Pardew has paid tribute to chief executive Peter Varney, who announced on Thursday that he will be leaving the club for personal reasons on June 30th.
Pardew said: "I know Peter from when I played here, and I can't speak highly enough about him.
"I'm very disappointed that he's leaving. It's a big blow to us and we're going to have to regroup as a board and management to make sure we get the right person in to replace him, as he's going to be a tough act to follow.
"Everything that's been good about the club, Peter has ticked all those boxes in a period of sustained success."
He added: "The unfortunate events of the last few years with relegation and managerial changes have been difficult, but he's handled himself terrifically well.
"I'm still clinging to the hope that he might change his mind, but at this time it does look like he's going and I can only wish him the very best of luck in whatever he does."
Have occaisionally mailed him, even sent him one on christmas day last year congratulating him / the club on pards appointment, could not believe that I got a reply same day. Top bloke. Hope his departure is not for health reasons
Throughout all the turmoil at the club over the past year, I always felt reassured knowing that Peter was still at the helm trying to get us back on course. I have never met him, but if the reason for his decision is that he is burnt out, then I hope the club have made every effort to address the problem. Give him six months leave and send him over here to the Addicks Down Under, we'll have him surfing in no time! He'll have to sit up until 3am every Sunday morning though, like we have to, logged onto the CL match thread. Seriously Peter, as Pards said, I really hope you have a change of heart. If not, a heartfelt thanks for the fantastic job that you have done over the past 11 years.
Does it really matter why he is leaving, they have said personal reasons, and thats exactly what it is, so people should respect that and just applaud and thank the man for all his hard work, although he did slag me off in the papers once, ah Henry!!!!
[cite]Posted By: DA_9[/cite]Does it really matter why he is leaving, they have said personal reasons, and thats exactly what it is, so people should respect that and just applaud and thank the man for all his hard work, although he did slag me off in the papers once, ah Henry!!!!
have to say you deserved it E. ; - )
as DA-9 said it says personal reasons so lets respect that and not make 2+2=5
He's carrying on to the end of the club's financial year as I guess that is as good a time as any to quit and it gives the club more time to find a replacement.
[quote][cite]Posted By: Henry Irving[/cite][quote][cite]Posted By: DA_9[/cite]Does it really matter why he is leaving, they have said personal reasons, and thats exactly what it is, so people should respect that and just applaud and thank the man for all his hard work, although he did slag me off in the papers once, ah Henry!!!![/quote]
have to say you deserved it E. ; - )
as DA-9 said it says personal reasons so lets respect that and not make 2+2=5
He's carrying on to the end of the club's financial year as I guess that is as good a time as any to quit and it gives the club more time to find a replacement.[/quote]
I know fella, just joshing, treated more than reasonably over it, more than could have been expected in all honesty.
Until I met him I didn't realise how much he cared about the club. Murray's easy manner always made it simpler to take to him, but Varney's more austere presence actually reflected his determination to do the best for Charlton. As soon as he knew I was "one of us" his football fan side didn't take long to come to the surface.
I'm generally a lurker here, mainly because I have had logon problems in the past.
I know Peter Varney a bit, but I certainly didn't see this coming and was a bit dazed when i checked Charlton Life, mainly to see if there was some background info on his decision. Then I saw all the 100 + contributions here, virtually all heartfelt and beautifully written testimonies. Obviously I wanted to thank him myself but I took the liberty of cutting and pasting your tributes into a file and sending it to him. I also mentioned that he might get a song on Saturday. I've just got a reply from him, and you find it below. Despite what he says, I think we should give him a song. He's probably the only modern football CEO who would have the fans singing his name at such a time, and it speaks volumes not just about him, but about the fans too. This club has a soul, and it lies deep within the Covered End
Richard Hunt
Richard,
Thank you for this - it is much appreciated.
I am genuinely moved at the contributions. The important thing on Saturday is to get behind Alan and the team from the first whistle rather than sing songs about an ageing chief executive. Please tell the bloggers that!!
My dad brought me to my first game in February 1960 and in the past 48 years I have missed 5 or 6 home matches only so my heart is very deeply enshrined in this football club and I hope to now return to my spiritual home in the north stand! I never did take up a seat in the director's box and have always sat with my family and friends in Block B of the lower west stand and I have to say we have the best fans in football. With the odd exception now and again I know all the fans around me and we share the highs and lows together and let's hope come 4th May or later we are back where we belong.
The club is in good hands - can you believe the directors have just put in another £14m - and with all that is going on in the region in the next few years we are well placed to be a big club. The future's bright the future's red!
Best regards
Peter
Richard, could you please tell Peter its called "The Covered End" if he`s sitting up here.
One of Peter's many faults it that he can't get the name of the Stands right. Bit like Brunello, Left Behind, WSS and the rest of the plastics on here : - )
[cite]Posted By: Henry Irving[/cite]One of Peter's many faults it that he can't get the name of the Stands right. Bit like Brunello, Left Behind, WSS and the rest of the plastics on here : - )
[cite]Posted By: WSS[/cite]i thought the north stand was called "Coming In"
As in "We are Charlton, super Charlton, we are Charlton coming in"
Yeah, in the old Coming In Stand we used sing "We are the Ewok, we are the Ewok, we are the Ewok Family" Then the F Block used to sing something back but they kept getting the words wrong.
[cite]Posted By: Woody[/cite]I've only ever come face-to-face with PV twice and neither have been very good - which does seem at odds with what everyone else has to say.
The first was when he walked past me in Bexleyheath. I had my Charlton shirt on and I nodded at him. He looked at me, then looked away and walked on. Bit strange really, but never mind.
The second was more annoying... Can't remember the game - probably a cup tie - and I'd been queuing at the West Stand ticket office. I'd got to the counter and was halfway through the process of buying tickets when PV suddenly rocks up on my right and pushes in front of me. He puts some tickets through the slot and says to the girl 'You can resell these', and then he trots off without an 'excuse me' or anything. Seemed a bit rude, considering me and the ticket office girl were actually talking about my tickets at the time. I can't be 100% about this bit, but I think she even raised her eyebrows once he left - but I might be wrong about that bit.
Still, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and will give him a friendly cheerio. He has done a lot for the club.
I didn't ever have the pleasure to meet the guy but I think the work over the last 11 years has been immense and he can come round my house for a cuppa any day, might even stretch to give him a bit of cake.
[cite]Posted By: falconwood_1[/cite]"I never did take up a seat in the director's box and have always sat with my family and friends in Block B of the lower west stand"
I think that says a lot about him. Fair play to him. I'm certain 'other' people couldn't get in the Directors Box quick enough. . . .
wait till the first time the ball goes out for a throw,and then sing one peter varney,like to see it,but instead it will be a wall of crap cafc or red army.
[quote][cite]Posted By: Ledge[/cite][quote][cite]Posted By: Woody[/cite]I've only ever come face-to-face with PV twice and neither have been very good - which does seem at odds with what everyone else has to say.
The first was when he walked past me in Bexleyheath. I had my Charlton shirt on and I nodded at him. He looked at me, then looked away and walked on. Bit strange really, but never mind.
The second was more annoying... Can't remember the game - probably a cup tie - and I'd been queuing at the West Stand ticket office. I'd got to the counter and was halfway through the process of buying tickets when PV suddenly rocks up on my right and pushes in front of me. He puts some tickets through the slot and says to the girl 'You can resell these', and then he trots off without an 'excuse me' or anything. Seemed a bit rude, considering me and the ticket office girl were actually talking about my tickets at the time. I can't be 100% about this bit, but I think she even raised her eyebrows once he left - but I might be wrong about that bit.
Still, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and will give him a friendly cheerio. He has done a lot for the club.[/quote]
There's always one.
Mr Varney RESPECT[/quote]
He does have my respect, Ledge! I was merely pointing out that not all experiences with him have been good. Of course I recognise the good he's done for the club.
Not everyone just follows along blindly like sheep, you know!
On behalf of all of the Addicks Downunder, we would like to wish "Mr Charlton" Peter Varney all the very best for the future...top bloke and irreplaceable. Im sure he will look back in days to come with pride, and rightly so....
Read every post on here and can only agree with everything that has been said and can only echo what a great man Peter Varney has been for Charlton Athletic Football Club.
My son and myself both wish him good luck in whatever he does in the future and we may even bump into him in the West Stand at some point.
(Obviously that will be when I'm older and more grey and have to bring my blanket to keep me warm.) lol
Comments
""He is without doubt the most impressive individual I have worked with throughout my business career" Fair praise indeed from RM.
Whatever he does in the future - good luck to him.
Pardew said: "I know Peter from when I played here, and I can't speak highly enough about him.
"I'm very disappointed that he's leaving. It's a big blow to us and we're going to have to regroup as a board and management to make sure we get the right person in to replace him, as he's going to be a tough act to follow.
"Everything that's been good about the club, Peter has ticked all those boxes in a period of sustained success."
He added: "The unfortunate events of the last few years with relegation and managerial changes have been difficult, but he's handled himself terrifically well.
"I'm still clinging to the hope that he might change his mind, but at this time it does look like he's going and I can only wish him the very best of luck in whatever he does."
He just wants to join in with the Bouncy Bouncy!!
Me too!
Went to a small CASC dinner with the directors 5-6 years ago and the guy just oozed Charlton
I have never met him, but if the reason for his decision is that he is burnt out, then I hope the club have made every effort to address the problem. Give him six months leave and send him over here to the Addicks Down Under, we'll have him surfing in no time! He'll have to sit up until 3am every Sunday morning though, like we have to, logged onto the CL match thread.
Seriously Peter, as Pards said, I really hope you have a change of heart. If not, a heartfelt thanks for the fantastic job that you have done over the past 11 years.
have to say you deserved it E. ; - )
as DA-9 said it says personal reasons so lets respect that and not make 2+2=5
He's carrying on to the end of the club's financial year as I guess that is as good a time as any to quit and it gives the club more time to find a replacement.
(please nobody drag up the Dowie appointment, both him and RM have admitted the mistakes to their credit.)
have to say you deserved it E. ; - )
as DA-9 said it says personal reasons so lets respect that and not make 2+2=5
He's carrying on to the end of the club's financial year as I guess that is as good a time as any to quit and it gives the club more time to find a replacement.[/quote]
I know fella, just joshing, treated more than reasonably over it, more than could have been expected in all honesty.
Thank you Mr Varney.
Richard, could you please tell Peter its called "The Covered End" if he`s sitting up here.
As in "We are Charlton, super Charlton, we are Charlton coming in"
Plastic? Moi? yeah right
Yeah, in the old Coming In Stand we used sing "We are the Ewok, we are the Ewok, we are the Ewok Family" Then the F Block used to sing something back but they kept getting the words wrong.
I think that says a lot about him. Fair play to him. I'm certain 'other' people couldn't get in the Directors Box quick enough. . . .
There's always one.
Mr Varney RESPECT
Who would that be then?
The first was when he walked past me in Bexleyheath. I had my Charlton shirt on and I nodded at him. He looked at me, then looked away and walked on. Bit strange really, but never mind.
The second was more annoying... Can't remember the game - probably a cup tie - and I'd been queuing at the West Stand ticket office. I'd got to the counter and was halfway through the process of buying tickets when PV suddenly rocks up on my right and pushes in front of me. He puts some tickets through the slot and says to the girl 'You can resell these', and then he trots off without an 'excuse me' or anything. Seemed a bit rude, considering me and the ticket office girl were actually talking about my tickets at the time. I can't be 100% about this bit, but I think she even raised her eyebrows once he left - but I might be wrong about that bit.
Still, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and will give him a friendly cheerio. He has done a lot for the club.[/quote]
There's always one.
Mr Varney RESPECT[/quote]
He does have my respect, Ledge! I was merely pointing out that not all experiences with him have been good. Of course I recognise the good he's done for the club.
Not everyone just follows along blindly like sheep, you know!
There is indeed always one, eh?
My son and myself both wish him good luck in whatever he does in the future and we may even bump into him in the West Stand at some point.
(Obviously that will be when I'm older and more grey and have to bring my blanket to keep me warm.) lol