Jastrzębski, founded in 1949, is one of the oldest volleyball clubs in the world. It is understandable then, that a team with such long history gathered enormous fan support throughout the years. Just like in soccer, sometimes these fans organize themselves in official fan clubs, and receive financial support from the teams. This was the case with Jastrzębski and Social Club Fan Club KS Jastrzębie-Borynia.
However, the team’s oficial website announced that the team has stopped further cooperation with the fan club. This is a response to what the team called “outrageous and scandalous behavior” by the club during its Champions League qualifying match against Cyprus’ Omonia Nicosia. According to the team, the fans “violated the atmosphere” of the game with their rude behavior. The team also stated that their relationship with the fan club was already strained after it repeatedly failed to provide a written contract detailing the cooperation terms between both parties.
The team has called on for the organization of a new fan club and has invited fans, including members of the current fan club, for a meeting in team offices.
This is what Adam Gorol, Team President, had to say about cutting ties with the official fan club:
“In my opinion a fan club should support our team during good times and bad times. I am aware that these operations generate some costs and I was willing to support Social Club Fan Club KS Jastrzębie-Borynia since the beginning of my exercise as team president. I supported the fan club in the previous season, and in the present one I declared even greater support, but conditioned it by them agreeing to clear rules of cooperation. Unfortunately, the expectations of this difficult partner grew. We have different ideas about financial and organizational aspects. The fan club management must understand that it is not Jastrzębski’s management. My request for a statement of expenses for this season was not fulfilled. I have repeatedly called on the fan club’s presidency and general members to meet for the discussion of issues regarding financial cooperation, arena behavior, and etc, but these have all been turned down, even by writing, as I still have these documents.”
The team is currently in 8th place in PlusLiga standings, with four wins and four losses. It invested heavily in this year’s roster, as it is shceduled to participate in the 2018 CEV Champions League.
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