Having never heard him before, I was impressed with Ed Warrick who came over very well.
It looks like our new shirt sponsor will be announced next Thursday. And quite a few changes to The Valley this summer planned.
Changes to the Valley?, did they elaborate?
They said something along the lines of "The Valley will look very different on the first day of the season", I took that to mean better branding around the place, a bit of a freshen up, better service on the concourses etc
Have they signed up a sponsor for the Valley and painting the ground dark blue to match?
It didn't sound to me like a sponsor for The Valley. In fact, they publicly said they would ask the fan advisory board before signing such an agreement which I hope is something they are held to. Given there was a CAST fan board representative on the call I think we would have heard if an agreement had been put to them
Having never heard him before, I was impressed with Ed Warrick who came over very well.
It looks like our new shirt sponsor will be announced next Thursday. And quite a few changes to The Valley this summer planned.
Changes to the Valley?, did they elaborate?
They said something along the lines of "The Valley will look very different on the first day of the season", I took that to mean better branding around the place, a bit of a freshen up, better service on the concourses etc
Having never heard him before, I was impressed with Ed Warrick who came over very well.
It looks like our new shirt sponsor will be announced next Thursday. And quite a few changes to The Valley this summer planned.
Changes to the Valley?, did they elaborate?
They said something along the lines of "The Valley will look very different on the first day of the season", I took that to mean better branding around the place, a bit of a freshen up, better service on the concourses etc
As the saying goes you can’t please all the people all of the time but imo we for the first time in years have an ownership group that are genuinely trying to lift the club in all aspects. It will take time doing that from the levels we had sunk and they probably are no doing it to improve their ROI but tbh I don’t care. Someone with a sound mind and good business sense needed to come in and sort the club out and I honestly think this lot will
Having never heard him before, I was impressed with Ed Warrick who came over very well.
It looks like our new shirt sponsor will be announced next Thursday. And quite a few changes to The Valley this summer planned.
Changes to the Valley?, did they elaborate?
They said something along the lines of "The Valley will look very different on the first day of the season", I took that to mean better branding around the place, a bit of a freshen up, better service on the concourses etc
Have they signed up a sponsor for the Valley and painting the ground dark blue to match?
It didn't sound to me like a sponsor for The Valley. In fact, they publicly said they would ask the fan advisory board before signing such an agreement which I hope is something they are held to. Given there was a CAST fan board representative on the call I think we would have heard if an agreement had been put to them
Just to add to that....... Gavin recognized how important the Valley name and identity is to the fans given the unique history of it all and he said it's very important to him too, he's been a fan since he was 12 years old. The last thing they want to do is to get it wrong and upset the fanbase over the naming rights. He said the naming rights are up for grabs but the 'Valley' name will always be in there......... but there is a commercial opportunity to raise decent money by getting someone to sponsor/name the ground......... and it will definitely go to the Advisory Board before anything is finalized........ and my impression was that nothing along those lines is in the works at the minute. If I remember right it also sounded like the shirt sponsorship deal is done and a number of our current sponsors have agreed to higher numbers.
Having never heard him before, I was impressed with Ed Warrick who came over very well.
It looks like our new shirt sponsor will be announced next Thursday. And quite a few changes to The Valley this summer planned.
Changes to the Valley?, did they elaborate?
They said something along the lines of "The Valley will look very different on the first day of the season", I took that to mean better branding around the place, a bit of a freshen up, better service on the concourses etc
Thanks all - it was a good event if I may say so myself. Really refreshing compared to where we have been in the last decade. It finally feels like we have grown-ups in charge. I’ve got to know Gavin pretty well in the past 18 months and he is very straightforward and honest. He has clearly had significantly greater impact since becoming Chair and is genuinely an Addick - and a CAST member Ed is impressive and consummate too.
Of course there will be bumps in the road and areas of contention in the future - it’s football and fans rightly have a sense of ownership - yet we lose millions and are dependent on the financial support of others and that will sometimes create tension.
They want the fans in early next Thursday so the Wycombe players can hear us in the changing room before the match. Nathan Jones has promised, and mainly delivered, a team that is 'the best version of themselves'. Well now it is time for us fans to step up and be the best version of ourselves. There will be challenges but I hope for now support means support, we can play our part.
I think they've got it all wrong.
I think what would freak the Wycombe players out far more is if they walked out to a packed out stadium of Charlton fans standing in silence and staring at them.
We start singing the Tyreece Campbell chant and they may start getting dancing feet, proper chant.
At one point, Gavin Carter repeated that the owners had a five year perspective and that it would be the 3rd season before we'd be out of this league. In that at least, he and Methven have been saying the same thing all along. And as GC said, it means that even getting to the play-offs means we are a bit ahead of the plan, while winning them would be a major acceleration, and will bring challenges just to keep our status once are there.
We'd do well to keep that in our heads. It's pointless telling ourselves not to get carried away, but we have to be prepared for not making it ( I do it by reminding myself how close we came to completely fucking up the Doncaster play off) and not turn against the owners if we are still in this bloody league next season.
At one point, Gavin Carter repeated that the owners had a five year perspective and that it would be the 3rd season before we'd be out of this league. In that at least, he and Methven have been saying the same thing all along. And as GC said, it means that even getting to the play-offs means we are a bit ahead of the plan, while winning them would be a major acceleration, and will bring challenges just to keep our status once are there.
We'd do well to keep that in our heads. It's pointless telling ourselves not to get carried away, but we have to be prepared for not making it ( I do it by reminding myself how close we came to completely fucking up the Doncaster play off) and not turn against the owners if we are still in this bloody league next season.
That said, both he and Warwick were at pains to say if we went up we would spend sensibly to try and stay up as it’s pointless to go back down straight away. They were also very keen to say they won’t overspend
I never entirely understood the logic of the 5 year plan anyway, as that's way too cautious an ambition to get a club our size out of the 3rd division.
After Sandgaard's 5 years to get into Europe nonsense, I understand sensible aims, but it's as if they've set the bar really low so that they aren't seen to fail.
At one point, Gavin Carter repeated that the owners had a five year perspective and that it would be the 3rd season before we'd be out of this league. In that at least, he and Methven have been saying the same thing all along. And as GC said, it means that even getting to the play-offs means we are a bit ahead of the plan, while winning them would be a major acceleration, and will bring challenges just to keep our status once are there.
We'd do well to keep that in our heads. It's pointless telling ourselves not to get carried away, but we have to be prepared for not making it ( I do it by reminding myself how close we came to completely fucking up the Doncaster play off) and not turn against the owners if we are still in this bloody league next season.
That said, both he and Warwick were at pains to say if we went up we would spend sensibly to try and stay up as it’s pointless to go back down straight away. They were also very keen to say they won’t overspend
He did, but I'm talking about a different scenario and hope, that we don't give ourselves a giant hangover if we fail, which affects not just fans but the club and owners too.
If that happens we may all want to watch the second series of Welcome to Wrexham again to see how they dealt with exactly that scenario.
At one point, Gavin Carter repeated that the owners had a five year perspective and that it would be the 3rd season before we'd be out of this league. In that at least, he and Methven have been saying the same thing all along. And as GC said, it means that even getting to the play-offs means we are a bit ahead of the plan, while winning them would be a major acceleration, and will bring challenges just to keep our status once are there.
We'd do well to keep that in our heads. It's pointless telling ourselves not to get carried away, but we have to be prepared for not making it ( I do it by reminding myself how close we came to completely fucking up the Doncaster play off) and not turn against the owners if we are still in this bloody league next season.
That said, both he and Warwick were at pains to say if we went up we would spend sensibly to try and stay up as it’s pointless to go back down straight away. They were also very keen to say they won’t overspend
He did, but I'm talking about a different scenario and hope, that we don't give ourselves a giant hangover if we fail, which affects not just fans but the club and owners too.
If that happens we may all want to watch the second series of Welcome to Wrexham again to see how they dealt with exactly that scenario.
Just thought I’d add that context before people who weren’t watching jumped on it to try to spin it as the board not being ready to spend in the Champ!
I never entirely understood the logic of the 5 year plan anyway, as that's way too cautious an ambition to get a club our size out of the 3rd division.
After Sandgaard's 5 years to get into Europe nonsense, I understand sensible aims, but it's as if they've set the bar really low so that they aren't seen to fail.
Not really - I think it is more about giving themselves the time to build solid foundations while managing the expectations of owners / investors and fans. It is still work in progress with some key appointments still to be made eg CEO, Head of Recruitment. And it takes time restructuring the playing squad - makes a change to be approaching the summer with nearly all the squad wanted and under contract.
I’m finally allowing myself to feel optimistic, whatever happens in the play offs. Good points above by Prague on that.
I never entirely understood the logic of the 5 year plan anyway, as that's way too cautious an ambition to get a club our size out of the 3rd division.
After Sandgaard's 5 years to get into Europe nonsense, I understand sensible aims, but it's as if they've set the bar really low so that they aren't seen to fail.
Not really - I think it is more about giving themselves the time to build solid foundations while managing the expectations of owners / investors and fans. It is still work in progress with some key appointments still to be made eg CEO, Head of Recruitment. And it takes time restructuring the playing squad - makes a change to be approaching the summer with nearly all the squad wanted and under contract.
I’m finally allowing myself to feel optimistic, whatever happens in the play offs. Good points above by Prague on that.
Well we had a CEO and head of recruitment, until they left .
No way did NJ join a year ago ( at the end of year 2) thinking it would take 3 more years to be seriously competitive . He would have been promised a serious attempt at promotion this season.
I never entirely understood the logic of the 5 year plan anyway, as that's way too cautious an ambition to get a club our size out of the 3rd division.
After Sandgaard's 5 years to get into Europe nonsense, I understand sensible aims, but it's as if they've set the bar really low so that they aren't seen to fail.
Not really - I think it is more about giving themselves the time to build solid foundations while managing the expectations of owners / investors and fans. It is still work in progress with some key appointments still to be made eg CEO, Head of Recruitment. And it takes time restructuring the playing squad - makes a change to be approaching the summer with nearly all the squad wanted and under contract.
I’m finally allowing myself to feel optimistic, whatever happens in the play offs. Good points above by Prague on that.
I think there is considerable difference between a plan to succeed WITHIN five years and a plan that is specifically structured to take EXACTLY five years and no more or less.
In the first instance we simply need to accelerate certain things or switch the focus of spending accordingly should we win the playoffs. In the latter we do nothing, take the money and accept relegation, which I don't see as the plan.
I never entirely understood the logic of the 5 year plan anyway, as that's way too cautious an ambition to get a club our size out of the 3rd division.
After Sandgaard's 5 years to get into Europe nonsense, I understand sensible aims, but it's as if they've set the bar really low so that they aren't seen to fail.
Not really - I think it is more about giving themselves the time to build solid foundations while managing the expectations of owners / investors and fans. It is still work in progress with some key appointments still to be made eg CEO, Head of Recruitment. And it takes time restructuring the playing squad - makes a change to be approaching the summer with nearly all the squad wanted and under contract.
I’m finally allowing myself to feel optimistic, whatever happens in the play offs. Good points above by Prague on that.
Well we had a CEO and head of recruitment, until they left .
No way did NJ join a year ago ( at the end of year 2) thinking it would take 3 more years to be seriously competitive . He would have been promised a serious attempt at promotion this season.
Disagree on NJ...he was taking over a club that was flirting with relegation to League 2. He would have known that turning us around after years of regression would not happen overnight...it just goes to show what a good job he's done to take us to 4th in his first full season in charge. I do not think that he expected promotion or playoff this season.
Well, call me Easy To Please Fanny, but I thought tonight was just what all Addicks needed.
Two guys who didn't talk down to us, the life blood of this club, and who were sincere , honest ,and genuine if I'm any judge of character.
When things are going well on the pitch, there is a balance to be addressed by some who want reassurances that it's not a one sided success....What's happening behind the scenes is as important & Ed & Gavin didn't gloss over the challenges that remain. And for me, they were believable...
And they were NOT Scott & Rodwell.
This might well come back to bite me on a particularly fleshy area, but I think we have our Charlton back....
At one point, Gavin Carter repeated that the owners had a five year perspective and that it would be the 3rd season before we'd be out of this league. In that at least, he and Methven have been saying the same thing all along. And as GC said, it means that even getting to the play-offs means we are a bit ahead of the plan, while winning them would be a major acceleration, and will bring challenges just to keep our status once are there.
We'd do well to keep that in our heads. It's pointless telling ourselves not to get carried away, but we have to be prepared for not making it ( I do it by reminding myself how close we came to completely fucking up the Doncaster play off) and not turn against the owners if we are still in this bloody league next season.
I don’t think there is any risk of that. Fans would only react badly if they saw the team bring dismantled subsequently for no reason other than financial. You can’t blame or credit owners for the outcome of individual games.
I do think the five year thing is bollocks though. Not going up this year next year or the following year would be failure by any reasonable measure.
I never entirely understood the logic of the 5 year plan anyway, as that's way too cautious an ambition to get a club our size out of the 3rd division.
After Sandgaard's 5 years to get into Europe nonsense, I understand sensible aims, but it's as if they've set the bar really low so that they aren't seen to fail.
Not really - I think it is more about giving themselves the time to build solid foundations while managing the expectations of owners / investors and fans. It is still work in progress with some key appointments still to be made eg CEO, Head of Recruitment. And it takes time restructuring the playing squad - makes a change to be approaching the summer with nearly all the squad wanted and under contract.
I’m finally allowing myself to feel optimistic, whatever happens in the play offs. Good points above by Prague on that.
Well we had a CEO and head of recruitment, until they left .
No way did NJ join a year ago ( at the end of year 2) thinking it would take 3 more years to be seriously competitive . He would have been promised a serious attempt at promotion this season.
Is that what owners promise to a manager, or what a manager promises to owners? In this particular case, I suspect it was neither.
While everyone understands Charlton’s natural place isn’t the third division, both parties have talked about rebuilding and a “project”. I believe that everyone is on the same page.
Five years to put the club in a meaningfully better place than when we started, to me, means being a club that is properly stable in the Championship and looking upwards towards the top division.
As we saw before in 2019, promotion alone can be almost pointless without any foundation to build on.
I never entirely understood the logic of the 5 year plan anyway, as that's way too cautious an ambition to get a club our size out of the 3rd division.
After Sandgaard's 5 years to get into Europe nonsense, I understand sensible aims, but it's as if they've set the bar really low so that they aren't seen to fail.
Not really - I think it is more about giving themselves the time to build solid foundations while managing the expectations of owners / investors and fans. It is still work in progress with some key appointments still to be made eg CEO, Head of Recruitment. And it takes time restructuring the playing squad - makes a change to be approaching the summer with nearly all the squad wanted and under contract.
I’m finally allowing myself to feel optimistic, whatever happens in the play offs. Good points above by Prague on that.
Well we had a CEO and head of recruitment, until they left .
No way did NJ join a year ago ( at the end of year 2) thinking it would take 3 more years to be seriously competitive . He would have been promised a serious attempt at promotion this season.
Disagree on NJ...he was taking over a club that was flirting with relegation to League 2. He would have known that turning us around after years of regression would not happen overnight...it just goes to show what a good job he's done to take us to 4th in his first full season in charge. I do not think that he expected promotion or playoff this season.
It's not that difficult to turn around a L1 side, as shown by the Powell title team. We are still a top 6 budget side at this level, which counts for a lot
The 11/12 season was exceptional, but I'm sure NJ was privately expecting us to be challenging for Top 6 this season. I doubt he would have taken the job otherwise.
Comments
The last thing they want to do is to get it wrong and upset the fanbase over the naming rights. He said the naming rights are up for grabs but the 'Valley' name will always be in there......... but there is a commercial opportunity to raise decent money by getting someone to sponsor/name the ground......... and it will definitely go to the Advisory Board before anything is finalized........ and my impression was that nothing along those lines is in the works at the minute.
If I remember right it also sounded like the shirt sponsorship deal is done and a number of our current sponsors have agreed to higher numbers.
Up the Addicks!
I think what would freak the Wycombe players out far more is if they walked out to a packed out stadium of Charlton fans standing in silence and staring at them.
We start singing the Tyreece Campbell chant and they may start getting dancing feet, proper chant.
We'd do well to keep that in our heads. It's pointless telling ourselves not to get carried away, but we have to be prepared for not making it ( I do it by reminding myself how close we came to completely fucking up the Doncaster play off) and not turn against the owners if we are still in this bloody league next season.
After Sandgaard's 5 years to get into Europe nonsense, I understand sensible aims, but it's as if they've set the bar really low so that they aren't seen to fail.
If that happens we may all want to watch the second series of Welcome to Wrexham again to see how they dealt with exactly that scenario.
No way did NJ join a year ago ( at the end of year 2) thinking it would take 3 more years to be seriously competitive . He would have been promised a serious attempt at promotion this season.
In the first instance we simply need to accelerate certain things or switch the focus of spending accordingly should we win the playoffs. In the latter we do nothing, take the money and accept relegation, which I don't see as the plan.
I do think the five year thing is bollocks though. Not going up this year next year or the following year would be failure by any reasonable measure.
Five years to put the club in a meaningfully better place than when we started, to me, means being a club that is properly stable in the Championship and looking upwards towards the top division.
The 11/12 season was exceptional, but I'm sure NJ was privately expecting us to be challenging for Top 6 this season. I doubt he would have taken the job otherwise.