The new management team are looking to develope the Club whenever possible and we can all remember Reg's plan to move the Club to North Kent can't we. Now then... you have all been warned that if, as part of the development of Greenwich peninsula west, a new sports arena is built then Charlton will move to it rather than letting the Croydon Club or the Spammers move to it. http://www.cafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10267~2621336,00.html Or have I read that wrong? AllHell
The 'masterplans' dont tell us very much ! This is not new news - some 15 years ago, there was paper talk of us moving to a site near where the O2 is now. I'll see if i can dig out the link.
I've told everyone from day one- Varneys intentions for years were to move to kent. I wouldn't be surprised I it was discussed when attracting the new owners.
I know it's not new Stu but it looks like the Club are actively looking at it again. Didn't Reg leave a few years ago because Murray said he wouldn't move Charlton away from the Valley and Reg thought that eventually it had to?
Why come out now and put it on the website? Are things more progressed with RB Greenwich than we all think?
I just have it the one over- looks pretty conclusive that they are stating an early "interest". But Is it more due to not wanting a competitive team, so in theory taking it for the sake of it?
Would be a fantastic move - and a fantastic arena - talking about open-air though !.. http://853blog.com/2012/02/16/council-eyes-40000-capacity-arena-for-greenwich-peninsula/
and the attempt some 13 years ago... http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-charlton-consider-home-at-the-dome-1085921.html
I can't pretend to have any sort of Business Acumen and I wouldn't have been particularly aware of the plans 13 years ago... But you all seem fairly OK with the idea? Why?
The Valley is pretty much everything I love about Charlton in a concrete and steel form; The walk down there, getting to Floyd Road and the masses aligning. The jaggedness of how each stand doesn't really match each other. Not to mention the history. I'm too apathetic to ever protest about the Tories destroying life as we know it, but I would literally chain myself to a goalpost if they ever moved to a souless arena.
Artist - its about progress mate, progress. oh , and also to ensure that Braindead,Palarse,ScumHam do not **** on our doorstep. When you live in a house, you are always wanting to move to something bigger,better. A new ground , close to Jubilee Line, overlooking the River, next to Canary Wharf (think of all the business opportunities and extra plastics we could attract),40,000 capacity - now, thats what i call progress.
To me all of that sounds sickening and very un-Charlton Athletic. Obviuosuly I see the reasons behind it, but I'm surprised any fan would go along with it?
Surprised how calm everybody is about this. I for one hate the idea of moving ground. If we want progress, extend the ground to 40,000 like was planned 6 years or so ago. Don't relocate the ground - The Valley is our home. Everything we love about Saturdays at the ground will change - the walk along Floyd Road, the smell of the various burger vans, pushing through the queues of people collecting their tickets, the sound of VFR coming from above as you queue for the turnstiles, getting in, running up the hideous but homely concrete stairs, ignoring the jackpot sellers, loitering around with a beer watching the tv's. Going up to your seat, the banter with other fans as you try to get past to your seat. All the familiar faces and voices around you, your own unique view of the Valley pitch. The same individuals who through the course of the game, try to get terrible chants sung...that same idiot who always shouts out 'get him off he's ****' as soon as someone makes a mistake. Post-match tunnel jump, waiting for ten minutes to even be able to move from your row after the game, the crowded walk back to the car/bus stop/train station overhearing snippets of game-analysis' from each group of fans you pass, the occasional trip to the chip shop and the chats with the friendly away fans who use it. Walking up the road trying to avoid the horse ****, the calls of 'all trains into London go left' from the police bird sitting on a horse. Running to catch the train or the bus. In short, it just won't be the same.
Agree entirely Kish. The Valley IS Charlton, and after all the torment the fans went through during the exile, and the astonishing efforts to get back to our home, it would quite frankly be a disgrace to their memory if we were to move.
I'm with Kish on this one. I started supporting Charlton as soon as I walked into The Valley in 1975. I was convinced that Mr. Murray was considering selling The Valley to recoup his losses and therefore I saw the take-over as removing this threat, but it doesn't look like it now. As far as I'm concerned Palace or anyone else can move where they like it doesn't bother me and should not affect our decision.
Must admit, i am a tad surprised by the negativity, but also, full of pride of the people who hold The Valley close to their hearts and proud of their heritage. However, it is the people at the top to try to move the club forward financially, but i'm sure the fans views will be listened to - certainly for me, yes, i obviously, like any other fan, have a place in my heart for The Valley, but also want the club to progress, and a new ground with all the benefits that would give, could turn us into Prem League regulars- and , to be honest, i'd rather watch Man U and Spurs every other week than Bury and Rochdale - wouldnt you ?
I would rather watch Utd and Spurs yeah but I can do that from the seat I have sat in for the last 9 years or so - I've watched them from there before and I will again. Can you ever see us having a 40,000 crowd? I know we had in the 40's and 50's and whatever but in todays era we just never would. It's greedy for any director to think otherwise. Arsenal can't even sell out the Emirates.
