Terrible day

[canterburyaddick]

I have just spent the last 20 mins of the match plus 5 hours at Plumstead Police Station because some scum in the North Stand Upper thinks it's a good idea to sell weed to 13/14 year olds.

I look after a difficult lad and I have focused his mind on football and CAFC. Well he has now lost his season ticket and will struggle now to get into the Army, which is his life's ambition. Thanks!!

I will have no compunction in shopping him if I find out who it is.

[terryducks]

explain mate what happened?

[canterburyaddick]

We have a lad living with us, difficult background, loves his football and Charlton in particular. It was a risk but I allowed him to get a ticket in North Upper rather than with us stiffs in the East. Several weeks no problem, he loved it, but today he was one of a group arrested for smoking weed, which he bought off a guy in the North Upper during the Millwall game. When he bought it he was under 14.

[leftbehind]

Why did he not just say no?

If he is 13/14 and wants the army he is still a few years away not a problem as long as he stays clean

[canterburyaddick]

Let's let the dealers hang around the school gates then, after all the kids can just say no!

I think the loss of his season ticket will hit him hard.

[reamsofverse]

Disappointed with the clubs actions over this, it's a first offence surely a slap on the wrist woul have sufficed.

The authorities can't tell me that there were no Millwall fans doing the same thing in the JS, and getting away with it no doubt, they did with everything else that they did.

[canterburyaddick]

I will contact the club to see if anything can be done

[leftbehind]

Dec 27, 2009 16:55:56 GMT canterburyaddick said:

Let's let the dealers hang around the school gates then, after all the kids can just say no!

I think the loss of his season ticket will hit him hard.

They do in some areas and yes some do say no

I had drug dealers at Woolwich Poly in the 80's and dealers offering drugs outside and inside pubs as a teen and being a strong minded person i said no and never bowed down to peer pressure.

[canterburyaddick]

You and I both LB. But most aren't strong minded. and peer pressure is probably stronger now than it ever was. My point is that he is a vulnerable kid (if you met him you may say not, but it's all bravado), but now potentially an important part of his life is removed, because at just 14 he couldn't say no.
I should also say that 8 people were removed, yet the supplier was not one of them, so got away with it.

[reamsofverse]

Haven't heard a dickie bird yet about Charlton fans being banned for selling tickets to Millwall fans, don't suppose we will either yet a young kid who gets caught up in something he probably said yes to because his mates did, gets banned for a spur of the moment decision.

Very big of you Charlton, very big indeed picking on a group of harmless youngsters when the real criminals are laughing at you.

[leftbehind]

Supplier was not one of them what a joke

[hongkongaddick]

Nonsense Reams mate. I applaud the Club for their swift action and would be indignant if criminals, cos that's what you are if you possess dangerous drugs, are allowed to walk away scot free.

The Club has to take a stand against these things and were right to hoof out anyone found in possession of illegal narcotics, regardless of age. What other innocents are they going to corrupt and what message does it send out if no action is taken when they're caught bang to rights? The dealer scum got away with it this time but if the lads spill the beans on him, it won't be long before he's picked up.

Once the dust has settled is then the time to consider mitigation and whether to rescind the bans on a case by case basis.

[Deleted]

police and club to blame here seems a bit harsh, educate the lad , take him down a re-hab centre to see what happens, or a walk around the Ferrier (sp) estate should do the trick , if you want to tell him about my mate who had his arm broken by some dudes then please do.
On a better note, you dont get a criminal record at 14 should be ok for the army , season ticket option , get a new one in another name.

[hongkongaddick]

Problem is andy, British kids no longer associate wrongdoing with punishment. Too many apologists out there for bad behaviour so they don't learn.

Those who are going to grow up to be adult scum won't be changed but there are plenty of waverers who could be turned around with a judicious use of carrot and stick.

As an ex-Army man myself, if maidstone's lad's genuine ambition is to be a soldier then I'm sure he has character to put things right. Whatever the season ticket outcome I hope that this incident can be the trigger for that. The Club may even be willing to move his seat next to yours if you agree to keep watch on him.

Lb - nicking the supplier is not always that easy but in time I'm sure nicked he will be.

[swordfish]

The whole thing stinks - I think he should retain his season ticket on a 'last chance' basis though.

And he shouldn't have a problem with the army when he turns 18, all being well.

[Deleted]

have you spoken to the club yet mstone ?? not some desk jockey , go to the 'community' dude, as for drug dealers, I rent a house out that was raided, twat there had 5 kilos of coke in the fridge, the rozzers were very good they reckon he'll get 8 years, tho , he did over a grands worth of damage to the property.

[canterburyaddick]

Managed to speak to the head of stewards today. Club take a very sensible view and at the next home game, I will take him into the Head of Security who will give him a dressing down, explain why the rules are there etc, and return his ticket.
Sensible approach. well done Charlton!

[valleyviper]

and well done to you too, mstone.