The Rich Cawley Appreciation thread

There’s a couple of things I have long admired about Rich.

1. Regardless of the owner in recent seasons, he has been the one reliable source of CAFC information for the fanbase. Rich is proof that it is possible to support another club (Fulham in his case), and yet still not bull sh1t Charlton fans by making things up.

2. Rich is always willing to engage with our fanbase in private or public. It was interesting to see him point out today to (cough) forum guessers, that football transfers are commercially sensitive transactions, that have to be kept under wraps until the last min.

On a good day for Rich, if not certain other people, he also confirmed that there had been no second bid for Alfie May.

 

I don't understand, the apologists were told by the shelf stacker that there had been a second bid.

 

I am not aware of what you are referring to.

I did learn today that a second bid is the same as offering to meet the value of Alfie May during a private negotiation (which would suggest, if true, that the negotiation wasn’t particularly private).

 

All the speculation about transfers and internal politics at CAFC would be of some value if fans could exert some influence over the outcome.
But of course they cannot.

Egos and agendas among the different fans' forums are largely irrelevant and are for many I think merely a source of frustration. A constant itch that cannot be scratched. Feeling a sense of injustice because of poor stewardship is aggravating enough, and that is made no better by the rumour-mongering and claims to insider knowledge which so often turn out to be groundless.

Join this faction or that faction. Follow this leader or that leader. Fight with each other in the futile struggle to ascend the pecking order. Delude ourselves that anything we can say will make a difference.

I'm willing to believe that Rich Cawley is a decent journalist. I don't look for what he publishes so I am content to take your word @A WUM called Hawtrey that he gets things right more often than some others. I'm not sure anybody currently posting on this forum will present a dissenting view on that.

In the end however I feel that there is only one reliable source of information regarding the happenings at CAFC.
The official website.
I'm talking about events here - things that are done.
Facts.
Not any reasons given as to why things have happened. In that regard the website is purely a propaganda mouthpiece for whoever owns the Club.
Owners can only be judged on the effects of the actions they take.
Last season Charlton finished 16th in League One after the poorest season (by stats) since 1926. I certainly know what I think of that.
The current owners cannot really be judged again until May 2025.

Everything else is a side-show. Enjoyed by some, endured by others.
ITK claims and internal feuding between self-anointed 'players' of a fan base that has suffered badly from nearly a generation of neglect and lies, and is in long term decline.

 

The latest digs aimed at Rich Cawley are that Huddersfield & Charlton aren’t giving him a running commentary on what’s going on.

Charlie is saving ours for more needy folk.

 

There is a zoom meeting for fans on the 27th June. That will be a total waste of time.
I take it that the shelf stacker will not be at the first home game this season.

 

Who is the meeting with fans between ?

 

Mary, Mungo and Midge, I believe, and fans who register via a link.
I'll add more when I scroll through the threads on Charlton Life.

 

Communication is welcome, but I don’t believe a word that mob comes out with .

Selling our best players at the first whiff of money has been a familiar Charlton trait with every owner since the 1970s, and this lot look to be no different.

 

You can never believe a bull*******, and we certainly have two on the board.

 

Once again , Rich Cawley killing pages of mindless speculation with succinct confirmation that the Matt Godden stuff is BS.

 

There is so much false information circulating from certain people and forums.

 

TBF I was told that Charlton had been in touch with Matt Godden back in April - but then I’m sure they test the waters with a lot of players that may be up for grabs

 

Ffs, Ivor has hacked your account, get in touch with the mods.

 

“Listen ear fella” Matt uses a squash club in between Faversham and Sittingbourne, I’ve met him there a couple of times , I can guarantee you Charlton approached him earlier this year-but like I said I’m sure they approach a lot of players

 

Cawley reports that Alfie handed in a transfer request. Unusual these days, most players threaten to down tools. Probably tapped up, said he wants to be nearer his family. Also the prospect of going from POTY and golden boot winner to second choice in a struggling team. And the money at his stage made it a no brainer

 

You called it well

Our very own Mr ITK.

 

What were you doing in a squash club, part time job as a janitor ?

 

Cawley is by far the most accurate purveyor of CAFC information, followed by Dubai Addick when he’s getting a good 4G signal to hear from Charlie Methven.

 

Socialising dear boy - can guarantee Matt will be there a lot more now