#Unity Protest 4th March - Accounts from those there
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PART 1
Got on the day coach at Ebbsfleet. Nice welcome from our stewards Heather and Dom. Thanks very much for the sausage roll - that was a lovely touch. Straight way told that we had film crews on board and shortly after we were all chanting 'We want Roland Out' whilst cameramen walked up and down the aisle. I thought we could have had a bit more variety with our bus chanting and was wracking my brain for some alternative chants, but I couldn't think of any that were clean enough for tv.
Had a nice breakfast on the ferry and a chat with @cantersaddick and his mate, who I'd thought told us that his handle was @cafcluke but that doesn't seem to appear here. I expect this is another case of me getting someone's name wrong. I wasn't sure where the ferry was going. I'd assumed Calais, it took a left turn and headed up the coast. After what seemed like ages of slowly chugging slowly up the French coast, I thought we were heading for Ostend, Zeebrugge or perhaps Trondheim. As it turned out we were heading for the DFDS terminal at Loon Plage which sounds pretty appropriate considering who we were protesting about.
The up the motorway with Forrest Gump on; we just kept on running and running and running. Was aware that @InspectorSands was on our coach and was tempted to shout out and find out who he was. I decided not to though; I didn't want to shout his name in public for fear of causing a security alert.
Arrived in St Truiden. A strange town that seemed half shut. Soon after, the heavens opened and I began to wonder wether Duchatelet was like a mad professor who somehow controlled the local weather.
Saw the magnificent 2Percent who were absolutely fantastic. Lively and positive with some great tunes. Just right to get everyone in the party spirit.
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PART 2
On to the demo with a great turnout from the Addicks. Good to see some new banners, the unity placards but most of all the sheer determination of hundreds of ordinary people prepared to travel 600 miles for the love of their club. These aren't vinegar pissers, Roly. If we must have a condiment based description, I'd say the salt of the earth would be far more apt.
Well done to those STVV fans that made it. Again, all decent people all doing their best to support their club. I wish there were more of them though, it was their home town after all. It was noticeable that the Charlton fans had to be shushed to enable the STVV fans to be heard. It really shouldn't have been like that. I did try to get a picture of one of their fans singing, but he quickly put his hands up. No problem, some people just don't like having their photo taken, but I did wonder if there was a sense of fear that Duchatelet could use it against him if there was a photo of him in the public domain.
Time for a quick beer in the evening, before heading home. Passed a pub full of STVV fans with blaring house music coming out. Is this where little Katy picked up here ideas about what football fans want? Chose to drink in the bar annexed to the local bowling alley though. Everyone really friendly, but it did reinforce my initial perception that there's something strange about this town.36 -
No Stig you are right he is @cafc lukeStig said:PART 1
Got on the day coach at Ebbsfleet. Nice welcome from our stewards Heather and Dom. Thanks very much for the sausage roll - that was a lovely touch. Straight way told that we had film crews on board and shortly after we were all chanting 'We want Roland Out' whilst cameramen walked up and down the aisle. I thought we could have had a bit more variety with our bus chanting and was wracking my brain for some alternative chants, but I couldn't think of any that were clean enough for tv.
Had a nice breakfast on the ferry and a chat with @cantersaddick and his mate, who I'd thought told us that his handle was @cafcluke but that doesn't seem to appear here. I expect this is another case of me getting someone's name wrong. I wasn't sure where the ferry was going. I'd assumed Calais, it took a left turn and headed up the coast. After what seemed like ages of slowly chugging slowly up the French coast, I assumed we were heading for Ostend, Zeebrugge or perhaps Trondheim. As it turned out we were heading for the DFDS terminal at Loon Plage which sounds pretty appropriate considering who we were protesting about.
The up the motorway with Forrest Gump on; we just kept on running and running and running. Was aware that @InspectorSands was on our coach and was tempted to shout out and find out who he was. I decided not to though; I didn't want to shout his name in public for fear of causing a security alert.
Arrived in St Truiden. A strange town that seemed half shut. Soon after, the heavens opened and I began to wonder wether Duchatelet was like a mad professor who somehow controlled the local weather.
Saw the magnificent 2Percent who were absolutely fantastic. Lively and positive with some great tunes. Just right to get everyone in the party spirit.
Good to see you and Cliff again!2 -
We have workedPragueAddick said:Back in my S-T hotel sipping one of those dangerous Trappist beers.
For the early part of my life I didn't even dream of Charlton being in Europe. And then the Premier League days came. I dreamed of Charlton drawing Sparta Prague and hosting a huge party of my tribe. Because the thing about playing in Europe for most clubs is not so much the result, but just being there. Going as a tribe to a new country, getting to know fellow tribe members and locals.
And so today in the worst possible circumstances my dream came true. And today we were brilliant, as we have been so many times before. I still do not even know exactly who has been at the heart of this operation but you have done a fantastic job. Despite various rumours, the police - low key and courteous - allowed us to march to the very gates of Stayen. You could see that this had been carefully negotiated, and was being reviewed step by step. Stop and think about how some of our fans have built such a relationship with the police in a provincial town in Belgium where Roland Duchatelet calls the shots. And think about how furious he will be that these police, whom he thought he had in his pocket, will have reminded him that Belgium is a democracy, these people have a right to protest, and the police have no reason to think we will be a problem. That, above all, was our triumph today, and whoever have worked so hard to achieve that, well you are the real legends.
Late on with @TCE , @ThreadKiller , and @oohaahmortimer ( who will not remember this, I suspect) we discussed whether RD has an ego. I think he does. When you arrive at Mordor, sorry, Stayen, a big digi screen displays the many delights it has to offer customers. It includes the dancing , and there is RD , dancing and being the life and soul of the party, followed - rather unsettlingly - by shots of attractive young ladies enjoying the party. Say what you like about Richard Murray but most rival fans would have struggled to put a face to his name. In S-T Roland's face is in your face.
It' s a bit early to evaluate what this has achieved , but I am very sure we whacked his ego pretty hard today. And unlike at Standard he cannot go whining to the media about how he has been threatened, because once again we displayed that precious commodity that has marked us Charlton fans out over many years, no matter who owned us. That commodity which many other clubs' fans freely bestow upon us.
Class.
It looked for one moment that you were doing something dodgy to a tramp at the side of the road when you were making those repairs!The_President said:I just wanted to say thank you for everyone who attended yesterday - very proud to be a Charlton fan.
A couple of anecdotes about yesterday...no doubt there will be lots more that will emerge during the day...
ST Police were brilliant, prepared to listen and negotiate, and stayed in the background generally.
I seemed to have 2 plain clothes guys 'stalk' me the whole day- however, they did come and introduce themselves at the beginning of the day - but , surprisingly, after the match , both of them came up to me with beers in hand in the bar concourse, and we had a good chat almost as mates. They were very complimentary to us as a group of fans, saying they had NO problems, certainly NO arrests, it was a 'pleasure' to police , and that this has shown them and the Mayor that should we do this again in Sint Truiden then they will likely take a more relaxed view - they also wished us good luck in trying to get rid of Duchatelet.
We seemed to have so much media coverage - there were interviews,cameras,photographers everywhere. certainly, Roly the Effigy seemed to be the most popular for the media there - and magnificent he was - for that @foresthillred , who spent so many long hours working on it , take a bow, son.Also, @GermanAddick who helped with the construction. Even, at one stage, when we had to make running repairs after his leg had fallen off, and his ear had come loose, one fan decided to drop his trousers and stick it in Rolys face
- yes, you know who you are 6 -
Well who is that handsome young fella with a black and white scarf and an STVV scarf?Stig said:PART 2
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On Thursday evening was out in Essex looking for the studios where the2percent were rehearsing. Eventually locate them and we put some of he bulky kit into the camper van.
My son Rufus is extremely excited about the band havenig seen a couple of rehearsal tracks and goes to bed at 10.30 instead of his normal 8pm.
Next day travel to France at leisure. Terrible food from the UK Chunnel terminal. Met Wim and went to his restaurant, as others arrived back from taking to local Belgian media, unloaded the bands' gear and then arranged groups to help with leafleting the STVV leaflets.
Roo and I took an are that contained our hotel and managed about 2/3 of it before we retired around 10.30. Getting quite nervous and excited about the next day now.
Next day great breakfast at Belle Vie and round to the restaurant for a frantic morning sorting out the vouchers, dressing the bar, setting up cameras, buying glue to stick Rolan's ears back on which had fallen off the previous night....
Just about manage to get everything ready before @harveys gardener arrives as the first guest not involved in the preparations.
The bar is ready and so are we. Roo has had a good morning playing football and stamping Roland with 'checked'.
There is a bit of a lull as the coaches are later than we expect. I have several discussions with the Belgian police about their plans. They had wanted us to leave the restaurant at 5.30 which was ridiculous. Then they wanted everyone from Veemarkt to come to the restaurant. Then their boss said no, we would go to Veemarkt, then again back to the restaurant.
This caused STVV a problem as they had initially announced Grote Markt, then changed it to Veemarkt, and now it was moved only 1.5 hours before march was due to start. They trotted off to go and collect their fans.
The 2percent held off starting the gig until the coach participants were close. As the first people started coming into the courtyard they started, we quickly realised @SE7toSG3 was going to be overwhelmed on the door and backup arrived including Roo who stamped everyone in.
We thought we managed to get everyone in quite quickly just as the rain started to come down heavier everyone was inside.
To keep the cost down, all the bar staff were volunteers. Sales were a bit more buoyant than expected due to the unexpected numbers who had not expected to come and had no tickets, still Wim didn't seem too upset.
The 2percent were great. Liar liar being a particular favourite. Somewhere there is some very dubious footage of me cutting some shapes. Roo had a bit of a boogie as well
The police were rather strict about the start time so no encore.
The march was a very passionate affair, it sounded loud to me. Highlights were when one of Roland's legs fell off, it was the one with the taped up shoe and this was then brandished as an extra flag for the rest of the march.
Thanked all the police especially man who had said he was the boss at the end of the march fro allowing us to protest. Everyone agreed it was certainly one over on Roland who would be livid.
Had a few beers in de Kanaria before going to the game standing in the North stand. Got told off by Tobias, their man with the microphone for the 'just sell the club' song which he felt we should do after the game rather than during play. We respected his request and sang with them for the rest of the game.
Igor scored in the 9th minute and looked lively getting a lot of 'Igor' chants from the healthy contingent of Charlton in the North Stand before being stretchered off late in the game to further support.
We went in search of Roland but he seemed a bit off colour and despite initial assurances from the staff in the Revue that he would be there soon, this later changed to, if he's not here in 30 minutes he won't be coming.....He didn't come and so didn't get to hear that we wanted him out.
Still, thinking it would be nice for some fresh air, we went out into the ground. Then into the pitch, and managed to get a half decent team pic in front of the goal with a 'Roland out', which capped the evening nicely off for Roo.
This morning, went back to Wim's and loaded up the van, collected camera and the other rather large amount of confetti cannon we hadn't taken with us, maybe come in handy for next time if a next time is required, let's hope it isn't.
Thanks to everyone else from B20, CARD and WAR for the organising, stewarding, helping and to everyone who attended and who followed not being able to make it.
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...53, 54, 55...(message to @Pico 'how many on the coaches again?' Ans '109'... oh)....some time later..107, 108, 1090
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Hmm don't know what happened to the rest of the post above, will need to write again later..1
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I thought it was rather succinct.2
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Succinct could not be used to describe KR's post-match, which suddenly burst out over the tannoy in the bus. Sad to see him change from a thrusting young manager bursting with confidence to a gibbering wreck. Still, it provided a few minutes of gallows humour.0
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I guess @Covered End has summed up our day really. I was knackered when I finally got to bed around 2pm, after dropping @Badger home with the remains of the protest banners, so they can be reused at the next protest.
Apologies for not speaking any longer to @PragueAddick during the March, hope to catch up on another occasion soon mate. Nice to chat to @Fanny Fanackapan and @cherryorchard at the end of the march. I thanked a long standing friend who is part of the Belgium 20 for his role in organising such a great event. Thanks also to CARD, keep up the good work.
As some one said, as fans we don't have a knock out punch. All we can do is keep chipping away and hope he finally realises he has bought the wrong club and sells at a realistic price.
Respect to everyone there yesterday. We all stood up to be counted and we all should feel proud for that.6 -
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sorry to not buy you that beer @bolloxbolder or you @LargeAddick .
However either of you could get @Addickted to buy you one in lieu of the waffle he owes me.0 -
Is that you with the 'We Want Our Charlton Back' banner? I'd have said hello, if I'd known.bolloxbolder said:0 -
Yes and likewise. Admire your work on here mate. I was row 4 on coach opposite Dom the Steward.1
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Did I miss your declared travel time then @PragueAddick?PragueAddick said:sorry to not buy you that beer @bolloxbolder or you @LargeAddick .
However either of you could get @Addickted to buy you one in lieu of the waffle he owes me.
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Grateful if the chat stuff can be on the other thread please guys and girls, thanks0
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Others on this thread seem to have summed up the day quite well. Not sure there's much to add regarding the march.
My son and I travelled independently by car from Essex via Le Shuttle and stayed at the Holiday Inn in Hasselt. The hotel was a ten minute walk to Hasselt station and the train journey a further 15 minutes to Sint Truiden. Having been to Sint Truiden pre-season a couple of years ago, we knew the lay of the land so headed straight for the buffet.
It was a bit of a surprise to see a rather static Roland sat outside as we arrived. He looked worse for wear and I wondered whether Fanny and the other WARriors had carried out her threat to jump out of a cake wearing something skimpy. That might account for it.
Inside we had first dibs on the buffet which hit the spot nicely. Given the strength and variety of the beer, I'm pleased we were drinking bottles and not pints. We caught the end of the Sky game and gave up our table as the coaches were 'due to arrive soon'. We had prime spot to watch the first half of the Charlton game via Roland's live stream. Well done to whoever filmed that. It was good to hear some anti Roland chants from Northampton.
The band started up as the coach travellers arrived. I didn't think I was a Ska fan, but they were brilliant and certainly energised the crowd before setting off. Others have described the march and it was everything you'd expect from Charlton fans. There never seems to be an adequate climax to these protests though, and people inevitably just drifted away. I was disappointed I couldn't get to De Kanarie for a reminiscent beer - but then the weather was nowhere near as good as July 2015.
We too drifted away and went back to Hasselt. Caught the end of the Liverpool game in some dodgy bar near the station and had a drink in Wembley.
A great experience. Enjoyed the gig and will hopefully catch them again. Will be at the next Belgium protest if Roland doesn't go soon - maybe in the summer when it's warmer?
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The lack of climax to the protest was I am afraid my fault. I had around 20 confetti cannon but in the rush to start the march had given them away to others to get out there.
Had thought they would be classed as littering which was why we haven't fully planned them but seems police less bothered (until they find bits of metallic confetti all over the town for the next 2 months).2 -
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Neil disappoints again with lack of climax!3
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Some thoughts...
The organisation yesterday was top notch all day. Hundreds of man hours would have gone into that, all involved are Charlton heroes far beyond all our players (one or two excepted).
I was disappointed by the lack of STVV fans joining us. Theyre historically a lower league team so I think a lot are still grateful for that.
I still can't get over the darkened concourses with disco lights and crap music, all through the game. That house dj in Crossbars may not have solely been Meire's idea.
I had fun joining the Belgian 20 during and after the game, although hazy running on the pitch to sing "we want Roland out" is something I'll remember.
The Roland effigy was also a highlight, I should have taken one of his banknotes as a souvenir (one side included the names of Thuram, Reza etc, the other Yann, Morrison and so on).
Belgian beer is lethal.15 -
STVV are a small club in a higher league than their history demands - a bit different to us. What some of their fans realise is that Roland does not prioritise success, he got the ground for peanuts and developed it for his own financial benefit and STVV are only a small part of that. This means that if and when things go belly up they will find themselves in not such a great position with no ground or assets! Some of the identity of the club has been lost too. But you wouldn't expect massive numbers yet - it is important that some of their fans have realised the future issue and we know that an owner who does not prioritise success is not going to be great in the long term.
I think Roland will not be happy with alliances of fans groups from different clubs in his network - especially if we are involved.8 -
PWR - just back in SE18
So proud.
A few tasty bits from a great weekend ....
1 - watched the magnificent banner of @sethplum attract a feeding frenzy from Belgian media
2 - the ST bobbies in plain clothes who supervised the march at the rear. I congratulated them on how well everything had been organised on all sides. Very soberly one replied, "Today is because you all love your club so much". He could see it in an instant - certain others it takes more than three years and they still don't get it.
3 - after the march we were on the coach to await return to our hotel. It was rather quiet after the day's excitement. I remarked "it's all so civilised, so ...., so ...., lost for words until my neighbour completed the sentence - "so Charlton".
4 - visit today to Ypres and especially to the grave of Gunner Nightingale
5 - not quite so tasty. @HantsAddick and I were the last away from the last coach (at SE7) when after an entirely trouble-free weekend for us all (I hope) I had a minor accident. As we crossed Anchor & Hope Lane to await HA's cab on the other side, I stumbled on the central reservation (who put that thing there?) and went flat on my fat face, half hanging in the other carriageway and thanks to my Parkinson's unable to move. A driver pulled up to ask if I needed help, but before he could do anything a second car stopped, a big black guy called Darren stepped out and then took over. Firstly, with the assistance of Simon the coach driver I was helped to my feet. Then, Darren first took me home to Woolwich, leaving me some food he had just bought for himself, and afterwards took HA back to her flat in SE7. She rang me to say she had left her bag in his car, and sure enough 10 minutes later Darren turned up at my door with the bag. What an absolute saint !! (I have a few grazes and bruises - nothing to worry about.) Sorry for the diversion, but a hefty conclusion to a memorable weekend. I have spent the last two days with many quite remarkable people, not least the last one of all ....
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Sorry to hear about your fall but good to hear you didn't get hurt too badly by the fall.
I don't expect kindness and decency from people i don't know; but to hear stories that show it still exists reminds me that the glass is often at least half full 13 -
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Roland's view of what success is for his own, home town club summed up in one picture...money from advertising, no fans.2 -
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That's the away end under development isn't it?
I think it was against Oostende where the away fans could be counted on one persons fingers without the need to utilise the opposable digits.
Could be wrong though as the Belgian beer is quite strong.0 -
Top left of the picture along the stand, hotel.shoppping, business, top right eat&drink, party, sports. All a bit worrying.Athletico Charlton said:.
Roland's view of what success is for his own, home town club summed up in one picture...money from advertising, no fans.0 -
Was on the overnight coach and am now fed, watered and catching up. Got up at 4.45 on Saturday to get the bus to SE7. It seemed like it took ages to get places, but was almost full after Ebbsfleet.
Was sat next to someone not on CL (Yes they do exist). I do now know names and faces of some on here.
Ferry was fine going out. Journey through France and Belgium under grey skies and rain was not particularly exciting. Did see lots of fields of mud, though. We arrived in Hasselt, dropped bags then went off to St Truiden.
Buffet was crowded but good, band were really lively. If only the stream from Northampton had been better, but the inevitability of results like that under RD are one of the reasons we were protesting.
March set off very lively, lots of songs and chants. Disappointing only about 20 STVV fans I saw there. They did sing a bit, and I tried to join in with them for the songs in English. Apparently, the town is pronounced something like Sint Troyen - the D is silent the Truiden part sounds like it's one syllable when they sing it.
THe march got to its end and sort of fizzled out. This is inevitable, but some sort of rally or a big event that marks a definitive end would be good.
We had lots of supportive gestures from locals, but not a lot of interaction on the march because there were so few there. Swapped a scarf with one of the stewards and talked to quite a few in De Kanarie later. There was very much a mixed view of RD - a lot really disliked him (one said he was a Standard fan, so of course he hated him). But there were others who were grateful for him "saving the club" which sounds familiar.
Got the last train (a double decker) to Hasselt. Drank too much.
Sunday was a trip back via Ypres and I would like to thank Clive (not sure of his handle on here) for the fantastic tour and talks. I learned a lot.
We missed our ferry though and the next one was late. The crossing was a lot rougher and I had to go outside as I get bad motion sickness.
Arrived back in SE7 around 9.30. Got home about 10.20. Knackered.
Was it worth it? Time will tell, but we achieved our aim of taking the fight to him. Happy to be a footsoldier here - the work that the B20/CARD/WAR and any unaffiliated organisers have put in meant this was a great success and I salute them. Proud to have made the journey and hope it brings the day that RD goes that bit closer.28
