The 7 day a week stadium probably points to the Pensiular. He could only build flats and what not at our West Stand, similar to What Ken Bates tried to do at Elland Road.
I went to Belgium once. School trip in c1980 and I took the wider family's only camera.
I dropped it over the side of the ferry on the way over and my Nan, bless her, never mentioned it when I got back.
My (primary) school was pretty handy on the football pitch and we ended up having a game on the beach against a load of older locals. Beat them and got subsequently beaten.
On a lighter note I went out with a girl who hailed from Belgium when I was 16 and she was lovely - spit of the girl from Swing Out Sister.
In search for extra money (let's say 10 years ago) our Commercial Manager wrote a letter to the top-100 richest Belgians. That's how RD got involved in our club in a sponsordeal.
The negative views have come from STVV fans so far. I'd like to hear the views of some Liege fans, just in case there's an upside to all of this.
Some pretty negative views from a Liege fan on the other site which shall not be mentioned...for example, RD took 20M Euro out at the end of last season. (Wonder what he has used that for?!) They were so upset that about 5,000 of them rioted...
The negative views have come from STVV fans so far. I'd like to hear the views of some Liege fans, just in case there's an upside to all of this.
Some pretty negative views from a Liege fan on the other site which shall not be mentioned...for example, RD took 20M Euro out at the end of last season. (Wonder what he has used that for?!) They were so upset that about 5,000 of them rioted...
Right. Oh well, at least we'll get to have a riot. If you're reading this, Two Sheds, you don't want to make us West Standers angry. You wouldn't like us when we're angry.
A Belgium view from another site: Duchatelet "an extensive knowledge of football" ? Best joke of the week. I'm Belgian and Duchatelet knows nothing about soccer, everybody knows that here. Just one example: checking the players' stats he realised that some (the midfielders) ran more than others. He asked the coach why. "Because they play in midfield and defenders and attackers run less than midfielders". "Then, why don't you put those midfielders in defense and attack in the second half, so everybody will run the same kilometres". Another time, he refused to sign a player who couldn't calculate the square root of a number. Also, be warned: he's in football for the money ONLY. Ask the Standard supporters, they assaulted his offices last June after learning he had repaid himself 22M€ from the club's funds. He owns several clubs, directly or via his wife or his son: Standard Liège (Pro League), Sint Truiden (Belgian D2), Carl Zeiss Iéna (German D4), Ujpest Dosza (Hungary) and now Charlton. He could call his firm "the Carrousel". Don't be surprised if you see bizarre signings in the future, players bought but never on the pitch etc. It's all part of the big Carrousel.
The negative views have come from STVV fans so far. I'd like to hear the views of some Liege fans, just in case there's an upside to all of this.
Some pretty negative views from a Liege fan on the other site which shall not be mentioned...for example, RD took 20M Euro out at the end of last season. (Wonder what he has used that for?!) They were so upset that about 5,000 of them rioted...
Right. Oh well, at least we'll get to have a riot. If you're reading this, Two Sheds, you don't want to make us West Standers angry. You wouldn't like us when we're angry.
A Belgium view from another site: Duchatelet "an extensive knowledge of football" ? Best joke of the week. I'm Belgian and Duchatelet knows nothing about soccer, everybody knows that here. Just one example: checking the players' stats he realised that some (the midfielders) ran more than others. He asked the coach why. "Because they play in midfield and defenders and attackers run less than midfielders". "Then, why don't you put those midfielders in defense and attack in the second half, so everybody will run the same kilometres". Another time, he refused to sign a player who couldn't calculate the square root of a number. Also, be warned: he's in football for the money ONLY. Ask the Standard supporters, they assaulted his offices last June after learning he had repaid himself 22M€ from the club's funds. He owns several clubs, directly or via his wife or his son: Standard Liège (Pro League), Sint Truiden (Belgian D2), Carl Zeiss Iéna (German D4), Ujpest Dosza (Hungary) and now Charlton. He could call his firm "the Carrousel". Don't be surprised if you see bizarre signings in the future, players bought but never on the pitch etc. It's all part of the big Carrousel.
Luckily he won't be taking any of our funds because we don't have any.
I don't know what to believe anymore. We will just have to see how things pan out.
Thank you, Dreke373. Your posting is much appreciated. I, like some others, am concerned by what I have read, but take heart from the fact that many of the Charlton Athletic supporters are activists and have a history - a successful one - of standing up for what they believe in. We'll have to wait and see what happens, of course. The chances are that it will not be dull.
It looks as though he likes to be actively involved in transfers, what about team selection? Would he leave our manager alone?
The system in Belgium is most of the times different. In England, you have managers who select the team and do transfers. In Belgium, we have a trainer. He is responsible for training, tactics and team selections. Most of the time they only have a word to say about transfers, but they don't have the final call. That's something for the Technical Director. Duchatelet certainly gets involved in transfers. He also likes to give his opinion in public about players, tactics etc. I'm not sure if he will get involved in team selection at Charlton.
Also, what type of players does he like to loan between clubs? Young players, veterans, or does it depend who is loaning to who?
Difficult one. Most of the time it are you players. So they can get experience in other teams where they have more chance of playing.
Am i right in thinking the problems only arose when he became owner of more than one Belgian club?
No, the problems were there before. He sees himself as a revolutionair. First he put us in giant debt by trusting some people too much, than he wanted to balance the books too soon. With the relegation as a result. He changes his mind on football matters as I change my underwear (Dutch expression).
Would you have any advice as to how fans should approach or interact with Roland? It would be nice to try to head off any problems before they happen, I know we have very little power because we are a rich mans plaything, but is there any chance he might develop a regard, a respect, even a bit of love for Charlton?
His people skills are below zero imho. He doesn't know how to interact with fans. One of his biggest problems is communication. Het might develop some sympathy, but love? No. Charlton is business for him. Just like all his other teams.
The negative views have come from STVV fans so far. I'd like to hear the views of some Liege fans, just in case there's an upside to all of this.
We (STVV fans) are pussies compared to the Standard fans.
Anyone hear the Belgium sports reporter on bbc london just now?
To sum up. Roland is a nice man who knows nothing about football and is a bit of a nutter to boot.
Damn, usually have that on, thanks to my satellite, but not when we dont have a game.
But you know, based on the summary at least, I would just say, what does the average sports reporter understand about football as a business? Most journos here portrayed Newcastle as a giant car crash waiting to happen. And as a result, that was my view too. Got that one wrong, didn't I, even with that prat Pardew in charge. And the point is, he made Standard champions, and got them into UCL, ending years of Anderlecht domination. Some of the more peculiar behaviour ascribed to Duchatelet by our welcome Belgian friends reminds me of Ashley. But both of them are proven businessmen in respectable and competitive fields. It could just be that both have slowly learnt the peculiarities of football as a business. Really good businessmen learn from their mistakes. It may be that Mr D will have a different view now to when he first entered the football arena.
Bit of a muse here but one intriguing facet (for me) of Mr Duchatelet's personal make up is Mathematics.
It has been mentioned here and there that he has asked footballing questions in a kind of mathematical way e.g. number of passes before a failed pass, or which players run the greatest distances in matches, or even quizzing a potential signing on their maths.
It makes sense that he has made money in business, and business related to maths and science. He may even have been applying a mathematical scaffold around his political ventures and ideas. Then there is the economy of scale, or the perceived logical sense of having not only one football club. Within that concept of a group of clubs there may be lurking some kind of mathematical structures.
Not really the same kind of thing as Elton John romantically taking over Watford, or Bill Kenwright at Everton for example.
However it may be that the mathematical education that Mr Duchatelet enjoyed has a heavy influence on his thinking and actions. His kind of logic may not be mainstream.
That isn't to say the mathematical world is a different universe or anything, he would have had to deal with the organic realities as well to get where he has got, rather to say his approach to enterprise, his approach to problems is from a particular perspective.
We all identified the lawyers perspective when thinking about a lot of what Mr Slater said and did.
By the way this is all musing and speculation is based on the flimsiest of information, but it may help us understand how we can communicate, collaborate, and grow together.
Chris Powell may have more chance of influencing Mr Duchatelet by emphasising the logic that counteracts the unpredictability of football, than by charming him with his brilliant smile and warm hug. The business case made out for not getting relegated, sorting the pitch, and strengthening the squad may be a good approach, (which many on Charlton Life have advocated in a lot of excellent detail), and the logical benefit of dealing with presently open minded fans in a constructive way may also be worth emphasising to him.
Is there anybody here steeped in mathematics that thinks there may be something in my speculation, or who may think of ways that may provide an entrée into the approach of Mr Duchatelet?
That's an interesting train of thought, Seth. I certainly think it would be a good idea for us, the fans, to make the first move in trying to open a channel of communication with Mr Duchatelet. How about the Trust extending him a welcome on our behalf, and inviting him to a supporters' meeting so that he could make our acquaintance and we could ask him about his plans for our club. He may respond openly to the hand of friendship. If we show willing, we might be able to prevent the lack of communication that tainted the previous regime.
Comments
I dropped it over the side of the ferry on the way over and my Nan, bless her, never mentioned it when I got back.
My (primary) school was pretty handy on the football pitch and we ended up having a game on the beach against a load of older locals. Beat them and got subsequently beaten.
On a lighter note I went out with a girl who hailed from Belgium when I was 16 and she was lovely - spit of the girl from Swing Out Sister.
Mixed feelings about the place.
Duchatelet "an extensive knowledge of football" ? Best joke of the week. I'm Belgian and Duchatelet knows nothing about soccer, everybody knows that here. Just one example: checking the players' stats he realised that some (the midfielders) ran more than others. He asked the coach why. "Because they play in midfield and defenders and attackers run less than midfielders". "Then, why don't you put those midfielders in defense and attack in the second half, so everybody will run the same kilometres". Another time, he refused to sign a player who couldn't calculate the square root of a number. Also, be warned: he's in football for the money ONLY. Ask the Standard supporters, they assaulted his offices last June after learning he had repaid himself 22M€ from the club's funds. He owns several clubs, directly or via his wife or his son: Standard Liège (Pro League), Sint Truiden (Belgian D2), Carl Zeiss Iéna (German D4), Ujpest Dosza (Hungary) and now Charlton. He could call his firm "the Carrousel". Don't be surprised if you see bizarre signings in the future, players bought but never on the pitch etc. It's all part of the big Carrousel.
I don't know what to believe anymore. We will just have to see how things pan out.
The system in Belgium is most of the times different. In England, you have managers who select the team and do transfers. In Belgium, we have a trainer. He is responsible for training, tactics and team selections. Most of the time they only have a word to say about transfers, but they don't have the final call. That's something for the Technical Director. Duchatelet certainly gets involved in transfers. He also likes to give his opinion in public about players, tactics etc. I'm not sure if he will get involved in team selection at Charlton.
Also, what type of players does he like to loan between clubs? Young players, veterans, or does it depend who is loaning to who?
Difficult one. Most of the time it are you players. So they can get experience in other teams where they have more chance of playing.
Am i right in thinking the problems only arose when he became owner of more than one Belgian club?
No, the problems were there before. He sees himself as a revolutionair. First he put us in giant debt by trusting some people too much, than he wanted to balance the books too soon. With the relegation as a result. He changes his mind on football matters as I change my underwear (Dutch expression).
Would you have any advice as to how fans should approach or interact with Roland? It would be nice to try to head off any problems before they happen, I know we have very little power because we are a rich mans plaything, but is there any chance he might develop a regard, a respect, even a bit of love for Charlton?
His people skills are below zero imho. He doesn't know how to interact with fans. One of his biggest problems is communication. Het might develop some sympathy, but love? No. Charlton is business for him. Just like all his other teams.
The negative views have come from STVV fans so far. I'd like to hear the views of some Liege fans, just in case there's an upside to all of this.
We (STVV fans) are pussies compared to the Standard fans.
Dreke373, chips/fries with ketchup or mayo?
A potless Jimenez has sold us to another Jimenez.
To sum up. Roland is a nice man who knows nothing about football and is a bit of a nutter to boot.
But you know, based on the summary at least, I would just say, what does the average sports reporter understand about football as a business? Most journos here portrayed Newcastle as a giant car crash waiting to happen. And as a result, that was my view too. Got that one wrong, didn't I, even with that prat Pardew in charge. And the point is, he made Standard champions, and got them into UCL, ending years of Anderlecht domination. Some of the more peculiar behaviour ascribed to Duchatelet by our welcome Belgian friends reminds me of Ashley. But both of them are proven businessmen in respectable and competitive fields. It could just be that both have slowly learnt the peculiarities of football as a business. Really good businessmen learn from their mistakes. It may be that Mr D will have a different view now to when he first entered the football arena.
It has been mentioned here and there that he has asked footballing questions in a kind of mathematical way e.g. number of passes before a failed pass, or which players run the greatest distances in matches, or even quizzing a potential signing on their maths.
It makes sense that he has made money in business, and business related to maths and science. He may even have been applying a mathematical scaffold around his political ventures and ideas. Then there is the economy of scale, or the perceived logical sense of having not only one football club. Within that concept of a group of clubs there may be lurking some kind of mathematical structures.
Not really the same kind of thing as Elton John romantically taking over Watford, or Bill Kenwright at Everton for example.
However it may be that the mathematical education that Mr Duchatelet enjoyed has a heavy influence on his thinking and actions. His kind of logic may not be mainstream.
That isn't to say the mathematical world is a different universe or anything, he would have had to deal with the organic realities as well to get where he has got, rather to say his approach to enterprise, his approach to problems is from a particular perspective.
We all identified the lawyers perspective when thinking about a lot of what Mr Slater said and did.
By the way this is all musing and speculation is based on the flimsiest of information, but it may help us understand how we can communicate, collaborate, and grow together.
Chris Powell may have more chance of influencing Mr Duchatelet by emphasising the logic that counteracts the unpredictability of football, than by charming him with his brilliant smile and warm hug.
The business case made out for not getting relegated, sorting the pitch, and strengthening the squad may be a good approach, (which many on Charlton Life have advocated in a lot of excellent detail), and the logical benefit of dealing with presently open minded fans in a constructive way may also be worth emphasising to him.
Is there anybody here steeped in mathematics that thinks there may be something in my speculation, or who may think of ways that may provide an entrée into the approach of Mr Duchatelet?