What has changed? We do not appear to be run as a network club any more. Apart from KM the Belgian connection has gone. None of the incoming players appear to have been scouted by Wonder Boy. Instead of C O'L we have Jacko and Bowyer. Stating these objective facts does not blind me to the car-crash of the Belgian stewardship, and I'd love to see a takeover, but I can't agree that nothing has changed.
How much do you think 'we' got for ceballos and tex?
We didn't get anything......but the Network did!!!
When Katrien is on the pitch, microphone in hand telling us how great we are I'll believe CARD are on the back foot. All the time she sits at the back of the Directors box with a face like a smacked arse we'll know who has the majority support.
With the new season about to kick off it seems an appropriate time to reiterate where CAS Trust stands.
Like all Charlton supporters we want to be able to watch a successful team representing a club we can be proud of playing in front of vibrant and enthusiastic crowds.
This doesn't mean winning the Premier League (although that would be nice) but we know that Charlton should at least be a competitive Championship club with attendances at home games of between 15,000 - 20,000.
We also know that the club can be one with a reputation for stability, good judgement, supporter engagement and community involvement because we have enjoyed it before.
In the last two years we have been clear about our doubts as to whether this can be achieved under the ownership of Roland Duchatelet. His reign has brought instability, poor decision making and provocative statements, all of which have damaged the fortunes and reputation of our club. The majority (94%) of respondents to our April 2017 survey expressed themselves pessimistic about the future of the club under his ownership. Most damningly, a large number of long-term fans have found themselves so alienated that they have claimed they will not return until there is a change of ownership. As a result CAS Trust still remains to be convinced that a change of ownership is not the best way forward for Charlton.
Nevertheless, like all football fans, we thrive on hope and we go into the new season acknowledging that for the first time for three years we begin the season with a manager who both knows the English football league and who has had the opportunity to mould his own squad. If this is a belated sign that our owner has finally understood some of the basic principles of football in England then it would be churlish not to welcome it.
We hope very much that we will be able to enjoy a season in which the team consistently punches its weight and in which affinity with supporters is strengthened. Then we might begin at last to aspire to regaining some of what has been lost in the last few years.
CAS Trust will continue to represent supporters with the goal of protecting and promoting the long-term future of CAFC.
With the new season about to kick off it seems an appropriate time to reiterate where CAS Trust stands.
Like all Charlton supporters we want to be able to watch a successful team representing a club we can be proud of playing in front of vibrant and enthusiastic crowds.
This doesn't mean winning the Premier League (although that would be nice) but we know that Charlton should at least be a competitive Championship club with attendances at home games of between 15,000 - 20,000.
We also know that the club can be one with a reputation for stability, good judgement, supporter engagement and community involvement because we have enjoyed it before.
In the last two years we have been clear about our doubts as to whether this can be achieved under the ownership of Roland Duchatelet. His reign has brought instability, poor decision making and provocative statements, all of which have damaged the fortunes and reputation of our club. The majority (94%) of respondents to our April 2017 survey expressed themselves pessimistic about the future of the club under his ownership. Most damningly, a large number of long-term fans have found themselves so alienated that they have claimed they will not return until there is a change of ownership. As a result CAS Trust still remains to be convinced that a change of ownership is not the best way forward for Charlton.
Nevertheless, like all football fans, we thrive on hope and we go into the new season acknowledging that for the first time for three years we begin the season with a manager who both knows the English football league and who has had the opportunity to mould his own squad. If this is a belated sign that our owner has finally understood some of the basic principles of football in England then it would be churlish not to welcome it.
We hope very much that we will be able to enjoy a season in which the team consistently punches its weight and in which affinity with supporters is strengthened. Then we might begin at last to aspire to regaining some of what has been lost in the last few years.
CAS Trust will continue to represent supporters with the goal of protecting and promoting the long-term future of CAFC.
A great statement from CAS Trust and sums up my sentiments to a tee.
With the new season about to kick off it seems an appropriate time to reiterate where CAS Trust stands.
Like all Charlton supporters we want to be able to watch a successful team representing a club we can be proud of playing in front of vibrant and enthusiastic crowds.
This doesn't mean winning the Premier League (although that would be nice) but we know that Charlton should at least be a competitive Championship club with attendances at home games of between 15,000 - 20,000.
We also know that the club can be one with a reputation for stability, good judgement, supporter engagement and community involvement because we have enjoyed it before.
In the last two years we have been clear about our doubts as to whether this can be achieved under the ownership of Roland Duchatelet. His reign has brought instability, poor decision making and provocative statements, all of which have damaged the fortunes and reputation of our club. The majority (94%) of respondents to our April 2017 survey expressed themselves pessimistic about the future of the club under his ownership. Most damningly, a large number of long-term fans have found themselves so alienated that they have claimed they will not return until there is a change of ownership. As a result CAS Trust still remains to be convinced that a change of ownership is not the best way forward for Charlton.
Nevertheless, like all football fans, we thrive on hope and we go into the new season acknowledging that for the first time for three years we begin the season with a manager who both knows the English football league and who has had the opportunity to mould his own squad. If this is a belated sign that our owner has finally understood some of the basic principles of football in England then it would be churlish not to welcome it.
We hope very much that we will be able to enjoy a season in which the team consistently punches its weight and in which affinity with supporters is strengthened. Then we might begin at last to aspire to regaining some of what has been lost in the last few years.
CAS Trust will continue to represent supporters with the goal of protecting and promoting the long-term future of CAFC.
Thanks, I'd not read that before. It's difficult to disagree with any of it all be it that it seems to leave the door open to accepting RD and KM which I doubt the fans, in general, will accept. I know I won't!
I would add one "glass half empty" comment regarding the statement though. In my opinion, since we were last there, the Championship has become a much more difficult league in which to compete successfully.
On top of the extra parachute payments now available to the teams relegated from the Premier League, there are now a significant number of clubs in that league with owners who are very ambitious. Consider the amount Derby spent to end up in ninth spot.
Look, too, at Ipswich. Setting aside for a moment the likely aberration of last week's friendly, it seems Ipswich are generally considered as relegation candidates. It appears to me they have got to this position not by being any worse than they were but by not getting any better. Player price inflation and wage inflation at this level, while not at the bonkers Neymar level still make running a club in the Championship a seriously expensive exercise.
So, I'd say that while promotion just might be achievable, staying up would be a struggle and would certainly require an owner prepared to spend considerable sums of money and to spend that wisely as well. I don't think we have such an owner and won't have one until such time as the club is sold.
With the new season about to kick off it seems an appropriate time to reiterate where CAS Trust stands.
Like all Charlton supporters we want to be able to watch a successful team representing a club we can be proud of playing in front of vibrant and enthusiastic crowds.
This doesn't mean winning the Premier League (although that would be nice) but we know that Charlton should at least be a competitive Championship club with attendances at home games of between 15,000 - 20,000.
We also know that the club can be one with a reputation for stability, good judgement, supporter engagement and community involvement because we have enjoyed it before.
In the last two years we have been clear about our doubts as to whether this can be achieved under the ownership of Roland Duchatelet. His reign has brought instability, poor decision making and provocative statements, all of which have damaged the fortunes and reputation of our club. The majority (94%) of respondents to our April 2017 survey expressed themselves pessimistic about the future of the club under his ownership. Most damningly, a large number of long-term fans have found themselves so alienated that they have claimed they will not return until there is a change of ownership. As a result CAS Trust still remains to be convinced that a change of ownership is not the best way forward for Charlton.
Nevertheless, like all football fans, we thrive on hope and we go into the new season acknowledging that for the first time for three years we begin the season with a manager who both knows the English football league and who has had the opportunity to mould his own squad. If this is a belated sign that our owner has finally understood some of the basic principles of football in England then it would be churlish not to welcome it.
We hope very much that we will be able to enjoy a season in which the team consistently punches its weight and in which affinity with supporters is strengthened. Then we might begin at last to aspire to regaining some of what has been lost in the last few years.
CAS Trust will continue to represent supporters with the goal of protecting and promoting the long-term future of CAFC.
Thanks, I'd not read that before. It's difficult to disagree with any of it all be it that it seems to leave the door open to accepting RD and KM which I doubt the fans, in general, will accept. I know I won't!
Arguably you should stop beating your wife if she stops misbehaving. You should stop because the beatings seem to have achieved a desired effect and you have other things to do that you enjoy more. You don't stop because you think your wife didn't deserve a beating and might not need another one in future if she doesn't behave.
On the other hand, you might think you shouldn't stop because it might give the wrong message and encourage her in her bad ways, and anyway, she deserves continuing punishment even if it is taking up a lot of your time and you are in danger of getting to enjoy beating your wife.
The first option is probably more rational in my view, but not everyone would agree.
(Note: Information for flaggers, I am not a wife beater and this is apocryphal advice just to highlight the problems of resolving a dilemma.)
What has changed? We do not appear to be run as a network club any more. Apart from KM the Belgian connection has gone. None of the incoming players appear to have been scouted by Wonder Boy. Instead of C O'L we have Jacko and Bowyer. Stating these objective facts does not blind me to the car-crash of the Belgian stewardship, and I'd love to see a takeover, but I can't agree that nothing has changed.
Of course we are still a network club. Do you think that it is a coincidence that so many of our ex-players, some very good, are now at Sint-Truiden? I'd love to know the details of those "transfers". Just because we aren't being given inadequate network players now doesn't mean that it won't happen again.
Success on the pitch, and dare we hope, promotion, will make us more attractive to a prospective buyer. Can't imagine why anyone would buy the club otherwise. Hopefully the reason RD has allowed KR to "get on with it" the way he has.
Because a League One club should be much cheaper to buy. Do you not think that if we got promoted that Roland's sale price expectation would be even more unrealistic than it is now?
Success on the pitch, and dare we hope, promotion, will make us more attractive to a prospective buyer. Can't imagine why anyone would buy the club otherwise. Hopefully the reason RD has allowed KR to "get on with it" the way he has.
Because a League One club should be much cheaper to buy. Do you not think that if we got promoted that Roland's sale price expectation would be even more unrealistic than it is now?</blockquote
With the new season about to kick off it seems an appropriate time to reiterate where CAS Trust stands.
Like all Charlton supporters we want to be able to watch a successful team representing a club we can be proud of playing in front of vibrant and enthusiastic crowds.
This doesn't mean winning the Premier League (although that would be nice) but we know that Charlton should at least be a competitive Championship club with attendances at home games of between 15,000 - 20,000.
We also know that the club can be one with a reputation for stability, good judgement, supporter engagement and community involvement because we have enjoyed it before.
In the last two years we have been clear about our doubts as to whether this can be achieved under the ownership of Roland Duchatelet. His reign has brought instability, poor decision making and provocative statements, all of which have damaged the fortunes and reputation of our club. The majority (94%) of respondents to our April 2017 survey expressed themselves pessimistic about the future of the club under his ownership. Most damningly, a large number of long-term fans have found themselves so alienated that they have claimed they will not return until there is a change of ownership. As a result CAS Trust still remains to be convinced that a change of ownership is not the best way forward for Charlton.
Nevertheless, like all football fans, we thrive on hope and we go into the new season acknowledging that for the first time for three years we begin the season with a manager who both knows the English football league and who has had the opportunity to mould his own squad. If this is a belated sign that our owner has finally understood some of the basic principles of football in England then it would be churlish not to welcome it.
We hope very much that we will be able to enjoy a season in which the team consistently punches its weight and in which affinity with supporters is strengthened. Then we might begin at last to aspire to regaining some of what has been lost in the last few years.
CAS Trust will continue to represent supporters with the goal of protecting and promoting the long-term future of CAFC.
Thanks, I'd not read that before. It's difficult to disagree with any of it all be it that it seems to leave the door open to accepting RD and KM which I doubt the fans, in general, will accept. I know I won't!
Arguably you should stop beating your wife if she stops misbehaving. You should stop because the beatings seem to have achieved a desired effect and you have other things to do that you enjoy more. You don't stop because you think your wife didn't deserve a beating and might not need another one in future if she doesn't behave.
On the other hand, you might think you shouldn't stop because it might give the wrong message and encourage her in her bad ways, and anyway, she deserves continuing punishment even if it is taking up a lot of your time and you are in danger of getting to enjoy beating your wife.
The first option is probably more rational in my view, but not everyone would agree.
(Note: Information for flaggers, I am not a wife beater and this is apocryphal advice just to highlight the problems of resolving a dilemma.)
Success on the pitch, and dare we hope, promotion, will make us more attractive to a prospective buyer. Can't imagine why anyone would buy the club otherwise. Hopefully the reason RD has allowed KR to "get on with it" the way he has.
Because a League One club should be much cheaper to buy. Do you not think that if we got promoted that Roland's sale price expectation would be even more unrealistic than it is now?
Maybe, but there's stupid money being thrown around in football these days, and maybe Roly would like to get out before things went tits up again. Here's hoping, and CARD, keep up the good work.
Belgians out. No good will come to CAFC under this ownership. Yes, we could get all the way to the PL but can you imagine the dogs breakfast the Belgians would make of it ? They just don't 'get' footy in England and are out of their depth but too arrogant to admit it.
When people say they have learnt from their mistakes I'm not so sure. Roland is on record as saying that winning matches is not important and he probably still believes that. The thing is though that now he is looking to sell the club he is beginning to realise that he cannot recoup his money if we are in league one. So if he is backing Robinson in the transfer market it's not because of any love for Charlton it's because he knows that if we reach the championship he will get a better price for the club. So in short he is doing it for himself. I hope he succeds just so that we can be rid of the old scrote.
I have doubts as to the suggestion the RD doesn't care if we lose or not. I don't care what he has said no one that makes as much money as he has unless he leans to liking being successful. Maybe it's not the most important thing in his weekend but I believe that, all things considered, he would prefer his clubs to be winning.
However, ignoring all of that, the manager and the players will want to win, as will the club staff and the fans. I suspect that KM would prefer to win also.
With this in mind I believe that they have been trying to win, just refused to take advise from those that are more likely to make it happen than they were. This summer, and to a smaller degree last year, they have made better decisions - certainly we have a better outcome. The squad is both better individually and more balanced. That could be a massive coincidence but it could also be by design.
Either way, even if RD and KM are indifferent about winning (which, as I say, I doubt) there are enough people at the club that do want to win so I'm inclined to believe that when i go to games the players are trying to win and that's what I go to watch, to be honest.
When people say they have learnt from their mistakes I'm not so sure. Roland is on record as saying that winning matches is not important and he probably still believes that. The thing is though that now he is looking to sell the club he is beginning to realise that he cannot recoup his money if we are in league one. So if he is backing Robinson in the transfer market it's not because of any love for Charlton it's because he knows that if we reach the championship he will get a better price for the club. So in short he is doing it for himself. I hope he succeds just so that we can be rid of the old scrote.
don't think you can say he has backed Robinson in the transfer market. We have paid two fees totalling less then 250k. He has 'sold' two players to STVV and will rake it in when Konsa goes in the next couple of weeks. Fees for JBG, Pope, Lookman top 14m.
When people say they have learnt from their mistakes I'm not so sure. Roland is on record as saying that winning matches is not important and he probably still believes that. The thing is though that now he is looking to sell the club he is beginning to realise that he cannot recoup his money if we are in league one. So if he is backing Robinson in the transfer market it's not because of any love for Charlton it's because he knows that if we reach the championship he will get a better price for the club. So in short he is doing it for himself. I hope he succeds just so that we can be rid of the old scrote.
don't think you can say he has backed Robinson in the transfer market. We have paid two fees totalling less then 250k. He has 'sold' two players to STVV and will rake it in when Konsa goes in the next couple of weeks. Fees for JBG, Pope, Lookman top 14m.
Thing is large as you say we spent hardly anything and has millions in. I like many any others expect us to be pushing for promotion. If we make it out of this league this year is roly s plan partly working.
With the new season about to kick off it seems an appropriate time to reiterate where CAS Trust stands.
Like all Charlton supporters we want to be able to watch a successful team representing a club we can be proud of playing in front of vibrant and enthusiastic crowds.
This doesn't mean winning the Premier League (although that would be nice) but we know that Charlton should at least be a competitive Championship club with attendances at home games of between 15,000 - 20,000.
We also know that the club can be one with a reputation for stability, good judgement, supporter engagement and community involvement because we have enjoyed it before.
In the last two years we have been clear about our doubts as to whether this can be achieved under the ownership of Roland Duchatelet. His reign has brought instability, poor decision making and provocative statements, all of which have damaged the fortunes and reputation of our club. The majority (94%) of respondents to our April 2017 survey expressed themselves pessimistic about the future of the club under his ownership. Most damningly, a large number of long-term fans have found themselves so alienated that they have claimed they will not return until there is a change of ownership. As a result CAS Trust still remains to be convinced that a change of ownership is not the best way forward for Charlton.
Nevertheless, like all football fans, we thrive on hope and we go into the new season acknowledging that for the first time for three years we begin the season with a manager who both knows the English football league and who has had the opportunity to mould his own squad. If this is a belated sign that our owner has finally understood some of the basic principles of football in England then it would be churlish not to welcome it.
We hope very much that we will be able to enjoy a season in which the team consistently punches its weight and in which affinity with supporters is strengthened. Then we might begin at last to aspire to regaining some of what has been lost in the last few years.
CAS Trust will continue to represent supporters with the goal of protecting and promoting the long-term future of CAFC.
Brilliant . Classy statement that I think many agree with
When people say they have learnt from their mistakes I'm not so sure. Roland is on record as saying that winning matches is not important and he probably still believes that. The thing is though that now he is looking to sell the club he is beginning to realise that he cannot recoup his money if we are in league one. So if he is backing Robinson in the transfer market it's not because of any love for Charlton it's because he knows that if we reach the championship he will get a better price for the club. So in short he is doing it for himself. I hope he succeds just so that we can be rid of the old scrote.
don't think you can say he has backed Robinson in the transfer market. We have paid two fees totalling less then 250k. He has 'sold' two players to STVV and will rake it in when Konsa goes in the next couple of weeks. Fees for JBG, Pope, Lookman top 14m.
Thing is large as you say we spent hardly anything and has millions in. I like many any others expect us to be pushing for promotion. If we make it out of this league this year is roly s plan partly working.
If we make it out if this league his plan is not working - we will be back to where we were when he arrived!!!
With the new season about to kick off it seems an appropriate time to reiterate where CAS Trust stands.
Like all Charlton supporters we want to be able to watch a successful team representing a club we can be proud of playing in front of vibrant and enthusiastic crowds.
This doesn't mean winning the Premier League (although that would be nice) but we know that Charlton should at least be a competitive Championship club with attendances at home games of between 15,000 - 20,000.
We also know that the club can be one with a reputation for stability, good judgement, supporter engagement and community involvement because we have enjoyed it before.
In the last two years we have been clear about our doubts as to whether this can be achieved under the ownership of Roland Duchatelet. His reign has brought instability, poor decision making and provocative statements, all of which have damaged the fortunes and reputation of our club. The majority (94%) of respondents to our April 2017 survey expressed themselves pessimistic about the future of the club under his ownership. Most damningly, a large number of long-term fans have found themselves so alienated that they have claimed they will not return until there is a change of ownership. As a result CAS Trust still remains to be convinced that a change of ownership is not the best way forward for Charlton.
Nevertheless, like all football fans, we thrive on hope and we go into the new season acknowledging that for the first time for three years we begin the season with a manager who both knows the English football league and who has had the opportunity to mould his own squad. If this is a belated sign that our owner has finally understood some of the basic principles of football in England then it would be churlish not to welcome it.
We hope very much that we will be able to enjoy a season in which the team consistently punches its weight and in which affinity with supporters is strengthened. Then we might begin at last to aspire to regaining some of what has been lost in the last few years.
CAS Trust will continue to represent supporters with the goal of protecting and promoting the long-term future of CAFC.
Comments
All the time she sits at the back of the Directors box with a face like a smacked arse we'll know who has the majority support.
With the new season about to kick off it seems an appropriate time to reiterate where CAS Trust stands.
Like all Charlton supporters we want to be able to watch a successful team representing a club we can be proud of playing in front of vibrant and enthusiastic crowds.
This doesn't mean winning the Premier League (although that would be nice) but we know that Charlton should at least be a competitive Championship club with attendances at home games of between 15,000 - 20,000.
We also know that the club can be one with a reputation for stability, good judgement, supporter engagement and community involvement because we have enjoyed it before.
In the last two years we have been clear about our doubts as to whether this can be achieved under the ownership of Roland Duchatelet. His reign has brought instability, poor decision making and provocative statements, all of which have damaged the fortunes and reputation of our club. The majority (94%) of respondents to our April 2017 survey expressed themselves pessimistic about the future of the club under his ownership. Most damningly, a large number of long-term fans have found themselves so alienated that they have claimed they will not return until there is a change of ownership. As a result CAS Trust still remains to be convinced that a change of ownership is not the best way forward for Charlton.
Nevertheless, like all football fans, we thrive on hope and we go into the new season acknowledging that for the first time for three years we begin the season with a manager who both knows the English football league and who has had the opportunity to mould his own squad. If this is a belated sign that our owner has finally understood some of the basic principles of football in England then it would be churlish not to welcome it.
We hope very much that we will be able to enjoy a season in which the team consistently punches its weight and in which affinity with supporters is strengthened. Then we might begin at last to aspire to regaining some of what has been lost in the last few years.
CAS Trust will continue to represent supporters with the goal of protecting and promoting the long-term future of CAFC.
On top of the extra parachute payments now available to the teams relegated from the Premier League, there are now a significant number of clubs in that league with owners who are very ambitious. Consider the amount Derby spent to end up in ninth spot.
Look, too, at Ipswich. Setting aside for a moment the likely aberration of last week's friendly, it seems Ipswich are generally considered as relegation candidates. It appears to me they have got to this position not by being any worse than they were but by not getting any better. Player price inflation and wage inflation at this level, while not at the bonkers Neymar level still make running a club in the Championship a seriously expensive exercise.
So, I'd say that while promotion just might be achievable, staying up would be a struggle and would certainly require an owner prepared to spend considerable sums of money and to spend that wisely as well. I don't think we have such an owner and won't have one until such time as the club is sold.
On the other hand, you might think you shouldn't stop because it might give the wrong message and encourage her in her bad ways, and anyway, she deserves continuing punishment even if it is taking up a lot of your time and you are in danger of getting to enjoy beating your wife.
The first option is probably more rational in my view, but not everyone would agree.
(Note: Information for flaggers, I am not a wife beater and this is apocryphal advice just to highlight the problems of resolving a dilemma.)
Just because we aren't being given inadequate network players now doesn't mean that it won't happen again.
No good will come to CAFC under this ownership.
Yes, we could get all the way to the PL but can you imagine the dogs breakfast the Belgians would make of it ?
They just don't 'get' footy in England and are out of their depth but too arrogant to admit it.
Roland is on record as saying that winning matches is not important and he probably still believes that.
The thing is though that now he is looking to sell the club he is beginning to realise that he cannot recoup his money if we are in league one.
So if he is backing Robinson in the transfer market it's not because of any love for Charlton it's because he knows that if we reach the championship he will get a better price for the club.
So in short he is doing it for himself.
I hope he succeds just so that we can be rid of the old scrote.
However, ignoring all of that, the manager and the players will want to win, as will the club staff and the fans. I suspect that KM would prefer to win also.
With this in mind I believe that they have been trying to win, just refused to take advise from those that are more likely to make it happen than they were. This summer, and to a smaller degree last year, they have made better decisions - certainly we have a better outcome. The squad is both better individually and more balanced. That could be a massive coincidence but it could also be by design.
Either way, even if RD and KM are indifferent about winning (which, as I say, I doubt) there are enough people at the club that do want to win so I'm inclined to believe that when i go to games the players are trying to win and that's what I go to watch, to be honest.
I like many any others expect us to be pushing for promotion.
If we make it out of this league this year is roly s plan partly working.