I can’t take the strain of moderating this site all on my own, and I plan to appoint a couple of Deputy Mods in due course. There is a wealth of talent to choose from, which thankfully rules out @baraettmattesvensson @lardiman - you will be considered as a Deputy, but only if you can go 48 hours without flip flopping we all know you will be wearing your St George’s flag thong on Weds night.
Yet unless this other alleged consortium materialises the choice is between the Aussie and Roland again. Our situation is precarious and we're in the dark. The bank which is witholding the S/T money seems to think so anyway.
The minutes from the Fans Forum meeting state that the Aussies may be consulted on new signings, but it’s still not clear who if anyone is financing them. Weasel words is all we get ...”Bowyer has a budget”. We have an owner hellbent on cutting costs before he departs - not even the kids Rice Krispies are safe - and a buyer who has spent 15 months trying to find the money. So who is paying for new players?
The Aussies could have walked in to Charlton on a tidal wave of euphoria and goodwill from our fans. Aside from a few sycophants who have gushingly welcomed every new Charlton owner, all of that goodwill has been sqauandered
Personally I think that is harsh, but there is a lot of truth in it. How much of the criticism of the Australian Consortium is justified, and how much is because of a campaign against them by individuals who have decided to oppose them by any means available, I cannot say. The huge criticism and widespread dislike of Roland Duchatelet is based on the consequences of his attitude and policies since 2014 - real consequences that are there for everybody to see (even those who choose to overlook them). The negativity which has grown up surrounding the Australian Consortium is based on ... nothing very concrete as far as I can tell. A lot of forum talk and rumours and stuff from ITK posters. When the interest of the Australians was first announced over a year ago, it was widely ridiculed on ITTV. Why that should have been is for people to decide for themelves. But the negative slant towards this potential new owner has continued there ever since. Perhaps a lot of negative comment repeated enough times will begin to gain credibility for its persistence alone, despite there being little or no evidence to support it. If the take-over is now viewed with disinterest or pessimism / cynicism by a large proportion of Charlton fans that is a matter of great regret as far as I am concerned. Those who have always wanted it to fail will be feeling pretty pleased with themselves.
Speaking to a Sunderland fan yesterday, he was very appreciative of the fact that his club are now debt-free, thanks to Elliott Short writing off the debt when he sold up. If only we had an owner like that, but we have an owner who will not take his foot off the throat of our club. There seems to have been plenty of interested parties over the last year, but they have all walked away except the Aussies and possibly the mystery consortium. The only explanation must be that Roland is determined to get back the money he has squandered by demanding an unrealistic price. If the takeover does fall through it will be Roland to blame, although the Aussies are culpable for raising false hopes.
I’ve got nothing relevant or interesting to add on the takeover, I just enjoy posting & having people hang on to my posts.
I can't believe that nobody has a scooby do about the other bid. Nothing leaked out anywhere, other than rumour and counter rumour. Tightest NDA I've ever seen - I reckon they're Russian and anyone that even hints at gossiping about it, gets a visit from Doctor Novichok.
You will have seen the rumour elsewhere that the “British bidder” is in fact a balding, under funded Wolves supporter...willing to lease the Valley & training ground back from RD.
