Just been listening to Michael Slater on Charlton Live and for those who didnt get a chance, a few points that he made below were.... How we've improved in the following areas: - Opposition Assesment - Improved Match fitness thanks to Laurence Bloom - Better Scouting Networks Clive Mendonca's medals got brought up (i.e. would the club consider buying them), it was the the first time he had been made aware of Clive's problems and will certainly be looking into it especially. He's not worried about keeping hold of our more important players like Yann as he basically said they're going no where. There are no plans for the Valley to be expanded / there are no plans for us to enter into a Reserve League should we get promoted back to the Championship. Should we go up into the Championship he mentioned that we could do a Norwich or Southampton yet by the way he was talking the aim of getting back into the Premiership seems a three year plan and feels that the majority of our squad is good enough to play at the next level. Finally he felt that Danny Haynes is very intelligent, seeing he signed for Charlton over Millwall.
One thing i'd like to emphasise from Slaters comments that A4L touched on above is that he said that the player purchases wee made with a view to ensuring they were Championship quality - so, dont expect a lot of players to be bought during the summer !
I have a few questinos regarding our stadium. I have never seen any work on it, so the valley I see now is just how I remember it the first time I walked in. What are the chances of it being expanded or something similar within the next few years. I ask this because I hear things such as Barnet considering expanding their stadium and I am unsure if they sell out or not, but if they don't what would be the need of expanding it for them for example?
Slaters comment to that was 'one step at a time' - no point doing anything to expand it until we start turning people away from the stadium which is unlikely to happen unless we get in Prem. I notice that Wolves have put theirs on hold whilst they have doubts about their Prem status. Thanks for image WWOCB.
Slater, for all of his great work at the club, still needs to address the problem of the 'hot mud' coffee being served up at the kiosks. Ethiopian or Colombian beans are needed to put the icing on this fine season. Until then, I will feel as though there is something missing. Sort it, Mike, sort it.
personally, and i'm probably alone here. but i'd like them to chip in 5 grand or so and stick some LCD's around the place. in the north stand there's just the one(?) 14 inch CRT. be well worth it cos then they'd get fans in prematch watching (and drinking and eating) the early game. plus my eyesight is naff nowadays.
Are there planning reasons why everything is shut after the game? For example, if the main food and drink outlets were left open, and there were more TVs with the volume up, would people hand around with a beer for half an hour to watch the other results and reports? This would also ease the crush at Charlton station (not helped by Southeastern laying on a 4 car Networker)
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Slater, Mr Varney and Mr Kavanagh at the Sheff Utd game after wrangling some tickets in the directors box, and have to say they are all top gentleman. Was very interesting to hear what they thought of the team and its progress under Powell. Mr Slater indicated that he didnt always agree with Chrissy on transfer targets, team sheets and tatics, but would never interfer and will always defer "to the experts". Was happy to hear this as I fear too many directors/owners want/do influence this side throughout football. For me, what has made this season so enjoyable so far is knowing we are under good and progressive stewarship off the pitch as much as on it, and long may it continue. Thank-you Mr Slater! Japan
For me, what has made this season so enjoyable so far is knowing we are under good and progressive stewarship off the pitch as much as on it, and long may it continue. Thank-you Mr Slater! Spot on. There is an entirely different feel about the place now.
I would be tempted to buy a coffee if that happened, atm I make do with my own tap water though a drinking chocolate wouldn't go amiss, so much better than bovril.
Problem with this is that they would have to keep all the bar staff on, and also some stewards. Doubt therefore they would actually make any money, probably actually lose out. They do keep Bartrams open with a game on, and that gets very busy. Better having a pint and watching a game in there rather than hanging around some draughty concourse.
Not sure about that, I doubt that the stewards/bar staff are on any more than £6 an hour, less than the price of two pints. The number of drinkers will be more than double that of the number of stewards. Say ten bar staff/stewards = £60 an hour, twenty pints in one hour would cover that and I'm certain they'd sell more than 20 pints in one hour.
I think that is a cracking idea, Killer. Probably not so appealing in the colder months, but, on the warmer days, what a lovely way to spend an hour after the match. Personally, I drive to the match, but I would hang about for a bit while the traffic eases off on the Woolwich Road.
I think you are forgetting the actual cost of the pint itself. Therefore costs of staff, costs of stewards, and cost price of the beer. Therefore on your calculations £60 an hour PLUS the cost price of the beer to the club at say £2 a pint. Twenty pints another £40, therefore £100 in total, with income of 20 pints @ £3 = £60. A net loss of £40. As i say all that is irrelevant as Bartrams is open post match, and it must be better to fill one decent bar than leave concourses open for a few people to have a post match beer
Yes it is, both pre match and post match. You might have to queue to get in pre match if you dont get there too early. Post match always busy but you can get in and the atmosphere is really good.
