22nd of February 2016: First contact is made with Louis Mendez at Charlton Live. And a member of the Belgian press has been told about the activity that is about to happen in Belgium (St. Truiden).
26th of February 2016: Louis Mendez at Charlton Live is given an update on an upcoming trip to a football match by a group of Charlton supporters. All bags are packed and the group will be leaving for their destination very early the following morning.
27th of February 2016: The group of Charlton supporters arrive at their destination of St.-Truiden. While back at The Valley Charlton Athletic are preparing to take on Reading FC. The group has met up at a pub in the centre of town. Tickets for the evening match STVV - Zulte Waregem have already been purchased. The group is now detailing the finer points for the event that evening.
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Picture number 2 banner wrapped around 1 of the Belgium20 and you will notice that 1 member is on crutches; dedication!
So about this time 4 years ago the banner went up in the stadium of Stayen. Live television coverage throughout Belgium showing our displeasure with both Roland and Katrien.
The Belgiann press-officer that we had been in contact with was seated in the same stand as us, which was unfortunate, because we weren't able to contact him. And although he could hear the commotion, he couldn't really get to us. He did write up a report the following day for a Belgian newspaper.
We have to remember that we didn't have apps between us at that time.
The banner was displayed for a good 5 minutes and we handed out leaflets to the home-supporters in our stand and also some black-and-white scarves.
This then was interrupted and the police was in attendance in both stands taking details and asking questions. Under orders from above. All this was captured on film so we have been told.
Eventually they allowed us to leave the stadium, but without the banner.
1st photo 2 of the Belgium20 that were sitting in the opposite stand to take some photos.
2nd photo speaks for itself.
As soon as the banner came out we were handing out leaflets in English and Flemish throughout the stand and in the bar area behind. Hopalong was no help whatsoever!
When Duchatalet's heavies came round the crutches came to the fore. I do remember telling them that they couldn't have all the leaflets ("What part of the words fuck off do you struggle to understand?"). They did ask me who did the translation so I thought it best to grass up Katrien. Not sure they believed me.
EDIT; just noticed the young Belgian lady admiring the British beefcake in front of her.
I’ve also been told that someone gave their real name to the police!
Even bought us a couple of bottles of Champagne once.
1st March 2016 and Roland is not happy with The Belgium 20 after the weekend that has just passed.
4th March 2017 The Unity Protest March ,which saw over 200 fans marching in protest against Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet in his home town of Sint Truiden.
This march had been coming for months and was so pleasing to see, went off without any trouble and was a credit to all fans who had helped and took part in this Unity march against Roland Duchatelet.