I'm
sure there have been many fine academic studies into the potential negative
impact of sales and marketing campaigns, just that I'm blissfully unaware of
them. I do know that downsides, in the form of consumer boycotts, exit. For
example I continue to balk at any Virgin service because they once sponsored an
inferior south London team. We don't forget. So while it is possible that for
once Ms Meire is telling the truth and ITRM is indeed a "forward-thinking
(I've added the hyphen just to correct the English for the benefit of the club
website), successful business which does (correcting from 'who do') great work
in the community", I will forever think badly of the company and in the
unlikely event of the situation arising would decline to use their services and
urge anyone I know not to use them.
It
is disappointing to see the news of a new club website, not because there's any
affection for the current one (in normal circumstances we would be welcoming a
return to a bespoke site) but as any evidence that the regime is planning ahead
for anything other than a sale of the club goes down badly. ITRM MD Dave White
may say that "this is an exciting project for the Club and all the
fans". He is clearly wrong and should be ashamed of himself, if he does
indeed have some affection for Charlton Athletic. As for the fans, I hope that
every grouping, up to and including the Trust, sees it as in our club's best
interest to shun contact with the regime, unless and until there is a
commitment from Duchatelet to sell.
You
may infer from this that nothing's changed as far as my attitude towards the
regime is concerned. And you'd be right. Of course the appointment of Slade and
developments since then have given cause for reflection. It is quite remarkable
that Duchatelet has completely abandoned his masterplan for the selection of
and duties of a head coach, and that the strategy for selecting players to
bring in - one so eloquently expressed by Murray not long ago - has gone out of
the window with relegation. Those changes are, in themselves, to be welcomed -
although surely Duchatelet's regular U-turns (let's not forget the silly reliance
on financial fair play) should remind us that he's not implementing some
insightful grand plan but rather scrabbling around and moving from one failed
initiative to the next. There can be no confidence in him sticking to any
particular path, other than one which might involve making money (or minimising
the drain on his finances).
The
bottom line is that the regime is still in place and there do not appear to be
ongoing initiatives towards a sale. The hapless Meire continues to pretend to
represent Charlton. So the best we can hope for is that Duchatelet will stay
away and not interfere (with luck he will occupy himself with his repurchased
Belgian toy), that Meire manages to say and do nothing for as long and as often
as she possibly can, for the sake of our club's future and its reputation, and
that Slade will put together a squad capable of getting us promoted. In the
interim I see no reason to ease up on the campaign to rid our club of the
regime, to target all revenue streams etc. And yes, I have no doubts that
CARD's shirt sales set against the official strip will tell its own story, as
it would seem are season ticket sales.
That
doesn't get around a real problem for CARD. I don't go along with the notion
that 'we made our point' last season and now should just shelve/abandon the
protests so as to maximise our chances of getting back into the Championship.
But some fans probably will - and for good and understandable motives. The
regime may be thinking that it's seen off the worst and that the recent changes
might prompt a change of heart in sufficient number of Addicks. It makes it a
tough call for CARD, to maintain the backing of the overwhelming majority of
fans, how to define in practise 'support the team, not the regime'.
I've
no insight into CARD thinking (I just turn up and help hand out the pre-match
materials) but would personally favour something along the lines of 'the
protests - of course - continue but for now nothing will be done inside the
ground before and during matches, when we urge Addicks to get behind Slade and
the team'. If hopes of a promotion push prove groundless, the picture changes
and CARD would be ready to lead that change, while in the interim keeping up
the pressure on club revenues, including urging no spend inside the ground. The
alternative approach - continuing the same level of protest, even increasing it
- only works if Duchatelet is led to a sale. If there are grounds for backing
that in the short term, terrific and let's do all we can. If not, the risk
becomes one of crash and burn, of Addicks being alienated or just bored with
continuing, regular disruption to games.
So
a new club strip, Welling again, and off we go once more. Nothing has changed
(except of course the division we're in, the manager, probably close on the entire
squad by the time we actually start the season).
I personally wish Russell Slade a great season at the Valley which ultimately ends in promotion.
ReplyDeleteSadly I won't be there to see it as I refuse to visit the Valley until Meire and Duchatelet have got on the Ostend-bound ferry with a one-way ticket and all their goods and belongings.
I refuse to support the club financially whilst those two muppets remain in situ - they have done interminable damage to our club and now the shirt sponsors are to be a betting company - yet more shame brought down upon our club
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ReplyDeleteIf by coincidence we build a squad that is competing for promotion, it woll be nigh on impossible to galvanise any sort of protest. The position for me is the same, Meire is still in place, which to me suggests a relationship utterly beyond understanding, and oyr three 'marquee' signings have been followed by ....well nothing. We may yet be offered a decent squad (god knows its about time) but I see no eal change yet, just a dim recognition that maybe last season didn't go quite go quite right.
ReplyDeleteKen Shabby
Thanks for the comments guys. Can't disagree with them.
ReplyDelete