I would just like to throw in some thoughts on 'effective ' action. I don't pretend they provide any clear answers.
The first thing is that we have got to have a clear message about what we want to happen as a result of the action. The problem with "Roland out" for many of us is, who comes in, and will they be any better?
The second thing is that the action we take has to be something that as many fans as possible feel they can then participate in. As we can see here, many are uncomfortable with a boycott of a game.
The third thing is that the action is one that is visible and so can be easily reported by the media (and therefore gets back to Roland, who will of course not be at the ground).
My favourite examples of actions that tick those boxes are the Swedish and Norwegian fans actions against TV messing with their schedules. They had the advantage of a clear goal - no more Monday night football. In the Swedish case it involved co-operation between bitter rivals in a televised local derby, AIK and Djuurgarten. At a pre-arranged time during the game, both sets of fans went totally silent. Then they suddenly switched themselves on again - and then set off such a barrage of flares that the game had to be brought to a halt. That was a huge problem for the TV coverage, and of course the audience knew why it had happened. In the Norwegian case, the fans worked out which part of the stadium was generally in line with TV cameras. At a pre arranged time during the game everyone in that section got up and left, having first put up banners with their message.
Both protests achieved their goal I believe. I have links to videos of both somewhere, if people are interested.
I chose not to go yesterday. I have a season ticket so it wasn't about the money and due to the OCD that most of my family suffers from we will look to buy the programs from the game so that we can compete out sticker books, so the club will not suffer financially - by coincidence not intention.
However, I go with mt Dad and my son. My dad is away for six weeks (he'll also be away for Norwich and Brentford) and my son has lost interest as we play rubbish and don't seem to win anymore - he is ten and this is his first season.
My absence wasn't a protest, I just haven't enjoyed it recently and when I was making my decision to go, or not, (something I've never even thought about for the last 30 years) I realised that I found it a chore because there was no enjoyment (at all, as I was not seeing my dad) and I would have been happier staying at home watching SkySports News.
I was pleased when we scored, not really excited, but pleased but, sadly, it didn't register with me when we conceded. I just turned the TV off and got on with something else. Without intending for it to happen I've just, completely, lost interest in Charlton. I'll probably renew my season ticket because, with the exception of the ten weeks a year my dad is away, I love going to games with him. However, I, now, realise that it's his company that keeps me going, not the football on offer.
I don't think I'll go to Norwich or Brentford as my dad is still away. Hopefully by the time he comes back I will have a little more interest. A couple of decent signings might help that, but I'm sure that will happen.
I would just like to throw in some thoughts on 'effective ' action. . At a pre-arranged time during the game, both sets of fans went totally silent. Then they suddenly switched themselves on again - and then set off such a barrage of flares .
Loving that. Obviously be the opposite for us though, and at the prearranged time we start making lots of noise (west stand included).
In all honesty Prague what you have described is not really us is it? We just pay our money. Watch the tripe that is served up. Wave our fists in the air in disgust when it's finished And say 'see you next week' to the fella sitting behind us when we leave. We do need to be more radical I agree. Problem is I just don't think we've got it in us!
I will never boycott! I support Charlton Athletic Football CLUB!! and i voice my concerns in the Valley! if i feel inclined i may do it outside the main reception!
We could boycott the Brentford game? As we cant make it anyway!
I will never boycott! I support Charlton Athletic Football CLUB!! and i voice my concerns in the Valley! if i feel inclined i may do it outside the main reception!
I must obviously not be a proper fan because I will not go again until the Belgian's are gone. I have been a fan for fifty three years go to U18 and U21 games. Was a shareholder, VIP and Valley Gold member and Season Ticket holder. If you want to know how I feel read Steve Dixon's article in VOTV. What is the point in going to something that I get no pleasure from. I was just going because of a sense of duty. I feel that the only way I can protest at what is happening is to withdraw my custom. It really gives me no pleasure. I miss the trips away and my days at the Valley, but I will not change until the owners start to listen to the fans.
Well don't fucking come back and bardge your way to the front of the que if there is a big cup game away from home and make someone who goes to at least most of the games during RD's tenure misses out because of someone like you who stays away all games. Not that in recent years we have had too many big cup games anyway.
What, Preston in the JPT?
JPT is regionalised and only at Wembley would we possibly play Preston.
I started going to the Valley with my dad in the 50's, became a S/T holder in the 70's and have kept renewing / attending ever since, even through the years in exile. Believe me, we've been though worse times than this. The decay of the club and the ground during Michael Gliksten's reign was soul destroying but it didn't stop me turning up. As others have said, we now have a stadium that we could only have dreamed of in the 70's and 80's; we can be rightly proud of our academy; and the owner is wealthy and seems willing to invest in the club and the team. I agree that our current form and the quality of football is dire, and many of the players that have come to us via the network have been utter crap. I can also understand why some of you feel strongly enough to suggest a boycott, but I just think a bit of perspective is called for. Our current owner is an improvement on the 'mysterons' isn't he? On the Football League Show last night, there was a banner on the wall of the Crawley Town home changing rooms which said "When you're going through hell, keep going". Sums it up for me.
I would just like to throw in some thoughts on 'effective ' action. . At a pre-arranged time during the game, both sets of fans went totally silent. Then they suddenly switched themselves on again - and then set off such a barrage of flares .
Loving that. Obviously be the opposite for us though, and at the prearranged time we start making lots of noise (west stand included).
In all honesty Prague what you have described is not really us is it? We just pay our money. Watch the tripe that is served up. Wave our fists in the air in disgust when it's finished And say 'see you next week' to the fella sitting behind us when we leave. We do need to be more radical I agree. Problem is I just don't think we've got it in us!
I know what you mean. But it makes me think back to Selhurst. I remember the Stalinist planning committee meeting, and the furious 15 year old kid who asked me why I bother to keep talking to someone like Cllr. Dave Picton (the one who had said we could go back and then betrayed us.) I looked at him, didn't know how to answer him, and thought sadly that he was going to go out and smash some windows in Woolwich now, and we'd all be branded as hooligans. Thing is, then somebody came up with the Valley party, and we showed that kid a better way.
We need to do that again. Something smarter than the usual blind rage against owners. I don't pretend to have a suggestion, but between us, somehow, I believe we can find a way, because we've done it before. We have got it in us.
If any season ticket holder is planning to boycot, could I borrow there season tickets for the length of the boycot please?
You can have mine. £50 a game. For that you get, 90 mins of pure dross. I'll throw a pencil case, blanket and flask in though....you will get the ultimate match day experience then.
I have given mine away to someone who wants to go. I also threw in a seasons supply of Bovril, as it is in short supply in the East Stand. Signed officially disloyal, Richard Plumb.
I understand the reasoning behind a boycott but that just won't work with this mob. Non-stop protests need to happen at every home game until he sells up.
Just woke up from a dream where the fans bought the club led by @Goonerhater hater and @Airman Brown kids woke me up b3fore i found out who it turned out. Premonition?
I would just like to throw in some thoughts on 'effective ' action. I don't pretend they provide any clear answers.
The first thing is that we have got to have a clear message about what we want to happen as a result of the action. The problem with "Roland out" for many of us is, who comes in, and will they be any better?
The second thing is that the action we take has to be something that as many fans as possible feel they can then participate in. As we can see here, many are uncomfortable with a boycott of a game.
The third thing is that the action is one that is visible and so can be easily reported by the media (and therefore gets back to Roland, who will of course not be at the ground).
My favourite examples of actions that tick those boxes are the Swedish and Norwegian fans actions against TV messing with their schedules. They had the advantage of a clear goal - no more Monday night football. In the Swedish case it involved co-operation between bitter rivals in a televised local derby, AIK and Djuurgarten. At a pre-arranged time during the game, both sets of fans went totally silent. Then they suddenly switched themselves on again - and then set off such a barrage of flares that the game had to be brought to a halt. That was a huge problem for the TV coverage, and of course the audience knew why it had happened. In the Norwegian case, the fans worked out which part of the stadium was generally in line with TV cameras. At a pre arranged time during the game everyone in that section got up and left, having first put up banners with their message.
Both protests achieved their goal I believe. I have links to videos of both somewhere, if people are interested.
I don't think it's too difficult. We want the team and the club run in a credible way that gives it a chance to succeed, which means by people with ability, experience and credibility. Luzon and Meire are the manifestations of these issues, fairly or not.
It may well be that this can't happen with Duchatelet as owner, but he's difficult to pressurise. They are his executives and they are at the ground, so focus on them first. At the least, we have make clear, following KM's lead, that we will not be accepting the way he is running the club, because it is nonsense.
If that ends with RD selling so be it. His successor will be another risk, but it's not the job of the "customers" to identify and implement all the solutions.
As for what and when, something very visible and Huddersfield, because that is a symbolic occasion already. Plus it gives Luzon a reasonable time to show that he is not an idiot. If he hasn't done so by then it will be a full-blown emergency anyway.
I love Prague's example, but I can't see it working for us. The tv cameras are in the east and we never get the ball anywhere near the goal, that means that we'll be looking to those in the centre of the West Stand to set off flares. That would mean that we're looking for Katrien and Keith Peacock to be the advance guard in our protest. Can't see it happening.
On a more serious note, I do wonder if a boycott of Valley Gold would have more effect. I know it's easy for me to say because I'm not a member, but I think it could be a way of withdrawing financial support to Roland and showing discontent. I know that some supporters see their unbroken line of VG membership as a badge of honour and that it may be difficult for them. But lets face it, the way we're playing it's not going to make ticket purchases any more difficult, is it?
I love Prague's example, but I can't see it working for us. The tv cameras are in the east and we never get the ball anywhere near the goal, that means that we'll be looking to those in the centre of the West Stand to set off flares. That would mean that we're looking for Katrien and Keith Peacock to be the advance guard in our protest. Can't see it happening.
On a more serious note, I do wonder if a boycott of Valley Gold would have more effect. I know it's easy for me to say because I'm not a member, but I think it could be a way of withdrawing financial support to Roland and showing discontent. I know that some supporters see their unbroken line of VG membership as a badge of honour and that it may be difficult for them. But lets face it, the way we're playing it's not going to make ticket purchases any more difficult, is it?
Valley Gold is a separate entity and would not effect the day in day out financial running of the football club.
I love Prague's example, but I can't see it working for us.
You are right about the TV cameras position. What about a "silent" protest, though, perhaps with some support from Huddersfield fans? A minute of silence during the game, perhaps with our backs to the game, and as many as possible wearing black?
I love Prague's example, but I can't see it working for us.
You are right about the TV cameras position. What about a "silent" protest, though, perhaps with some support from Huddersfield fans? A minute of silence during the game, perhaps with our backs to the game, and as many as possible wearing black?
Not sure a minutes silence will be any good. How would Roland tell which one out of the 90 was the actual protest?
You are right about the TV cameras position. What about a "silent" protest, though, perhaps with some support from Huddersfield fans? A minute of silence during the game, perhaps with our backs to the game, and as many as possible wearing black?
How will anyone be able to distinguish one minute's silent from another at that fixture? It won't be a cauldron of noise after all. Any 'action' on the pitch would interfere too.
"Chrissy Powell's red and white army", over and over will have maximum protest value imo.
A sea of black instead of red might be an effective start if we can get the message out to enough people to join in? And def v Huddersfield as there won't be as many empty red seats.
We can then start a new chant:
"I see a red shirt and I want to turn it black...no Charlton anymore, I want my Charlton back..."
Some really interesting comments to my original opening post. And surprisingly no-one has even get me stick for daring to raise the issue!
Some thoughts I take from what others have posted - a) there's a lot of long-standing supporters such as myself who are losing interest rapidly b) there's an appetite for doing something - although most seem unsure what - short of a boycott (at present).
I remain totally in the camp we have to do something to register our displeasure at the current regime (irrespective of whether they take any notice of it at present). So I'll make some suggestions.
How about at the Huddersfield match a) fans make no efforts to sell the cheap tickets or bring along friends; b) a complete boycott of the bars and shop - spend no money in them at all; c) at 3.07 - the time Colin Walsh scored on our return to the Valley - everyone stands and turns their back on the game for 2 minutes. At the end of that, a rousing chorus of "we want our Charlton back".
Others much more versed in this sort of thing will be able to suggest other things.
For this to be successful, it will need to be publicised. On this occasion, I hope that those who run this site, those involved with Voice of the Valley, and (maybe) the Trust could all come together and really push the protest.
We've got to do something. We can't let this idiot who is running our club (into the ground) wreck everything we love about it. So let's go for some sort of protest at the Huddersfield game. Yes?
(PS Let's just not wear black. I couldn't stand being thought to be a Palarse Ultra!)
I don't personally agree with boycotting games as draw or lose I will always turn up regardless. What we could do would be to boycott purchasing anything from the club on a match day no buying from the shop, buy no food, program, drink, raffle tickets for a certain match.
I don't personally agree with boycotting games as draw or lose I will always turn up regardless. What we could do would be to boycott purchasing anything from the club on a match day no buying from the shop, buy no food, program, drink, raffle tickets for a certain match.
That's what I have suggested above. Let's do it for the Huddersfield game.
I don't personally agree with boycotting games as draw or lose I will always turn up regardless. What we could do would be to boycott purchasing anything from the club on a match day no buying from the shop, buy no food, program, drink, raffle tickets for a certain
I don't personally agree with boycotting games as draw or lose I will always turn up regardless. What we could do would be to boycott purchasing anything from the club on a match day no buying from the shop, buy no food, program, drink, raffle tickets for a certain match.
That's what I have suggested above. Let's do it for the Huddersfield game.
Think You would have to print leaflets advising fans of any intention to protest. I like the idea of doing something though. My sons 8 & 5 don't want to watch the games anymore. They now claim to support West Ham because they are embarrassed to say they support charlton and that breaks my heart. Thought when I retired in 30 years time I would still be going to the games with them and any grandsons I may have, but they've made it clear they don't like charlton. Cheers Roland.
I think boycotting games will alienate those who feel it hurts the club long term, and the team on the day. i don't think the Trust can get behind that particular action for that reason. Same goes for boycotting Valley Gold, I think.
But maybe not buying the programme and other periphery stuff such as food and raffles is fair enough, but not enough on its own. We need a big visual statement of some kind, as people have said above, that gets back to Liege.
For many years, my family have attended The Valley. I have bought all the season tickets. On the day, leaving the pub, we would go to the ground and buy 2 programmes. We would have more drinks at the ground and had food there beforecthe game and at half time. Sometimes we would buy merchandise in the shop. After what has happened lately my family and I have decided to not give any money to the network. Yesterday, all we bought was 1programme, nothing else was bought. Next season we won't buy any season tickets and will only turn up for the odd 'fancied' game. Will reconsider when RD changes his plans.
If you was to boycott doesn't mean your not a fan, that is a ridiculous statement. By doing so your trying to send a message and do something about how the club is being run!!!
What would happen if at a prearranged time (a certain amount of minutes after kickoff at the Huddersfield match) everyone returned to the concourses? The atmosphere in the enclosed spaces is always good for a sing song and building camaraderie. Then after 15 minutes, or a certain amount of time, everyone returns. The effect of everyone disappearing for a large amount of time, will be effective, symbolically, and I think generate interest amongst supporters not immediately involved (where's everyone going? I can hear them, etc. Oh that's what it's about!).
I thought we played a lot better yesterday and looked very well organised and determined. We all know we need a big centre forward who will also help defending set pieces.
In div 1 SCP gave us a team that every time we played I thought we could win. Now I hope.
However, this team is nowhere near the worst team I have watched. The owner is not the worst, the manager not the worst. But there is a lack of confidence. Two games unbeaten. First rule of a recovery is stop losing.
Before we start on the negative stuff, should we not try something positive? We could also try making our own entertainment 'till the players catch up.
Wear red?fancy dress? We do have a larger than life character managing the side - could we get a song that goes with jumping up and down and waiving your arms about?
Lets all do the Luzon, let's all Luzon, le la la la, le la la la.
Whatever, I will still be going and supporting. Seen it all before and it just makes the good times all the sweeter.
Comments
The first thing is that we have got to have a clear message about what we want to happen as a result of the action. The problem with "Roland out" for many of us is, who comes in, and will they be any better?
The second thing is that the action we take has to be something that as many fans as possible feel they can then participate in. As we can see here, many are uncomfortable with a boycott of a game.
The third thing is that the action is one that is visible and so can be easily reported by the media (and therefore gets back to Roland, who will of course not be at the ground).
My favourite examples of actions that tick those boxes are the Swedish and Norwegian fans actions against TV messing with their schedules. They had the advantage of a clear goal - no more Monday night football. In the Swedish case it involved co-operation between bitter rivals in a televised local derby, AIK and Djuurgarten. At a pre-arranged time during the game, both sets of fans went totally silent. Then they suddenly switched themselves on again - and then set off such a barrage of flares that the game had to be brought to a halt. That was a huge problem for the TV coverage, and of course the audience knew why it had happened. In the Norwegian case, the fans worked out which part of the stadium was generally in line with TV cameras. At a pre arranged time during the game everyone in that section got up and left, having first put up banners with their message.
Both protests achieved their goal I believe. I have links to videos of both somewhere, if people are interested.
However, I go with mt Dad and my son. My dad is away for six weeks (he'll also be away for Norwich and Brentford) and my son has lost interest as we play rubbish and don't seem to win anymore - he is ten and this is his first season.
My absence wasn't a protest, I just haven't enjoyed it recently and when I was making my decision to go, or not, (something I've never even thought about for the last 30 years) I realised that I found it a chore because there was no enjoyment (at all, as I was not seeing my dad) and I would have been happier staying at home watching SkySports News.
I was pleased when we scored, not really excited, but pleased but, sadly, it didn't register with me when we conceded. I just turned the TV off and got on with something else. Without intending for it to happen I've just, completely, lost interest in Charlton. I'll probably renew my season ticket because, with the exception of the ten weeks a year my dad is away, I love going to games with him. However, I, now, realise that it's his company that keeps me going, not the football on offer.
I don't think I'll go to Norwich or Brentford as my dad is still away. Hopefully by the time he comes back I will have a little more interest. A couple of decent signings might help that, but I'm sure that will happen.
In all honesty Prague what you have described is not really us is it? We just pay our money. Watch the tripe that is served up. Wave our fists in the air in disgust when it's finished And say 'see you next week' to the fella sitting behind us when we leave.
We do need to be more radical I agree. Problem is I just don't think we've got it in us!
Believe me, we've been though worse times than this. The decay of the club and the ground during Michael Gliksten's reign was soul destroying but it didn't stop me turning up. As others have said, we now have a stadium that we could only have dreamed of in the 70's and 80's; we can be rightly proud of our academy; and the owner is wealthy and seems willing to invest in the club and the team.
I agree that our current form and the quality of football is dire, and many of the players that have come to us via the network have been utter crap. I can also understand why some of you feel strongly enough to suggest a boycott, but I just think a bit of perspective is called for. Our current owner is an improvement on the 'mysterons' isn't he?
On the Football League Show last night, there was a banner on the wall of the Crawley Town home changing rooms which said "When you're going through hell, keep going". Sums it up for me.
We need to do that again. Something smarter than the usual blind rage against owners. I don't pretend to have a suggestion, but between us, somehow, I believe we can find a way, because we've done it before. We have got it in us.
Signed officially disloyal,
Richard Plumb.
It may well be that this can't happen with Duchatelet as owner, but he's difficult to pressurise. They are his executives and they are at the ground, so focus on them first. At the least, we have make clear, following KM's lead, that we will not be accepting the way he is running the club, because it is nonsense.
If that ends with RD selling so be it. His successor will be another risk, but it's not the job of the "customers" to identify and implement all the solutions.
As for what and when, something very visible and Huddersfield, because that is a symbolic occasion already. Plus it gives Luzon a reasonable time to show that he is not an idiot. If he hasn't done so by then it will be a full-blown emergency anyway.
On a more serious note, I do wonder if a boycott of Valley Gold would have more effect. I know it's easy for me to say because I'm not a member, but I think it could be a way of withdrawing financial support to Roland and showing discontent. I know that some supporters see their unbroken line of VG membership as a badge of honour and that it may be difficult for them. But lets face it, the way we're playing it's not going to make ticket purchases any more difficult, is it?
How will anyone be able to distinguish one minute's silent from another at that fixture? It won't be a cauldron of noise after all. Any 'action' on the pitch would interfere too.
"Chrissy Powell's red and white army", over and over will have maximum protest value imo.
We can then start a new chant:
"I see a red shirt and I want to turn it black...no Charlton anymore, I want my Charlton back..."
Or something like that...
Some thoughts I take from what others have posted - a) there's a lot of long-standing supporters such as myself who are losing interest rapidly b) there's an appetite for doing something - although most seem unsure what - short of a boycott (at present).
I remain totally in the camp we have to do something to register our displeasure at the current regime (irrespective of whether they take any notice of it at present). So I'll make some suggestions.
How about at the Huddersfield match a) fans make no efforts to sell the cheap tickets or bring along friends; b) a complete boycott of the bars and shop - spend no money in them at all; c) at 3.07 - the time Colin Walsh scored on our return to the Valley - everyone stands and turns their back on the game for 2 minutes. At the end of that, a rousing chorus of "we want our Charlton back".
Others much more versed in this sort of thing will be able to suggest other things.
For this to be successful, it will need to be publicised. On this occasion, I hope that those who run this site, those involved with Voice of the Valley, and (maybe) the Trust could all come together and really push the protest.
We've got to do something. We can't let this idiot who is running our club (into the ground) wreck everything we love about it. So let's go for some sort of protest at the Huddersfield game. Yes?
(PS Let's just not wear black. I couldn't stand being thought to be a Palarse Ultra!)
But maybe not buying the programme and other periphery stuff such as food and raffles is fair enough, but not enough on its own. We need a big visual statement of some kind, as people have said above, that gets back to Liege.
It might be a good way to start.
In div 1 SCP gave us a team that every time we played I thought we could win. Now I hope.
However, this team is nowhere near the worst team I have watched. The owner is not the worst, the manager not the worst. But there is a lack of confidence. Two games unbeaten. First rule of a recovery is stop losing.
Before we start on the negative stuff, should we not try something positive? We could also try making our own entertainment 'till the players catch up.
Wear red?fancy dress? We do have a larger than life character managing the side - could we get a song that goes with jumping up and down and waiving your arms about?
Lets all do the Luzon, let's all Luzon, le la la la, le la la la.
Whatever, I will still be going and supporting. Seen it all before and it just makes the good times all the sweeter.