The Coalition Against Roland Duchatelet (CARD) is urging Charlton fans to “keep right on to the end of the Roland”.
Despite welcoming recent indications of a potential change in ownership, CARD notes that the club has claimed it is not for sale. The campaign therefore continues, and in addition to another joint protest with Coventry City fans next month, CARD is asking fans to delay purchasing season tickets for the 2017/18 season, which have finally gone on sale today.
Following last October’s joint action at The Valley, CARD is teaming up with Coventry supporters again to protest at the Ricoh Arena on Good Friday (April 14th, 3pm kick-off), in a joint demonstration against Duchatelet and the Sky Blues’ owners Sisu.
More details will be disclosed in due course. But to help protestors get to the Midlands and also to boost support for the Charlton team at the match, CARD is running its own coaches, fare £13* from across SE London and Kent. This is a third cheaper than the club’s price.
CARD has also announced its intention to stage a day of action at the final home match, against Swindon Town, on Sunday, April 30th (noon kick-off). Activities will be tailored to the circumstances at the time, including the situation of the two teams.
A spokesperson said: “We plan to take back The Valley on the final day of the season and are asking fans who have been staying away, whether in protest or frustration, to return and send a resounding message to the next owner about what Charlton can be. This can be accomplished inside the ground or outside, for those unwilling to buy a ticket.
“We welcome the prospect of new ownership, but it is important any buyer understands that the current board of Duchatelet, chief executive Katrien Meire and former chairman Richard Murray is toxic. There is no case for continuity.
“In our view, Meire has shown herself to be unfit to run the business and Murray’s consistent defence of this regime over its three years of failure has utterly destroyed his credibility. Their continued presence risks poisoning any reconciliation process.
“Last summer the club lost 40 per cent of its season-ticket holders and many who did buy later felt they had been tricked by false promises of a promotion challenging squad.
“It is obviously for each supporter to make their own decision, but we would strongly encourage anyone inclined to renew to wait for developments.
“Our passion is Charlton, not protesting, so CARD will end when Duchatelet goes, but like others we are keen to put our energies into supporting new ownership and a new management team in repairing the damage of the last three years.”
Coach travel details and booking arrangements
Coaches to Coventry will depart as follows:
Canterbury (Victoria Hotel, London Road) 9.20am
Medway Services (London bound) 9.45am
Dartford (Heath Lane, nr Halfords) 10.15am
Bexleyheath (Albion Road, nr Marriott Hotel) 10.30am
Bromley (North station) 10.10am
Well Hall (northbound bus stop, nr Dickson Road) 10.30am
Charlton (Makro bus stop, Anchor & Hope Lane) 10.45am
The fare is £13 per person from all pick-ups.
Please make payments to the Charlton protest fund account: sort code 20-68-04, account number 50661678 or via PayPal (as a friend to avoid commission) to protestfund@gmail.com - it is essential you give your name as a reference, then email charlton.card@yahoo.co.uk giving your name and pick-up details.
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Comments
ˈbɔɪkɒt/Submit
verb
1. withdraw from commercial or social relations with (a country, organization, or person) as a punishment or protest.
"we will boycott all banks which take part in the loans
DELAY
dɪˈleɪ/Submit
noun
1. a period of time by which something is late or postponed.
"a two-hour delay"
2. We can make the final game vs Swindon either a huge protest or a huge celebration, depending on whether the sale has been announced by then (with activities tailored to circumstances if we are still fighting relegation)
3. A respectful position on the thorny and emotive subject of season tickets, but with a clear call to DELAY buying until more is known.
I hope that all three elements get wide support.
#OurClubNotYours
Would be great to get 17k plus at the last game to show the potential there, no gimmicks, no stuff on the pitch just good support for the team and plenty of anti Roland stuff thrown in.
I will renew my 2 season tickets as soon as the club changes ownership.
Fully expecting Meire to announce free travel now.
Cov fans were great at the valley.
Anyway, there'll still 4 of us there for the protest. We owe it Coventry after the support they gave us.