Have been boycotting RD's regime since January 2016. It's horrible to know he's stolen these years of going to The Valley from me, but it's going to make that first game post-takeover so much sweeter. I think there'll be tears streaming down my cheeks as we sing 'we got our Charlton back'.
Have been boycotting RD's regime since January 2016. It's horrible to know he's stolen these years of going to The Valley from me, but it's going to make that first game post-takeover so much sweeter. I think there'll be tears streaming down my cheeks as we sing 'we got our Charlton back'.
I'll be wearing dark glasses the size of ambulance windows and I don't care the CL fashion police say.
The fact that many would have already bought season tickets makes boycotting a little difficult anyway. I'm sure there are some fans that have regretted buying their season tickets as they assumed that the takeover would have gone through by now, and they may well have added to the ranks of the boycotters. But, once your money is paid, it's then very difficult to not turn up.
The timing of this seems more than a little odd.
I just dont understand why people couldnt wait until he had left anyway.. If they had any intention of boycotting it makes no sense.
Well some would buy a ST even if an evil dictator owned us, and they would still make excuses for them. Others just can't contain their excitement. I know people personally that bought their ST's when they were released because they got carried away with the takeover news and were hopeful of a new dawn. They are regretting it now and desperately want the takeover to go through, I guess in some part to justify their decision not to wait.
Ultimately, if someone is fixed on buying a ST, there is nothing in the world that will stop them.
And I (and I’m sure all fans), would not deny them the right to do so.....each to their own.
If only that were true. Just reading posts on this forum alone you can see that it's not the case
Disagree.
The vast majority of fans are respecting people individual decisions on whether to boycott or not.
I've seen no animosity from either side.
This is our problem we are a split fan base. Nearly everyone is happy with what everyone else is doing but it leaves us split.
The fact that many would have already bought season tickets makes boycotting a little difficult anyway. I'm sure there are some fans that have regretted buying their season tickets as they assumed that the takeover would have gone through by now, and they may well have added to the ranks of the boycotters. But, once your money is paid, it's then very difficult to not turn up.
The timing of this seems more than a little odd.
I just dont understand why people couldnt wait until he had left anyway.. If they had any intention of boycotting it makes no sense.
Well some would buy a ST even if an evil dictator owned us, and they would still make excuses for them. Others just can't contain their excitement. I know people personally that bought their ST's when they were released because they got carried away with the takeover news and were hopeful of a new dawn. They are regretting it now and desperately want the takeover to go through, I guess in some part to justify their decision not to wait.
Ultimately, if someone is fixed on buying a ST, there is nothing in the world that will stop them.
And I (and I’m sure all fans), would not deny them the right to do so.....each to their own.
If only that were true. Just reading posts on this forum alone you can see that it's not the case
Disagree.
The vast majority of fans are respecting people individual decisions on whether to boycott or not.
I've seen no animosity from either side.
This is our problem we are a split fan base. Nearly everyone is happy with what everyone else is doing but it leaves us split.
With the penny pinching going on down at The Valley due to RD's instructions to me that shows that those withholding their money and spending nowt at Charlton have made a difference and it has hurt the twunt of an owner . all this me buying this that or the other wont make a difference to our gazillionaire owner i believe is wrong because it is hitting him where it hurts the tight git is feeling the squeeze !!
I just can't see an end, utter manaic in charge, non understandable objectives, happy to do his absolute best to kill a club based on some obscure motive no one understands.
He is unworkable with, and these poor Aussies have no idea how to wrestle the club free bar pay 50 million quid.
Getting all bills down to zero is his new strategy, utter nightmare.
No movement, no hope, league 2 here we come, it'll be worth it though to get rid of him.
The fact that many would have already bought season tickets makes boycotting a little difficult anyway. I'm sure there are some fans that have regretted buying their season tickets as they assumed that the takeover would have gone through by now, and they may well have added to the ranks of the boycotters. But, once your money is paid, it's then very difficult to not turn up.
The timing of this seems more than a little odd.
I just dont understand why people couldnt wait until he had left anyway.. If they had any intention of boycotting it makes no sense.
Well some would buy a ST even if an evil dictator owned us, and they would still make excuses for them. Others just can't contain their excitement. I know people personally that bought their ST's when they were released because they got carried away with the takeover news and were hopeful of a new dawn. They are regretting it now and desperately want the takeover to go through, I guess in some part to justify their decision not to wait.
Ultimately, if someone is fixed on buying a ST, there is nothing in the world that will stop them.
And I (and I’m sure all fans), would not deny them the right to do so.....each to their own.
If only that were true. Just reading posts on this forum alone you can see that it's not the case
Disagree.
The vast majority of fans are respecting people individual decisions on whether to boycott or not.
I've seen no animosity from either side.
Then I am afraid you haven't read the thread carefully in the last 48 hours (although I know you might have a good excuse for that).
Most of the animosity seems, quite rightly aimed at the trust, rather than individual fans.
In any normal business these sorts of petty, desperate cost cutting measures never work. If its got to that point the situation is terminal.
Roland could make a much bigger saving by ridding himself of the Chief Operating Officer's salary and pension costs rather than making everybody sit in the dark or buy their own pens.
If he is not on holiday anyway Eddie Stobart does his last day of the week today, I hear a brave employee will then turn on a light to find the switch for the fan against the heat and risk instant dismissal by Cojones by charging their phone. They might get away with it by wearing their stinking unwashed 'uniform' to prevent Cojones lingering by them.
Those saying support the team, what team? Just like the rest of the staff it has been decimated. I've said for a while boycotting is likely the only thing that will really force his hand.
I understand why some are getting angry at this, but call it for what it is. Those people don't want to give up social time with friends/family. That's absolutely fine, I completely understand that but don't start lashing out and hiding behind false justifications.
The fact that many would have already bought season tickets makes boycotting a little difficult anyway. I'm sure there are some fans that have regretted buying their season tickets as they assumed that the takeover would have gone through by now, and they may well have added to the ranks of the boycotters. But, once your money is paid, it's then very difficult to not turn up.
The timing of this seems more than a little odd.
I just dont understand why people couldnt wait until he had left anyway.. If they had any intention of boycotting it makes no sense.
Well some would buy a ST even if an evil dictator owned us, and they would still make excuses for them. Others just can't contain their excitement. I know people personally that bought their ST's when they were released because they got carried away with the takeover news and were hopeful of a new dawn. They are regretting it now and desperately want the takeover to go through, I guess in some part to justify their decision not to wait.
Ultimately, if someone is fixed on buying a ST, there is nothing in the world that will stop them.
And I (and I’m sure all fans), would not deny them the right to do so.....each to their own.
If only that were true. Just reading posts on this forum alone you can see that it's not the case
Disagree.
The vast majority of fans are respecting people individual decisions on whether to boycott or not.
I've seen no animosity from either side.
Then I am afraid you haven't read the thread carefully in the last 48 hours (although I know you might have a good excuse for that).
Most of the animosity seems, quite rightly aimed at the trust, rather than individual fans.
With the news regarding the cost cutting measures, it has expunged one myth put out by some non- boycotters. Namely that witholding monies from RD makes little or no difference.
I am almost tempted to trawl old posts to "name and shame", but on second thoughts I realise I am getting grumpy because of the ongoing situation -)
Don't blame anyone for still going to matches or for actively boycotting. I've no idea whether calling for a boycott is the right thing to do. However I don't think it will make any real difference in practice, it's a symbolic gesture. It might help our cause, it might play into RD's hands- no-one can know with any certainty.
As others have said it's important that we don't turn on each other and stay united. We're all Charlton fans after all and at some point we'll need to play our part in rebuilding the club when RD has eventually gone. Hopefully we'll still have our ground and be in L1. When RD has gone most of us will be back even if we're non league and ground sharing with Welling.
I dont go along with boycott now,we should all meet outside valley with no tickets send some in to open gates/fire exits and storm in,turn all the lights on,and have a protest in stadium.
The fact that many would have already bought season tickets makes boycotting a little difficult anyway. I'm sure there are some fans that have regretted buying their season tickets as they assumed that the takeover would have gone through by now, and they may well have added to the ranks of the boycotters. But, once your money is paid, it's then very difficult to not turn up.
The timing of this seems more than a little odd.
I just dont understand why people couldnt wait until he had left anyway.. If they had any intention of boycotting it makes no sense.
Well some would buy a ST even if an evil dictator owned us, and they would still make excuses for them. Others just can't contain their excitement. I know people personally that bought their ST's when they were released because they got carried away with the takeover news and were hopeful of a new dawn. They are regretting it now and desperately want the takeover to go through, I guess in some part to justify their decision not to wait.
Ultimately, if someone is fixed on buying a ST, there is nothing in the world that will stop them.
And I (and I’m sure all fans), would not deny them the right to do so.....each to their own.
If only that were true. Just reading posts on this forum alone you can see that it's not the case
Disagree.
The vast majority of fans are respecting people individual decisions on whether to boycott or not.
I've seen no animosity from either side.
Then I am afraid you haven't read the thread carefully in the last 48 hours (although I know you might have a good excuse for that).
Most of the animosity seems, quite rightly aimed at the trust, rather than individual fans.
Why is that 'quite rightly'?
I think it's been gone over a few times already by others, their latest statement completely undermines CARDs position, without any consultation with their membership, that, imo is wrong and unfair to CARD.
With the penny pinching going on down at The Valley due to RD's instructions to me that shows that those withholding their money and spending nowt at Charlton have made a difference and it has hurt the twunt of an owner . all this me buying this that or the other wont make a difference to our gazillionaire owner i believe is wrong because it is hitting him where it hurts the tight git is feeling the squeeze !!
Agreed starving RD of income would clearly now hurt him while the penny pinching is going on.
But I disagree on this working since the start. It's only now while he's running the club as tight as possible a #notapennymore approach can work.
So, supposing everybody did boycott the Valley, ST holders included, would that be the sort of material change or event that could scupper any exiting takeover that was going on, or simply cause the due diligence to be refreshed and negotiations to start all over again ?
No, I think it would piss off Duchatalet and make me as a boycotter feel better, nothing else.
I suppose the lack of attendees could drop the average temperature in the ground to such a low that the prospective buyer may contract hypethermia, die, the deal collapses and we end up keeping Duchatalet or some other such hypothetical bollocks but.....overall no I dont think boycotting does either of the above as I am boycotting until a takeover, thats all.
No, I think it would piss off Duchatalet and make me as a boycotter feel better, nothing else.
I suppose the lack of attendees could drop the average teperature in the ground to such a low that the prospective buyer may contract hypethermia, die, the deal collapses and we end up keeping Duchatalet or some other such hypothetical bollocks but.....overall no I dont think boycotting does either of the above as I am boycotting until a takeover, thats all.
The fact that many would have already bought season tickets makes boycotting a little difficult anyway. I'm sure there are some fans that have regretted buying their season tickets as they assumed that the takeover would have gone through by now, and they may well have added to the ranks of the boycotters. But, once your money is paid, it's then very difficult to not turn up.
The timing of this seems more than a little odd.
I just dont understand why people couldnt wait until he had left anyway.. If they had any intention of boycotting it makes no sense.
Well some would buy a ST even if an evil dictator owned us, and they would still make excuses for them. Others just can't contain their excitement. I know people personally that bought their ST's when they were released because they got carried away with the takeover news and were hopeful of a new dawn. They are regretting it now and desperately want the takeover to go through, I guess in some part to justify their decision not to wait.
Ultimately, if someone is fixed on buying a ST, there is nothing in the world that will stop them.
And I (and I’m sure all fans), would not deny them the right to do so.....each to their own.
If only that were true. Just reading posts on this forum alone you can see that it's not the case
Disagree.
The vast majority of fans are respecting people individual decisions on whether to boycott or not.
I've seen no animosity from either side.
Then I am afraid you haven't read the thread carefully in the last 48 hours (although I know you might have a good excuse for that).
Most of the animosity seems, quite rightly aimed at the trust, rather than individual fans.
Why is that 'quite rightly'?
I think it's been gone over a few times already by others, their latest statement completely undermines CARDs position, without any consultation with their membership, that, imo is wrong and unfair to CARD.
Ok so this has to be answered
First, correct me if I am wrong Stu, but you are not a Trust member, are you, nor have ever been? That is not a dig, but an important reminder that the Trust's membership includes a large number who do not read CL. We have surveyed the membership very regularly at times when the issue looked too difficult to call, but it did not look so difficult on this occasion, not least because some of us do read and participate on CL.
The proof that this was the correct call can be seen in this thread. Look back from the beginning up to the point where @Airman Brown posts that the Trust dissented from the decision. Significant numbers express varying degrees of disagreement with the announcement, and that before any of them knew of the Trust position. That suggests strongly that we called our membership right, since CL has traditionally been a slightly more militant environment than our membership as a whole.
I am not sure if you properly read the CAST statement. Let me remind you of the key para with my emphais in bold:
CAS Trust is an open and democratic organisation. Any Charlton fan can join the Trust and put themselves forward for election to the board. At present our board members, while actively opposing Duchatelet's ownership, have reached the decision that they wish to continue to attend home games. This position might change - for example if there was clear evidence that not attending would speed a sale - but at present, with the principle of a sale established, we do not plan to stop going to The Valley.
Any coalition has a spectrum of views and, although we understand and respect the majority CARD position, in this particular instance it would be hypocritical given the above for the CAST board to support the call for boycott.
What undermines a coalition is when one partner does not get his way, and then publicly slags off the other partner who did not quite see things the way he did. @""Airman Brown" 's comment suggested that the only reason the Trust came to this decision was because 'some of them had already bought their ST's". In other words narrow self -interest. That's a load of bollocks. In fact the discussion among us was as usual robust and not easily agreed upon. The general feeling was that it might have been easier to go along with the call if we were closer to the first home game and still no sign of the sale going through. As it was, we genuinely believed based on info available that the sale really is imminent. Remember also that we are being watched by the potential new owners. Assuming they themselves believe the sale is imminent, how responsible do we look joining such a call when they are about to take over and want to hit the ground running?
It was the right decision, and one which should give no succour to Roland Duchatelet, not least because some of us are also active in another fan group that believes that the best way to put pressure on him is to keep up that pressure in his own backyard.
Did the Trust board agree with CARD's statement as of the 12th April this year when they urged fans not to buy 2018/2019 season tickets while Du Chat away remained owner of Charlton Athletic?
Would be great if we could disagree without some of the undertones above
In balance I am a huge fan of what CARD have done, how we could have used all that creativity and energy when we started the Trust but I do of course appreciate that those were different times and perhaps the need wasn’t as urgent.
“The Day the Sofa died” is up there with some of my greatest memories as a Charlton fan, with the destruction of that symbol of Meire’s ambivalence, commercial petty bullshit and gross misunderstanding of things CAFC - better words needed but you know what I mean. CARD (and others) gave us a reason to be proud again.
Don't think CARD killed the sofa but it was a brave and hugely symbolic act that should be marked in some way. : - )
So, supposing everybody did boycott the Valley, ST holders included, would that be the sort of material change or event that could scupper any exiting takeover that was going on, or simply cause the due diligence to be refreshed and negotiations to start all over again ?
Remember when people were worried that protesting could put off any potential buyers. Well see that outcome and apply it to your question.
The fact that many would have already bought season tickets makes boycotting a little difficult anyway. I'm sure there are some fans that have regretted buying their season tickets as they assumed that the takeover would have gone through by now, and they may well have added to the ranks of the boycotters. But, once your money is paid, it's then very difficult to not turn up.
The timing of this seems more than a little odd.
I just dont understand why people couldnt wait until he had left anyway.. If they had any intention of boycotting it makes no sense.
Well some would buy a ST even if an evil dictator owned us, and they would still make excuses for them. Others just can't contain their excitement. I know people personally that bought their ST's when they were released because they got carried away with the takeover news and were hopeful of a new dawn. They are regretting it now and desperately want the takeover to go through, I guess in some part to justify their decision not to wait.
Ultimately, if someone is fixed on buying a ST, there is nothing in the world that will stop them.
And I (and I’m sure all fans), would not deny them the right to do so.....each to their own.
If only that were true. Just reading posts on this forum alone you can see that it's not the case
Disagree.
The vast majority of fans are respecting people individual decisions on whether to boycott or not.
I've seen no animosity from either side.
Then I am afraid you haven't read the thread carefully in the last 48 hours (although I know you might have a good excuse for that).
Most of the animosity seems, quite rightly aimed at the trust, rather than individual fans.
Why is that 'quite rightly'?
I think it's been gone over a few times already by others, their latest statement completely undermines CARDs position, without any consultation with their membership, that, imo is wrong and unfair to CARD.
Does it REALLY matter.....they are two different groups and both entitled to have differing views, just like all of us. For the life of me I cannot understand the shit storm some people are stirring up........I say again, does it REALLY matter that much? My guess is that there are few people who give a toss about this issue.....it’s so minor in the scheme of things! “Completely undermines CARD’s position”..... oh do me a favour!
The fact that many would have already bought season tickets makes boycotting a little difficult anyway. I'm sure there are some fans that have regretted buying their season tickets as they assumed that the takeover would have gone through by now, and they may well have added to the ranks of the boycotters. But, once your money is paid, it's then very difficult to not turn up.
The timing of this seems more than a little odd.
I just dont understand why people couldnt wait until he had left anyway.. If they had any intention of boycotting it makes no sense.
Well some would buy a ST even if an evil dictator owned us, and they would still make excuses for them. Others just can't contain their excitement. I know people personally that bought their ST's when they were released because they got carried away with the takeover news and were hopeful of a new dawn. They are regretting it now and desperately want the takeover to go through, I guess in some part to justify their decision not to wait.
Ultimately, if someone is fixed on buying a ST, there is nothing in the world that will stop them.
And I (and I’m sure all fans), would not deny them the right to do so.....each to their own.
If only that were true. Just reading posts on this forum alone you can see that it's not the case
Disagree.
The vast majority of fans are respecting people individual decisions on whether to boycott or not.
I've seen no animosity from either side.
Then I am afraid you haven't read the thread carefully in the last 48 hours (although I know you might have a good excuse for that).
Most of the animosity seems, quite rightly aimed at the trust, rather than individual fans.
Why is that 'quite rightly'?
I think it's been gone over a few times already by others, their latest statement completely undermines CARDs position, without any consultation with their membership, that, imo is wrong and unfair to CARD.
Ok so this has to be answered
First, correct me if I am wrong Stu, but you are not a Trust member, are you, nor have ever been? That is not a dig, but an important reminder that the Trust's membership includes a large number who do not read CL. We have surveyed the membership very regularly at times when the issue looked too difficult to call, but it did not look so difficult on this occasion, not least because some of us do read and participate on CL.
The proof that this was the correct call can be seen in this thread. Look back from the beginning up to the point where @Airman Brown posts that the Trust dissented from the decision. Significant numbers express varying degrees of disagreement with the announcement, and that before any of them knew of the Trust position. That suggests strongly that we called our membership right, since CL has traditionally been a slightly more militant environment than our membership as a whole.
I am not sure if you properly read the CAST statement. Let me remind you of the key para with my emphais in bold:
CAS Trust is an open and democratic organisation. Any Charlton fan can join the Trust and put themselves forward for election to the board. At present our board members, while actively opposing Duchatelet's ownership, have reached the decision that they wish to continue to attend home games. This position might change - for example if there was clear evidence that not attending would speed a sale - but at present, with the principle of a sale established, we do not plan to stop going to The Valley.
Any coalition has a spectrum of views and, although we understand and respect the majority CARD position, in this particular instance it would be hypocritical given the above for the CAST board to support the call for boycott.
What undermines a coalition is when one partner does not get his way, and then publicly slags off the other partner who did not quite see things the way he did. @""Airman Brown" 's comment suggested that the only reason the Trust came to this decision was because 'some of them had already bought their ST's". In other words narrow self -interest. That's a load of bollocks, and something that we won't forget in a hurry. In fact the discussion among us was as usual robust and not easily agreed upon. The general feeling was that it might have been easier to go along with the call if we were closer to the first home game and still no sign of the sale going through. As it was, we genuinely believed based on info available that the sale really is imminent. Remember also that we are being watched by the potential new owners. Assuming they themselves believe the sale is imminent, how responsible do we look joining such a call when they are about to take over and want to hit the ground running?
It was the right decision, and one which should give no succour to Roland Duchatelet, not least because some of us are also active in another fan group that believes that the best way to put pressure on him is to keep up that pressure in his own backyard.
Well we can all do a Trump and pretend we meant something else, so let me quote from the statement with another emphasis. ___ At present our board members have reached the decision that they wish to continue to attend home games. This position might change - for example if there was clear evidence that not attending would speed a sale - but at present, with the principle of a sale established, we do not plan to stop going to The Valley.
Any coalition has a spectrum of views and, although we understand and respect the majority CARD position, in this particular instance it would be hypocritical given the above for the CAST board to support the call for boycott. ___
We've been friends a long time despite and because of our freedom to speak frankly with each other. So let me be frank. This decision was made in the interests of the board's own wishes not to be seen to be hypocritical. You said it yourselves in black and white. It's my view that you haven't asked members because there's a risk you might find yourselves in untenable positions.
You could have said nothing. You could have backed not a penny more. You could have issued an "up to individuals" statement as we did once before. Instead you took a position in direct opposition to CARD's statement on the flimsiest of personal justifications.
This thread shows there is a variety of views, but one thing every single survey has shown is that there remains a high proportion in support of the protests. For you to assume your members views is, in my view, a simple expedience for a board who have already got their seats thank you very much.
I'm a staunch Trust advocate, but I think you guys got this one very very wrong.
Comments
all this me buying this that or the other wont make a difference to our gazillionaire owner i believe is wrong because it is hitting him where it hurts the tight git is feeling the squeeze !!
Hating on CARD now is like hating on the Valley Party in the weeks leading up to our victory.
You didn’t back them in the early days, and now after so much hard work by ALL fans (CARD included), you’re saying they’re not doing enough?
He is unworkable with, and these poor Aussies have no idea how to wrestle the club free bar pay 50 million quid.
Getting all bills down to zero is his new strategy, utter nightmare.
No movement, no hope, league 2 here we come, it'll be worth it though to get rid of him.
Roland could make a much bigger saving by ridding himself of the Chief Operating Officer's salary and pension costs rather than making everybody sit in the dark or buy their own pens.
They might get away with it by wearing their stinking unwashed 'uniform' to prevent Cojones lingering by them.
I understand why some are getting angry at this, but call it for what it is. Those people don't want to give up social time with friends/family. That's absolutely fine, I completely understand that but don't start lashing out and hiding behind false justifications.
I am almost tempted to trawl old posts to "name and shame", but on second thoughts I realise I am getting grumpy because of the ongoing situation -)
As others have said it's important that we don't turn on each other and stay united. We're all Charlton fans after all and at some point we'll need to play our part in rebuilding the club when RD has eventually gone. Hopefully we'll still have our ground and be in L1. When RD has gone most of us will be back even if we're non league and ground sharing with Welling.
But I disagree on this working since the start. It's only now while he's running the club as tight as possible a #notapennymore approach can work.
I suppose the lack of attendees could drop the average temperature in the ground to such a low that the prospective buyer may contract hypethermia, die, the deal collapses and we end up keeping Duchatalet or some other such hypothetical bollocks but.....overall no I dont think boycotting does either of the above as I am boycotting until a takeover, thats all.
#notapennymore
First, correct me if I am wrong Stu, but you are not a Trust member, are you, nor have ever been? That is not a dig, but an important reminder that the Trust's membership includes a large number who do not read CL. We have surveyed the membership very regularly at times when the issue looked too difficult to call, but it did not look so difficult on this occasion, not least because some of us do read and participate on CL.
The proof that this was the correct call can be seen in this thread. Look back from the beginning up to the point where @Airman Brown posts that the Trust dissented from the decision. Significant numbers express varying degrees of disagreement with the announcement, and that before any of them knew of the Trust position. That suggests strongly that we called our membership right, since CL has traditionally been a slightly more militant environment than our membership as a whole.
I am not sure if you properly read the CAST statement. Let me remind you of the key para with my emphais in bold:
CAS Trust is an open and democratic organisation. Any Charlton fan can join the Trust and put themselves forward for election to the board. At present our board members, while actively opposing Duchatelet's ownership, have reached the decision that they wish to continue to attend home games. This position might change - for example if there was clear evidence that not attending would speed a sale - but at present, with the principle of a sale established, we do not plan to stop going to The Valley.
Any coalition has a spectrum of views and, although we understand and respect the majority CARD position, in this particular instance it would be hypocritical given the above for the CAST board to support the call for boycott.
What undermines a coalition is when one partner does not get his way, and then publicly slags off the other partner who did not quite see things the way he did. @""Airman Brown" 's comment suggested that the only reason the Trust came to this decision was because 'some of them had already bought their ST's". In other words narrow self -interest. That's a load of bollocks. In fact the discussion among us was as usual robust and not easily agreed upon. The general feeling was that it might have been easier to go along with the call if we were closer to the first home game and still no sign of the sale going through. As it was, we genuinely believed based on info available that the sale really is imminent. Remember also that we are being watched by the potential new owners. Assuming they themselves believe the sale is imminent, how responsible do we look joining such a call when they are about to take over and want to hit the ground running?
It was the right decision, and one which should give no succour to Roland Duchatelet, not least because some of us are also active in another fan group that believes that the best way to put pressure on him is to keep up that pressure in his own backyard.
For the life of me I cannot understand the shit storm some people are stirring up........I say again, does it REALLY matter that much?
My guess is that there are few people who give a toss about this issue.....it’s so minor in the scheme of things!
“Completely undermines CARD’s position”..... oh do me a favour!
___
At present our board members have reached the decision that they wish to continue to attend home games. This position might change - for example if there was clear evidence that not attending would speed a sale - but at present, with the principle of a sale established, we do not plan to stop going to The Valley.
Any coalition has a spectrum of views and, although we understand and respect the majority CARD position, in this particular instance it would be hypocritical given the above for the CAST board to support the call for boycott.
___
We've been friends a long time despite and because of our freedom to speak frankly with each other. So let me be frank. This decision was made in the interests of the board's own wishes not to be seen to be hypocritical. You said it yourselves in black and white. It's my view that you haven't asked members because there's a risk you might find yourselves in untenable positions.
You could have said nothing. You could have backed not a penny more. You could have issued an "up to individuals" statement as we did once before. Instead you took a position in direct opposition to CARD's statement on the flimsiest of personal justifications.
This thread shows there is a variety of views, but one thing every single survey has shown is that there remains a high proportion in support of the protests. For you to assume your members views is, in my view, a simple expedience for a board who have already got their seats thank you very much.
I'm a staunch Trust advocate, but I think you guys got this one very very wrong.