Trust News 04

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TNT CAS Trust News Special Valley ACV, Free Edition, August 2013

pride of south london “Football is about more than the 90 minutes, its about every match, every season, every generation. We have an opportunity to make a statement - this is our club, our ground and our history.”

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Sign the petition www.castrust.org/valleyacv”

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CAS Trust, giving Charlton Fans a Voice Welcome to this very special commerative Valley Asset of Community Value edition of ‘TNT’

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Welcome

to the Fourth Edition of CAS Trust News AKA TNT It’s been a busy summer. CAS Trust continues to grow with 650 members at time of writing, as more Addicks lay down their hard earned fiver and support us.

We are able to publish 2000 copies and give them to Addicks fans free again thanks to Asset of Community Value (see pages 4-5) campaign donations and increasing membership. There are a number of articles I hope will be of interest as well as our usual updates in what is a somewhat more streamlined version of the mag this time around. I would like to thank all our contributors for their efforts, the Trust Board and all our supporters for their help and continuing support.

Match day presence As you may have noticed we have also begun some match day stall activity. By time of going to press we should have had a presence at Doncaster and possibly Leicester matches, and hopefully beyond.

We are determined to give Charlton Fans a voice in the present and future of this football club ­ As part of our commitment we sought to achieve Asset of Community Value status for the Valley, which would give fans a period of consultation were our ground ever to be put up for sale, and a right to bid. To the surprise of some the Club board has supported this. Indeed the Chairman rang our Chairman to let us know after we wrote to him in good faith letting him know about ACV and our intentions. This, along with a statement by the clubs COO, meant the FA and many others have been able to add their support to our bid. The campaign has been well received in the media, local press, and recently the BBC Business website. I believe the

positive reception is at least in part a tribute to the patience, hard work and determination of CAS Trust Board, and we list this as one of our achievements to date.

So why should you support ACV ? Job’s done isn’t it?

No, not yet. The Council have not yet approved the application, but also we want as many signatures as possible. Why? To show you agree with us that the Valley is the Pride of South London, the epitomy of a club that rebuilt itself after flirting with extinction.

The Valley encapsulates that history and anyone who would consider discarding that without a thought must need their head seeing to. We do not believe ACV is a cast iron guarantee. The legislation is new and needs strengthening - but we feel it is a major first step.

Perhaps more significant is the petition that supports it. The more fans that support this, the bigger the impact of the recognition. It will show that we do not take our home for granted, but instead take great pride in it. So please take this opportunity to show your affection for our home, and acknowledge all the effort that went towards restoring it way beyond its former glories. It may be a piece of paper in the end, but the names on it are those of the flesh and blood, loud and proud, proper generations of fans (and voters) who want a say in the future of our club, and where it belongs.

You can sign the petition online here www.

CASTtrust.org/ValleyACV

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Asset of Community Value Last week we welcomed the news Much has been written about the that Anfield had been granted Asset strengths and weaknesses of the of Community Value status, taking legislation contained in the Localism the number of stadia in England with Act which created the ACV powers. this distinction to four. This brings the Clearly there are multiple situations Scousers into (a probably unhappy) which could see Charlton leaving the union with their Manchester United Valley without a “sale event”. In a supporting counterparts who sucrecent example Coventry City have left cessfully lobbied Trafford Council to the Ricoh Arena and been shunted out designate the Theatre of Dreams (and to Northampton without any property dodgy decisions against Charlton) an sale taking place – ACV status would Asset of Community Value last month. have been impotent in this situation.

We hope to report at Despite giving them the opsome point in September portunity to escape Coventry If anyone that the Valley is stadium for a few hours every other would like number five to benefit Saturday this doesn’t seem further from recognition as an to have gone down particuasset of our community, clarification larly well with the Sky Blues but we need your help to faithful. That is because our then please make that happen. football stadia are more than contact us just property - they are our Since originally announchomes – perhaps homes to ing our plans to seek ACV which we have a greater atstatus for the Valley in July we’ve had tachment than even the roof over our overwhelming support. The number of heads. That is why ACV is important. people joining the Trust since that date Not for the things it cannot do to give numbers in the hundreds and the petiAddicks a say in the future of the Valley tion (http://www.castrust.org/petitionbut for the opportunities it does give valley-acv-campaign/) has well over a us. Opportunities which we do not thousand signatories. In our attempts have at the moment. to remain democratic the petition included the option not to support Charlton fans are an ingenious bunch. the proposal – an option which has From the early founders of the Valley only been taken up by one individual (described on page 10) to those who thus far. Of course we salute him for got out and fought to return our club exercising his right to have a say on the to its rightful home in 1992. We use future of the Valley, which is ironically the tools that are available to us and, the intention of the ACV proposal. as the prospect of Parliament passing

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News a “Charlton Athletic at the Valley Act 2013” any time soon are pretty remote, we need to use the legislation which is available to us and in this case the most effective legislation we can leverage to give us some kind of say in the future of the Valley is to have our ground designated an Asset of Community Value under the Localism Act 2011.

The campaign to have the Valley designated an ACV has been hard work so far but the progress that we’re making has made it worthwhile. From the outset it involved a lot of effort in clarifying exactly what an ACV is, what ACV status means and why the Valley is an ACV – we’ve tried to do that as clearly and as concisely as we can but of course if anyone would like further clarification then please contact us and we’d be more than happy to respond.

One of the first tasks we undertook after announcing our intention was to visit Parliament where we met with Clive Efford (MP for Eltham and Shadow Minister for Sport). Clive was chairing an open meeting discussing governance in football and the powers created under the Localism Act featured heavily. Mr Efford has fully supported our campaign and was one of the first to do so. He has even discussed the possibility of expanding the powers “to go further and give fans a statutory role as consultees should any attempt be made to close the ground or move to a new one” and of course we would welcome the strengthening of the Localism Act in this way.

We have also met with the team

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from the Royal Borough of Greenwich responsible for maintining the list of Greenwich community assets.

They seemed impressed with the fact that the club are actively supporting our bid to have the Valley recognised as an ACV. So far we are the first Trust who have secured the support of the stadium’s owners, and Charlton COO Steve Bradshaw publicly stated “there are no current plans to move stadium, and of course we would always give fans the opportunity to have their say in the event that such a situation arose, so the club would support proposals that would formalise this right to consultation”.

Added to that we’ve had stalls at the Club Day and the slightly rainier illfated game against Doncaster Rovers last week where we have picked up an impressive number of signatures.

There is still a long way to go. We need more signatures to ensure our voice is as loud as possible - so loud that Greenwich Council cannot ignore us. The Valley is an asset in their community and the Borough should recognise that fact accordingly. We need more members. If you agree with what the Trust is doing, even if you don’t but you agree that Charlton supporters deserve some form of voice within their own club, then please part with just £5 a year and we will continue to work as hard as we have been to try our best to ensure that Charlton Athletic are here for this generation and for your children and your children’s children.

That starts by giving us a say over the Politicians & decison makers from a wide future of our home. range have all

by Craig Sloman supported the ACV.

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Question: W What is a an Asset of Community Value (ACV) ?

Under the 2011 Localism Act community organisations such as CASTrust were given the ability to nominate an asset (in this case the Valley) to be included on a list of “assets of community value”. If accepted, the Valley would be placed on a list of assets considered to be of value to our community.

Why is the Valley an Asset of Community Value ?

Charlton Athletic delivers both social value and community benefit to Greenwich, South London, Northwest Kent and, more broadly, as an integral part of the local area. The Club’s history in the borough goes back to its founding in 1905 and, perhaps more so than any other stadium in England, the Valley represents what can be achieved through supporter activism. Since our return in December 1992 the club has turned the Valley into a focal point for the local community What is the effect of ACV status for the Valley ?

If the Valley achieved ACV status then any owner of the ground wishing to

sell the Valley must tell the Borough Council, who will in turn inform CASTrust. This will give CASTrust or another community group six months to prepare a bid before the Valley can be sold. ACV status will essentially give us forewarning of any plan to sell the Valley.

Does ACV status for the Valley stop the owners of the ground selling it to who they want ?

No. ACV status would create the obligation to tell CASTrust in the event of a plan to sell the Valley and would provide a maximum of a six month window in which CASTrust could table a bid to purchase the Valley, but even if CASTrust tabled a bid to buy the ground there would be no obligation to sell. The owners of the ground could sell to whomsoever they like and for whatever price they wish after the six month period.

Have there been any examples of football stadia being successfully nominated as ACV ?

Yes. Manchester United, Liverpool, Oxford United and Nuneaton Borough supporters trusts successfully nominated their home grounds as Assets of Community Value. No applications for

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What is ACV ?

ACV status for a professional football stadium have been turned down so far.

Are you against the current owners?

CASTrust has so far enjoyed a good, positive relationship with the current owners of the club, as evidenced by the joint communication which was issued a couple of months ago which was a huge success for the Trust. We see no reason why the ACV nomination should change this relationship.

If the owner doesn’t have to accept a bid from CASTrust what is the point of securing ACV status ?

ACV does not compel the owner of the Valley to sell the ground to the Trust. The purpose of ACV status for the Valley is that, should the owner of the ground ever attempt to sell the ground, the supporter base would be notified and given up to a maximum of six months to organise ourselves and possibly make a bid to take control of the Valley. This of course offers the dual benefits of forewarning of an intention to sell our most precious asset which holds a special resonance to Addicks everywhere and also gives us the opportunity to bid for the Valley.

by Craig Sloman

Above: One of the ocuments lodged with Greenwich Council showing the area defined as ‘Charlton Athletic ‘

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News Chris Powell and his men left the pitch. The Addicks had completed a second half mauling of rockbottom Bristol City as Yann Kermorgant inspired a 4-1 victory. A rousing post -match speech from the gaffer followed and, with the scorching late run of form, Charlton appeared to be ready for pushing onwards and upwards during the 2013/14 season.

Fast forward three months to August and a large portion of May’s optimism has been sapped from the supporters. Rumour of a second successive summer of backroom unrest has once again left manager Chris Powell between a rock and a hard place. WrightPhillips, Haynes, Fuller, Taylor, and Wagstaff have all moved on to new clubs as their contracts expired and Button has also departed.

Despite this, Mark Gower signed on a free transfer shortly after the season’s close while Richard Wood impressed on trial and was awarded a one year deal.

Cedric Evina signed a one year contract extension.

Other pre-season trialists included the striking duo of Adamo Coulibaly and Simon Church, the former regrettably choosing to join Lens in France rather than the mighty Addicks.

With a lack of early signings, it appeared that this could perhaps be the season that the club’s youth products begin to make their mark on the senior XI. Nothing could illustrate that better than the opening pre-season fixture at Park View Road. Welling United were brushed aside 5-0 in a commanding display, with young marksman Joe Pigott grabbing a hat trick as he led the line alongside every Addick’s favourite Frenchman.

A tour of Spain followed, with comprehensive two and four nil victories over a Gibraltar XI and St. Mirren respectively, with all members of the first team squad getting a suitable number of minutes under their belts.

Meanwhile, a youth XI starring Diego Poyet, Ade

Powell & the year ahead

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News Azeez as well as last year’s U21 captain Bradley Jordan overcome a tough test in Maidstone United to record 2-1 victory. .

A tough fixture at AFC Wimbledon ( a 1-1 draw ) preceded away trips to League Two Portsmouth and Dagenham & Redbridge. Charlton got back to winning ways as they came away with two comfortable victories to nil. A first team was beginning to take with key players such as Chris Solly, Michael Morrison and Yann Kermorgant playing upwards of 60 minutes in each fixture.

With just a week of pre-season remaining, Colin Powell’s testimonial match took the spotlight as Inverness Caledonian Thistle visited the Valley.

Unfortunately, the only home fixture of pre-season resulted in what was also the only defeat. Inverness did a good job of nullifying the Addicks threat and got their reward when Josh Meekings scored under pressure to send the dedicated away support into raptures.

Three days before the new season, the Addicks were finally able to bolster their forward line with the signing of Simon Church as well as the impressive addition of England U21 and Team GB star Marvin Sordell on season long loan from Bolton Wanderers. It may have come a little too late for the following Saturday however, as Sordell put in an unfamiliar performance alongside Kermorgant at Bournemouth.

Charlton struggled at Eddie Howe’s newly promoted Cherries and it was reflected in the 2-1 scoreline. Bradley Pritchard’s sending off did not help matters. With an unconvincing display on the south coast, the League Cup provided Powell with an ideal opportunity to field fringe players hoping to stake a claim for a first team place.

Those fringe players most certainly did that. Simon Church and Joe Pigott worked well in tandem up front while Cedric Evina provided a threat down the left wing. Another youth product - Jordan Cousins - offered additional energy and endeavour with his short cameo performance, earning a spot kick which his U21 colleague Joe Pigott converted for his first senior goal to complete a 4-0 rout.

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Keep your eye on our youth prospects. Their role may be vital as the season develops. Jordan Cousins and Joe Pigott have already staked great claims for places. Expect Nick Pope, Morgan Fox and Ade Azeez to follow suit, amongst others.

It is frustrating that the Addicks haven’t been able to follow that result with their first league victory of the campaign. A sloppy performance against Middlesbrough was suitably punished as Mowbray’s men took their first away win of 2013, and nothing seemed to have changed when a ragged first half performance at Barnsley followed.

However, the Addicks scrambled their first point of the season after fighting back from two goals down largely thanks to the impact of Jordan Cousins, who grabbed his first senior goal with a well placed volley.

This was followed by the Doncaster wash-out. Even though many believe we might have won the game over ninety minutes, there were still far too many errors for comfort.

Fans are struggling to understand why, after such a good finish to last term, this season is so far proving a much tougher task. It is apparent that the squad is unsettled and unable to fully commit to the job at hand.

Some have suggested that, with too many players contracts expiring in the summer of 2014, commitment could be lacking based on job insecurity. One injury at this stage could end a career.

All in all, it’s a tricky path we have to navigate this season. This writer is hoping that our Addicks won’t suffer from second season syndrome and can effectively inject the energy and enthusiasm of youth to surprise a few teams. It would certainly be unrealistic to expect a play-off challenge, based on developments of the last three months.

But there is hope! With the transfer window still yet to close, there could be some activity yet at Sparrows Lane, although the pessimists might suggest that may mean outgoings rather than incomings.

by Callum Miles

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A nomadic club built its home using volunteers Yes, we’ve heard that before, but actually it wasn’t the 1990s. It was in 1919 nearly 100 years ago. A group of volunteers literally hewed the pitch from the side of the chalk pitted hill. Until that point we had had no ground to call home since our foundation in 1905

1905 Club Formed 1919 Pitch dug, first game played at the Valley 1922 First stand built a year after the club were elected to the Football League

1923 Brief period at Catford Mount 1936 Record League Attendance vs Arsenal 68,160 1938 Record Attendance vs Aston Villa FA Cup 5th round 75, 031 1947-1949 Charlton win FA Cup, and highest average attendance reaches a record 40,216, 1960s East Terrace is biggest stand in the country holding up to 30,000, official capacity 70,000 1976 Loudest Rock Concert Ever – The Who 1977 Capacity reduced to 20,000 due to Safety at Grounds Act 1981 Capacity reduced further to 13,000 for safety reasons 1983-4 Club is forced into administration. A new company is formed under Mark Hulyer but the ground is left under ownership of Michael Glikstein.

1985 After repairs are considered too costly Charlton take up the first official ground share in the Football League at Selhurst Park and leave the Valley to become derelict. The first many fans

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knew of this was when they received a piece of paper handed out at The Valley just four weeks before the departure.

1988 The Valley & Charlton Athletic are once more united under joint ownership, but despite a valiant clean-up effort culminating in a large bonfire in the middle of the pitch, the ground cannot be reopened and Greenwich Council oppose plans to return 1990 Valley Party formed and takes part in local election winning nearly 15,000 votes, persuading Greenwich Council to drop opposition to a return 1991 Upton Park ground share 1992 Charlton return after volunteers help restore the Valley.

Capacity 8,337 including restored Covered End, Jimmy Seed, and temporary West Stand. The East stand remains derelict.

1994 Capactity 15,800 after East Stand opened adding 6,000 seats 1999 Capacity 20,000. Charlton’s return to a renamed top flight allows building of the West Stand 2001 Capactity reaches 27,100 after a second tier is added to the Covered End. 2002 Onwards: plans are made to increase the Valley to a 40,000 capacity by adding a tier to the East Stand and rebuilding the whole south end. However the demands of staying in the Premier League stifle investment and the club eventually slips out of the top flight.

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A COMMUNIT

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UNITY ASSET

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Former CAFC chairman Martin Simons - a man who came to the club on its return to the Valley and was at the helm during the glory years – became CAS Trust member number 500 last month and spoke exclusively to us about his time at the club and how he sees the the role of supporters.

SIMONS

Martin was well known for Martin was very disappointed supporting Charlton not only about the Scott Parker with a large amount of his transfer to Chelsea. I asked money but also with his heart him if Scott’s contract allowed and all his emotional energy. him to speak to another club I asked him how he first got higher than Charlton. “No, involved. “I was working in and at the time Charlton the oil industry and I was also were above Chelsea anyway. a name at Lloyds where I got I had just turned down £10m to know Roger and had told Alwyn. He a journalinvited me for ist Scott Martin was well lunch one day would not and suggested be leaving. known for supI might buy a Then Curbs porting Charlton share in the walked in club. I was and said: ‘You not only with a also a friend of might want large amount of Richard Murto reconsider ray, and, when his money but also that. He’s I told him I just walked with his heart was consideraway from ing a share in training saying Charlton, he he doesn’t expressed an interest as well, want to play for us any more’. even though he was a Wolves I was stunned. He was an fan. Roger Alwyn was deessential part of the team. A lighted. I was lucky in that the dynamic player who we had Premiership years happened developed. But Chelsea had while I was chairman of the offered him more than double football club”. his Charlton salary of £19k

a week. I found it very hard to swallow, particularly as I had said he was not leaving. It was a pivotal moment for us.

We were riding high and then things began to dissolve. Yes, we got a few more million for him but they only really wanted him because he was a pivotal player for us. I think his career suffered. Erikkson wanted him in the England team but only if he was playing regular football. It was obvious he was not going to be a starter in that squad and I think it derailed his career until later on” I asked Martin about joining CAS Trust and the role of supporters in the club. “I think it is imperative that the fans have a say in the club. We saw that when we returned to the Valley. Of course, when there is financially sensitive information there has to be an understanding that it can’t be for public consumption. Having a fan on the board showed

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ONS SAID What about the debt owed to some of the ex- directors if the club are promoted to the Premier League ? “Yes”, confirmed Martin, “there is a bond which I think is payable

photography: ken Sinyard

that we had nothing to hide – that the fans could trust us”

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“I think it is imperative that the fans have a say in the club. We saw that when we returned to the Valley” over a few years, but I would not be a beneficiary of that. I have no financial connection with the club at all any more.

He seemed very relaxed about the financial situation: “Well, it is the nature of the business.

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photography: ken Sinyard

But the idea of spending 130% of your turnover on wages is irresponsible. I have nothing against players earning what they do, but if it distorts things that much it is unsustainable” I could have spent hours talking to Martin. His passion for Charlton Athletic is still there.

The money, time and energy he put into the club means

“Yes, we got a few more million for him but they only really wanted him because he was a pivotal player for us” On Scott Parker

that all supporters are in his debt. He is still co-chair of the CAFC Race Equality Partnership with Greenwich Council and he and his wife are very involved with fundraising for the Upbeats with a forthcoming quiz night. I promised that CAS Trust would take a table.

by Ken Sinyard

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wss ew N Ne

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Membership Form Your Details First Name

Last Name

Date of Birth

Email Address

Address

I wish to join the Charlton Athletic Supporters’ Trust as a: Junior Member-Under 16( Free)-You must be under 16 Full Member (£5)- You must be over 16 and payment must be enclosed with this form The fee is for 1 years full membership and entitles the member to 1 years access to our members section and includes a Membership e-Certificate, Ownership of £1Share (whilst a paid member) and AGM rights. The fee is non-refundable, but membership can be cancelled at any time

Signature

Date

I enclose a cheque for£

Optional Information Internet How did you find us?

Leaflet Are you a Charlton Athletic season ticket holder?

Which stand do you normally sit in?

North

Word of Mouth Yes No East

West

CAS Trust,c/o The Beehive 365 Footscray Road London SE9 2DR The Charlton Supporters’ Trust is registered in England and Wales as the Charlton Supporters Society Limited. Industrial and Provident Socirty number 31912R

THE CHARLTON ATHLETIC SUPPORTERS’ TRUST

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It’s all about you

survey3

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CAST survey number three was gratefully supported with promotion from CAFC and was by far the biggest yet. With over 2250 responses we wonder if it is one of the largest football fan surveys around?

Many of you may ask what is the purpose of these surveys?

Primarily we want to get a better idea about CAFC’s fan base generally and what fans’ views are on the big issues that affect us today, and what you think a Trust should be doing.

This helps us tailor what we do and can also help with marketing .

Although we offered some great incentives this time around (see picture of season ticket winner on page 23) we’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to take part

the fan base overall…

55% of you were season ticket holders, 15% regular walk up fans and nearly 30% go occasionally often through borrowing a ticket or buying special offers.

50% of respondents say they have been going to the Valley since before we left in 1985. Just 7% first started going when we played at Selhurst. 19% first visited in the years before we were first promoted to the Premier League.

15% came along when we were playing at the top level. 8% have started going since after we were relegated from the Premier League.

Nearly 20% of respondents are Valley Gold members with another 8% wanting to know more.

We have passed their details across to Wendy Perfect who runs the admin for Valley Gold.

Who, How, What, When & Where?

Before looking at the answers you gave let’s examine who answered which gives a good indication of

We asked you for the first two digits of your postcode and there is an interesting mix across the whole of the South East:

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22% Dartford 18% SE London 10% Bromley 8% Tonbridge 7% Rochester 4% Canterbury 2% Redhill 2% Brighton Our final question about you was where you use the Web to find out about Charlton.

2% don’t use the web and over 90% of fans use CAFC. co.uk. But the interesting stat here is that Charlton Life is used by 28% and that the Trust website usage is up from 6% to 9% in just three months.

Your Views We asked your opinions about three main areas: 1.Improving match day experience There was strong support for having more drinks outlets, more trained bar staff and a wider range of drinks. There was less interest in being able to pre-order half time drinks and keeping the bars and catering outlets open after the match.

2.How should CAFC move forward ?

The interesting thing here is that while a massive 90% of fans believe that we should offer Chris Powell a new contract and a large majority believe in investing in the academy, fans are much less sure

about spending big on a few new players. In fact allowing for possible 5-10% error the fans are almost neutral on this, whereas they do believe in attracting new investment.

3. What should CAS Trust prioritise ?

Respondents were broadly positive about all of the things that the Trust is looking to do and, once again, building the relationship with the club comes out near the top. This is happening every month and the club recognise that the Trust is expanding all the time – from 100 members to 650 now and from a network of 1,000 fans on email and Twitter to over 3,000 … and growing!

While the Trust have been active in researching CAFC finances and those of other Championship clubs we are determined to do more than that. We are actively looking at how we can help the club with surveys and campaigns around raising the gates and improving services to make it better for fans AND to improve revenue

which can only help the club.

Over 65% of fans think that they should have some choice when a new kit is decided upon which is something else the club might consider to help fans feel more involved.

There were many, many comments left by fans and we have written to a number of them individually. Nearly 100 have responded by joining up! So you can see the general message evolving: we listen to you and pass that on to the club… more fans subscribe and join the Trust… we get bigger numbers on our website and surveys… and the club listen more… together we can crack this and look to make tangible improvements to your experience and hopefully to the club’s bottom line which needs to improve each and every year. Once we engage further with the club we can ask more pointed questions about Saturday afternoon and we might even point the microscope at ourselves and ask fans what they think of the Trust.

by Kevin Messere

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e h t n ca ment r e ? l v l o g ba t o o f t u o t sor Political intervention in football has always been resisted by fans. It is supposed to be the game of the people and governed by the people. The prospect of men in Westminster who spent their youth playing rugby at England’s finest private schools attempting to legislate on the working man’s sport seems anathema.

This attitude has more often than not been adopted by those whose primary role is the running of the game namely the Football Association, Premier League and Football League. They too have on many occasions adopted a laissez faire attitude, and rules designed to improve governance are often sporadically implemented and observed.

One of the first pieces of legislation relating to football actually pre-dates the United Kingdom. In 1424, during the rule of James I of Scotland, it was handed down that “the king forbiddis that na man play at the fut ball under the payne of iiij”. This can be interpreted as “football is illegal”. This act wasn’t repealed until the early 20th century, although, after this month’s friendly at Wembley, many Scots will have wished it was still enforced.

And thus a pattern was set that, when it comes to football, governance is often about placing restrictions. In more recent times we have seen the introduction of allseater stadia in the top flight – a result of the intervention of Government following the Hillsborough tragedy.

The laws regarding all-seater stadia derive from section 11 of the Football Spectators Act 1989 which was intended to force clubs in the top two divisions to convert

their stadia to all-seater venues,. although it has only been fully implemented for the top tier.

Many think that standing itself is illegal. It isn’t – the law simply states that the clubs need to provide seats for all supporters in the stadium. It isn’t against the law not to sit in the seat provided, but it will invariably be against ground regulations which is a civil rather than criminal matter.

The rights and wrongs of all-seater stadia could warrant an article of their own, but safe to say football by itself was never going to get its house in order. England’s all-seater stadia are now considered amongst the finest in the world and those standards are a large piece of the package which is sold to the world as the Premier League.

If we view the legislation introduced in previous years as placing restrictions on football because those in charge of our game are too slow or simply incapable of creating effective rules, then we should recognise that the winds of change are blowing. Legislative intervention should be a last resort, but we now need that assistance once again. This time, rather than requirements which restrict what can and can’t be done, parts of the establishment are recognising the need to incorporate greater fan representation in the running of the game and the administration of football clubs in England.

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News The need is real, and its causes boil down to that one thing that lies at the root of many of our society’s issues - money.

In an excellent essay on the need for improved governance in football Stuart Farquhar found “if the revenue streams attached to winning increase relative to not winning, there might be considerable encouragement to clubs to gamble on success, even when this risks sound business practice. In this respect the governance of clubs (firms) in football is a very important aspect” (from Farquhar et all: ‘Governance and football: an examination of the relevance of corporate governance regulations for the sports sector’) The financial rewards for getting to the top flight in this country have led to the commoditisation of football. Clubs are bought and sold as futures (investments which may provide a large income in the future) and debt is often accumulated which is unserviceable if and when that large income isn’t realised (i.e. when the team isn’t promoted to the Premier League or suffers relegation from the Premier League). There have been many examples of teams going bust because they cannot meet the costs of remaining competitive outside of the Premier League, and the temptation to wipe out all your troubles by gambling on Premier League status is often all too enticing.

The problem is that football, and specifically football clubs, are not mere commodities to be bought and sold like any other financial instrument. Football clubs carry with them a value which cannot be measured by a share price. They carry an importance to the people who love them like a family member and to their communities to whom they offer trade, services and a source of local pride.

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Fans are already stakeholders in their clubs.

They hold a huge financial

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stake as almost exclusively the only customers of the “business”. CASTrust research shows that this custom is worth £5m plus to Charlton Athletic. And now it seems as though governments in this country and abroad are beginning to realise this, and are formulating legislation which will attempt to enshrine supporters ‘ position of influence within their clubs.

In the UK there is an ongoing Football Governance Enquiry via a cross party review group. The committee chair John Whittingdale MP said: “The Government has said that it will encourage the reform of football governance rules to support the cooperative ownership of football clubs by supporters, and there is widespread concern that the current governance arrangements are not fit-for-purpose.”

On the continent this change in political approach is also being recognised with the European Commission stating in their 2007 White Paper on Sport that the “supporter movement’s contribution to active citizenship and democracy can be strengthened through official recognition at club level. A formalised involvement of supporters can reinforce the governance and financial stability of clubs.” .

So, if Government is now alert to the need to improve governance across the game to facilitate greater supporter involvement, how will this manifest itself ? Well, there is no sign on the horizon that the game’s governing bodies will take action any time soon. Thus we are left to rely on legislation.

Currently making its way through Parliament is a Bill “to reform the governance of football in England to make it more transparent and accountable; to ensure fair financial dealings between professional football clubs and their supporters”. How the Bill, if it gains royal assent, will achieve its aims is still unclear. However, what is obvious is that any help it can offer to improve supporters’ representation will be far more welcome than the sort of intervention fans of our game encountered back in 1424.

by Craig Slowman

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News

chairman’s report Club day came and went and was a great opportunity for the Charlton family to get together. Along with all that it was a great opportunity for us to get some practice at running a stall, and we hope to repeat this before matches, particularly while the weather is good.

It does tend to rain every time we plan this though, so apologies for that in advance.

of many grounds: The Dell, Highbury, the Baseball Ground, Roker Park, Ayresome Park, The Den, and more recently Maine Road to name a few.

In the last decade the postmillennium redevelopment of the North Greenwich Peninsula, and more recently the Council’s plans for an arena on the waterfront have prompted comment on the stadium’s

Also during June and July we achieved a whopping average 14 thousand hits on our website - probably aided by coverage of the new kit launches and launch of the ACV for the Valley campaign.

On that topic, perhaps I am biased but the Valley must be up there in the list of iconic English football grounds, as well as being unique in many respects. In its distant past it was for some time the biggest ground in English football; and more recently it survived decay and neglect, and like a flame that refused to be blown out, it rose like a phoenix from the ashes - an example of everything that is good about a football club.

It has survived the winds of change brought by the Taylor report which has seen the loss

Barnie Razell CASTrust chairman with Andrews MD Paul Wood at the Valley Club day future. For some The Valley is just a little too far from the epicentre of that windswept brown field reclamation area that would apparently allow it to be used for as a multipurpose venue - something that is expected of many of

our football grounds in today’s commercial landscape. For others, I suspect the emotional link would be more difficult to lose, not to mention the benefits of the natural amphitheatre effect of the chalk pitted hill - the Valley stadium wrapping around providing both physical and emotional comfort from those winds.

Back to commercial realities.

With club losses in the region of £5-6m again this year (we estimate) the club can only cut spending or increase revenues further if it wants to forge a sustainable future, particularly with the gradual onset of Financial Fair Play which forces clubs to move towards break even.

If there is some way we - a supporters’ trust - and fans can assist in closing this gap I believe we must endeavour to do so. If you look at the success of clubs like Brighton, I think it shows it is achievable. They have come from homelessness and low crowds to the efficient well run and full stadium they now enjoy. The Valley isn’t just an asset to the community; it is an asset to Charlton Athletic Football Club. We must divert our energy to that cause. We, my fellow Addicks, must fill the Valley!

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TRUST ART: For CAFC fans who wear their hearts on their shirts.

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CAS Trust’s very own Stig has designed three stunning limited edition T shirts that no self-respecting Addick could be seen without.

The two designs – based on the classic Mona Lisa and the Banksy balloon girl – are an iconic fashion accessory for every Charlton supporter who likes to be thought of as stylish.

Produced by a local printing firm at £10 (free p&p), You can wear them with pride or frame them- they look that good.

So grab yourself a piece of art.

Enquiries and orders at secretary@ castrust.org

Board Barnie Razzell Craig Sloman Richard Wiseman Kevin Messerre Math Morrison Ken Sinyard Richard Hicks Jonathan Bangs Web designer - David Hall Contributors: Editorial - Barnie Razzell illustrations - Stig Design, Layout, photos - Ken Sinyard Additonal photos - CAFC. and Getty Images

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