Well, on the basis that beggars can't be choosers and the previous lot were desperate to sell, we can be thankful that we have an immediate future. This will comprise a nice new pitch, but what of those playing upon it? Will they be strong enough for the rigours facing them? I have written of the lack (loss?) of identity of our club, previously. Much of the financial basis of professional football is rotten, in my opinion, following as it did a 'let the market decide' laissez faire attitude, so espoused by a woman whose first name began with M. I don't subscribe to the 'Charlton til I die' mantra for, if in the meantime, 'Charlton' becomes something less or other than Charlton, I won't be much interested in supporting that thing. As someone who was deeply involved with The Valley Party and is involved with the CAS Trust, what has happened / is happening to the club I have followed since the 1980/81 promotion season is unpalatable. I bide my time and offer the benefit of doubt to the owner. But, as I wrote last week, if I don't like the look of the menu, I shall walk away. I certainly will not be alone in doing so, should this be the case.
Perhaps patience is an age thing. I passed a milestone this March; 60 years since my first game at The Valley. Doesn't make my opions any better than another fans. Only other point I would make is that before the internet, differences of opinion were exchanged on the terraces or in the pub - importantly they were face to face and didn't hide behind the anonymity of a Username. The worries, lack of information and indeed miss-information have always been there. In my opinion I am no less Charlton today than I was then. As in previous Summers, I live in the belief that whatever changes take place this will be our season. I may be an optimistic old fart but all that matters to me is I get to see the start of another season. If RD can make it better than the last, all the better.
I admire those who have patience and are willing to see out the season or get to Christmas before judging. I would love to be in that camp as negativity is not my default mode.
Therefore, the fact that I am feeling so concerned is a worry on a personal level. I am trying not to read negative things in every soundbite I hear, story that is leaked or signing that doesn't come off. I want to be posting about how excited I am under the new regime, about how confident I feel in RD and his approach and how much I am looking forward to a new manager at the helm who has earned the job.
But as every day passes, I worry more. I question whether I am deliberately looking for faults. Does the amount of white on the new shirt suggest a further shift from our roots and history? Probably not, but such doubts present themselves and linger.
Much of what you posted, sjh, sums up my current feelings.
I hope that my positivity regarding most matters CAFC in the past has been noted & it goes against the grain when negativity creeps into my old head.
I like to give incomers the benefit of the doubt, whether they be managers, players or even owners & find it upsetting when, for one reason or another, they are rubbished without (IMHO) due cause. Hopefully (?) I'm only human though & sometimes I have to admit that criticism is, in fact deserved as was the case with the Spivs. Some people make it very hard to like them !
When RD crossed the channel on his Flemish/Belgian charger to save the day, my emotions were ones of relief, gratitude and excitement in that order. I was encouraged by the words & demeanour of Katrien when she attended a FF meeting and endeavoured to share that with other Lifers the following day.
The influx of players from afar was perplexing & didn't appear to fit into SCP's vision for climbing up the league and it became obvious via videoed pieces and finally the VIP meeting that all was not fine & dandy in the state of Charlton. And so it came to pass, before too long, our gaffer departed followed closely by our Beast and our, errr, Dale, even though the latter appeared to have lost his satnav. Things were starting to unravel & likewise my positivity.
But I had not factored in the arrival of a Very Special Man to take over the reins & guide us to safety. Once again, RD & co were in credit with knobs on in Fanny's balance sheet. I should have known better.....
Just as I was primed to plunder my dwindling bank account for yet another season, in order to have the company (and shirt) of M Riga at next May's SS dinner, RD struck again and another fine man was sent packing - this time, seemingly to head to the Las Vegas of the north. Noooooooooooooooooo ! But the exodus did not end there as we also waved " goodbye & good luck" to Dorian & Ben.
And now, the announcement of Bob's appointment aside, we discover that Paddy has left the building too. Certain Lifers assure us that this is a redundancy although, unless Dyson has invented a robotic mower/seeder/waterer (?) I'm hazarding a guess that a replacement will be required....All rather concerning.
Henry has warned on several occasions of a bumpy ride under RD's regime, at least for a couple of years. For me, this particular rollercoaster has well & truly started with the highs & lows mentioned above .....and with the Diego & Morro situation as yet unresolved, hence adding to a potentially record low.
In conclusion, as I posted last night, I find myself in a very uncomfortable & unfamiliar position at this moment in time- sitting firmly on the fence. I SO want to have faith in RD & his cunning plan for our Club & I applauded the appointment of JR together with the investment in the pitch( albeit that this could not have been ignored ) But, alas the debit column cannot be ignored.
IF Bob/Roland can convince young Diego to commit, IF they could also obtain Morro's signature on that dotted line and IF it quickly becomes apparent that the "new" squad is working both on & off the pitch, then I can ask for no more from that side of the business. As far as staffing/redundancies etc are concerned, I find it difficult to comment although I am obviously aware that the jobs of some Charlton stalwarts may be at risk. All I will say is that 99% of the staff I have had dealings with over the years have provided a good service and I'd like to think that other supporters can say the same. However, I will echo someone's post on the Paddy Powell thread that threat of redundancy or uncertainty about the future can have a very negative effect on the morale of the staff concerned so am hoping that the powers that be resolve this issue as soon as possible.
SO many ingredients in this recipe for success that we crave ! The inclusion of rumour, speculation, Chinese whispers & negativity for negativity's sake battle against optimism, reality checks & plain, unadulterated facts to flavour the product. Without a soupcon of that old favourite " communication" we struggle to decide whether we should gorge ourselves on the fare on offer thus far...or whether to start that diet we've been promising ourselves for ever !
Comments
I have written of the lack (loss?) of identity of our club, previously. Much of the financial basis of professional football is rotten, in my opinion, following as it did a 'let the market decide' laissez faire attitude, so espoused by a woman whose first name began with M.
I don't subscribe to the 'Charlton til I die' mantra for, if in the meantime, 'Charlton' becomes something less or other than Charlton, I won't be much interested in supporting that thing.
As someone who was deeply involved with The Valley Party and is involved with the CAS Trust, what has happened / is happening to the club I have followed since the 1980/81 promotion season is unpalatable. I bide my time and offer the benefit of doubt to the owner. But, as I wrote last week, if I don't like the look of the menu, I shall walk away. I certainly will not be alone in doing so, should this be the case.
Only other point I would make is that before the internet, differences of opinion were exchanged on the terraces or in the pub - importantly they were face to face and didn't hide behind the anonymity of a Username.
The worries, lack of information and indeed miss-information have always been there. In my opinion I am no less Charlton today than I was then. As in previous Summers, I live in the belief that whatever changes take place this will be our season. I may be an optimistic old fart but all that matters to me is I get to see the start of another season. If RD can make it better than the last, all the better.
I hope that my positivity regarding most matters CAFC in the past has been noted & it goes against the grain when negativity creeps into my old head.
I like to give incomers the benefit of the doubt, whether they be managers, players or even owners & find it upsetting when, for one reason or another, they are rubbished without (IMHO) due cause. Hopefully (?) I'm only human though & sometimes I have to admit that criticism is, in fact deserved as was the case with the Spivs. Some people make it very hard to like them !
When RD crossed the channel on his Flemish/Belgian charger to save the day, my emotions were ones of relief, gratitude and excitement in that order. I was encouraged by the words & demeanour of Katrien when she attended a FF meeting and endeavoured to share that with other Lifers the following day.
The influx of players from afar was perplexing & didn't appear to fit into SCP's vision for climbing up the league and it became obvious via videoed pieces and finally the VIP meeting that all was not fine & dandy in the state of Charlton. And so it came to pass, before too long, our gaffer departed followed closely by our Beast and our, errr, Dale, even though the latter appeared to have lost his satnav. Things were starting to unravel & likewise my positivity.
But I had not factored in the arrival of a Very Special Man to take over the reins & guide us to safety. Once again, RD & co were in credit with knobs on in Fanny's balance sheet. I should have known better.....
Just as I was primed to plunder my dwindling bank account for yet another season, in order to have the company (and shirt) of M Riga at next May's SS dinner, RD struck again and another fine man was sent packing - this time, seemingly to head to the Las Vegas of the north. Noooooooooooooooooo ! But the exodus did not end there as we also waved " goodbye & good luck" to Dorian & Ben.
And now, the announcement of Bob's appointment aside, we discover that Paddy has left the building too. Certain Lifers assure us that this is a redundancy although, unless Dyson has invented a robotic mower/seeder/waterer (?) I'm hazarding a guess that a replacement will be required....All rather concerning.
Henry has warned on several occasions of a bumpy ride under RD's regime, at least for a couple of years. For me, this particular rollercoaster has well & truly started with the highs & lows mentioned above .....and with the Diego & Morro situation as yet unresolved, hence adding to a potentially record low.
In conclusion, as I posted last night, I find myself in a very uncomfortable & unfamiliar position at this moment in time- sitting firmly on the fence. I SO want to have faith in RD & his cunning plan for our Club & I applauded the appointment of JR together with the investment in the pitch( albeit that this could not have been ignored ) But, alas the debit column cannot be ignored.
IF Bob/Roland can convince young Diego to commit, IF they could also obtain Morro's signature on that dotted line and IF it quickly becomes apparent that the "new" squad is working both on & off the pitch, then I can ask for no more from that side of the business. As far as staffing/redundancies etc are concerned, I find it difficult to comment although I am obviously aware that the jobs of some Charlton stalwarts may be at risk. All I will say is that 99% of the staff I have had dealings with over the years have provided a good service and I'd like to think that other supporters can say the same. However, I will echo someone's post on the Paddy Powell thread that threat of redundancy or uncertainty about the future can have a very negative effect on the morale of the staff concerned so am hoping that the powers that be resolve this issue as soon as possible.
SO many ingredients in this recipe for success that we crave ! The inclusion of rumour, speculation, Chinese whispers & negativity for negativity's sake battle against optimism, reality checks & plain, unadulterated facts to flavour the product. Without a soupcon of that old favourite " communication" we struggle to decide whether we should gorge ourselves on the fare on offer thus far...or whether to start that diet we've been promising ourselves for ever !
I live in hope of piling on the pounds.
:-)