UTC: Twighlight years

[claptrappers_union]

This is more about a discussion of the digital age that we are living in, not the running of this board or a dig at the demographics of the average poster on here, but I've been thinking about this messageboard and the future and what that looks like. I don't use any other forum of its type. I might browse some other clubs' forums in pursuit of insights and information, and I sometimes lurk on BRFCS when all hell breaks loose every six months or so, but that's about it.

I gather that many posters are in their 60s. I'm in my 40s and have been posting on here (including ClaretsMad before it) for twenty years! I was wondering if anyone under 20 regularly posts here.

With Facebook Groups, Twitter and many other social networks, maybe some popular ones I've not even heard of being available, are younger people using the messageboard type of platforms now?

I know communication methods and digital expression are constantly evolving with different trends, and I don't know what they will look like in 10, 20, or 30 years, but are we seeing the twilight years of this messageboard because of the age of its user base?

[CoolClaret]

I think you'll see a bit of rebellion / pushback on the big social media firms with some digital rebels.

Instagram was the most deleted app of 2023 - I think a few young 'uns want to get away from the madness/intrusiveness of them...

[GetIntoEm]

im only 40 and was around in the clarets mad days.

i mainly use here, i find the facebook groups annoying. unreliable and full of overseas supporters posting flag emojis

[FCBurnley]

im only 40 and was around in the clarets mad days.

i mainly use here, i find the facebook groups annoying. unreliable and full of overseas supporters posting flag emojis

lol

[claptrappers_union]

Other than the Official Page, I don't bother with Facebook at all, though some of the Burnley FC groups slip into my feed as 'Suggested'

Podcasts are another thing I don't tend to bother with; the only one I actively listen to is 'From the Beehole', but that is because of the panel's journalistic background. If it's just a fan-based one, like the No Nay Never etc, I'm not interested.

The same goes for fans on YouTube—I don't seem to be interested in what regular fans have to say, yet I can sit on this forum for most of the day and interact with the same opinions.

I only tend to use Twitter during Transfer Windows.

[KlyBfc]

Another in my early 40s. Posted a little on Clarets Mad, more so on here. I don’t have Facebook anymore therefore I don’t have to deal with any of the nonsense that it brings up. I do use Twitter, occasionally rant, often peruse. I used to enjoy the various podcasts on my long commute to Wakefield however since moving jobs I now rarely catch them.

[1989_claret]

I think you'll see a bit of rebellion / pushback on the big social media firms with some digital rebels.

Instagram was the most deleted app of 2023 - I think a few young 'uns want to get away from the madness/intrusiveness of them...

On the other hand the most downloaded app of the past couple of years since COVID is TikTok as video content is now preferred more than photo by Gen Z.

[Inchy]

I’m 36 and signed up to the old site at 16!

I don’t use any other site for info regarding the club.

I do use Facebook but mainly for other interests. I do a lot of running and a lot of the race organisers post details on Facebook so it’s useful for that.


I actually enjoy tiktok. It’s full of utter crap however if you follow the right things the algorithm is good at suggesting videos. On tiktok I follow a lot of football related content like the athletic and TiFo.
I also follow a lot of running content creators. Also a lot of history and geography content which I find interesting.

Passes the time when having a crap

[FeedTheArf]

Passes the time when having a crap

High praise indeed!

[KlyBfc]

I’m 36 and signed up to the old site at 16!

I don’t use any other site for info regarding the club.

I do use Facebook but mainly for other interests. I do a lot of running and a lot of the race organisers post details on Facebook so it’s useful for that.


I actually enjoy tiktok. It’s full of utter crap however if you follow the right things the algorithm is good at suggesting videos. On tiktok I follow a lot of football related content like the athletic and TiFo.
I also follow a lot of running content creators. Also a lot of history and geography content which I find interesting.

Passes the time when having a crap

Apologies for being off topic, but Inchy as you have put that you are a runner, I could do with picking your brains briefly.

As someone doing their first half marathon in July, I’ve a decent level of fitness (just got up to 18-20 miles a week) and ran on and off for purely myself (mental benefits) for the last few years (no races) , what would be your 4 go to runs a week (long, easy etc) and how often would you have a down week?

[bfcfan1882]

Nothing compares to the old and original egroup, on the Yahoo Groups platform. Wake up to 200 emails to read / delete / reply to. Good old days.

[IanMcL]

This site is a precious asset for us as posters and readers and to Burnley Football Club. It's history is contained within.

We owe the creators much.

Thank you.

[SydneyClaret]

Been around since the early days of clarets mad. I feel like there was a board before that too but I’m 45 now and can’t remember what I had for dinner yesterday.

My young ones are into reddit and other social media sites I’ve never even heard of nowadays.

[claptrappers_union]

I don't want to look like I'm grooming, but 36 is the youngest so far.

[Bigbopper]

Apologies for being off topic, but Inchy as you have put that you are a runner, I could do with picking your brains briefly.

As someone doing their first half marathon in July, I’ve a decent level of fitness (just got up to 18-20 miles a week) and ran on and off for purely myself (mental benefits) for the last few years (no races) , what would be your 4 go to runs a week (long, easy etc) and how often would you have a down week?

I no longer run competitively due mainly to age. I have run under 3 for the marathon and under 80 mins for the half. First I think you need to get your weekly total to at least double your intended race distance so 26 m/week.If you are fairly new to competitive running then there appears to be more benefit in endurance training than intensity. Try and get your long run to 12 miles done at a pace you can manage relatively easily, you will find the pace will increase over time without you noticing it. Basically it is all about improving your aerobic fitness. If you feel you need a hard session then no more than 1/week as the hard sessions are more likely to cause injury. Never have a down week an easier week is ok .

[Inchy]

Apologies for being off topic, but Inchy as you have put that you are a runner, I could do with picking your brains briefly.

As someone doing their first half marathon in July, I’ve a decent level of fitness (just got up to 18-20 miles a week) and ran on and off for purely myself (mental benefits) for the last few years (no races) , what would be your 4 go to runs a week (long, easy etc) and how often would you have a down week?

Sorry for the late reply.

The down week depends on your level of fitness but if you’re running 20 miles a week I’d aim to up that by 10% every 2 weeks and then drop down 10 percent on the 3rd week, and then back up to where you was
(e.g. 20, 22, 25, 20, 25, 27, 30, 25 etc)

In terms of 4 runs a week, I’d be focussing on at least one speed session a week, one longish run, and one tempo run. The rest of the runs easy.

My go to speed session is done on an old track or the canal.
2 mile warm up, 5x400m in 1:14 with 45sec recovery jog between each. After 5x400 I have a 5 min jog then do it again. I then have another 5 min jog and then 1k max effort, then 2 mile cool down. This can be adjusted depending on fitness (less reps, slower laps, longer recoveries) but the aim is to reduce the recovery time and increase the lap speed.


I ran my first road half marathon in March (I normally just do fell races) and managed 1:11:45 which was a lot faster than expected. And I was hungover

[joey13]

I find FlexiSEQ gel works for me

[Shappie]

.


I ran my first road half marathon in March (I normally just do fell races) and managed 1:11:45 which was a lot faster than expected. And I was hungover

Very good time that Inchy. Well done !

If there are a few more runners on here maybe we could get an “Up The Clarets” Strava Club?

[joey13]

I find FlexiSEQ gel works for me

Sorry wrong thread .

[Conroy92]

I'm 31. I joined clarets mad at 13. It was one of the only sites not blocked by school. One of the lads in my form at actually signed my year book "loves clarets mad ".

The biggest features I miss are Holy custards match day threads and Big Dave's paper reviews.

[IanMcL]

I'm 31. I joined clarets mad at 13. It was one of the only sites not blocked by school. One of the lads in my form at actually signed my year book "loves clarets mad ".

The biggest features I miss are Holy custards match day threads and Big Dave's paper reviews.

Madge would be proud of you!

[claptrappers_union]

I must admit, I do miss Big Daves paper reviews. I feel out of touch with latest footy gossip without them

[Tribesmen]

Yer in my 60s only ever use Football chat rooms , no twitter or facebook as like to be unknown by most of the internet world .

[beddie]

Big Dave’s paper reviews were always something I looked forward to. I have a vague recollection that Inchy is Big Dave’s son, I may be wrong though.

[dougcollins]

Sorry wrong thread .

Which thread is that?

Asking for a friend.

[ALP]

62 and too often too ****** off to post anything. However we do need the up and coming clarets to keep social media alive on here. I was around in the old days of clarets mad, and will always populate the board with a photo or three, but cannot be bothered with the what seems constant oneupmanship. Still love the board though and many of the posters on here, and miss those who have sadly left us. UTC

[Hipper]

.... but are we seeing the twilight years of this messageboard because of the age of its user base?

Don't you have usage stats of this site? You may have age stats too?

[claptrappers_union]

I don't know what access the mods have, but as a mere member, I don't usually put my correct DOB when registering on forums and so on - with others probably doing the same.

Besides, there'll be thousands of dormant accounts, too, duplicates and bots, I'd imagine.

I think maybe a survey will give us the closest idea of the user base… I'm not sure what that will achieve other than satisfy my curiosity.

It's my assumption though, this forum and many like it will dwindle in activity and eventually become barron within the next 10-15 years or so

[Hipper]

Just a minute ago this site said 'In total there are 735 users online :: 28 registered, 0 hidden and 707 guests (based on users active over the past 5 minutes)
Most users ever online was 1345 on Sat Apr 06, 2024 3:54 pm'.

Most users ever was only a couple of weeks ago so that is positive.

The number of guests maybe include people like me who only sign in when I want to say something or just those who want to read but not write. 29 registered seems a rather small figure but I suppose many who usual register might be at or watching the match in some way.

[Hipper]

Now: 643 users, 47 registered.

Perhaps this should be on the Dull Man thread.

[exilecanada]

The number of guests maybe include people like me who only sign in when I want to say something or just those who want to read but not write.

Agreed, I read this forum daily, only login when I participate in a thread.

[claptrappers_union]

I'm not suggesting the forum is not popular, its was mainly a discussion about what the future looks like for it. It appears young people (under 30’s) are not contributing. I might be wrong though.

[NL Claret]

Posted on here and CM for possibly about 17 years, 51 years old. This forum does wind me up and can go months without posting / viewing however it does keep drawing me in. Judging by the number of votes for MOTM, this site only appeals to a small percentage of the fan base.

Do X and Facebook however block / snooze anything like Turf Cast Turf Moor Loyal.

Clarets Extra is ok on X as is Burnley FC Memories on Facebook.

[MDWat]

I’m 33. Been posting on CM/UTC since I’d guess about 2005.

[claret59]

I am one of those dinosaurs who hasn't a clue as to what social media is about. I manage on here because of my advancing years and distance from the Turf it is my one and only Burnley 'fix' at my disposal. But when someone tells me to get the 'App' I have only the vaguest idea as to what they are writing/ talking about and I prefer it that way.