summer recruitment - expects 2- 4 players to sign on in summer with some retained - (negotiations going on now), some players loaned out and maybe some sold... expects 1 experienced player to sign on with the rest of the perms investments, will fill out squad with 5-6 inexpensive (but good!) loans
He said 2-5 key players supplemented with 5-6 loans.
Yes... 2-5 players signed, 1 probably a more experienced player the rest investments with potential to push on, the rest of the squad filled out with 5-6 loans...
No, 2-5 significant players he said, I read that as first team, not squad players.
Quite a sensible workaround until the training ground is owned by Sandgaard. If there are requirements that are essentially tick box exercises then why not. Once/if he get can the ownership back off the rat then real investment can be made
I was reassured a bit that he's aware that the ticket initiatives haven't been entirely successful, and that mistakes were made. Also interesting that they've been using outside consultants to advise on this
Interesting being that seemingly there is nobody at the club with the knowledge on how things work at Charlron. Rewind, Parkes and Everett, they perhaps were not asked/listened to.
summer recruitment - expects 2- 4 players to sign on in summer with some retained - (negotiations going on now), some players loaned out and maybe some sold... expects 1 experienced player to sign on with the rest of the perms investments, will fill out squad with 5-6 inexpensive (but good!) loans
He said 2-5 key players supplemented with 5-6 loans.
Yes... 2-5 players signed, 1 probably a more experienced player the rest investments with potential to push on, the rest of the squad filled out with 5-6 loans...
No, 2-5 significant players he said, I read that as first team, not squad players.
summer recruitment - expects 2- 4 players to sign on in summer with some retained - (negotiations going on now), some players loaned out and maybe some sold... expects 1 experienced player to sign on with the rest of the perms investments, will fill out squad with 5-6 inexpensive (but good!) loans
He said 2-5 key players supplemented with 5-6 loans.
Yes... 2-5 players signed, 1 probably a more experienced player the rest investments with potential to push on, the rest of the squad filled out with 5-6 loans...
No, 2-5 significant players he said, I read that as first team, not squad players.
Would that be significant as in blow league one apart significant?
Sorry, I don't really mean to be so negative and cynical but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. I'll just go and iron my hands now.
2-6 new signings on long term contracts and 5-6 loans could be 10 new players. But for me the real test is whether we renew people like Purrington and Matthews.
TS also talked about wing backs rather than traditional full backs, so at best I expect they'll be back up.
Fair play to him for doing it. He's trying to do the right things but just not doing them very well at the moment. Sounds like he's very reluctant to ask for experienced help.
One thing for sure is that he don't sound like someone that will hang about if his plan isn't working. If we're still languishing in this league in two seasons time then I'm almost certain he'll be gone.
Was great to get some perspective from TS. I enjoyed it thoroughly and thought Sam and the two Heathers did an excellent job of mediating in a respectful manner.
My main understanding or takeaway was this:
1. he has money and he will keep spending 2. he wants to do things his way and believes he can carry the burden of having very little executive / senior management presence
Mixed bag in terms of details, good to hear that he is in some form of dialogue with RD for ownership of the ground. But also some areas I thought were a little fanciful ie it’s possible to break even in div 1 or the championship by filling the ground and buy low sell high on players.
We know he has the best of intentions and time will tell if he is a genius or yet another football owner whereby the job is simply too big for him or to use the often quoted mike Tyson truism “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”
Will definitely attend the next update and hoping he really is a genius.
TS said that that split into two categories: clubs like Gillingham and Oxford which have low operating costs, but don’t have the ability to make much revenue; and clubs like Brentford which had focused on player development. He said that Charlton are starting to bring in individual coaches to help players break through with their careers. He said that Brentford didn’t really have an academy, and that he is doing the opposite because “we have an amazing foundation with one of the best academies in the country”. TS continued that he was continuing to develop the player side and focus on buying and seller in a better way than we have done in the past. In terms of being financially prudent, we can’t be like Gillingham, because we have a huge fanbase which we can mobilise. “Hopefully long term we’ll make a profit due to smart player trades.” (So we can be like Brentford ... but not like Brentford).
HA asked how he expects it to pan out for next season. TS said that the club is trying to be more consistent in getting good football players rather than just those who are good at getting the long balls (What?). He said that we will continue to build a squad that could do well at Championship level. TS said that we made some improvements in the midfield, but he’s looking to make more. He said that that will always be his key focus. He said that if George Dobson had better players around him, he could play at Premier League level. “I’m going to focus a lot on the attacking midfielder, and also players who can get the ball up (What?).” TS also mentioned Ryan Innis being out with injuries, and that we need to make improvements at the back. He said that there will be a minimum of a couple of players who will give us a significant boost.
TS said it comes back to his strategy for the business side, which is to increase revenues. “I have a strong belief that we can increase sponsorship revenues and ticket sales, get more food and drink sales, and increase hospitality sales.” He said that he is willing to make the investment in not necessarily seeing bigger short-term revenues, but first and foremost getting every seat filled. He said that if a sponsor sees a full stadium, it’s more likely they’ll be willing to get involved. “That’s where it all starts. (Umm ... no, Thomas. It starts with a decent team)” TS said he has tested a number of things, including things we may not have noticed, and some have worked and others haven’t. He said people have been handing out tickets at events at the O2, but hardly any of those were used. TS said that giving season ticket holders the ability to bring three friends was initially very popular but dropped off. He also mentioned initiatives with grassroots football clubs and schools in the area, which he said has some momentum. TS also mentioned an initiative with the University of Greenwich, but said there seemed to be absolutely no interest there in them coming to football games (So, actually ... none of them have worked, have they, Thomas?). TS said the club is using consultants on this. “I’m not letting up until that stadium is full. Period.” (Then you might want to prioritise on a decent team. No charge, no consultant's fee ... you can have that one for free, Thomas).
Related to that, HA said that people are questioning the value for money with their season tickets due to the free tickets available. She asked what TS’s strategy for season tickets is for next season. TS said he intends to put a good effort into ensuring the club has as many season ticket holders as possible. We have a little over 10,000 season ticket holders at the moment, and TS wants to continue to build on that figure. “That’s the basis of how we grow our club. We want to make sure that they get as much attention as possible, and we serve them as well as we possibly can.” TS said that, in parallel with that, we need to bring more people into the stadium, which might include people who have never seen a football game before, or never seen a Charlton game before. He mentioned that we have never really extended our reach beyond Greenwich, which we need to do, because there are fans all over London, and all over England. TS said that South London will get a lot more attention. (Yes, they'll just come flying in from (insert place with no easy access to a professional football team) to see us lose at home to Oxford).
HA picked back up on the player interactions. TS said he’s looking at a structured process for signatures and meeting players, and a system that the players know. He said it’s a big part of the experience. “I want the overall experience, from when someone leaves home to when they get back, to be as great as it can be.” (Start with the result on the pitch, Thomas. No charge).
Tom and Rosh asked whether TS has considered some friendly investors to share the load. TS said that he had not at this time, and that it’s probably not necessary. One possibility is a potential acquisition of the Valley and the training ground, but it might make more business sense to have some friendly real estate investors. He said that it might also be that we end up in “that weird place in the Championship where it would take a long time and a lot of money to get into the Premier League”. He said that he thinks he can avoid that by “just being smarter about how we run this business.” (That's great news because no investor will be remotely interested, Thomas. You have nothing but debt and running costs to sell).
Mike asked what went wrong in last summer’s transfer window. TS said that one of two agents “really managed to screw up two main targets for us”. He said that “when you literally have a deal in place and you see them being shopped around other clubs, that’s very frustrating.” TS said that, other than that, he thinks we got a good start on building the club we want for the future. We brought in several young, hungry players who will continue to improve. “I don’t think we got a whole lot wrong. We missed out on a few opportunities. Realistically, you should probably expect that, but I’m very competitive.” (So why are we currently 16th in League 1, Thomas? Maybe we got a lot wrong ... or does 'very competitive' mean OK with mid-table?).
Really enjoyed the event and it is refreshing to have an open owner prepared to share his thinking. Very exciting that we could get Cat 1 so quickly and good imagination to get over the bricks and mortar issue. All good signs that we are building a sustainable Club in a sensible way.
Enjoyed that and fair play to TS for doing it. I thought his body language was uncomfortable throughout. He wasn’t exactly grilled but the implications behind a lot of the questions was clear enough. A couple clearly touched a nerve. I like the guy. He is a vast improvement on the charlatans we have had in recent years. I genuinely hope he makes a real fist of it and he has my support. However, it does feel as though a mixture of wealth, ego and bravado is carrying him through and there is a whiff off BS not too far from the surface. I also think that JJ (or any manager for that matter) would find his degree of interest in the playing side a little difficult. What he doesn’t know, he’s making up. But he is clearly putting his money where his mouth is and we should be grateful for that. The “fill the valley” nonsense is clearly a crusade for him and it may take a while before he realises that you can’t give away something no one wants. Get a good team on the pitch chasing promotion and the place will fill itself. And he will come to realise at some stage that he needs help. There’s a lot I’m worried about but while there are echoes of Roland And Katrien in some of his utterances, TS is far more palatable.
Thanks for the write up as sadly had another meeting and only just got back so couldn't make the live performance.
It strikes me he's still as 'keen' as ever, but just like a certain previous owner he knows best/better than anyone else despite proving that not to be the case most of the time.
There's for me a lot to be concerned about right now, different to the RD concerns and very different to the ESI concerns, but concerns all the same.
I had many conversations with people 12+ months ago about how he reminded me of an old Chairman I worked for, nothing since then or the write up tonight has made me change my mind.
It's the TS way, he may be proved right, he may not, but sadly my monies on it taking him a long while to get to where he wants to be, if he ever does. Unless he starts employing the right people to run the club in certain areas I think the success he wants, we all want, Is a million miles away.
On the field much like Bowyer got us promoted despite RD, JJ is going to have to pull off the same miracle next season I fear.
Reading that back I do sound negative, and must remember where we were under ESI and how much has improved, but I also know how good it could be and that's the frustrating part (and I'm not talking back to back promotions and a foray into Europe!).
TS said that that split into two categories: clubs like Gillingham and Oxford which have low operating costs, but don’t have the ability to make much revenue; and clubs like Brentford which had focused on player development. He said that Charlton are starting to bring in individual coaches to help players break through with their careers. He said that Brentford didn’t really have an academy, and that he is doing the opposite because “we have an amazing foundation with one of the best academies in the country”. TS continued that he was continuing to develop the player side and focus on buying and seller in a better way than we have done in the past. In terms of being financially prudent, we can’t be like Gillingham, because we have a huge fanbase which we can mobilise. “Hopefully long term we’ll make a profit due to smart player trades.” (So we can be like Brentford ... but not like Brentford).
HA asked how he expects it to pan out for next season. TS said that the club is trying to be more consistent in getting good football players rather than just those who are good at getting the long balls (What?). He said that we will continue to build a squad that could do well at Championship level. TS said that we made some improvements in the midfield, but he’s looking to make more. He said that that will always be his key focus. He said that if George Dobson had better players around him, he could play at Premier League level. “I’m going to focus a lot on the attacking midfielder, and also players who can get the ball up (What?).” TS also mentioned Ryan Innis being out with injuries, and that we need to make improvements at the back. He said that there will be a minimum of a couple of players who will give us a significant boost.
TS said it comes back to his strategy for the business side, which is to increase revenues. “I have a strong belief that we can increase sponsorship revenues and ticket sales, get more food and drink sales, and increase hospitality sales.” He said that he is willing to make the investment in not necessarily seeing bigger short-term revenues, but first and foremost getting every seat filled. He said that if a sponsor sees a full stadium, it’s more likely they’ll be willing to get involved. “That’s where it all starts. (Umm ... no, Thomas. It starts with a decent team)” TS said he has tested a number of things, including things we may not have noticed, and some have worked and others haven’t. He said people have been handing out tickets at events at the O2, but hardly any of those were used. TS said that giving season ticket holders the ability to bring three friends was initially very popular but dropped off. He also mentioned initiatives with grassroots football clubs and schools in the area, which he said has some momentum. TS also mentioned an initiative with the University of Greenwich, but said there seemed to be absolutely no interest there in them coming to football games (So, actually ... none of them have worked, have they, Thomas?). TS said the club is using consultants on this. “I’m not letting up until that stadium is full. Period.” (Then you might want to prioritise on a decent team. No charge, no consultant's fee ... you can have that one for free, Thomas).
Related to that, HA said that people are questioning the value for money with their season tickets due to the free tickets available. She asked what TS’s strategy for season tickets is for next season. TS said he intends to put a good effort into ensuring the club has as many season ticket holders as possible. We have a little over 10,000 season ticket holders at the moment, and TS wants to continue to build on that figure. “That’s the basis of how we grow our club. We want to make sure that they get as much attention as possible, and we serve them as well as we possibly can.” TS said that, in parallel with that, we need to bring more people into the stadium, which might include people who have never seen a football game before, or never seen a Charlton game before. He mentioned that we have never really extended our reach beyond Greenwich, which we need to do, because there are fans all over London, and all over England. TS said that South London will get a lot more attention. (Yes, they'll just come flying in from (insert place with no easy access to a professional football team) to see us lose at home to Oxford).
HA picked back up on the player interactions. TS said he’s looking at a structured process for signatures and meeting players, and a system that the players know. He said it’s a big part of the experience. “I want the overall experience, from when someone leaves home to when they get back, to be as great as it can be.” (Start with the result on the pitch, Thomas. No charge).
Tom and Rosh asked whether TS has considered some friendly investors to share the load. TS said that he had not at this time, and that it’s probably not necessary. One possibility is a potential acquisition of the Valley and the training ground, but it might make more business sense to have some friendly real estate investors. He said that it might also be that we end up in “that weird place in the Championship where it would take a long time and a lot of money to get into the Premier League”. He said that he thinks he can avoid that by “just being smarter about how we run this business.” (That's great news because no investor will be remotely interested, Thomas. You have nothing but debt and running costs to sell).
Mike asked what went wrong in last summer’s transfer window. TS said that one of two agents “really managed to screw up two main targets for us”. He said that “when you literally have a deal in place and you see them being shopped around other clubs, that’s very frustrating.” TS said that, other than that, he thinks we got a good start on building the club we want for the future. We brought in several young, hungry players who will continue to improve. “I don’t think we got a whole lot wrong. We missed out on a few opportunities. Realistically, you should probably expect that, but I’m very competitive.” (So why are we currently 16th in League 1, Thomas? Maybe we got a lot wrong ... or does 'very competitive' mean OK with mid-table?).
I could go on, but it hurts me to do so.
The man is a half-wit.
Sounds like you have the perfect expertise. Have you considered applying for CEO?
Thomas ... I know how it works with guys like you.
Listen.
You have two extreme scenarios. There are other points in between (hybrids maybe), but these represent the sensible and clear options.
Scenario 1:
Continue as you are. Arrogant, 'I know best', 'I am a successful business man and how hard can it be to run a successful football Club?'
You will continue to lose £8m ... £10m ... £12m each season. Eventually you will get bored (after decades) and you will hand over to your son. He will bale out.
Duchatelet dies a happy man ... and richer than you or your son.
Scenario 2:
Get some people around you. People who know about football. It's not a business ... it's a religion that has to be managed in a business-like way.
You need people who share your vision and who can help you make it happen. They are not threats to you, they are facilitators. Cogs and oil to your engine.
Everything you've said about our Club's potential is probably correct, but you are trying to realise it in the most naive way possible.
Get people alongside you. Don't try to go it alone. You don't have the right experience or instincts to do that.
No shame in getting help if it gets us (that's you, the Club and the fans, Thomas) to the Premier League.
Given the news of Chris Parkes' and Mick Everett's retirements, I'd
probably go with "As the club are soon to lose two staff with more than
50 years' combined experience, institutional knowledge and cultivated
relationships within the wider football world, the absence of a
dedicated CEO with experience of English football becomes even more
glaring. Is the search for a UK based CEO under way yet, if so who is assisting you to find the person with the right experience and qualities for the role, and if not how do you justify doing the job yourself when you're unable to be present on a day-to-day basis?"
Based on this I’d probably offer you the CEO job
Well, it's a good job it's not down to you, cos I'd be rubbish!
His heart is in the right place, but his head isn't and when the questions were tough there was more than a whiff of bullshit, such as Martin Sandgaard identifying Scott Fraser.
This is the Scott Fraser that someone (I think Gallen), told us was our number 1 target in the summer, before he signed for Ipswich (possibly due to the agent getting a bigger slice). Also the Scott Fraser that many of us knew is one of the best midfielders in L1.
The trouble is when you're caught out saying this and things like we're gonna smash this league, then I start to question how much is truth and how much isn't.
I support TS, I support Charlton, I always will, but I have little hope of us reaching The Premier League under TS, because his plan is based on fantasy.
The chances of breaking even and getting to The Premier League is virtually nil. Breaking even nearly always leads to a quick relegation.
It shouldn't be so and I wish it wasn't, but if everyone else is spending millions on better players, you can almost be assured that the outcome will be relegation, not promotion.
TS said that that split into two categories: clubs like Gillingham and Oxford which have low operating costs, but don’t have the ability to make much revenue; and clubs like Brentford which had focused on player development. He said that Charlton are starting to bring in individual coaches to help players break through with their careers. He said that Brentford didn’t really have an academy, and that he is doing the opposite because “we have an amazing foundation with one of the best academies in the country”. TS continued that he was continuing to develop the player side and focus on buying and seller in a better way than we have done in the past. In terms of being financially prudent, we can’t be like Gillingham, because we have a huge fanbase which we can mobilise. “Hopefully long term we’ll make a profit due to smart player trades.” (So we can be like Brentford ... but not like Brentford).
HA asked how he expects it to pan out for next season. TS said that the club is trying to be more consistent in getting good football players rather than just those who are good at getting the long balls (What?). He said that we will continue to build a squad that could do well at Championship level. TS said that we made some improvements in the midfield, but he’s looking to make more. He said that that will always be his key focus. He said that if George Dobson had better players around him, he could play at Premier League level. “I’m going to focus a lot on the attacking midfielder, and also players who can get the ball up (What?).” TS also mentioned Ryan Innis being out with injuries, and that we need to make improvements at the back. He said that there will be a minimum of a couple of players who will give us a significant boost.
TS said it comes back to his strategy for the business side, which is to increase revenues. “I have a strong belief that we can increase sponsorship revenues and ticket sales, get more food and drink sales, and increase hospitality sales.” He said that he is willing to make the investment in not necessarily seeing bigger short-term revenues, but first and foremost getting every seat filled. He said that if a sponsor sees a full stadium, it’s more likely they’ll be willing to get involved. “That’s where it all starts. (Umm ... no, Thomas. It starts with a decent team)” TS said he has tested a number of things, including things we may not have noticed, and some have worked and others haven’t. He said people have been handing out tickets at events at the O2, but hardly any of those were used. TS said that giving season ticket holders the ability to bring three friends was initially very popular but dropped off. He also mentioned initiatives with grassroots football clubs and schools in the area, which he said has some momentum. TS also mentioned an initiative with the University of Greenwich, but said there seemed to be absolutely no interest there in them coming to football games (So, actually ... none of them have worked, have they, Thomas?). TS said the club is using consultants on this. “I’m not letting up until that stadium is full. Period.” (Then you might want to prioritise on a decent team. No charge, no consultant's fee ... you can have that one for free, Thomas).
Related to that, HA said that people are questioning the value for money with their season tickets due to the free tickets available. She asked what TS’s strategy for season tickets is for next season. TS said he intends to put a good effort into ensuring the club has as many season ticket holders as possible. We have a little over 10,000 season ticket holders at the moment, and TS wants to continue to build on that figure. “That’s the basis of how we grow our club. We want to make sure that they get as much attention as possible, and we serve them as well as we possibly can.” TS said that, in parallel with that, we need to bring more people into the stadium, which might include people who have never seen a football game before, or never seen a Charlton game before. He mentioned that we have never really extended our reach beyond Greenwich, which we need to do, because there are fans all over London, and all over England. TS said that South London will get a lot more attention. (Yes, they'll just come flying in from (insert place with no easy access to a professional football team) to see us lose at home to Oxford).
HA picked back up on the player interactions. TS said he’s looking at a structured process for signatures and meeting players, and a system that the players know. He said it’s a big part of the experience. “I want the overall experience, from when someone leaves home to when they get back, to be as great as it can be.” (Start with the result on the pitch, Thomas. No charge).
Tom and Rosh asked whether TS has considered some friendly investors to share the load. TS said that he had not at this time, and that it’s probably not necessary. One possibility is a potential acquisition of the Valley and the training ground, but it might make more business sense to have some friendly real estate investors. He said that it might also be that we end up in “that weird place in the Championship where it would take a long time and a lot of money to get into the Premier League”. He said that he thinks he can avoid that by “just being smarter about how we run this business.” (That's great news because no investor will be remotely interested, Thomas. You have nothing but debt and running costs to sell).
Mike asked what went wrong in last summer’s transfer window. TS said that one of two agents “really managed to screw up two main targets for us”. He said that “when you literally have a deal in place and you see them being shopped around other clubs, that’s very frustrating.” TS said that, other than that, he thinks we got a good start on building the club we want for the future. We brought in several young, hungry players who will continue to improve. “I don’t think we got a whole lot wrong. We missed out on a few opportunities. Realistically, you should probably expect that, but I’m very competitive.” (So why are we currently 16th in League 1, Thomas? Maybe we got a lot wrong ... or does 'very competitive' mean OK with mid-table?).
I could go on, but it hurts me to do so.
The man is a half-wit.
Sounds like you have the perfect expertise. Have you considered applying for CEO?
Yes, happy to advise. I'm retired now, but operate a business improvement consultancy.
Cant understand all the early questions about financials before he even joined. It's history, who cares. No wonder he got frustrated at that. Sure, he raised it yesterday but it really is an irrelevance given it was nothing to do with him.
Hopefully we get good news on the academy and Cat 1.
Interesting about partners to buy the property assets "maybe friendly property people". Could it be the Barclay family back as their way in to Charlton?
Comments
Rewind, Parkes and Everett, they perhaps were not asked/listened to.
So did he say we're having an official audit or he's paying for a test audit to see if we'll pass the real thing?
Ok
Sorry, I don't really mean to be so negative and cynical but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.
I'll just go and iron my hands now.
https://www.castrust.org/2022/03/thomas-i-am-still-as-ambitious-as-i-was-before-i-bought-the-club/
One thing for sure is that he don't sound like someone that will hang about if his plan isn't working. If we're still languishing in this league in two seasons time then I'm almost certain he'll be gone.
My main understanding or takeaway was this:
1. he has money and he will keep spending
2. he wants to do things his way and believes he can carry the burden of having very little executive / senior management presence
Mixed bag in terms of details, good to hear that he is in some form of dialogue with RD for ownership of the ground. But also some areas I thought were a little fanciful ie it’s possible to break even in div 1 or the championship by filling the ground and buy low sell high on players.
We know he has the best of intentions and time will tell if he is a genius or yet another football owner whereby the job is simply too big for him or to use the often quoted mike Tyson truism “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”
Will definitely attend the next update and hoping he really is a genius.
There's nothing in the pudding but a fecking thruppenny bit
It seems that his son is now identifying players, drawing up a list, and presenting that to Jacko.
If that's the new process, it's not good.
HM asked whether TS had any role model clubs.
TS said that that split into two categories: clubs like Gillingham and Oxford which have low operating costs, but don’t have the ability to make much revenue; and clubs like Brentford which had focused on player development. He said that Charlton are starting to bring in individual coaches to help players break through with their careers. He said that Brentford didn’t really have an academy, and that he is doing the opposite because “we have an amazing foundation with one of the best academies in the country”. TS continued that he was continuing to develop the player side and focus on buying and seller in a better way than we have done in the past. In terms of being financially prudent, we can’t be like Gillingham, because we have a huge fanbase which we can mobilise. “Hopefully long term we’ll make a profit due to smart player trades.” (So we can be like Brentford ... but not like Brentford).
HA asked how he expects it to pan out for next season. TS said that the club is trying to be more consistent in getting good football players rather than just those who are good at getting the long balls (What?). He said that we will continue to build a squad that could do well at Championship level. TS said that we made some improvements in the midfield, but he’s looking to make more. He said that that will always be his key focus. He said that if George Dobson had better players around him, he could play at Premier League level. “I’m going to focus a lot on the attacking midfielder, and also players who can get the ball up (What?).” TS also mentioned Ryan Innis being out with injuries, and that we need to make improvements at the back. He said that there will be a minimum of a couple of players who will give us a significant boost.TS said it comes back to his strategy for the business side, which is to increase revenues. “I have a strong belief that we can increase sponsorship revenues and ticket sales, get more food and drink sales, and increase hospitality sales.” He said that he is willing to make the investment in not necessarily seeing bigger short-term revenues, but first and foremost getting every seat filled. He said that if a sponsor sees a full stadium, it’s more likely they’ll be willing to get involved. “That’s where it all starts. (Umm ... no, Thomas. It starts with a decent team)” TS said he has tested a number of things, including things we may not have noticed, and some have worked and others haven’t. He said people have been handing out tickets at events at the O2, but hardly any of those were used. TS said that giving season ticket holders the ability to bring three friends was initially very popular but dropped off. He also mentioned initiatives with grassroots football clubs and schools in the area, which he said has some momentum. TS also mentioned an initiative with the University of Greenwich, but said there seemed to be absolutely no interest there in them coming to football games (So, actually ... none of them have worked, have they, Thomas?). TS said the club is using consultants on this. “I’m not letting up until that stadium is full. Period.” (Then you might want to prioritise on a decent team. No charge, no consultant's fee ... you can have that one for free, Thomas).
Related to that, HA said that people are questioning the value for money with their season tickets due to the free tickets available. She asked what TS’s strategy for season tickets is for next season. TS said he intends to put a good effort into ensuring the club has as many season ticket holders as possible. We have a little over 10,000 season ticket holders at the moment, and TS wants to continue to build on that figure. “That’s the basis of how we grow our club. We want to make sure that they get as much attention as possible, and we serve them as well as we possibly can.” TS said that, in parallel with that, we need to bring more people into the stadium, which might include people who have never seen a football game before, or never seen a Charlton game before. He mentioned that we have never really extended our reach beyond Greenwich, which we need to do, because there are fans all over London, and all over England. TS said that South London will get a lot more attention. (Yes, they'll just come flying in from (insert place with no easy access to a professional football team) to see us lose at home to Oxford).
HA picked back up on the player interactions. TS said he’s looking at a structured process for signatures and meeting players, and a system that the players know. He said it’s a big part of the experience. “I want the overall experience, from when someone leaves home to when they get back, to be as great as it can be.” (Start with the result on the pitch, Thomas. No charge).
Tom and Rosh asked whether TS has considered some friendly investors to share the load. TS said that he had not at this time, and that it’s probably not necessary. One possibility is a potential acquisition of the Valley and the training ground, but it might make more business sense to have some friendly real estate investors. He said that it might also be that we end up in “that weird place in the Championship where it would take a long time and a lot of money to get into the Premier League”. He said that he thinks he can avoid that by “just being smarter about how we run this business.” (That's great news because no investor will be remotely interested, Thomas. You have nothing but debt and running costs to sell).
Mike asked what went wrong in last summer’s transfer window. TS said that one of two agents “really managed to screw up two main targets for us”. He said that “when you literally have a deal in place and you see them being shopped around other clubs, that’s very frustrating.” TS said that, other than that, he thinks we got a good start on building the club we want for the future. We brought in several young, hungry players who will continue to improve. “I don’t think we got a whole lot wrong. We missed out on a few opportunities. Realistically, you should probably expect that, but I’m very competitive.” (So why are we currently 16th in League 1, Thomas? Maybe we got a lot wrong ... or does 'very competitive' mean OK with mid-table?).
I could go on, but it hurts me to do so.
The man is a half-wit.
Very exciting that we could get Cat 1 so quickly and good imagination to get over the bricks and mortar issue.
All good signs that we are building a sustainable Club in a sensible way.
It strikes me he's still as 'keen' as ever, but just like a certain previous owner he knows best/better than anyone else despite proving that not to be the case most of the time.
There's for me a lot to be concerned about right now, different to the RD concerns and very different to the ESI concerns, but concerns all the same.
I had many conversations with people 12+ months ago about how he reminded me of an old Chairman I worked for, nothing since then or the write up tonight has made me change my mind.
It's the TS way, he may be proved right, he may not, but sadly my monies on it taking him a long while to get to where he wants to be, if he ever does. Unless he starts employing the right people to run the club in certain areas I think the success he wants, we all want, Is a million miles away.
On the field much like Bowyer got us promoted despite RD, JJ is going to have to pull off the same miracle next season I fear.
Reading that back I do sound negative, and must remember where we were under ESI and how much has improved, but I also know how good it could be and that's the frustrating part (and I'm not talking back to back promotions and a foray into Europe!).
Listen.
You have two extreme scenarios. There are other points in between (hybrids maybe), but these represent the sensible and clear options.
Scenario 1:
Continue as you are. Arrogant, 'I know best', 'I am a successful business man and how hard can it be to run a successful football Club?'
You will continue to lose £8m ... £10m ... £12m each season. Eventually you will get bored (after decades) and you will hand over to your son. He will bale out.
Duchatelet dies a happy man ... and richer than you or your son.
Scenario 2:
Get some people around you. People who know about football. It's not a business ... it's a religion that has to be managed in a business-like way.
You need people who share your vision and who can help you make it happen. They are not threats to you, they are facilitators. Cogs and oil to your engine.
Everything you've said about our Club's potential is probably correct, but you are trying to realise it in the most naive way possible.
Get people alongside you. Don't try to go it alone. You don't have the right experience or instincts to do that.
No shame in getting help if it gets us (that's you, the Club and the fans, Thomas) to the Premier League.
His heart is in the right place, but his head isn't and when the questions were tough there was more than a whiff of bullshit, such as Martin Sandgaard identifying Scott Fraser.
This is the Scott Fraser that someone (I think Gallen), told us was our number 1 target in the summer, before he signed for Ipswich (possibly due to the agent getting a bigger slice).
Also the Scott Fraser that many of us knew is one of the best midfielders in L1.
The trouble is when you're caught out saying this and things like we're gonna smash this league, then I start to question how much is truth and how much isn't.
I support TS, I support Charlton, I always will, but I have little hope of us reaching The Premier League under TS, because his plan is based on fantasy.
The chances of breaking even and getting to The Premier League is virtually nil.
Breaking even nearly always leads to a quick relegation.
It shouldn't be so and I wish it wasn't, but if everyone else is spending millions on better players, you can almost be assured that the outcome will be relegation, not promotion.
Yes, happy to advise. I'm retired now, but operate a business improvement consultancy.
I'm not cheap ... but you get value for money.
Maybe let Thomas know if you speak to him?
Hopefully we get good news on the academy and Cat 1.
Interesting about partners to buy the property assets "maybe friendly property people". Could it be the Barclay family back as their way in to Charlton?