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CARD to demand answers at pre-match rally on Saturday (ed. POSTPONED )

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  • edited January 2018
    CARD said:

    Charlton fans will demand answers about the club’s immediate future by rallying outside The Valley’s west stand before Saturday’s home match against Walsall.

    The Coalition Against Roland Duchatelet (CARD) is asking Addicks supporters to assemble outside main reception by 2.15pm, when they will call on director Richard Murray to come out and address them. CARD wants a pledge that a significant part of the cash from player sales during the January transfer window will be reinvested in replacements.

    Charlton sold winger Ricky Holmes to Sheffield United for a reported £400,000 this week and are expected to conclude a £4m deal for defender Ezri Konsa to move to Everton before the end of the month.

    Murray said in a club statement on Monday that no fees would be reinvested because Charlton are in takeover discussions, but gave no indication of when or if these talks might be successfully concluded.

    He is one of only two Addicks directors following the departure of chief executive Katrien Meire in December. The other is owner Duchatelet, a Belgian businessman, who last attended a game in 2014.

    A CARD spokesperson said: “We need to hear from Richard Murray about the club’s immediate future. He said four years ago when Duchatelet took over that he would be responsible for the relationship with the fans and that he would speak on behalf of the board when appropriate. We feel it is only fair that we should give him the opportunity to do so.

    “At the weekend manager Karl Robinson promised a takeover update this week, but there was nothing new about that in Murray’s latest comments.

    “Holmes has gone and Konsa is likely to follow. We don’t expect Duchatelet to put in extra funds this month, but it can’t be right that the squad is weakened with no guarantee of a takeover. It makes no sense even in terms of getting the best price for the club, because he is making Robinson’s job of securing promotion more and more difficult.

    ”We want a guarantee that if Konsa goes without a takeover then a significant part of the fee will be made available to Robinson to strengthen the team. We also want a timeline for takeover negotiations with clarity about whether a deal is possible or likely before the end of January. We urge all concerned fans to come and hear what Murray has to say."

    The spokesperson went on: “We have not staged any protests this season because we have been aware of takeover moves and did not want to do anything that might have affected a possible promotion push. The club has now damaged that prospect itself, so we are giving notice that the period of truce is over.

    “We will not be organising anything inside the stadium on Saturday, but the gloves are coming off. Unless the situation is resolved, this is likely to be the start of an escalating series of lawful protests, both at The Valley and in Belgium. It’s now up to Murray to explain why that shouldn’t be the case.”

    See CARD's new video about the weekend rally:

    https://youtu.be/lwdWmlCuf1A

    What harm can it do? I for one feel the fans are being treated as if we don't matter. Just for a change.
  • @superclive98 - you coming to Belgium then?

    I would consider it Stu. I was hoping that the need to protest over there again would be disappearing.
    If he hasn't sold by the end of Jan or a sale isn't agreed in principle by that date then, dates allowing, I would be up for it.
  • But H you understand how these things work anyone with half a brain cell know that it’s not good business practice to discuss your business in public especially if it weakens a postition for negotiation

    It’s a nonsense to ask no sorry demand that a statement is made on the current situation

    Transfer wise same again nothing will be said

    Gobbinson should be keeping schtum and get on with what he is paid for

    Those at this protest will be the same people as on here and therefore fully aware of the situation

    Things are happening we have been told

    The old bstd is selling he has said it

    The despicable Meire has gone

    And we are in talks and DD has been done what more do people want to know

    Certain people are frightened they are missing out on something and still want to be a pain in the arse. Can you imagine a MD selling a company and going through the DD stage and telling your staff who is buying it. One thing that has be done is signed declaration from both parties that neither can discuss during this process. Oh to be a militant.
  • Right, let's get behind this, good idea. Dusting off the black & white shirts and scarfs ready for the weekend , me and my eldest son will be there, let's hope this provokes some reaction.


  • Only 5 days ago two potential interested parties held talks with the club

    There have been 3 others that are more than interested

    What more is there that you need to know

    Airman has been updating Redhenry has we have heard far more than we really should or needed to

    What else do you really expect to hear

    None of which has been said by the club and unless they read Charlton Life most fans would be unaware of that.

    No one expects names or numbers but some sort of update and some clarity on what happens to the Holmes, and if it happens, Konsa fees would be a start.



    Would Murray coming out and saying the fees went straight in Duchatelet's bin make you fell better?

    Why are you making this about me? Why does how I feel matter?

    Murray isn't going to say that anyway but if he did at least we'd have it confirmed.

    As I said above sometimes you ask a question to get information, sometimes you ask a question to expose the lack of information.
    I'm not making it about anyone. You said that CARD getting some sort of statement from Murray is a win. To my mind any sort of statement from Murray is not worth the oxygen used to make it.
    If Murray came out and said Duchatelet trousered the Holmes and probably Konsa money then I wouldn't personally see that as some sort of victory.
    I suppose and probably suspect He could come out and lie heaven forbid. But that makes it just as unpalatable imo.
    We're all pissed off and angry. I applaud anyone that is protesting on Saturday and if I was around I probably would've shown my face.
    I don't think it will bear any fruit and targeting Murray now has the feel of locking the stable door after the horse has bolted.
  • in response to a few posts I don't think anyone expects, or indeed wants/needs, to be told who the interested parties are and what figures are being discussed etc BUT I don't think it unreasonable to be updated regarding timescales etc or for the situation regarding the team and possible promotion aspirations to be clarified.

    I'm not sure timescales can be specified though, as negotiations can drag on, and that may be dependant on the other parties as well. The Newcastle sale for example has been going on for months
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  • edited January 2018
    If I wanted to buy the club - a) I would want to buy despite being fully aware of previous protests - they have been widely reported across the globe and b) I would welcome any attempts by the fans to persuade the owner to sell at a fair price. Seems like common sense to me.

    And as has been stated - if we are told that negotiations are at an advanced stage, that would be something. I don't think people are asking for all the details. If we feel/believe the club will be sold soon, then there won't be any actions - but none of us trust Duchatelet and for very good reason. He is a pathological liar and scumbag without any doubt - and I am probably being too nice saying that!
  • But H you understand how these things work anyone with half a brain cell know that it’s not good business practice to discuss your business in public especially if it weakens a postition for negotiation

    It’s a nonsense to ask no sorry demand that a statement is made on the current situation

    Transfer wise same again nothing will be said

    Gobbinson should be keeping schtum and get on with what he is paid for

    Those at this protest will be the same people as on here and therefore fully aware of the situation

    Things are happening we have been told

    The old bstd is selling he has said it

    The despicable Meire has gone

    And we are in talks and DD has been done what more do people want to know

    Certain people are frightened they are missing out on something and still want to be a pain in the arse. Can you imagine a MD selling a company and going through the DD stage and telling your staff who is buying it. One thing that has be done is signed declaration from both parties that neither can discuss during this process. Oh to be a militant.
    The reason there’s a void in communications mate is because it has been driven by fans needs of knowing everything, our club has never been good at communication it has been done to death on here for a million different reasons not just the selling of the club currently, when I said it wasn’t helpful saying imminent how many months ago it’s being proven right now

    Not in relation to the sale but to the building up hopes of fans and causing a relentless request for updates we are our own worst enemy at times
  • there is no correlation between no protests and 4(possible) bidders.

    Will this demo get any genuine answers ? not a chance----not while the possible sale is going on,and not from Murray who has been there while all Rolands bollox has been going on.

    if it lets any prospective new buyer know that the protesters energys will be invested in growing the gates and revenue then it will be worth it.

    The only question for Murray "this fire sale devalues the club and his own investment why is it being allowed to happen?"-----i wouldnt expect any answer
  • But H you understand how these things work anyone with half a brain cell know that it’s not good business practice to discuss your business in public especially if it weakens a postition for negotiation

    It’s a nonsense to ask no sorry demand that a statement is made on the current situation

    Transfer wise same again nothing will be said

    Gobbinson should be keeping schtum and get on with what he is paid for

    Those at this protest will be the same people as on here and therefore fully aware of the situation

    Things are happening we have been told

    The old bstd is selling he has said it

    The despicable Meire has gone

    And we are in talks and DD has been done what more do people want to know

    Certain people are frightened they are missing out on something and still want to be a pain in the arse. Can you imagine a MD selling a company and going through the DD stage and telling your staff who is buying it. One thing that has be done is signed declaration from both parties that neither can discuss during this process. Oh to be a militant.
    The reason there’s a void in communications mate is because it has been driven by fans needs of knowing everything, our club has never been good at communication it has been done to death on here for a million different reasons not just the selling of the club currently, when I said it wasn’t helpful saying imminent how many months ago it’s being proven right now

    Not in relation to the sale but to the building up hopes of fans and causing a relentless request for updates we are our own worst enemy at times
    Not sure that's fair to be honest. Things used to be a lot more open and transparent from memory (although I appreciate it may be blurred after the shambles of the past four years).
  • Mate we used to be calling for Murray to explain stuff

    The Parker situation.

    The curbs situation

    Murphy etc the list can go on and on we were reknowned as a club that did it the right way silently carefully and with dignity


    Then we started getting Shitty nasty tit bits out via the same man people want to tell us stuff on Saturday

    We never communicated but for the right reasons now we don’t communicate and it’s seen as the wrong reasons

    We are closer today with regards seeing the back of RD than we have ever been but it will take time patience and will from all parties RD the buyer and us
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  • Davo55 said:

    So we have potential buyers of the club at the game on Saturday and then CARD come along with a pointless exercise as i think it is fair to say that not one person from the club will come out and make a statement, all what will happen is make a potential buyer think twice, surely it would be better to get behind the team, create an atmosphere and potential buyers thinking we could have something good here.
    Imagine selling a house would you let potential buyers view your property when the noisy neighbours are in or out. No logic whatsoever and will get no thanks from the management team.

    Maybe just maybe it will force someone from the club apart from Robinson to make a statement about what's going on, even if it's before Saturday, as i'm sure they (club) wouldn't like a scene.
    Do you really think that they will give you answers with people outside shouting. The only thing that will happen is that you prove that the club is currently toxic and if i was a buyer wouldn't touch it with a ten foot barge pole. Flip it to have a great atmosphere in the ground, and buyers would see the club as a good investment rather than anarchy in the car park wearing black and white.
    But there won't be a great atmosphere in the ground. It's dying in there. Crowds are dwindling and that will only accelerate as Duchatelet sells the talent and refuses to sanction decent replacements. The whole club is irretrievably toxic under Duchatelet and he knows it, which is partly why he's looking for the exit route. A buyer will see the potential, including from the fans, and base a buying decision on that.
    The reality is certain people have let it die by arranging boycotts and protests, it comes as no consequence that the club has been put up for sale after there has been no demonstrations. If, just if there were buyers on Saturday and they pulled out due to the protests whom would CARD blame then.?
    This is serious? Or are you kidding....?
  • rikofold said:

    Interesting thread this. Some people get it, others don't. What I'd suggest to the latter is that it helps to look beyond the moment in terms of what it's trying to achieve.

    Simply we have a self-appointed conduit with the fans who is notably absent at a time when it's most needed. The issue isn't what he says or doesn't as much as whether he really is prepared to put himself out for supporters who are putting themselves out to hear him. It might be inconvenient, it might be uncomfortable, but you can't be a relationship manager just when things are cosy.

    His alignment to this regime has lost him pal his brownie points and he is heavily tainted. He has a lot to lose here if he plays it wrong, but if he wants to regain even a small piece of the ground he's lost he's gonna have to face up isn't he?

    This is a very clever and timely move from CARD, and a reminder that fans still have a voice and will use it when the piss is being taken out of them. I mean, honestly, how much debt is really managed by these sales that wouldn't be addressed with promotion if the money was put back into the squad?

    I get it. What I don't get is why you think Murray still has some credibility?

    Tainted? The fellas covered in it.
  • Do you all not realise the person you want answers from is regarded as a liar and what he may tell you won’t be worth the air that comes out of his gob
  • It certainly is not a clever timely move
  • edited January 2018
    I see him as somebody who may wish to retain some role in the club after Duchatelet, so may have an incentive to mend some of the bridges he has destroyed in recent years.
  • So what are the possible scenarios here?

    Murray doesn't come out - everyone calls him a liar, traitor, he needs to go etc etc. Nothing really gained from CARDs point of view

    Murray comes out and says some stuff but doesn't offer any guarantees - everyone calls him a liar, traitor, he needs to go etc etc. CARD doesn't get the guarantee it demanded, Roland is still likely not to invest in the team even if a sale isn't done.

    Murray comes out and guarantees everything in CARDs demands- never happening.

    Can someone explain what the point is? Many are saying on here those that are criticising "just don't get it" well that may be true so why doesn't someone come out and explain what the point is?
  • It will be more effective than pissing and moaning about the state of the club on the Internet.

    Will give us a chance to get the point across in numbers and once again prove to Murray that it is beyond a mere "message board thing"

    Pre game outside the ground so won't interfere with the game or any snowflakes' enjoyment of the game.

    Gives Murray the final opportunity to be the conduit between the ownership and fans that he stated he would be on the dawn of the takeover.

    I do not expect any response on the day from Murray...it's unrealistic to expect someone who hasn't spoken up to suddenly do an Eva Peron-esque speech to the masses gathered in the car park.

    However it may prompt a communication in the ensuing days from him/ the club.

    If not then it will be confirmed once and for all that he is at the owners whim and any semblance of a future relationship with the fan base will surely be diminished.

    By reverting back to the west stand car park also brings the protests full circle and like the initial early protests just requires those fed up with the state of the club to merely turn up to express that by mere presence before the game.

    Good work.

    Spot on RCT
  • I believe that Richard Murray does have a large element of the clubs interests at heart. He also has a financial interest. He, in my opinion, has been wrong in his full support of RD and KM.
    I think it unrealistic to expect him to address a hostile crowd when he probably has nothing to say that will satisfy the crowd.
    I am a Charlton supporter and have been for over 50 years, I despise both RD and KM for what they have done to my club. I believe the protests, including the dwindling crowds have contributed to the current desire to sell.
    We morally own the club but legally and financially do not. I feel we need to be careful not to be seen as against everything. We all hope the new owners care about the club and invest in it but we have no guarantee of getting it.
    The best that can be expected from Murray is a statement through the club web site or in the programme that gives a positive prediction of the future.
    Konsa May be sold for £X million we want it reinvested in the team but if RD does not our protests will not change that.
    I will be outside the West Stand on Saturday, but I repeat we cannot be seen to just be hostile to everything.
  • edited January 2018

    If I wanted to buy the club - a) I would want to buy despite being fully aware of previous protests - they have been widely reported across the globe and b) I would welcome any attempts by the fans to persuade the owner to sell at a fair price. Seems like common sense to me.

    And as has been stated - if we are told that negotiations are at an advanced stage, that would be something. I don't think people are asking for all the details. If we feel/believe the club will be sold soon, then there won't be any actions - but none of us trust Duchatelet and for very good reason. He is a pathological liar and scumbag without any doubt - and I am probably being too nice saying that!

    And where will be the potential buyers be sat whilst eating or drinking before the game, right where the protests will be. Mind you getting in the car park wont be any good for your game of cards before the game.
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