Charlton Athletic Supporters' Trust interview with Powell

[reamsofverse]

Anybody read it? Nice one Heather McKinlay you have single handedly driven a thorn straight through the heart of what you were attempting to stand for and that I'm afraid is the end.

Trying to get fans onside by publishing his criticism of RD and KM is one major own goal.

I support the TRUST to an extent but things like this do them no favours at all.

www.castrust.org/2015/02/exclusive-chris-powell-interview-in-this-saturdays-trust-news/

[Deleted]

If you tell people to MOVE ON, you need to set an example. I really don't think this is the way to endear oneself to RD and co.


ps. Expect mutual dialogue to begin when we have new owners.

[seriouslyred]

I found the interview very helpful but perhaps not in the way the author or publisher intended!
Bang in the heart of it is a quote from Powell stating that his ambition was to renew the contracts of the league 1 title winning squad.
They got us promoted but as a group they weren't good enough to take us to the next level.
Fortunately Slater and Jiminez wanted to sell the club without it being tied to all those players. I know we cheered them on and they got us promoted. But our current front six is streets ahead of Pritchard, Stephens, Hollands, Harriott, Kermorgant and Hayes / Wright Phillips.

Reading that interview after we beat Huddersfield was quite sad really because it just showed why M.Duchatelet showed Powell the door.

I'm not trying to wind anyone up but just stating that our current set up is a long way ahead of where we were when Staprix bought the club.

We don't know what the next window will bring and there has been a lot of turbulence. Personally I supported the Riga appointment and back Luzon to take us forward. I can understand if fans feel confused about direction and wish the club would communicate a vision.

But let's face it, it must be hard when faced with a vocal minority criticising every decision. Sometimes I think the club are better off getting on with it! One more window and the ambition will be crystal clear... Are they building a challenge for the top or selling top players to cover losses?

Right now our team is younger and better and the academy players are either developing or will be shown the door. What I mean is young players are getting their chance to grab a slit in next season's squad. Why? Because they are cheaper than 25-28 year olds AND if they really develop they can be sold for a fortune!

I'm afraid I didn't see youth promotion in the Powell years or in the interview. Whereas the other night two of our best players were Cousins and Gomez.

Powell, Slater and Jiminez got us out of League 1 and kept us up. Great stuff but time to move on to the next level.

[Deleted]

Mar 5, 2015 21:13:31 GMT reamsofverse said:

Anybody read it? Nice one Heather McKinlay you have single handedly driven a thorn straight through the heart of what you were attempting to stand for and that I'm afraid is the end.

Trying to get fans onside by publishing his criticism of RD and KM is one major own goal.

I support the TRUST to an extent but things like this do them no favours at all.

www.castrust.org/2015/02/exclusive-chris-powell-interview-in-this-saturdays-trust-news/

Now they have put out this 'Rah Rah article' about Cardiff playing in blue again.  Are they not the enemy on Saturday? Seems rather odd from a supposed 'Charlton' Supporters group.
Opening line? - 'It hasn't been easy supporting Charlton this season....'  No shit, Sherlock. Mainly due to the drivel spouted by people who don't like the fact they are not 'Insiders' any more.

[Deleted]

Have read the article in full, and I am left scratching my head at what CAST is really hoping to achieve.

On the one hand, senior CAST thought leaders like that elusive and confounding fellow @rikofold claim that Powell talk is tedious, and we must all "move on" (copy wright Ben Hayes). Then,lo and behold, CASt serves up a very self aggrandising interview with Sir Chris himself...who "chooses" (LOL) to give a major interview to them.

I regard RD and KM with the same affection that a mangy dog regards a pair of fleas, but how will they react on reading this? The supporters group who claim to want dialogue with them, instead pissing all over them again in public. I find CAST's strategy, assuming there is one, rather confused ?

[Deleted]

Mar 6, 2015 7:23:25 GMT @roystonvasey1 said:

Have read the article in full, and I am left scratching my head at what CAST is really hoping to achieve.

On the one hand, senior CAST thought leaders like that elusive and confounding fellow @rikofold claim that Powell talk is tedious, and we must all "move on" (copy wright Ben Hayes). Then,lo and behold, CASt serves up a very self aggrandising interview with Sir Chris himself...who "chooses" (LOL) to give a major interview to them.

I regard RD and KM with the same affection that a mangy dog regards a pair of fleas, but how will they react on reading this? The supporters group who claim to want dialogue with them, instead pissing all over them again in public. I find CAST's strategy, assuming there is one, rather confused ?

They don't have a clue and thus get no respect from people that do. Like the multimillionaire owner and the CEO who is more prepared to chat with fans than Varney ever was. Former posers and insiders don't have clout any more and don't they just hate it.

[Deleted]

Mar 6, 2015 7:47:12 GMT @traveller said:

Mar 6, 2015 7:23:25 GMT @roystonvasey1 said:

Have read the article in full, and I am left scratching my head at what CAST is really hoping to achieve.

On the one hand, senior CAST thought leaders like that elusive and confounding fellow @rikofold claim that Powell talk is tedious, and we must all "move on" (copy wright Ben Hayes). Then,lo and behold, CASt serves up a very self aggrandising interview with Sir Chris himself...who "chooses" (LOL) to give a major interview to them.

I regard RD and KM with the same affection that a mangy dog regards a pair of fleas, but how will they react on reading this? The supporters group who claim to want dialogue with them, instead pissing all over them again in public. I find CAST's strategy, assuming there is one, rather confused ?

They don't have a clue and thus get no respect from people that do. Like the multimillionaire owner and the CEO who is more prepared to chat with fans than Varney ever was. Former posers and insiders don't have clout any more and don't they just hate it.

Cynics at the time of the recent public meeting suggested that CAST had organised it solely in order to boost their flagging membership numbers. They subsequently Tweeted that they had put on an extra 200 (£1,000 lovely jubbly) as a result. Job done. Their actions since the public meeting have been what, exactly? They have sent batty old Heather up to Huddersfield on a cheap day return for *yet another* fawning puff piece with the shite coach who left the team on its arse at Bramall Lane. 

CAST - not so much the mouse that roared, more the gerbil that keeps rolling over & asking for its tummy to be tickled again.  

[seriouslyred]

I too am confused at the direction of the Trust but I have chosen to take it up offline with Rikofold.

Just as there are some who dedicate their lives to criticising our club and every move the board makes, there are some who spend their time attacking the Trust which is, after all, a collective of 5,000 fans just like you and I.

The public meeting was always going to raise membership numbers because it looked dynamic. It also forced the club to call a VIP meeting at very short notice.

At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what happens at 3pm every Saturday and whether M.Duchatelet is going to strengthen the squad over the summer. All the rest is noise!

[Deleted]

Nick, could you do me a favour and post a link to that tweet you keep referring to. I've never seen it myself and Ive looked a number if times without finding it.

Is there any point going into circular debate with people who will criticise whatever we do?

Just to say that I think criticising a match preview for, ahem, mentioning the opposition is, er, well for once I don't have the words.

[Deleted]

Whilst I'm on, Murray took the weight of fan engagement of course but criticising Varney in comparison to our current CEO is apples and oranges. The latter has gone on record to say RD won't speak with the fans, she going to do it all. So if there's a comparison to be drawn, perhaps it's more valid in the outcome. And right now it's one way communication on her own terms.

Some people on here seem so addicted to slagging other people off regardless of whether it's merited it makes me wonder about their own self esteem.

[seriouslyred]

Mar 7, 2015 3:39:24 GMT @rikofold said:

Whilst I'm on, Murray took the weight of fan engagement of course but criticising Varney in comparison to our current CEO is apples and oranges. The latter has gone on record to say RD won't speak with the fans, she going to do it all. So if there's a comparison to be drawn, perhaps it's more valid in the outcome. And right now it's one way communication on her own terms.

Some people on here seem so addicted to slagging other people off regardless of whether it's merited it makes me wonder about their own self esteem.

You're front of house on the Trust board so don't slate your critics, just answer them with your next move! You have the support of 1,200 members and 4,000 subscribers by twitter and email.

People slate each other on message boards and they slate the club and players, especially after we lose! But you need to rise above it me ol' mucker. Ensure your next move is sure footed and in the right direction.

It actually doesn't matter whether Duchatelet speaks with fans. All that matters is a statement of ambition for next season and whether this is backed up with player retention and acquisition - all the rest is noise!

Your challenge is that the CEO won't engage with you. So why not just keep inviting the club chairman to meetings - it has worked to date in providing an interface.

[squareball]

Mar 7, 2015 12:04:22 GMT seriouslyred said:

Mar 7, 2015 3:39:24 GMT @rikofold said:

Whilst I'm on, Murray took the weight of fan engagement of course but criticising Varney in comparison to our current CEO is apples and oranges. The latter has gone on record to say RD won't speak with the fans, she going to do it all. So if there's a comparison to be drawn, perhaps it's more valid in the outcome. And right now it's one way communication on her own terms.

Some people on here seem so addicted to slagging other people off regardless of whether it's merited it makes me wonder about their own self esteem.

You're front of house on the Trust board so don't slate your critics, just answer them with your next move! You have the support of 1,200 members and 4,000 subscribers by twitter and email.

People slate each other on message boards and they slate the club and players, especially after we lose! But you need to rise above it me ol' mucker. Ensure your next move is sure footed and in the right direction.

It actually doesn't matter whether Duchatelet speaks with fans. All that matters is a statement of ambition for next season and whether this is backed up with player retention and acquisition - all the rest is noise!

Your challenge is that the CEO won't engage with you. So why not just keep inviting the club chairman to meetings - it has worked to date in providing an interface.

Im interested to know if the figures for members and subscribers for twitter and email are all different people. For example can a member also get feeds from twitter and be an email subscriber. If yes then would that member be counted 3 times ?

[seriouslyred]

Members = 1,200 and email subscribers another 2,000. On top of this there are about 2,000 twitter followers and 500 facebookers some of whom may be members or subscribers.
So the number of unique fans connected to the Trust is probably 4,000+

[squareball]

Fair enough. That's a sizeable amount even though it's difficult to pin an exact number.

[Deleted]

SR, I'm challenging the basis of critics' comments. That's what a debate is.

There's no point in entering debate with people who aren't really interested in the truth though.

Our objective is simple - to achieve a dialogue with the owner. That's what we were asked to do by the public meeting. Anyone who thinks that objective is best served by making every breath public is deluded or mischief making.

I was told last year that the running of the club was none of the supporters' business. I disagreed then, I disagreed when results were poor and I still disagree after 5 wins in 6. I'm glad of the result of the public meeting, because I've never supported direct action as a first resort, and I acknowledge we need to get something out there soon - but better to report something useful than nothing at all, and I repeat, we are volunteers trying to find the spare time to do this.

We don't expect thanks or think we're above criticism, but if we're not prepared to answer our critics then we'd deserve even more, no? And we do get it for both answering and not answering.

[Deleted]

The "Trust" has become the "Harry Hill" of "Stars in Their Eyes", used to be credible but is now somewhat "laughable" if not "annoying", like a wasp at a BBQ, attracted to crowds and jam ,,,,,,,,,,,

[Deleted]

Ok Spottydog, I'll bite. There's nothing in there that explains why you feel that way nor how it can be different. What do you think?

It's very easy as SR will tell you to stand on the sidelines sniping, but these are people who are prepared to give up their own time for no reward other than the knowledge that they're genuinely trying to make a positive difference and the scrutiny and criticism of those not prepared to do it themselves. So if there's something constructive to add, let's hear it. The Trust has never been perfect.

[razil]

The membership thing is being blown out of proportion here, numbers tend to rise when more peole hear about it and read our material.
Despite what some on here have suggested I think our fans are capblenof making their own minds up about joining or not. Its teally not been that big a hike tho, from memory our biggest gains came when we made a joint statement and survey with the club. I think a fair few joined before the meeting was mentioned in the wake of Luzongate.

The reality (and I know some on here don't like that word ) is that under my tenure we consistently avoided sensationalism that could have boosted numbers, preferring a steady sustainable Trust.

We also made concerted efforts to not push nembership and keep a low profile during period of the meeting.

As for the article, the Trust has to strike a balance between achieving its objectives, and being an independent body that represents the fans. Its not an easy position but it is a principled one. Equally we printed an interview with KM and later Phil Chapple. We've also had RM at several meetings.

Hope that helps

[Deleted]

I think the Trust buggered themselves early days by recruiting on CL. For the casual reader it looks like most members are stuck in the past, and just can't get their heads around the evolution of football. CL is a museum...full of relics and not representative of the majority of Charlton fans. RD and Co live in the real world and view forums and Trusts as irritation only.

It's 2015 folks.....get used to it.

[razil]

Not sure I agree and its also not the case other than it being the largest internet forum

As i said our big breaks membership wise came much later, and included face to face contact, the clubs channels, our twitter and numerous surveys that introduced the trust

[Deleted]

Mar 11, 2015 9:18:35 GMT razil said:

Not sure I agree and its also not the case other than it being the largest internet forum

As i said our big breaks membership wise came much later, and included face to face contact, the clubs channels, our twitter and numerous surveys that introduced the trust

Exactly what I'm saying Razil...face to face is the only way.  Forum opinions suffer from peer pressure, not a great thermometer for judging how hot the water is.

[Deleted]

Mar 11, 2015 9:18:35 GMT razil said:

Not sure I agree and its also not the case other than it being the largest internet forum

As i said our big breaks membership wise came much later, and included face to face contact, the clubs channels, our twitter and numerous surveys that introduced the trust

Where can I view the interview with Powell?

[razil]

It'll cost you a fiver..

There may be some on the stall at next home match

Or you can wait til its free to air on castrust.org, its members only at the moment

www.castrust.org/tnt-latest/

www.castrust.org/news/newsletters/



email the Trust [e-mail] if you need further assistance

[seriouslyred]

Mar 11, 2015 8:52:56 GMT @bystander said:

I think the Trust buggered themselves early days by recruiting on CL. For the casual reader it looks like most members are stuck in the past, and just can't get their heads around the evolution of football. CL is a museum...full of relics and not representative of the majority of Charlton fans. RD and Co live in the real world and view forums and Trusts as irritation only.

It's 2015 folks.....get used to it.

True the Trust launched on CL but we very quickly cut a deal with the club to promote the Trust via a survey which secured 2,252 responses. And then launched ACV with a stall under the badge on the North Stand.
Within 12 months membership was upto 1,000. By that time just 5% of Trust website traffic came from CL. In fact at that time 50% of Trust members and subscribers didn't use CL.

Unfortunately when the Trust became firmly established it began to attract a lot of interest. From critics and others who wanted to influence direction without doing any work.

Today it's up to the members to direct the Trust Board as to what it does next. If the board don't listen or if they fail to engage with the club then numbers will fall as sure as night follows day.

Razil did a helluva job getting the thing off the ground...I did my bit. Up to this new board to take it forwards now.

[Deleted]

I stand erected corrected.

[overthetop]

An excellent interview by Heather..........perfect for VOTV. About the last article I expect to see from my Trust who are desperately trying to build bridges and have a constructive dialogue with the owner and CEO.

The fact that the trust board cannot see the damage this may do to them is incredible. But then with the new Trust Chair being one of the chief protagonists of the G21 group, it will not surprise in which direction the Trust is going to head. At the moment, I hope they continue to be ignored, because the agenda cannot be driven by those who believe they know better. Leave it to the man who has invested vast sums in the Club with a vision, a plan he is quite prepared to spend his money on.

i'm happy to give him some time in achieving his aims.

[Deleted]

Mar 9, 2015 6:28:39 GMT @rikofold said:

Ok Spottydog, I'll bite. There's nothing in there that explains why you feel that way nor how it can be different. What do you think?

It's very easy as SR will tell you to stand on the sidelines sniping, but these are people who are prepared to give up their own time for no reward other than the knowledge that they're genuinely trying to make a positive difference and the scrutiny and criticism of those not prepared to do it themselves. So if there's something constructive to add, let's hear it. The Trust has never been perfect.

arranging a meeting to topple our owner who btw has invested over 40 million is not "positive" .

The "trust" are destructive, scaremongering, rabble rousing, they have no credibility after the idle threats to a businessman whos companies total around a 500 Million euro worth.

laughable ! 

[Deleted]

Mar 11, 2015 22:29:50 GMT overthetop said:

An excellent interview by Heather..........perfect for VOTV. About the last article I expect to see from my Trust who are desperately trying to build bridges and have a constructive dialogue with the owner and CEO.

The fact that the trust board cannot see the damage this may do to them is incredible. But then with the new Trust Chair being one of the chief protagonists of the G21 group, it will not surprise in which direction the Trust is going to head. At the moment, I hope they continue to be ignored, because the agenda cannot be driven by those who believe they know better. Leave it to the man who has invested vast sums in the Club with a vision, a plan he is quite prepared to spend his money on.

i'm happy to give him some time in achieving his aims.

the "article" is a massive own goal for an organisation that wants dialogue with the very person the "article" is attempting, for want of a phrase, "dog shit" upon.

You don't openly criticize a company / person and then ask for a chin wag  about how YOU should have input into running THEIR business, it really is absolutely laughable.

Has anyone got any idea of how negotiations are carried out, do any of you actually work in the "field" of business ? Project / Program Managers ? Honestly you guys really need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Members numbers don't even make a dent, if, and its a big if, the grand plan comes through, then the stands will be full once again of the "plastics" that don't give a shit about who owns the club, as long as they have their pint, pie and a bovril they will be happy.

Do you think this went on at Chelsea and Man City ? A bunch of old cry baby stuck in the past supporters bleating on about "their" clubs ? Christ, Chelsea would still have the bleeding dog track if that were the case ! 

There's a saying "change is bad" , so what do you do , go with the change and enjoy the ride or get off the bus and be left behind ?

Negative criticizing is not constructive during change, it hinders the process, people become disengaged and turn bitter, wanting things done "their way" , "whats wrong with the way we do it" ? 

I pose a question re change, do you still drive the car you had in 1980, do you still have the same washing machine from 1980, do you still have the same TV the same computer the same kettle the same HIFI,,, they worked,,,so why change them ? 

[reamsofverse]

Some excellent posts on this forum this week and that spottydog is another one.

[overthetop]

Spot on Spotty.