...to all those behind the scenes who have clearly worked so hard in the last week (and in preparation before) in bringing this to the fore. The story escalation and generation of so many headlines and column inches this week has been nothing short of incredible.
This doesn’t just happen. This isn’t the interest that third tier clubs have the ability to attract.
I’ve no experience in media framing / story building etc but I’m pretty sure we have seen a classic case of this in evidence this week.
Leaked emails, open letters, headline grabbing examples of the ridiculous, working contacts, providing briefing, being creative, driving the story, building momentum etc
Ignore the abuse and ridicule that sadly will always be generated from some Charlton fans.
What you have seen this week is why Charlton fans have been seen with respect, admiration and sometimes envy from the fanbases of every other protest club in recent years.
Football author Martin Calladine says “Charlton fans remain the absolute model of smart, focused campaigning” and he is 100% right.
This has all culminated in the EFL publishing a statement about the club. Extraordinary and unprecedented I think, seeking to engage with both club and supporters group.
FORCED INTO RESPONDING
They don’t want to, and they are certainly not doing so because of what’s happening at Charlton. Or because hundreds of Charlton fans and the Trust have wrote to them.
They are responding because every national has giving column inches to Charlton stories this week. That top national columnists like Martin Samual, Owen Wilson, Henry Winter have highlighted it and in the process slammed the EFL. National Sports radios have been dedicating shows to it. The Standard, who wouldn’t know their Charlton from Chorlton dedicated two days of back pages to it.
That’s why the EFL are issuing statements and finally engaging. The story has been driven hard and successfully to such an escalated level that they simply feel they can no longer ignore it. Even if they probably can’t do anything.
So well done to all those behind some very successful campaigning this week.
And if we are going to protest, let’s do it properly and let’s do it in numbers. If you can get to the ground for the protest then please make the effort. Another person there is another body seen and another voice heard. Will it achieve anything, ultimately probably not. But hopefully it will show some fan togetherness and commitment to the cause. And that means not just leaving it down to others.
And finally, if you are going to the game, please passionately get behind the lads. If you’ve been staying away then we’ve a very good manager at the moment and despite the lack of resources, a decent little team who are giving their all. I strongly feel Bowyer can build something here and a supportive Valley really can be the 12th man.
Up the Addicks!
132
Comments
Well said AFKA
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/08/24/lee-bowyer-turns-firefighter-turmoil-engulfs-charlton-athletic/
" Now is the time for all good men/women, especially those who have so far ruled themselves out, to come to the aid of the "party". It is a time for guts, determination and unity. Because , believe me, this could be our last chance"
For once, a Boris utterance makes sense.
He clearly is a closet Addick.
COYA.
The one upside of all this trauma and misery is that it's brought the best out of our supporters once again. Clever and cunning, passionate and persistent. Not for the first time, it's the fans who are saving the skin of this club and earning the admiration of the wider football world in the process.
Be proud of that. COYR.
I had a message from a long lost contact asking me if the “crisps story” was true. He was double flabbergasted when I told him about the training ground water policy.
Bowyer is the one bright light in a very dark time.
IMO (no evidence), the Aussie takeover is dead, and we will have to ramp up the pressure all over again.
COYR.
Oh, you already have.
Now we know what's being thrown on the pitch
On holiday at present but looking forward to reading about the protests at The Valley and in Duchatelet’s own backyard.
Go give em hell everyone , need this prick out sharpish .
Kids not got enough football kits that fit Cos haven’t bought any for ages .
Mrs got hump Cos I said all she can buy is England kit , couldn’t find that , at the airport I said they could have a Barca kit (shameful) thankfully 12 year old said I don’t want anything but Charlton or England .
6 year old wanted a Man City kit fffs
He settled on a Barca kit .
Poxy Roland fuck off and they can all have Charlton kits you back and front .
Viva La Resistance , good luck all