Michael Slater's Programme Notes

As requested, Michael Slater's programme notes for the Colchester United match, 01/02/11

[cite]By Michael Slater[/cite]
It's now a month since we completed the takeover of the club - and what a month!
As the new owners, we are businessmen and football fans. Businessmen can talk in terms of assets and cash flow, but a football club is more than bricks and mortar and balance sheets.
A football club is the collective memory of the supporters from one year to the next, one decade to the next, and often one generation to the next. Over the seasons, different players pull on the shirt, but it's the fans who mark the time. It's your club.

OBJECTIVE VIEWPOINT
We came with the view that, to achieve our long-term objectives, evolution was better than revolution.
After the obvious media interest following the completion of the takeover, our intention was to keep a low profile and review the landscape - but after only a few days, we felt we had to act decisively and make the changes that were necessary.
It's sometimes hard to know why a team appears to lack confidence and isn't fulfilling its potential.
Everyone at the club told us that Phil Parkinson, Tim Breacker and Mark Kinsella were decent, hard-working and thoroughly professional guys, but we felt a change was needed. We wish them well in the future.
We are grateful to Keith Peacock and Damian Matthew for stepping in to hold the fort in the short term and taking charge at White Hart Lane and Hillsborough.
For the long term, however, a new, inspirational manager was the key. We've found one.
We don't need to tell you how highly regarded Chris Powell is in English football, and at The Valley in particular. He has the support of the board and we've tried to meet his requirements in terms of strengthening the squad.

ADDICKS ON TARGET
Nathan Eccleston arrived before Chris' appointment, but he was a player who was already on his radar. In Bradley Wright-Phillips, we've signed the leading goalscorer in League One.*
Since returning to the club, Chris has spoken of making The Valley a fortress again, and a big part of that is down to the fans. You can make a difference.
It's been a difficult few years and we understand the frustration of relegation. But this is a new year, a new decade, and the club can now start the long march back to where we belong - the top flight of English football. There will be no quick fix for the sake of it, however, and no unrealistic timelines.

PUMP UP THE VOLUME
Let's get behind the team and the manager. You will not see me 'doing a Delia' and haranguing you during the half-time interval, and my fellow board members are not going to sing to you à la Phil Brown.
We'll leave the decibels to you. The noise levels were noticeably higher during the Plymouth Argyle match, and we're not alone in sensing a change in the atmosphere on matchdays.
It won't be all plain sailing. There will be setbacks along the way - but isn't that just part of the journey, and doesn't that make it all the more special when success is achieved?
It's been an interesting first month, one we'll never forget, and we thank everyone at the club - for making us feel so welcome. Onwards and upwards!
_{*This article went to print before the transfer window closed, so if we've since signed Lionel Messi, I apologise to Lionel for not saying nice things about him.}