Tuesday 26 January 2016

This definition succinctly sums up Charltons current ownership and their approach to 'customer' relations!...We o

...'News propaganda is a type of propaganda covertly packaged as credible news, but without sufficient transparencyconcerning the news item's source and the motivation behind its release. Transparency of the source is one parameter critical to distinguish between news propaganda and traditional news press releases and video news releases.
As with any propaganda, news propaganda may be spread for widely different reasons including governancepolitical or ideological motivations, partisan agendas, religious or ethnic reasons, and commercial or business motivations; their purposes are not always clear. News propaganda also can be motivated by national security reasons, especially in times of war or domestic upheaval.'
So over the past few weeks we've seen organised anti RD protests, supporters turning out in their numbers to very vocally condemn what's been going on at the club for the past two years, over zealous stewarding - from the video footage I've seen on social media, the winless run continuing, re-enforcements left out of the starting eleven, one possible decent signing (if the new centre backs performance was anything to go by), a forced meeting between two local mp's and 'senior members' of Charlton management team.
What we haven't seen is RD (no surprise there then!), not a peep from the usually talkative (often suffering from foot in mouth syndrome) Katrien, no official comment from the clubs owners regarding the current unrest, protests and/or growing media coverage and negative comments from well respected football media commenters.
One would have expected some kind of statement coming from within the club to counter what is becoming a growing movement against them and their credibility in the football industry.
What we have seen is an almost dictaourship like shift. Riot barriers around the entrance to the West Stand Reception. Supporters being ejected from the ground for having anti RD banners. Supporters being moved on for taking photo's on their smart phones.
It's all becoming more and more baffling. Surely they've worked out that things will only get worst away from the pitch as time goes by and they do nothing to appease their 'customer base'? At the very least I would have thought that thy would have tried their tried and tested trick of conducting a media interview with one of the tabloids again? Or, has then penny finally dropped? Do they realise that they have, through their own management style, got to the point of no credible return. Maybe, through shear bloody mindedness, a deal to sell the club will just be done as the transfer window shuts and they've just cashed in on what assets (players) they could at the eleventh hour.
Personally I'd actually rather spend a season watching Charlton in League One with sensible owners who understand English football than another season in The Championship with these muppets.

Saturday 16 January 2016

Second H-Bomb...

Charlton went one better than Tuesday night getting hammered six nil by Hull City.

The fact as admitted by our hapless owners is that managerial appointments aside the player recruitment in the summer was abysmal and the 'strengthening' this January so far has not been much better.

The very fact that Fox was brought on for Williams to improve our defence says it all. A youth striker whose not had a sniff of first team football off the bench for Vetokele laughable.

This administration do not know how to run a football club above and beyond lower league, where maybe, just maybe, the model works.

So let's face it, things will only ever get worse during their tenure. Hopefully it won't take long for us to see the back of them. Starting on Saturday. It's going to be an electric atmosphere I'm sure, and not for the football. Something in me is actually looking forward to it. Certainly not for the football and 'match day experience', more the chance to collectively really start to have a proper go at the idiotic pricks who are ru(i)nning OUR club.

And sorry Jose, appreciate what you managed last time round, but this second coming ain't gonna be pleasant for you or enhance your CV at all. You should have stayed at home mate.


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Friday 15 January 2016

Network cracks begin to show...c.a.r.d's time to turn the knife...

The absolute debacle of the last few days are not, I believe just the beginning of the revolution at Charlton, but the beginning of the end for Duchalets ill fated, naively thought out adventure in football.

The beginning of the end for RD was the moment he relented and sold The Mothership Standard Liege. Not because he has lost what was the biggest ship within his armada of European football clubs, but because it showed, he can give up, he will walk away, but only once he's cashed in and got his coin back. Given enough confrontation and failure - this guy does book out.

He published a book, back in the day, after he'd made his millions selling electrical components called (and this is the translated title) 'Joint stock company Belgium - a report to the shareholders' in which he pleaded for economic & political transparency. Now I don't know what Flemish political landscape was like back then, perhaps it was full of dreadful spin, half truths and poor choices being made by those governing (Sound familiar?) but hasn't dreadful spin, half truths and poor choices been the current boards currency?

He's even been involved in two very ideological but flawed attempts at a political career.

The guys an idealist, and perhaps his ego says to him he wants to prove he can achieve and be successful at something other and more anthropological than just making lots and lots of money selling electrical whizzygigs.

The fact that he got knocked back by not one, but two of his network managers (ex cronies), I guess because 1. They are actually doing okay where they are and 2. He, to use the preverbal cliche, 'has lost the dressing room', shows the cracks are getting bigger.

It will be interesting to see how those that said 'No!' fair under his employment in the ensuing weeks.

The panic must have been palpable at The Valley when he was told 'err..thanks but fuck off'

I honestly do not think it will be long, until we get our Charlton back, for better or for worst. The transfer embargo inflicted on Cardiff City leaving Tony Watts 2 million quid move on ice must have seen him sparking up a fag (let's be honest with those teeth he must be a forty a day man) and uttering whatever the Flemish is for 'FFS'.

The wheels are coming off Roland. Ha ha.

The Great British Media love this sort of story. And they have picked it up this week with great gusto. Let's be honest can anyone remember such sudden media exposure and interest across all forms of media in Charlton than we've seen for years?

It's now up to all of us to help drive this home. I was going to boycott the Blackburn game, it suited me twofold. Being my wedding anniversary I could score some brownie points and at the same time contribute to a boycotting protest. Win win. As it is my wonderful wife has agreed it's best I go to the game (we can have a takeaway in the evening) and join the protest.

Sorry Roland your times up!

I don't think we'll see much more of Pinocchio. I wouldn't be surprised if she's already back in Europe's ' capital '

Let's up the ante, up the protests, UP THE ADDICKS, and UP YOURS Roland.

COYR!!!


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Tuesday 12 January 2016

Roland Delusional and Katrien Mare it really is time to go...

Or turn the lights out on the way out.. Because you'll be the last to leave the building.

Surely after another second rate performance by what on the face of it are sub standard or poorly coached players the penny HAS to drop.

If your not going Roland, you deluded, precious prat who is in complete self denial that you've not got the football in England thing so wrong, then surely change the bloody model, own the club and let a proper football manager run it from top to bottom. (A bit like Alan Curbishley was allowed to do and subsequently reigned over the most successful and stable period in our clubs history).

I beg you, do the right thing, admit your wrong and change things or just piss off!


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Saturday 9 January 2016

Hold the back page... Kamel chats shit..for a change

more excuses from our inept tosser of an 'interim' manager for a change. This time, apparently it's shit defending that let us down. Oh well Karel, you knob, you brought them in. Just so lucky you brought back Relegation Roger.

Annoyingly unsurprising fa cup result will result in what?...

So as many predicted we were swept aside by lowly League One Colchester United. Not only lowly (23rd in fact) but bottom of the third tier form table.

This is the moment that the idiot owner and ceo's resolve will be sorely tested. How by any stretch of the imagination they can continue with 'interim' manager Fraeye is anyone's guess.

It was not a weakened side sent out this afternoon, every player to a man would have pretensions of being a possible first team regular. Maybe if our ridiculous management team and board had any sense they would have done a 'Liverpool' and given our successful under 21 team a run out?

Surely today will prove the pivotal moment in both our fight against these twats running our beloved club (into the ground) and their tenure itself.


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Important test of our league one credentials...

So today's fa cup away day gives RD's squad and our interim manager a chance to see what they'll be up against in August once the league one season begins. (Sorry but regardless of what players come in this month, with numb nuts in charge there is, in my opinion, no other outcome waiting for us in May than relegation).

It will be interesting to see what weird and wonderful way Fraeye sets us up. I'm afraid with what I've heard about the guy over the last few days any small piece of sympathy I have for him has completely evaporated.

If we do lose, which is a distinct possibility, and he stays in charge we will see confirmation that the ridiculous owner and his pathetic lackeys (of which I include Murray now) are intent on staying to plan until our beloved Charlton disappears as we once new it.

There is an apparent season ticket holders boycott being held at the Blackburn game, I hope it takes place and is well supported. I will be supporting it and will not be inside the ground for the game.


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Thursday 7 January 2016

The three stooges ride again...

I was surprised not see to much of a lash back on various other blogs following the rent a quote exclusive club website interview with club none executive board member Richard Murray.

I'm sure anyone who bothers to look at my blog has already read the clubs official reaction on the official site to our protests, it was trying to explain the direction they want to take the club. But it's below for you to laugh at/cry over (delete where applicable).

It is actually even less informative, useless and insulting than the dreaded PowerPoint.

To be honest I am absolutely aghast at it. What a waste of bloody time? All it tells us is that they are quite deluded and have no problem making things up and sticking to there twisted truths.

A man I know who was a serial adulterer once gave me this advice 'if you continuously deny any allegation then eventually not only do you become so convincing you even convince yourself of your own bullshit and subsequently your accuser gives up and leaves you alone'. I wonder if the three stooges running our club have met my old mate Kevin. (Who incidentally is now divorced and living in a bedsit in Hitchin).

The continued open disregard for the supporters (I'm not going to call myself a customer - customers often walk away when the product they buy is shit. Football supporters don't. They carry on regardless in the knowledge that the natural cycle means things won't stay shit forever) is just so frustrating.

I'm beginning to wonder whether they are actually deluded rather than calculating. Either way they are now showing that they are obviously quite stupid.

I had intended to sub the below articles answers with my own parodying the interview. I couldn't bring much humour to this excercise, instead I kept coming up with the sort of vitriol that could get me in trouble.

What next I ask? The ante certainly needs stepping up in further in the protest stakes. Step forward Sir Rick.


'Richard Murray discusses the challenges of this season, addresses errors made by the ownership and details the long-term commitment to progress
In a wide-ranging interview, Richard Murray, Non-Executive Chairman of Charlton Athletic, speaks to cafc.co.uk about the challenges of this season in the Championship and how the board will not gamble with the future of the club. He candidly addresses errors made by the ownership but details the long-term commitment to progress.

Question: Richard, what is the strategy for Charlton Athletic?

Richard Murray: “Our strategy for Charlton Athletic is that we are a financially stable club, who can be competitive in the Championship, but has Premier League ambitions.

“Through Roland Duchatelet’s backing we have become financially stable. The second two elements are a bigger challenge.”

Q: Why is it a challenge to stay competitive in the Championship and reach the Premier League?

RM: “These are difficult and interesting times in football. The Premier League has got much richer since we were last in it nine years ago and it will see stratospheric wealth next season.

“The Championship is one of the most difficult leagues in world football to operate in. There are three clubs a season who come down with their sizeable parachute cash and several others who have owners willing to gamble heavily to reach it. The problem is that not everybody can win.”

Q: Shouldn’t all clubs aspire to be in the Premier League?

RM: “They should, but they also shouldn’t gamble with their future. If you look around the Championship just now there are clubs in danger of administration, several with triple figure debts, others falling foul of the Financial Fair Play regulations and subject to transfer embargoes.

“I fear that if this gambling continues then there will be more clubs at risk. I don’t think we should be gambling with the future of Charlton Athletic again. It’s only two years since Roland stepped in to rescue the club. His philosophy is that we should try and keep our losses to a reasonable level.

“That ensures Charlton Athletic will be here in the future as a football club and that we continue to be a hub of the community. I’m not sure every club in this league can say that right now.”

Q: What does keeping losses reasonable mean?

RM: “It means keeping a handle on your outgoings, and in particular your biggest one, which is player transfers and wages.

“Roland’s strategy is to have a mix of academy-produced players, young overseas talent with some experienced British players. As a long-term strategy I think that’s a good one because you have to look at your wage bill, especially if you are going to charge reasonable prices to get in.

“However, I think it’s fair to say – and he admits this – that he has underestimated the challenges of the Championship.”

Q: Can you detail what has been underestimated?

Q: “We have put a little too much faith in our overseas players to suddenly come in and play 46 games a year.

“This is a very competitive league where the games come thick and fast. If you look at many of the overseas purchases we’ve made historically, they have not played a lot of games. Even in the Premier League you find many of the overseas players take a year before they become accustomed to the British way.

“I think we underestimated how long it would take them to get used to the Championship. Hopefully the players brought in this year from overseas will be even better next year but it’s clear there hasn’t been the right balance this season.”

Q: Was this not something that should have been identified in the summer?

RM: “It could have been better but you also can’t legislate for injuries to some of our key players like Stephen Henderson, Igor Vetokele and Ahmed Kashi.
“That, added to the squad imbalance, gave us a problem in December in particular. People can see that the players are trying their hardest but we are probably falling just a bit short.”

Q: What would you say is missing and what can be done now?

RM: “The obvious strand missing has been the number of experienced Championship players. The first time we have been able to address this is the January transfer window. Of the two transfer windows it’s the trickier one because everyone is looking for players who can make a difference.

“But we have acted quickly and got in players like Roger Johnson, Diego Poyet and Rhys Williams, all of whom have a lot of Championship experience.

“I’m pleased something has been done because when we were in this situation in 2009 we didn’t have any money to add two or three new players.”

Q: What difference do you hope the new signings will have?

RM: “It’s amazing what new signings do. Players look around and see there is some new blood here to help.

“You have to keep spirits high because this is a game of confidence and I’ve been impressed by the attitude of coaching team in doing that. Now it is about hoping that the players are good enough and believing it will turn. I believe it will turn.”

Q: What role do fans have to play between now and the end of the season?

RM: “A vital one. Patently there are some supporters who don’t like the ownership, but what I have been pleased about is that the fans have got behind the players during the 90 minutes.

“Good performance or not, the players really appreciate the fans getting behind them. If anyone wants to express negativity, the time to do is after the final whistle, not during it. On the whole I think the Charlton fans have been very good in that area."

Q: Are there other areas you think the club needs to improve?

RM: “I think we need to communicate with supporters better. The Board accepts it’s not been as good as it could and they are taking a number of steps to improve that.
“But it’s important to realise that no football club gets all things right. Under the Iain Dowie and Alan Pardew eras we spent a lot of money on transfers and many of them either didn’t work out. All clubs have their issues that they must address, we all know that, but it’s very easy with hindsight.

“Equally, by being financially prudent, we’re not in the situation where we have to sell a player to pay the wages next week. I’ve been in that situation before with Charlton Athletic when I was one of the owners, and that was also the case with the previous regime.”

Q: How do you respond to those who say the owner does not care for the long term of the club?

RM: “No owner wants to run down a football club, it defies logic. What I know has happened is that there has been a 40% increase in the player budget, our players are on longer-term contracts, he has invested £2.5m to improve a stadium in need of renovation and made a multi-million investment in the academy’s facilities. These things could have been done before but weren’t. I know he is committed to the long-term future of this club and is determined to see that through.

“We also have very affordable ticket prices. I still get questioned by other clubs how a London club can be charging £34 for a family of four to come. The main reason is because our own owner subsidises the club. He wants to get as many families, as many youngsters as possible so that we have an ongoing supporter base which will support us in the future when Roland, myself and others are long gone from this football club.”

Q: How important is it for Charlton Athletic at the heart of the community?

RM: “We are proud of our reputation as a family club and the tremendous work the Trust do within the community.

“The Community Trust has just had another award-winning year. The depth and breadth of their work in the Royal Borough of Greenwich is amazing. There are 26 different community partners using the Youth Hub at The Valley alone, so we truly are a hub of the community.

“Add to that the tens of thousands of people they support in the areas of social inclusion, education, health, equality and diversity, it’s clear that Charlton Athletic are an amazing community asset.

“For families, we do everything to ensure that they feel welcome. Facilities, atmosphere and pricing are what families are looking for and with the introduction of the Family Stand, the creation of the Family Activity Zone on matchdays and affordable tickets means that we’re ticking most of the boxes.

“But you also can’t get away from the fact that families want to see a winning team as much as anyone else.

“So we need those new players to perform, players to come back from injury and, as I know from being in football for 25 years, you need a little bit of good fortune. Everyone at the club is working hard to make the second half of the season a better one.”

Read more at http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/charlton-athletic-richard-murray-interview-2887963.aspx#icEv9aZOfVuCzyUB.99'


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Monday 4 January 2016

Ever decreasing circles - They should be embarrassed with themselves

So our owners continue to happily lose face with more and more contradictions of their general management of the club and decisions.

Johnson ( who I actually quite liked) has returned. Even though he was not deemed good enough in the summer to be offered a contract extension, and ended up playing in the Indian Premier League.

Poyet who we let slip through our fingers (mainly so we could cash in on the compensation payment than end up paying a signing fee I'm guessing, such is the short sighted strategy of these Flemish twits) has returned. To be honest I've read some Addicks being quite derogatory about the lad, truth be told he wasn't offered a contract as far as I know. In which case who would blame him to go and sign a lucrative contract to play for a premier league side? Particularly when any mug could see at the time, as now, that our club has absolutely no direction, ambition or aspirations other than being a cash cow for RD and his lackeys.

Finally, the hat trick of backwards steps, a couple more poor results and Fraeye will officially be worst than Guy Luzon. What muppet was it that said with every management appointment we've improved/moved forward.

In the words of Nan 'what a bunch of mugs!'




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