Universities these days are ultimately a business so if something damages their brand and risks long term recruitment/funding they'll want some answers from the club's owners. Not sure David Maguire will particularly care very much though.
I write as a former student (during the days when the University was known as Thames Polytechnic) and supporter of Charlton Athletic FC since 1963.
I was delighted that two precious institutions of significance in my life had come together when I first heard that the University of Greenwich was to sponsor the Charlton Athletic shirts.
However since then it has become increasingly apparent that the policies and actions of the present Club ownership are wilfully destroying Charlton Athletic as a competitive football club for its own purposes. I do not make such an assertion lightly. Charlton's results on the field have been indifferent for the majority of the 53 years I have supported the Club so I am inured to failure on the pitch. The fundamental difference is that previous ownerships genuinely tried but failed to progress the playing side of the Club. This ownership simply does not care and wants to utilise the Club, at whatever level, to showcase young players for future resale and has no ambition to progress the Club itself on the field of play.
I appreciate that the University must discharge the present obligations to Charlton that it has signed up to but would implore you, or whoever decides these matters, not to sign the University up to any future sponsorship deals with this present ownership for the reasons given.
It would be very sad for me personally to see a SE London institution I love and was once part of financially assist in the destruction of another SE London institution I love.
I just turned up the latest 'Voice of The Valley' whilst looking for something else. As is my wont I immediately became distracted from what I was supposed to be doing and started flicking through the pages once more.
....."Further research revealed an encouraging report from the Woolwich Polytechnic Athletic Club dating from 1916 that stated: 'It is with deep regret that we received the news that H Nightingale, known as 'Nobby', has been killed at the front."....
A poignant link if ever there was one of the historic link between the two institutions.
That link has to be suspended until the football club returns to some semblance of sanity and normality.
Done by email. The UofG won't be impressed by the idea of a puppy farm of players, either, as their goal is to get students on the road to a happy and fulfilling life and career, not sold to the highest bidder for private profit!
I interviewed 6 of their soon to be MSc grads last week - they were all absolutely awful.
I'm not sure their standards are desperately high but they'll happily take £18k per year from overseas students with limited results.
Done by email. The UofG won't be impressed by the idea of a puppy farm of players, either, as their goal is to get students on the road to a happy and fulfilling life and career, not sold to the highest bidder for private profit!
I interviewed 6 of their soon to be MSc grads last week - they were all absolutely awful.
I'm not sure their standards are desperately high but they'll happily take £18k per year from overseas students with limited results.
Depends on the department. This university's a lot like a badly balanced football team - some departments carry others. Certain departments will take anybody and pass them regardless of how bad they are. Others have some excellent students. But they are trying to change and climb up the league tables unlike Roland and his mob who will settle for the conference.
PS I used to work for them - bit like Yann and Roland they messed me about, as they seem to be doing to your Dad @ForeverAddickted and they have down to lots of people. I now work for somewhere better, a couple of divisions better probably in football terms. But aside from that they are obsessed with branding and identity and so will not want any bad publicity. We should certainly pressure them to ask questions of Roland and emphasise we want them to be a part of the club long after he's gone!
I think they are a very legitimate target to make representation to. When it was first announced that UoG were to be a major sponsor, it seemed both a logical and long term marketing partnership. Being a major educational player in both Greenwich and the Medway, where there campuses are, there seemed to be lots of mutual areas of engagement, and areas of cross benefit, besides just the financial input. I was never convinced of the logo on the shirt being different on the clubs shirt, as there 'brand mark' seemed to get confusing, but the rather vague excuse that the UoG logo would not be appropriate on the shirt was a very feeble excuse. The marketing department did not want to engage at the time, at least with myself, but I did manage to speak to a couple of departments heads who saw the sense in a close relationship between supporters and the UoG.
There are couple of posters on here who work at the UoG, It might be more appropriate for them to make representation, as I work very occasionally for local educational establishments my view will be viewed with some 'distrust,' as it was at the time, at least that was the feedback I got at the time. In fact I am still awaiting there response from over 2 years ago!, I hope they get a quicker response.
Have just sent the following email to the public relations department of the university.................
Good Afternoon,
Can I please draw your attention to the Universities current shirt sponsorship with Charlton Athletic FC. You are no doubt aware of the considerable animosity currently being created at Charlton Athletic FC. It is not a good time to be associated with a club that is surrounded by adverse publicity in both local and national media with articles being followed up by Sky Sports news. Please reconsider your position with regard to your association as it is only likely to damage your image in my opinion. I have followed this club for over fifty years and although there have been many highs and lows (unfortunately the lows have always been in greater number) but never has there been more disapproval for the way the club is currently being run.......an owner who does not attend matches, a CEO with no experience of how to run a professional football club and who sees fans as "customers" rather than supporters, a club that has had six managers in just over two years and a club once held up as one that should be used as a good example of how a modern football club should be run to now a laughing stock at how the Belgian is ruining a famous English club by trying to impose his own failing ideology. He currently owns several clubs across Europe none of which are what would be regarded as successful and is disliked intensely at most of them. He recently sold one of the clubs he owned - Standard Liege - a Belgian Pro league team - because "nobody liked me" and will hopefully appreciate that he is held in the same way here in the UK and that the supporters of CAFC will prove to be the unmovable object in his way in his attempt to destroy a proud history. The fans have proved tenacious and determined before when getting Greenwich Council to climb down with their planning stance when the club was attempting to return to the Valley. You may well remember the Valley Party that achieved a fantastic result in the local elections where it gained more than 18,000 votes and will win the current battle to get Mr Roland Duchatelet to sell the club. It is with all these details in mind I would question the suitability of such a partner to your organisation especially as the university holds true many of the ideals of this famous club as indicated below............... Page 22 of the University’s 2015 Annual report states: "community is about a common sense of pride and a sense of belonging. It’s about recognition for the university as a great place to work, study and do business. That means everyone being heard, valued, empowered and listened to, involving our communities of staff, students and alumni as well as neighbours, partners, suppliers and other stakeholders.”
Does the current CAFC model align with what the University stand for, it certainly does not look like it from where I see it ,so I ask you again please reconsider your position with regard to your sponsorship agreement as it surely means more than just your name on the teams shirt.
In a deal like the Coco5 thing, I can see that is a straight transaction with the cafc regime - publicity for cash. Harming that deal takes cash directly from Roland's pocket.
With UofG, the relationship seems a bit more complex and community-based. Sharing facilities, providing students with valuable TV experience etc etc.
Everyone is free to do as they wish, but I'd be interested to see how much destroying the UofG sponsorship would actually cost the Regime. My guess is that UofG aren't shovelling over loads of money to cafc, and that this mostly just breaks community ties for the club and those that benefit at a much lower rung than the owner and CEO.
I can't imagine Roly D losing sleep because a university football team can't train in a sports hall, and their students can't train for future TV careers (or whatever).
Just my opinion, I'm not as well versed in this stuff as some on here.
In a deal like the Coco5 thing, I can see that is a straight transaction with the cafc regime - publicity for cash. Harming that deal takes cash directly from Roland's pocket.
With UofG, the relationship seems a bit more complex and community-based. Sharing facilities, providing students with valuable TV experience etc etc.
Everyone is free to do as they wish, but I'd be interested to see how much destroying the UofG sponsorship would actually cost the Regime. My guess is that UofG aren't shovelling over loads of money to cafc, and that this mostly just breaks community ties for the club and those that benefit at a much lower rung than the owner and CEO.
I can't imagine Roly D losing sleep because a university football team can't train in a sports hall, and their students can't train for future TV careers (or whatever).
Just my opinion, I'm not as well versed in this stuff as some on here.
If that's all it is , then UOG will swiftly remove their backing/sponsorship - however the sparrows lane redevelopments hinge on working with UOG so it could prove to be a huge obstacle or even derail those plans!
In a deal like the Coco5 thing, I can see that is a straight transaction with the cafc regime - publicity for cash. Harming that deal takes cash directly from Roland's pocket.
With UofG, the relationship seems a bit more complex and community-based. Sharing facilities, providing students with valuable TV experience etc etc.
Everyone is free to do as they wish, but I'd be interested to see how much destroying the UofG sponsorship would actually cost the Regime. My guess is that UofG aren't shovelling over loads of money to cafc, and that this mostly just breaks community ties for the club and those that benefit at a much lower rung than the owner and CEO.
I can't imagine Roly D losing sleep because a university football team can't train in a sports hall, and their students can't train for future TV careers (or whatever).
Just my opinion, I'm not as well versed in this stuff as some on here.
If that's all it is , then UOG will swiftly remove their backing/sponsorship - however the sparrows lane redevelopments hinge on working with UOG so it could prove to be a huge obstacle or even derail those plans!
In a deal like the Coco5 thing, I can see that is a straight transaction with the cafc regime - publicity for cash. Harming that deal takes cash directly from Roland's pocket.
With UofG, the relationship seems a bit more complex and community-based. Sharing facilities, providing students with valuable TV experience etc etc.
Everyone is free to do as they wish, but I'd be interested to see how much destroying the UofG sponsorship would actually cost the Regime. My guess is that UofG aren't shovelling over loads of money to cafc, and that this mostly just breaks community ties for the club and those that benefit at a much lower rung than the owner and CEO.
I can't imagine Roly D losing sleep because a university football team can't train in a sports hall, and their students can't train for future TV careers (or whatever).
Just my opinion, I'm not as well versed in this stuff as some on here.
Depends on your definition of shovelling over loads of money Davey, after all the regime as you call it were quick enough to comment on the good work of there community work with the community trust when the MP's enquired, and the submission of the training ground planning proposals also endlessly mentions the local community, and the community trust in its planning application. As I have posted on this page above, the University is an important part of the community, and its role in education is very important. As I mentioned it is not only the financial input that the UoG put in, but there endorsement, the same could be said of the RBG who use the premises of CAFC for seminars and presentations. I used to use the valley for my local football club presentation night, I have mentioned this to the now club chairman and they have cancelled there awards night. I also mentioned the hiring of the pitch at the end of the season to various organisations, to contacts in the events planning world. This is a question of cutting off the revenue, and showing this regime that supporters have an effect, not in only attending games and purchasing pies and shirts, but that the 'Club' are part of the community, in both the business and social marketing sense.
Pity that the UoG employees\posters have not commented on this page eh 'Henry the cat'...... Be interested to hear those views, either in support of the current situation.
I am a former employee of the University and also someone who doesn't see them in a positive light. However I do not agree that we should call on any current employees to become involved in this action. They would not be viewed positively by the University and it could put their jobs at risk.
In a deal like the Coco5 thing, I can see that is a straight transaction with the cafc regime - publicity for cash. Harming that deal takes cash directly from Roland's pocket.
With UofG, the relationship seems a bit more complex and community-based. Sharing facilities, providing students with valuable TV experience etc etc.
Everyone is free to do as they wish, but I'd be interested to see how much destroying the UofG sponsorship would actually cost the Regime. My guess is that UofG aren't shovelling over loads of money to cafc, and that this mostly just breaks community ties for the club and those that benefit at a much lower rung than the owner and CEO.
I can't imagine Roly D losing sleep because a university football team can't train in a sports hall, and their students can't train for future TV careers (or whatever).
Just my opinion, I'm not as well versed in this stuff as some on here.
If that's all it is , then UOG will swiftly remove their backing/sponsorship - however the sparrows lane redevelopments hinge on working with UOG so it could prove to be a huge obstacle or even derail those plans!
That was very true of the original scheme - I think it's much less true (if at all) of the revised one, judging from the planning statement submitted with the application. There are other links, however.
The fact we have announced studentpriced tickets for next season suggests there is already a deal in place for next season.
In fact, many kit and sponsorship deals get signed off many months beforehand, as the companies need to set the budgets for marketing, advertising and sponsorship pretty early on, so I think you'll find the boat has well and truly been missed
I am a former employee of the University and also someone who doesn't see them in a positive light. However I do not agree that we should call on any current employees to become involved in this action. They would not be viewed positively by the University and it could put their jobs at risk.
Context Johnny 73. Of course it is up to individuals who work for the UoG to make this decision, but if the University does not listen to its own staff on an important community matter, which it uses it's financial as well as other resources, that would not only be a rather narrow minded and undemocratic policy, I am unsure that many of the students and lecturers would support that view. Of course i do remember a time when higher education establishments took quite a position on social and political issues, but then I come from a time when Barclays bank, were not welcome on to some of the campus sites, to name but one organisation. Does an educational organisation not welcome, and embrace freedom of speech and transparency ?
Comments
( like I'm going to enrol at any university EVER! ;-)
....."Further research revealed an encouraging report from the Woolwich Polytechnic Athletic Club dating from 1916 that stated: 'It is with deep regret that we received the news that H Nightingale, known as 'Nobby', has been killed at the front."....
A poignant link if ever there was one of the historic link between the two institutions.
That link has to be suspended until the football club returns to some semblance of sanity and normality.
Email sent.
Perhaps someone connected with the local press hounds could suggest an article asking the Professor what he's decided and why?
I'm not sure their standards are desperately high but they'll happily take £18k per year from overseas students with limited results.
Being a major educational player in both Greenwich and the Medway, where there campuses are, there seemed to be lots of mutual areas of engagement, and areas of cross benefit, besides just the financial input. I was never convinced of the logo on the shirt being different on the clubs shirt, as there 'brand mark' seemed to get confusing, but the rather vague excuse that the UoG logo would not be appropriate on the shirt was a very feeble excuse. The marketing department did not want to engage at the time, at least with myself, but I did manage to speak to a couple of departments heads who saw the sense in a close relationship between supporters and the UoG.
There are couple of posters on here who work at the UoG, It might be more appropriate for them to make representation, as I work very occasionally for local educational establishments my view will be
viewed with some 'distrust,' as it was at the time, at least that was the feedback I got at the time.
In fact I am still awaiting there response from over 2 years ago!, I hope they get a quicker response.
Good Afternoon,
Can I please draw your attention to the Universities current shirt sponsorship with Charlton Athletic FC. You are no doubt aware of the considerable animosity currently being created at Charlton Athletic FC. It is not a good time to be associated with a club that is surrounded by adverse publicity in both local and national media with articles being followed up by Sky Sports news. Please reconsider your position with regard to your association as it is only likely to damage your image in my opinion. I have followed this club for over fifty years and although there have been many highs and lows (unfortunately the lows have always been in greater number) but never has there been more disapproval for the way the club is currently being run.......an owner who does not attend matches, a CEO with no experience of how to run a professional football club and who sees fans as "customers" rather than supporters, a club that has had six managers in just over two years and a club once held up as one that should be used as a good example of how a modern football club should be run to now a laughing stock at how the Belgian is ruining a famous English club by trying to impose his own failing ideology. He currently owns several clubs across Europe none of which are what would be regarded as successful and is disliked intensely at most of them. He recently sold one of the clubs he owned - Standard Liege - a Belgian Pro league team - because "nobody liked me" and will hopefully appreciate that he is held in the same way here in the UK and that the supporters of CAFC will prove to be the unmovable object in his way in his attempt to destroy a proud history. The fans have proved tenacious and determined before when getting Greenwich Council to climb down with their planning stance when the club was attempting to return to the Valley. You may well remember the Valley Party that achieved a fantastic result in the local elections where it gained more than 18,000 votes and will win the current battle to get Mr Roland Duchatelet to sell the club.
It is with all these details in mind I would question the suitability of such a partner to your organisation especially as the university holds true many of the ideals of this famous club as indicated below...............
Page 22 of the University’s 2015 Annual report states:
"community is about a common sense of pride and a sense of belonging. It’s about recognition for the university as a great place to work, study and do business. That means everyone being heard, valued, empowered and listened to, involving our communities of staff, students and alumni as well as neighbours, partners, suppliers and other stakeholders.”
Does the current CAFC model align with what the University stand for, it certainly does not look like it from where I see it ,so I ask you again please reconsider your position with regard to your sponsorship agreement as it surely means more than just your name on the teams shirt.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email.
Graham Sargent
With UofG, the relationship seems a bit more complex and community-based. Sharing facilities, providing students with valuable TV experience etc etc.
Everyone is free to do as they wish, but I'd be interested to see how much destroying the UofG sponsorship would actually cost the Regime. My guess is that UofG aren't shovelling over loads of money to cafc, and that this mostly just breaks community ties for the club and those that benefit at a much lower rung than the owner and CEO.
I can't imagine Roly D losing sleep because a university football team can't train in a sports hall, and their students can't train for future TV careers (or whatever).
Just my opinion, I'm not as well versed in this stuff as some on here.
As I have posted on this page above, the University is an important part of the community, and its role in education is very important. As I mentioned it is not only the financial input that the UoG put in, but there endorsement, the same could be said of the RBG who use the premises of CAFC for seminars and presentations. I used to use the valley for my local football club presentation night, I have mentioned this to the now club chairman and they have cancelled there awards night.
I also mentioned the hiring of the pitch at the end of the season to various organisations, to contacts in the events planning world.
This is a question of cutting off the revenue, and showing this regime that supporters have an effect, not in only attending games and purchasing pies and shirts, but that the 'Club' are part of the community, in both the business and social marketing sense.
Pity that the UoG employees\posters have not commented on this page eh 'Henry the cat'......
Be interested to hear those views, either in support of the current situation.
However I do not agree that we should call on any current employees to become involved in this action. They would not be viewed positively by the University and it could put their jobs at risk.
In fact, many kit and sponsorship deals get signed off many months beforehand, as the companies need to set the budgets for marketing, advertising and sponsorship pretty early on, so I think you'll find the boat has well and truly been missed