Spot the coincidence with the latest Supporters' Director Article. As always Rick's writing leaves me realising that I'm just a good amateur when it comes to journalism.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," said
philosopher George Santanya.
That's about the only excuse I'm prepared to allow the men who took
Charlton to Selhurst Park in 1985. But the switch to SE25, like the
abortive move to Catford in the 1920s, was a disaster.
Each would have killed the club had it not been reversed.
That's why chief executive Peter Varney's recent hint that the Addicks
might consider moving again has proven explosive.
I am not privy to boardroom discussions, but let me make clear that
unlike fans' elected director Ben Hayes I remain a "Valley
fundamentalist".
The issue has always been about identity, not practicality, but as it
happens the facilities at The Valley now are excellent and reasonably
proportionate to the numbers who presently want to watch the team.
I hope a 40,000 capacity will be required one day and therefore Charlton
are right to consider how it could be achieved.
But television is football's biggest paymaster and it wants packed
crowds, whatever the stadium size. These are more likely for Charlton
now at 30,000.
And while many other clubs have moved since 1985, none has abandoned a
stadium as modern and suitable as The Valley.
Unusually, I have some sympathy for Greenwich Council leader Chris
Roberts, who has attacked Hayes for comments he made about the council.
Cllr Roberts is right to protest that Greenwich's position has been
misrepresented in the media and legally the council must act with
caution on planning matters.
But neither he nor anyone else should imagine that Hayes is the board's
stooge. And fans who have concluded from all this that Charlton are
plotting to abandon their history should have more faith.
For I can guarantee that the current directors remember Selhurst all too
well.
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Comments
To be serious that article might help settle a few nerves.
Gone are the days when you were waiting for the Mercury to drop through your letter box on a Thursday (or Saturday if you lived in the Brampton Rd area, i apologise).
AFKA, very true. Maybe you could run Rick's column as well even if his writing puts mine to shame.
Ben
i used to have to nick my copy from flats in Sidcup when I was helping my dad, who was a milkman at the time. Used to read it coming down the hill from sidcup high street to the station in a milk float with no suspension.