My personal boycott will continue until the club is sold. I can't tell you how sweet the first game back will be once Roland is gone. I imagine a tear may be shed. #WeWantOurCharltonBack
It is true, is that what is going on, on the pitch is what really counts and if the product and play is poor, then Charlton are not going to challenge in the top half and no one is going to pay to watch dispiriting performances. The state that Charlton's central midfield has been left in is abject management. I don't know whether that can be or will be sorted out in the January transfer window. That neglect has severely undermined any chance that Charlton had for a challenge this season. That is not going to help attendances or atmosphere.
I think amongst the general gloom and despondency, there is an assumption that Duchatelet and Meire are not going anywhere. I don't think any of this knows what is in Duchatelet's mind. Is the work on the training ground getting anywhere ? The sale of Lookman may cover some operating losses but the projection is downwards. Duchatelet may decide that this is a good time to sell the club. It maybe being planned right now.
When Duchatelet goes will be a surprise and he is unlikely to give prior notice. Charlton supporters need to keep the faith that Duchatelet will be gone at some stage.
After a lifetime of actually attending Charlton games, l gave up my season ticket for this season and decided I would only go to odd games until these dimwits running our club are gone. Will be at Rochdale game because I can just about justify giving Douchbag a fiver but that will be it for the time being.
I believe this is the right approach in driving Douchbag out.
For those who disagree, l would say just this. In my former career, I had the "pleasure" to work very closely with a Chairman who was a multi.millionaire. l learnt very quickly that rich men do not like losing money. So anyone who thinks Douchbag will be happy to write off £10 million each year is, in my opinion, deluded.
The more people who stay away, the more money Douchbag will lose. And the sooner he will be gone.
This is now my 3rd season of boycotting the Valley. TBH I started missing games as the football was shit, but this season's boycott is because I wish the owners to sell.
However, I would be willing to comeback for the £5 game. If we packed the Valley, made some real noise and gained 3 points... then we could stick our fingers up at those who say the protesters want the team to lose. Then afterwards have a massive protest.
I wouldn't buy anything there other than my £5 ticket. 20k £5 ticket sales though - would £100k cover the match day costs? Might just about cover Meire's expenses and security for the first half! If she turns up.
This is now my 3rd season of boycotting the Valley. TBH I started missing games as the football was shit, but this season's boycott is because I wish the owners to sell.
However, I would be willing to comeback for the £5 game. If we packed the Valley, made some real noise and gained 3 points... then we could stick our fingers up at those who say the protesters want the team to lose. Then afterwards have a massive protest.
I wouldn't buy anything there other than my £5 ticket. 20k £5 ticket sales though - would £100k cover the match day costs? Might just about cover Meire's expenses and security for the first half! If she turns up.
I was intending to go to the Rochdale £5 game but was not so sure after seeing yesterdays game. The £5 game is maybe an opportunity to turn up and show Duchatelet and Meire that they have not won yet.
It is simple for me. Belgians- No go to the Valley. Belgians gone- Go to Valley.
And if they don't ever leave ? Serious question
I'm already resigned to the fact that they won't leave soon, and could possibly take the whole club down with them.
It breaks my heart every time I pass The Valley.
I actually agree with Nicholas where he says the regime have won. I always said they bought the right club.
Turned up yesterday for the shirt photo - not many there, completely subdued. Lots of people going into the ground in the new shirt etc.
No atmosphere or buzz, no traffic problems. Why on earth would anyone boycotting want to go back when the club is being run by this cynical mob of shysters. By all accounts the atmosphere is dead like a friendly/poisonous. Umpteen posts on here have said "I don't care anymore - thanks Roland" and that's what this lot have turned the club into.
People say go to games to protest - and do what exactly? Give the regime money and wear a shirt/scarf? Barely anyone got near the directors box during last season. Even the witch wasn't there yesterday. Middlesborough and Burnley were great but what else can we do? Meire is still here pissing on us, this Mowgli bloke is still involved, we're paying thousands to crap players on loan, and have a nonentity (who has achieved nothing) who took the manager's job for a pound note knowing full well who he was working for and what the situation was.
They have beaten us cos there's not enough Charlton fans who care/ make a difference imo.
Might go to the odd away game for social aspect, but I think there is a real risk I never set foot in The Valley again. Hope I'm wrong.
I was intending to go to the Rochdale £5 game but was not so sure after seeing yesterdays game. The £5 game is maybe an opportunity to turn up and show Duchatelet and Meire that they have not won yet.
The black and white protest shirt photo took place 10 minutes earlier than advertised that may account for the lack of numbers, I walked up to get a black and white scarf for a family member, hoping to see the photograph but it had already happened. I saw lots of supporters with black and white shirts walking up to the North stand at that time. Not sure why it was early, it would have been better to stick to the advertised time, unless I got the time wrong.
The support the team not the regime line was the point the protests failed for me. It is so obvious that a win for the team is a win for the regime, but I guess it is understandable that so many spout it because it means they can in effect carry on as before with an essential part of their lives whilst kidding themselves that they are making a difference. So good luck to those who go (even CARD didn't call for a boycott). Enjoy it whilst it lasts. I won't be there.
I was intending to go to the Rochdale £5 game but was not so sure after seeing yesterdays game. The £5 game is maybe an opportunity to turn up and show Duchatelet and Meire that they have not won yet.
After a lifetime of actually attending Charlton games, l gave up my season ticket for this season and decided I would only go to odd games until these dimwits running our club are gone. Will be at Rochdale game because I can just about justify giving Douchbag a fiver but that will be it for the time being.
I believe this is the right approach in driving Douchbag out.
For those who disagree, l would say just this. In my former career, I had the "pleasure" to work very closely with a Chairman who was a multi.millionaire. l learnt very quickly that rich men do not like losing money. So anyone who thinks Douchbag will be happy to write off £10 million each year is, in my opinion, deluded.
The more people who stay away, the more money Douchbag will lose. And the sooner he will be gone.
Is he personally losing £10 mill per year or is it just more debt for the club?
I think the level of boycott is a bit overstated and the level of demoralisation understated. We haven't lost 4,000 protestors - many people are just telling the club to poke it because they get no pleasure from going.
That's me. I live 60 miles away and don't wish to view this rubbish and poisonous atmosphere. Booked for Oxford though where I will be showing full support for the team.
I feel so sad that our club has gone but stay optimistic that the scum will go. I think it will be like the return to the Valley date when we are rid of them.
How can the atmosphere be described as toxic when little kids are encouraged to wave flags in front of the East Stand as the teams come out. Vibrant, natural and organic community driven support is that. The future is bright, the future is Cojones.
First game this season yesterday that I've paid for. It may well be a while before I pay for another. I gave up my season ticket for three reasons. First was on principle at what the owners are doing. Call me a boycotter if that suits your particular agenda. But the second reason was that the product (customer talk eh!) simply wasn't worth the money any more. I had no inclination whatever to commit in advance to 23 games of league 1 football regardless of ownership but fully intended to pick and choose. The third? The simple fact that this really doesn't feel like my club any more (fractured fan base etc) and I'd run out of the energy to fight for it but hoped that a summer of missing it might relight the fire. The summer didnt do much for me. Sure we hired a British manager but not sadly one that flies my flag. I went yesterday because I'd begun to miss it and was at a bit of a loose end. My verdict? It's worse than I thought. Poisonous atmosphere punctuated by large periods of sterility. Clueless management. The odd shoot of hope on the pitch (Lookman and Ricky) but an overwhelming feeling that I don't really give a stuff any more. In seasons gone by I'd have been furious at how the match played out and like a bear with a sore head for the rest of the weekend. To be honest, I'd forgotten all about it by the time I'd had my dinner last night. The biggest thing yesterday was being struck by just how far the protests and widespread spirit of uprising has dissipated. Sure there was some black and white on show but from the universal show of discontent on display against Burnley only four months ago it felt like that whole movement has just been airbrushed. I get the turning the volume down a bit for a few weeks gig but it was clear to me that the vast majority of attendees yesterday are contemptuous of protests and appear happy to wallow in the mire off pigshit that the club has become. I don't get that. I realise now that I continued to attend for the second Half of last season because of the whole evolving soap opera of protests and anti regime sentiment. But that element of theatre seems long since gone and all that's left now is a sterile poisonous atmosphere and shit football. Not my club anymore and I really can't be arsed. @airmanbrown and @valleymick got it spot on in their posts above. Sad days.
It is simple for me. Belgians- No go to the Valley. Belgians gone- Go to Valley.
And if they don't ever leave ? Serious question
I'm already resigned to the fact that they won't leave soon, and could possibly take the whole club down with them.
It breaks my heart every time I pass The Valley.
I actually agree with Nicholas where he says the regime have won. I always said they bought the right club.
Turned up yesterday for the shirt photo - not many there, completely subdued. Lots of people going into the ground in the new shirt etc.
No atmosphere or buzz, no traffic problems. Why on earth would anyone boycotting want to go back when the club is being run by this cynical mob of shysters. By all accounts the atmosphere is dead like a friendly/poisonous. Umpteen posts on here have said "I don't care anymore - thanks Roland" and that's what this lot have turned the club into.
People say go to games to protest - and do what exactly? Give the regime money and wear a shirt/scarf? Barely anyone got near the directors box during last season. Even the witch wasn't there yesterday. Middlesborough and Burnley were great but what else can we do? Meire is still here pissing on us, this Mowgli bloke is still involved, we're paying thousands to crap players on loan, and have a nonentity (who has achieved nothing) who took the manager's job for a pound note knowing full well who he was working for and what the situation was.
They have beaten us cos there's not enough Charlton fans who care/ make a difference imo.
Might go to the odd away game for social aspect, but I think there is a real risk I never set foot in The Valley again. Hope I'm wrong.
Great post.
But you're wrong . They haven't won and never will do as long as there are people like you and me (and countless others} who refuse to let them do so. In our own ways, we can continue to make their life difficult for them by refusing to attend games or constant unfavourable criticism in the press.
They will never win. I haven't given years of my life to supporting this great club to have all that taken away by these 2 Belgians.
First game this season yesterday that I've paid for. It may well be a while before I pay for another. I gave up my season ticket for three reasons. First was on principle at what the owners are doing. Call me a boycotter if that suits your particular agenda. But the second reason was that the product (customer talk eh!) simply wasn't worth the money any more. I had no inclination whatever to commit in advance to 23 games of league 1 football regardless of ownership but fully intended to pick and choose. The third? The simple fact that this really doesn't feel like my club any more (fractured fan base etc) and I'd run out of the energy to fight for it but hoped that a summer of missing it might relight the fire. The summer didnt do much for me. Sure we hired a British manager but not sadly one that flies my flag. I went yesterday because I'd begun to miss it and was at a bit of a loose end. My verdict? It's worse than I thought. Poisonous atmosphere punctuated by large periods of sterility. Clueless management. The odd shoot of hope on the pitch (Lookman and Ricky) but an overwhelming feeling that I don't really give a stuff any more. In seasons gone by I'd have been furious at how the match played out and like a bear with a sore head for the rest of the weekend. To be honest, I'd forgotten all about it by the time I'd had my dinner last night. The biggest thing yesterday was being struck by just how far the protests and widespread spirit of uprising has dissipated. Sure there was some black and white on show but from the universal show of discontent on display against Burnley only four months ago it felt like that whole movement has just been airbrushed. I get the turning the volume down a bit for a few weeks gig but it was clear to me that the vast majority of attendees yesterday are contemptuous of protests and appear happy to wallow in the mire off pigshit that the club has become. I don't get that. I realise now that I continued to attend for the second Half of last season because of the whole evolving soap opera of protests and anti regime sentiment. But that element of theatre seems long since gone and all that's left now is a sterile poisonous atmosphere and shit football. Not my club anymore and I really can't be arsed. @airmanbrown and @valleymick got it spot on in their posts above. Sad days.
Jesus Christ, what the fuck has happened to our club? (yeah I know really) but FUCK!!! This is really bloody upsetting, as I write this I could easily 'shed a tear or two' Even my missus asked who we had yesterday and when I told her she said "oh we should have gone" YES I did want to go because I really think this is definitely affecting the team now. When I saw that we had scored the first goal following Red Midlands welcome return match day thread I 'pumped' my fists and put my arms in the air.....I'm 56 years old ffs but CAFC is 'in me'! I may well return for the Rochdale game but what happens after that????? Why didn't my old Grandad take me to Chelsea, Arsenal (his team by the way) or anyone else??? I think it must be having a effect on the players, when was the last time JJ put anything on 'twitter' yeah I know it is a load of old bollocks but I used to quite enjoy reading some of his posts along with some banter with the other players. You would think if everything is 'rosy' he would be calling for us to turn up in our thousands, support the team, 12th man blah blah blah..............but nothing from no one. Oh well that's got that off my chest for a couple of days at least. Time to take the dog out, feed the fish, chicken and try to enjoy what's left of the weekend. 'Be lucky'.............. COYR.
I don't understand why people think low numbers in attendance is affecting the players?
This is league one, and we still have one of the highest attendances in the league - forgetting the fact that the majority of the team are used to playing in front of only a few thousand if they're playing in league one!
Agree that the atmosphere was shocking, but I don't think that is affecting the team either -not down to people staying away (as the previous few home games have had a decent atmosphere!) but actually due to boring football on show and naff weather!
The regime is rotten and even the beating heart of the club, its supporters have been split asunder.
We need to get back to having a football club all pulling in one direction with hope, ambition and pride.
We have none of those under Duchatelet. Until he's forced to sell up and piss off the club is at best in limbo and at worst destroyed for a generation if we are lucky.
Even the title of this thread shows just how split we are.
If it was up to me. The whole support would boycott. The way we are protesting now has imho zero impact on Duchatelet.
We have to do something drastic or risk the club dying. Yes it's that serious.
Todays game was probably the most depressed i have been as a Charlton fan - and it wasnt because of the defeat ( i've sort of got numb to losing, and cant even remember when i last saw us win tbh). It was because of the atmosphere at the ground - there was zero support,zero atmosphere, and no protests - but what seemed like hundreds of stewards- all leaving a very very toxic feel. An 'atmosphere' that i've never experienced before at The Valley. This isnt the Charlton i have grown up supporting - the club that was known as a nice family club, friendly fans, friendly staff, and a team that i was proud to say i supported-and a club that other clubs and fans used to use as their role-model.
I think, a few weeks back BDL said that he thought the boycott might be counter-productive in that protests in the ground would stop - i am coming to the opinion that maybe this might be the case.
So, i am not suggesting that everyone go out and buy a season ticket immediately, but maybe the boycotters selectively come back for a pre-determined game now and again - as an idea, maybe the £5 games? - at least that way we are not lining RD's pocket with much - and then co-ordinate some protests for inside the ground during the game. At the moment, i get the feeling that KM may believe that she has 'won', in view that there are no longer any protests.
Is there a boycott? Seems to be a lot of people commenting on the match and giving player marks. It's in the blood. I blame those who wanted Slater and Jiminez out. Think where we might have been now.
???
They ran out of money. Well Kevin Cash Stopped putting money in to the club. So we would have struggled sooner or later in the Championship. This just feels more insidious under Duchatelet than the wide boys Slater and Jimenez
As expected, some very strong and heartfelt views and anecdotes.
My real concern is that, as most of you state, what sort of condition are these idiots going to leave the club in when/if they leave ? - If you look at the likes of Blackpool/Leeds etc - also basket cases of clubs, the owners are still there despite the vitriol thrown in their direction. They are destroying the very fabric of OUR club - they are permanently removing a layer of fanbase (and their children) from potentially ever coming back to The Valley. Like most London clubs, i would suggest that most of our fanbase no longer live within a five mile radius of the ground- most come in from the A2 corridor - whereas clubs like Blackpool and Leeds still will have their local fans to re-populate the grounds-its these people who will have found something else to do on saturdays that they will likely have lost forever. Its just too sad for words.
One of the things that Chris Parkes said to C4FC4LIF3 yesterday was 'who else is going to pump 1 million a month into the club and buy the club?" - the answer might have been "lots, just look at the clubs that have been bought in the last month alone.......Wolves/Birmingham - and also, its just increasing the clubs debt to Staprix"
They are bastards, the lot of them. The only 'solution' for me is to 'do a Pompey/Wimbledon' - its gonna be the only way out of this huge mess - and its going to be very very messy.
Sorry, buy stopping my boycott, by definition, I will be supporting the regime. Giving them my money. After 51 years of continuous support, it's killing me not to be at the Valley this season. But sometimes, difficult decisions need to be made. I support the team but it's from afar. I will be back just as soon as the Belgians are on the first available Eurostar out of St Pancras #boycottcontinues #notapennymore
*We start winning ---they stay. * We continue to loose---they stay *The"protest" continues as is---they stay. *The cult has £500 million to drip feed the deluded ones "vision" until it works---works means anything that The Leader says it is.
They need to be driven out by January !! and that means intimidation of his mouth piece and her minders------------if The Cult has no one on the ground leading "his path"---it cant operate.
I would prefer to be banned by these tossers than slowly see us die.
Comments
I think amongst the general gloom and despondency, there is an assumption that Duchatelet and Meire are not going anywhere. I don't think any of this knows what is in Duchatelet's mind. Is the work on the training ground getting anywhere ? The sale of Lookman may cover some operating losses but the projection is downwards. Duchatelet may decide that this is a good time to sell the club. It maybe being planned right now.
When Duchatelet goes will be a surprise and he is unlikely to give prior notice. Charlton supporters need to keep the faith that Duchatelet will be gone at some stage.
I believe this is the right approach in driving Douchbag out.
For those who disagree, l would say just this. In my former career, I had the "pleasure" to work very closely with a Chairman who was a multi.millionaire. l learnt very quickly that rich men do not like losing money. So anyone who thinks Douchbag will be happy to write off £10 million each year is, in my opinion, deluded.
The more people who stay away, the more money Douchbag will lose. And the sooner he will be gone.
However, I would be willing to comeback for the £5 game. If we packed the Valley, made some real noise and gained 3 points... then we could stick our fingers up at those who say the protesters want the team to lose. Then afterwards have a massive protest.
I wouldn't buy anything there other than my £5 ticket. 20k £5 ticket sales though - would £100k cover the match day costs? Might just about cover Meire's expenses and security for the first half! If she turns up.
It breaks my heart every time I pass The Valley.
I actually agree with Nicholas where he says the regime have won. I always said they bought the right club.
Turned up yesterday for the shirt photo - not many there, completely subdued. Lots of people going into the ground in the new shirt etc.
No atmosphere or buzz, no traffic problems. Why on earth would anyone boycotting want to go back when the club is being run by this cynical mob of shysters. By all accounts the atmosphere is dead like a friendly/poisonous. Umpteen posts on here have said "I don't care anymore - thanks Roland" and that's what this lot have turned the club into.
People say go to games to protest - and do what exactly? Give the regime money and wear a shirt/scarf? Barely anyone got near the directors box during last season. Even the witch wasn't there yesterday. Middlesborough and Burnley were great but what else can we do? Meire is still here pissing on us, this Mowgli bloke is still involved, we're paying thousands to crap players on loan, and have a nonentity (who has achieved nothing) who took the manager's job for a pound note knowing full well who he was working for and what the situation was.
They have beaten us cos there's not enough Charlton fans who care/ make a difference imo.
Might go to the odd away game for social aspect, but I think there is a real risk I never set foot in The Valley again. Hope I'm wrong.
I am certain that if we could have mainted this she would be gone and that guy hiding Belgium would be gone.
Unfortunately, people will continue to spend money on tickets, merch, food and drink. We deserve what we are getting.
5k bought season tickets because they wanted to watch Charlton. They were happy to part with their hard earned even after what happened last season.
Nothing has changed, the squad is not balanced and KM continues to improve her CV by being acknowledged by her peers.
I feel so sad that our club has gone but stay optimistic that the scum will go. I think it will be like the return to the Valley date when we are rid of them.
Vibrant, natural and organic community driven support is that. The future is bright, the future is Cojones.
But you're wrong . They haven't won and never will do as long as there are people like you and me (and countless others} who refuse to let them do so. In our own ways, we can continue to make their life difficult for them by refusing to attend games or constant unfavourable criticism in the press.
They will never win. I haven't given years of my life to supporting this great club to have all that taken away by these 2 Belgians.
Even my missus asked who we had yesterday and when I told her she said "oh we should have gone" YES I did want to go because I really think this is definitely affecting the team now. When I saw that we had scored the first goal following Red Midlands welcome return match day thread I 'pumped' my fists and put my arms in the air.....I'm 56 years old ffs but CAFC is 'in me'!
I may well return for the Rochdale game but what happens after that????? Why didn't my old Grandad take me to Chelsea, Arsenal (his team by the way) or anyone else???
I think it must be having a effect on the players, when was the last time JJ put anything on 'twitter' yeah I know it is a load of old bollocks but I used to quite enjoy reading some of his posts along with some banter with the other players. You would think if everything is 'rosy' he would be calling for us to turn up in our thousands, support the team, 12th man blah blah blah..............but nothing from no one.
Oh well that's got that off my chest for a couple of days at least. Time to take the dog out, feed the fish, chicken and try to enjoy what's left of the weekend. 'Be lucky'..............
COYR.
This is league one, and we still have one of the highest attendances in the league - forgetting the fact that the majority of the team are used to playing in front of only a few thousand if they're playing in league one!
Agree that the atmosphere was shocking, but I don't think that is affecting the team either -not down to people staying away (as the previous few home games have had a decent atmosphere!) but actually due to boring football on show and naff weather!
We need to get back to having a football club all pulling in one direction with hope, ambition and pride.
We have none of those under Duchatelet. Until he's forced to sell up and piss off the club is at best in limbo and at worst destroyed for a generation if we are lucky.
Even the title of this thread shows just how split we are.
If it was up to me. The whole support would boycott. The way we are protesting now has imho zero impact on Duchatelet.
We have to do something drastic or risk the club dying. Yes it's that serious.
They ran out of money.
Well Kevin Cash Stopped putting money in to the club.
So we would have struggled sooner or later in the Championship.
This just feels more insidious under Duchatelet than the wide boys Slater and Jimenez
My real concern is that, as most of you state, what sort of condition are these idiots going to leave the club in when/if they leave ? - If you look at the likes of Blackpool/Leeds etc - also basket cases of clubs, the owners are still there despite the vitriol thrown in their direction.
They are destroying the very fabric of OUR club - they are permanently removing a layer of fanbase (and their children) from potentially ever coming back to The Valley.
Like most London clubs, i would suggest that most of our fanbase no longer live within a five mile radius of the ground- most come in from the A2 corridor - whereas clubs like Blackpool and Leeds still will have their local fans to re-populate the grounds-its these people who will have found something else to do on saturdays that they will likely have lost forever.
Its just too sad for words.
One of the things that Chris Parkes said to C4FC4LIF3 yesterday was 'who else is going to pump 1 million a month into the club and buy the club?" - the answer might have been "lots, just look at the clubs that have been bought in the last month alone.......Wolves/Birmingham - and also, its just increasing the clubs debt to Staprix"
They are bastards, the lot of them.
The only 'solution' for me is to 'do a Pompey/Wimbledon' - its gonna be the only way out of this huge mess - and its going to be very very messy.
*We start winning ---they stay.
* We continue to loose---they stay
*The"protest" continues as is---they stay.
*The cult has £500 million to drip feed the deluded ones "vision" until it works---works means anything that The Leader says it is.
They need to be driven out by January !! and that means intimidation of his mouth piece and her minders------------if The Cult has no one on the ground leading "his path"---it cant operate.
I would prefer to be banned by these tossers than slowly see us die.