I am open minded about this position, particularly as we now have a new owner who seems determined to reach out and communicate with the whole fanbase. In my opinion the successful candidate must possess two key attributes- they should be a lifelong Charlton fan, with a proven record of following the club home & away over a number of years - particularly in the lean times. That way they truly understand the mindset of those of us fans to whom the club means so much, and not just a vehicle for self promotion the successful candidate must also be able to demonstrate the ability to get on with all parts of our fanbase, and treat them with respect t. Put simply - does this person have a proven rapport and the respect of the “white van man” working class wing of our support, as well as the CARD / CAST / VOTV section.
Some have described him as part of the 'Looney Left' ... I think it was @Miketyson2007Junior ... but he is Charlton to the core!"
He ticks a lot of boxes. MT knows what it’s like to stand at Selhurst for a home game with 800 other hardcore Charlton fans. He knows what it’s like to trudge out of the likes of Rochdale at full time after a miserable defeat. He’s political but he would never dream of smearing fellow fans who disagree with him.
He also has his priorities right .... he treats a visit to SE7 as a good pi55 up in 'The Oak' with a game of football in the middle!
I think the role would require being sober at football matches, something he's vehemently opposed to...
He’s been having his say on social media this morning - he’s been pretty clear on who shouldn’t get the role
Name rings a bell ....does anyone know if he had a relative who worked for the club 70 years ago ? I could be mistaken. He doesn’t mention it much.
A dumb question if I may... What is the job of the fans' liason officer? What are they actually supposed to do? Is this person employed to communicate the owner's plans to the fans? Or are they also to communicate the fans' opinions to the owner? The former task does not need a Charlton fan at all. Just somebody who communicates well and comes across as sincere. The latter requires the same kind of skills, just from a member of CAST.
CAST is the job. Why else does it exist if not to liase between supporters and the owner? If the job needs a single person to do it, then logically that person is either the Chairperson of CAST or someone appointed by them. But I assume this Fans' Liason Officer will be an employee of CAFC. The Chairperson of CAST (or any other member) is not an employee of the Club. That would be a conflict of interest. It would make sense to me if the Club employed a fans' ambassador, who worked with an opposite but equal Club ambassador appointed by CAST. The two would hopefully be able to agree on issues arising, and be a strong tie between supporters and the Club. No disrespect intended to @The Punter’s Pal but his key attributes of the Liason officer candidate - particularly the second one in the original post - sounds like an impossible requirement. Which Charlton fan gets on well with the whole spectrum of groups within our fanbase, and respects (or has the respect of) the so-called 'working class' wing of supporters as well as the 'elite' (CARD - CAST - VOTV) elements? As far as I'm aware there is no such person, nor likely will ever be. Various different forums and groups exist, and have every right to. But there is only one 'formal' (for want of a better word) voice of Charlton supporters - the Supporters' Trust. Thomas Sandgaard is a great bloke, but he cannot have a permanent relationship with the whole fan base akin to two mates having a few pints together in the Oak or the Rose of Denmark. Each and every fan can praise or complain about what the Club does with his or her own voice. As it has always been and always will be. But good communication and clarity on complex issues and matters that are not clear cut (black & white, to use an old expression) requires a group to represent fans, which is CAST. The more Charlton fans who join CAST and have their say about how it is run and who is elected to run it, the better.
