Don’t see the big deal about waiting until tomorrow to get minutes agreed by everyone about what was said.
If the club try to doctor them and put a false representation then I am sure those fans whom attended will say pretty loudly and put the record straight at that point.
Some people need calm down a little.
Wouldn't it be nice if there was a relationship between club and fans where the club were trusted to put out a full and honest account of the meeting, without needing it to be signed off by all and sundry...
Well maybe, but even in a well run club, if you have a group of people in a meeting people will remember different bits and have slightly different interpretations to different things said so makes sense to have minutes and a joint statement. I really do not see the issue.
Don’t see the big deal about waiting until tomorrow to get minutes agreed by everyone about what was said.
If the club try to doctor them and put a false representation then I am sure those fans whom attended will say pretty loudly and put the record straight at that point.
Some people need calm down a little.
Wouldn't it be nice if there was a relationship between club and fans where the club were trusted to put out a full and honest account of the meeting, without needing it to be signed off by all and sundry...
It’s nothing to do about agreed minutes. This is about the ONLY People who care about the club having access to information. This football club have zero respect for us. Zero. Absolute zero. Why because of some un fecking believable belief that they owe the club a duty of silence until the club decide to tell us what they want to tell us is infuriating. Stop looking at your position as fans representatives as a club gift. Grow some bollocks and do what is right for the real CAFC.
It would just be nice just to know who was present from the Club side and who was representing the fans.
You also need to bear in mind that the only reason why the meeting was held in the first place was because of EFL requirements.
112 Supporter Engagement
112.1 Clubs shall hold at least two meetings/fans forums per Season to which its supporters (or representatives) are to be invited in order to discuss significant issues relating to the Club. The framework for these meetings shall be documented in the Club’s customer charter, but are subject to the following minimum criteria:
112.1.1 Clubs must be represented by the Club’s majority owner, board director(s) or other senior executive(s);
112.1.2 where meetings are not open to all supporters wishing to attend, the supporter representatives must be elected, selected or invited in line with basic democratic principles; and
112.1.3 individuals cannot be excluded by the Club without good reason (the Club acting reasonably).
I would suggest if it was the Belgian lawyer and Rubberchicken representing the Club, then clause 112.1.1 hasn't been satisfied.
This particular meeting was held because I and others insisted it went ahead, we also insisted on the agenda items. Those who attended gave up their time and during working hours.
As others have said there was a pretty big football match going on last night which went to extra time and no doubt that’s caused a delay.
We had access to something/one different from before and there was a good deal of information/insight at least from the club’s point of view which needs to be accurately conveyed.
Since two people are putting in their own sweat and grind to produce that I think it would be ungrateful and discourteous to splurge it. I know it’s tough waiting but that’s how it is.
I will try later and perhaps others who were present if they are on here, to field any queries
Everybody needs to put away their screaming internet entitlement behaviour.
Oh don’t be such a Prat!
I'm not the one having a tantrum about having to wait 24 hours before being told what went on in a meeting . Some people need to get a grip of themselves
Roll back 6 months and I'd have been on tenterhooks waiting for what happened at this meeting. Now? Well now there's no emotion. Apathy has set in big time. Just like STVV fans. I'm starting to think Roland has beaten me.
the easiest way to relay the information from the meeting is to record it and then put it straight on to the Trust website, it would be accurate and save you your sweat and grind
Everybody needs to put away their screaming internet entitlement behaviour.
Oh don’t be such a Prat!
I'm not the one having a tantrum about having to wait 24 hours before being told what went on in a meeting . Some people need to get a grip of themselves
Everybody needs to put away their screaming internet entitlement behaviour.
Oh don’t be such a Prat!
I'm not the one having a tantrum about having to wait 24 hours before being told what went on in a meeting . Some people need to get a grip of themselves
A tantrum....oh I hadn’t realised.......silly me!
To be honest, it was other people's post that were getting on my nerves. You were generally being quite reasonable.
Roll back 6 months and I'd have been on tenterhooks waiting for what happened at this meeting. Now? Well now there's no emotion. Apathy has set in big time. Just like STVV fans. I'm starting to think Roland has beaten me.
A year or two ago we'd have done anything to be in a situation where a buyer has come along and made an acceptable bid etc. We can't be far away now surely.
Roll back 6 months and I'd have been on tenterhooks waiting for what happened at this meeting. Now? Well now there's no emotion. Apathy has set in big time. Just like STVV fans. I'm starting to think Roland has beaten me.
A year or two ago we'd have done anything to be in a situation where a buyer has come along and made an acceptable bid etc. We can't be far away now surely.
The season starts in a few weeks and the transfer window closes. Do you think the takeover will have happened by then. Because if not next season is going to be mediocre at best.
Roll back 6 months and I'd have been on tenterhooks waiting for what happened at this meeting. Now? Well now there's no emotion. Apathy has set in big time. Just like STVV fans. I'm starting to think Roland has beaten me.
A year or two ago we'd have done anything to be in a situation where a buyer has come along and made an acceptable bid etc. We can't be far away now surely.
I've had no confirmation that my bid was acceptable I'm afraid.
LDT explained he is representing the club in takeover talks. He said he is not a permanent CFO or CEO and he is in the UK from Tuesdays to Thursdays. He said he does have a background in finance so he helps out the financial team when they need it but his primary focus is the takeover of the club.
The current situation
There were several parties interested when LDT first took over the process (January) but only two reached agreement on price. The Australians, and another consortium who can’t be named at this stage because of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), have agreed a price. Other parties who expressed an initial interest did not pursue their interest. Some of the parties dropped out immediately as the running costs were too much, but the two parties currently involved continued Reasons for previous delays in the process have been due diligence on matters such as historical loans, securities and debentures
The club is satisfied the Australians have the money to purchase the club
The Australians haven’t been granted exclusivity. It is possible the other party could still purchase the club but they still have certain issues of their own to resolve. The club can’t go in to more detail on these issues because of the NDA
The sale agreed with the Australians does not include Staprix retaining The Valley or Sparrows Lane. There are no issues with regard to former director's loans. LDT was not aware of any issue with HMRC.
The only issue holding up the process is EFL approval.
The process with the EFL
As part of the regulations the Australians need to lodge a series of documents with the EFL before they get formal approval. The documents prove financials, include a director’s test etc.
Around one month ago, the first document was lodged with the EFL but not all required documents have yet been submitted to the EFL. There are one or two still outstanding. There has been no need for anything to be resubmitted LDT said he could not give any further information about the documents that were missing
LDT said he thought that the Australian consortium is a complex set up and may be seeking to reduce its complexity The documents have to be lodged by someone at the club or with the club copied in. The Australians have been sending their documents to the EFL with LDT copied in
The club can’t put a timeline on it but they hope that the documents can be lodged very, very soon The Australians have people in place in the UK at the moment
On the impact on the first team
The current owner has started preparation for the new season and Lee Bowyer has targeted promotion Lee Bowyer has had a meeting with the potential new owners
While Lee Bowyer knows what he can spend for every deal though he gets approval. He is working with Steve Gallen and Roland Duchatelet
On potential player sales
There is an agreed mechanism in place in the contract with the Australian consortium to cover any player sales.
On season ticket sales
Season ticket money isn’t coming directly into the club. The bank who have taken the credit cards payments will only release it game-by-game to cover themselves should the club not be able to play a game. This is not something LDT has experienced previously
On being cost conscious
As part of the club being more cost conscious they are reviewing contracts and negotiating with suppliers. An example of being more cost conscious is in the last month the energy bill reduced by more than 11% compared to last year. This is all to make running costs bearable for the current owner and also any potential new owner
A fan asked if it was true academy players breakfasts had been cut, he said this went against what the club stood for and could be a PR mistake and goes against the club filling its role in the community. LDT said the breakfasts had been cut as part of the club being more cost conscious but that it was something he would look into following the meeting
The meeting was attended by representatives of Charlton Athletic Supporters Trust, City Addicks, Maidstone and the Weald Supporters Group, Bromley Addicks, the Reminiscence Group and Valley Gold.
The meeting was also attended by Charlton Athletic Head of Communications Tom Rubashow.
The above notes were produced by the club and approved by a fan representative from the meeting.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Charlton Athletic Supporters Trust, City Addicks, Maidstone and the Weald Supporters Group, Bromley Addicks, the Reminiscence Group and Valley Gold.
Never heard of the Reminiscence Group before. Would love to think they sit there at meetings misty eyed and saying "I remember when this was all fields..." and other such sentiments.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Charlton Athletic Supporters Trust, City Addicks, Maidstone and the Weald Supporters Group, Bromley Addicks, the Reminiscence Group and Valley Gold.
Never heard of the Reminiscence Group before. Would love to think they sit there at meetings misty eyed and saying "I remember when this was all fields..." and other such sentiments.
They've been around more than 25 years.
Many years ago, I bought a paperback book of photos and memories produced by the group. I've still got it somewhere.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Charlton Athletic Supporters Trust, City Addicks, Maidstone and the Weald Supporters Group, Bromley Addicks, the Reminiscence Group and Valley Gold.
Never heard of the Reminiscence Group before. Would love to think they sit there at meetings misty eyed and saying "I remember when this was all fields..." and other such sentiments.
The organisors get frustrated that the participants spend most of the meetings talking about the last game rather than the old days
Comments
You also need to bear in mind that the only reason why the meeting was held in the first place was because of EFL requirements.
112 Supporter Engagement
112.1 Clubs shall hold at least two meetings/fans forums per Season to which its supporters (or representatives) are to be invited in order to discuss significant issues relating to the Club. The framework for these meetings shall be documented in the Club’s customer charter, but are subject to the following minimum criteria:
112.1.1 Clubs must be represented by the Club’s majority owner, board director(s) or other senior executive(s);
112.1.2 where meetings are not open to all supporters wishing to attend, the supporter representatives must be elected, selected or invited in line with basic democratic principles; and
112.1.3 individuals cannot be excluded by the Club without good reason (the Club acting reasonably).
I would suggest if it was the Belgian lawyer and Rubberchicken representing the Club, then clause 112.1.1 hasn't been satisfied.
As others have said there was a pretty big football match going on last night which went to extra time and no doubt that’s caused a delay.
We had access to something/one different from before and there was a good deal of information/insight at least from the club’s point of view which needs to be accurately conveyed.
Since two people are putting in their own sweat and grind to produce that I think it would be ungrateful and discourteous to splurge it. I know it’s tough waiting but that’s how it is.
I will try later and perhaps others who were present if they are on here, to field any queries
Do you think the takeover will have happened by then.
Because if not next season is going to be mediocre at best.
The current situation
There were several parties interested when LDT first took over the process (January) but only two reached agreement on price. The Australians, and another consortium who can’t be named at this stage because of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), have agreed a price. Other parties who expressed an initial interest did not pursue their interest. Some of the parties dropped out immediately as the running costs were too much, but the two parties currently involved continued
Reasons for previous delays in the process have been due diligence on matters such as historical loans, securities and debentures
The club is satisfied the Australians have the money to purchase the club
The Australians haven’t been granted exclusivity. It is possible the other party could still purchase the club but they still have certain issues of their own to resolve. The club can’t go in to more detail on these issues because of the NDA
The sale agreed with the Australians does not include Staprix retaining The Valley or Sparrows Lane. There are no issues with regard to former director's loans. LDT was not aware of any issue with HMRC.
The only issue holding up the process is EFL approval.
The process with the EFL
As part of the regulations the Australians need to lodge a series of documents with the EFL before they get formal approval. The documents prove financials, include a director’s test etc.
Around one month ago, the first document was lodged with the EFL but not all required documents have yet been submitted to the EFL. There are one or two still outstanding. There has been no need for anything to be resubmitted
LDT said he could not give any further information about the documents that were missing
LDT said he thought that the Australian consortium is a complex set up and may be seeking to reduce its complexity
The documents have to be lodged by someone at the club or with the club copied in. The Australians have been sending their documents to the EFL with LDT copied in
The club can’t put a timeline on it but they hope that the documents can be lodged very, very soon
The Australians have people in place in the UK at the moment
On the impact on the first team
The current owner has started preparation for the new season and Lee Bowyer has targeted promotion
Lee Bowyer has had a meeting with the potential new owners
While Lee Bowyer knows what he can spend for every deal though he gets approval. He is working with Steve Gallen and Roland Duchatelet
On potential player sales
There is an agreed mechanism in place in the contract with the Australian consortium to cover any player sales.
On season ticket sales
Season ticket money isn’t coming directly into the club. The bank who have taken the credit cards payments will only release it game-by-game to cover themselves should the club not be able to play a game. This is not something LDT has experienced previously
On being cost conscious
As part of the club being more cost conscious they are reviewing contracts and negotiating with suppliers. An example of being more cost conscious is in the last month the energy bill reduced by more than 11% compared to last year. This is all to make running costs bearable for the current owner and also any potential new owner
A fan asked if it was true academy players breakfasts had been cut, he said this went against what the club stood for and could be a PR mistake and goes against the club filling its role in the community. LDT said the breakfasts had been cut as part of the club being more cost conscious but that it was something he would look into following the meeting
The meeting was attended by representatives of Charlton Athletic Supporters Trust, City Addicks, Maidstone and the Weald Supporters Group, Bromley Addicks, the Reminiscence Group and Valley Gold.
The meeting was also attended by Charlton Athletic Head of Communications Tom Rubashow.
The above notes were produced by the club and approved by a fan representative from the meeting.
How long does it take for goodness sake.
New information? Yes
More detail? Yes
Can we believe the regime? No, of course not, they lie constantly but it is more info than we had yesterday.
When it's on the official site.
Many years ago, I bought a paperback book of photos and memories produced by the group.
I've still got it somewhere.