Another club in Roland's much vaunted network has been sold, Madrid suburban side Alcorcon. There is certain symmetry in the fact that the purchaser is someone who has a stake in another suburban side, Crystal Palace. At this rate Charlton could be the last network club standing.
The purchaser is Josh Harris who owns a 18 per cent stake in Palace. The price paid for the Spanish second division side is unknown, as is whether it will have any relationshp with Palace: Roland's latest sale
Roland's representative Lieven De Turck suggested last night that the English Football League can buy Charlton. How can the Football League buy one of its own clubs?
What is needed is for Roland to set a realistic price for the club. There are buyers out there. Even Yeovil Town has been sold to an American investor.
Not surprisingly, the Fans' Forum unanimously rejected the 'thinking outside the box' proposal.
Richard Cawley of the SLP has tweeted about the meeting: 'Just the same old lines trotted out about people being credible buyers - the same ones who have been on the scene for an eternity. Pretty insulting that they just keep feeding out the tired and insignificant scraps of non-info.
Louis Mendez has commented: 'How on earth did Lieven De Turck take that proposal to the Fans Forum with a straight face. Either he also doesn’t know what he’s talking about or he isn’t doing what everybody has to do in their job sometimes - some upwards management. Tell Roland it doesn’t make any sense.'
The notes from the meeting are available here: Fans forum
Roland has now demanded that the EFL buy the club citing changes in financial fair play rules, 'sometimes criminal' fan protests and fake news: Owner's demand
Roland Duchatelet has lost his first place in the worst owners league voted on by fans, being overtaken by Owen Oyston and Mike Ashley: Worst owners
His ratings were: Communication: 1.09/10; Finance: 1.62/10; Football Operations: 1.17/10; Stadium development/upkeep: 2.71/10; Treatment of fans: 1.05/10; Transparency: 1.09/10.
Against League 3 comment, 'Last years winner for “Worst Owner” retains a podium place for 2018, with Charlton Athletic still reeling from the damage inflicted by their absentee, water-rationing, bonus-witholding Belgian owner.'
129 Charlton fans responded to the survey.
I have been listening to Roland Duchatelet being interviewed on Talksport, not helped by the fact that it kept cutting out online. We do better at Radio Scilly! However, he didn't really say anything new. There is a Part 2 to come, but I doubt whether it will be very revealing.
It was really the same old line: relationships with the fans were spoilt by poor communication, and protests by the fans were stopping the club being sold. Asked why he didn't sort out the communications team, he said that Katrien did make some changes. As I recall, that involved the departure of experienced and trusted staff. It was the message that was the problem, not the way that it was conveyed.
VOTV editor and former comms supremo Rick Everitt has commented: 'but chose to have no head of comms for two years from time he arrived. When one was finally appointed she walked out after seven weeks because of his incoherent public rant at fans after the Boro game.'
Roland denied that he was involved in team matters, saying he didn't have the time but 'my people did suggest to play in some ways'. Presumably that included the likes of Thomas Dreisen.
On Chris Wilder, Richard Cawley of the SLP has tweeted, 'RD blaming Wilder for not coming on negative reaction from fans - and mentions Charlton Life messageboard - over his appointment. My understanding has always been he played off Charlton interest with knowledge Sheffield United situation was developing.' Anyway, Cawley added, 'Also on Wilder, he had the chance to go to Sheffield United or Charlton - a very easy decision when you looked at the state of both clubs at that point.'
Former pitch announcer Big Dave Lockwood has tweeted: 'Less than 2 minutes in and he's lying already. I know he interfered in team selection, I've seen the emails!'
Asked if he was scared to go to The Valley, Roland said that he wasn't, but there were times when it wouldn't have been very appealing. As we know, he enjoys a 'live feed' (of moules et frites).
On the bonuses issue, Roland said that the club had made a huge loss and it was not normal to pay bonuses in such circumstances as the word bonus meant 'extra'. Well, perhaps it does in Flemish, but my understanding was that the bonuses were not linked to profit targets. Apparently the 'contractual' bonuses have been paid, but not the 'discretionary' one.
Roland confirmed that Charlton still represented two per cent of his business empire.
Roland said that he had decided that he had to tell 'the truth' and he didn't care how people reacted, the interviewer having suggested that Charlton fans hated him, later adding that they were decent people too. This exchange would seem to imply that Roland had been economical with the actualité in the past.
Roland claimed that it was not easy to sell a club during 'the competition' as potential buyers reacted to wins or losses. It's difficult to believe that a 1-0 loss at Rochdale would lead a serious buyer to demand a discount.
Roland argued that the protests were a real problem for a new owner. The interviewer suggested that as he was a wealthy individual why didn't he just sell the club. In a bizarre conclusion, Roland kept repeating 'That's what I tried to do.' But at a realistic price?
In an interview with Talksport, Roland Duchatelet has said he feels guilty and sad for the fans, but emphasises that Charlton is not his life. Once again he insists the main problem was one of poor communication rather than daft decisions.
This is just a trailer and the full interview will be available tomorrow.
One way to expunge any feelings of guilt would be to sell the club at a reasonable price.
The English Football League has held its meeting with Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet. The meeting did not take place in London, but in Brussels.
Richard Cawley of the SLP has been trying to get information from the EFL Press Office for 48 hours, but without success. On Thursday he tweeted that they would not be issuing a statement on the meeting at this time.
The EFL did issue a statement in August, albeit a rather brief one, saying that the meeting was going to take place.
The statement did point out 'In the context of any debate relating to operational decisions taken by a club, it is important to make the point that these matters are determined by the individual Boards and Executive teams at each our 72 member clubs.'
CAS Trust had what they regarded as a productive meeting with the EFL which did confirm that there is still documentation to be submitted by the Australians: Productive meeting
The new book by Michael Calvin State of Play reproduces a long interview with Karl Robinson in which the former Charlton manager explains the 'principles' with which he approaches the task of management. It is hardly profound and illuminating, but Calvin describes Robinson as 'young but hugely experienced. A progressive coach, a developer rather than a dictator.'
What it doesn't mention is that 'Gobby' couldn't keep his mouth shut, although he could always talk a good game, even if any resemblance between his remarks and what happened on the pitch was largely coincidental.
Apparently, Robinson phoned Calvin from a M25 traffic jam to say he was on his way out. It would seem that Lee Bowyer had asked Harry Kewell, his former Leeds teammate, about rumours that the Australian consortium intended to bring in Kewell as manager. As it happened, Kewell turned out to be a mirage like Skippy the kangaroo who was supposed to be the new mascot.
However, Calvin reckons that once Kewell confirmed his interest, Robinson's fate was sealed.
The author does acknowledge that Charlton is a club with 'impassioned support [much reduced], a productive youth policy [certainly for selling on] and a viable chance of promotion.'
Calvin also gives it large to Roland, describing his as a 'disrespectful, contemptuous form of investment.' Robinson told him: 'When I came into the club I was told that it was only 1 per cent of his life. His concept was, "I've got millions in this business, and millions in that business. I've got so many other things to take care of." That's immediately translated as "you don't really matter." So you've an owner that basically has said "You're nothing to my life."'
During Robinson's 16 months as supremo, Roland never attended a match and his much vaunted 'live feed' seem to consist of a helping of moules et frites. Robinson visited him twice and they spoke on the phone six times.
The Football League will be meeting Charlton to discuss the situation at the club early next month, but Roland Duchatelet will not be there: Duchatelet skips meeting
Instead he will be represented by sidekick Lieven De Turck. He has no official position at the club, but then very few people do at a senior level.
Of course, we all appreciate that Charlton is a very small and rather tiresome part of Roland's business empire with its disgruntled employees and ex-employees.
Lee Bowyer has briefly discussed the takeover with Roland, but did not derive any concrete information. Bowyer has no knowledge of the rumoured Usmanov bid, but that means nothing either way, as he would probably be the last person to be told.
This is the headline over a piece by Chris Dunlavy in today's Football League Paper. The paper has been giving it large to Roland for a few weeks now, so much so that one wonders if it has been infiltrated by the disgruntled Charlton ex-employees that figure so largely in Roland's version of reality.
Dunlavy writes, 'It was nice of Roland Duchatelet to ring Lee Bowyer - the millionaire [??] ex-Leeds United player - to ask if he was OK following last week's protests at Th Valley. Shame he didn't mention the minimum wage staff whose bonuses he withheld to see how they were getting on.
Yes, he's trying to sell the club. Allegedly. And, yes, the books reportedly show "a very bad financial year".
But the Belgian has a personal fortune of more than £400m. Refusing to pay a measly £50,000 of incentives to people who all need the money is spiteful and insensitive.
Duchatelet, who has made a hobby out of ruining football clubs, likes to frame himself as a crafty spendthrift bringing sanity to a crazy industry.'
In reality, he is merely a svelte Mike Ashley. a mean-spirited and ruthless bottom liner who will ride roughshod over the little man just to pinch a penny. Keep up the protests Charlton fans - the sooner this charlatan is gone, the richer the game will be.'
When are Dunlavy and the FLP going to come off the fence?
Also an interesting piece by disgruntled ex-employee Steve Sutherland here: When trust goes, what's left?
Roland Duchatelet has admitted in an interview with a Belgian publication that the football business does not suit him. It is too irrational. Investing in football was the mistake of his life.
Roland draws a parallel with his unsuccessful venture into politics, saying that in both politics and football emotions outweigh logical thinking. An alternative explanation is that Roland is not the visionary he thinks he is.
Certainly his later remarks about teachers and Portuguese who lay cobbles in Belgium would suggest this is the case. He is someone who has made a lot of money in business who thinks he can then sort out everything else.
Thanks to a translation by Heather McKinlay you can read the whole interview here: Roland's big mistake
Roland Duchatelet has told a Belgian publication that his employees 'have no complaints' - just as 'unscrupulous' English newspapers disclose that Charlton staff are in open revolt.
Protesting Charlton supporters 'do not know what really happened' claims Duchatelet. Rick Everitt notes that this is a man 'who has not attended a Charlton match in England since 2014 and did his most recent UK interview in early 2016.'
VOTV editor Everitt comments, 'At the heart of Duchatelet’s argument is always the same big lie - he was undone by a powerful conspiracy of supporters (and now media) and a raft of people who let him down from Chris Powell onwards, all pushing a separate agenda. He is just a victim.'
An interesting in depth look at the Duchatelet football empire from Hungary: Empire builders
A key to their approach is seen as reducing the staff to the absolute minimum possible on the cheapest wages possible. It doesn't matter if they know nothing about football. The same minimalist approach is taken to the squad. Focus on selling players.
Richard Cawley of the SLP has tweeted that at today's Charlton Athletic press conference Karl Robinson will make it clear that it is by no means guaranteed that there will be more signings of players in the January transfer window.
Cawley stated: 'Robinson's frustration pretty clear at that situation. Expected to be able to strengthen this month. But takeover talks means that it seems as if Roland Duchatelet is not ready to spend.'
Talking about rats leaving the sinking ship. Customer dissatisfaction will surely spike at this unwelcome news.
More from Richard Cawley here (he emphasises that this report is a work in progress): Unsure about signings
Robinson says there are six players he wants to bring in and four of them could walk through the door tomorrow if they could: Robinson's targets
He has subsequently said that due diligence is going. It seems that the mist truly has rolled in from the Thames. Robinson said: 'We're in a difficult place. I think we need to be told what's going on. We've been told they are looking to sell the club - I don't have much clarity on that.'
Roland Duchatelet is prepared to lower the asking price for Charlton Athletic after he realised that he was not going to get the £50m he wanted. He paid around £20m for the club in 2014.
It is suggested that Duchatelet was 'stunned' by the departure of chief executive Katrien Meire for the job of CEO at the Massives: Takeover talks continue
The question now is whether he will prepared to lower it enough to interest prospective purchasers.
With Andrew Muir and his Australian consortium reportedly granted a period of exclusivity in their bid for Charlton, what is known about the prospective owner? Voice of the Valley readers will already know something about him.
However, Football London has tried to find out more about him, although it wasn't an easy endeavour. They suggest that he is an 'out of the box' thinker and that Charlton fans need to be wary of him: Australian consortium
Of course, fans are so keen to escape the depredations of Roland that it is easy to throw caution to the winds. But at least he isn't a B or C list Chinese investor called Mr.F.Yu which was always a risk.
Reacting to the formation of a 'Roland Out' political party in Belgium, Roland Duchatelet has commented, 'another nasty upsetting of a small group of ex-CAFC supporters. It's a small minority that cannot find our policy, ninety per cent of the supporters do.' Yes, it's those disgruntled ex-employees pissing vinegar again.
The Daily Mail notes the absence of protests at The Valley, but points out this does not mean that fans are reconciled with Roland. They still want him to go and if a 'for sale' sign can be hung outside the ground at Blackpool, why not at Charlton: Happier Valley
Saturday's Voice of the Valley covered the completion of the due diligence process and the more than thirty issues it has thrown up, including complex technical ones such as sub-leases which will not be resolved quickly.
Rick Everitt has tweeted that it is time that the national media did some work on the real story and forced Charlton to make a statement.
This article from the Daily Mail does not say anything particular new, other than mentioning a £20m purchase price, and I suppose it will not convince sceptics that serious discussions are taking place with the Australian consortium. Of course, they could yet end in failure, but if this turned out to be the case, it would clear the way for other bidders: Duchatelet ready to sell up
Some of the comments from regime apologists on social media are to be expected, dismissing 'stupid rumours'. However, anyone who believes that 'all is good at our club' as a Facebook comment stated must have an unrivalled capacity for sticking their head in the sand.
One ordinary fan commented 'I support the club, I don't care who the owner is.' But if that owner make a series of poor choices about coaches and players, not to mention the chief executive, and wastes large sums of money in the process, that affects progress on the pitch, leaving to an avoidably long stay in League One.
VOTV editor Rick Everitt has updated his story on the potential takeover of Charlton: Takeover at advanced stage
I have been surprised (or perhaps not) at some of the reaction on social media to the Rickster's story. Admittedly, Rick Everitt does not hide his light under a bushel and he calls a spade a spade. However, I do not think he is attention seeking, nor is he desperate to sell extra copies of Voice of the Valley. Given its size and the quality of the paper, I doubt whether he makes any money out of it.
Some consider that a takeover would undermine a new found stability, but what that stability has largely consisted of is Roland sticking to his moules and frites and Katrien keeping a lower profile. Both are welcome developments in the sense that Karl Robinson has been given more autonomy. He has got us into the play off places, and should be safe under any new owners, but it is as well to remember that the play off places are a lottery with a one in four chance of winning.
Some cynics are saying 'we've been here before' and they won't believe it until they read it on the official site. That will be the last place the news will appear. Of course, this has been bubbling along under the surface for some time. I have been given information from time to time on the understanding that I do not directly use it. However, I think we are near an outcome one way or the other.
Rick Everitt has better sources than I do and the key paragraph in his updated story is the concluding one: 'I can report with certainty that the due diligence is at an advanced stage. While that does not guarantee a deal will be concluded or any timeline, it will necessarily have required extensive co-operation from the football club, which is unlikely to have been forthcoming without significant proof of funds and an indicative agreement on price. In short, the approach has to be a credible one and of interest to Duchatelet simply to have got this far.'
As the writer of the Drinking During the Game blog put it well, '[Rick Everitt] is a good judge of when it's safe to say something and when it isn't.' What I am also sure about is that Rick is Charlton through and through.
Former Charlton manager Guy Luzon is convinced that Charlton fans will warm to Roland Duchatelet if the club is promoted to the Championship this season which he thinks is sure to happen: Roland will win over fans
Let's hope he is right about the promotion, but it won't change my mind about Roland. I can't forget the bad decisions that were made, the pile of debt has been accumulated or the way that fans have been treated, not least by Katrien Meire. However, for many it is simply a results business.
Karl Robinson has said that Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet will back him with further signings in the January transfer window if the Addicks are in with a chance of promotion: Transfer guarantee
It's a shame this money could not have been made available at the beginning of the season, although Robinson says that it would have been a risk to make more signings then. However, it is difficult to get value in the January window when poor quality players are often on offer at inflated prices.
