A whopping 72% of Charlton fans said that Burnley was their final game on Saturday - these figures are backed up by numerous Tweets and posts from other fans saying the same thing. Even allowing for a margin of error, that puts us on course for crowds between 6,000-7,000 next season. Looking at Upper West on Saturday - no more than 25% full, and the sparsely populated East...is there justification in closing a Stand or at least a tier next season?
The Under-18's final tonight will be mine. The Valley will look pitiful with these tiny crowds, Those who go will have to listen to "Your ground's too big for you" over and over again. Even Big Dave might be embarrassed as he tries to whip up the excitement of 4000 fans Vs Shrewsbury on a cold wet night. Especially since those who are not renewing are the ones who generate the noise and passion. If Roland continues to dig his heels in and is prepared to run Charlton into the ground, aided and abetted by The Liar and Judas, at some point next season I expect there will be increasing speculation about AFC Charlton.
I'm not purchasing a season ticket, definitely not. Playing devils advocate - will people return if Wilder is signed, plus a series of British players?
If Roland abandoned his philosophy, appointed a proper CEO, and allowed Charlton to run as a normal football club independent of any Belgian influence I'd be amazed, but would have to think again. That leopard ain't gonna change its spots though.
Agree with the final point completely. The future of KM is my pressing point, a good summer would be her leaving. She's tried to put a brave face on things, saving face as it were, but no job (though deserved) is worth that.
TalkSport reporting that Chris Wilder is in Belgium today having talks with Duchatelet, and compensation has been agreed with Northampton. Wilder must be bonkers, unless he has got explicit written guarantees. An underwhelming appointment to say the least - Northampton FFS - also a pointless appointment unless two people are dramatically changing their ways
A niggling worry for me is if he stays and we flounder will Duchatelet eventually see a relocation to North Greenwich as a way of recovering money/increasing the value of his asset? If the original intention to create value was either a) Premier League or b) selling youngsters then what will be his plan C?
If Varney were ever to get back in the charlton fold then that move would happen. I imagine it's at the back of Roland's mind, as it would any owner to be fair. Smaller attendances could force the issue if he thinks it's not worth the capital upkeep, but a move like that takes years (unless a ground share), and would remove his trump card in negotiating a sale.
i've not renewed yet, and i wont until roland has gone. so that's 2 adults and 2 sprogs i wont be paying for. interesting though, on saturday as i parked up at half 10 someone gave me advice on where i was parking. as i moved and then got out and walked up to the protest i asked if he was going to the sit down protest. he said he didnt agree with it all and we should let roland get on with it; "it's his money, how would you feel if someone told you what to do with your money?". good point, but i cant believe there are people left onside. last i heard, there were 3500 renewals. i'm disappointed that so many have renewed. but saying that, if people are going to renew they'd do it as soon as tickets are released on sale so the uptake will now slow drastically. i can see about 4500 being the final number and then another 1000-1500 on match days. still far too high for my liking, but at least 10000 down on this years "stats". anyone dare say it's due to relegation could quite easily point out the last L1 ST stats as a comparison.
I didn't want to sit down, because I was wearing Calvin Klein, grey faded skinny jeans plus my Bass suede Chelsea boots, and did not want to get either of them dirty. My meeting ended earlier than I initially thought. It was funny though, I didn't get searched getting into the stadium, think the steward took one look at me and was thinking, if this bloke was smuggling in anything, with skinny jeans and a slim t-shirt, it would have stuck out like a sore thumb. Needless to say that's enough about my fashion statement.... I went by to the statue and left my season ticket there. I've had an email from Harliquins about getting a season ticket with them, given the amount of games I've been too. I'm heavily contemplating doing that instead, until Wanderers have built their new stadium. After yesterday I've had just about enough of The Valley and these people. What tipped it over the edge was the heavy handed stewarding. It was completely unnecessary to manhandle the pitch invader, he'd given up, tackling him to the ground and twisting his arm behind his back was out of order, when he'd happily have walked off. Then the big crush at the NW Quadrant, when Burnely fans stormed the pitch. The amount of times from my seat I witnessed stewards trying to trip over young fans, was utterly disgusting. I feel that I should write a letter of concern. Then finding out that our CEO and Non-Executive Chairman couldn't even be bothered to return for the second half to watch the **** that they have served up to us all season was both disrespectful to not only the Burnley chairmen, who visited, but to the fans themselves. Unprofessional behaviour, from unprofessional people; what do you expect really? Even if Duchâtelet signs a British manager, and a long list of excellent players, I feel that there is nothing else that can be done to reconcile the relationship with the fans. It's like when your girlfriend cheats on you, but says "I'll never do it again because I love you...." Some people fall for that line, but most will be "OH HELLLLLL NO! YOU. YOU CAN **** RIGHT OFF!"
Exactly. Why doesn't Roland just admit he's made a mistake and get out? Owners like him, The Oystons, Mike Ashley, Cellino are a bad stench in our clubs. He's gone too far, the fans will behave like customers from now on, and after 2+ years of lies and destruction they won't hand their money over to the madman. Mind you, if he told us exactly why it is that he's such a c**t we'd all listen.
Glad it's not the 'Beauty Queen Killer' we may be appointing.... Perhaps Wilder is considered the late blooming version of Eddie Howe, about to pass on his Midas touch to Charlton. Gotta say i like his record, with smaller clubs. It just doesnt make sense to contracts someone like him who seems to know what he is doing. RD and Mare don't need such ability in this position given the penchant for 'no control' manager types.
