Hardly a new concept I'll grant you, but bear with me.
Understandably many already stay away and can't begin to understand why some of us don't. Most of us who still turn up do so with no expectation. For some it's verging on an addiction, others somehow still feel a sense of duty through undying loyalty. For me it's because having been forced to miss a few short spells over 42 years, I just hate being away from the place I love. When we walked out early at that game early in the protests I felt bloody awful standing behind the west stand and hearing the very thing that has dictated my Saturdays for so long.
If we assume that the mass boycott has already had an impact, how much more of a statement would be made now if even the paltry few that remain were to agree to miss one designated home match? From the admittedly small handful I've spoken to, all at least as committed as myself, everyone would be prepared to do it - and these are all people who have joined other protests but felt they just couldn't stop going.
If publicised well in advance I genuinely believe we could put a very significant dent in the real attendance. Those empty stands v Oxford made me weep, and I reckon even more pitiful images would make a good story for the media outlets that have been supportive to date. Meire can lie as much as she likes but publicly refuting the actual attendance and the quite obvious reasons for it would make her look even more laughable than usual.
There will of course be those who prefer not to for any number of reasons but let's not be critical; each to their own. I just feel that a one match sacrifice made by the very people who have dug in and put up with such abject failure would send its own message; not enough to topple the pig-headed moron but with enough exposure perhaps another chink in the armour.
Happy to listen to the practicalities but I would suggest the MK match on March 25th for the following reasons:
1) Long enough to publicise and make any arrangements.
2) Even if we get dragged towards the bottom there are a further 3 home games after that to support the battle against the drop.
3) They're a franchise who few people have any fondness for and having already been to SE7 this season won't bring a big following themselves.
Hope I haven't overlooked too much but the beauty is that unlike the brilliantly planned Belgium trip you don't actually need to do anything - except perhaps have a nice afternoon elsewhere. How about it?
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Comments
Momentum has been lost, replaced with apathy and empty seats. This weekend's protests in Belgium is the start of that again.
I get the desire for a total boycott in theory, but in reality it will never happen.
Whilst I think a one match boycott would be a great demonstration if it worked... I just can't see it catching on enough to have an impact. Towards the end of this season would be good timing when we're safe (*gulp*) and certainly not going up.
Only chance of it working at all is if CARD decided to run with it, promote it big time (as well as the Sat afternoon alternatives - maybe a restaurant or the cinema Katy?!). Let's see how they're all feeling when back from Belgium - wish I could go, give 'em hell ladies/gents.
I would definitely consider that and I have never in my supporting life, chosen to miss a home game.
Also if we could get a few thousand to protest outside during the game then they'd be more noise outside than in.
I suggested this to CARD weeks ago, Large.
There are many stay-away Addicks feeling a bit alone. If we could get these people together, we could add a new dimension to the opposition to Duchatelet. If a call-out for a 3pm demo proved to be well-attended, repeat action could be sought. I was a regular on the CAS Trust stall and CARD demos earlier this season. It was very dispiriting to watch supporters entering the stadium, whereupon I found myself pretty much alone in Harvey Gardens at 3.05pm. We should try, I think, to get as many 'individuals' together and make an even bigger push to rescue our famous club.
Money talks and he's decided he can do what the f*** he wants. He doesn't seem bothered by the losses.....
I know this runs the risk of a points deduction and relegation but, with all due respect, nothing that has happened up to date has stopped the club from falling lower and lower and we can't be far away from there being almost no one left that cares any more.
We need to mix things up, one game boycott then another game a call for everyone to attend then another hit a certain stand enter just after 3 might end up with kick off being delayed.
Try and get fans like Covered End who's missed 3 home games in 68 years to boycott one game but then another game try and get everyone including the stay aways to come.
snigger