With duchatelet out of the picture - either with a sale of the club or the event that he passes, Charlton will have one of the best chances in the last decade to gain fans and bring old ones back. Fans who are young now will see the work that is being done via the media and that will be remembered!
Once duchatelet leaves , it is a big operation to gain a new fans base but an operation that Is easier and considerably smaller than removing a crap owner!
Even if he stays I'd like to think of the protests as successful. If for no other reason than they have helped me remain marginally sane. They have been the highlight of a very drab and disastrous season.
Yes probably a good proportion of the non-renewers will be lost to the club for years, or ever, even if Doeshitalot sells up within the next year. Attendances next season will be poorer even in the unlikely event relegation is avoided, but this is inevitable under RD. If RD can't be convinced he has failed with his Charlton project and retains ownership, the club will decline at an accelerating rate and attendances/support will wither for certain. We can't be sure any subsequent owner will have any more idea than Roly, or any more backing than Mick the manc & Spanish Tony but who/whatever that next owner might be there is a chance it'll be better than this septuagenarian shitforbrains and any chance is chance enough. Sitting quietly doing nothing helps to ensure RD's inexorable destruction of the club. CARD's campaign has already been a success - RD's and KM's credibility is nil in England. The responsible thing to do if/when the rat divests will be to run as vigorous and noisy a campaign, with the club, to bring back the disaffected. C.A.R.D. becomes "Charlton Athletic Recruitment Drive" or similar? The next incumbents should be well aware that the club comes with considerable baggage, hopefully this should go some way to filtering out any more chancers, dreamers, crackpots and pisstakers.
Don't view it as a win / lose scenario, but had there not been the impact generated by the protests:
- we would currently have Nebojša Vignjević as our manager, - Roland would still be in the dark to the extent of the discontent - Roland would be looking to continue his ownership long-term.
None of those three things are now the case.
Well you're wrong there. The protests have failed. I read it on another thread from one of these insightful new posters.
I don't like Roland one bit, but is anyone else concerned about the long term affect CARD might help create? There is already talk among most fans about not renewing their season tickets, my worry is once these people are gone, it will be hard to get them back.
I can only speak for myself, however, I am not renewing my season ticket and I am not going to any more home games under Roland. However, the day he sells up I will immediately purchase a season ticket, home shirt, red and white scarf, club gnome, away shirt, club key ring, club tie, I will then stuff my face with as much food and drink as possible in the ground.
When that day comes it will be celebrated as one of my happiest moments at The Valley.
I don't like Roland one bit, but is anyone else concerned about the long term affect CARD might help create? There is already talk among most fans about not renewing their season tickets, my worry is once these people are gone, it will be hard to get them back.
I can only speak for myself, however, I am not renewing my season ticket and I am not going to any more home games under Roland. However, the day he sells up I will immediately purchase a season ticket, home shirt, red and white scarf, club gnome, away shirt, club key ring, club tie, I will then stuff my face with as much food and drink as possible in the ground.
When that day comes it will be celebrated as one of my happiest moments at The Valley.
Likewise, I will enter my 2nd season without a ticket but I'm a little concerned that Im starting to find other things to do on a saturday now. Yes, while I always find time to sit down and catch the game, what I don't do is have the time for a 6/7 hour round trip on the multistop VE just so I can have a couple of beers before the game. Especially as I only live an hour away by car, I'm sure that I will buy a ticket when they go, how many times I will use it? At the moment I couldn't answer that!
Now I don’t really want any other outcome than this owner selling the club and taking his useless CEO with him, but it is worth asking a question. If Duchatelet remains, has CARD and its supporters lost? I think the answer a lot of people will say is yes of course. But, I think there is an argument that means the protests have been a partial success even if he stays. For one thing, will we ever have a manager like Fraeye dumped on us again? Roland is not in the firing line, he’s hiding in his Belgian bunker, but his employees are. We pretty much know that pressure was applied from those at the front line not to employ the Upjest manager to replace Fraeye which forced a quick U-turn. We know that there was opposition to his crazy statement, to the point we had a resignation. Whilst this didn’t stop him in that instant, the statement was hidden away on the website without a fanfare as much as possible. We hear that the CEO didn’t want him to publish it. I would say she is learning from the protests. She clearly is much more careful about what she says – to the point of saying pretty much nothing. That has to be good. The owner will always be the owner until he sells, but the club is now aware of reactions of fans in every decision it makes and it influences decisions. This has the potential to temper Duchatelet’s madness to degree going forwards. Not ideal, but we can’t say it isn’t having some effect.
Instead of the stupid loans we made under Fraeye – Riga has made the right signings. Too late – the damage has been done some would say, but there are fine lines sometimes between success and failure and if we can prevent the craziness the club will be better for it. Who knows? Whilst still highly unlikely, our interventions could still keep us up – as whilst we may not have the best manager possible, we probably have the best manager we can expect under Duchatelet. And that is probably thanks to us!
If Roland stays, but the approach changes - so hiring managers that are not connected with the network but instead have knowledge of the Football league, being prepared to buy players from league rivals if it would make a real difference to the squad, bringing back Floyd and Harvey, getting rid of the sofa, then I think it would have been a worthwhile compromise because fans would have changed the Duchatelet approach.
But, when you look at how things panned out at Standard Liege, history tells us that if Roland feels that he can't run it his way and force his vision on it, then he gets rid. What were his comments on sale? Something about the relationship with the fans had become too complicated, and he didn't want to die early?
If he stays the aim of card has failed---- that dosnt mean it shouldn't have happened or its efforts arnt to be part of CAFC history----- better to try and fail
Now I don’t really want any other outcome than this owner selling the club and taking his useless CEO with him, but it is worth asking a question. If Duchatelet remains, has CARD and its supporters lost? I think the answer a lot of people will say is yes of course. But, I think there is an argument that means the protests have been a partial success even if he stays. For one thing, will we ever have a manager like Fraeye dumped on us again? Roland is not in the firing line, he’s hiding in his Belgian bunker, but his employees are. We pretty much know that pressure was applied from those at the front line not to employ the Upjest manager to replace Fraeye which forced a quick U-turn. We know that there was opposition to his crazy statement, to the point we had a resignation. Whilst this didn’t stop him in that instant, the statement was hidden away on the website without a fanfare as much as possible. We hear that the CEO didn’t want him to publish it. I would say she is learning from the protests. She clearly is much more careful about what she says – to the point of saying pretty much nothing. That has to be good. The owner will always be the owner until he sells, but the club is now aware of reactions of fans in every decision it makes and it influences decisions. This has the potential to temper Duchatelet’s madness to degree going forwards. Not ideal, but we can’t say it isn’t having some effect.
Instead of the stupid loans we made under Fraeye – Riga has made the right signings. Too late – the damage has been done some would say, but there are fine lines sometimes between success and failure and if we can prevent the craziness the club will be better for it. Who knows? Whilst still highly unlikely, our interventions could still keep us up – as whilst we may not have the best manager possible, we probably have the best manager we can expect under Duchatelet. And that is probably thanks to us!
If Roland stays, but the approach changes - so hiring managers that are not connected with the network but instead have knowledge of the Football league, being prepared to buy players from league rivals if it would make a real difference to the squad, bringing back Floyd and Harvey, getting rid of the sofa, then I think it would have been a worthwhile compromise because fans would have changed the Duchatelet approach.
But, when you look at how things panned out at Standard Liege, history tells us that if Roland feels that he can't run it his way and force his vision on it, then he gets rid. What was his comments on sale? Something about the relationship with the fans had become too complicated, and he didn't want to die early?
Also said something along the lines of wanting to be finished with football at age 75 - so only 5 years
If he stays the aim of card has failed---- that dosnt mean it shouldn't have happened or its efforts arnt to be part of CAFC history----- better to try and fail
Protests have again united the fans in a way not seen since the Selhurst/Upton Park days. Perhaps the day Roland pisses off will go down in our history along with December 5 and May 25 ...
If Roland does sell, CARD will have achieved something quite remarkable. Either way, it has been a very successful campaign if you look beyond that single end measure.
The media coverage that's been achieved when the club itself has struggled to be noticed in recent years is testament to the talents of those working behind the scenes (plus the eternal generosity of the fools at the club who think they're cleverer than they are).
The level and kind of disruption to the club and its individuals has been extraordinary, the icing on the cake being RD's mad reactionary statement, topped off by the admirable Ms Baroni's resignation. I suspect part of the reason for his irritation is that he's been led up the garden path by his senior team within the club, his "eyes and ears" as KM described herself.
Most of all, though, CARD being a coalition has shown that fans groups can work productively together at a time when they have never been more disparate. The work the Trust started with the public meeting back in February last year, given momentum by Ben and Joe's Spell it Out campaign has been brought into focus by CARD and it's been truly a united effort driven by consensus. More than anything, this needs to be its legacy in my view.
Now I don’t really want any other outcome than this owner selling the club and taking his useless CEO with him, but it is worth asking a question. If Duchatelet remains, has CARD and its supporters lost? I think the answer a lot of people will say is yes of course. But, I think there is an argument that means the protests have been a partial success even if he stays. For one thing, will we ever have a manager like Fraeye dumped on us again? Roland is not in the firing line, he’s hiding in his Belgian bunker, but his employees are. We pretty much know that pressure was applied from those at the front line not to employ the Upjest manager to replace Fraeye which forced a quick U-turn. We know that there was opposition to his crazy statement, to the point we had a resignation. Whilst this didn’t stop him in that instant, the statement was hidden away on the website without a fanfare as much as possible. We hear that the CEO didn’t want him to publish it. I would say she is learning from the protests. She clearly is much more careful about what she says – to the point of saying pretty much nothing. That has to be good. The owner will always be the owner until he sells, but the club is now aware of reactions of fans in every decision it makes and it influences decisions. This has the potential to temper Duchatelet’s madness to degree going forwards. Not ideal, but we can’t say it isn’t having some effect.
Instead of the stupid loans we made under Fraeye – Riga has made the right signings. Too late – the damage has been done some would say, but there are fine lines sometimes between success and failure and if we can prevent the craziness the club will be better for it. Who knows? Whilst still highly unlikely, our interventions could still keep us up – as whilst we may not have the best manager possible, we probably have the best manager we can expect under Duchatelet. And that is probably thanks to us!
If Roland stays, but the approach changes - so hiring managers that are not connected with the network but instead have knowledge of the Football league, being prepared to buy players from league rivals if it would make a real difference to the squad, bringing back Floyd and Harvey, getting rid of the sofa, then I think it would have been a worthwhile compromise because fans would have changed the Duchatelet approach.
But, when you look at how things panned out at Standard Liege, history tells us that if Roland feels that he can't run it his way and force his vision on it, then he gets rid. What was his comments on sale? Something about the relationship with the fans had become too complicated, and he didn't want to die early?
Also said something along the lines of wanting to be finished with football at age 75 - so only 5 years
No that is when he believes he will die, based on his mathematical modelling or something similar...
Apparently he said last week that he thinks he will have to sell Charlton as it is becoming unattainable.
Some supporters are trying to get confirmation from our moles
Eyes and ears everywhere!
Fully expect when he does go they'll be a few parting shots at the fans and it'll be all our fault.
To answer the thread title, yes. It's already a success. If nothing else we've reminded everyone in football - prospective owners included - that this is our club and we'll do everything we can to fight for and protect it.
Apparently he said last week that he thinks he will have to sell Charlton as it is becoming unattainable.
Some supporters are trying to get confirmation from our moles
Eyes and ears everywhere!
Fully expect when he does go they'll be a few parting shots at the fans and it'll be all our fault.
To answer the thread title, yes. It's already a success. If nothing else we've reminded everyone in football - prospective owners included - that this is our club and we'll do everything we can to fight for and protect it.
He can do what he likes as long as he leaves
don't care what ever mess he leaves Charlton in we are a solid fan base and we will rebuild OUR Club!
Now I don’t really want any other outcome than this owner selling the club and taking his useless CEO with him, but it is worth asking a question. If Duchatelet remains, has CARD and its supporters lost? I think the answer a lot of people will say is yes of course. But, I think there is an argument that means the protests have been a partial success even if he stays. For one thing, will we ever have a manager like Fraeye dumped on us again? Roland is not in the firing line, he’s hiding in his Belgian bunker, but his employees are. We pretty much know that pressure was applied from those at the front line not to employ the Upjest manager to replace Fraeye which forced a quick U-turn. We know that there was opposition to his crazy statement, to the point we had a resignation. Whilst this didn’t stop him in that instant, the statement was hidden away on the website without a fanfare as much as possible. We hear that the CEO didn’t want him to publish it. I would say she is learning from the protests. She clearly is much more careful about what she says – to the point of saying pretty much nothing. That has to be good. The owner will always be the owner until he sells, but the club is now aware of reactions of fans in every decision it makes and it influences decisions. This has the potential to temper Duchatelet’s madness to degree going forwards. Not ideal, but we can’t say it isn’t having some effect.
Instead of the stupid loans we made under Fraeye – Riga has made the right signings. Too late – the damage has been done some would say, but there are fine lines sometimes between success and failure and if we can prevent the craziness the club will be better for it. Who knows? Whilst still highly unlikely, our interventions could still keep us up – as whilst we may not have the best manager possible, we probably have the best manager we can expect under Duchatelet. And that is probably thanks to us!
If Roland stays, but the approach changes - so hiring managers that are not connected with the network but instead have knowledge of the Football league, being prepared to buy players from league rivals if it would make a real difference to the squad, bringing back Floyd and Harvey, getting rid of the sofa, then I think it would have been a worthwhile compromise because fans would have changed the Duchatelet approach.
But, when you look at how things panned out at Standard Liege, history tells us that if Roland feels that he can't run it his way and force his vision on it, then he gets rid. What was his comments on sale? Something about the relationship with the fans had become too complicated, and he didn't want to die early?
Also said something along the lines of wanting to be finished with football at age 75 - so only 5 years
No that is when he believes he will die, based on his mathematical modelling or something similar...
"A normal human being can enjoy a good mental and physical health until he is 75. This means I have some 350 weeks to go. (...) Life quality and happiness are key to me. The situation was a complicated one as the fans don't like me. So I looked for a proper solution."
Now I don’t really want any other outcome than this owner selling the club and taking his useless CEO with him, but it is worth asking a question. If Duchatelet remains, has CARD and its supporters lost? I think the answer a lot of people will say is yes of course. But, I think there is an argument that means the protests have been a partial success even if he stays. For one thing, will we ever have a manager like Fraeye dumped on us again? Roland is not in the firing line, he’s hiding in his Belgian bunker, but his employees are. We pretty much know that pressure was applied from those at the front line not to employ the Upjest manager to replace Fraeye which forced a quick U-turn. We know that there was opposition to his crazy statement, to the point we had a resignation. Whilst this didn’t stop him in that instant, the statement was hidden away on the website without a fanfare as much as possible. We hear that the CEO didn’t want him to publish it. I would say she is learning from the protests. She clearly is much more careful about what she says – to the point of saying pretty much nothing. That has to be good. The owner will always be the owner until he sells, but the club is now aware of reactions of fans in every decision it makes and it influences decisions. This has the potential to temper Duchatelet’s madness to degree going forwards. Not ideal, but we can’t say it isn’t having some effect.
Instead of the stupid loans we made under Fraeye – Riga has made the right signings. Too late – the damage has been done some would say, but there are fine lines sometimes between success and failure and if we can prevent the craziness the club will be better for it. Who knows? Whilst still highly unlikely, our interventions could still keep us up – as whilst we may not have the best manager possible, we probably have the best manager we can expect under Duchatelet. And that is probably thanks to us!
If Roland stays, but the approach changes - so hiring managers that are not connected with the network but instead have knowledge of the Football league, being prepared to buy players from league rivals if it would make a real difference to the squad, bringing back Floyd and Harvey, getting rid of the sofa, then I think it would have been a worthwhile compromise because fans would have changed the Duchatelet approach.
But, when you look at how things panned out at Standard Liege, history tells us that if Roland feels that he can't run it his way and force his vision on it, then he gets rid. What was his comments on sale? Something about the relationship with the fans had become too complicated, and he didn't want to die early?
Also said something along the lines of wanting to be finished with football at age 75 - so only 5 years
No that is when he believes he will die, based on his mathematical modelling or something similar...
"A normal human being can enjoy a good mental and physical health until he is 75. This means I have some 350 weeks to go. (...) Life quality and happiness are key to me. The situation was a complicated one as the fans don't like me. So I looked for a proper solution."
"Life quality and happiness are key to me, that's why I refuse to buy a dishwasher."
Now I don’t really want any other outcome than this owner selling the club and taking his useless CEO with him, but it is worth asking a question. If Duchatelet remains, has CARD and its supporters lost? I think the answer a lot of people will say is yes of course. But, I think there is an argument that means the protests have been a partial success even if he stays. For one thing, will we ever have a manager like Fraeye dumped on us again? Roland is not in the firing line, he’s hiding in his Belgian bunker, but his employees are. We pretty much know that pressure was applied from those at the front line not to employ the Upjest manager to replace Fraeye which forced a quick U-turn. We know that there was opposition to his crazy statement, to the point we had a resignation. Whilst this didn’t stop him in that instant, the statement was hidden away on the website without a fanfare as much as possible. We hear that the CEO didn’t want him to publish it. I would say she is learning from the protests. She clearly is much more careful about what she says – to the point of saying pretty much nothing. That has to be good. The owner will always be the owner until he sells, but the club is now aware of reactions of fans in every decision it makes and it influences decisions. This has the potential to temper Duchatelet’s madness to degree going forwards. Not ideal, but we can’t say it isn’t having some effect.
Instead of the stupid loans we made under Fraeye – Riga has made the right signings. Too late – the damage has been done some would say, but there are fine lines sometimes between success and failure and if we can prevent the craziness the club will be better for it. Who knows? Whilst still highly unlikely, our interventions could still keep us up – as whilst we may not have the best manager possible, we probably have the best manager we can expect under Duchatelet. And that is probably thanks to us!
If Roland stays, but the approach changes - so hiring managers that are not connected with the network but instead have knowledge of the Football league, being prepared to buy players from league rivals if it would make a real difference to the squad, bringing back Floyd and Harvey, getting rid of the sofa, then I think it would have been a worthwhile compromise because fans would have changed the Duchatelet approach.
But, when you look at how things panned out at Standard Liege, history tells us that if Roland feels that he can't run it his way and force his vision on it, then he gets rid. What was his comments on sale? Something about the relationship with the fans had become too complicated, and he didn't want to die early?
Also said something along the lines of wanting to be finished with football at age 75 - so only 5 years
No that is when he believes he will die, based on his mathematical modelling or something similar...
"A normal human being can enjoy a good mental and physical health until he is 75. This means I have some 350 weeks to go. (...) Life quality and happiness are key to me. The situation was a complicated one as the fans don't like me. So I looked for a proper solution."
"Life quality and happiness are key to me, that's why I refuse to buy a dishwasher."
Not a complete failure as such if he stays. For many the formation of a united coalition and the subsequent protests have revived the feelings of great pride in OUR club.
Added to a large proportion of the fan base rallying in opposition, the overwhelming success in the media campaign ridiculing the owners has left them totally discredited. It continues to be all too easy to provoke them into ill considered disproportionate responses to the protests.
Some of the gains are intangible and hard to quantify, but the recent silence of the supercilious CEO is another victory of sorts surely.
On concerns over crowd numbers in future. Once a long time season ticket holder, I admit that I have not attended a match for a several years now and, although in exile I found other things to do, I know what I what I would rather be doing now.
So thanks to the fine efforts of CARD, Charlton are back in my blood again and I will undoubtedly return when these owners do go. The fact is I miss it more than ever now and I promise I will return for good when RD sells.
Now I don’t really want any other outcome than this owner selling the club and taking his useless CEO with him, but it is worth asking a question. If Duchatelet remains, has CARD and its supporters lost? I think the answer a lot of people will say is yes of course. But, I think there is an argument that means the protests have been a partial success even if he stays. For one thing, will we ever have a manager like Fraeye dumped on us again? Roland is not in the firing line, he’s hiding in his Belgian bunker, but his employees are. We pretty much know that pressure was applied from those at the front line not to employ the Upjest manager to replace Fraeye which forced a quick U-turn. We know that there was opposition to his crazy statement, to the point we had a resignation. Whilst this didn’t stop him in that instant, the statement was hidden away on the website without a fanfare as much as possible. We hear that the CEO didn’t want him to publish it. I would say she is learning from the protests. She clearly is much more careful about what she says – to the point of saying pretty much nothing. That has to be good. The owner will always be the owner until he sells, but the club is now aware of reactions of fans in every decision it makes and it influences decisions. This has the potential to temper Duchatelet’s madness to degree going forwards. Not ideal, but we can’t say it isn’t having some effect.
Instead of the stupid loans we made under Fraeye – Riga has made the right signings. Too late – the damage has been done some would say, but there are fine lines sometimes between success and failure and if we can prevent the craziness the club will be better for it. Who knows? Whilst still highly unlikely, our interventions could still keep us up – as whilst we may not have the best manager possible, we probably have the best manager we can expect under Duchatelet. And that is probably thanks to us!
If Roland stays, but the approach changes - so hiring managers that are not connected with the network but instead have knowledge of the Football league, being prepared to buy players from league rivals if it would make a real difference to the squad, bringing back Floyd and Harvey, getting rid of the sofa, then I think it would have been a worthwhile compromise because fans would have changed the Duchatelet approach.
But, when you look at how things panned out at Standard Liege, history tells us that if Roland feels that he can't run it his way and force his vision on it, then he gets rid. What was his comments on sale? Something about the relationship with the fans had become too complicated, and he didn't want to die early?
Also said something along the lines of wanting to be finished with football at age 75 - so only 5 years
No that is when he believes he will die, based on his mathematical modelling or something similar...
"A normal human being can enjoy a good mental and physical health until he is 75. This means I have some 350 weeks to go. (...) Life quality and happiness are key to me. The situation was a complicated one as the fans don't like me. So I looked for a proper solution."
I wonder how his life quality and happiness are doing at the moment. It can't be much fun having Katrien on the phone all the time saying 'they're being mean to me Roland'.
"A normal human being can enjoy a good mental and physical health until he is 75. This means I have some 350 weeks to go. (...) Life quality and happiness are key to me. The situation was a complicated one as the fans don't like me. So I looked for a proper solution."
Such an odd statement, but more than anything, quite sad.
If he'd posted that on Facebook, I'd have given him a "U OK hun? PM me" for sure. Having to read it in a media piece leaves me feeling so helpless.
Roland, if you're reading this, I want you to go, but I don't want you to feel like you've failed. You have. But, for your own sake, look on the bright side. You're still stinking rich! Pour yourself a bath, but use Evian. That's right, that bloomin' French stuff. It's bloody carbonated! Can you imagine how.... wow! I can't. But you can! Indulge yourself for just a few moments and reflect on how badly this could have gone. If you weren't so sensible, you could have spunked it all on hookers and blackjack years ago. But you didn't (Think of the stories you could be telling though... never mind). And you didn't spunk it on football. Fair enough. And if you hadn't have plopped a blimmin baby into the CEO role and let her surround herself with raging incompetence, perhaps this all could have worked out much differently. Of course, that was your decision, but dwelling on it just won't solve anything (remember, there's less than 350 weeks left now and no time to waste). Hold your head high as the king of Belgian electrical components. That's you baby! There's a lot to be said for embedded microchips. Own it. Put this mess behind you. Back some charity projects to get your name out there and push those dreaded blunders off the first few pages of everyone's search engine results. Restore Duchatelet pride. The Belgians have a lot to atone for in Africa, perhaps that's a great place to start. Scratch that. Better not. Stay away from Africa. Those people have truly suffered enough. Perhaps, Chin... No, not China. They're still sore about your South London Press interview. Look, charity starts at home. The Flemish people need a leader. You can be that man. OK, Vivant didn't work out. But you're being needlessly negative again. The volks weren't ready. But they can be. They can be dragged from their slumber. You just need a better approach. A better first touch. No, Reza is not the man to show you. Think outside the network. You need an image makeover. Start some local projects and give a little out there. Flash a bit of cash. Give a lot. Give generosity a chance. The people will respond. They'll change their minds about you if you first change the frame. That's the key. You're letting everyone else frame the conversation. Failure can't pin you down. What do you do when your footwear fails. Tape it up... NO! Get new footwear baby. Something snazzy, yet practical. Something that screams: This man is large and in charge (I don't know whether that translates well into Flemish, but you give the old "huh" at the end and watch those ladies dance you old dawg). Put a new pep in your step. Start jiving. Ducking and diving. Never let them see you sweat. Be the man that beats the man. Loyalty. Hustle. Respect. You can't see me (wavy, wavy). My time is now! Man, the whole world is waiting for the new Roland. They're practically begging for it. Listen, you can do this. You've got the means. You just need the will. You just need the vision. The first step... call Peter Varney. By all accounts, he's a fair fella. He won't laugh or lambaste you for past failings. I'm sure of it*. We all just want what's best for everyone. Let's put this to bed. Let's give ourselves the room to move on. Separately, but together (in different directions you understand?). Together. Differently. Moving on. Moving on to success. Moving on to better things. But not together.
*Well, prepare yourself, there's bound to be a VOTV article, but you know what... that's ok. Get a subscription and every once in a while have a little read to remind you of how you almost lost it all in a war you couldn't win. To an enemy you couldn't match. Then look around and thank your lucky stars that you didn't go any further down that route than necessary. And have another Evian bath and think of me. Doesn't that feel good? Tingly. In. All. The. Right. Places. Yeah, baby. I've never done it, I'm still trying to make my fortune, so check with your physician first.
{...} PS that was just for you. I know you like a footnote! Live well and prosper.
"A normal human being can enjoy a good mental and physical health until he is 75. This means I have some 350 weeks to go. (...) Life quality and happiness are key to me. The situation was a complicated one as the fans don't like me. So I looked for a proper solution."
Such an odd statement, but more than anything, quite sad.
If he'd posted that on Facebook, I'd have given him a "U OK hun? PM me" for sure. Having to read it in a media piece leaves me feeling so helpless.
Roland, if you're reading this, I want you to go, but I don't want you to feel like you've failed. You have. But, for your own sake, look on the bright side. You're still stinking rich! Pour yourself a bath, but use Evian. That's right, that bloomin' French stuff. It's bloody carbonated! Can you imagine how.... wow! I can't. But you can! Indulge yourself for just a few moments and reflect on how badly this could have gone. If you weren't so sensible, you could have spunked it all on hookers and blackjack years ago. But you didn't (Think of the stories you could be telling though... never mind). And you didn't spunk it on football. Fair enough. And if you hadn't have plopped a blimmin baby into the CEO role and let her surround herself with raging incompetence, perhaps this all could have worked out much differently. Of course, that was your decision, but dwelling on it just won't solve anything (remember, there's less than 350 weeks left now and no time to waste). Hold your head high as the king of Belgian electrical components. That's you baby! There's a lot to be said for embedded microchips. Own it. Put this mess behind you. Back some charity projects to get your name out there and push those dreaded blunders off the first few pages of everyone's search engine results. Restore Duchatelet pride. The Belgians have a lot to atone for in Africa, perhaps that's a great place to start. Scratch that. Better not. Stay away from Africa. Those people have truly suffered enough. Perhaps, Chin... No, not China. They're still sore about your South London Press interview. Look, charity starts at home. The Flemish people need a leader. You can be that man. OK, Vivant didn't work out. But you're being needlessly negative again. The volks weren't ready. But they can be. They can be dragged from their slumber. You just need a better approach. A better first touch. No, Reza is not the man to show you. Think outside the network. You need an image makeover. Start some local projects and give a little out there. Flash a bit of cash. Give a lot. Give generosity a chance. The people will respond. They'll change their minds about you if you first change the frame. That's the key. You're letting everyone else frame the conversation. Failure can't pin you down. What do you do when your footwear fails. Tape it up... NO! Get new footwear baby. Something snazzy, yet practical. Something that screams: This man is large and in charge (I don't know whether that translates well into Flemish, but you give the old "huh" at the end and watch those ladies dance you old dawg). Put a new pep in your step. Start jiving. Ducking and diving. Never let them see you sweat. Be the man that beats the man. Loyalty. Hustle. Respect. You can't see me (wavy, wavy). My time is now! Man, the whole world is waiting for the new Roland. They're practically begging for it. Listen, you can do this. You've got the means. You just need the will. You just need the vision. The first step... call Peter Varney. By all accounts, he's a fair fella. He won't laugh or lambaste you for past failings. I'm sure of it*. We all just want what's best for everyone. Let's put this to bed. Let's give ourselves the room to move on. Separately, but together (in different directions you understand?). Together. Differently. Moving on. Moving on to success. Moving on to better things. But not together.
*Well, prepare yourself, there's bound to be a VOTV article, but you know what... that's ok. Get a subscription and every once in a while have a little read to remind you of how you almost lost it all in a war you couldn't win. To an enemy you couldn't match. Then look around and thank your lucky stars that you didn't go any further down that route than necessary. And have another Evian bath and think of me. Doesn't that feel good? Tingly. In. All. The. Right. Places. Yeah, baby. I've never done it, I'm still trying to make my fortune, so check with your physician first.
{...} PS that was just for you. I know you like a footnote! Live well and prosper.
Erm, did you mean Perrier???
If he's in an Evian bath with bubbles, I'm guessing that there might have been extra sprouts for lunch...
Comments
Once duchatelet leaves , it is a big operation to gain a new fans base but an operation that Is easier and considerably smaller than removing a crap owner!
If for no other reason than they have helped me remain marginally sane.
They have been the highlight of a very drab and disastrous season.
CARD's campaign has already been a success - RD's and KM's credibility is nil in England.
The responsible thing to do if/when the rat divests will be to run as vigorous and noisy a campaign, with the club, to bring back the disaffected. C.A.R.D. becomes "Charlton Athletic Recruitment Drive" or similar?
The next incumbents should be well aware that the club comes with considerable baggage, hopefully this should go some way to filtering out any more chancers, dreamers, crackpots and pisstakers.
But, when you look at how things panned out at Standard Liege, history tells us that if Roland feels that he can't run it his way and force his vision on it, then he gets rid. What were his comments on sale? Something about the relationship with the fans had become too complicated, and he didn't want to die early?
"Beter alternatieren nastreven als apathisch nietsdoen"
"Better seeking for alternatives than doing nothing in apathy"
Actually, it would be great to get that on a banner.
The media coverage that's been achieved when the club itself has struggled to be noticed in recent years is testament to the talents of those working behind the scenes (plus the eternal generosity of the fools at the club who think they're cleverer than they are).
The level and kind of disruption to the club and its individuals has been extraordinary, the icing on the cake being RD's mad reactionary statement, topped off by the admirable Ms Baroni's resignation. I suspect part of the reason for his irritation is that he's been led up the garden path by his senior team within the club, his "eyes and ears" as KM described herself.
Most of all, though, CARD being a coalition has shown that fans groups can work productively together at a time when they have never been more disparate. The work the Trust started with the public meeting back in February last year, given momentum by Ben and Joe's Spell it Out campaign has been brought into focus by CARD and it's been truly a united effort driven by consensus. More than anything, this needs to be its legacy in my view.
To answer the thread title, yes. It's already a success. If nothing else we've reminded everyone in football - prospective owners included - that this is our club and we'll do everything we can to fight for and protect it.
don't care what ever mess he leaves Charlton in we are a solid fan base and we will rebuild OUR Club!
"Beter alternatieren nastreven als apathisch nietsdoen" would look great in black and white...
"A normal human being can enjoy a good mental and physical health until he is 75. This means I have some 350 weeks to go. (...) Life quality and happiness are key to me. The situation was a complicated one as the fans don't like me. So I looked for a proper solution."
Added to a large proportion of the fan base rallying in opposition, the overwhelming success in the media campaign ridiculing the owners has left them totally discredited. It continues to be all too easy to provoke them into ill considered disproportionate responses to the protests.
Some of the gains are intangible and hard to quantify, but the recent silence of the supercilious CEO is another victory of sorts surely.
On concerns over crowd numbers in future. Once a long time season ticket holder, I admit that I have not attended a match for a several years now and, although in exile I found other things to do, I know what I what I would rather be doing now.
So thanks to the fine efforts of CARD, Charlton are back in my blood again and I will undoubtedly return when these owners do go. The fact is I miss it more than ever now and I promise I will return for good when RD sells.
If he'd posted that on Facebook, I'd have given him a "U OK hun? PM me" for sure. Having to read it in a media piece leaves me feeling so helpless.
Roland, if you're reading this, I want you to go, but I don't want you to feel like you've failed. You have. But, for your own sake, look on the bright side. You're still stinking rich! Pour yourself a bath, but use Evian. That's right, that bloomin' French stuff. It's bloody carbonated! Can you imagine how.... wow! I can't. But you can! Indulge yourself for just a few moments and reflect on how badly this could have gone. If you weren't so sensible, you could have spunked it all on hookers and blackjack years ago. But you didn't (Think of the stories you could be telling though... never mind). And you didn't spunk it on football. Fair enough. And if you hadn't have plopped a blimmin baby into the CEO role and let her surround herself with raging incompetence, perhaps this all could have worked out much differently. Of course, that was your decision, but dwelling on it just won't solve anything (remember, there's less than 350 weeks left now and no time to waste). Hold your head high as the king of Belgian electrical components. That's you baby! There's a lot to be said for embedded microchips. Own it. Put this mess behind you. Back some charity projects to get your name out there and push those dreaded blunders off the first few pages of everyone's search engine results. Restore Duchatelet pride. The Belgians have a lot to atone for in Africa, perhaps that's a great place to start. Scratch that. Better not. Stay away from Africa. Those people have truly suffered enough. Perhaps, Chin... No, not China. They're still sore about your South London Press interview. Look, charity starts at home. The Flemish people need a leader. You can be that man. OK, Vivant didn't work out. But you're being needlessly negative again. The volks weren't ready. But they can be. They can be dragged from their slumber. You just need a better approach. A better first touch. No, Reza is not the man to show you. Think outside the network. You need an image makeover. Start some local projects and give a little out there. Flash a bit of cash. Give a lot. Give generosity a chance. The people will respond. They'll change their minds about you if you first change the frame. That's the key. You're letting everyone else frame the conversation. Failure can't pin you down. What do you do when your footwear fails. Tape it up... NO! Get new footwear baby. Something snazzy, yet practical. Something that screams: This man is large and in charge (I don't know whether that translates well into Flemish, but you give the old "huh" at the end and watch those ladies dance you old dawg). Put a new pep in your step. Start jiving. Ducking and diving. Never let them see you sweat. Be the man that beats the man. Loyalty. Hustle. Respect. You can't see me (wavy, wavy). My time is now! Man, the whole world is waiting for the new Roland. They're practically begging for it. Listen, you can do this. You've got the means. You just need the will. You just need the vision. The first step... call Peter Varney. By all accounts, he's a fair fella. He won't laugh or lambaste you for past failings. I'm sure of it*. We all just want what's best for everyone. Let's put this to bed. Let's give ourselves the room to move on. Separately, but together (in different directions you understand?). Together. Differently. Moving on. Moving on to success. Moving on to better things. But not together.
*Well, prepare yourself, there's bound to be a VOTV article, but you know what... that's ok. Get a subscription and every once in a while have a little read to remind you of how you almost lost it all in a war you couldn't win. To an enemy you couldn't match. Then look around and thank your lucky stars that you didn't go any further down that route than necessary. And have another Evian bath and think of me. Doesn't that feel good? Tingly. In. All. The. Right. Places. Yeah, baby. I've never done it, I'm still trying to make my fortune, so check with your physician first.
{...} PS that was just for you. I know you like a footnote! Live well and prosper.
If he's in an Evian bath with bubbles, I'm guessing that there might have been extra sprouts for lunch...