A few years ago April fools day fell on the same day as we have our management meeting at work, taking this into account I had arranged for my secretary to pop her head around the door and anounce that our biggest client had just called to say they had gone into administration.
I was looking for a reaction from my managers and dejected groans before I annouced "April Fools" and then comencment of the meeting.
However when the head came round the door and dropped the bomb shell my managers all jumped up, ran around bumping into each other before rushing out the door to start number crunching and printing off damage limitation reports.
I was gob smacked and never had the heart to tell them it was a joke so when the meeting finally got back on track and we were sat back around the table I sheepishly stood up, cleared my throat and anouced "April Fool"
I am not allowed to type on here what came back at me but lets just say the joke back fired.
My favourite one from the OS a few years back was the one that said Millwall were going to groundshare with us - my sister went mental when I showed it to her. If Palace hadn't gone into admin, I suspect we might have been seeing a Palace groundshare one this year, but pissing off the administrator probably isn't a very good idea.
Parky - Hey JonJo, bring you boots this weekend, you are getting a game.
JonJo - cheers gaffer, I look forward to a game in the under performing midfield, hopefully I can be the answer to actually creating some chances for the strikers.
Parky - sorry son, January,February,March and April fools - you are not getting a game.
I told the Mrs, at 5 past 12 last night, that one of the dogs died while I took em out for a quick run in the woods..... She's only just stopped crying
Now, if @AFKABartram had done an announcement that the pressure was getting too much. So, to save costs and pool resources and in the light of the new-found co-operation, CL and ITTV had decided to merge into one new forum called Valley Life. That would have been fun.
Not bothered this year, too many miseries these days
Not much changed in 5 years then.
Nope, his jokes are still not funny ;-)
Ha, and that 'Rangers to buy us' one in 2009 went mental. Never realised the size of Rangers global support as within a few hours the article had been read something like 20k times. Remember copping a load of flak for it as Charlton had recently announced some redundancies and it was apparently 'no time to be making jokes'.
Can't access the old blog at me, but found text to article (below). Also linked the following discussion thread on here
Glasgow Rangers are to buy a controlling stake in Charlton Athletic, in a move that will not only completely change the structure of Charlton in its current format, but also impact on the face of British football in general.
Following five months of talks and negotiations, the revolutionary deal will be announced at a joint press conference on Friday 3rd April at The Valley after the move was given the go-ahead by the various football authorities on Tuesday.
Glasgow Rangers are to pay £24.2m for a 64.5% stake in Charlton, and will transfer a number of senior and junior players, both in permanant deals and season-long loans during the summer. Discussions between the clubs date back to November, in the aftermath of Charlton's perilous financial position highlighted by the need to pay previous manager Alan Pardew's compensation package.
On the 24th February, a Charlton delegation consisting of Richard Murray, Derek Chappell, Bob Whitehand, Steve Waggott and Nigel Capelin met with Sir David Murray, Rangers Chief Executive Martin Bain and Finance Director Donald McIntyre at London's Dorchester Hotel to finalise the agreement. Former Chief Executive Peter Varney was also present, and has been working as an intermediary on the deal.
"The original concept was the idea of Sir David Murray" revealed a senior Charlton employee. "Rangers are acutely aware that unless they absorb some of the Premiership money within the next few years, they are unlikely to ever compete at the highest level in Europe again. They see it as essential to their heritage that some form of presence remains in Scotland, and they believe they can continue to do that to a lesser degree long-term by balancing their squad and remaining competitive in the SPL. But they desperately need the money that is generated by English football, and it is no secret that we desperately need fresh financial impetus to remain a viable entity. The bulk of Rangers resources will be devoted to getting Charlton back to the Premiership as quickly as possible".
The deal will instantly clear all Charlton's outstanding debts, including the early repayment of both the £6m on Charlton's mortgage and the £15m convertible bond issue key directors undertook in 2008. "I would be lying if i said that this is the ideal scenario we envisaged for the future of Charlton. But the financial situation is crippling, and the board fell that they are backed into a corner. There are no more funds, there is no overdraft facility and next year we are facing third-tier football. There are no other options on the table, and as it stands the future of Charlton Athletic shows no sign of recovery in its current format. At least this way there is a chance of Premiership football returning to The Valley and the 'Charlton' name to be attached to it, albeit loosely".
Since the February meeting, representatives of both Rangers and Charlton have been in continued negotiations with the SPL, Football League and the Premiership. "Talks have been intense. The SPL were originally strongly opposed to the move, but are realistic enough to know that financially the big-two in Scotland cannot compete with other leading European clubs, so need to seek unique initiatives. They also now see this as an ideal opportunity for Scottish clubs to continue to benefit from the strong support and finance Rangers and Celtic provide by playing other SPL clubs, but equally by fielding potentially weaker sides it will make the SPL as a league more even and competitive. Rangers believe Celtic will quickly set up a similar arrangement with another English club. The Football League have been very supportive of the move, as it will provide a greater focus and benefit to its member clubs. However, the Premier League were rigid on the legalities, and this is largely what has taken the past month to resolve".
"Charlton's imminent relegation to League One was not ideal, but has meant the deal could be agreed at the level's Rangers could realistically afford. Sir David Murray has made clear that Charlton's location, availability, current structure and potential for development far outweigh long-term the negatives. They believe they can develop a model that will take Charlton Rangers to compete with Arsenal and Chelsea within seven years".
Ironically, the name of the amalgamated club has also provided a delaying problem. "Rangers see it as essential that 'Rangers' is represented in the name. However, there is already an amateur football club registered with the London F.A as Charlton Rangers. Greenwich Rangers and Rangers Charlton were being considered, but its now been agreed that the club can register next season as Charlton Rangers through the Kent F.A".
The move will see the near-total replacement of both the Charlton Football Club board, and the Charlton PLC board. Richard Murray however, will remain a non-executive director for a minimum 12-month period. "There are real concerns on how the Charlton fanbase will react. I have my own strong views, but i am also a fan. Having Richard Murray on board is seen by Rangers as essential to not just providing a smooth transition, but also winning the acceptance of Charlton supporters. I think they've underestimated just how this will be taken by the Charlton fans to be honest".
Comments
http://www.charltonlife.com/blog/?p=218
Of course it was an April Fools, why not play along for a while?
I was looking for a reaction from my managers and dejected groans before I annouced "April Fools" and then comencment of the meeting.
However when the head came round the door and dropped the bomb shell my managers all jumped up, ran around bumping into each other before rushing out the door to start number crunching and printing off damage limitation reports.
I was gob smacked and never had the heart to tell them it was a joke so when the meeting finally got back on track and we were sat back around the table I sheepishly stood up, cleared my throat and anouced "April Fool"
I am not allowed to type on here what came back at me but lets just say the joke back fired.
Funny enough he hasn't spoken to me for a while...
Phone 020 7253 3411 and askfor the BDI Dept.
JonJo - cheers gaffer, I look forward to a game in the under performing midfield, hopefully I can be the answer to actually creating some chances for the strikers.
Parky - sorry son, January,February,March and April fools - you are not getting a game.
Any good ones today?
Saw Primark have started selling Christmas jumpers ready for the festive season
Clever is keeping the joke going, not spoiling it.
2015 Not much changed in 5 years then.
I was obviously disaffected with Parky's management !!!
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/apr/01/jeremy-clarkson-joins-guardian-drive-for-fossil-fuel-divestment
DA9 got me a good one i went off searching for Zippos circus blackwall tunnell on twitter.
Im a dozy tart.
Remembering @cafcofficial hero Joe South today. He played pre-WWI at left wing (Joe on left with mower #cafc 1/4 http://t.co/zzlD6xsR8A
2/4 but after losing his left foot in a work accident he switched to right back.
Joe lost his sight while serving on the Western Front #cafc
3/4 but returned in 1918 to play in goal. It was said he could smell the old leather balls. Joe never played a league game #cafc
4/4 but was the first groundsman at the Valley until a fatal accident with a lawn mower. The Club named a stand in his honour. RIP Joe #cafc
Can't access the old blog at me, but found text to article (below). Also linked the following discussion thread on here
Glasgow Rangers are to buy a controlling stake in Charlton Athletic, in a move that will not only completely change the structure of Charlton in its current format, but also impact on the face of British football in general.
Following five months of talks and negotiations, the revolutionary deal will be announced at a joint press conference on Friday 3rd April at The Valley after the move was given the go-ahead by the various football authorities on Tuesday.
Glasgow Rangers are to pay £24.2m for a 64.5% stake in Charlton, and will transfer a number of senior and junior players, both in permanant deals and season-long loans during the summer. Discussions between the clubs date back to November, in the aftermath of Charlton's perilous financial position highlighted by the need to pay previous manager Alan Pardew's compensation package.
On the 24th February, a Charlton delegation consisting of Richard Murray, Derek Chappell, Bob Whitehand, Steve Waggott and Nigel Capelin met with Sir David Murray, Rangers Chief Executive Martin Bain and Finance Director Donald McIntyre at London's Dorchester Hotel to finalise the agreement. Former Chief Executive Peter Varney was also present, and has been working as an intermediary on the deal.
"The original concept was the idea of Sir David Murray" revealed a senior Charlton employee. "Rangers are acutely aware that unless they absorb some of the Premiership money within the next few years, they are unlikely to ever compete at the highest level in Europe again. They see it as essential to their heritage that some form of presence remains in Scotland, and they believe they can continue to do that to a lesser degree long-term by balancing their squad and remaining competitive in the SPL. But they desperately need the money that is generated by English football, and it is no secret that we desperately need fresh financial impetus to remain a viable entity. The bulk of Rangers resources will be devoted to getting Charlton back to the Premiership as quickly as possible".
The deal will instantly clear all Charlton's outstanding debts, including the early repayment of both the £6m on Charlton's mortgage and the £15m convertible bond issue key directors undertook in 2008. "I would be lying if i said that this is the ideal scenario we envisaged for the future of Charlton. But the financial situation is crippling, and the board fell that they are backed into a corner. There are no more funds, there is no overdraft facility and next year we are facing third-tier football. There are no other options on the table, and as it stands the future of Charlton Athletic shows no sign of recovery in its current format. At least this way there is a chance of Premiership football returning to The Valley and the 'Charlton' name to be attached to it, albeit loosely".
Since the February meeting, representatives of both Rangers and Charlton have been in continued negotiations with the SPL, Football League and the Premiership. "Talks have been intense. The SPL were originally strongly opposed to the move, but are realistic enough to know that financially the big-two in Scotland cannot compete with other leading European clubs, so need to seek unique initiatives. They also now see this as an ideal opportunity for Scottish clubs to continue to benefit from the strong support and finance Rangers and Celtic provide by playing other SPL clubs, but equally by fielding potentially weaker sides it will make the SPL as a league more even and competitive. Rangers believe Celtic will quickly set up a similar arrangement with another English club. The Football League have been very supportive of the move, as it will provide a greater focus and benefit to its member clubs. However, the Premier League were rigid on the legalities, and this is largely what has taken the past month to resolve".
"Charlton's imminent relegation to League One was not ideal, but has meant the deal could be agreed at the level's Rangers could realistically afford. Sir David Murray has made clear that Charlton's location, availability, current structure and potential for development far outweigh long-term the negatives. They believe they can develop a model that will take Charlton Rangers to compete with Arsenal and Chelsea within seven years".
Ironically, the name of the amalgamated club has also provided a delaying problem. "Rangers see it as essential that 'Rangers' is represented in the name. However, there is already an amateur football club registered with the London F.A as Charlton Rangers. Greenwich Rangers and Rangers Charlton were being considered, but its now been agreed that the club can register next season as Charlton Rangers through the Kent F.A".
The move will see the near-total replacement of both the Charlton Football Club board, and the Charlton PLC board. Richard Murray however, will remain a non-executive director for a minimum 12-month period. "There are real concerns on how the Charlton fanbase will react. I have my own strong views, but i am also a fan. Having Richard Murray on board is seen by Rangers as essential to not just providing a smooth transition, but also winning the acceptance of Charlton supporters. I think they've underestimated just how this will be taken by the Charlton fans to be honest".
Forum chat
http://forum.charltonlife.com/discussion/25036/glasgow-rangers-to-buy-controlling-stake-in-charlton/p1