on it and errors, however these can very easily be fixed. If you do spot anything please PM or email Derek Quinn or I via this site; contact us through the new site http://www.morecambefc.premiumtv.co.uk/ ... 6,00.html; or just post a topic on here and we'll pick it up. The fans are the eyes and ears and the site is for you so your help and comments are much appreciated.

Content. We will need content and content ideas from you. In particular, the fans section http://www.morecambefc.premiumtv.co.uk/ ... 66,00.html gives the club the opportunity to list independent away travel details and contacts, supporters groups, put on the site your photographs (no match action shots please). Again it is going to take time to put in place a process for channelling all this into the site but it will develop with time. Personally I'd like to see the Club Legends section become a real Hall of Fame thing driven by fans - we'll see. http://www.morecambefc.premiumtv.co.uk/ ... 66,00.html

The site will work hand-in-hand with the match day programme. Sean O'Connor has and continues to do a brilliant job with Shrimps Scene and the site may offer an opportunity for Sean to archive some of his old articles through the site. However, like most things this will only become clearer once the new season is under way.

Most importantly is the interactive fuctionality. On the splash page and here http://www.morecambefc.premiumtv.co.uk/ ... OrRegister you can register to receive the email newsletter and alerts. Again we've got the rest of pre-season to iron out any hiccups but it'll be a great way to keep up to date with signings etc. so get registering now!!!

As for paid content this is still being worked on. However it will come as no surprise that Morecambe World will feature extended highlights of all matches. We are also looking at additional video content including interviews with players and staff; live match commentary home and away (great news for exiles); and a couple of other ideas too. Again, without being boring, there are limited resources for generating content and we're just learning to walk so bear with it. Quinny and the club will announce DEFINITE plans as time goes on.

Finally, the new site generates hard cash for the club in the way the old site couldn't. Centrally negotiated contracts mean that through syndicating news articles; advertising; the World service; and the other interactive and external services every time you click to view the site the club gets an income. Please use it and help everyone involved to develop it further.

Mike Gibson

[The Red Knight]

The new site looks excellent.

When are the player profiles going to be updated? It's still essentially last seasons squad with players on there that have left and the new ones aren't on there. Would be good to read up on the new signings.

[Posh]

The new site looks excellent.

When are the player profiles going to be updated? It's still essentially last seasons squad with players on there that have left and the new ones aren't on there. Would be good to read up on the new signings.

Thanks. Good point. As you can imaging a lot is going on with transfers etc. so updating it isn't so straightforward. There are also feeds in and out between the site and the Press Association. However, it is our next big job and should be sorted out very shortly.

[Christies Child]

Excellent.

Obviously a lot of hard work put in by everybody.

Will be teething problems but it will all be worthwhile and be much appreciated by everybody who wants our club to keep progressing.

'Once you stop....you start going backwards'

[campdave]

It would be great to have an RSS feed for the news, though I'm sure that's more of a premiumtv issue than an issue with our individual site.

Apologies if there is one - I couldn't find it!

[Mighty Red]

Great stuff from everyone involved with the old site, and the new site.

Many thanks.

[Brian C]

Just a quick note to make you aware that all sites with gambling links will be automatically blocked on Lancaster & Morecambe College computers.

[Posh]

It would be great to have an RSS feed for the news, though I'm sure that's more of a premiumtv issue than an issue with our individual site.

Apologies if there is one - I couldn't find it!

There is an RSS feed management tool in the back end of the site but I'm not entirely sure how it works or is enabled. I'll find out and post something back in the next couple of days.

[Welshrimp]

WOW!

Terrific work by everyone involved - many thanks.

[Shrimpsscene]

The site will work hand-in-hand with the match day programme. Sean O'Connor has and continues to do a brilliant job with Shrimps Scene and the site may offer an opportunity for Sean to archive some of his old articles through the site. However, like most things this will only become clearer once the new season is under way.

Thanks Mike

Ive a lot of stuff as you'd expect over last 7 years so only too glad to help make the site a success and an essential click ive been sending some stuff through to Quinny already and have a few ideas for the coming season. if anyone would like to get in touch to help out in any way with the match programme next season im on 07894 968153 and seanoconnor@morecambefc.com. new bigger brighter programme for next season!!!

cheers sean

[heysham_mfc]

great job new site looks fantastic

[morecambe TID]

the new website is seriously good!
just wondering is there a join fee for the website as i couldn't find it
cheers

[Phoenix]

So long since I registered, I must be the first to check the email new password is working

Just a quick note to make you aware that all sites with gambling links will be automatically blocked on Lancaster & Morecambe College computers.

You used to block shrimpsvoices! As do some local schools, still.

hey Keith couldn't sort it for Shrimpsvoices so why should we

If Keith had the right laptop with him containing the nameserver details, he'd beat you to it

[quinny]

Thanks for all the comments. I've always said it wouldn't be perfect and I am learning all the time so it is a work in progress for me in many ways. (Would have been even worse had it not been for Posh).
One thing I am working on is the first team squad list which I will put together once the squad numbers are released.
Hope that makes sense.

Quinny

[Phoenix]

just wondering is there a join fee for the website as i couldn't find it

No fees to join the website but content such as live match reporting may be chargeable, not entirely sure about that.

[morecambe mick]

Thanks for all the comments. I've always said it wouldn't be perfect and I am learning all the time so it is a work in progress for me in many ways. (Would have been even worse had it not been for Posh).
One thing I am working on is the first team squad list which I will put together once the squad numbers are released.
Hope that makes sense.

Quinny

Why has the squad number list not been released Quinny?

Is it not complete yet, by chance?

Are you suggesting more signings, or departures, maybe both?

[quinny]

I don't think many teams have released their squad numbers yet Mick.
It's probably a bit too early yet for a number of reasons including the ones you have mentioned.

[parkyboy]

Excellent site well done to all concerned

[Wrighty]

Could I just add on here, as I have already said elsewhere, what a fantastic job has been done by Posh, quinny and Catpoo. I know it's been a mommoth effort and more difficult then anyone can ever imagine for a number of reasons!! (believe me). Now we have more control going forwards we have lots of opportunities for folks to get involved and for the website to become a really excellent medium for all things MFC.

As a Director, I took on overall responsibility for the new website and I haven't really had to lift a finger compared to Posh quinny and catpoo. Even if I do say so myself, I think I deligated everything extremely well.

[Phoenix]

Don't we know it, you're lucky your photo wasn't hacked before it was uploaded

ex-CatPoo

[MikeB]

We have been trying to get out of Premium TV websites for ages at Exeter City, but of course we are tied to a very long contract, so there is not a lot we can do about it. Many supporters reckon that it would be better to have total control over the web site, rather than have to endure adverts and all the other bits and pieces that is on it.

[Phoenix]

The downside of an independent site is getting the significant amount of ad revenue which premiumtv negotiate on the club's behalf. If you've got someone with time to spare to negotiate good deals then not a problem but these days money is key to a club's survival and that's exactly what the ads generate.