Fans were taken in by April Fool jokes

In the latest installment of his reminiscence interviews with Richard Cawley, Peter Varney recalls the various April Fool jokes at Charlton that have taken in gullible fans.

He recalls: 'We pretended to change the badge in April 2002, and again that went in the programme, this time when we hosted Arsenal. The ruse sort of originated from the fact the Gunners had changed their badge a couple of months earlier, a move to secure intellectual property rights and enable copyright protection.

We claimed that Greenwich Council had “asked us to consider whether the sword in our current badge is appropriate to the welcoming environment we wish to maintain at The Valley”. We designed one crest that was really a straight replica of Fulham’s one - with CAFC instead of FFC. There were also two that replaced the sword with a smiling fish or a cartoonish robin.  We had more than 300 votes online and hundreds more rang or emailed the club to complain.'

Actually I think the best one was when a ground share was announced with Millwall with half the seats painted blue to make them feel at home.  I recall that one Australian photographer who is a keen supporter was taken in.

Varney also discusses how a humour less Sandgaard want to axe the Red, Red Robin, although he has doubts about its timing.

I also thought that my idea of branding consultants renaming the club Estuary hit home. Revisit it here: https://addickschampionshipdiary.blogspot.com/search?q=Estuary

I do have one ready for next week!

Varney gives the full sp on Parker departure

Like many fans, the departure of Scott Parker for Chelsea when we had a chance of European qualification left me with a bad taste in the mouth at the time, but Peter Varney gives a more informed and balanced view in Richard Cawley’s Substack.   Just a few excerpts as a taster (Varney also discusses the plot to sabotage The Valley floodlights).

‘Scott was like a lot of players. He wanted to play for England and in the Champions League. At the time Chelsea were a big club with Roman Abramovich coming on the scene. It transpired that Richard Murray had said, at the time when Scott last signed a contract, that he could go if a top-four club came in for him.

One of the things that fans often say is that, with a chance of Europe, how could he just walk away? They say that it is all about the money and whatever else. Of course money plays a part. They offered him significantly more than he was on at Charlton and a long contract. So it was about that, but it was also that ambition to play for England, play in the Champions League and test himself against the best players in the world.

It’s just a shame how it ended because I would say he is one of the best players to ever play for Charlton. So that legacy is so sad - he was massive for us in the Premier League, and in getting to the Premier League. Scott would be absolutely exhausted when he came off after any of our games. He ran and ran and ran.

He was so instrumental to Charlton and the way we played. He did the work of two players, effectively, box to box. And he could get goals. When you get a pattern of play, a shape - we weren’t having many injuries - and everything is rosey in the camp then there is no doubt if you lose your best player, him and Claus Jensen dominated the midfield, it has a massive effect.’

When Charlton had a global profile

Peter Varney talks about the global links he built when was at Charlton: https://www.integralsportsmanagement.co.uk/the-big-wide-world/

He recalls: 'It used to be a brilliant sight on a home match day in the North West Quadrant at The Valley seeing all the different coloured country branded scarves and flags from our overseas supporters. Hermann Hreidarsson (Iceland), Claus Jensen (Denmark), Jonatan Johansson (Finland), Martin Pringle (Sweden), Dennis Rommedahl (Denmark) and Mathias Svensson (Sweden) would always give up their time to speak to the travelling fans from Scandanavia and elsewhere.'

He reckons there are now new opportunities for the club.   The international dimension will be challenging and complex, but would benefit from a bottom up approach.

One of my memories from the Premier League days is turning on the television in Kunming in south-west China and seeing an intelligent discussion of how Curbs and Keith Peacock (now a great-grandfather) worked together.

Varney defends Bowyer

Former Charlton chief executive Peter Varney defends Lee Bowyer against his social media critics and argues that he is right man to lead the club forward: https://www.integralsportsmanagement.co.uk/back-bowyer/

He points out that if social media had been around Sir Alex Ferguson would never have had the time to build up Manchester United.

Varney gives grounds for hope

Peter Varney has stated, 'The statement put out by Mihail today is misleading, as I have been in contact with Chris Farnell (Nimer’s lawyer) for two months.'

In an encouraging tweet, Varney said: 'Constructive day today with the club, but I hope Charlton fans understand that discussions need to be kept private for now.'

Meanwhile, some CAS Trust supporters are saying that the intention is just to act as a caretaker until a suitable owner could be found.   That is a much more feasible plan, but it leaves open the question of where the money from the initial purchase is coming from.

As Peter Varney says, 'It’s crucial in my opinion that whoever buys CAFC also own The Valley and the Sparrows Lane training ground.'  Just buying the name of the club and its EFL share is insufficient.

However, it is clear that uncritical adulation of the Bundesliga model is widespread.  Of course, if you challenge the model, you are making assertions, whereas its defenders claim that their arguments are evidence based.

That is not to say that it is without merit, but a more balanced appraisal is needed.

New statement by Peter Varney

Former Charlton chief executive Peter Varney has made a new statement about recent comments made by the current chief executive Katrien Meire. The statement has been published by Voice of the Valley on their website: Varney statement

Peter Varney says that his solicitors wrote to Katrien Meire asking for a retraction on 14 June, but have not received a reply. He has been touched by the support he has received from the Charlton community, but paradoxically this makes it difficult to bring an action for defamation.

Peter Varney demands retraction from Katrien Meire

The following statement by Peter Varney has been issued through Voice of the Valley:

'Since August 2015 I have, at the request of a third party who is interested in purchasing Charlton Athletic Football Club, attempted to arrange a meeting with the owner, Roland Duchatelet. Despite several attempts to arrange such a meeting it has been made clear to me on two separate occasions since last August that he has no interest in selling CAFC. That decision is, of course, his absolute right as the owner of the club, as it is to decline to meet me or indeed any potential purchaser.'

'However, what is not right is for Katrien Meire, the CEO of CAFC, to suggest that I have raised the possibility of CAFC leaving The Valley in relation to a potential change of ownership as occurred at the recent press conference announcing the new CAFC manager. Such suggestions are entirely untrue and unsubstantiated and I would ask that Ms Meire retracts the same immediately. If this is not forthcoming, I will unfortunately have no option but to place this matter in the hands of my legal advisers to deal with more formally.'

Varney gives it large

Former Charlton chief executive Peter Varney has responded to claims made by Roland Duchatelet in his interview with the South London Press last week: Peter Varney

Not surprisingly, the Ebbsfleet executive vice-chairman is disappointed at a reference to him as a 'billboard salesman'. The investor he wanted to introduce to Roland would have been prepared to meet him in Belgium. He pointedly notes that he arrived at 7.30 am on match days and was fully occupied thereafter. Katrien customarily arrives around 1.30 pm.

One of the most bizarre aspects of this recent development is that Katrien Meire approached VOTV editor Rick Everitt while he was selling the magazine outside The Valley on Saturday. Apparently clutching a Pinnocchio mask, and wearing the accompanying sticker, she apparently suggested to the Rickster that he was frightened to speak to her. It is difficult to envisage the Ramsgate resident being frightened of anyone and I am sure he would have welcomed a fuller exchange of views than occurred.

Roland: I'm not going to sell

In an interview with the South London Press Roland Duchatelet has said that he is not going to sell Charlton Athletic. He says that he and the fans need to work together. He is very dismissive of the approach from Peter Varney which he says was phrased in such a way that it could have been a request for a billboard: No sale

Roland said that he understood that most of the fans were extremely unhappy and he felt empathy for them. In his industry there was a culture of learning from mistakes. Having too big a squad caused problems in the dressing room. No contingency planning was taking place for relegation: Learning from mistakes

Roland defended chief executive Katrien Meire as a 'fantastic lady' with a 'big heart for Charlton.' He also defended Richard Murray against criticism: Katrien Meire

Roland said that he wanted to buy more British-based players as part of a recruitment rethink, but any head coach would have to subscribe to his philosophy of developing the academy: Player recruitment

In a set of four short videos on the official site, Roland says that he is 'extremely sad' to be bottom. He says that he is listening to the fans. He admits that appointing Karel Fraeye was a mistake. A reason for appointing Bob Peeters was that he had lived in London (I suppose at least he knew how to use an Oyster card). Roland says that we need a bigger squad, which contradicts what he told the SLP: Video fun

VOTV editor Rick Everitt comments that Roland has spoken, but has nothing to say: Empty words

London as a football city

The latest posting from the excellent two unfortunates blog looks at London as a football city: London

Charlton aren't specifically mentioned. Quite rightly, the author focuses on the driving forces affecting football as a whole in London, including its status as a city region and a global city. Some of this is relevant context to our current plight.

When my new Anglo-French boss moved to London, he looked for a football club to support. His sister lived in Chelsea, but he decided that they were too expensive, so he went for nearby Fulham. Charlton didn't even come up on his radar because it was 'too far out' from the cosmopolitan centre.

I was inspired to get down from the bookshelves a book by one of my favourite authors, Charlton fan Charlie Connelly (he was also at university with one of my children). Called London Fields, it contains a chapter on 'The Supporters' Club: Peter Varney and the Rise of Charlton Athletic.' How ironic that title seems now when our chief executive takes photos of protesting supporters from the lounges. (There is also a chapter on Gary Nelson and one about Welling United).

It is a good read (the description of the two man Wembley away firm is hilarious). There is a copy on Amazon at £4.54 plus postage: London Fields

Varney unhappy about Steve Brown sacking

One time Addicks chief executive Peter Varney is clearly unhappy about the sacking of Steve Brown from his job as manager at Conference South outfit Ebbsfleet United.

Varney told The Non-League Paper that Brown was 'very unlucky' to lose his job. He said, 'I brought Steve into the club and I thought he did a great job. He's a very good coach. The chairman has made a statement and I don't want to add to that suffice to say Steve has been unfortunate given the team's league position. It's all about getting the new structure working at the moment'.

Brown was sacked by Kuwaiti owner Dr Abdulla Al Humaidi following Tuesday's 0-3 home defeat to play-off contenders Gosport Borough, the biggest loss Ebbsfleet suffered under his management. Ebbsfleet are fourth in the table, but there has been a run of poor home results with the club winning just one in six.

Ebbsfleet received 50 applications for the job within 24 hours of Steve's departure. There has been a speculation that Charlton fan Jonathan Acworth may see this as his chance to break into management, but Welling boss Jamie Day is rumoured to be one of the contenders.

Despite this setback to his coaching career, I am sure that if a role could be found for Steve 'he'll never let you down' Brown at Sparrows Lane, he would be welcomed by Charlton fans.

Varney spearheads Kuwaiti takeover at Ebbsfleet

Former Charlton chief executive Peter Varney has led a Kuwaiti takeover of Ebbsfleet United at a cheap price from myfootballclub: Ebbsfleet

£100,000 will be made available as a transfer fund and there will be a £8k a week playing budget which is substantial for the second level of non-league.

New role for Peter Varney

Former Charlton chief executive Peter Varney has been appointed as chief executive of a Kuwaiti company seeking to make investments in European football: Varney . KEH were founded in 2008 and up to now have focused on real estate, tourism and health care.

I would be cautious about reading anything into this about possible investments in Charlton. His remit covers Europe as a whole.

KEH have extensive property investments interests in Sussex, including a major property development at Newhaven. Protracted talks to take over Blue Square South outfit Eastbourne Borough collapsed recently. The plan had been to invest heavily in the club to take them to the Football League. It is understood that a key member of KEH studied English in the town: Eastbourne

It is not understood that any Kuwaitis have applied for membership of the still active West Sussex branch of Charlton Athletic Supporters Club.

Mr Robin has left the building

Rick Everitt has posted the following statement on Charlton life: I can confirm that I have today been sacked by the club by email in a letter from Martin Prothero but signed in his absence by the club's personnel manager Helen Reed. I understand Martin has not been at The Valley today. This is the decision of a disciplinary hearing that took place on Friday, September 28th, 19 days ago, and according to the club is the culmination of a disciplinary process that began on Tuesday, July 10th - more than 14 weeks ago.

I hope you will understand that I have not been able to respond to the many kind and generous postings about this situation on this thread over the last five weeks. I would, however, like sincerely to thank everyone who has posted messages of support, both publicly and privately - and of course those who have pointed out that I am not the only person responsible for the many things in which I have been involved over the last 14 years or in my previous roles outside the club are entirely correct. The club must go on and that is what matters.

I would also like to thank my colleagues across the staff at The Valley for their staunch support over the last five difficult weeks and over the many years that preceded it, as well as Corinna who has had to live with me and hear me rehearse the issues at second hand. I know I am not the only one who has found it stressful.

I am not going to go into the details of the allegations at this time, but I am absolutely confident that when they emerge - together with the truth about the termination of Peter Varney and Steve Kavanagh's positions at the club - it will be apparent to all of you that I have never compromised my loyalty and commitment to the club or its supporters. All these matters will shine a powerful light into what is going on behind the scenes and the people involved.

I have always been mindful that I have been extraordinarily lucky to have worked at Charlton for more than 14 years, to have enjoyed the support of people like Steve, Peter, Richard Murray, Martin Simons and many others, and to be able to put into action so many of my ideas, like Valley Express, Football for a Fiver and all the other initiatives. That is the context and I am proud of my record as an employee and a supporter, and the fact that it will all culminate on Saturday in a near-capacity crowd and a record Valley Express service. It is a spectacular irony that they have chosen this week to act.

I would also like to make clear, in view of the fact that Richard's name has been mentioned in this thread, to point out that I have no dispute with him and he has not been involved in this process. As an employee I had many heated arguments, but not with Richard. The chairman is rarely involved in day to day matters or seen at the ground; he and I saw more of each other before I worked for the club. Mostly, in fact, the arguments were with Peter or more latterly Steve, but we always respected each other's motives and that is still the case. They are and remain my friends, and I regard Richard in the same way.

Back in 2001, in my final editorial in the last Voice of The Valley, I wrote that having got back to Floyd Road, going back to the Voice if and when it was necessary would be relatively easy. So it will be.

Finally, please stay solidly behind Chris Powell, whatever happens on the pitch in the next few weeks. As we all know, he is a special person and we need him more than ever to be part of our club and to know that we are with him, whatever the future brings.

Addicks to beat drop

Charlton will escape the drop to League 2 this season, according to the season preview in Four Four Two. However, they will finish 18th, just above the drop zone. (At least that's what they said in the print version: now a web version has changed their forecast to 4th!)

Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday are forecast to occupy the automatic promotion places. Preston, Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe and Carlisle will contest the play offs. I'm not sure I buy into the idea of Orient as the surprise package, for all of Russell Slade's qualities. And I see Carlisle as destined for mid-table mediocrity while I would put Sheffield United higher than 7th.

The magazine comments, 'you have to spread the net far to find a Football League ground where the general vibe is as negative as it's been at The Valley in recent years.' However, 'South-east Londoners Chris Powell [?] and Bradley Wright-Phillips have the passion to taken Charlton back up.'

However, Powell is warned, 'he might have to abandon any ideals of slick football in faviur of a style that is more agricultural. Much to prove.'

Trevor Wood in the fan file fears 'dull football and more mid-table mediocrity.' Nevertheless, he reckons we can finish in the top six if we find a decent back four. He names Peter Varney as unsung hero at the club.

Looking on the bright side of life

Apparently there was an interesting interview on Radio Kent on Saturday afternoon with Peter Varney and Michael Slater. Even if I hadn't been suffering from Frau Rita and her unreliable Wi-Fi (for which she had the grace not to charge me), I wouldn't have heard it.

However, Peter Varney argued that we should look at last season as a positive. Michael and Tony came in and saved the club, helping us to avoid a possible relegation to League Two. Without them the club could have entered administration: Abyss

Sagacious commentators have pointed out that Paul Hart should not be seen as a potential replacement for Chris Powell if things don't work out. Hart has had more than enough cracks of the whip as manager to know that is not his forte. Youth development is his speciality and that is why he has been brought in. Hart's talent in youth development should help Powell to deliver.

The new owners want success, no doubt about that. But they want to achieve it in a prudent way. We don't want our accounts qualified by the auditors as has just happened to Coventry City.

I'm still reeling from the extent to which people in Germany refused to speak English to me, even when it was clear that they could. Even in Zurich Airport, German was insisted on. One café proprietor in Konstanz even complained to me about my East German accent.

But then when I think about it when I checked in for an Iberia flight at Heathrow not so long ago they insisted on speaking in Spanish throughout. Perhaps it's a new linguistic nationalism.

This is developing into one of those odd loose connections features you get in programmes. But then the originator of stream of consciousness writing is commemorated by a blue plaque in Charlton. Italo Svevo, wrongly rendered as Sveno on the plaque, aka Ettore Schmitz, lived at 67 Charlton Church Lane from 1903-13, although his role in the club in the early days remains obscure.

It is the close season after all.

Varney reassures on takeover

Talks on the Charlton takeover are at a very advanced stage Peter Varney has told BBC Sport. There are still a few things to iron out, but those involved are working round the clock.

Our forecast is that a deal will be done in time for Addicks to toast the new owners on New Year's Eve.

Read the full BBC report here: Addicks

Charlton taken over

Charlton is to be acquired by a consortium led by Peter Varney with the deal being sealed, it is hoped, on 24th December as a special Christmas present for the Addickted. Due diligence is in progress.

That's all I know or all any news organisation appears to know. Normally reliable sources are, quite properly, staying quiet.

Possibly think 'property developer'.

This statement by Peter Varney does not add much to what we know already: Varney

Some have read into the statement an ongoing role for Richard Murray, but if that was the case it would, I think, be an honorary one. I am grateful for all that he has done for the club, even though mistakes have been made, but there comes a time to turn over a fresh page.

Varney on the bus

Former Addicks chief executive Peter Varney has resigned as a non-executive director of the club. However, he will continue to help the club to identify investment opportunities, although there are presumably fewer in the offing than there once were. One suggestion is that Varney could become chief executive at West Ham. Another possibility is that he could return in that role at Charlton at some point.

Meanwhile, a frisson of excitement ran through the Addickted as it was revealed that Elliot Omosuzi was still training at Sparrows Lane. The immediate need is to get two players out on loan (Moutaoukil and Dickson) to cover the cost of Akpo Sodje. However, should they be loaned out, and there has been interest, it might be possible to use Omosuzi's far from expensive services for the rest of the season.

Takeover should be complete in two weeks

The takeover of Charlton by the consortium led by Peter Varney should be complete in two weeks: Varney

Should the takeover occur, it is uncertain whether Phil Parkinson will continue as manager.

Richard Murray has told the South London Press: that Charlton’s major shareholders are ready to lose £30million of their own money to push through a takeover of the club. The Addicks chairman has ploughed £7.5million into the club during his 20 years at The Valley but is prepared to not get a penny back providing the right buyers can be found.

Matt Holland has told the Colchester Evening Gazette that he is training with Colchester as his deal with Charlton cannot be settled until the takeover is complete.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Zheng Zhi has left the club as he did not want to play in the third flight.

I am off to Chile tomorrow so I may miss all the excitement. I have decided to keep the Addick's Championship Diary format for the next season on the basis that we are aiming to be Champions of League 1. I know this is a faint hope, but the real reason is I am so busy this summer with work related travel, so much so that I can't take a holiday, that I really can't spare the time for a re-design.