It's never been 100% Douche here - so assume that's in reference to elsewhere? I think the concern was always there in reference to a European network - but other clubs within it (like Watford) have progressed as clubs. Not as much as they would have hoped, I'm sure, but I'd take their position any day of the week. Our owner is just far too pig headed. And our Chairwoman too inexperienced. I wonder if she will be so quick to take another BBC news interview again.
Hi all, the meeting will be Woolwich Grand Theatre (the old ABC, Flamingos, etc) at 7.30pm on Wednesday 18th February. http://www.castrust.org/2015/02/public-meeting-woolwich-grand-theatre-wed-18th-feb-7-30pm/
After last night's game I was trying to imagine what 'proposals' could be put to the meeting and how the desire to demand change might be channelled. I can think of four options. 1. The Diplomatic Option Use the strength of feeling expressed at the meeting to redouble efforts to seek a formal dialogue between the Supporters Trust and the ownership/management in order to thrash out concerns and to seek a way to co-operate in pursuit of the long-term interests of CAFC. 2. The Protest Option Banners, chants and other visible protests at every home match supported by a high-profile media campaign involving social, regional and national outlets (although we will first need to determine what we are protesting about - is it specific club policies, sub-standard players or Belgian ownership?). 3. The Sanctions Option Not renewing season tickets, buying tkts on a match-by-match basis, refusal to buy programmes/merchandise, taking your own flask of Bovril and cheese-and-pickle roll rather than buying from the club's catering outlets. 4. The Nuclear Option A total boycott of The Valley and all home matches until the current owner sells the club. I think we can probably discount (4) from the outset. Some will drift away naturally due to poor performances. But 90 per cent of CAFC supporters love the club too much to stop attending altogether. My guess is that a formal boycott of all home games would be largely restricted to a couple of rabble-rousing blowhards on Into The Valley, who only attend a couple of home games per season, anyway. But the mood of opinion on this can certainly be tested at the meeting. I reckon (3) could have a limited effect on club revenues, but as it is a matter for individual conscience rather than group instruction, the effect would not be sufficient to impact seriously on the 10th richest man in Belgium. And any limited reduction in cash flows achieved would probably result in even less money being spent on bringing in suitable players. That leaves us with (1) and (2) and the impact of these is difficult to assess. The diplomatic option (1) may be dismissed out of hand by the owner but it is the duty of the Supporters Trust to continue trying to open up a dialogue. The owner may take no notice of (2), either. But providing there is agreement on what it is we are protesting about, option (2) offers promising scope for action. My personal view is that it probably needs the Supporters Trust to pursue (1) - and the emergernce of a different group to organise (2) , for the simple reason that if the Trust is the body organising (2) , then ownership and management are gifted an automatic excuse to reject (1). Meanwhile, options (3) and (4) remain matters for personal decision-making but if subject to group instruction would prove ineffective and result in marginalisation. The realistic and realisable options are, I suspect, very limited. God luck to the Trust in trying to find a way forward.
There is a 5 of course. Let the masses behave as they want! I have been involved in loads of demonstrations over the years and the best ones are always the unplanned - they tend to be most effective.
I would advise Rik to have a look at the video currently posted on You Tube of Liege fans storming RDs office - with him in it. The reaction of Douche is of a man who really does not give a monkeys. He smirks. And this after abuse from the fans of the Club he actually loves. He will not give a tinker's cuss what 250 Charlton fans 'all the way over in London' say about him.
Typical is right. I was one of those who protested against ****Head Pardew after the 5-2 home defeat to Sheff United. I remember Lord Lucan Murray peering out at us nervously. Pardew was gone the same night. We saw spontaneous anger against Luzon at half time last night, lets make sure we see it again on Saturday What Kent & Rik are advocating it trying to appease a dictator, a bit like the Useful Idiots did in WW2. Remember Lord Haw Haw ?
I saw it, and didn't even think he was smirking, just completely expressionless, no response at all, which makes you wonder what sort of person we have here? Not a man with normal human responses.
I'll be looking for the guy in the white suit with the single rose (SuperC). I'll be the portly chap with the red woolly hat that says "Scandinavian Explorer" on it.
and you think that's going to narrow things down how exactly?...... perhaps you could be the one holding a cup of Bovril
Looking forward to hearing how super and FHB took on the ittv crew and whipped their ass. Update ASAP please.
From looking at the pictures I thought it was the cinema showing 50 shades of grey. Disappointed that the youngsters are not taken by the trust - or the cause.
You're right there Typical. Someone did mention trying to get more youngsters involved. I class myself as such being 34 but with the looks of of a 27 year old.
The trouble is the trust looks and behaves like a union. Nobody wants to deal with Arthur Scargill or Bob Crowe types. What appeal has that got for the youngsters? It also makes us unsellable.
Around 400 were in attendance. Lasted about 2 hours from start to finish. Best two speeches in my opinion came from Rick Everitt and Steve Dixon. You'll find quotes on both of these on Twitter. A show of hands suggested that action should be taken now - which is likely to be (again) seeking dialogue with the club but within a set timeframe and failing that or not liking the answers received, then an attempt to get the owner to sell up. I expect the CAST statement tomorrow will pretty much echo what I have summarised here. Comedy moment of the night - the rather unfortunate Seb Lewis stood a bit too close to an electric heater in a puffa jacket. Luckily for him and just as his coat was about to burst into flames, some kind soul pushed him away from danger. No injury and no real coat damage, just some slightly charred threads I imagine.
