The Takeover Thread v3.0 - DONE! - Methven interview in the Telegraph (p55)

We've not had credible leadership at board level for too long - I'm just relieved to see that appropriate appointments are finally being made.

The early signs are giving me some optimism, though naturally this optimism is dashed with a huge amount of cautiousness.

The appointments and signings so far are, in my view, the signs of a somewhat 'well run' club - this for me is enough for now.

I just want to head to The Valley on a Saturday afternoon looking forward to seeing a well managed and resourced team. With the board level appointments, Holden, and new signings so far, for the first time in years I feel excited about the start of the season.

It's not perfect, not having the assets is rightly still a huge concern, and big questions remain on what happens if we don't get promoted within 2-3 years. However, these guys aren't Southall crooks, nor will their wives be heading up HR or their kids leading our transfer strategy.

For now I'm going to enjoy the takeover and see what unfolds at this ridiculous club over the next few seasons.

Pavoren007 said:

TS did indeed save our club, but then made every mistake in the book with his ‘heart in the right place’. Tell that (heart in the right place) to the staff that were negatively impacted throughout his ownership and all of us who ploughed hard earned cash into his born to fail break even model wishful thinking. 

I was hopeful when he arrived, I will remember him as a failed egotistical naive businessman of an owner. I do not take glee from this way of thinking but equally won’t be liking a ‘touching’ farewell message.

I will tonight raise a fond glass to all the past employees who shone and whose lights were pissed on unnecessarily. It is they who I will remember most from this last 3 year period. 

I hope that the next 1-10 to more years are a more enjoyable ride with an appropriately supportive, nurturing and together growing club culture. Let’s see how we go…?

Up the Addicks - all paid up and raring to go again! 

Late to the party as usual & only just caught up with the posts of fellow Lifers. 

Interesting to read the varied views on both TS / his hand over of the keys to the "kingdom" and the new key holders themselves.

But two have stood out for me and the words therein will stay with me for a loooong time. 

The first was "our" Olly's brief but pertinent contribution which deserves a frame & a place on the Boardroom wall lest the latest incumbents forget that mutual respect between owner/s, staff and fans is of paramount importance....but is earnt, not a given.

Pavoren007's thoughts echo those sentiments from the "other side " and emphasis that the interaction we have with staff is an important element of our support for our club albeit one that not everyone recognises. 

Having been closely involved in the organisation of the annual POTY dinner for the past 12 years, I've interacted with various members of the SMT and their staff- a predominantly positive experience. On the whole, I would venture to add that their roles have been carefully defined & that, as individuals, they have helped to make the "work" pleasurable, taking on board the guidelines we have successfully worked within during that period of time. I trust that we, the volunteers, have shown them the same respect. 

Others have mentioned the importance of the SMT and in my view, the appointment of those taking up those roles is one requiring a great deal of thought. For me, those individuals will set up their teams to reflect their own values, ensure that new recruits will receive all the training required from Day One and not be left to flounder alone but additionally, that respect must be shown to everyone they deal with, inside or outside of our club. These people are often the first point of contact with our club and opinions will be formed by the manner in which they act. ...something I feel strongly about. 

Olly Groome & Ravi Patel were two members of staff who epitomised that "job description" in spades and both are a huge loss to our club, although I'm sure there are others. Yet, there is another SM whose dubious actions and well documented "unique" methods of treating staff continue to proliferate regardless of said modus operandi being reported time after time to TS himself. 

THIS is how I'll choose to remember the man. And it appears I'm not alone.

Oh, and the Takeover....Everything crossed for an onward and upward trajectory and the return of success for the faithful under Dean and his management team. And the rebuilding  of the reputation  of our famous football club after years of neglect.

" Rebuild" it properly from strong, honest foundations and with love.....then they will come. 

Maybe there’s something wrong with me, but I’m completely unmoved by all of it. I’m not going to get all dewy eyed about the TS statement and I can’t get excited about our many new owners. Duchatelet was extremely rich and it didn’t mean a thing because he didn’t give a shit about Charlton, so temper your enthusiasm on that front. If we sign some decent players and are around the top 6 all season I’ll be happy enough, but I think the last ten years have really taken it out of me and I suspect I’m not alone on that score.