To be entirely honest with you mate, fair play for coming on here and speaking out. You seem like a genuine guy - although I did have my reservations when I saw your previous posts. You seemed to sign up in November - so after the first protests vs Sheff Wed - and seemed quite critical of CARD. So it did seem a bit strange that you wanted a full meeting and more openness - unfortunately CharltonLife has got something of a paranoid mentality at the moment (understandably IMO) due to some of the completely bizarre posts of late.
Personally I think your posts are quite positive; primarily because one of CARDs aims has been to further inform the fanbase of some of the monumental cockups that have happened in SE7 - so I would hope that some views have changed in the last 5 months.
But I don't think I'm making myself very clear. Goal 1 - hurt RD financially. Stage 5 he wants / has to sell. I worried we hurt the club so much he either isn't bothered about selling to regain £1. Or nobody wants us as a football club. Or he sells the ground as that's his best way out. So I agree with stage 5, but worried stages 2 - 3 mean no more Charlton! If we are right and we struggle next season the risk is pretty high or what none of us want. I think we should reassess that risk, and maybe act differently as a result. We have to ensure he has enough to want to sell and enough for a new buyer to want the club. I liked the idea of signing agreement on purchase of season tickets for example. That sort of idea works very well for a new owner.
What I take from this post is that you want to know that there is a real strategy to CARD, that's entirely understandable. It is a risky game that CARD are playing - damaging the club does make the club seem toxic with an unstable fan base; but I think the beauty of CARD is that it shows more passion and energy than the alternative: apathy. If we can keep the momentum up and make our grievances clear then any decent buyer doing their due diligence will understand that we're all doing this because we're supporters, supporters who are passionate and will spend money!
I can't see Roland letting the situation get that bad though; I mean Bolton have recently managed to find a purchaser and they're in much worse shape. Roland's a businessman above all, and as his dealings at Standard Liege have demonstration - if things deteriorate to such a severity he will sell up. It's all about forcing his hand and pushing the right buttons, and I think CARD is pretty well equipped for doing that. Unfortunately, for them to have any success their strategy does need to be kept under wraps to prevent the club pre-empting and blocking certain actions.
I will say that I still believe that we are, to quote Katrien, "an attractive proposition" for a new buyer. That said, I do agree that there needs to be some incentives thrown in - and I really like the idea of a 'season ticket pledge', as it were. I'm not too sure if anything is being done about it since it was suggested - but I'd even be up for getting the ball rolling and taking a more active role in it's formation and development.
Genuinely offended about my sincerity. Next match I attend I will happily meet any of you. Agree on preofessiinal front - I have a business and family (5 kids) so not easy to attend as much as wanted in recent times. Will DM Card on Twitter. Request - when done that can CARD pls message this forum to stop the abuse. It is offensive and should not be wanted among us (although amusing in other situations - double standards I know).
I wouldn't take it to heart, as I said before - CharltonLife has seen some bizarre posts recently.
CARD is a campaign not a democratic party. It can take action quickly because it doesn't need a consensus.
It is the reason CAST can't do what CARD does CARD doesn't have to worry about procedures, either it gets support from the result of its actions or it doesn't.
All CARD needs is ideas and people to make things happen, not a talking shop.
As far as I know no one makes a professional career from football protests so best forget any idea of "professionalising" protests.
They are effectively executed and have the desired impact, that's all that matters.
If Cambridge has good ideas fine, let CARD have them, but he will not be paid for them and they will not be professional regardless of how good they are.
Genuinely offended about my sincerity. Next match I attend I will happily meet any of you. Agree on preofessiinal front - I have a business and family (5 kids) so not easy to attend as much as wanted in recent times. Will DM Card on Twitter. Request - when done that can CARD pls message this forum to stop the abuse. It is offensive and should not be wanted among us (although amusing in other situations - double standards I know).
You shouldn't be offended about your sincerity.
I'm sorry if anyone has abused you.
I can't agree with much of what you have posted. That said I am not a Roland out at all costs believer. There is a small chance of him redeeming himself.
That said, I struggle with the concept of him changing suffiently, given his track record at the club, his disappointing Statement, continued support of Meire and so on to believe he is future guardian of the club rather than a destructor of it.
As time passes, I become more convinced that there will be no redemption for M. Duchatelet except through an orderly exit to purchasers who are looking for the club to succeed, rather than the club to be a part of an ill executed plan.
Can't the club even set up a new account for this stuff?
Don't forget this classic from Cambridge further down the linked thread: "And the argument when the ground were chanting for Curbishley out?"
That's what you get from researching the past or relying on the media version of events rather than being there.
The bloke behind me was certainly chanting for Curbishley to quit. I remember it well because I told him to behave.
Thinking about it, there were quite a few in his row. and the one in front. And a couple of rows further forward.
Last time I sat in the East.
Why re write history and pretend there wasnt chanting for Curbs to leave? Media version, shmedia version.
It's impossible to be confident about what individuals did, especially ten years on, but "the ground were chanting" is really not an accurate statement (or proper English) and can't be spun as such. Nobody inside the club at the time, including Curbs, when I quizzed him at length on this last July, believes that the views of supporters were a) generally hostile to him or b) played any part whatsoever in his departure.
I am uncomfortable with an indeterminate approach which wishes to position the Coalition against Roland Duchatelet in a place I am not sure it needs to be or take it in a direction it was neither established or is structured to perform.
The reason it has been so successful is it facilitates a simple message.
The message is being sent by any number of individuals, groups and organisations who are able coordinate their activities through a common platform and vehicle with the help of any number of supporters able to support with their active participation in different strands of protest and/ or via financial contributions.
The key attraction of the current structure is it is a "Coalition" which means any one or any group of supporters can progress any other strand of protest they wish to pursue and can of course coordinate their planned activity with, and seek network and financial support from the coalition.
The coalition then has the freedom to consider the request, assess any legal implications, consider any implications for other members for the coalition or other existing supporter organisations before agreeing to support and facilitate any such request.
In essence therefore there is nothing to stop Cambridge and/ or any individual or other group of individuals putting together and progressing their own initiative be it an additional form of protest or an "element of a reconstruction" to augment and enhance the overall challenge to the Duchatelet regime.
So I suggest the floor is open to Cambridge to put some more flesh on the bones of his wish to "Professionalise" (whatever that actually means) the protest campaign.
If his ideas to augment the current approach can secure any traction with the body of supporters who currently facilitate and support CARD I am sure we all will welcome the initiative. If it is merely an attempt to denigrate the organisation (and/ or its key participants) or take it or them in a direction which either loses the simplicity of the current message or the current consensus of opinion I suggest he will quickly find out we all have better things to do.
I have no wish to place any barriers in the way of any positive initiative but the sensitivities of the current landscape surrounding the club and the many dedicated but separate supporters organisations are of paramount importance particularly in the face of the most intransigent of organisations which has refused to engage with the clubs supporters on anything but its own terms for over 2yrs.
Sometimes simplest really is best but the floor is open to Cambridge to expound his theories and his objectives.
I am sure we await his further contributions with interest.
Can't the club even set up a new account for this stuff?
Don't forget this classic from Cambridge further down the linked thread: "And the argument when the ground were chanting for Curbishley out?"
That's what you get from researching the past or relying on the media version of events rather than being there.
This really gets my goat. One or two people rang a phone in out of many thousands - the crowd weren't chanting for Curbs to go at all, and we were shocked when it was announced prior to a game with Blackburn. I remember the moving 5 minute heartfelt handclapping at the end of the game. It is the lazy rubbish that Mark Lawrenson and his mates spout in a lecturing way and is totally false. Curbs left the club a hero and we didn't want him to leave! He was not pushed out but wanted a new challenge. Ok, maybe there was the odd person in the crowd - but chanting - that is ridiculous and so very incorrect.
Can't the club even set up a new account for this stuff?
Don't forget this classic from Cambridge further down the linked thread: "And the argument when the ground were chanting for Curbishley out?"
That's what you get from researching the past or relying on the media version of events rather than being there.
The bloke behind me was certainly chanting for Curbishley to quit. I remember it well because I told him to behave.
Thinking about it, there were quite a few in his row. and the one in front. And a couple of rows further forward.
Last time I sat in the East.
Why re write history and pretend there wasnt chanting for Curbs to leave? Media version, shmedia version.
I find this post so wrong that it is almost insulting - maybe you got the wrong impression as one or two people near you were moaning - but Curbs had the overwhelming support of fans - if you want to say otherwise you are not telling the truth.
There were some people moaning about Curbs, he's taken us as far as he can etc. I wasn't particularly happy that he occasionally bought other teams reserves because they were versatile & could play in various positions but sitting in the Covered End I never heard any chant about wanting Curbs to go. Absolute rubbish. Even the few doubters that I knew always supported the team/club 100%
Can't the club even set up a new account for this stuff?
Don't forget this classic from Cambridge further down the linked thread: "And the argument when the ground were chanting for Curbishley out?"
That's what you get from researching the past or relying on the media version of events rather than being there.
The bloke behind me was certainly chanting for Curbishley to quit. I remember it well because I told him to behave.
Thinking about it, there were quite a few in his row. and the one in front. And a couple of rows further forward.
Last time I sat in the East.
Why re write history and pretend there wasnt chanting for Curbs to leave? Media version, shmedia version.
It's impossible to be confident about what individuals did, especially ten years on, but "the ground were chanting" is really not an accurate statement (or proper English) and can't be spun as such. Nobody inside the club at the time, including Curbs, when I quizzed him at length on this last July, believes that the views of supporters were a) generally hostile to him or b) played any part whatsoever in his departure.
Fair point - never heard the ground chanting for him to leave and nothing on the scale of Pardew's final weeks.
Can't the club even set up a new account for this stuff?
Don't forget this classic from Cambridge further down the linked thread: "And the argument when the ground were chanting for Curbishley out?"
That's what you get from researching the past or relying on the media version of events rather than being there.
The bloke behind me was certainly chanting for Curbishley to quit. I remember it well because I told him to behave.
Thinking about it, there were quite a few in his row. and the one in front. And a couple of rows further forward.
Last time I sat in the East.
Why re write history and pretend there wasnt chanting for Curbs to leave? Media version, shmedia version.
It's impossible to be confident about what individuals did, especially ten years on, but "the ground were chanting" is really not an accurate statement (or proper English) and can't be spun as such. Nobody inside the club at the time, including Curbs, when I quizzed him at length on this last July, believes that the views of supporters were a) generally hostile to him or b) played any part whatsoever in his departure.
Fair point - never heard the ground chanting for him to leave and nothing on the scale of Pardew's final weeks.
"Taxi for Pardew!" vs BOM BOM BOM BOM "Alan C's red 'n' white army"
Can't the club even set up a new account for this stuff?
Don't forget this classic from Cambridge further down the linked thread: "And the argument when the ground were chanting for Curbishley out?"
That's what you get from researching the past or relying on the media version of events rather than being there.
The bloke behind me was certainly chanting for Curbishley to quit. I remember it well because I told him to behave.
Thinking about it, there were quite a few in his row. and the one in front. And a couple of rows further forward.
Last time I sat in the East.
Why re write history and pretend there wasnt chanting for Curbs to leave? Media version, shmedia version.
Yes, I remember it, I was sat in the east stand and a load of fellas in the row behind started chucking beach balls on the pitch and chanting 'we want Alan out, we want Alan out'. Then a few more in the row in front started throwing stress balls on the pitch and singing 'You east end wanker get out of our club'. On a few occasions it held the game up by several minutes. Bloody exenophobes.
Genuinely offended about my sincerity. Next match I attend I will happily meet any of you. Agree on preofessiinal front - I have a business and family (5 kids) so not easy to attend as much as wanted in recent times. Will DM Card on Twitter. Request - when done that can CARD pls message this forum to stop the abuse. It is offensive and should not be wanted among us (although amusing in other situations - double standards I know).
If the posts on this thread offend you, best stay off any political threads.
Can't the club even set up a new account for this stuff?
Don't forget this classic from Cambridge further down the linked thread: "And the argument when the ground were chanting for Curbishley out?"
That's what you get from researching the past or relying on the media version of events rather than being there.
The bloke behind me was certainly chanting for Curbishley to quit. I remember it well because I told him to behave.
Thinking about it, there were quite a few in his row. and the one in front. And a couple of rows further forward.
Last time I sat in the East.
Why re write history and pretend there wasnt chanting for Curbs to leave? Media version, shmedia version.
Yes, I remember it, I was sat in the east stand and a load of fellas in the row behind started chucking beach balls on the pitch and chanting 'we want Alan out, we want Alan out'. Then a few more in the row in front started throwing stress balls on the pitch and singing 'You east end wanker get out of our club'. On a few occasions it held the game up by several minutes. Bloody exenophobes.
Don't forget his final game when we all stuck two fingers up at him for several minutes!!!!
Can't the club even set up a new account for this stuff?
Don't forget this classic from Cambridge further down the linked thread: "And the argument when the ground were chanting for Curbishley out?"
That's what you get from researching the past or relying on the media version of events rather than being there.
The bloke behind me was certainly chanting for Curbishley to quit. I remember it well because I told him to behave.
Thinking about it, there were quite a few in his row. and the one in front. And a couple of rows further forward.
Last time I sat in the East.
Why re write history and pretend there wasnt chanting for Curbs to leave? Media version, shmedia version.
Yes, I remember it, I was sat in the east stand and a load of fellas in the row behind started chucking beach balls on the pitch and chanting 'we want Alan out, we want Alan out'. Then a few more in the row in front started throwing stress balls on the pitch and singing 'You east end wanker get out of our club'. On a few occasions it held the game up by several minutes. Bloody exenophobes.
Amazing how Curbs blagged it for fifteen years, I never liked him.
Comments
Personally I think your posts are quite positive; primarily because one of CARDs aims has been to further inform the fanbase of some of the monumental cockups that have happened in SE7 - so I would hope that some views have changed in the last 5 months. What I take from this post is that you want to know that there is a real strategy to CARD, that's entirely understandable. It is a risky game that CARD are playing - damaging the club does make the club seem toxic with an unstable fan base; but I think the beauty of CARD is that it shows more passion and energy than the alternative: apathy. If we can keep the momentum up and make our grievances clear then any decent buyer doing their due diligence will understand that we're all doing this because we're supporters, supporters who are passionate and will spend money!
I can't see Roland letting the situation get that bad though; I mean Bolton have recently managed to find a purchaser and they're in much worse shape. Roland's a businessman above all, and as his dealings at Standard Liege have demonstration - if things deteriorate to such a severity he will sell up. It's all about forcing his hand and pushing the right buttons, and I think CARD is pretty well equipped for doing that. Unfortunately, for them to have any success their strategy does need to be kept under wraps to prevent the club pre-empting and blocking certain actions.
I will say that I still believe that we are, to quote Katrien, "an attractive proposition" for a new buyer. That said, I do agree that there needs to be some incentives thrown in - and I really like the idea of a 'season ticket pledge', as it were. I'm not too sure if anything is being done about it since it was suggested - but I'd even be up for getting the ball rolling and taking a more active role in it's formation and development. I wouldn't take it to heart, as I said before - CharltonLife has seen some bizarre posts recently.
It is the reason CAST can't do what CARD does CARD doesn't have to worry about procedures, either it gets support from the result of its actions or it doesn't.
All CARD needs is ideas and people to make things happen, not a talking shop.
As far as I know no one makes a professional career from football protests so best forget any idea of "professionalising" protests.
They are effectively executed and have the desired impact, that's all that matters.
If Cambridge has good ideas fine, let CARD have them, but he will not be paid for them and they will not be professional regardless of how good they are.
You shouldn't be offended about your sincerity.
I'm sorry if anyone has abused you.
I can't agree with much of what you have posted. That said I am not a Roland out at all costs believer. There is a small chance of him redeeming himself.
That said, I struggle with the concept of him changing suffiently, given his track record at the club, his disappointing Statement, continued support of Meire and so on to believe he is future guardian of the club rather than a destructor of it.
As time passes, I become more convinced that there will be no redemption for M. Duchatelet except through an orderly exit to purchasers who are looking for the club to succeed, rather than the club to be a part of an ill executed plan.
Until that day, until that day, it's a war.
(Rank quote from a much more important fight)
I remember it well because I told him to behave.
Thinking about it, there were quite a few in his row.
and the one in front.
And a couple of rows further forward.
Last time I sat in the East.
Why re write history and pretend there wasnt chanting for Curbs to leave?
Media version, shmedia version.
Just saying what I heard.
Without media help.
;-)
The reason it has been so successful is it facilitates a simple message.
The message is being sent by any number of individuals, groups and organisations who are able coordinate their activities through a common platform and vehicle with the help of any number of supporters able to support with their active participation in different strands of protest and/ or via financial contributions.
The key attraction of the current structure is it is a "Coalition" which means any one or any group of supporters can progress any other strand of protest they wish to pursue and can of course coordinate their planned activity with, and seek network and financial support from the coalition.
The coalition then has the freedom to consider the request, assess any legal implications, consider any implications for other members for the coalition or other existing supporter organisations before agreeing to support and facilitate any such request.
In essence therefore there is nothing to stop Cambridge and/ or any individual or other group of individuals putting together and progressing their own initiative be it an additional form of protest or an "element of a reconstruction" to augment and enhance the overall challenge to the Duchatelet regime.
So I suggest the floor is open to Cambridge to put some more flesh on the bones of his wish to "Professionalise" (whatever that actually means) the protest campaign.
If his ideas to augment the current approach can secure any traction with the body of supporters who currently facilitate and support CARD I am sure we all will welcome the initiative. If it is merely an attempt to denigrate the organisation (and/ or its key participants) or take it or them in a direction which either loses the simplicity of the current message or the current consensus of opinion I suggest he will quickly find out we all have better things to do.
I have no wish to place any barriers in the way of any positive initiative but the sensitivities of the current landscape surrounding the club and the many dedicated but separate supporters organisations are of paramount importance particularly in the face of the most intransigent of organisations which has refused to engage with the clubs supporters on anything but its own terms for over 2yrs.
Sometimes simplest really is best but the floor is open to Cambridge to expound his theories and his objectives.
I am sure we await his further contributions with interest.
vs
BOM BOM BOM BOM "Alan C's red 'n' white army"
Yes, I remember it, I was sat in the east stand and a load of fellas in the row behind started chucking beach balls on the pitch and chanting 'we want Alan out, we want Alan out'. Then a few more in the row in front started throwing stress balls on the pitch and singing 'You east end wanker get out of our club'. On a few occasions it held the game up by several minutes. Bloody exenophobes.