Michael Slater to respond to rumours

Michael Slater is said to be giving a response to the boardroom rumours tomorrow in the South London Press. Slater, chairman and the acceptable face of the ownership conundrum, will address stories only circulating on Charlton Life but unquestionably with a lot of substance.

Ironically the local media have shown little interest nor knowledge of the recent challenges engulfing the CAFC owners. Equally bewildering is why Slater would pick the SLP, a newspaper that Richard Murray and the previous administration used to shun.

I don’t expect anything other than a diplomatic and positive statement from Slater and I am convinced that we, at least those of us that care, will always be playing blind man’s bluff under these owners.

A short-term liquidity problem appears to have gone away but I don’t really think that was ever the problem. The disagreements amongst owners and backers, singular or plural, was more about the mid to long term goals.

Immediate promotion has intensified Slater and Jimenez’s plan and goals for the club. I would even go as far as to say that Slater, in particular, has bought into the ‘Charlton way’ and their proposals for a transfer budget got turned down by the various lines of credit supporting the front office.

Chris Powell had unquestionably set transfer targets, blimey it was still winter when we got promoted, but not one new player has been signed or been anything more than an unsubstantiated rumour.

We will, perhaps, know more tomorrow but I am pleased that Michael Slater felt compelled to comment.

Meanwhile, and think of this what you will, the Sporting Lisbon friendly is back in Lepe, home to San Roque de Lepe, a club part owned by Tony Jimenez. Brian has done some good investigative work here. My head hurts.