Sponsors Event 24 March - CARD call for pickets at Sparrows Lane and Valley

Just sent this to:
public.relations@gre.ac.uk (who employ me!!)

As a senior lecturer at the university, I have always been proud of the connections that the university maintains with our local community. In particular, as I work in Primary Education, I am always extremely proud when I visit schools and see some of our former students really making a positive difference to the education of the young. I am fully aware of the strong connection between the university and such an important area of the local and wider community.

However, as a Charlton supporter for 47 years, I really have to highlight how the shirt sponsorship has become an area that is not a positive connection and is now an embarrassment due to the continuing mistreatment of the fans that the current regime is inflicting. Every week something else unfolds which really highlights how the current owners view the supporters of the club. They have ridiculed our rich history which is so insulting to fans who have physically dug up the pitch at the Valley following the formation of a political party to ensure the team returned to its spiritual home – the Valley. They view us as customers and feel our emotional support is ‘weird’….This is hardly representative of a regime that understands the passion that is in the heart of long-standing and dedicated supporters.

The club has become a footballer-farm….The business model seems to be to develop players and sell them on and what is happening on the pitch to a once-great club seems to be secondary to the farming of players. I say ‘seems to be’ as really we do not know as the owner really does not communicate in any shape or form with the loyal fan base. It is also evident from former coaches that there is interference into team selection – something which seems very strange and not conducive to the best team being selected.

The unhappiness of the current owners is so widespread now across all groups of supporters. It is clear from press reports that the current workings at the club are being questioned at all levels, with our local MP also getting involved.

I am sure you are aware of all of the above, but just wanted to give you an ‘employee’s view’.

Thank you for reading.

Regards
Heather Ross