I will not be renewing my season ticket (Lower West dearest section) unless something drastic happens before the end of February. What I cannot understand is Duchalet has had problems at Standard Liege, he must be sensing the unrest at Charlton, so why put up with this unnecessary aggravation. If he has any sense of decency the best thing he can do is to sell up as soon as possible, before he rips the heart completely out of our wonderful club. Have been following Charlton since my school days. Surely someone like Richard Murray can see what is going on. Would love to see a British business man or infact anyone with knowledge of English football to take over sooner rather than later!
You have a supporters Trust with over 1,000 members and 6,000 fan contacts so I suggest you use it! Call an EGM - not a secret exclusive meeting in a pub... Run a massive survey to canvas fan opinion and appetite, rather than a few hundred nutjobs on message boards! Publish those results and seek a meeting with the club. Should that be refused take legal advice as to what the collective can participate in without being sued!
More splinter groups and self appointed leaders really isn't what is required right now as that will just be a massive distraction.
If the leadership and direction of the Trust requires augmenting or changing/challenging so be it. But work within an established framework and you have access to a large network, goodwill and funds.
Katrien Meire has signed off for the Huddersfield game to be football for a fiver. A quite extraordinary decision in light of who their manager is! And a quite extraordinary opportunity to make a statement to 22-24,000 fans.
I won't say more as I left the world of fan organisation a while back. But whatever happens, show leadership and keep the movement unified. If you fail this time, how many more chances will you get to build a mass movement?
If people put the work in and settle their differences over a pint and not with their keyboard you might be surprised how much you can achieve. How much you can build on the platform already established. I put my time in and we went from nothing to 1,000 members in 15 months. The movement ebbs and flows but one thing you can be sure of: Roland Duchatelet is the one who keeps on giving!
My perception is that we are in for a long haul and there is a choice for fans to step back and disengage whilst simultaneously showing their support for whatever "my Charlton" means.
The simple fact is that half our fanbase experienced the Selhurst exile and half started attending in the 90s as the club grew. This is the same struggle but with different technology, different goals and the irony that there is an owner who could afford to power the club into the top six. Maybe he just needs a collective show of passion to tell him that CAFC is a serious club not to be fucked with?!
I think that it is important for the Trust not think that it is the only avenue for opposition. Ideas from others and a broad banner of opposition to Duchatelet is what's needed. It doesn't matter who comes up with the bright, funny or creative ideas. The main thing is to be inclusive and that cuts both ways. Charlton supporters should be uniting around wanting a Charlton owner, who will run the club competently, invest in the future in a way that will bring the club forward.
What I was suggesting 11 months ago was that people withheld their renewal to put pressure on the club until such time as we got some clarity. This idea was overtaken by the discussions that went on subsequently and led to the G21 statement, something drawn up in close discussion with members of the trust board despite the fact that it backed off from supporting it as an organisation in the end.
Nearly a year on I think we have that clarity. A season ticket strike (not a boycott) is a possible tactic, but realistically sales are likely to collapse regardless of any protest. I think we need to take more immediate steps, but also that we need to work together.
There is though, I suggest, a bit too much despondency. If we could get back to The Valley we can do anything, given time. Have a little more faith in what we are.
Agree completely with this. I won't be renewing my or my son's season ticket for next season unless and until I see some positive moves to improve the top to bottom management of the club and real investment in the playing side - which means actual noteworthy transfers and not just empty promises, vague statements and excuses.
Going to Charlton for me, though, is about much more than the football. It is where I grew up, It is where I spend time with one son, and near where I visit my other son and grandkids. I'll never give it up completely, but I will pick and choose my matches more from now on unless something changes for the better.
I would love to know what the "immediate steps" are that @Airman Brown envisages, what kind of organised action we could take and how that might best be done. I sense a role for the Trust here - it's time has come, I suggest.
As AFKA says, it's heart breaking to read all these posts. Boycotting is not for me. End of. Might as well cut off my right hand ( OK, maybe the left-right is for holding my wine glass...)
Seriously, the only positive I've taken on here tonight are AB's words. I'll admit that we don't always see eye to eye but if there's going to be a fight ( for all the right reasons) then I want to be in his corner. We did what we could to help with the Valley Party all those years ago but now, with the name of our Club even more deeply engraved on our hearts, the Fanackapans will do our utmost to support any campaign he initiates. Might sound a bit gung ho but we ALL know what happened when AB & co girded their loins before .....
I too await with bated breath to hear more of those "immediate steps" he mentions , Davo.
Let's keep the faith a bit longer, guys & see how this pans out.
Out of interest @Fanny Fanackapan what would be the moment that you say "I've seen enough, time for drastic action" ?
Out all day so only just seen this response to my earlier post.
My answer to your question would be at this moment in time, I can't say.
But I think it will be blatantly obvious when that time arrives ...& to more supporters than post on CL.
I've advocated keeping the faith a bit longer, and I'm sticking with that. Nothing today has changed my opinion.
The first hurdle will be whether we can stay in this division or not. If it's the former, then we see what transpires in the summer. If the latter, then I think "that moment" will be sooner rather than later.
There will be other instances along the way to give fans a clearer picture as to how RD's cookie crumbles eg season ticket /matchday prices for next season ....and there's only so much people will be prepared to take. Nails in coffin is an apt phrase maybe ?
As for "drastic action " - I'm a foot soldier, not a mover or shaker so I'm leaving the decision as to the most appropriate time/method to others, with AB clearly a major player.
I'm merely a supporter - of both our football team, and the future fight to reclaim the soul of our Football Club if and when "it's time"..
For the life of me I can't see any future in bringing Katrien, or even Roly, to the table. Katrien said it herself, "Roly will do it his was way, understand?" As our Belgian fellow-sufferer said, they have no qualms about bare-faced lying to fans. They are a virus, and we can only go back to being Charlton when they are gone.
Don't get some of this to be honest. Respect you all, and fully understand that people are prepared to walk away from their Charlton habit.
But I couldn't just rock up regularly at another club, regardless of the level.
This is the thing... What if by paying your money at another club you help that side rise above Charlton in the Leagues?
Whilst I certainly won't be going to watch anyone else myself, if Dulwich Hamlet or Ebbsfleet ever overtake Charlton in the league that will only be as a consequence of yet more spectacular mismanagement by you know who, not as a result of them being able to bankroll themselves up the league with the extra £200 a season from a couple of Charlton supporters.
This is the situation the trust should be all over and looking to act on. There is enough above to quote people and highlight to the club the danger to ST sales next year.
Don't get some of this to be honest. Respect you all, and fully understand that people are prepared to walk away from their Charlton habit.
But I couldn't just rock up regularly at another club, regardless of the level.
This is the thing... What if by paying your money at another club you help that side rise above Charlton in the Leagues?
Whilst I certainly won't be going to watch anyone else myself, if Dulwich Hamlet or Ebbsfleet ever overtake Charlton in the league that will only be as a consequence of yet more spectacular mismanagement by you know who, not as a result of them being able to bankroll themselves up the league with the extra £200 a season from a couple of Charlton supporters.
Even if Charlton were a stable; Championship / Premier League side?
Could I please suggest that all those genuinely not renewing send KM an email...
Katrien.meire@cafc.co.uk
In a polite way I suggest you Let her know how long you have been going, what CAFC means to you and why you are not renewing. The CEO simply has to be made aware even if she chooses to ignore correspondence with her customers.
Admin- I hope you do not mind me posting her email, it is simple enough to find via Google so I don't think that I am breaking any confidences by posting it, just making it easier for people.
Unfortunately action will speak much louder than words with this mob and the only way is to hit these people in the pocket.
The show is clearly run by Rolly Polly, with tweedle dum & tweedle dee in charge at SE7. Nothing we say will make any difference with these people at the helm, they only deal in propaganda and half truths.
Perhaps a start would be to boycott facilities such as programmes, food, club shop etc. I know most of this is franchised out but an early warning before a full season ticket boycott would send a clear message.
It does need proper organisation, something the trust could perhaps step up to the plate on.
Don't get some of this to be honest. Respect you all, and fully understand that people are prepared to walk away from their Charlton habit.
But I couldn't just rock up regularly at another club, regardless of the level.
This is the thing... What if by paying your money at another club you help that side rise above Charlton in the Leagues?
Whilst I certainly won't be going to watch anyone else myself, if Dulwich Hamlet or Ebbsfleet ever overtake Charlton in the league that will only be as a consequence of yet more spectacular mismanagement by you know who, not as a result of them being able to bankroll themselves up the league with the extra £200 a season from a couple of Charlton supporters.
Even if Charlton were a stable; Championship / Premier League side?
Well this is a thoroughly ridiculous conversation. Firstly, if Charlton were a stable Championship/Premier League side then it's unlikely that supporters would be deserting the club in their droves, talking about season ticket boycotts and considering the possibility of going to watch the odd game at their local non-league side because it's too painfully depressing to go and watch Charlton anymore.
Secondly, I presume by asking "even if Charlton were a stable Champ/Prem side?", you mean if Ebbsfleet or Dulwich happened to overtake Charlton whilst Charlton were in the Championship or Premier League. Admittedly I'm not a finance expert, but I really think it will take quite a lot more than a small handful of Charlton fans deciding to take in some non-league football to enable Dulwich or Ebbsfleet to make it to League 2, let alone the Premier League.
Thirdly, I just want to reiterate that this is an utterly ridiculous discussion. We have got more than enough to worry about at the moment without concerning ourselves about the impending surge up the table of a couple of clubs in the 6th and 7th tiers of the football pyramid.
The fact that it's franchised may actually have more weight. It means the contractors would be getting on the clubs case as nobody is buying all the food and drink they are preparing. They aren't going to want to continue with a contract that has no value. They couldn't change contractors either because nobody is going to come and tout their wares knowing that people are boycotting the catering.
The downside of course is that it would be affecting a business other than CAFC and I'm not sure that's fair. But, if it's for the good of the club, I wouldn't rule it out.
Been a S/T holder since 1988 but for the first time i'm considering delaying buying until the latter part of the Summer instead of "bang" paying in April when it's cheaper. waiting to see what happens with the owners, players in & out first. I'll always go regardless of what division we are in but at this moment a tad disillusioned with the whole situation!
Been a S/T holder since 1988 but for the first time i'm considering delaying buying until the latter part of the Summer instead of "bang" paying in April when it's cheaper. waiting to see what happens with the owners, players in & out first. I'll always go regardless of what division we are in but at this moment a tad disillusioned with the whole situation!
That's a good idea, as they probably wouldn't be able to raise the prices if few people have renewed when the new season tickets go on sale. I think there would be very little to lose by waiting.
The fact that it's franchised may actually have more weight. It means the contractors would be getting on the clubs case as nobody is buying all the food and drink they are preparing. They aren't going to want to continue with a contract that has no value. They couldn't change contractors either because nobody is going to come and tout their wares knowing that people are boycotting the catering.
The downside of course is that it would be affecting a business other than CAFC and I'm not sure that's fair. But, if it's for the good of the club, I wouldn't rule it out.
Good point, hadn't thought of it like that. Regarding adversely affecting the catering business - they suffer in the short term as the result of a supporter boycott, or they suffer in the long-term when we're in League 1 next season and there's hardly anyone in the stadium to buy anything, what's the difference?
Been a S/T holder since 1988 but for the first time i'm considering delaying buying until the latter part of the Summer instead of "bang" paying in April when it's cheaper. waiting to see what happens with the owners, players in & out first. I'll always go regardless of what division we are in but at this moment a tad disillusioned with the whole situation!
That's a good idea, as they probably wouldn't be able to raise the prices if few people have renewed when the new season tickets go on sale. I think there would be very little to lose by waiting.
I wouldn't put it past RD to just close the catering altogether if a boycott was successful. It's something else to consider. The guy is used to getting his way, who knows what he would do in order to try to get that.
I wouldn't put it past RD to just close the catering altogether if a boycott was successful. It's something else to consider. The guy is used to getting his way, who knows what he would do in order to try to get that.
I'm thinking along the same lines. How do you hit a multi-millionaire in the pocket. If a % of people stop buying programmes, he could just reduce the print run and number of selling points. The same with food. If only a certain amount are buying from the outlets, then only open certain ones and reduce the amount available.
Comments
before the end of February. What I cannot understand is Duchalet has had problems at Standard Liege,
he must be sensing the unrest at Charlton, so why put up with this unnecessary aggravation.
If he has any sense of decency the best thing he can do is to sell up as soon as possible,
before he rips the heart completely out of our wonderful club.
Have been following Charlton since my school days. Surely someone like Richard Murray
can see what is going on. Would love to see a British business man or infact anyone
with knowledge of English football to take over sooner rather than later!
I'm renewing, reluctantly.
But fair play to those that have stronger principles than me!
Call an EGM - not a secret exclusive meeting in a pub...
Run a massive survey to canvas fan opinion and appetite, rather than a few hundred nutjobs on message boards!
Publish those results and seek a meeting with the club. Should that be refused take legal advice as to what the collective can participate in without being sued!
More splinter groups and self appointed leaders really isn't what is required right now as that will just be a massive distraction.
If the leadership and direction of the Trust requires augmenting or changing/challenging so be it. But work within an established framework and you have access to a large network, goodwill and funds.
Katrien Meire has signed off for the Huddersfield game to be football for a fiver. A quite extraordinary decision in light of who their manager is! And a quite extraordinary opportunity to make a statement to 22-24,000 fans.
I won't say more as I left the world of fan organisation a while back. But whatever happens, show leadership and keep the movement unified. If you fail this time, how many more chances will you get to build a mass movement?
If people put the work in and settle their differences over a pint and not with their keyboard you might be surprised how much you can achieve. How much you can build on the platform already established. I put my time in and we went from nothing to 1,000 members in 15 months. The movement ebbs and flows but one thing you can be sure of: Roland Duchatelet is the one who keeps on giving!
My perception is that we are in for a long haul and there is a choice for fans to step back and disengage whilst simultaneously showing their support for whatever "my Charlton" means.
The simple fact is that half our fanbase experienced the Selhurst exile and half started attending in the 90s as the club grew. This is the same struggle but with different technology, different goals and the irony that there is an owner who could afford to power the club into the top six. Maybe he just needs a collective show of passion to tell him that CAFC is a serious club not to be fucked with?!
My answer to your question would be at this moment in time, I can't say.
But I think it will be blatantly obvious when that time arrives ...& to more supporters than post on CL.
I've advocated keeping the faith a bit longer, and I'm sticking with that. Nothing today has changed my opinion.
The first hurdle will be whether we can stay in this division or not. If it's the former, then we see what transpires in the summer. If the latter, then I think "that moment" will be sooner rather than later.
There will be other instances along the way to give fans a clearer picture as to how RD's cookie crumbles eg season ticket /matchday prices for next season ....and there's only so much people will be prepared to take. Nails in coffin is an apt phrase maybe ?
As for "drastic action " - I'm a foot soldier, not a mover or shaker so I'm leaving the decision as to the most appropriate time/method to others, with AB clearly a major player.
I'm merely a supporter - of both our football team, and the future fight to reclaim the soul of our Football Club if and when "it's time"..
The show is clearly run by Rolly Polly, with tweedle dum & tweedle dee in charge at SE7. Nothing we say will make any difference with these people at the helm, they only deal in propaganda and half truths.
Perhaps a start would be to boycott facilities such as programmes, food, club shop etc. I know most of this is franchised out but an early warning before a full season ticket boycott would send a clear message.
It does need proper organisation, something the trust could perhaps step up to the plate on.
Secondly, I presume by asking "even if Charlton were a stable Champ/Prem side?", you mean if Ebbsfleet or Dulwich happened to overtake Charlton whilst Charlton were in the Championship or Premier League. Admittedly I'm not a finance expert, but I really think it will take quite a lot more than a small handful of Charlton fans deciding to take in some non-league football to enable Dulwich or Ebbsfleet to make it to League 2, let alone the Premier League.
Thirdly, I just want to reiterate that this is an utterly ridiculous discussion. We have got more than enough to worry about at the moment without concerning ourselves about the impending surge up the table of a couple of clubs in the 6th and 7th tiers of the football pyramid.
The downside of course is that it would be affecting a business other than CAFC and I'm not sure that's fair. But, if it's for the good of the club, I wouldn't rule it out.
How do you hit a multi-millionaire in the pocket.
If a % of people stop buying programmes, he could just reduce the print run and number of selling points.
The same with food. If only a certain amount are buying from the outlets, then only open certain ones and reduce the amount available.