Forum member derides embarrassing Millwall display (From News Shopper)

Forum member derides embarrassing Millwall display

9:49am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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GEOFF Billingsley is a member of the new Charlton Athletic Fans' Forum, which meets regularly with the club’s hierarchy to raise supporters’ concerns about life at The Valley.

The Woolwich-based Addick will be regularly reporting for News Shopper on what goes on at the meetings and today delivers the latest instalment of his column.

ALTHOUGH our last Fans’ Forum meeting last week was solely with Steve Waggott due to the unavailability of the other directors, it was most beneficial.

Steve always gives good value for money and likes to do some homework before he meets up with us and, once again, a more diverse list of subjects you would be hard pushed to find anywhere.

Our meeting took place before probably the most disappointing result this season at The Den last week.

Defeat by your arch rivals is difficult to take at the best of times, but a 4-0 thumping is something I don’t think anyone expected.

It was like a cauldron in there but, with respect, our performance wasn’t good enough and I truly hope the players realise this.

They know what has to be done now and frankly, they had better get their finger out before it’s too late.

Charlton fans are a pretty patient lot, but I think the patience of biblical Job himself would have been tested to the hilt recently.

All credit to our 3,000 fans who made plenty of noise and, as far as I know, behaved themselves.

More than I can say for a minority of home fans who I witnessed fighting among themselves 10 minutes into the first half.

The reason? People were sitting in the wrong seats.

Happened to me at the theatre a couple of weeks back, although I don’t remember it coming to blows though.

A note to CAFC - this performance wasn’t good enough and we all know it.

This was embarrassing and the club’s management must make the players know this.

One of the other things close to my heart is ale and we discussed the possibility of a beer survey.

Why? Because we deserve more choice on a match day and while we may be currently tied into a long-term contract, this is the ideal opportunity to discuss other options and possible choices.

We have urged conference and banqueting manager Paul Ellison to enquire whether there are more beers available within the current deal.

The big screen came in for some stick as, recently anyway, it has been pants.

We know it was second hand but it has still been very disappointing and a known sense of amusement to visiting fans.

It has an annual running cost of 25k and the LEDS (light-emitting diodes) are apparently hugely expensive to replace and other than KRBS, there is not much interest in advertising on it.

But if it were more effective, perhaps there would be more take up.

Back to the club on that one!

What's happened to Ashford?

Previously the Ashford run would sell out Valley Express coaches but the drop off from this area is a major concern for Rick Everitt and the club.

With the east Kent CASC branch all but defunct, the club have made clear they would support any fans who wish to reform the group.

The Fans’ Forum also will contribute if needed.

Anyone purchasing five-year season tickets can rest assured if new investors do take the plunge and jump off at Charlton station, the arrangement will continue to be honoured by any new board.

In other words, if new owners took over in a year or two, any long-term season ticket deal would be protected for the duration.

More than 300 tickets have been snapped up already, which is perhaps a little surprising.

The player of the year event is most likely to be held on Sunday evening (May 2) at the club, the day after the Leeds home game.

It is a Bank Holiday weekend, so support it if you can.

A committee is to be formed this year, including some of the main non-playing faces at the club, and the Fans Forum will also be involved.

To wind up the meeting information, some fans in Upper West (not me!) have been complaining about the lack of hot water in the public toilets around the stadium, other than those in the lounges, Bartram's etc.

To cut a long story short, it's too expensive and would cost thousands. Sorry.

Another important date is April 9 when there will be a CADSA quiz in the Millennium lounge.

Entry is just £10 on the night, which includes food if you book through CADSA by calling Rod on 020 8300 5080.

Our very own Tony Garrett, at this moment in Canada for the Winter Paralympics until March 25, is in charge of what promises to be a good fun night out.

Please support this if you can - we all love a quiz, don't we? Pay on the night for this one and bring the missus.

To end, I just want to urge all reds fans to get to The Valley for the run-in of games.

There are home matches against Gillingham this week, with Colchester, Norwich and Leeds still to visit SE7.

It's a tough run-in but the fans’ support is essential.

I know the players appreciate it more than they perhaps show at times.

Let’s banish the Millwall nightmare and push Leeds hard for the second automatic place. Most of all, let us enjoy the games in the right spirit.