Paul Elliott to be on New Board? (Nov 12, page 7 rumoured to be on new board Jan 14)

Richard J

A good move I think ,from the Mirror .Slater on his way ?

Charlton want to make Paul Elliott the first black chairman in English football.

Elliott, 48, began his career with the south Londoners more than 30 years ago. The ambitious Addicks see him as the ideal person to steer them to the next level following their promotion to the Championship last season.

The move would see current chairman and joint-owner Michael Slater take a more hands-off role at the club.

More significantly, however, it would mark an historic moment in the domestic game as no other black English player has ever gone on to run a club in this country.

Forward-thinking Slater recruited another of Charlton’s favourite sons, Chris Powell, last year. The move turned out to be an inspired one.

Yet Powell is one of only three current black managers within 92-club pyramid. The others are Norwich boss Chris Hughton and Notts County’s Keith Curle.

Should Charlton land Elliott it would be another first for the ex-centre half in a career signposted by landmarks.

The trailblazer was the first black captain at Chelsea and the first black player at Celtic. In his final season at Parkhead he clinched the Scottish Footballer of the Year award.

Elliott was also the first black player in the Italian Leagues. His capture by Charlton, mid-table in the Championship, would also be seen as a huge coup for the club and would help them to continue rebuilding their profile.

Charlton were relegated from the top flight at the end of the 2006-7 season after consecutive campaigns in the Premier League.

In April 2009 they plunged into League One for the first time in 29 years amid claims of financial mis-management and poor decision making. Now, however, they are on the way back and have targeted Elliot to spearhead their bid to return to the big time.

Elliott, however, would have to decide whether to continue his work at the top of the game domestically and internationally or whether to focus his energies on one club.

He began his career at The Valley, spending three years there between 1980 and 1983.

Elliott went on to enjoy stints at Luton and Aston Villa before he moved to Italian club Pisa in 1989. His final two clubs were Celtic and Chelsea.

The former defender remains extremely well connected and highly thought of within football. He currently sits on UEFA committees and many seasoned campaigners believe he should have been voted on to the FA Board last year.

A widely-respected football man, Elliott played a key role with the FA in helping to build bridges with the rest of the world after its fallout with FIFA two years ago.

He was one of the few successive as a non-executive director for the FA in their failed 2018 World Cup bid.

He was awarded the MBE in 2003 for his work with young players and anti-racism initiatives in football.

Earlier this year he received the CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his services to equality and diversity in football.

Elliott was the first black player in history to receive the prestigious award.

He has warned that football risks returning to the Dark Ages after John Terry was cleared of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand .

Bournemouth Addick

Blimey! That's a scoop for The Mirror if true.

nth_london_addick

Big news if true

But why

What can he bring to the table

For what reason

AFKABartram

Wtf ???

It was obvious to everyone that Slater wasn't going to be chairman much longer, but another non-money chairman ???

cafc4ever

Something is definitely go on behind the scenes, think a change in owners.

EastTerrace

Didn't see that one coming

mendonca

Why does Slater want to move on so soon?

AFKABartram

cafc4ever said:

Something is definitely go on behind the scenes,

Don't be silly, some of us have been making it up for five months !

nth_london_addick

It doesnt make sense

No disrespect to paul elliot but it seems about publicity

Publicity that may bring investment if thats the idea

But i would hope that the chief exec would be doing that















Oh yeah we dont have one

Sir Chrissy

Very strange ...

AFKABartram

mendonca said:

Why does Slater want to move on




Because Slater has never been anything more than someones legal representative.

AddickUpNorth

Don't know what to make of this move. Can't really see the logic but he comes across as a decent enough fella. Does he still have contacts in Italy?

Always interesting. . . . . . . . . . .

bloodnut

its all very well him being black and a bit of a face but if he aint got no dosh or bringing any with him then not much will change, so its not exactly getting me all excited (if true of corse) can only hope there is more to it really.

000__Jaaaaay__000

He sounds as rich as myself

mid_life_crisis

I may be completely naive, but what problem would people have with Elliott as Chairman?
Genuine question.

nth_london_addick

Its proberly the standout move of all the nonsense

I cant honestly see this being a TJ decision so who why when

Has to be the questions

Lewis Coaches

Paul Elliot does attend Charlton matches .....RESPECT to the man.

Bournemouth Addick

AddickUpNorth said:

Don't know what to make of this move. Can't really see the logic but he comes across as a decent enough fella. Does he still have contacts in Italy?

Always interesting. . . . . . . . . . .

He has contacts everywhere and seems to be well regarded by all, which is good but not sure about the financial side of things. Does he have any business interests outside of football that would qualify him to run a multimillion pound business?

nth_london_addick

Lewis Coaches said:

Paul Elliot does attend Charlton matches .....RESPECT to the man.

So do i doesnt make me qualified to chair the club

J BLOCK

Odd decision, but one that looks positive in my eyes. Looks like he is well respected in the game with good connections which is more than can be said for Slater. Very strange summer .....

AFKABartram

mid_life_crisis said:

I may be completely naive, but what problem would people have with Elliott as Chairman?
Genuine question.

None.

Fanny Fanackapan

WOW ! Didn't see that coming ! Paul was in the Directors' Box for the Blackburn match , sitting alonside another very smart black guy who was obviously known to the fella I believe was Martin Protheroe ( hope that makes sense !) But I'm guessing he is often seen in that area of the ground...

But as someone in the clique is known to say ( yawn) I won't belive it until it's on the OS ...

sam3110

Tbh I dont care if the chairman doesnt have money, I only care about the bank balance of the owner

aliwibble

mid_life_crisis said:

I may be completely naive, but what problem would people have with Elliott as Chairman?
Genuine question.

As a football man, nothing at all. Same as if Peter Varney was chairman. But it just seems really odd, as generally the chairman has put a significant amount of money up just to get on the board, even if he's not necessarily the majority shareholder (and not necessarily a "he" either :-) ) Although Elliott's done alright for himself, I don't get the impression he has that sort of money lying around. It just seems like he's a figurehead being put up to deflect the flack from the real power behind the throne - and let's face it, would you want to cross him?

AddickUpNorth

J BLOCK said:

Odd decision, but one that looks positive in my eyes. Looks like he is well respected in the game with good connections which is more than can be said for Slater. Very strange summer .....

Doesn't feel like summer round my way J Block

nth_london_addick

I wouldnt have a problem with it as a football man in those postitions has its benefits

I would love to know why the change and who has arranged this

Kap10

It was in the Mirror so lets not get too excited and if he does come then it would be interesting who he is fronting up for, in ther same way that Slater is fronting up for Cash

J BLOCK

AddickUpNorth said:

J BLOCK said:

Odd decision, but one that looks positive in my eyes. Looks like he is well respected in the game with good connections which is more than can be said for Slater. Very strange summer .....

Doesn't feel like summer round my way J Block

Should have used past tense, "it's been a very strange summer"

WSS

I'm expecting Martin Luther King Jr to turn up after faking his death and spending his royalties from 'I have a dream' speech on the club.

Mendonca In Asdas

Well i didn't see this coming.

mid_life_crisis

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