Press comment on Charlton

Developments at Charlton have attracted press comment today from the Mail on Sunday and The Independent on Sunday

The Mail article states:

Charlton fans are increasingly exasperated at how their club is being run under chairman Michael Slater — a Manchester City fan, bizarrely knocked out by Spanish police while watching his team recently — and at the influence of co-owner Tony Jimenez, a former vice-president of Newcastle.

The latest upset was a club stalwart, Rick Everitt, being sacked. When Charlton were homeless, Everitt formed the Valley Party political party [with others - Wyn] that won 15,000 votes in the 1990 elections and led to a new home. He was also behind fans’ transport initiatives and ‘Football for a Fiver’ days, the most recent being yesterday’s game against Barnsley.

Charlton say Everitt was sacked for gross misconduct, unspecified. Meanwhile, money is so tight Charlton have accepted a lower settlement on ‘add-ons’ from Jonjo Shelvey’s transfer to Liverpool.

Steve Tongue writing in the Independent on Sunday said:

Charlton Athletic supporters are pondering the irony of the club stalwart Rick Everitt being sacked this week, just as one of his initiatives produced their highest attendance of the season for yesterday's game against Barnsley.

Everitt, the club's Head of Development, was behind the "Football for a Fiver" promotion for all fans, including away supporters, as well as instigating the "Valley Express" service of coaches which were used to bring in fans from all over Kent and Sussex.

Previously editor of the influential Voice of the Valley fanzine, Everitt had been a key campaigner in bringing Charlton back to the Valley in 1992 after seven years in exile at Selhurst Park and Upton Park. The club declined to comment.'

To be fair, it is difficult to comment on matters which may subsequently enter the employment tribunal system or be subject to other legal proceedings.

One should not exaggerate the exasperation of fans: newer fans may be less concerned that long-standing ones. However, fans had become used to a very transparent regime at The Valley with a lot of fan involvement, even if some of it was rather superficial. New owners may wish to go down a different route, particularly if they are seeking new investment and some matters have to be treated as commercially confidential. But a little more explanation of what the strategic vision is might be helpful.