Was it 2020 ESI got us the embargo? His record before that seems a bit of a curate's egg, with some excellent loans, although Bowyer takes a lot of credit for that.
He must have been remeniscing. I too remember the old days. Languishing in the third tier where 2,000 away fans from one of the bigger clubs would double our attendance for a League Cup game.
I've just watched a video of the changes your owners have made to the valley, and it’s very impressive. They're doing everything they can to make the matchday an experience for the few that still go. The investment behind the scenes, both at the valley and Training ground for you is incredible (and it needed it) .. but before success can happen "on the pitch", you have to get the "off the pitch" stuff right .. and you're getting there . That doesn’t mean to say your SMT have ignored the squad, because they haven't. Your transfer business has been excellent so far and I expect you'll get another 3 or 4 in before the window closes. Nathan Jones has said it's a 4 year project. You're in the first year .. you all want to see improvement on last season but again, for the few fans that are left, the expectation is going overboard again. You can probably get top half as it stands already, but so can 14 other clubs . You need to get behind your team and the owners , and see where this season takes you. If you have to go through another three/four seasons to get the squad you need to not only get promotion but to stay in the championship then so be it.
PS - To be fair, Hawtrey has come out with a few gems this week. EPL loans - he returns to these every year like a favourite pair of favourite darned socks, We can’t expect the owners to lose money funding our hobby - another favourite Let’s watch the first ten games before making an opinion - regular Hawtrey watchers will know it’s always ten games away from anything, Best of all - I am not going to comment “coz” (he’s getting down with the kids on this one) I want to watch the Orient game. Of course, this didn’t stop him posting his repetitive blather every day since.
I believe that was just a rumour that did the round. They were saying on Charlton Live that he was a freebie.
I like the second one best. He'd lose a competition for passionate commitment with nine out of ten stamp collectors
Hawtrey’s best line of the Summer was a classic about how fans should “buy the occasional lounge pass, as well as beverages and merchandise” to help the owners fund a promotion push. Beverages Only Sir John Major, and British Rail in the 1970s, used that term. You can just imagine Charles in the half mile queue for a £7 flat pint at half time. He eventually gets to the front of the queue at 4.35pm, and says “Can I have a beverage please?”
I appreciate what is going on behind the scenes and they are getting the infrastructure right. But football fans are impatient and they want to see progress on the pitch. You mention the few that still go. Attendances are still pretty good considering the **** we have had to endure over the years. I have got a season ticket and will be going to a few away games.
Better brands of football are not always as effective though. I go to some of our U21s games - it's good to see the next generation develop.
