Welcome Dreke373 - can't believe we had another 372 members on here with that name! :-)
In Belgium, each clubs gets a 'stamnummer' when they start. STVV's number is 373.
What is a stamnummer ?
When you start a football club, you need to register at the Football Association. Nothing strange here, I guess. In Belgium, you get a number when you register. Antwerp FC is the oldest team in the country, so they have stamnummer 1.
This might look a bit strange. But it isn't: - your level is linked with the stamnummer - a low number shows history and tradition - when 2 clubs merge, they have to chose one of both stamnummers, the other number will be deleted - trophies are linked to the stamnummer - you can change locations (MK Dons anyone?), names (Hull anyone?) or colours (Cardiff anyone?) but never your stamnummer
Welcome Dreke373 - can't believe we had another 372 members on here with that name! :-)
In Belgium, each clubs gets a 'stamnummer' when they start. STVV's number is 373.
What is a stamnummer ?
When you start a football club, you need to register at the Football Association. Nothing strange here, I guess. In Belgium, you get a number when you register. Antwerp FC is the oldest team in the country, so they have stamnummer 1.
This might look a bit strange. But it isn't: - your level is linked with the stamnummer - a low number shows history and tradition - when 2 clubs merge, they have to chose one of both stamnummers, the other number will be deleted - trophies are linked to the stamnummer - you can change locations (MK Dons anyone?), names (Hull anyone?) or colours (Cardiff anyone?) but never your stamnummer
Yep, sounds like the Belgium I lived in, friggin glad to be home
I'm a fan of one of Roland Duchatelet's teams: K Sint-Truidense VV.
STVV is a club that played for years in the Belgian top flight. 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. As years went by RD became the president of our club. He managed to buy the football ground and the grounds around it. A few years ago he built a new stand with shops, offices, a hotel etc. The year of the construction we were relegated but got promoted after one year in the second division. Our goalkeeper that year was Simon Mignolet. Yep, now at Liverpool FC.
He took over Ujpest in Hungaria. His son Roderick is president over there.
When Standard Liège was for sale, he jumped on that wagon. Since you can not own two teams in one flight, he "gave" STVV to his wife Marieke Hofte. We got relegated due to a lack of investment and now still play in the second division. A new stand is being built at the moment. Google on "Stayen".
He took over another second division team (Tubize) and a few weeks ago Jena as you all know.
To round up. He owns (or is involved in): - Standard de Liège - Sint-Truiden VV - Tubize AFC - Carl Zeiss Jena - Ujpest FC
That is a brief (and incomplete) round up of his history in football.
What I think you all should know: - He bought the grounds around Staaien for peanuts from the city council. He's transforming the ground into something multifunctional. The benefits go straight into his pockets. No bennefit for the club. - After huge protest against him in Liège, he announced he would put the club up for sale. Nothing happened since. Of course the results of Standard (first in the league) helps him with that. - Between Sint-Truiden, Tubize and Standard players switch very often. It's no exception when there are 4 to 5 five players on loan from Standard at Sint-Truiden. None are of real added value. - The president of STVV is a close friend and businesspartner of Duchatelet.
What I want to warn you for: - Charlton will be just one link in his football club imperium. - Duchatelet is often seen as an idiot in football matters. But no one can deny he is a genious in businesses. - At first, we were delighted to see him arrive at our club. 10 years later, he is the worst thing that could have happened to us. We don't own our own ground any more (it's like a bird locked up in a golden cage), we got relegated to second devision thanks to his policy and now he still has his shadow hanging over us. I honestly believe he wants us to stay there because that's better for him. - He got me that far that I am doubting to buy a season ticket in the future. I'm disgusted by him and his accomplices who don't fear lieing straight in the fans' faces at supporters meetings.
What I would like to know from you: - Are there any plans for a new ground at Charlton? Because that's what is importent for him in Sint-Truiden and Liège. I can not speak for Ujpest, Zena and Tubize.
A fiew last remarks: - I have the feeling that the bigger part of the Sint-Truiden fans have the same view as me. Altough I'm not sure. But there are also people who believe he has saved our club. - This is only a very brief round up. It is far more complicated than this. So if you have questions, just ask them. I'll try to visit your forum on a regular basis. - Maybe he brings you back to the Premier League, maybe he destroys you completely. No one knows. Maybe we will see Charlton players in Sint-Truiden, Zena, Liège and Tubize. Or the other way around. No one knows. - With this post, I only want to prevent you guys from (potentially) misplaced euforia. - I did my best to express myself in English. That's what we do. :-) Please don't botter on general remarks about Belgians like the ones in a post in this treath. They are short-sighted.
Bump, thanks for this post Dreke. Honestly I can feel for you as a supporter of your club, there are links with our team. It feels like even when and if you are doing well, there is stuff holding you back from progressing. Players out on loan, etc.
I'm a fan of one of Roland Duchatelet's teams: K Sint-Truidense VV.
STVV is a club that played for years in the Belgian top flight. 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. As years went by RD became the president of our club. He managed to buy the football ground and the grounds around it. A few years ago he built a new stand with shops, offices, a hotel etc. The year of the construction we were relegated but got promoted after one year in the second division. Our goalkeeper that year was Simon Mignolet. Yep, now at Liverpool FC.
He took over Ujpest in Hungaria. His son Roderick is president over there.
When Standard Liège was for sale, he jumped on that wagon. Since you can not own two teams in one flight, he "gave" STVV to his wife Marieke Hofte. We got relegated due to a lack of investment and now still play in the second division. A new stand is being built at the moment. Google on "Stayen".
He took over another second division team (Tubize) and a few weeks ago Jena as you all know.
To round up. He owns (or is involved in): - Standard de Liège - Sint-Truiden VV - Tubize AFC - Carl Zeiss Jena - Ujpest FC
That is a brief (and incomplete) round up of his history in football.
What I think you all should know: - He bought the grounds around Staaien for peanuts from the city council. He's transforming the ground into something multifunctional. The benefits go straight into his pockets. No bennefit for the club. - After huge protest against him in Liège, he announced he would put the club up for sale. Nothing happened since. Of course the results of Standard (first in the league) helps him with that. - Between Sint-Truiden, Tubize and Standard players switch very often. It's no exception when there are 4 to 5 five players on loan from Standard at Sint-Truiden. None are of real added value. - The president of STVV is a close friend and businesspartner of Duchatelet.
What I want to warn you for: - Charlton will be just one link in his football club imperium. - Duchatelet is often seen as an idiot in football matters. But no one can deny he is a genious in businesses. - At first, we were delighted to see him arrive at our club. 10 years later, he is the worst thing that could have happened to us. We don't own our own ground any more (it's like a bird locked up in a golden cage), we got relegated to second devision thanks to his policy and now he still has his shadow hanging over us. I honestly believe he wants us to stay there because that's better for him. - He got me that far that I am doubting to buy a season ticket in the future. I'm disgusted by him and his accomplices who don't fear lieing straight in the fans' faces at supporters meetings.
What I would like to know from you: - Are there any plans for a new ground at Charlton? Because that's what is importent for him in Sint-Truiden and Liège. I can not speak for Ujpest, Zena and Tubize.
A fiew last remarks: - I have the feeling that the bigger part of the Sint-Truiden fans have the same view as me. Altough I'm not sure. But there are also people who believe he has saved our club. - This is only a very brief round up. It is far more complicated than this. So if you have questions, just ask them. I'll try to visit your forum on a regular basis. - Maybe he brings you back to the Premier League, maybe he destroys you completely. No one knows. Maybe we will see Charlton players in Sint-Truiden, Zena, Liège and Tubize. Or the other way around. No one knows. - With this post, I only want to prevent you guys from (potentially) misplaced euforia. - I did my best to express myself in English. That's what we do. :-) Please don't botter on general remarks about Belgians like the ones in a post in this treath. They are short-sighted.
Bump, thanks for this post Dreke. Honestly I can feel for you as a supporter of your club, there are links with our team. It feels like even when and if you are doing well, there is stuff holding you back from progressing. Players out on loan, etc.
How can any Charlton fan not be deeply concerned by that!
I'm a fan of one of Roland Duchatelet's teams: K Sint-Truidense VV.
STVV is a club that played for years in the Belgian top flight. 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. As years went by RD became the president of our club. He managed to buy the football ground and the grounds around it. A few years ago he built a new stand with shops, offices, a hotel etc. The year of the construction we were relegated but got promoted after one year in the second division. Our goalkeeper that year was Simon Mignolet. Yep, now at Liverpool FC.
He took over Ujpest in Hungaria. His son Roderick is president over there.
When Standard Liège was for sale, he jumped on that wagon. Since you can not own two teams in one flight, he "gave" STVV to his wife Marieke Hofte. We got relegated due to a lack of investment and now still play in the second division. A new stand is being built at the moment. Google on "Stayen".
He took over another second division team (Tubize) and a few weeks ago Jena as you all know.
To round up. He owns (or is involved in): - Standard de Liège - Sint-Truiden VV - Tubize AFC - Carl Zeiss Jena - Ujpest FC
That is a brief (and incomplete) round up of his history in football.
What I think you all should know: - He bought the grounds around Staaien for peanuts from the city council. He's transforming the ground into something multifunctional. The benefits go straight into his pockets. No bennefit for the club. - After huge protest against him in Liège, he announced he would put the club up for sale. Nothing happened since. Of course the results of Standard (first in the league) helps him with that. - Between Sint-Truiden, Tubize and Standard players switch very often. It's no exception when there are 4 to 5 five players on loan from Standard at Sint-Truiden. None are of real added value. - The president of STVV is a close friend and businesspartner of Duchatelet.
What I want to warn you for: - Charlton will be just one link in his football club imperium. - Duchatelet is often seen as an idiot in football matters. But no one can deny he is a genious in businesses. - At first, we were delighted to see him arrive at our club. 10 years later, he is the worst thing that could have happened to us. We don't own our own ground any more (it's like a bird locked up in a golden cage), we got relegated to second devision thanks to his policy and now he still has his shadow hanging over us. I honestly believe he wants us to stay there because that's better for him. - He got me that far that I am doubting to buy a season ticket in the future. I'm disgusted by him and his accomplices who don't fear lieing straight in the fans' faces at supporters meetings.
What I would like to know from you: - Are there any plans for a new ground at Charlton? Because that's what is importent for him in Sint-Truiden and Liège. I can not speak for Ujpest, Zena and Tubize.
A fiew last remarks: - I have the feeling that the bigger part of the Sint-Truiden fans have the same view as me. Altough I'm not sure. But there are also people who believe he has saved our club. - This is only a very brief round up. It is far more complicated than this. So if you have questions, just ask them. I'll try to visit your forum on a regular basis. - Maybe he brings you back to the Premier League, maybe he destroys you completely. No one knows. Maybe we will see Charlton players in Sint-Truiden, Zena, Liège and Tubize. Or the other way around. No one knows. - With this post, I only want to prevent you guys from (potentially) misplaced euforia. - I did my best to express myself in English. That's what we do. :-) Please don't botter on general remarks about Belgians like the ones in a post in this treath. They are short-sighted.
Bump, thanks for this post Dreke. Honestly I can feel for you as a supporter of your club, there are links with our team. It feels like even when and if you are doing well, there is stuff holding you back from progressing. Players out on loan, etc.
How can any Charlton fan not be deeply concerned by that!
Indeed. Horrifying stuff. I've read a few posts on here, since Duchatelet took over, suggesting that if we get promoted to the Premier League then we'll become his priority and it'll be us sending our youngsters and cast-offs on loan to Liege rather vice versa. I am not happy with any of this.
At worst he'll happily let us rot if it's in the interests of his wider empire, as he has done with Sint-Truiden, a club which appears to be comparable to ours in terms of its stature in the Belgian league. At best, we'll be flying in the Premier League as his priority project, with the growth and well-being of other clubs being stifled for the wider benefit of the Duchatelet empire. That is all wrong.
The thing that strikes me most with Dreke373's post, is that 10 years on, they are still none the wiser.
They still feel like we do now !
So I've come to the conclusion, that it is what it is and there's little further to understand.
We're not rich, we're not likely to go bust.
We'll get plenty of players in from the other "group" clubs, as he feels there is no point paying again for other players, from outside the "group", when you already have some in the "group".
We'll rise or fall on our own merits as we always have done.
Anyone that feels otherwise without distinct lack of proof is bonkers CE. The evidence is stacking up, lie upon lie, mistake upon mistake. Comparing us in any way to SL is completely non-proof.. they are ahead of us in the pecking order (countless quotes I have quoted time upon time, seth speaking to our now assistant manager and him stating this). And the fact we need to be in Prem to even be looked into regarding matching them/being ahead of them, we can't get to that stage.. STVV is proof of that. And in England it takes a lot more effort and money put in to reach the top tier, it's a relentless league system in UK.
No one seems to be disagreeing any more, why not react when it's too late.. when we have no creditable club left.
I'm a fan of one of Roland Duchatelet's teams: K Sint-Truidense VV.
STVV is a club that played for years in the Belgian top flight. 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. As years went by RD became the president of our club. He managed to buy the football ground and the grounds around it. A few years ago he built a new stand with shops, offices, a hotel etc. The year of the construction we were relegated but got promoted after one year in the second division. Our goalkeeper that year was Simon Mignolet. Yep, now at Liverpool FC.
He took over Ujpest in Hungaria. His son Roderick is president over there.
When Standard Liège was for sale, he jumped on that wagon. Since you can not own two teams in one flight, he "gave" STVV to his wife Marieke Hofte. We got relegated due to a lack of investment and now still play in the second division. A new stand is being built at the moment. Google on "Stayen".
He took over another second division team (Tubize) and a few weeks ago Jena as you all know.
To round up. He owns (or is involved in): - Standard de Liège - Sint-Truiden VV - Tubize AFC - Carl Zeiss Jena - Ujpest FC
That is a brief (and incomplete) round up of his history in football.
What I think you all should know: - He bought the grounds around Staaien for peanuts from the city council. He's transforming the ground into something multifunctional. The benefits go straight into his pockets. No bennefit for the club. - After huge protest against him in Liège, he announced he would put the club up for sale. Nothing happened since. Of course the results of Standard (first in the league) helps him with that. - Between Sint-Truiden, Tubize and Standard players switch very often. It's no exception when there are 4 to 5 five players on loan from Standard at Sint-Truiden. None are of real added value. - The president of STVV is a close friend and businesspartner of Duchatelet.
What I want to warn you for: - Charlton will be just one link in his football club imperium. - Duchatelet is often seen as an idiot in football matters. But no one can deny he is a genious in businesses. - At first, we were delighted to see him arrive at our club. 10 years later, he is the worst thing that could have happened to us. We don't own our own ground any more (it's like a bird locked up in a golden cage), we got relegated to second devision thanks to his policy and now he still has his shadow hanging over us. I honestly believe he wants us to stay there because that's better for him. - He got me that far that I am doubting to buy a season ticket in the future. I'm disgusted by him and his accomplices who don't fear lieing straight in the fans' faces at supporters meetings.
What I would like to know from you: - Are there any plans for a new ground at Charlton? Because that's what is importent for him in Sint-Truiden and Liège. I can not speak for Ujpest, Zena and Tubize.
A fiew last remarks: - I have the feeling that the bigger part of the Sint-Truiden fans have the same view as me. Altough I'm not sure. But there are also people who believe he has saved our club. - This is only a very brief round up. It is far more complicated than this. So if you have questions, just ask them. I'll try to visit your forum on a regular basis. - Maybe he brings you back to the Premier League, maybe he destroys you completely. No one knows. Maybe we will see Charlton players in Sint-Truiden, Zena, Liège and Tubize. Or the other way around. No one knows. - With this post, I only want to prevent you guys from (potentially) misplaced euforia. - I did my best to express myself in English. That's what we do. :-) Please don't botter on general remarks about Belgians like the ones in a post in this treath. They are short-sighted.
I'm a fan of one of Roland Duchatelet's teams: K Sint-Truidense VV.
STVV is a club that played for years in the Belgian top flight. 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. As years went by RD became the president of our club. He managed to buy the football ground and the grounds around it. A few years ago he built a new stand with shops, offices, a hotel etc. The year of the construction we were relegated but got promoted after one year in the second division. Our goalkeeper that year was Simon Mignolet. Yep, now at Liverpool FC.
He took over Ujpest in Hungaria. His son Roderick is president over there.
When Standard Liège was for sale, he jumped on that wagon. Since you can not own two teams in one flight, he "gave" STVV to his wife Marieke Hofte. We got relegated due to a lack of investment and now still play in the second division. A new stand is being built at the moment. Google on "Stayen".
He took over another second division team (Tubize) and a few weeks ago Jena as you all know.
To round up. He owns (or is involved in): - Standard de Liège - Sint-Truiden VV - Tubize AFC - Carl Zeiss Jena - Ujpest FC
That is a brief (and incomplete) round up of his history in football.
What I think you all should know: - He bought the grounds around Staaien for peanuts from the city council. He's transforming the ground into something multifunctional. The benefits go straight into his pockets. No bennefit for the club. - After huge protest against him in Liège, he announced he would put the club up for sale. Nothing happened since. Of course the results of Standard (first in the league) helps him with that. - Between Sint-Truiden, Tubize and Standard players switch very often. It's no exception when there are 4 to 5 five players on loan from Standard at Sint-Truiden. None are of real added value. - The president of STVV is a close friend and businesspartner of Duchatelet.
What I want to warn you for: - Charlton will be just one link in his football club imperium. - Duchatelet is often seen as an idiot in football matters. But no one can deny he is a genious in businesses. - At first, we were delighted to see him arrive at our club. 10 years later, he is the worst thing that could have happened to us. We don't own our own ground any more (it's like a bird locked up in a golden cage), we got relegated to second devision thanks to his policy and now he still has his shadow hanging over us. I honestly believe he wants us to stay there because that's better for him. - He got me that far that I am doubting to buy a season ticket in the future. I'm disgusted by him and his accomplices who don't fear lieing straight in the fans' faces at supporters meetings.
What I would like to know from you: - Are there any plans for a new ground at Charlton? Because that's what is importent for him in Sint-Truiden and Liège. I can not speak for Ujpest, Zena and Tubize.
A fiew last remarks: - I have the feeling that the bigger part of the Sint-Truiden fans have the same view as me. Altough I'm not sure. But there are also people who believe he has saved our club. - This is only a very brief round up. It is far more complicated than this. So if you have questions, just ask them. I'll try to visit your forum on a regular basis. - Maybe he brings you back to the Premier League, maybe he destroys you completely. No one knows. Maybe we will see Charlton players in Sint-Truiden, Zena, Liège and Tubize. Or the other way around. No one knows. - With this post, I only want to prevent you guys from (potentially) misplaced euforia. - I did my best to express myself in English. That's what we do. :-) Please don't botter on general remarks about Belgians like the ones in a post in this treath. They are short-sighted.
It's uncannily accurate. They don't fear lying to the fans, Eh? Let's see whether the bit about buying a new ground rears its head in the future. With attendances due to plummet he could well use that as an excuse.
I would love to hear from @Dreke373 again with an update. STVV is now the only team in the network which is currently doing well.
Also the evidence is that he is not interested in moving from the Valley. I know that even after he took over, he was approached by people who wanted to do that and had arrived on the scene too late last year. he apparently rebuffed them saying he wasn't interested. Somebody posted recently that he wants to redevelop the Jimmy Seed. Which would not be a bad thing, so long as there was a football team that people actually wanted to come and watch.
I have no more clue than anyone else what on earth his plan is but there is not a scrap of evidence that involves moving us from the Valley, which, let's remember, is an ACV.
I would love to hear from @Dreke373 again with an update. STVV is now the only team in the network which is currently doing well.
Also the evidence is that he is not interested in moving from the Valley. I know that even after he took over, he was approached by people who wanted to do that and had arrived on the scene too late last year. he apparently rebuffed them saying he wasn't interested. Somebody posted recently that he wants to redevelop the Jimmy Seed. Which would not be a bad thing, so long as there was a football team that people actually wanted to come and watch.
I have no more clue than anyone else what on earth his plan is but there is not a scrap of evidence that involves moving us from the Valley, which, let's remember, is an ACV.
I hope you're right Prague. I'm beginning to think, that given his liberal socialism (or whatever it is) views, that RD is NOT interested in the get-rich-quick EPL golden egg, but instead he is treating this more as a manufacturing business. I think he may be trying to prove that you can make money by developing the player factories (aka academy), and selling the players for profit. All he needs is a nice clean modern looking shop window (aka clubs - including network) to hawk his wares. I don't think the playing level of the club is necessarily uppermost in his mind - as long as the product is on view. To him, the product is the player; not the game. The customers, other clubs; not the fans. I'm not sure if progress in his primary aim is aligned with progress in my primary aim - to be entertained with at least a modicum of success
Don't think RD is some sort of financial genius - He has, on the hoof, brought a disperate hotch potch of clubs and ran them in the manner of a an arrogant man with no real understanding of football.
There is no grand vision, or strategy evident. His unpredictability and arrogance are exactly what makes him dangerous. He really doesn't know what he is doing.
Can't disagree with anything you write. But the bit that puzzles me is that I cannot see the money trail. That's odd for someone who is worth billions through building up legitimate and apparently highly respected businesses. They are of course B2B businesses. Not finance businesses, but also not mass customer businesses. KM also claimed in the interview that he is not an arrogant man in the way that many successful businessmen are.
I would love to hear from @Dreke373 again with an update. STVV is now the only team in the network which is currently doing well.
Also the evidence is that he is not interested in moving from the Valley. I know that even after he took over, he was approached by people who wanted to do that and had arrived on the scene too late last year. he apparently rebuffed them saying he wasn't interested. Somebody posted recently that he wants to redevelop the Jimmy Seed. Which would not be a bad thing, so long as there was a football team that people actually wanted to come and watch.
I have no more clue than anyone else what on earth his plan is but there is not a scrap of evidence that involves moving us from the Valley, which, let's remember, is an ACV.
I hope you're right Prague. I'm beginning to think, that given his liberal socialism (or whatever it is) views, that RD is NOT interested in the get-rich-quick EPL golden egg, but instead he is treating this more as a manufacturing business. I think he may be trying to prove that you can make money by developing the player factories (aka academy), and selling the players for profit. All he needs is a nice clean modern looking shop window (aka clubs - including network) to hawk his wares. I don't think the playing level of the club is necessarily uppermost in his mind - as long as the product is on view. To him, the product is the player; not the game. The customers, other clubs; not the fans. I'm not sure if progress in his primary aim is aligned with progress in my primary aim - to be entertained with at least a modicum of success
Pretty much my take on it, except I think this is the kernel of RD's thinking. In manufacturing, you have to sweat every one of your assets to make marginal profit. We accept it as a regrettable but normal part of pro football, but to RD, it is abhorrent to see footballers on salaries of hundreds of thousands doing the equivalent of a few week's work per year for a full year's pay. That's what the network's for. Get any "value" out of them you can, until you get rid. After all, he's the one paying them.
Roland Duchâtelet is a Belgian billionaire businessman who turned his progressive liberal ideology into a political movement that he called Vivant. He also owns several football clubs: Standard de Liège, Charlton Athletic F.C., FC Carl Zeiss Jena and AD Alcorcon.
Comments
This might look a bit strange. But it isn't:
- your level is linked with the stamnummer
- a low number shows history and tradition
- when 2 clubs merge, they have to chose one of both stamnummers, the other number will be deleted
- trophies are linked to the stamnummer
- you can change locations (MK Dons anyone?), names (Hull anyone?) or colours (Cardiff anyone?) but never your stamnummer
Bump, thanks for this post Dreke. Honestly I can feel for you as a supporter of your club, there are links with our team. It feels like even when and if you are doing well, there is stuff holding you back from progressing. Players out on loan, etc.
At worst he'll happily let us rot if it's in the interests of his wider empire, as he has done with Sint-Truiden, a club which appears to be comparable to ours in terms of its stature in the Belgian league. At best, we'll be flying in the Premier League as his priority project, with the growth and well-being of other clubs being stifled for the wider benefit of the Duchatelet empire. That is all wrong.
They still feel like we do now !
So I've come to the conclusion, that it is what it is and there's little further to understand.
We're not rich, we're not likely to go bust.
We'll get plenty of players in from the other "group" clubs, as he feels there is no point paying again for other players, from outside the "group", when you already have some in the "group".
We'll rise or fall on our own merits as we always have done.
No one seems to be disagreeing any more, why not react when it's too late.. when we have no creditable club left.
Dreke373 has not got much wrong
Also the evidence is that he is not interested in moving from the Valley. I know that even after he took over, he was approached by people who wanted to do that and had arrived on the scene too late last year. he apparently rebuffed them saying he wasn't interested. Somebody posted recently that he wants to redevelop the Jimmy Seed. Which would not be a bad thing, so long as there was a football team that people actually wanted to come and watch.
I have no more clue than anyone else what on earth his plan is but there is not a scrap of evidence that involves moving us from the Valley, which, let's remember, is an ACV.
I think he may be trying to prove that you can make money by developing the player factories (aka academy), and selling the players for profit. All he needs is a nice clean modern looking shop window (aka clubs - including network) to hawk his wares. I don't think the playing level of the club is necessarily uppermost in his mind - as long as the product is on view.
To him, the product is the player; not the game. The customers, other clubs; not the fans.
I'm not sure if progress in his primary aim is aligned with progress in my primary aim - to be entertained with at least a modicum of success
There is no grand vision, or strategy evident. His unpredictability and arrogance are exactly what makes him dangerous. He really doesn't know what he is doing.
I just hope we don't have to sit through it for 10 years or more.
Interesting suggestion. I might run that past the Standard boys.
@IAgree.
Can't disagree with anything you write. But the bit that puzzles me is that I cannot see the money trail. That's odd for someone who is worth billions through building up legitimate and apparently highly respected businesses. They are of course B2B businesses. Not finance businesses, but also not mass customer businesses. KM also claimed in the interview that he is not an arrogant man in the way that many successful businessmen are.
Roland Duchâtelet is a Belgian billionaire businessman who turned his progressive liberal ideology into a political movement that he called Vivant. He also owns several football clubs: Standard de Liège, Charlton Athletic F.C., FC Carl Zeiss Jena and AD Alcorcon.