Richard Wiseman and Steve Clarke met with Richard Murray today at The Valley at a meeting suggested by Richard Murray following the statement issued by CARD earlier in the week. We asked Richard if he could shed some more light on the three areas where we felt that supporters were most concerned at the moment. (1) progress in selling the club (2) a potential fire sale of players (3) management of the business in the absence of senior permanent staff. We began by asking him what he could tell us about timescales for conclusion of a sale and, in particular, whether he thought there was any realistic possibility of a deal being reached before the end of the January window. He began by emphasising that the most significant point was that Roland has made up his mind to sell the club. He told us that he (Richard) was not party to negotiations at all. His role (along with other club staff) was limited to representing the club to interested parties once they had satisfied Roland of their serious intent. This involved showing them around and promoting the positives and the potential of the club. He confirmed that he was not a member of any of the interested consortia. He said that “a number” of consortia had done due diligence (which can require an investment of up to £150k) and that he is aware of two consortia actively involved in negotiations. He believes “one of them was further ahead than the other”. He made the point that, if Roland is currently only negotiating with two parties, then other parties had obviously dropped their interest for one reason or another. He said that he was sure that the club would be sold at the latest by this summer as Roland would not want to go into another season with further losses accruing and crowds dwindling. In his opinion (“although I may be wrong”) the most likely month for a sale to be concluded is February. He noted that, even if a buyer and Roland came to an agreement, the buyer would still have to satisfy the EFL as a “fit and proper person” and that they had sufficient funds to cover losses at the current level for two seasons. He said that the two consortia in current negotiations would be well aware of the significance of the transfer window but it hasn’t pushed either of them to seek to accelerate the process or to walk away. Part of that is that any serious buyer will be looking at a minimum of a five year commitment and over such a time scale one window is not so significant. He noted that he thought that the ex-directors with outstanding loans would be “accommodating” to anyone who wanted to make a deal. We suggested that the main thing which is alarming and angering supporters is the prospect of a “fire sale” of players rather like that which occurred at Standard Liege when Roland sold the club. Richard said that in his opinion there is definitely no fire sale. He said that Roland is not actively looking to cash in by selling players. Ricky Holmes decided that he had a one-off opportunity at his age to play for a top Championship team. Secondly, Karl is very aware that our real shortage is of number nines and Karl is not unhappy to be able to use Ricky’s wages on two strikers – in particular a 6 foot 1 inch sort of striker who can “help Josh out”. Richard explained that negotiations on the terms of the sale of Holmes were conducted by himself and Steve Gallen and Chris Parkes. A recommendation was then put to Roland who agreed the deal subject to a few tweaks. There have been no firm offers for Ezri Konsa but Ezri has seen Gomez and Lookman get moves to Premier League clubs and it is natural that he would want to do the same if the chance was there. But, anyone looking to buy the club would inevitably see Konsa as a major asset and argue that his departure should affect the sale price. Roland is aware of that and therefore the incentive for Roland to sell him is reduced. Roland is also aware that Charlton is a much more attractive proposition as a Championship club. We put it to Richard that within a few days there could be five loan players in the squad which would mean that no further loans could be arranged and Konsa could not be loaned back if he did leave. What could Richard do in that situation ? Richard said that in that event he would be on the phone to Roland making the point “most forcibly” that we should use at least some of the Konsa fee to strengthen the squad with permanent signings. He said that he has 24 hour access to Roland and his experience is that Roland listens. He estimated that his chances of persuading Roland in those circumstances were “good”. He said that Roland for example was being very “flexible” at the moment in an attempt to secure the loan of Kaikai from Palace who were demanding various conditions. We asked about Richard’s role and how the club could be run in the absence of a CEO. Richard felt that the club can function effectively on a day to day basis in the medium term but that, without a permanent full-time CEO, there was little opportunity for forward thinking and planning. On a day to day basis Richard can give director’s authority to decisions and provide continuity and reassurance. He felt he gives good support to Karl, Steve Avory and Steve Gallen. He understands that David Joyes will be replaced as Chief Finance Officer when he leaves at the end of February. He felt that it was advantageous that he was available to meet potential purchasers and give them input about the club. He could talk up the club with authority. He acknowledges to potential purchasers that there is currently a rift with supporters but can stress that there is great potential to win them back and that the protests are specific to Roland and that a new owner would be greeted with immense good will. We are grateful to Richard for his time today. He has indicated his agreement to further similar meetings in future if that would be of use. We would welcome comment on this from members and non-members via [email protected] Trust News
Thanks for posting this DickPlumb. I'm willing to believe most of what Richard Murray has said. His comments about Duchatelet being willing to listen and being flexible sound like diplomacy rather than unvarnished honesty to me, but I can excuse that. No offers for Ezri Konsa also sounds very unlikely, but I can understand why RM might feel it necessary to say that. Personally I don't think these little porkies automatically invalidate everything else he has said. Mr Murray has said several things which can be judged after a relatovely short passage of time. I appreciate that buying time is probably one of the main reasons this meeting was held at all, and it is obviously no coincidence that this meeting was announced within a day or two of CARD calling for a protest outside the Valley an hour before the Walsall home game. (in the event, calling off the demo was a good move I think, as the cold wet weather might have discouraged some from attending). But at this point, buying time is of little use to RD if what Richard Murray has told fans turns out not to be true. So I'll trust that Mr Murray has been essentially truthful, and will naturally watch to see how events play out between now and the summer. The information provided has reassured me a little, even if that feeling is probably just due to me now feeling a bit less in the dark as to what is going on. He began by emphasising that the most significant point was that Roland has made up his mind to sell the club. This, above all else, had better be the truth.
The most laughable line is when Murray claims that in his experience when Richard talks, Roland “listens”. The track record of the last 4 years suggests otherwise, Murray has been there every day while the 2 Belgian Bums made a successsion of terrible decisions. Did Duchatelet listen over Karel Fraeye etc ?? Well done to the Trust guys for making the effort, but this interview just proves again that Murray is little more than an ego driven has -been, modelling himself on Walter Mitty. And it’s a bit more than a “rift”
PS- It’s a pity Murray wasn’t challenged on Duchatelet’s ridiculous asking price - £45-55m for a League One Club ?
I wondered about that myself, but I think it would have been a pointless question to ask. Would have been seen by Murray as a 'cheap shot' too probably. Even if RM knows something about what RD thinks the Club is worth, he would not have been able to say so.
Slightly more optimistic after reading this. Credit to the two trust members who did about as much as they could.
However hard he tried, Murray still painted a picture of a very dysfunctional football club. Note his comment about the ex Directors getting their dough back not being the most important thing. How can he speak for the other 6 owed money when he has fallen out with them all ? What he really means is he is prepared to wait again for HIS money back if the new owners will still let him play an active role at Charlton.
Good work by the guys who went to interview Murray. There was never going to be much specific info from this - during a takeover, most companies don't tell their employees what's going on, and Murray sounds as if he is no where near negotiations, and if he were, there would be no real possibility he would share inside information with the fans, when he is clearly regarded as a part of the problem. Whatever the results of the interview, this was always going to be one where you have to read between the lines. The Konsa theme I tend to disregard. It sounds like Everton are keen, and he player will not need to be asked twice if and when an offer comes. Murray suggests the firesale of players won't happen and to be honest the balance for the fans is not whether Konsa stays or goes (that would have been possible whether or not a sale was coming) but whether Roland appreciates that devaluing the playing team will affect the sale, and whether the buyers will demand the team be strengthened if there is another sale. All of this came up because not only was Holmes sold, but the rumour was that RD turned down a player KR wanted (Carruthers) and asked for 'cash only'. Murray says more players will come. Murray says RD listens to him. All hot air, but the substance will emerge in the next fortnight, and Murray will have further damaged himself if these statements are now proved foolish by RD's actions - no one will believe another series of february quotes about having pushed hard but failed to get a transfer over the line now. Finally, the statement that RD will be more likely to sell in february. This actually sounds more realistic than other quote's which smacked of simple wish fullfilment by the fans. It still proves nothing, but sounds a lot more realistic tan statements about a definate sale on the 20th, 24th or 32nd of january. Time will tell.
Usual Murray bullshit...'RD listens', 'Rift', 'Players are coming'......So the Holmes sale is all good now, because KR has the wonderful opportunity to get 2 loan players in. No 'bids for Konsa' - 'Effecting sale price of the Club'. Of course...It's not like them to put him in the shop window, or start any media speculation is it..?
To be fair, Murray has put forward this act (“The Honest Broker Who Makes F*ck Ups) for 12 years now. The surprising thing is that a few fans still apparently fall for it.
There was even one fan this week saying..."Richard you don't have to talk to those nasty Charlton fans"
Murray claimed in one of his porkies that the 7 ex Directors owed money would be “accommodating” CAST should have asked him how he knows.
I have seen this Murray act at first hand, circa 2008. Does anyone remember the James Stewart films from the 1950s where he plays the dim, but not as dim as you think act ? That’s Murray. #AwShucks #Phoney
sure because he's set a good example. Very apt, I was thinking on the same lines - Columbo but without the charm...or the hair.
I was done with Murray, once & for all, when he snidely dismissed the concerns of fans who lost their money on his shares.
It would have been a bit more convincing if he'd offered to meet CAFCTrust before the threat of a demo in the car park. But it's clear now what a minor player he really is at Charlton now. A tour guide. When he says "Roland listens", what he really means is "The phone goes quiet". His influence has always been zero. The euphoria over the CEO's departure has gone, because everything is down to the absent Roland.
There was an interesting/funny thread on CL about that at the time...Quite a few of them have changed their views on him since then.
Yes, Prague Addick & “Henry Irving” tend to adopt the pained, sorrowful stance towards Murray these days. A bit like dog owners who’s puppy keeps soiling the carpet.
You have to admire Murray for his chutzpah & longevity - he has been royally screwing the Club now since 2006. Had he been a senior Exec, paid and accountable for his decisions, he would have been fired years ago.
