Wednesday 12 November 2008
CAFCTV and Fans Forum
Two recent Charlton things that've been announced have pleased me. One is the launch of CAFCTV, which is supposed to be today and the other is the Fans Forum. Both issues I have overtly been banging on about for a couple of years.
The Fans Forum will consist of 6 season ticket holders, each from different areas of the ground, Charlton Athletic Disabled Supporters' Association chairman Tony Garrett and three overseas supporters.
The season ticket holders were the only six that applied, originally the club were offering three places, but the panel decided to offer all six 6-month probationary periods. The three overseas candidates are each known to me and they are fans based in Australia, Canada and Sweden. Tel in Australia is a regular Charlton Life poster though and does spend a lot of time home in Kent and expects to attend the Forum meetings, the first of which is touted for the end of this month.
For me the k
ey thing now is how the Forum will be communicated to the broader fanbase, particularly those at home. Two of the picks are members on Charlton Life but what about the others? Are they seriously going to walk around the East and West Stands and gauge opinion? From an overseas persepctive, each of the three fans selected already have a portal to the outside world.
Tel in Australia has the Addicks Down Under forum, Lars Liljegren has Swedish Addicks and Bob developed and runs the highly active Ontario supporters chapter in Hamilton. Tony also has CADSA, in which to share opinions.
Just for the record, a someone told me they'd heard that I'd applied and wasn't selected. I didn't but I personally think all three overseas Addicks selected will do this project proud.
CAFCTV is due to be released today, the site is already active and since it was first announced it has seemingly taken an age to come to fruition. Credit to Steve Waggott and the board for structuring this arrangement with Premium TV without compromising the identity of the official website and I hope there is a lot of take-up.
Of course this kind of service is well overdue, and as some I know have already parted with cash and got nothing in return, I think we'd do well to wait until the club announces more today. ¶ 07:56
The Fans Forum will consist of 6 season ticket holders, each from different areas of the ground, Charlton Athletic Disabled Supporters' Association chairman Tony Garrett and three overseas supporters.
The season ticket holders were the only six that applied, originally the club were offering three places, but the panel decided to offer all six 6-month probationary periods. The three overseas candidates are each known to me and they are fans based in Australia, Canada and Sweden. Tel in Australia is a regular Charlton Life poster though and does spend a lot of time home in Kent and expects to attend the Forum meetings, the first of which is touted for the end of this month.
For me the k
ey thing now is how the Forum will be communicated to the broader fanbase, particularly those at home. Two of the picks are members on Charlton Life but what about the others? Are they seriously going to walk around the East and West Stands and gauge opinion? From an overseas persepctive, each of the three fans selected already have a portal to the outside world.Tel in Australia has the Addicks Down Under forum, Lars Liljegren has Swedish Addicks and Bob developed and runs the highly active Ontario supporters chapter in Hamilton. Tony also has CADSA, in which to share opinions.
Just for the record, a someone told me they'd heard that I'd applied and wasn't selected. I didn't but I personally think all three overseas Addicks selected will do this project proud.
CAFCTV is due to be released today, the site is already active and since it was first announced it has seemingly taken an age to come to fruition. Credit to Steve Waggott and the board for structuring this arrangement with Premium TV without compromising the identity of the official website and I hope there is a lot of take-up.
Of course this kind of service is well overdue, and as some I know have already parted with cash and got nothing in return, I think we'd do well to wait until the club announces more today. ¶ 07:56
