Whether you decided to attend the Valley yesterday, or watch live on Sky, it was clear for all to see that the crowd could not have been higher than 11,000 (and that's being generous). The pre-match atmosphere was muted, despite the local pubs doing their best by opening at 10am on a Sunday to ensure they got their match day revenue. The atmosphere after was nothing like Hull, where we scored in the 98th minute to win the game. That goal from JBG masked the cracks, and talk of possible promotion was horribly inaccurate, as we would find out in the 6 games since (2 points from a possible 18). Unsurprisingly, social media was more unforgiving than the fans leaving the Valley and pitching up in the pub for Super Sunday. On the whole, those who decided not to attend seem to have the mentality that they were rather glad. This isn't a knock, more a concern that long term attendees are being put off. Myself, I'm struggling to find that motivation. Even during our second season in League One between Parky's brand of hoof ball, to CP's failed experiment of trying to get a side a side of misfits playing on the deck, I didn't feel this jaded. In some quarters it was as if they were boasting that they didn't bother attending. This is a huge concern. Unsurprisingly, a story is published today where KM talks about new recruits. Despite previously stating we were over budget. I think the trust is long gone between the management and fans (I'm careful to not say it's between club and fans). The addition of 2-3 Championship standard players won't get a large proportion of those fans back, as the season will more than likely be over for us by then. More concerning, not going out and finding 2-3 players of Championship standard will see the attendances decline further. I believe we sold circa 10,500 season tickets. We have now reached the point where attendances are lower than that, with match day tickets also taken in to consideration.
To be fair, it's a long time since there was a lot of trust between fans and management, what with Murray and Varney's attempts to move Charlton out of the Valley into Kent somewhere. The difference this time is that Katrien keeps telling us what she thinks we want to hear, and expects plaudits for it. When she talks about January signings no-one expects anything other than rejects whom nobody else wants. And if our own Sir Alex gets sacked I really don't care much because he'll only shuffle the Eur0pack, and things will carry on as before. Changing the monkey and keeping the same organ grinder in other words. I wanted Jacko back, but I don't expect him to be Roy of the Rovers every week. He gave us a glimpse of proper Charlton, but he's a footballer, not a magician.
My time frame might be off, but didn't TJ and Slater have 18-24 months when they have the full support of the fans? The final 6 months were grim but there was a definite feel good factor surrounding the club for a large part of their tenure.
It's the owners lack of ambition that is killing my interest. Meire let it slip in her disastrous pigeon English interview last week - the owner likes developing young players and selling them. We are into Season 3 of this ghastly Frankenstein-like experiment, and each year has been exactly the same - - sign sh1t foreign players - good start followed by a slump - sack a stooge and employ another one - tell lies to cover up incompetence - more sh1t/ panic signings to scrape survival Meanwhile, crowds drop further & the whole thing is repeated again. The gaps in the North Upper yesterday were the worst I have ever seen. Does Meire wonder why?
For me personally, I will not be renewing my season ticket next year, and will not again under this mob.
You can ask nicely a few days in advance, and you might be seated near the directors on match day. Now that I think of it, that happened to me many moons ago (first day victory against Swansea). They'll probably remain unused now
I wish Roger Alwen could win the Euro millions, step back in, and buy the cockroaches out. There you had not only an absolute English gentleman - if you phoned the Club he would take your call personally (I know, I did it regularly...), he is also the most passionate and committed true Charlton fan who put his family wotsits on the line back in the 90s when it really mattered. Mike Norris runs Roger a close second in that regard. I exchanged robust views with Mike at the Valley Club back in the 80s after we left, but you could never doubt the man's integrity or love of CAFC. How we could do with a Roger Alwen now.
A couple of good wins, fluked or not, in the last two games and you will be all falling over yourselves to buy your next season ticket. Reading the posts here show how fickle the fans are. The only ones who have been consistent are Vol and myself, but in Vol's case it is not a considered view, it is hard-wired into his nature. If we signed Ronaldo and Messi and won the European Cup with a full stadium every week he would still find plenty to moan about. I feel sorry for Jackson. When posters have assessed our playing staff, I noticed Jackson was often omitted, as if he had already retired. Now this semi-cripple is supposed to inspire the team. Maybe for 15 minutes for a game or two, before he is off injured for another two months.
I can't agree with that. I am more than consistent with my views: we are either ****e or not ****e. A polarised view, yes, but one that has held me in good stead for many years. The only way I will return is if RD opens his wallet and shows some ambition with regards to the senior playing staff. BTW, Eddie, how often do you get back to Blighty for the Charlton matches?
Bold statement. I'll bite. And what have your consistencies been in? I don't think many of us have backed the board from near enough day one. If it's in regards to Luzon - well I purposely didn't mention him in the OP as I don't think he's the problem.
Good OP, Super. One comment on the OP. Parky tried to play good direct football, exemplified by a through ball that Dave Mooney did once. A general observation on the whole TJ/MS ownership. The man on the street didn't even know their names and didn't have a ****ing clue of their agenda not if they even had one; only what was happening on e pitch which was largely enjoyable. That was a good thing. That's why I liked them. Had I not been on this forum then I wouldn't of even remembered their names. It is undeniable too that the constant player turnover kills the connection that a fan can have with their team. I still love going to Home games and I'm still obsessed with Charlton. But a lot of that is to do with the continuing match day experience as opposed to a desire to see Charlton prosper; that desire has been extinguished slightly by the reality of our situation. The one thing that I still would love to know more about is what this fit and proper person test actually comprises; surely the FA wouldn't allow an owner to whore out a football club like ours is being and like others (Leeds, Watford etc) have been?
From my understanding re fit and proper tests, they've had to change the questions/criteria several times. Several owners have come to power only for them to be deemed "unfit". It's a load of rubbish. A bunch of trial and error.
Now now B & M, don't be naughty Where the Belgium Bums are concerned, I think just about all of the Regulars on here have been entirely consistent in their opposition. Long term fans like AHLL, DP & SIG have stopped going as a result. Even FHB has stopped reading our match reports in his daily copy of the Morning Star. Don was even given a life ban from the Global Moderator on ITTV for his anti Douche stand. I plead guilty to believing that foreign ownership of English football clubs is a disaster. I would not be sad to see us relegated to League One. Only kicking RD in the wallet will force him out.
