Transfer Activity

After what seems like an eternity, well ok, I exaggerate, we have some transfer activity. Dailly and Randolph commit themselves to the cause - woo hoo. The grass, if indeed there ever was any, was obviously not greener for Randolph, and I believe Dailly will be a hugely influential signing, not just on the players generally, but in particular young Mambo No.5, who I believe will see some action this year, if not in the league, then hopefully in the cups.

With Gray, McLeod, Fleetwood, and Dickson, all firm possibles to leave, the true damage is yet to transpire, namely the loss of Shelvey, Bailey, and Racon. I still believe that the first two will go, but the new owners debate seems to have receded slightly. Whether it returns remains to be seen, but can we please stop all the whingeing about a lack of information. If the Board were able to say something, it would have been said, and it could really only be one of two things, 1) We have new owners, and here they are, or 2) We thought we were close, but it was not to be. The only reason the Board will have been quiet about this, is because of confidentiality provisions with any third party they were dealing with. Look on it as a case of no news, is good news. Nothing has been said yet, which tells me that discussions are still alive.

Top Heavy

Interesting appointment of a new assistant manager, with Tim Breacker joining the club. A journeyman pro in his playing days, Parkinson obviously feels that he has more to offer in that role than Kinsella, who has, at least, been awarded with a new contract as first team coach. If the club feels that the management structure on the playing side needs beefing up, then fine, but at a time when money is non-existent, is it really necessary? More importantly, why does the club need a Chief Executive, a Deputy Chief Executive, and a Managing Director?

The Famous Five or the Secret Seven?

The call for "four or five more players" by Parkinson sounds about right. You see, the number he feels he needs is about to be dictated by those that will leave. This is information that he is party to, and we are not. So, who goes?

I have been increasingly concerned that neither Randolph or Fortune have put pen to paper on new deals that have been on the table for some time now. We hear that Fortune is being courted by Sheffield United, and I am sure Randolph too, must have some interest from elsewhere. The only offer Charlton could make either of them, is a promise of further money, should a purchase of the club go through. This of course assumes that the bidding parties sanctioned such a statement, which is possible, but, I personally feel unlikely. The reality is more likely to be a lot more prosaic. They have offers from the club, and want to see if they can do better elsewhere, and in the case of Fortune, it sounds like he, at least, might have.

Bailey being associated with Middlesboro for me is credible, and I have always believed he would be one of the players to go. Whilst he is under contract, Middlesboro would easily be able to meet the inflated figure Charlton might ask for. Shelvey to Ipswich is risible, but again, any fee likely to be asked for by the club will be chicken feed to an established Premiership club, which is where I still expect him to end up. Both of these players I expect to be actively on offer from the club, and with its sanction.

So, that is four. The fifth is likely to be Gray, which would be good for both the club, and the player, with Barnsley the oft quoted destination. So there you have the Famous Five, but with no takeover for the club now likely in the immediate future (famous last words - Ed), I am not convinced the damage ends there, as I would expect both Racon and Sam to be offloaded, in order to keep the sinking finances afloat a while longer. Bit part players like Eastwood, Dickson, and McLeod would also all be available for the right price, which let's face it would not be high. Can I throw another candidate into the mix as well? - Youga. His non appearance at the last two games is explained by an injury. Call me a cynical old Hector if you will, but let's face it, as supporters we have a lot to be cynical about these days.

Elsewhere, I am told that we were truly appalling in both the Forest Green game, and the second half of the Crawley game, so business as normal there then. With no money at his disposal, Parkinson has more than just his work cut out, a situation made all the more ironic when Norwich have just lashed out £450k for Grant Holt, who genuinely can do it at this level.

Whoever the potential buyers of the club are, now need to make a decision. Are you in this, or not? The fact that this deal is still alive at all, suggests that there is a level of good will between the parties, so could I ask that you decide one way or the other please? If they walk away, the ramifications will be enormous, and my Famous Five, or Secret Seven, could quite easily become a Dirty Dozen.

To The Directors Of Charlton Athletic Football Club

One or more of you is stalling on the detail of the proposed takeover. Whilst I am sure the objections have "£" signs in front of them, I am in no position to advise you what to do, given the amount of money you have individually, and collectively poured into the black hole that is Charlton Athletic in 2009.

Can I ask you to consider one thing though. If the takeover does not go through, can you honestly stand up and say that it was not in the best interests of the club? Will you continue to say that as the For Sale signs are hung out at the Valley?, and yes I do mean the ground.

I trust you all to do the right thing, but if nothing is announced by the middle of next week, I really do fear the worst for our club. Thank you for listening.

Where To Start?

Strangely a lot has happened, and yet nothing has really happened. I expect all that to change very very soon though. The main event really needs to arrive in the shape of a takeover, or an injection of sizeable new funding. I still maintain though, that Reg will have oiled the wheels, but is not the front man.

So what has occurred?

Richardson looks a useful signing, but can I share a worry with you? Does the following quote sound familiar? "He's exactly the type of character we're looking for" Bloody hell, the "C" word again! McCarthy allegedly had it, so did Hudson, and yet both these "C" word possessors have shuffled of this Charlton coil. Still, he cannot look any more inept than Llera did last night can he?

It is also proof, if ever it was needed, that Moo2 has indeed had his day. Disliked by both management and players, allegedly, there really is nowhere else for him to go but out. If you can't even arrive at Welling as part of one of two teams, your chips really are down!

Welling, and indeed pre-season friendlies for me are important. This time last year, I pontificated on the team bonding qualities of a successful run in to the season, and do you know what?, we had a good pre-season last year. Trust me, I know what I am talking about. We really benefitted from it didn't we? A gentle trot out, but from what I have read, it was just like watching ....... errr ....... Charlton. Deeply uninspiring.

New Kit. Can I just add my voice to the dissenters over the way it was "revealed". I suspect the reason for this, was the timing of our signing up of our former manager "krbs". I have to say, that this sponsorship pleases me. Not the monetary value, which is poor, let's not deny it, but it is a proper local sponsorship. For me, it represents the first time this has happened, since the Woolwich proudly adorned our heaving breasts (steady - Ed), which incidentally is the last time I bought a shirt for myself. The vagaries of buying the latest shirt is a fad (ho ho) that I have only fallen into because the Roon likes having the latest Charlton gear (damn).

The latest player contract position is attached, and do you know what?; judging by the transfer activity, it looks like Parkinson is still going to be our manager.....maybe. Oh, and Zheng and Wright? Both as predicted have gone. Now for Andy Gray, hopefully.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dg3rmnvf_0jk7xnffw&hl=en

The End Is Near

Richard Murray and Derek Chappell have received extensive legal advice on attending this weeks Fans Forum, Q&A session on the 9th July 2009 and have been instructed by our legal advisors that it would not be appropriate for them to attend a public meeting at the current time. The event will be re-arranged as soon as the two Chairmen get clearance to talk freely with supporters on a range of issues.

The above was sent to all those due to attend the Q&A session, and I got it about 5:45. Now this is going to be news when it comes out. Whatever the takeover, or injection of new monies ends up looking like, and who is fronting it, and indeed behind it must be due for announcement very soon.

Oh and the latest contracts position is here, not that I am really interested in it today.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dg3rmnvf_0jk7xnffw&hl=en

Domino Dancing

Well that was all very smooth, and easy to work out. As soon as Johnson left Cardiff, it was fairly clear to see that Hudson, who had been linked with them consistently, was going to take that trip down the M4. A big hand to the board here, as £1.075m, rising potentially by £250k if they get promoted, is a damn fine piece of business, for a workmanlike centre back, who had joined on a free the year previously.

Free is relative of course, as I am sure he would have been on a five digit salary, never mind the signing on fee. The board may deserve some opprobrium of late, but credit where credit's due, this was good business. I only hope the payment terms are such, that there is some portion of the cash being paid now, in order that Parkinson can recruit. Another centre back is still required, even assuming that Fortune signs a new deal, although I do expect to see Semedo used there next season as well.

So, who is next? The rumour mill suggests it may well be Shelvey, and in a sense I hope it is. Why? Well, if Shelvey does go for big money, it means that Racon, Bailey, and Sam will only need to be sold, if they start playing Billy Big Bollocks, a la Scotty Parker, (or Spotty Farter, as my daughter calls him to this day).

There is, however, at least one very thorny issue to be resolved, namely Andy Gray. Here is a man contracted until 2011, and who is almost certainly the highest earner on the club's books presently. I would be amazed if any transfer fee for him is achievable, given the salary level likely to be asked for in negotiation. It may well be that we cannot even give him away, and if that turns out to be true, any short term financial good achieved by selling Shelvey, will be largely undone by Gray staying with us next season.

Follow the link to see the latest updated contract status.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dg3rmnvf_0jk7xnffw&hl=en