I have it on pretty good authority that everybody liked working with Guy Luzon, but he ended up as bewildered and then as marginalised as everybody else. I might have my timings wrong, but I believe he was around at the time Katrien Meire also thought she could pick the team.
Don’t post that much but thought the news warranted some additional info.
Just for the record – Muir and Aussies were never under consideration at all. I had mentioned before that I worked on a contract in Australia that Muir was involved in and Charlton were one of around 30 clubs that his consortium have tried to secure the purchase of, but have never got any further than a flash website and PowerPoint etc.
I know one of the consultants that was involved in due diligence for East Street, and the purchase was wholly just set to pay Roland off, there have not yet been any formal investment initiatives put together as part of the spending plan (which is usually illustrated by purchaser as part of the undertaking, however RD’s only interest was getting a return for the sale and he did not include any provision for new purchaser to be set financial/investment targets etc).
This could be a worry as East Street might opt to devolve the all of the operations and assets which could see around £100million in returns (although protect ted by local council development undertakings). The FA has requested financial forecasts and fund illustrations for the coming 2 years.
However East Street’s initial plans for 2019/2020 have an operational budget of £40 million set aside from day to day operational expenditure; the focus of this is to ensure that CAFC stay in the Championship. The money is to convert loan players, and bring in more on loan (from January onwards). LB will also be offered a new contract and a growth vs. performance strategy will be in place by February which will include a 5 year plan (there is a strategy to gain promotion to the Prem within this 5 year period). Ultimately no one is really sure what/how East Street will invest in the club, but the set-up is very robust and wholly corporate in its nature – what that means is that as long as Charlton has the support it has enjoyed over recent years and if we can show that we have the potential to compete domestically and finally internationally then we will see ongoing investment in the club; however if our prospects go the other way, then there will be little investment and could be broken up and sold.
Overall this is a really good opportunity but is dependent on a number of factors to ensure that we are a solid platform for a robust business venture. East Street will not just throw money at the club, however they do have access to the funds required of a top flight European club.
Assume on another forum that can’t be named and frankly i do not believe a word of it.
I met him once, I think around the the time the Spivs took over. Deffo a Charlton fan.
He said one thing to me that I didn't like the sound of "Every bid will be a property play".
Having said that he is (or was) a property guy himself. And every property guy I have ever met seems to have the attitude that monetising property is more important even than procreation.
But then again, if these guys are the real deal ( by which I mean competitive funding at Championship level for the next 2 years) and Lee brought them to the table, then we all owe him a pint.
Ive always believed that it would always be a possibility that any takeover would be subject to moving away from the Valley....we know the spivs wanted to, I think Duchatelet thought he could pull it off or if not redevelop the Valley as per St Trudien so Ive no reason to think the new mob being Investors would be thinking anything different. It was interesting watching Nimer being interviewed as most of what he said was about "green" investing and I took that to be agricultrally based, so how that fits with a SE London football club I dont know.
If these people have big plans for the club, the Valley being hemmed in on all sides will be problematic if they are thinking of what Arsenal and Spurs have done in recent years ( I wont lower the tone by mentioning what happened across the Thames). Im as emotionally attached as any true red blooded Charlton Fan to our home, the Valley.
However putting aside all emotion (and that is difficult in itself), the position of the Valley isnt great if you think of transport and infrastructure and going forwards relocating to somewhere with better transport links, adequate parking etc would make a lot of sense for a seriously wealthy and ambitious owner. It can be pain in the arse to park at Charlton, I think most of us have had a few break ins with cars etc and the rail service is pretty inadequate.
Its our home and we fought hard to get it back, you being one of the leading lights in that fight, but maybe a new stadium would make sense......on a much smaller scale I was mega impressed with the location and facilities at Doncaster...yeah for sure the stadium itself was a bit souless, but you couldnt really fault the surrounds and links to motorways, parking, food etc.
Anyway, Im not advocating a move away, just playing devils advocate...I think we all need to realise that in todays modern progressive world it could be a possibility.
I met him once, I think around the the time the Spivs took over. Deffo a Charlton fan.
He said one thing to me that I didn't like the sound of "Every bid will be a property play".
Having said that he is (or was) a property guy himself. And every property guy I have ever met seems to have the attitude that monetising property is more important even than procreation.
But then again, if these guys are the real deal ( by which I mean competitive funding at Championship level for the next 2 years) and Lee brought them to the table, then we all owe him a pint.
Ive always believed that it would always be a possibility that any takeover would be subject to moving away from the Valley....we know the spivs wanted to, I think Duchatelet thought he could pull it off or if not redevelop the Valley as per St Trudien so Ive no reason to think the new mob being Investors would be thinking anything different. It was interesting watching Nimer being interviewed as most of what he said was about "green" investing and I took that to be agricultrally based, so how that fits with a SE London football club I dont know.
If these people have big plans for the club, the Valley being hemmed in on all sides will be problematic if they are thinking of what Arsenal and Spurs have done in recent years ( I wont lower the tone by mentioning what happened across the Thames). Im as emotionally attached as any true red blooded Charlton Fan to our home, the Valley.
However putting aside all emotion (and that is difficult in itself), the position of the Valley isnt great if you think of transport and infrastructure and going forwards relocating to somewhere with better transport links, adequate parking etc would make a lot of sense for a seriously wealthy and ambitious owner. It can be pain in the arse to park at Charlton, I think most of us have had a few break ins with cars etc and the rail service is pretty inadequate.
Its our home and we fought hard to get it back, you being one of the leading lights in that fight, but maybe a new stadium would make sense......on a much smaller scale I was mega impressed with the location and facilities at Doncaster...yeah for sure the stadium itself was a bit souless, but you couldnt really fault the surrounds and links to motorways, parking, food etc.
Anyway, Im not advocating a move away, just playing devils advocate...I think we all need to realise that in todays modern progressive world it could be a possibility.
But any new ground which is better for drivers will almost certainly be worse for public transport. Unless there is engineering work, the trains really aren't that bad and North Greenwich gives another option.
Doncaster were lucky in that there was a major airfield near the centre of town being developed, so there was plenty of space for a new ground and cheap land. I can't think of any sites for a new stadium in the area, the peninsula is just as bad for road traffic for example, while east of Woolwich is directly under the City Airport flight path!
@TEL I haven’t seen the video, but if Nimer was talking about “green investing” it’s likely he means sustainable rather than agricultural. In banking now, we offer a range of “green facilities” linked to a client’s own credentials. So, developing a carbon neutral office would qualify for lower margins on the loan to develop it.
For football, look at something like what Forest Green did with their stadium. I don’t know how they financed that, but I could have linked that to a green loan and discounted the margin/fee.
I met him once, I think around the the time the Spivs took over. Deffo a Charlton fan.
He said one thing to me that I didn't like the sound of "Every bid will be a property play".
Having said that he is (or was) a property guy himself. And every property guy I have ever met seems to have the attitude that monetising property is more important even than procreation.
But then again, if these guys are the real deal ( by which I mean competitive funding at Championship level for the next 2 years) and Lee brought them to the table, then we all owe him a pint.
Ive always believed that it would always be a possibility that any takeover would be subject to moving away from the Valley....we know the spivs wanted to, I think Duchatelet thought he could pull it off or if not redevelop the Valley as per St Trudien so Ive no reason to think the new mob being Investors would be thinking anything different. It was interesting watching Nimer being interviewed as most of what he said was about "green" investing and I took that to be agricultrally based, so how that fits with a SE London football club I dont know.
If these people have big plans for the club, the Valley being hemmed in on all sides will be problematic if they are thinking of what Arsenal and Spurs have done in recent years ( I wont lower the tone by mentioning what happened across the Thames). Im as emotionally attached as any true red blooded Charlton Fan to our home, the Valley.
However putting aside all emotion (and that is difficult in itself), the position of the Valley isnt great if you think of transport and infrastructure and going forwards relocating to somewhere with better transport links, adequate parking etc would make a lot of sense for a seriously wealthy and ambitious owner. It can be pain in the arse to park at Charlton, I think most of us have had a few break ins with cars etc and the rail service is pretty inadequate.
Its our home and we fought hard to get it back, you being one of the leading lights in that fight, but maybe a new stadium would make sense......on a much smaller scale I was mega impressed with the location and facilities at Doncaster...yeah for sure the stadium itself was a bit souless, but you couldnt really fault the surrounds and links to motorways, parking, food etc.
Anyway, Im not advocating a move away, just playing devils advocate...I think we all need to realise that in todays modern progressive world it could be a possibility.
Why would they be "thinking about what Arsenal and Spurs have done". Those clubs can fill 60k stadia, no problem. In our prem years we filled 27k with our added plastics. Fill in the sides of the Jimmy Seed and we are more than adequately served. What would they actually gain from moving away from the Valley.Genuine question. ( I'm probably being thick)
I don't think the transport links are that bad to the Valley.
This. And if TFL could be persuaded to put in a Wimbledon - Croydon type tram service linking North Greenwich (O2 and jubilee line) to Greenwich station (mainline and DLR to Charlton (the valley, two se lines and Thameslink) to Woolwich Arsenal then it would transform the whole area considerably
I don’t know how long these things usually take but 6 days does not seem that long.
Just seems longer than any other ratification
Perhaps that’s why they are taking a bit longer as they have let too many bad owners slip through the net . RD being one that caused them lots of grief . It’s not always about if they have the money it’s what their intentions are . If it takes a few weeks to get answers then I have absolutely no problem .
The problem with traditional old football stadia is that they were built for a different age and in places that are not suited for how we now live and move about. Often hemmed in and in unsuitable residential areas. I like everyone else have a massive emotional attachment to The Valley but unlike many supporters have never completely been opposed to a move if it secures the clubs future for the coming generations and if The Valley ever became a hindrance to the clubs needs. Certainly at present and probably going forward The Valley is more than adequate and I’m sure could be expanded if required to 35k. What I will say though is never say never.
I don’t know how long these things usually take but 6 days does not seem that long.
I wouldn’t expect to hear anything until tomorrow at the earliest and probably not until next week. Panic if 2 weeks pass without any news. Matt Southall also said they wouldn’t make any further comment until it’s all signed off. I’m sure the EFL are just as keen as anybody to be rid of Roland.
2 home games next week and I fully expect to see the new regime on the pitch at one of them (Given the injuries they might even be playing).
I don't think the transport links are that bad to the Valley.
That’s because they aren’t. When you consider what a ball ache it is to get to grounds like Bolton, Oxford, Colchester etc etc. Numerous buses, train station (albeit South Eastern), jubilee line and DLR not far away - I think we have it pretty good in terms of public transport
I don’t know how long these things usually take but 6 days does not seem that long.
I wouldn’t expect to hear anything until tomorrow at the earliest and probably not until next week. Panic if 2 weeks pass without any news. Matt Southall also said they wouldn’t make any further comment until it’s all signed off. I’m sure the EFL are just as keen as anybody to be rid of Roland.
2 home games next week and I fully expect to see the new regime on the pitch at one of them (Given the injuries they might even be playing).
If today passes us by without EFL CONFORMATION then i would take Hull City game and a live SKY game ,if after that game nothing is heard then as riky otto said Panic.
Comments
1:30mins in. How did this go so unnoticed?
If these people have big plans for the club, the Valley being hemmed in on all sides will be problematic if they are thinking of what Arsenal and Spurs have done in recent years ( I wont lower the tone by mentioning what happened across the Thames). Im as emotionally attached as any true red blooded Charlton Fan to our home, the Valley.
However putting aside all emotion (and that is difficult in itself), the position of the Valley isnt great if you think of transport and infrastructure and going forwards relocating to somewhere with better transport links, adequate parking etc would make a lot of sense for a seriously wealthy and ambitious owner. It can be pain in the arse to park at Charlton, I think most of us have had a few break ins with cars etc and the rail service is pretty inadequate.
Its our home and we fought hard to get it back, you being one of the leading lights in that fight, but maybe a new stadium would make sense......on a much smaller scale I was mega impressed with the location and facilities at Doncaster...yeah for sure the stadium itself was a bit souless, but you couldnt really fault the surrounds and links to motorways, parking, food etc.
Anyway, Im not advocating a move away, just playing devils advocate...I think we all need to realise that in todays modern progressive world it could be a possibility.
Doncaster were lucky in that there was a major airfield near the centre of town being developed, so there was plenty of space for a new ground and cheap land. I can't think of any sites for a new stadium in the area, the peninsula is just as bad for road traffic for example, while east of Woolwich is directly under the City Airport flight path!
For football, look at something like what Forest Green did with their stadium. I don’t know how they financed that, but I could have linked that to a green loan and discounted the margin/fee.
Those clubs can fill 60k stadia, no problem.
In our prem years we filled 27k with our added plastics.
Fill in the sides of the Jimmy Seed and we are more than adequately served.
What would they actually gain from moving away from the Valley.Genuine question. ( I'm probably being thick)
By the EFL or in general?
I’m sure the EFL are just as keen as anybody to be rid of Roland.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2530174/amp/Charlton-agree-takeover-Belgian-millionaire-Roland-Duchatelet.html
It was confirmed on Friday 3rd January.
https://twitter.com/cafcofficial/status/419091705808187392?s=21
If today passes us by without EFL CONFORMATION then i would take Hull City game and a live SKY game ,if after that game nothing is heard then as riky otto said Panic.
Make it Hull City for me i can attend that one.
( Time of Walsh's goal)