Forthright chairman Douglas Craig gave a vote of confidence to the club's inaugural forum.

Unsure as to what reception he, fellow directors, and manager Alan Little would get in the firing line Craig said more candid meetings would be held.

Said Craig: "I thought the atmosphere was quite good, though I never knew what to expect.

"Tonight the views expressed were more concentrated and I hope they are (the fans) better informed.

"It's been a valuable exercise. The board are quite pleased with the result and will repeat it."

A consistent criticism at last night's meeting was that there was a lack of good public relations between the fans and the club.

Dorothy Elliott, a supporter of more than 50 years' standing, typified the mood when she said: "If we don't improve public relations then we are going to be the worst supported club in the whole of the league."

Welcoming the apparent 'sea-change' by the club another supporter asked whether they were really interested in what the fans had to say.

Craig conceded the club had often been reluctant to discuss in public players' wages and transfer valuations. He believed it was unfair to touch on the former, but he added of transfer dealings: "We have decided in the present climate we were wrong.

"But just because you hear that we are given a transfer value of £700,000, that £700,000 does not magically appear in the club's accounts the next morning.

"That's not the case. Under League rules the club buying pays so much up front then so much over a limited period."

In his new openness over transfers he disclosed that last week's deal for a mystery centre-back had fallen through not because of the player's cash terms, but because he had failed a medical.

One supporter said 'a bitter and sour atmosphere' had been evident at the club for the past 18 months.

"There seems to be an antagonism towards the team," he said. "Bearing this in mind the board should improve its public relations."

Said the City chairman: "If you would like to have this kind of meeting more frequently then we will be prepared to do it."

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