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My Retirement from the Network

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5.5K views 34 replies 27 participants last post by  Madpig  
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi all,

I never thought I'd see the day when I would be writing this, however the time has come for me to step down from running the Network. I have recently transferred ownership to TyreForums.com.

I have to accept that the personal demands placed on me due to the ongoing success and growth of the Network has outstripped the time I have available to maintain all of the Clubs to the standard that our members deserve. This has been a very difficult decision to make but I am at a stage in my life when I need to consider my ongoing commitments and ease some of the pressures to make time for others.

The Network has great potential to grow and provide even better services to members, this should not be held back by me and the time is right to pass the steering wheel to others with the experience and expertise to make things happen.

My History...

You might be interested to know how I got here. At the age of nineteen, I started off as a member of staff on a Fiesta Zetec Club, being a proud owner of my 2001 Fiesta Freestyle 1.25. I had a taste of being an Administrator, an addictive role. In 2003 I had a huge desire to own the Fiesta RS Concept and I loved the Fiesta ST that was introduced at the same time.

With a lack of information or places to discuss the two Fiesta's in 2003 I decided to use my spare time and money to create a website, RSSTOC.com. was launched. This quickly became an online forum, with a mere 42 members, with one or two joining every few weeks.

Little did I know that I was setting myself up for a further ten years of commitment and dedication in establishing four clubs. I never envisioned or expected to see what exists today!

In 2005 I changed the club name to the brand we are all now familiar with, FiestaSTOC.com. Shortly after FocusSTOC.com was launched. In 2008 FocusRSOC.com and MondeoSTOC.com were added to the family.

We now boast a Network of over 55,000 people, who all make what is a fantastic network of enthusiasts and a very unique community.

In these ten years I've;

Been blessed with teams of the most dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers
Lost a friend and valued club member
Seen relationships grow between members, resulting in marriage and children
Achieved things I never thought possible both online and offline
Experienced things I will never forget
Dealt with difficult and sensitive issues
Had the pleasure of meeting and interacting with the friendliest of people
Made some great friends
Obtained great pleasure and satisfaction through seeing members enjoying the forums, the banter, their sense of humour, the mutual support of like mined people.

So what happens now?

The most important thing is that members will see little difference. The same fantastic Club Staff Team will continue in their roles in supporting you and developing the network.

There will be a new Community Management Team who will oversee the network. They specialize in running online communities and have the infrastructure and backup needed.

You will continue to enjoy the same club as you do right now, with the hope of seeing more Sponsors and discounts.

All club shows will continue to be managed, tickets will be sent out on time as usual, along with all shop orders, present and future... Nothing changes there. I will be attending Ford Fair and ensuring our show goes smoothly.

With regards to the transfer to the new server, I apologise that clearly did not go according to plan due to a hardware failure our end, which meant the DNS was pointing some of you to my server and some to the new server. There have been a few bugs that have been ironed out and I trust the sites will now been running smoothly again.

My Thanks...

My thanks go to the Club Staff Team, you guys are fantastic and I know you will continue to be so. Whilst you deal with the occasional grief you know that for every unhappy member there are thousands that are happy and that is down to how you guys manage the forums on a daily basis.

You all commit a great deal of time on a voluntary basis for the greater good of the community. A massive thank you to Rich, Marc, Amanda, Chris, Allan, Alb, Chris, Clive, Jared, John, Karl, Mark, Phil, Rob, Ryan, Sean, Aman, Geoff, Marcellus, Alex, Clare, Luke, Jason, Steve, Sye, Sam, Jonathan, Martin, Mike, Mark, Derek and Jon

A big thank you again to those who have since moved on from their staff role, some of whom are still with us in the background Joy, Arun, Ayesha, James, Andy, Neil, Matt, Ashley, Sean, Mark, Gaz, Craig, Mike, Scott, Andy, Joe, Perri, Ant, Louise, Gav, Paul, Donna, Jimmy, Colin, Rich, Lee, Stu, Lau, Adam... for anyone I've forgotten, I apologise!

A huge thanks to the long list of members who currently and previously supported the club in the role of Regional Rep. I'm sorry I cannot name you all. Your time and efforts you have placed into your local region will not be forgotten and I sincerely hope you enjoyed your time in the role.

Thanks to all the past and present Sponsors, long may you continue to support this excellent community of members.

I wish to say a special thank you to two people...

Scott Cheeseman... Scott, you've certainly been through the thick of it with me right from the early days until the recent years before you escaped to China! (Now back in the UK where you belong may I add!). We've had some great times together and some interesting experiences! Thanks for your help and support over the years. Thanks also to Charlotte.

Amanda Lewis... I know Amanda hates mentions and if this was in person she would be hiding away somewhere. Amanda is the fantastic individual working behind scenes, she has dedicated an incredible amount of time to processing the shop orders, vinyl stickers, show tickets, clothing and merchandise. Amanda has had some testing times in recent years and always taken the pressures in her stride. I have been fortunate to have her support and we all appreciate the dedication and commitment she shows to the clubs. Thanks must also go to her daughter Alana.

Finally, a huge thank you to you, the members...

Without a doubt, there's nothing without you guys. I provided the foundations, but you make the community we see today. Its an ever changing community. Characters come and go, some never forgotten, some just love the place so much they stay.

Some of you may have spent years with us, remaining happy as a face in the crowd... You're just as important to us and equally to be thanked!

The majority of you abide by our simple rules, treat others as you wished to be treated, remain friendly, respectful and polite, say sorry if its needed and thank you when required. For every difficult member I've had to deal with, I always reminded myself there were thousands of you enjoying what I started.

Whether you've come to the club to find the answer to one question, get ideas or give feedback, save some money (or spend it on modifications/parts!) make friends or even find a partner, I truly hope you all continue to get enjoyment and satisfaction from your membership of the club and our fantastic network.

Thank you so much everyone.

Jim Dutton
'Retired' Club Founder
 
#2 ·
Didn't see this coming!
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You certainly started something with this club, reading up on how it all started is quite an achievement too! I know for sure though that the club will continue to grow and I'm pretty certain you won't just be walking away
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All the best with whatever you are focusing your time on now
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Sye's not taking over is he!?
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
Jim you've done a fantastic job, all I can say is thank you for giving me the experiences as a Member, Regional Rep and Staff Member over the years, the role as Staff really did give me a insight into how much time and effort goes on behind the scenes of this forum, never mind being the Founder as well.

I wish you the greatest of luck in the future Jim!
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P.S. Enjoy your retirement and bus pass
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#5 ·
I've only been a member of this forum for the last year, but huge credit is due to the founder, it's staff and it's members. It was by far and away the most approachable forum and certainly the friendliest. It took me no time to make my mind up and join up with my Fez. I've had my wallet raided on a monthly basis (Alex
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) but that has saved me a substantial amount had I not been a member of this club.

It is clear to see that so much time and effort has gone in to making this club (along with the other three) the best there is out there. I've only attended FitP with the club but it left such an impression on me that I won't forget it in a hurry. Ford Fair next!

I wish you the very best of luck to wherever you life is taking you next Jim. Here's to you, the staff and the members
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#7 ·
Sorry to hear your retiring Jim, but what an achievement this whole network has been for you
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Thanks again for giving me the chance to be a staff member, as Mark has said i really didn't realize how much work goes on behind the scenes here on the STOC network and I am very thankful you gave me the opportunity to help out.

All the best in the future bud
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#8 ·
Jim,

I can only but extend my personal gratitude for all the support which you have extended since I joined the club in 2007. I've performed various roles across the network over the years including Regional Rep, Club Staff, Administrator and now Network Administrator, which I have personally enjoyed every minute of!

As Rich has said, the legacy shall live on with the balance of content and moderation & the cleanly kept forums so that things continue to be easy to find, as although you & I are both stepping down

Thank you very much Jim! Hold your head up high mate, you are stepping down from something very special indeed!
 
#18 ·
Jim very nicely put, it's a shame to see you go, but it was something that you were bound to relinquish on to another generation.

You've done fantastically well considering where it all began it's one of the best and iconic club networks and known very well in Europe and beyond.

Leaving with a good sense of accomplishment of the club networks success, is certainly well deserved.

I wish you all the best for the near future, and welcome in new management.

I think a round of applause is is due for the work and commitment put in!

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#20 ·
Jim to say i was shocked when i first read all of this i think is an understatement
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But i want to wish you all the best in your retirement fella, i know that you will probably still keep in touch , and indeed pop up now and again , after all that effort you have put into this great network of clubs dedicated to the ST/RS mark it will always hold that special place in your heart.
It has been a pleasure to be part of this experience, i will never forget my first meet and the warmth from various members in making what for me was a big step at the time.

Also after my first Fiesta in the Park ,and being asked to become area rep for South Central , and then later to be invited to become a member of the Staff team a role i also thoroughly enjoyed , and was indeed again to be made very welcome too by yourself and others , and i was sad having to step down earlier this year due to family work commitments .
i would like to offer my thanks to you for everything that you have done over the past decade, all those late nights, and probably some sleepless ones too i might add but without all of that then where we are today as a club would not of been possible. The current Staff still maintain that strong ethos which you have guided then to ,so i am sure we as a club will still grow, and i remember a conversation with you and a question " did you think at the time you started the club it would be at where we are now "

And now to another chapter,we have been lucky over the last Three years to have won best club stand at Ford Fair twice last year being the current holders,it would be really great if we could manage it again this year as a final present as it were to all your great efforts.

I look forward to seeing you at Ford Fair this year mate all being it in a different role so to speak .

All the best to you

Neil
 
#25 ·
Very shocked to hear this sad news. I'd just like to reiterate what most people have said in that you have done a fantastic job in setting up the Network, and without your commitment and hard work we wouldn't be where we are today. I wasn't here right at the very beginning, but in the 7 years I have been there's been many faces come and go, but the club has always been at the forefront for the ST with all the information you could ever need, and the place to come to for meeting like minded enthusiasts.

I wish you all the best for the future and hope you pop in now and again to say hello.

Thank you, Jim.

Clare
 
#26 ·
What can I say Jim? I am shocked along with several members to hear this news but not entirely surprised as we knew this day had to ultimately come.

Well what on earth did I let myself in for back in April 2005 eh? My god did I curse your name when I had to remove my RSSTOC.com stickers in a swap for the FiestaSToc.com ones LOL. Having started out on another forum I quickly came to realise this place was the one for me. The atmosphere you created was friendly, with a healthy dose of banter. I'll always remember that feeling of community especially in FITP 2005 when only 5 months after its release, we had over 30 ST's on the stand including one from Holland!

I was very chuffed to become the first London Rep & then proud to hand over (by then) the London & SE Region as I was made a Staff member. Whilst I did more moderating than anything, I was proud to help support the club and honoured to be a part of the team helping to decide how we should move on both as a sub section of The Network and as a whole.

I have made many great friends who I hold extremely dear to my heart & let's face it, without this place I wouldnt have met Arun! I have many many fond memories of pre show parties and one very bemused pizza delivery boy at one particular hotel lol I have many many pictures ....
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Yes this place hasnt always been a complete walk in the park & people (& characters) will come & go, but overall its still a good place to be and I hope it continues that way.

You will be sorely missed xxx
 
#27 ·
Jim - what can i say.... Like Ayesha, i too go right back to the RSSTOC days. I seem to remember i met you on ZSOC when i was waiting for my ST to be built, and then followed your advice and signed up to the club. Little did i know then how much i would benefit from it all, in terms of gaining knowledge, meeting people, attending shows and local meets, and the pleasure (and sometimes frustration) of my time as a member of the staff team.

I have the deepest admiration for your dedication, hard work and achievements with this club, and i wish you all the very best for the future.
 
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