I am now going to do something that I never thought I would ever do - post a message on a supporters' website forum! However I want to take this opportunity to thank the Charlton Life members for their kind words and all the other Charlton fans who have taken the trouble to e-mail me and to call me since the news of my departure became known. That said, as Ben Hayes knows you haven't always been my most favourite people and I wanted to punch your collective lights out last year when you rubbished my JD Sports deal and Joma's new kit design! However, I have always understood that we are all driven by the same motivation; the success of this great football club.
It is obviously a great wrench to be leaving a club that I have supported all my life and which I have served professionally in two spells since 1988 when I was based in a portakabin at Selhurst Park. I am sad to be leaving in such disppointing circumstances but when you sign up to work for a football club you know that your success is ultimately linked to the success of the 11 people on the green bit - oh and a bloke in the dug-out!
I was asked recently what my personal highlights have been during my two spells at the club and to be honest there have been too many to list. That said, I am particularly proud of the creation of Valley Gold, my radio show 'Charlton Chat', the Valley clean-up day, that memorable night at Woolwich Town Hall (can you name the top table on stage that evening?), then later the North Stand Patrons' scheme which Peter Varney and I first discussed on a CAFC Veterans' Tour to Spain, the 'Turning the Tables' TV documentary when I joined Plymouth for a week, the Llanera deal, the biggest in the club's history and my personal favourite, the erection of the Sam Bartram statue on the club's 100th birthday.
I intend to stay involved with the club via my work as chairman of several CAFC Community Trust projects including the 'Street Violence Ruins Lives' project which I am intensely proud of and I hope to help the club with some commercial projects over the coming weeks.
The important thing now is for all true Charlton fans to get behind the club to help it to get back back to where it should be. I am convinced that the club has a bright future and who knows, if Eddie Firmani and Chris Powell can come back three times then there's hope for me yet!
Best wishes
Steve Sutherland
1
Comments
Paul.
Thanks for coming on and posting Steve and best of luck.
Seriously though, thanks for everything. It's a sad way to (temporarily?) end your service to CAFC, but focus on all the positives you've achieved over the years and the ones you can continue to influence with the Trust initiatives.
But not moaning about the PA Announcer eh?
Steve, it's been an absolute pleasure working with you and can I publicly thank you for all your support over the years.
Looking forward to that pint or 5 (first round is on me!)
Or moaning about the amount of time it takes to get a beer at half time!
Good luck
Good luck Steve - hope to see you back in some capacity soon
Danny
I'm sure we'll be hearing from and about Suthers again soon.
In bocca al lupo!
Another shit day for Charlton.
You love him like a donkey ??
Thanks for taking the time Steve, hope things all work out.
Good luck Steve, with all the hard work you've put in over the years I'm sure you'll find a new job no problem
I know that if you cut yourself, you bleed 'Charlton', so let's hope that something positive will come from this negative situation. All the best, old friend.
Clive R
Good luck, see you at Bluewater sometime.