Affiliate your supporters group with Charlton Athletic

clive

Charlton Athletic are offering established and new supporter groups the opportunity to officially affiliate with the club.

Supporters around the world are encouraged to set-up their own group or join a local supporters group to help the club’s fanbase grow.

Owner Thomas Sandgaard explained: “Charlton Athletic has such a large, passionate fanbase both in the UK and overseas. By setting up these groups we want to bring fans together and at the same time thank them for their support.

“Our fans are our best ambassadors and can really help us grow our fanbase by inviting friends and family to become part of the club – whether that be joining their local fan group or watching games on the new Charlton TV.

“We have some fantastic established supporters’ groups already in place and hopefully we can add some new supporters’ groups around the world to help us as we continue to grow.”

Click here for a guide on how to set up your own supporters’ group or click here to register to affiliate your supporters’ group.

Benefits for members of affiliated supporters’ groups include:

• An official certificate from Charlton Athletic confirming your affiliation

• An assigned contact at the club to provide assistance and support throughout the season

• Promotion of the fan group to fans in their area through the club database 

• Fan group content shared on club social channels to help promote your group

• Access through your groups contact to home league tickets for group bookings of 20 or more people at a discounted rate

• The chance to feature within the programme for matches throughout the season

• A dedicated section on the club’s official website promoting your group

• A personalised video message from the club to your fan group

• Guided visit to the museum and a complimentary mini stadium tour during your visit – International only

• Discount for annual Charlton TV Valley Pass Live subscriptions when purchasing multiple passes (20+) – International only

• International and UK Supporters’ Club of the Year award

https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/602e95e38dcae/affiliate-your-supporters-group-with-charlton-athletic

Henry Irving

I think I might set a local group where I live so I can get a guided tour of the museum.

aliwibble

Since when was Bromley international Henry?

sammy391

Seems a few groups popping up, which is good to see

Edit : just seen there’s a few interacting with it already 

@CharltonStudent
@BrasilCharlton

Cafc43v3r

Henry Irving said:

I think I might set a local group where I live so I can get a guided tour of the museum.

I was going to set up one until a saw that bit

Henry Irving

aliwibble said:

Since when was Bromley international Henry?

We invented science fiction and evolution in Bromley, we're universal.

razil

Interesting clause on data

WattsTheMatter

razil said:

Interesting clause on data

Not sure how I feel about this. If you're joining an affiliate you expect some links, but CAFC being able to have your data upon request seems a bit too far. 

KBslittlesis

So are we not setting up a Charlton Life group then? 🤔

Rob7Lee

razil said:

Interesting clause on data

Yes I/we (CAST) spotted that too and we will be taking it up with the club, no way that we can simply provide all our members details to the club. Still, we could get 2,700 discounted tickets for the next home game apparently if we affiliate.......

AFKABartram

KBslittlesis said:

So are we not setting up a Charlton Life group then? 🤔

No thanks 

Henry Irving

KBslittlesis said:

So are we not setting up a Charlton Life group then? 🤔

Just start a group for CL moderators

LoOkOuT

Bermuda Addicks Unite! It says we need three to five. Is this a hard requirement? ;-)

Weegie Addick

The "interesting clause on data" has now been removed. 

razil

Rob7Lee said:

razil said:

Interesting clause on data

Yes I/we (CAST) spotted that too and we will be taking it up with the club, no way that we can simply provide all our members details to the club. Still, we could get 2,700 discounted tickets for the next home game apparently if we affiliate.......

Have mentioned to TR and he’s on the case

Rob7Lee

LoOkOuT said:

Bermuda Addicks Unite! It says we need three to five. Is this a hard requirement? ;-)

I usually visit a couple of times a year if that counts?!

Airman Brown

I think a lot of the benefits of geographical based groups have been eroded by the internet. The strongest ones that functioned as a group, actually had structure, were based on travel and access to tickets when scarce. They usually had strong leaders.

I won’t presume to comment too much on Bromley, but  I’m not convinced it has the same coherence as, for example, Maidstone in the past, which isn’t to say it doesn’t hold successful meetings. 

I don’t really think there is critical mass in many overseas countries to build significant groups, although there’s no harm in trying. 

What happens if there are competing “groups” in the same area, which is likely if you offer ticket incentives? Who decides which group is the “real” one or do fans in that area get competing publicity messages? Why is geography the determinant and not age, race, gender, sexuality, disability, etc, where that characteristic might be a more meaningful distinction than location? 

Lots of questions and a recipe for confusion with even more people claiming to lead groups in order to get to the table than we already had at the fans’ forum. It looks like half an idea that hasn’t been properly thought through - hence the probably illegal initial attempt to harvest data.

That, by the way, is what the Target 10k/40k committee did - tested such ideas out with a group of experienced fans before launching them to identify the pitfalls and iron them out.

LoOkOuT

Rob7Lee said:

LoOkOuT said:

Bermuda Addicks Unite! It says we need three to five. Is this a hard requirement? ;-)

I usually visit a couple of times a year if that counts?!

You're in mate.

se9addick

AFKABartram said:

KBslittlesis said:

So are we not setting up a Charlton Life group then? 🤔

No thanks 

Does that mean we are?

Cafc43v3r

Airman Brown said:

I think a lot of the benefits of geographical based groups have been eroded by the internet. The strongest ones that functioned as a group, actually had structure, were based on travel and access to tickets when scarce. They usually had strong leaders.

I won’t presume to comment too much on Bromley, but  I’m not convinced it has the same coherence as, for example, Maidstone in the past, which isn’t to say it doesn’t hold successful meetings. 

I don’t really think there is critical mass in many overseas countries to build significant groups, although there’s no harm in trying. 

What happens if there are competing “groups” in the same area, which is likely if you offer ticket incentives? Who decides which group is the “real” one or do fans in that area get competing publicity messages? Why is geography the determinant and not age, race, gender, sexuality, disability, etc, where that characteristic might be a more meaningful distinction than location? 

Lots of questions and a recipe for confusion with even more people claiming to lead groups in order to get to the table than we already had at the fans’ forum. It looks like half an idea that hasn’t been properly thought through - hence the probably illegal initial attempt to harvest data.

That, by the way, is what the Target 10k/40k committee did - tested such ideas out with a group of experienced fans before launching them to identify the pitfalls and iron them out.

Couldn't agree more. 

I think there is a temptation, understandably, from within in most groups of people, to want a seat at the table.  If there is a table.

If in my part of the word if we had a social group that could arrange tickets for local away games, maybe even a mini bus, organise meetings with ex players every now and then maybe the odd quiz or race night type of thing.  Brilliant, I would be intrested.

Once you get "representatives" it becomes a very different animal.   Even a "social group" that gets too big risks becoming overwhelming political, often at the expense of the poor sods that put the hard work in in the first place. 

Henry Irving

Cafc43v3r said:

Airman Brown said:

I think a lot of the benefits of geographical based groups have been eroded by the internet. The strongest ones that functioned as a group, actually had structure, were based on travel and access to tickets when scarce. They usually had strong leaders.

I won’t presume to comment too much on Bromley, but  I’m not convinced it has the same coherence as, for example, Maidstone in the past, which isn’t to say it doesn’t hold successful meetings. 

I don’t really think there is critical mass in many overseas countries to build significant groups, although there’s no harm in trying. 

What happens if there are competing “groups” in the same area, which is likely if you offer ticket incentives? Who decides which group is the “real” one or do fans in that area get competing publicity messages? Why is geography the determinant and not age, race, gender, sexuality, disability, etc, where that characteristic might be a more meaningful distinction than location? 

Lots of questions and a recipe for confusion with even more people claiming to lead groups in order to get to the table than we already had at the fans’ forum. It looks like half an idea that hasn’t been properly thought through - hence the probably illegal initial attempt to harvest data.

That, by the way, is what the Target 10k/40k committee did - tested such ideas out with a group of experienced fans before launching them to identify the pitfalls and iron them out.

Couldn't agree more. 

I think there is a temptation, understandably, from within in most groups of people, to want a seat at the table.  If there is a table.

If in my part of the word if we had a social group that could arrange tickets for local away games, maybe even a mini bus, organise meetings with ex players every now and then maybe the odd quiz or race night type of thing.  Brilliant, I would be intrested.

Once you get "representatives" it becomes a very different animal.   Even a "social group" that gets too big risks becoming overwhelming political, often at the expense of the poor sods that put the hard work in in the first place. 

You're not on the Bromley Addicks committee anymore @Cafc43v3r get over it : - )

Cafc43v3r

Henry Irving said:

Cafc43v3r said:

Airman Brown said:

I think a lot of the benefits of geographical based groups have been eroded by the internet. The strongest ones that functioned as a group, actually had structure, were based on travel and access to tickets when scarce. They usually had strong leaders.

I won’t presume to comment too much on Bromley, but  I’m not convinced it has the same coherence as, for example, Maidstone in the past, which isn’t to say it doesn’t hold successful meetings. 

I don’t really think there is critical mass in many overseas countries to build significant groups, although there’s no harm in trying. 

What happens if there are competing “groups” in the same area, which is likely if you offer ticket incentives? Who decides which group is the “real” one or do fans in that area get competing publicity messages? Why is geography the determinant and not age, race, gender, sexuality, disability, etc, where that characteristic might be a more meaningful distinction than location? 

Lots of questions and a recipe for confusion with even more people claiming to lead groups in order to get to the table than we already had at the fans’ forum. It looks like half an idea that hasn’t been properly thought through - hence the probably illegal initial attempt to harvest data.

That, by the way, is what the Target 10k/40k committee did - tested such ideas out with a group of experienced fans before launching them to identify the pitfalls and iron them out.

Couldn't agree more. 

I think there is a temptation, understandably, from within in most groups of people, to want a seat at the table.  If there is a table.

If in my part of the word if we had a social group that could arrange tickets for local away games, maybe even a mini bus, organise meetings with ex players every now and then maybe the odd quiz or race night type of thing.  Brilliant, I would be intrested.

Once you get "representatives" it becomes a very different animal.   Even a "social group" that gets too big risks becoming overwhelming political, often at the expense of the poor sods that put the hard work in in the first place. 

You're not on the Bromley Addicks committee anymore @Cafc43v3r get over it : - )

Oh no, it's too soon, it's only been 25 years!!!! 

Henry Irving

Airman Brown said:

I think a lot of the benefits of geographical based groups have been eroded by the internet. The strongest ones that functioned as a group, actually had structure, were based on travel and access to tickets when scarce. They usually had strong leaders.

I won’t presume to comment too much on Bromley, but  I’m not convinced it has the same coherence as, for example, Maidstone in the past, which isn’t to say it doesn’t hold successful meetings. 

I don’t really think there is critical mass in many overseas countries to build significant groups, although there’s no harm in trying. 

What happens if there are competing “groups” in the same area, which is likely if you offer ticket incentives? Who decides which group is the “real” one or do fans in that area get competing publicity messages? Why is geography the determinant and not age, race, gender, sexuality, disability, etc, where that characteristic might be a more meaningful distinction than location? 

Lots of questions and a recipe for confusion with even more people claiming to lead groups in order to get to the table than we already had at the fans’ forum. It looks like half an idea that hasn’t been properly thought through - hence the probably illegal initial attempt to harvest data.

That, by the way, is what the Target 10k/40k committee did - tested such ideas out with a group of experienced fans before launching them to identify the pitfalls and iron them out.

It's certainly true that the internet has impacted on geographical groups but the same could be said for fanzines but some still survive and thrive because they offer something people want and which isn't available elsewhere.

Personally I think Bromley has always been a coherent group with a big and active committee.  That it was never just one leader has been its strength IMHO and so didn't fall when, as is inevitable, people moved on.

Bromley also never focused on travel as it is too close to the Valley to make that practical.  It also benefits from being close to Greenwich and Bexley and fans have always been welcome to make the short trip to God's own borough to attend meetings.   It has successful meetings because that is essentially what the group is.  In business terms we stick to our core activity and we do it well.  We don't organise coaches or dinners because we don't think there is any demand and i'm not sure we'd be any good at doing it.

The more recent groups that have been launched have largely NOT been based on UK geography ie Armed Forces Addicks, Proud Valiants and now Charlton Students.  They join the existing special interest groups such as CASDA and the reminiscence group.  I agree that these are the groups to concentrate on.

I share your doubts that other geographical groups will thrive other than those a long way from the Valley and overseas but that doesn't mean fans shouldn't try or that the club shouldn't open the door for them.

The problem with people claiming to lead dormant groups to get to the "table" already existed, as you say, but that was under the old regime and I feel that this new system might address this.   I can't set up a new group, or resurrect an old one, with no members and just turn up.  I have to show I have members, have regular meetings and be open to all fans and to the club, etc etc.

And I'm not sure how or if leading a group gets anyone to "the table" or what the table is. Is the Fans Forum continuing and if so it what format?

There might be conflicting groups (Paul Nottage laughably tried and failed to set up a new Bromley group when Bromley Addicks disaffiliated from the old dysfunctional and self-serving supporters club) but having some criteria to affiliate makes that less likely.

And there is no compulsion to affiliate.  Certainly, Bromley Addicks heard nothing about this new scheme until last night and we're going to discuss what we'll do. We'll probably join up as we tick all the boxes already but if we don't what sanction is there?

Other groups may decide to remain independent and do their own thing as East Kent Addicks, who don't tick many of the boxes, might.

And most fans will be content to belong to no group other than their group of Charlton supporting mates or reading twitter, Facebook, Charlton Life or whatever. And why not?  Everyone can support the club the way they choose.

I agree completely that this should have be discussed at a business development group like Target 40K before it went out and if so the data harvesting idea would have been picked up.  But again we have to remember the club wants to grow and engage the fan base partly for commercial reasons. It wants, IMHO, to know who's out there and sell tickets, streams and other stuff to them.  It also helps when trying to sell shirt or other sponsorship to say that Charlton has X,000 fans in Y number of countries.

So, in summary, i think it's a good thing.  It aims to tidy up the previous mess and it will, with some work and some goodwill on both sides, increase fan engagement with the club.

Henry Irving

Cafc43v3r said:

Henry Irving said:

Cafc43v3r said:

Airman Brown said:

I think a lot of the benefits of geographical based groups have been eroded by the internet. The strongest ones that functioned as a group, actually had structure, were based on travel and access to tickets when scarce. They usually had strong leaders.

I won’t presume to comment too much on Bromley, but  I’m not convinced it has the same coherence as, for example, Maidstone in the past, which isn’t to say it doesn’t hold successful meetings. 

I don’t really think there is critical mass in many overseas countries to build significant groups, although there’s no harm in trying. 

What happens if there are competing “groups” in the same area, which is likely if you offer ticket incentives? Who decides which group is the “real” one or do fans in that area get competing publicity messages? Why is geography the determinant and not age, race, gender, sexuality, disability, etc, where that characteristic might be a more meaningful distinction than location? 

Lots of questions and a recipe for confusion with even more people claiming to lead groups in order to get to the table than we already had at the fans’ forum. It looks like half an idea that hasn’t been properly thought through - hence the probably illegal initial attempt to harvest data.

That, by the way, is what the Target 10k/40k committee did - tested such ideas out with a group of experienced fans before launching them to identify the pitfalls and iron them out.

Couldn't agree more. 

I think there is a temptation, understandably, from within in most groups of people, to want a seat at the table.  If there is a table.

If in my part of the word if we had a social group that could arrange tickets for local away games, maybe even a mini bus, organise meetings with ex players every now and then maybe the odd quiz or race night type of thing.  Brilliant, I would be intrested.

Once you get "representatives" it becomes a very different animal.   Even a "social group" that gets too big risks becoming overwhelming political, often at the expense of the poor sods that put the hard work in in the first place. 

You're not on the Bromley Addicks committee anymore @Cafc43v3r get over it : - )

Oh no, it's too soon, it's only been 25 years!!!! 

Feck me, is it that long?   

Arsenetatters

A new group has formed. Most of these ladies are Charlton fans - the exception being the one at the front who is an avid Stoke supporter.

Cafc43v3r

Henry Irving said:

Cafc43v3r said:

Henry Irving said:

Cafc43v3r said:

Airman Brown said:

I think a lot of the benefits of geographical based groups have been eroded by the internet. The strongest ones that functioned as a group, actually had structure, were based on travel and access to tickets when scarce. They usually had strong leaders.

I won’t presume to comment too much on Bromley, but  I’m not convinced it has the same coherence as, for example, Maidstone in the past, which isn’t to say it doesn’t hold successful meetings. 

I don’t really think there is critical mass in many overseas countries to build significant groups, although there’s no harm in trying. 

What happens if there are competing “groups” in the same area, which is likely if you offer ticket incentives? Who decides which group is the “real” one or do fans in that area get competing publicity messages? Why is geography the determinant and not age, race, gender, sexuality, disability, etc, where that characteristic might be a more meaningful distinction than location? 

Lots of questions and a recipe for confusion with even more people claiming to lead groups in order to get to the table than we already had at the fans’ forum. It looks like half an idea that hasn’t been properly thought through - hence the probably illegal initial attempt to harvest data.

That, by the way, is what the Target 10k/40k committee did - tested such ideas out with a group of experienced fans before launching them to identify the pitfalls and iron them out.

Couldn't agree more. 

I think there is a temptation, understandably, from within in most groups of people, to want a seat at the table.  If there is a table.

If in my part of the word if we had a social group that could arrange tickets for local away games, maybe even a mini bus, organise meetings with ex players every now and then maybe the odd quiz or race night type of thing.  Brilliant, I would be intrested.

Once you get "representatives" it becomes a very different animal.   Even a "social group" that gets too big risks becoming overwhelming political, often at the expense of the poor sods that put the hard work in in the first place. 

You're not on the Bromley Addicks committee anymore @Cafc43v3r get over it : - )

Oh no, it's too soon, it's only been 25 years!!!! 

Feck me, is it that long?   

Must be near enough, I moved out of Bromley over 20 years ago. 

razil

Agree with Airman and Irving on much of the above.

there was a consultation of sorts about the FF a while back but this is different and new era.

The current ‘proposal’ wasn’t consulted on and partly for that reason doesn’t address the diversity in character of the numerous groups.

if you take City Addicks

- Free informal drinking club
- meets 1-2 time a year or more
- No travel interest, etc
- decent numbers normally oversubscribed events
- substantial social media/membership (200+)
- hard to get volunteers to help run it
- don’t need more publicity

we’ve only had one meeting in recent years pre covid due to an inability to persuade guests to come to the City due to parking etc

are the club going guarantee to address this? 

Do groups disband because the club won’t support them effectively with guests? 

This was a continuous problem I found, and some of us don’t have the time to constantly chase and harass the club on this. 

MadGerman

Has any supporters group gone through this process and is now an certificated affiliated group?

As international supporters it won't be so easy to fulfill the regional aspect. I don't think there a so many Addicks in one country. My call for supporters in Europe brought answers from all across Europe and even South Korea and Argentina.

Henry Irving

Bromley Addicks have but haven't got any response as yet.

Good to hear the support is spread so far and wide

SE7toSG3

Nothing further heard back from Armed Forces Addicks, we responded pretty much straight away.

stonemuse

no formal response to CADSA as yet