I'm considering buying a season ticket at Sixfields next season. Proper football from a proper club with a funny nickname that is at the heart of the local community and has thrived against the odds despite nearly going into liquidation recently following boardroom shenanigins and a battle with the local council. Now where have I heard that before.
The way the Cobblers are going there's a fair chance you'd still get to see Charlton at least once next season...
Just had an email from the club about half season tickets. Instead of just deleting it, I actually took the time to reply. Not in expectation, but more in hope that if everyone were to clearly make their feelings felt then at least the regime can never claim with any justification that everything is rosy and the fans are on side. Here's what I said:
Thanks for your email about half season tickets, but given the frankly appalling state of the club so far in 2015/16 it's an invitation that is very easy to decline.
I am responding to this email in the hope that, even if it is just one voice that can easily be ignored, at least the opinion of fans is reaching the organisation at The Valley. It is important that those running our club understand clearly the challenges they face in rebuilding what looks like, at this moment in time, a fanbase in decline.
I have held a season ticket at Charlton in the past, and in recent seasons have been a semi-regular attender of home matches. Every summer I consider whether to buy a season ticket, I want to have a season ticket, but in recent years it has been too easy to decide against making this commitment to the club. The reasons are two-fold. First, with attendances low at The Valley it is all too easy to pick and choose which games to attend, and as someone who does not travel away these days the benefits of a season ticket are not immediately clear. Secondly, the way the club is being run by the current management does not encourage me to commit to the cause.
I starting going to The Valley as a boy when the club was well run, stable and united. There was continuity in the dugout, there were established and well-loved players throughout the squad, and the fans were actively engaged in initiatives to grow the fanbase and ensure new supporters kept coming back. I am a Valley Gold member because I believe Charlton succeeds when we built coherently for the future. But today I see none of this. All I see is a 'philosophy' that preaches financial stability off the pitch while indulging in wildly unstable behaviour on it. The procession of managers in recent years is said to have been a series of correct decisions by our CEO, but the team's slide towards League 1 suggests otherwise.
Do keep sending marketing emails to me. I am a Charlton fan who longs for the day my next season ticket arrives in the post. I still remember the first I received as a schoolboy in the 1990s and the excitement I felt when I held it in my hand for the first time. But it is down to the club to earn this commitment from me and all fans of this great institution who are currently apathetic and drifting away. I am not optimistic, but would love to be proved wrong.
I know it's a chore, and probably pointless, but feels good to get it off my chest. Most likely winging its way into the 'bin' folder as we speak!
For the first time in years have not purchased anything this Christmas for my son in the club shop. Not because I'm boycotting it but he just hasn't asked for it and has little interest at the moment, which makes me sad. He had no interest in the kids Xmas party either. That was always a highlight of the year for him. Trying to persuade him to go to the Wolves game. So want things to be different, we've had some great moments in past Xmas periods, Watford away 4-3, Ipswich away 1-1....want those days back. Please get us a manager we can believe in!
For the first time in years have not purchased anything this Christmas for my son in the club shop. Not because I'm boycotting it but he just hasn't asked for it and has little interest at the moment, which makes me sad. He had no interest in the kids Xmas party either. That was always a highlight of the year for him. Trying to persuade him to go to the Wolves game. So want things to be different, we've had some great moments in past Xmas periods, Watford away 4-3, Ipswich away 1-1....want those days back. Please get us a manager we can believe in!
For the first time in years have not purchased anything this Christmas for my son in the club shop. Not because I'm boycotting it but he just hasn't asked for it and has little interest at the moment, which makes me sad. He had no interest in the kids Xmas party either. That was always a highlight of the year for him. Trying to persuade him to go to the Wolves game. So want things to be different, we've had some great moments in past Xmas periods, Watford away 4-3, Ipswich away 1-1....want those days back. Please get us a manager we can believe in!
Come on. He is 23!
Would like for him to still be a fan by the time he's 23 in 13 years time, but it's not looking great at the moment!
For the first time in years have not purchased anything this Christmas for my son in the club shop. Not because I'm boycotting it but he just hasn't asked for it and has little interest at the moment, which makes me sad. He had no interest in the kids Xmas party either. That was always a highlight of the year for him. Trying to persuade him to go to the Wolves game. So want things to be different, we've had some great moments in past Xmas periods, Watford away 4-3, Ipswich away 1-1....want those days back. Please get us a manager we can believe in!
Come on. He is 23!
Would like for him to still be a fan by the time he's 23 in 13 years time, but it's not looking great at the moment!
I am sure he will be, mine's in his mid 30s now, hasn't forgiven me though
What if we were to copy Bradford's model of £150 season tickets anywhere in the ground, would this make any difference or do you think we are beyond the lure of a cheap season ticket to keep people going?
Let me see... Bradford are challenging for the play-offs, have had some good cup runs, and judging by the size of their crowds (17757 for their midweek match against Coventry), there must be a decent atmosphere at Valley Parade. £150 for an entertaining spectacle with a chance of success? Bargain.
The atmosphere around Charlton is so toxic right now, you'd need to pay people £150 to watch a fading team get booed around a more-than-half-empty stadium. £150 for all season tickets for next season in League One, you mean? Maybe a great tactic for someone who comes in and takes this mess off RD's hands, but would look like desperation if they're still in charge and still employing the same failed old tactics.
(Worth pointing out that you're talking below Ryman League level for a £150 ST - at least there you can have a drink while watching the match and you can stand with your mates and avoid moaning old farts.)
I'm pretty sure that a season ticket holder can also obtain 2 Free Season tickets for U11's which is a great deal.
I'm considering buying a season ticket at Sixfields next season. Proper football from a proper club with a funny nickname that is at the heart of the local community and has thrived against the odds despite nearly going into liquidation recently following boardroom shenanigins and a battle with the local council. Now where have I heard that before.
I may join you. I live in Olney. We could form an "ex-Charlton" Northampton supporters branch. The way the two teams are performing this year, there is a good chance they could meet in a league game next season !
Met a young lad yesterday at the shops who used to work in my local chip shop. He and his brother are season ticket holders but are no longer attending and have no intention of renewing. "Heartbreaking" was the adjective he used to describe the current situation at The Valley.
I know you hate over sixties like me Katrien and are doing all you can to successfully alienate us but these lads are under twenty fives and your target market supposedly.
What the hell are you doing?
More to the point what the hell am I doing taking time out of my Christmas Day to post this about a busted flush?
Dad who has sat in the same seat in the West Stand since we returned to The Valley said yesterday his and his group of 7 are not buying next year - they'll just meet in the pub and enjoy themselves.
The bloke who got me addicted to this club because of his passion for all things Charlton has lost it. It's not because he he better stuff to do either as a retired bloke - he just doesn't like the club anymore.
Dad who has sat in the same seat in the West Stand since we returned to The Valley said yesterday his and his group of 7 are not buying next year - they'll just meet in the pub and enjoy themselves.
The bloke who got me addicted to this club because of his passion for all things Charlton has lost it. It's not because he he better stuff to do either as a retired bloke - he just doesn't like the club anymore.
Cheers Katrien - you've destroyed us.
It's an absolute travesty when a life long supporter feels this way.
Roly and Katrien you are an absolute pair of arseholes.
Dad who has sat in the same seat in the West Stand since we returned to The Valley said yesterday his and his group of 7 are not buying next year - they'll just meet in the pub and enjoy themselves.
The bloke who got me addicted to this club because of his passion for all things Charlton has lost it. It's not because he he better stuff to do either as a retired bloke - he just doesn't like the club anymore.
Cheers Katrien - you've destroyed us.
Says it all and I know this is being replicated by others.
In my opinion she would like to 'lose' anyone with an attachment and commitment to the Club.
Her Baldrick like 'cunning plan' , again in my opinion, is fill the ground with neutral kids or young adults none of whom will be sufficiently motivated to criticise the strategy of the 'mad professor' and her.
Good luck with that. It won't work!
Anyway back to family and Christmas plus the odd peep at the match thread through half hidden eyes.
While we've all been moaning how terrible the players, managers, owners etc. have been we've missed what has actually been going on at our club.
Football is an entertainment business. People buy a ticket in the hope or expectation of an exciting, entertaining game of football. This is what puts bums on seats and is the core business of football clubs. It is the main 'product' that fans purchase, with catering, hospitality and merchandise as ancillary revenue streams. The fans are the main customers that clubs cater to.
M. Duchatelet has decided to fundamentally change the nature of Charlton as a business. The fans are no longer their main customer. Listening to Ms Meire dismiss ticket income as only a third of their revenue only reinforces my belief that Charlton are in the process of being transformed into a B2B enterprise. The main 'product' is now footballers, which are sold to other football businesses.
The football match 'product' as entertainment is secondary. It is a vehicle to exhibit the real Charlton product - footballers - to the scouts of other football businesses. There is no intention to compete or advance the club's league position other than by the happy accident of demonstrating better players to other football businesses. We will never have any success unless we have the rare and exceptional good fortune to produce our own "class of '92", which in any case will be stripped and sold for the component parts within a year.
I find myself massively depressed and disgusted that I've come to the above conclusion and I can fully understand why nobody would want to buy a ticket to watch it week after week.
While we've all been moaning how terrible the players, managers, owners etc. have been we've missed what has actually been going on at our club.
Football is an entertainment business. People buy a ticket in the hope or expectation of an exciting, entertaining game of football. This is what puts bums on seats and is the core business of football clubs. It is the main 'product' that fans purchase, with catering, hospitality and merchandise as ancillary revenue streams. The fans are the main customers that clubs cater to.
M. Duchatelet has decided to fundamentally change the nature of Charlton as a business. The fans are no longer their main customer. Listening to Ms Meire dismiss ticket income as only a third of their revenue only reinforces my belief that Charlton are in the process of being transformed into a B2B enterprise. The main 'product' is now footballers, which are sold to other football businesses.
The football match 'product' as entertainment is secondary. It is a vehicle to exhibit the real Charlton product - footballers - to the scouts of other football businesses. There is no intention to compete or advance the club's league position other than by the happy accident of demonstrating better players to other football businesses. We will never have any success unless we have the rare and exceptional good fortune to produce our own "class of '92", which in any case will be stripped and sold for the component parts within a year.
I find myself massively depressed and disgusted that I've come to the above conclusion and I can fully understand why nobody would want to buy a ticket to watch it week after week.
OK. Does this mean that RD is NOT a fit & proper person to own an English Football Club ?
Didn't someone on here highlight this once before ?
Comments
I wish I could afford to make games regularly but it's an easy £50-£100 day out for me when I visit, depending on whether it's just me or the Mrs too!
Then I have to apologise the next day when I've been in a foul mood since losing the game.
Maybe when I have a kid I'll torture them by bringing them along...
I know you hate over sixties like me Katrien and are doing all you can to successfully alienate us but these lads are under twenty fives and your target market supposedly.
What the hell are you doing?
More to the point what the hell am I doing taking time out of my Christmas Day to post this about a busted flush?
The bloke who got me addicted to this club because of his passion for all things Charlton has lost it. It's not because he he better stuff to do either as a retired bloke - he just doesn't like the club anymore.
Cheers Katrien - you've destroyed us.
Roly and Katrien you are an absolute pair of arseholes.
He cannot see himself going in the foreseeable future.
Mind you Katrien he is 32 so perhaps falls into the category of old gits you detest so much!
Her Baldrick like 'cunning plan' , again in my opinion, is fill the ground with neutral kids or young adults none of whom will be sufficiently motivated to criticise the strategy of the 'mad professor' and her.
Good luck with that. It won't work!
Anyway back to family and Christmas plus the odd peep at the match thread through half hidden eyes.
Football is an entertainment business. People buy a ticket in the hope or expectation of an exciting, entertaining game of football. This is what puts bums on seats and is the core business of football clubs. It is the main 'product' that fans purchase, with catering, hospitality and merchandise as ancillary revenue streams. The fans are the main customers that clubs cater to.
M. Duchatelet has decided to fundamentally change the nature of Charlton as a business. The fans are no longer their main customer. Listening to Ms Meire dismiss ticket income as only a third of their revenue only reinforces my belief that Charlton are in the process of being transformed into a B2B enterprise. The main 'product' is now footballers, which are sold to other football businesses.
The football match 'product' as entertainment is secondary. It is a vehicle to exhibit the real Charlton product - footballers - to the scouts of other football businesses. There is no intention to compete or advance the club's league position other than by the happy accident of demonstrating better players to other football businesses. We will never have any success unless we have the rare and exceptional good fortune to produce our own "class of '92", which in any case will be stripped and sold for the component parts within a year.
I find myself massively depressed and disgusted that I've come to the above conclusion and I can fully understand why nobody would want to buy a ticket to watch it week after week.
Didn't someone on here highlight this once before ?