Happy Anniversary to US

[russellw]

As we near the end of 2014 we reach a major milestone in the life of AFF as we celebrate our tenth anniversary since go-live date on 30th December, 2004 (although some people got a preview on December 29th).

We've come a long way. We had 917 registrations in that first week; passed 5,000 in week 20; 10,000 in week 42 and 20,000 in just over a year. We currently have ~117,000 registered users but as we purge inactive users each year, the total registrations have numbered 264,000 and they still run at about 7-800 per week.

Monthly unique visits used to run about 18,000 in 2005 but they now regularly top 100,000 and where we used to serve about 300,000 pages per month (in 2005) that figure is closer to 20 million now.

We've hosted some great events, cruises, workshops, charity events (raising more than $80,000 along the way) and built a resource for Ford lovers with the combined experience and knowledge of all the members who have contributed their time and knowledge, both past and present.

We've watched fledgling businesses grow through the forum, had some major debates on a wide range of topics, worked through controversies, legal threats, personal loss, server issues and changes in key personnel most of which has remained in the background and known to only a few.

Along the way we have been supported by some loyal sponsors, many of whom (notably ASL, Autotech, Bluepower, BPT Herrod & Stingray) joined in that first year and are still supporting us today. To them, along with all of our sponsors, I want to say a big thanks.

Likewise, we have been assisted by a small but loyal group of Donating Members, many of whom joined the first year that membership became available (2006) and are still supporting us today. Thanks to all of them as well.

While I'm saying thank-yous, I can't forget the largely unsung heroes in the back room that help keep AFF running. It's been a changing group over the last decade as people have come and gone but the current admin group (Spoolman, wulos, Falcon Coupe, Auslandau and GT) and our team of moderators have been together for a good few years now and their patience, help and support has been invaluable.

Finally, it would be remiss of me not to thank each and everyone of the members who are here now, have been here and those who will be here in the years ahead for it is each of you that contributes to this community and makes it what it is today.

On a personal note let me say that I've met some great people through this forum and been constantly amazed at the depth and breadth of knowledge available within this community - not just about our brand but about almost anything you care to name and I consider myself fortunate to have been a part of it all.

We'll be hosting a major (probably last chance) celebratory event in the middle of this coming year so watch this space!

Cheers
Russ