Finally got round to buying the SLP. I am posting the interview for all those across the globe and country who do not have access to buy the SLP. Hopefully the interview will help inform discussion on the thread as well. It is likely worth a visit to the SLP website over the next few days to get a more legible version.
I'll stick to my "agenda" of thinking that the Trust and all fans groups having a constructive but critical friend like relationship with the CEO and other staff will be a good thing and will help the club.
For that to happen SC needs to be given the time and space to repair the damage done previously (something Trust board members acknowledge privately) while KM needs to realise that there is a benefit in engaging at a strategic level with fans although IMHO that should be on the basis of individual skill and knowledge not as delegates from any fan groups.
That does not mean that fans can no longer criticise or make suggestions but it should mean that they are more careful in how they phrase those critiques and avoid the personalised remarks ie calling KM "incompetent".
That doesn't mean she is so feeble that she has to go but such remarks clearly aren't going to endear the idea of further fan involvement to her.
I was and I remain critical and some times confused by the decisions coming out of the regime especially around player recruitment (Lepoint, Tucedean to name two from THIS season). I also feel uneasy about the lack of clarity over the business plan.
A lot of avoidable mistakes have been made and I fear that over ambitious ST and commercial income targets for next season might create more problems but that is to be seen. There has also been a lot of good decisions and positive actions which deserve praise IMHO.
So as I said my "agenda" is a strong and active fan base willing to be a critical friend but not just when the results go wrong or when a respected manager is sacked.
As for the Trust it does appear to have learnt from some of its mistakes. SC has been very quiet but he isn't commenting on the opening of an envelope.
The obsession with surveys appears to have ended.
And significantly the 5000 network figure has quietly been dropped from the trust website. I read this to mean that there has been a realisation that credibility has to be won thru making an useful contribution rather than coming as an entitlement based on an arbitrary number number of followers
No great revelation on plans or firm indications on how the squad / team will look at the start of next season.
It makes me wonder how the season ticket sales are going. It is a lot more difficult to build support and maintain it. It is much easier to lose that support. Maybe the season ticket sales and attendances have been disappointing. Many long term supporters got royally fed up with the way things were going this season. Once people reach that stage it is not easy for people to forget. The low attendances and season ticket sales are probably a reflection of this.
There may be a significant amount of season ticket holders holding back on a purchase to wait and see what the squad looks like with how many of the best of the current squad are in place. This is a direct result of Jan 14 transfers in and only starting with one recognised striker upfront at the beginning of this season.
The out of contract players have made a positive effect but as mentioned above, there could be a suspicion that this is just a short term cheap fix (to ensure the club avoided a relegation fight and to head off a potential rebellion).
The lack of communication / poor communication from the start of Duchatelet's ownership and supporters hasn't helped things. This was not unhappy supporters, Trust or G21's fault. There is no boycott but supporters looking for evidence that the team will be competitive. That is not something that anyone can take for granted. Time will tell.
The SLP interview is overall a positive one and Katrien Meire is clearly a likeable and smart person. It is good that KM is well aware that Charlton is no club without supporters. Lets hope the promise of work on bringing the support together in the Summer happens.
Katrien Meire is indeed likeable, and very smart, but although she is learning fast there are areas in which she still lacks experience, experience that can only come with time. However as we approach the season ticket deadline, and the close season ebbs and flows, I am intrigued as to what may be the meaning of 'building as better future together', especially the 'together' bit. At the moment I am not sure what degree or type of synergy between club and support there is going to be. Thanks vff for posting the article.
Finally got round to buying the SLP. I am posting the interview for all those across the globe and country who do not have access to buy the SLP. Hopefully the interview will help inform discussion on the thread as well. It is likely worth a visit to the SLP website over the next few days to get a more legible version.
Finally got round to buying the SLP. I am posting the interview for all those across the globe and country who do not have access to buy the SLP. Hopefully the interview will help inform discussion on the thread as well. It is likely worth a visit to the SLP website over the next few days to get a more legible version.
Thanks for that VFF. A good read, and it is crystal clear that Team Belgium are aware of fans concerns and their own "mistakes" to date and are prepared to address them, in their own way. The big test will come this summer; when any fragile entente will either be solidified or busted apart depending on what is done with the squad and recruitment. I'm sitting on the fence with, I hope, an open mind. But I have already renewed my season ticket, having been minded to not bother, solely on the basis of the football delivered by Luzon's team once he had got them all on board
Comments
I'll stick to my "agenda" of thinking that the Trust and all fans groups having a constructive but critical friend like relationship with the CEO and other staff will be a good thing and will help the club.
For that to happen SC needs to be given the time and space to repair the damage done previously (something Trust board members acknowledge privately) while KM needs to realise that there is a benefit in engaging at a strategic level with fans although IMHO that should be on the basis of individual skill and knowledge not as delegates from any fan groups.
That does not mean that fans can no longer criticise or make suggestions but it should mean that they are more careful in how they phrase those critiques and avoid the personalised remarks ie calling KM "incompetent".
That doesn't mean she is so feeble that she has to go but such remarks clearly aren't going to endear the idea of further fan involvement to her.
I was and I remain critical and some times confused by the decisions coming out of the regime especially around player recruitment (Lepoint, Tucedean to name two from THIS season). I also feel uneasy about the lack of clarity over the business plan.
A lot of avoidable mistakes have been made and I fear that over ambitious ST and commercial income targets for next season might create more problems but that is to be seen. There has also been a lot of good decisions and positive actions which deserve praise IMHO.
So as I said my "agenda" is a strong and active fan base willing to be a critical friend but not just when the results go wrong or when a respected manager is sacked.
As for the Trust it does appear to have learnt from some of its mistakes. SC has been very quiet but he isn't commenting on the opening of an envelope.
The obsession with surveys appears to have ended.
And significantly the 5000 network figure has quietly been dropped from the trust website. I read this to mean that there has been a realisation that credibility has to be won thru making an useful contribution rather than coming as an entitlement based on an arbitrary number number of followers
I'm even thinking of rejoining the trust.
Maybe.
It makes me wonder how the season ticket sales are going. It is a lot more difficult to build support and maintain it. It is much easier to lose that support. Maybe the season ticket sales and attendances have been disappointing. Many long term supporters got royally fed up with the way things were going this season. Once people reach that stage it is not easy for people to forget. The low attendances and season ticket sales are probably a reflection of this.
There may be a significant amount of season ticket holders holding back on a purchase to wait and see what the squad looks like with how many of the best of the current squad are in place. This is a direct result of Jan 14 transfers in and only starting with one recognised striker upfront at the beginning of this season.
The out of contract players have made a positive effect but as mentioned above, there could be a suspicion that this is just a short term cheap fix (to ensure the club avoided a relegation fight and to head off a potential rebellion).
The lack of communication / poor communication from the start of Duchatelet's ownership and supporters hasn't helped things. This was not unhappy supporters, Trust or G21's fault. There is no boycott but supporters looking for evidence that the team will be competitive. That is not something that anyone can take for granted. Time will tell.
The SLP interview is overall a positive one and Katrien Meire is clearly a likeable and smart person. It is good that KM is well aware that Charlton is no club without supporters. Lets hope the promise of work on bringing the support together in the Summer happens.
However as we approach the season ticket deadline, and the close season ebbs and flows, I am intrigued as to what may be the meaning of 'building as better future together', especially the 'together' bit. At the moment I am not sure what degree or type of synergy between club and support there is going to be.
Thanks vff for posting the article.
A good read, and it is crystal clear that Team Belgium are aware of fans concerns and their own "mistakes" to date and are prepared to address them, in their own way.
The big test will come this summer; when any fragile entente will either be solidified or busted apart depending on what is done with the squad and recruitment.
I'm sitting on the fence with, I hope, an open mind.
But I have already renewed my season ticket, having been minded to not bother, solely on the basis of the football delivered by Luzon's team once he had got them all on board