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
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
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