Im off to see the Delacroix at the National before a work meeting so this will be brief.
Could have been a very good evening but current situation made it guarded and lots of statements about the current situation that neither, as employees could fairly be expected to respond to.
Which was a shame as Chris has a lot of good stories and insight into how things work such as variable loan deals of which Sonogo was just an example. Also we have a new doctor Ian Beasley (sp?) who works for the FA also but a different Doc on matchdays. Lookman and Diksteele had got a place together, Tracey Leaburn does a lot to sort out players domestic issues such as flats, Dartford Tunnel charges etc etc. New building at Sparrows Lane not started but is modular so will slot in quicly when foundations done.
CP gives a list of players to Riga showing who are loans and who are home grown so we don't break the rules (no more than 5 of 1st, at least 6 of 2nd.
Mel explained her background in sports marketing which included the rugger "world" cup and work with the FA. She also played XI side football with Wimbledon (didn't say to what level) and understood the fan issues there with MK Dons. She also said that she couldn't do anything about what happened before but saw her role to advise on and improve comms to fans, to build better relationship with the media. She said she was here to listen and find out what fans thought and I think she did listen, she did speak to fans individually but understandably she could say too much.
That won't satisfy those of you who will only be happy if she slags off her boss in public or makes promises in public she can't keep. My personal view is that she is aware of just how much work needs to be done and how hard that will be but she didn't say that directly.
Who is this Mel Baroni woman? She seems to be the woman that should be in charge... Understands sports, understands fans and doesn't tell them their opinion is wrong!
P.S - Sorry to break it to you mate, but that Delacroix fella has been dead for a quite a while..
Delacroix is actually our latest loan signing, an experienced French left bank back on loan from FC Louvre, he hasn't played for 150 years due to being dead, but is expected to provide stiff competition to Morgan Fox.
Thought Mel B spoke well. Relatively "easy" night for her in that as much as anything it was her listening to the fans rather than the other way around and she has not been there long enough to cop a load of flack but fair play to her for volunteering and turning up. I would certainly say she comes across as more personable than her boss but then that is her job/training.
Chris was interesting but would have liked to hear some more stories/anecdotes.
All in all a decent evening and if you live local then worth attending in future.
BTW has anyone successfully got her to Link In. She has so far not replied to my invite. But then she has not changed ehr profile to reflect her new position, either.
BTW has anyone successfully got her to Link In. She has so far not replied to my invite. But then she has not changed ehr profile to reflect her new position, either.
BTW has anyone successfully got her to Link In. She has so far not replied to my invite. But then she has not changed ehr profile to reflect her new position, either.
BTW has anyone successfully got her to Link In. She has so far not replied to my invite. But then she has not changed ehr profile to reflect her new position, either.
BTW has anyone successfully got her to Link In. She has so far not replied to my invite. But then she has not changed ehr profile to reflect her new position, either.
She hasn't responded to my invite either.
What about on Linkedin?
Oh right, sorry, yeah she declined that immediately.
Managed a short conversation with Mel during half-time interval. Seems an astute lady, aware of the size of her task in rebuilding rapport - and support!
Well, based on the limited info above, I'm going to salute her courage at least, and propose that we keep her out of the firing line. After all, at best she will only ever be the messenger.
Thought Mel B spoke well. Relatively "easy" night for her in that as much as anything it was her listening to the fans rather than the other way around and she has not been there long enough to cop a load of flack but fair play to her for volunteering and turning up. I would certainly say she comes across as more personable than her boss but then that is her job/training.
Chris was interesting but would have liked to hear some more stories/anecdotes.
All in all a decent evening and if you live local then worth attending in future.
Oh, she did the fans' meeting we were promised in November. Makes up for when the club accidentally put on a Q&A session with all their staff...
I asked if she had met RD yet and whether he had been able to put across to her a clear vision of what she should be communicating. She had, and it turned out that she had been responsible for laying on the recent series of films, which surprised me as I didn't think she had been there long enough for that.
So if the whole initiative was her brainchild then she has been quick off the mark in facilitating some 'communication'.
One should never 'shoot the messenger', so if this was her idea then good luck to her for acting quickly. However, the message itself as delivered by RD in the films is so unattractive, unconvincing and undeliverable that this particular piece of 'better communication' hasn't solved anything - it has merely brought all the mistakes and failures of the past two years into still sharper focus.
Any communications manager, however open, personable and capable as she may be, is going to have to scale a mountain to explain the ambitions of our owner. Even getting him to display enthusiastic empathy for the wish of all football supporters everywhere - getting their club up the league ladder - would be a good start. But I don't think he has that in him.
I asked if she had met RD yet and whether he had been able to put across to her a clear vision of what she should be communicating. She had, and it turned out that she had been responsible for laying on the recent series of films, which surprised me as I didn't think she had been there long enough for that.
So if the whole initiative was her brainchild then she has been quick off the mark in facilitating some 'communication'.
One should never 'shoot the messenger', so if this was her idea then good luck to her for acting quickly. However, the message itself as delivered by RD in the films is so unattractive, unconvincing and undeliverable that this particular piece of 'better communication' hasn't solved anything - it has merely brought all the mistakes and failures of the past two years into still sharper focus.
Any communications manager, however open, personable and capable as she may be, is going to have to scale a mountain to explain the ambitions of our owner. Even getting him to display enthusiastic empathy for the wish of all football supporters everywhere - getting their club up the league ladder - would be a good start. But I don't think he has that in him.
Precisely the problem. Lipstick on a pig and all that. You can't package this nonsense successfully because it is nonsense.
I think Mel understands how difficult her task is and I won't be surprised if last night shocked her. She understands communication has been poor and mistakes made in this area. Last night gave her the platform to try and understand what Charlton fans are thinking and how she can try and improve this. She admitted response to emails had been poor and this needed urgent attention.
I thought both Mel & Chris came across well. We know Chris from old, but Mel seemed pleasant, intelligent & level headed and wanted to listen, which is a very good start. I think she will be a good appointment.
Mel reports to KM and is in charge of 4 people. Including Olly Groome, George Jones and Steve Adamson (who does the big screen).
We had a show of hands, on who likes the screen as it is & it was nil.
100% preferred it as was, with the teams listed.
It was pointed out that the club was well aware of this and was an example of how, the club are not giving the fans/customers what they want & it's a simple win/win.
I thought both Mel & Chris came across well. We know Chris from old, but Mel seemed pleasant, intelligent & level headed and wanted to listen, which is a very good start. I think she will be a good appointment.
Mel reports to KM and is in charge of 4 people. Including Olly Groome, George Jones and Steve Adamson (who does the big screen).
We had a show of hands, on who likes the screen as it is & it was nil.
100% preferred it as was, with the teams listed.
It was pointed out that the club was well aware of this and was an example of how, the club are not giving the fans/customers what they want & it's a simple win/win.
Easy win for her then. Or not, if Keohane continues to prevail.
When taking a job like this you surely have to buy into RD/KM's vision for the club, her job is now to try and sell/spin that vision to the fans, good luck with that.
Comments
Surely the National is in April? Is it worth putting any money on Delacroix? French horse I assume.
https://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/error/index.html?aspxerrorpath=/consultant/consultantdetails?p_name=Ian-Beasley&p_id=48767
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-beasley-b3835129
http://footballpostsandteacups-drianbeasley.blogspot.co.uk/
Transferred from Kent to Greater London in 1965
bankback on loan from FC Louvre, he hasn't played for 150 years due to being dead, but is expected to provide stiff competition to Morgan Fox.Chris was interesting but would have liked to hear some more stories/anecdotes.
All in all a decent evening and if you live local then worth attending in future.
Was it pointed out that for many the bridge has been burned and the relationship written off as "uneconomical to repair" ?
Mel looks nice too.
So if the whole initiative was her brainchild then she has been quick off the mark in facilitating some 'communication'.
One should never 'shoot the messenger', so if this was her idea then good luck to her for acting quickly. However, the message itself as delivered by RD in the films is so unattractive, unconvincing and undeliverable that this particular piece of 'better communication' hasn't solved anything - it has merely brought all the mistakes and failures of the past two years into still sharper focus.
Any communications manager, however open, personable and capable as she may be, is going to have to scale a mountain to explain the ambitions of our owner. Even getting him to display enthusiastic empathy for the wish of all football supporters everywhere - getting their club up the league ladder - would be a good start. But I don't think he has that in him.
Last night gave her the platform to try and understand what Charlton fans are thinking and how she can try and improve this. She admitted response to emails had been poor and this needed urgent attention.
Mel reports to KM and is in charge of 4 people. Including Olly Groome, George Jones and Steve Adamson (who does the big screen).
We had a show of hands, on who likes the screen as it is & it was nil.
100% preferred it as was, with the teams listed.
It was pointed out that the club was well aware of this and was an example of how, the club are not giving the fans/customers what they want & it's a simple win/win.