I'll take the risk of a serious dunking as this has been reported in another thread but, as it may have been buried, I thought it might be useful to post it here in its own thread:
On behalf of the Fans' Forum, I e-mailed Steve Waggott as follows earlier today:
Is the Club planning any formal statement regarding Mick Collins' article in the Mail on Sunday? As much of what is said (about debt and prospects of going into Administration) is in direct contrast to statements that the Fans' Forum has previously issued on the Club's behalf, we are getting questioned about the accuracy of the article. I know that Club policy is not to respond to every media statement and speculation, but I really do feel that this one needs to be dealt with. As I'm sure you are aware, speculation is running riot and the Club is getting criticised repeatedly for failing to contest the reported facts.
Fans need to know if it is true that debts up to £40 million have been unearthed or whether the statements made previously (£21 million, of which £15 million is so-called 'friendly' debt') remain accurate.
Previously Richard Murray told us that Administration was not an option. Have things changed or is that statement still true?
Steve has replied as follows and is happy that we share this publicly:
The Directors are all aware of the Mail on Sunday story and its contents and are in the process of preparing a statement explaining the current situation that they will release in the near future.
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Comments
Lets hope the responce is very soon and positive.
yeah my earlier sarcasm seems bit rude now, hopefully we will get a decent and honest response soon and move on to whatever needs to be done, its only when times are bad the lack of information is stressfull. When we were doin well the lack of info didn't seem to bother me, infact it was almost indearing
However, for accuracy i think the heading is a bit misleading. Big differerence between soon and near future imo
However, for accuracy i think the heading is a bit misleading. Big differerence between soon and near future imo[/quote]
AFKA - you'll have to enlighten me.
Without wanting to get bogged down in semantic pedantry, I think the point is that something is being prepared by the Club and it will be made public relatively quickly after it has been agreed by all interested parties.
'Soon' or 'near future'? I'd hope that both terms convey a certain degree of urgency.
The reality is that the directors will set the timetable and tell fans as much or as little as they think fit.
Harsh but true.
Hopefully we will hear something "Soon" !
Just i envisaged people reading the headline of 'soon' and then spending most of the evening hitting the refresh button on the OS, when the reality is it could equally be tomorrow, Thursday, Friday etc. That was all i was trying to say.
But on the whole, i naturally think its great news for everyone that the club appear to be listening at last.
Really? I think its been a great effort on you guys behalf but i think that after this much quiet time from the club regarding our future other than when asking for us to renew that communication to the average charlton fan has been pretty shoddy this summer.
"With your support, the future can be just as remarkable" came the emotion- inducing strapline on the renewal form yet they have seen fit to merely acknowledge the hand that has fed the mouth for so long.
...............................
Say, I am happy.
I am happy.
So am I.
So am I.
We are happy.
We are happy. (Silence.) What do we do, now that we are happy?
Wait for The Reply. ( Groans. Silence.)
Just i envisaged people reading the headline of 'soon' and then spending most of the evening hitting the refresh button on the OS, when the reality is it could equally be tomorrow, Thursday, Friday etc. That was all i was trying to say.[/quote]
OK, fair point, AFKA - although you'd hope that people realise that the OS seldom updates outside of office hours (unless there is a game on, of course).
Equally, I'd like to think that the Club understands the need for urgency now. If not, be assured that the Fans' Forum will be on the case tomorrow. Even as we speak, we have Gavin dusting down his Robin outfit.
Waiting for Waggott?
Maybe the reason the board are responding "soon" is that they can.
If the Q & A was cancelled for a reason perhaps that reason has been completed : - ) or gone away : - (
Still, we shall hear some news which is good, the club is communicating which is good and the FF are getting a response which is good.
good work out there.
yeah my earlier sarcasm seems bit rude now, hopefully we will get a decent and honest response soon and move on to whatever needs to be done, its only when times are bad the lack of information is stressfull. When we were doin well the lack of info didn't seem to bother me, infact it was almost indearing[/quote]
God I am getting cynical. I'd hold on to the sarcasm until they actually say something. Chapples going to get back to Afka, Waggott to the FF. Well done dave and well done AFKA, now the board need to cough up some info and quick.
The FF can do no more than ask the same as AFKA has.
The reality is that the directors will set the timetable and tell fans as much or as little as they think fit.
Harsh but true........
Have to agree Len, despite all the endevours of the FF and Dave Rudd that is the way it is for now......
Let's hope that Charlton /the board see the sense that the fans need to get behind the club, whatever the 'politics' of this situation they deserve a decent response to this, as after all they are fans themselves.....as we are constantly being told!
In the light of the Zabeel disappointment, perhaps there has been a return to that ethos, particularly since the dribble of speculation over the past week or so.
Thanks for your initiative, Dave.