Trust Calls Public Meeting of Fans - Woolwich Grand Theatre – Wed 18th Feb 7.30pm

Good meeting last night, well done to the organisers. Probably the most important part of the meeting was that there was one in the first place, rather than its content. Any new owner of our great club should undergo an history lesson. It doesn't go back too far so wont take up too much of their valuable time and would be very educational. But in a nutshell, the only real success in modern times for Charlton Athletic FC came about because our fans stood up to people (arrogant idiots) who thought they knew what was best for the club, but they were only leading us to ruin. Instead the fans, and this is the important part of the history lesson, the fans changed the trajectory to one which allowed us the become, albeit briefly, the fourth best team in the country. And an established Premiership club which other teams looked up to and were envious of. That is not discounting or belittling the role the board, a progressive CEO and a great manager had, but it was the fans that changed the path by doing something special.

I would also suggest that the owner gets a copy of Airman's speech. And to be fair, the whole meeting. But Airman is a prime example of somebody you ought to want with you rather than against you. This feels like a crossroads. It is not too late for the owner to have a change of heart. All fans are really asking is for a bit more respect and mutual communication. They can offer so much and can see it is madness not to use their experience (not the same as doing exactly as they say) and try to bring them along to the plan. A plan that has never properly been explained or sold to them.

Reading about another network club actually encouraging fans has made me think. Also reading about letters sent to the CEO that have gone unanswered and Wendy Perfect's eloquent article in the latest VOTV has made me think some more. Yes it is clear that Miere is Duchatelet's puppet, but she might just be a completely rubbish one. Maybe part of her role is to explain the direction and run the small details of the club and maybe she is too young and inexperienced (not necessarily an issue but maybe one for her) to make the right calls. There can't be any reasonable business plan, whatever it is, that advocates upsetting your customers. Sometimes it may be unavoidable, but surely in instances where it isn't it should be avoided.

What fans are asking for is to be listened to. Mistakes have been made that we could see were mistakes a mile off. And I am not talking about the playing side here. Maybe it isn't enough to charm people with a young pretty thing, when she doesn't have the communication, leadership skills or experience to do the job needed. I hope my next statement is not seen as sexist, some of the best, most inspirational managers I have seen in my life have been women. But a young driven woman, who feels she has to be strong and ruthless, well they have been some of the biggest disasters.

So if we are at the crossroads, the fact that many of the oldies that played such a successful part in modern Charlton history have been awoken and encouraged to put their DMs on is a great opportunity for the owner. They are a little bit older and don't want a war. They just want to be listened to and help this club -which we know is special - become successful again. If that message could get to the owner, maybe he will see that we are not being treated well and change things. Not change his plan, we know that won't happen, but change how we are communicated to and included and if his plan is a pathway to success, see how we can help him achieve it. Sell it to us and give us roles in it (via the trust). There are so many free workers available - from the strategic brains of Airman and Dixon to the fans who bring mates along. Some of these people were employed by the club in the past and having them work with it rather than against it was a great success because they were bloody good at their jobs. I actually thought that target 10,000 was too ambitious at the time. I do know that his club didn't previously have, or has now, somebody with the vision to pull something like that off. History is there to learn from Duchatelet. How can we help get the next generation of Charlton fans in - Miere's statement of Valley Express and focus on SW London is another recent example of how clueless and unsuitable she is for this task as she doesn't know. Is Peter Varney available?

I echo what others say, it was a positive meeting, well managed and respectful of others' views. The general consensus was that of seeking proper dialog with the club. Several suggestions were put forward as to how to try and achieve that. Though because of time constraints none of those ideas were really tested, they were just put out there in the open.

If the meeting achieved nothing else, it was proof that Charlton fans have very genuine concerns for the way the club is being run and a very genuine willingness to help improve things. We've heard that the current owner wants to run the club as a business along a cautious and prudent path. It beggars belief that anyone whose mindset is to run a business in such a conscientious manner would not want to sit up and take notice when 400 customers turn up to a meeting to demonstrate their concern. It wasn't 400 people turning up for a free game of football or a picnic in the park and it wasn't just a bored bunch of e-protesters whinging online. It was 400 people who turned out on a freezing cold night to sit or stand for two hours in a decidedly chilly room to air their discomfort because they absolutely love this football club. Katrien, Roland, please stop ignoring us. We want this club to be successful more than anyone. There will always be a bulk of people who will follow Charlton come what may, but if your actions or omissions alienate fans you'll find it harder than ever to meet your business objectives. I don't say that as a threat, but as statement of reality.