Attention: Please take a moment to consider our terms and conditions before posting.

Season ticket

13468911

Comments

  • Ross
    Ross Posts: 4,409


    Apologies for being annoyed at some having a jossle over a fancy box ( for the record not people on here the Facebook group ) the man has taken us from a stable championship club to a average joe league 1 side, we will be lucky to scrape playoffs, but of course I'm not a charlton fan and only want the club to fail and should praise them for it.

    25 years - of course remember it, but I'm not going to praise them, I would rather be in the championship as a stable club instead of where we are now with an exclusive Hummel kit - if I'm wrong and they have changed then I'll scoff humble pie, personally I think I'll be going hungry.

    One season in the championship after being promot d,from league one after being down there for three seasons in of which one of those we finished in our lowest position ever does not make us a "stable club" does it? Under the tenure of Jeminez and Slater can you remember the pitch in which we played on and the firce criticism it came under especially the adandonmemt of the match in August due to a waterlogged pitch?
    Everything costs money as well as time, there are clubs in the championship and yes I can comment about this as I work within the game and am aware how long decisions can take to be made within football, you think you are there with a deal and drags for weeks if not months, then you think it is a dead deal for it all to be resurrected and done in twenty four hours. There are clubs that at this moment in time all appears to be going wonderfully well on the outside however when you get inside the club itself the ownership is awful, staff unhappy, things are being scrapped in which there is no future for the club however we are the complete opposite and we should be positive about our future as it looks a lot brighter than most clubs including those above us and we are the envy of many in terms of facilities and wages in which we spend.
    Whilst I would question your pronouncement that our club is "the complete opposite" of others seemingly well run, even successful , I would be going over old ground , albeit waterlogged or, as in SE7 last season, frozen, so I'll merely ask you one thing.

    Let's suppose you could ask a selection of supporters, across the board, from the other 91 clubs to describe Charlton Athletic FC, in one short phrase, as they currently view our club, what do you think would be the overall perception ?

    "Well respected" ? " Family friendly" ? " Well run" ? " Successful" ?

    Or maybe "the complete opposite" ?
    Point taken, however would you not agree that the likes of Portsmouth, Newcastle, Leeds, plus many more have had shall we say controversial owners but the fans have still stuck by their teams, if you then draw a parallel to Aston Villa, Leyton Orient, Blackpool, Coventry, Blackburn and ourselves in the way our fans have reacted by the protesting of the board and staying away rather than supporting the team I think there is an argument there to support the team rather than rip it apart.
    Portsmouth: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/portsmouth-fans-protest-outside-fratton-3367289

    "Hundreds of angry ­Portsmouth supporters ­demonstrated yesterday ­before their side faced Sunderland in the FA Cup at Fratton Park. They blocked the main entrance into the director’s lounge, and called for the resignation of the rock-­bottom club’s owners. Police and stewards were forced to erect a barrier around the main entrance.

    Chief executive Peter ­Storrie did come out to ­collect a petition from the supporters and attempted to reason with them. But they soon turned on him and unleashed a torrent of abuse in his direction.

    During Pompey’s 2-1 ­victory some home fans ­invaded the pitch. They confronted Pompey players and ­appeared to be trying to get to the area in front of the directors’ box."


    Leeds: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/15/leeds-fans-protest-massimo-cellino-reading

    "Leeds United fans plan to march in protest against the club owner Massimo Cellino through the city centre streets before Saturday’s home Championship game against Reading.

    The fans’ group Time To Go Massimo will join other supporters opposed to the Italian’s ownership of the club at Leeds City Square before embarking on a march to Elland Road."


    Newcastle: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jan/12/newcastle-united-fans-unfurl-protest-banner-against-mike-ashleys-sports-direct

    "A protest group is urging Newcastle fans to refuse to leave St James’ Park on Sunday one month after asking them to stay away.

    The Ashley Out protest group has unveiled plans for a sit-in protest at St James’ following the final whistle on Sunday, writes Will Metcalfe in the Newcastle Chronicle.

    Newcastle will take on West Ham in a game that could see them relegated for the second time in Mike Ashley’s tenure should Hull City beat Manchester United and the Magpies lose to West Ham.

    The protest is the latest measure from the anonymous group which hopes to see Mr Ashley sell the club."



    I guess it's a chicken & egg kind of question: what came first?

    a. the toxic regime either left or had a complete strategic overhaul then the fans came back
    b. the fans started to support the toxic regime and things magically got better
    Be interesting to see how many of the supporters boycotted matches, didn't buy season tickets, wore different colour scarfs, or did they still continue to support their teams in their numbers as well as vocally?
    Newcastle were fantastic.

    53000 week in week out supporting the Spell It Out in Black and White campaign.
  • WSS
    WSS Posts: 25,070
    See a lot of green and yellow scarves at Old Trafford.
  • Scoham
    Scoham Posts: 37,376
    WSS said:

    See a lot of green and yellow scarves at Old Trafford.

    Must be the reason they've not been as successful in the last few years. If only they got behind the team.
  • creepyaddick
    creepyaddick Posts: 6,152
    Cristian Ceballos was delivering mine, before he was bundled into that black limousine, now I've got to go to fooking Belgium to pick it up!
  • Gillis
    Gillis Posts: 998

    Firstly no such number as hundred trillionth.
    Secondly, I am not deluded, it's more of a case that you are very bitter and do not and will not acknowledge orpther fans views and simply shoot them down.
    Thirdly who states that the atmospheres are better, CARD, no one else.
    Finally you have the audacity to call other fans happy clap and have shit thrown at them. Well after making that statement if confirms that you are bitter and go to games for the wrong reasons to protest and not support the team.

    Is this true? If so, this is by far the most interesting point made on this thread so far! I'd have thought 100,000,000,000,000 would be called one hundred trillion? I'll readily admit to not being an expert when it comes to maths, though.
  • Season ticket box a gimmick by a failed regime.
    The real point is if KM and the regime really cared and understood they had ruined the club they would be trying to build bridges with those of us no longer financially supporting the club.
    They are not interested, it's the burger eaters, refreshment buyers, potential shoppers and dancers! they are interested in.
    Simple if KM went season tickets up 50% both go up 100%, it's that simple regime.
  • WhenIwasLittleBoy
    WhenIwasLittleBoy Posts: 5,430
    edited July 2017

    I this evening on social media have had my 11 year old son brought into an argument as well as my wife slagged off from a member of CARD. The same person has also made a statement that would have come from one of only two people.
    You both know who you are and the person that you have told in confidence has brought my young son into the argument which shows how low you have dropped.
    One of which is a friend of this said person on social media so all fingers point to you.

    WIWALB, you've got history about this sort of thing haven't you, you've got form. Your `argument' in public starts to turn against you and you revert to nameless, foundationless and unsubstantiated `attacks' from other social media outlets. Stop all the innuendo nonsense and either put up or shut up.

    You claim someone has `attacked' and `brought into an argument' your 11 year old son...on an external platform from this forum. So what the fuck has it got to do with this forum? Sod `its the same people' shit whilst virtually pointing at people. Thats a bollox argument and you know it. And if you INSIST on bringing it up on this forum, to try and drag this forum by de facto into it, have the fucking balls to name and quote what your grievances are about.

    My guess is that you're not prepared to do that though.....which speaks volumes....because you've got nothing.

    You've done this time and time and time again on this forum haven't you.....and you never learn.

    I this evening on social media have had my 11 year old son brought into an argument as well as my wife slagged off from a member of CARD. The same person has also made a statement that would have come from one of only two people.
    You both know who you are and the person that you have told in confidence has brought my young son into the argument which shows how low you have dropped.
    One of which is a friend of this said person on social media so all fingers point to you.

    Touched a nerve there. Fact is I don't and won't lie, especially when it comes to my son and family , you want a name I will give you a name.

    PAM WRIGHT. A huge activist for CARD.

    The same Pam Wright whom is friends with a leading member of CARD on here.

    The reality is the posts were so insulting and toxic that the moderators removed the whole post.

    So it's not a "bollox arguememt" as i will view and debate with anyone but there is a line in which you do not cross and bringing kids into it is going over that line.
    Previously PAM WRIGHT and will continue to highlight her name has publically slagged off the staff and new Liberal club, attacked my wife by making personal comments, and the posts made last night there is no way she could have known that information unless she was told by a third party and when I asked who told,you that and when it was she made up lies and dragged my son into it.

    The reason this forum will and has been dragged into it is because two of the people as well as PAM WRIGHT post on here or read posts.

  • rikofold
    rikofold Posts: 4,051
    Stig said:

    I want to challenge very strongly the idea that it's "a nice gesture". It isn't a nice gesture at all, it's a PR stunt. They are trying to bolster their damaged reputation by buying people off: Season ticket holders, who they know will be softer targets than lapsed attendees. This is the regime that has torn our club apart. They traded decent players for useless wannabes. They lied to fans. They drove people away. What they are doing now is the equivalent of giving your loved one a bunch of flowers after you've cheated on them. It stinks. It's just a manipulative ploy to try and fool people. And all for what? The cost of a scarf and a calendar, well whoopee do.

    For those who think it's about building bridges, here's an idea. If they want to build bridges they should start by apologising. They should then produce a list of errors and formulate plans to ensure that they do not repeat them. They will not do that, because they are in denial about whose fault this mess is.

    And as for all this Back the The Valley nonsense, it's sickening. They are not interested in that at all. We have an owner who has stated that competitive football is not important and a CEO who has said she does not care for the history of the club. They are piggy packing on this anniversary to try and gain brownie points. As @charltonkeston so eloquently put it, the PR company "are using some of my [our] best memories and associating them with the current vermin". Wake up, people. How many extra chances do this lot need?

    But Stig, I think you're missing the point. It comes in a nice red box! - Oh alright then, I take it back they must be genuinely decent people who have learnt the error of their ways and are committed to change. Viva Duchatelet. Viva Meire. Viva The Regime.

    You should award yourself the post of the month thing for that. Spot on fella.

    It remains a competition for them, can they beat us. It's nothing to do with building bridges, which is all about humility and relationships building. It was the CEO who talked of a war, do we think her whole attitude has completely changed in a matter of months having been so entrenched for so long? Do we think Keohane suddenly likes us all?

    Nothing's changed, they're just trying what's available to them to win.
  • Chris_from_Sidcup
    Chris_from_Sidcup Posts: 36,006
    edited July 2017
    If this 'attack' happened on social media, why don't you just respond by the same means?

    What does it even have to do with this thread?

    So many threads on here descend into pointless arguments these days. Where's a moderator when you need one?!
  • Sponsored links:



  • clb74
    clb74 Posts: 10,824
    rikofold said:

    Stig said:

    I want to challenge very strongly the idea that it's "a nice gesture". It isn't a nice gesture at all, it's a PR stunt. They are trying to bolster their damaged reputation by buying people off: Season ticket holders, who they know will be softer targets than lapsed attendees. This is the regime that has torn our club apart. They traded decent players for useless wannabes. They lied to fans. They drove people away. What they are doing now is the equivalent of giving your loved one a bunch of flowers after you've cheated on them. It stinks. It's just a manipulative ploy to try and fool people. And all for what? The cost of a scarf and a calendar, well whoopee do.

    For those who think it's about building bridges, here's an idea. If they want to build bridges they should start by apologising. They should then produce a list of errors and formulate plans to ensure that they do not repeat them. They will not do that, because they are in denial about whose fault this mess is.

    And as for all this Back the The Valley nonsense, it's sickening. They are not interested in that at all. We have an owner who has stated that competitive football is not important and a CEO who has said she does not care for the history of the club. They are piggy packing on this anniversary to try and gain brownie points. As @charltonkeston so eloquently put it, the PR company "are using some of my [our] best memories and associating them with the current vermin". Wake up, people. How many extra chances do this lot need?

    But Stig, I think you're missing the point. It comes in a nice red box! - Oh alright then, I take it back they must be genuinely decent people who have learnt the error of their ways and are committed to change. Viva Duchatelet. Viva Meire. Viva The Regime.

    You should award yourself the post of the month thing for that. Spot on fella.

    It remains a competition for them, can they beat us. It's nothing to do with building bridges, which is all about humility and relationships building. It was the CEO who talked of a war, do we think her whole attitude has completely changed in a matter of months having been so entrenched for so long? Do we think Keohane suddenly likes us all?

    Nothing's changed, they're just trying what's available to them to win.
    Surely CARD know the club are going to try these sort of things though.
    And we're doing ourselves no favours, because a few on here are saying nice touch etc there being told there being won over.
    I'm a renewing season ticket holder and can make my own mind up on what the club are doing.
    Were making a big thing of the season ticket box.
  • Essex_Al
    Essex_Al Posts: 3,582
    Stig said:

    I want to challenge very strongly the idea that it's "a nice gesture". It isn't a nice gesture at all, it's a PR stunt. They are trying to bolster their damaged reputation by buying people off: Season ticket holders, who they know will be softer targets than lapsed attendees. This is the regime that has torn our club apart. They traded decent players for useless wannabes. They lied to fans. They drove people away. What they are doing now is the equivalent of giving your loved one a bunch of flowers after you've cheated on them. It stinks. It's just a manipulative ploy to try and fool people. And all for what? The cost of a scarf and a calendar, well whoopee do.

    For those who think it's about building bridges, here's an idea. If they want to build bridges they should start by apologising. They should then produce a list of errors and formulate plans to ensure that they do not repeat them. They will not do that, because they are in denial about whose fault this mess is.

    And as for all this Back the The Valley nonsense, it's sickening. They are not interested in that at all. We have an owner who has stated that competitive football is not important and a CEO who has said she does not care for the history of the club. They are piggy packing on this anniversary to try and gain brownie points. As @charltonkeston so eloquently put it, the PR company "are using some of my [our] best memories and associating them with the current vermin". Wake up, people. How many extra chances do this lot need?

    But Stig, I think you're missing the point. It comes in a nice red box! - Oh alright then, I take it back they must be genuinely decent people who have learnt the error of their ways and are committed to change. Viva Duchatelet. Viva Meire. Viva The Regime.

    Aaah bless, you didn't get one then?
  • guinnessaddick
    guinnessaddick Posts: 28,612
    Why would Hummel be dealing with season tickets?
  • DA9
    DA9 Posts: 11,091

    Why would Hummel be dealing with season tickets?

    Dont think they are, Hummel may have produced the scarf, club marketing produced the rest IMO
  • seth plum
    seth plum Posts: 53,448
    Grapevine speaks for me. If the regime could engage with those points, and having been to STTV I doubt they would want to.
    Grapevine rightly invokes the present situation of STTV and it is truly chilling, there was a post published on here yesterday by big in Brazov from an STTV supporter which is worth revisiting.
    If any regime apologists can engage with what Grapevine has written, then they will also be engaging with what many supporters feel, but who can't put it as well.
    There is a cold cynicism demonstrated by this regime however much they dress up this or that moment like the season ticket thing, and despite continual declarations that they have changed it isn't believed or trusted by many of us.
    I repeat for the umpteenth time, if this regime has genuinely changed prove it on the pitch, In the sporting arena, by winning over and over again.
  • StrikerFirmani
    StrikerFirmani Posts: 2,742
    Swisdom said:

    Who'd have thought a red box could generate such interest.

    Seems it maybe Pandora's
  • RalphMilnesgut
    RalphMilnesgut Posts: 1,751
    edited July 2017
    Stig said:

    Stig said:

    @clb74 I don't think it's about sales, it's about face. By giving something to season ticket holders, they are helping to give a voice to those who take a softer view of the regime. Thereby making it more difficult for the anti-regimers to organise against them. Looking at the responses to it on here, I'd say the PR guys have played a blinder.

    Or they are beginning a season of celebrating a return to the Valley....
    history
    Was the whole quote not
    “I shouldn’t say it, but I’m not fussed about the club history. We should cherish it, but not at any price.”

  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 16,909

    Stig said:

    Stig said:

    @clb74 I don't think it's about sales, it's about face. By giving something to season ticket holders, they are helping to give a voice to those who take a softer view of the regime. Thereby making it more difficult for the anti-regimers to organise against them. Looking at the responses to it on here, I'd say the PR guys have played a blinder.

    Or they are beginning a season of celebrating a return to the Valley....
    history
    Was the whole quote not
    “I shouldn’t say it, but I’m not fussed about the club history. We should cherish it, but not at any price.”

    No. It wasn't...
  • RalphMilnesgut
    RalphMilnesgut Posts: 1,751
    edited July 2017
    Happy to be corrected. Can someone post the whole quote please
  • SE7toSG3
    SE7toSG3 Posts: 3,140
    Here is a translation:

    "The glorious past of this club? I do not care.
    The training of young players is the main wealth of Belgian clubs"
    "Now you understand why I fell in love with this club?" Exclaims Katrien Meire
  • Sponsored links:



  • Essex_Al said:

    Stig said:

    I want to challenge very strongly the idea that it's "a nice gesture". It isn't a nice gesture at all, it's a PR stunt. They are trying to bolster their damaged reputation by buying people off: Season ticket holders, who they know will be softer targets than lapsed attendees. This is the regime that has torn our club apart. They traded decent players for useless wannabes. They lied to fans. They drove people away. What they are doing now is the equivalent of giving your loved one a bunch of flowers after you've cheated on them. It stinks. It's just a manipulative ploy to try and fool people. And all for what? The cost of a scarf and a calendar, well whoopee do.

    For those who think it's about building bridges, here's an idea. If they want to build bridges they should start by apologising. They should then produce a list of errors and formulate plans to ensure that they do not repeat them. They will not do that, because they are in denial about whose fault this mess is.

    And as for all this Back the The Valley nonsense, it's sickening. They are not interested in that at all. We have an owner who has stated that competitive football is not important and a CEO who has said she does not care for the history of the club. They are piggy packing on this anniversary to try and gain brownie points. As @charltonkeston so eloquently put it, the PR company "are using some of my [our] best memories and associating them with the current vermin". Wake up, people. How many extra chances do this lot need?

    But Stig, I think you're missing the point. It comes in a nice red box! - Oh alright then, I take it back they must be genuinely decent people who have learnt the error of their ways and are committed to change. Viva Duchatelet. Viva Meire. Viva The Regime.

    Aaah bless, you didn't get one then?
    Oh great. Another smart arse quip from somebody who would rather sit on their arse and whistle Dixie whilst our saviours drive our support away in droves.
    Everything's great ennit, if you ignore it.
  • RalphMilnesgut
    RalphMilnesgut Posts: 1,751
    Thanks. I have seen two versions like the one I quoted one where the word 'cherish' was replaced with 'pamper'. These were so close to each other I thought they must be close to her translated words.
  • Stig
    Stig Posts: 29,021

    Happy to be corrected. Can someone post the whole quote please

    The whole quote is as in my caption. The bit about cherishing it was a later addition once she'd realised that she'd put her foot in it.

    I believe the original quote is in L'Echo, but I can't get it at the moment. They are telling me I've had my 5 free views for the month (cynical me, I don't believe that either).
  • Redvalleyeast
    Redvalleyeast Posts: 4,689
    Out of interest,where do you look to find how many/what seats have been sold?
  • ricky_otto
    ricky_otto Posts: 22,600
    Stig said:

    Happy to be corrected. Can someone post the whole quote please

    The whole quote is as in my caption. The bit about cherishing it was a later addition once she'd realised that she'd put her foot in it.

    I believe the original quote is in L'Echo, but I can't get it at the moment. They are telling me I've had my 5 free views for the month (cynical me, I don't believe that either).
    The quote can be found here.
    http://drinkingduringthegame.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/katrien-oops.html?m=1
  • RalphMilnesgut
    RalphMilnesgut Posts: 1,751
    That link gives the quote as "I should not say it, but I do not care about the club's history. We need the pampering, but not at any price."
  • SE7toSG3
    SE7toSG3 Posts: 3,140
    Problem is there were two, the original one and then the oops I have fucked up one.

    At the end of the day, Hummel have produced a nice kit that reflects our history and the season ticket boxes are a welcome nod to the 25 year anniversary. I dont believe the SMT have had any input in either but those within the club that were involved should be happy with both. Certainly neither is worthy of ridicule or sniping.

    With regards to the running of my football club

    Roland Out
  • Stig
    Stig Posts: 29,021
    edited July 2017

    .

    There are times a plenty to have a go at our owners, I just don't think the season ticket box is one of them

    Agreed, it's sour grapes when the moaner is somebody that didn't get a box and it must be music to the ears of the SMT. Definitely an own goal to moan about these boxes if you are clearly anti-regime because it makes you look petty.

    And if by some chance there is season ticket holder that did receive one that is also moaning about it then the simple answer is for them to send it back.
    Essex_Al said:

    Stig said:

    I want to challenge very strongly the idea that it's "a nice gesture". It isn't a nice gesture at all, it's a PR stunt. They are trying to bolster their damaged reputation by buying people off: Season ticket holders, who they know will be softer targets than lapsed attendees. This is the regime that has torn our club apart. They traded decent players for useless wannabes. They lied to fans. They drove people away. What they are doing now is the equivalent of giving your loved one a bunch of flowers after you've cheated on them. It stinks. It's just a manipulative ploy to try and fool people. And all for what? The cost of a scarf and a calendar, well whoopee do.

    For those who think it's about building bridges, here's an idea. If they want to build bridges they should start by apologising. They should then produce a list of errors and formulate plans to ensure that they do not repeat them. They will not do that, because they are in denial about whose fault this mess is.

    And as for all this Back the The Valley nonsense, it's sickening. They are not interested in that at all. We have an owner who has stated that competitive football is not important and a CEO who has said she does not care for the history of the club. They are piggy packing on this anniversary to try and gain brownie points. As @charltonkeston so eloquently put it, the PR company "are using some of my [our] best memories and associating them with the current vermin". Wake up, people. How many extra chances do this lot need?

    But Stig, I think you're missing the point. It comes in a nice red box! - Oh alright then, I take it back they must be genuinely decent people who have learnt the error of their ways and are committed to change. Viva Duchatelet. Viva Meire. Viva The Regime.

    Aaah bless, you didn't get one then?
    It is absolutely not sour grapes. Sour grapes is being jealous because someone has got something that they haven't. I can assure you that there is no jealously at all in this. Here is the logic behind my argument:

    1. The current regime have demonstrated themselves to be incompetent at running our football club.
    2. As well as their general lack of ability, they have insulted fans and stated that neither the club's history nor competitive football are important to them.
    3. Their lack of ability and duplicitous behaviour means that I no longer trust them.
    4. I do not believe that Charlton Athletic will be successful or inclusive all the time that they are the owners.
    5. Therefore, the best thing for the club would be for Duchatelet to sell up and go.
    6. As he has shown little desire to leave, I believe that the fans should put every pressure on him to go.
    7. The regime can make it more difficult for fans to argue and organise against them, if there are a layer of fans who believe them to be benevolent.
    8. The box and it's content may well be very nice, however I do not believe that they were given in the spirit of generosity. Rather they are a sop to try and curry favour with a number of fans, thus making public critique more difficult.
    9. I do not hold this against anyone at Hummel. In fact, I think they've done a grand job.
    10. If any other owners of our club had done this, I would praise them.
    11. However, as I do not believe that the current regime has anything in it's hearts other than self-interest, I do not believe that this is a kind gesture. Rather, it is a cynical move.
    12. My concern is not that people have a box and I don't. My concern is that that by getting a box, some people will take a softer view of the regime and will be less inclines and/or less able to carry on the fight against them.
    13. I therefore wish to make it clear to people, that I do not believe the recent activities to be a positive move.

    I do not wish do be in a state of tension with other Charlton fans. We all support the same club and whatever else we think, that is something that we have in common. It will be great one day when we can put all this behind us. However, I am not of the view that a desire for harmony amongst fans should be at the expense of rational debate or logical argument. I have therefore stated very clearly why I think the current activities of the club are not positive. If you can see errors in my facts or flaws in my logic, I would be very happy for you to point them out. But please, do not imply that my argument is borne out of jealously. To do so, is not very becoming of you and is unhelpful to adult debate.
  • RalphMilnesgut
    RalphMilnesgut Posts: 1,751
    Thanks again. I am not a fan of our owners but also not a fan of ripping into them whatever they do.
  • charltonkeston
    charltonkeston Posts: 7,359

    That link gives the quote as "I should not say it, but I do not care about the club's history. We need the pampering, but not at any price."

    And that's the problem with translation. I can read that two ways.
    It could mean I'm not paying an over the top price or I'm not paying any price. I'm inclined to believe the history of Charlton means little or nothing to a group of people who wouldn't of even known the whereabouts of that London suburb 6 weeks prior to their tenure. So I think not paying sod all would be the value put on our history.
    More interesting for me is the importance of young talent and the Belgian clubs model for their academies ( with the exception of may be 2 or 3).I get the feeling they are there to supply the bigger leagues and the cloobs resign themselves to this and never being able to compete any higher other than making the numbers up in various competitions.