Alan Hardy vows to stick with Twitter but hits out at abusive users

Alan Hardy has vowed to keep using Twitter to interact with Notts County fans, but insists that abusive messages sent to him on the platform are not acceptable.

The Magpies chairman often tweets updates about the club and engages with supporters, though he has sometimes come under criticism for doing so rather than using the official club site.

He wrote in the Nottingham Post: "As the chairman and owner of Notts County, I am a firm believer that engaging with the fans is essential to make them feel part of what we are trying to achieve at Meadow Lane.

"Twitter is my chosen tool for communication because I believe it's a terrific way to interact with the supporters on a one on one basis especially if they have any questions.

"I firmly believe our success will heavily rely on engagement with the fans which is why I put myself out there on Twitter.

"It would be wrong of me to suggest that it has all been plain sailing and over the last week or so I have had to block a number of accounts.

"I have no problem whatsoever with people having a different opinion to me, but it's how that opinion is delivered.

"Some people have been nothing but abusive and the last thing I want when fetching a drink is somebody giving me gratuitous abuse.

"I just won't stand for it. I don't need it in my life because it adds nothing to it. If somebody has a different opinion, then fine.

"I welcome that because it's about debate, challenging viewpoints and being able to consider other perceptions.

"I always think of Twitter as being in the pub having a debate with your mates. But if somebody comes up to me, calls me an idiot and headbutts me then it's not acceptable.

"Likewise, somebody being abusive on Twitter is not acceptable. I encourage people to have different opinions not only on Twitter but in the workplace too.

"Fortunately, 95 percent of the people who do engage with me are polite, appreciate the interaction and leave me sometimes looking at my own thought process."

To read the rest of Alan Hardy's column on the Nottingham Post, click here.

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