CAS Trust

I have trumpeted a Charlton Athletic Supporters Trust for many years. I wrote about it in 2009 when Ben Hayes took the temperature of fans to see if a Trust was viable. Barnie Razzell and friends have done an exceptional job in getting the new Trust up and running and despite still only being a few months old the small group of Addicks have gotten the Trust some very good air time, which I know has taken a lot of effort.

The Trust says it has a network of 1,800 fans, of which I am one, but what I am not yet is a member.

And I’m sat here wondering why I haven’t signed up. It’s only a fiver. I could go on about not getting around to it, or being too busy or just forgetting, but no, the real reason is because I have yet to understand the action plan, not the objective because it is clear. I wrote the objectives in 2009, but what is the road map? How do the Trust intend on getting there. I want to understand that better and there has to be more to it than just following the Swansea City model, which is where others that have questioned it get directed.

I am probably being pernickety and need to get over my awkward stance, it’s not really a stance, but for no other reason than goodwill I should support this group of fellow fans who got off their bums and did something and I am sure have very good intentions. The sheer weight of work that has gone into the Trust so far (take a look at the website) deserves some credit and I firmly believe that an organised, intelligent and passionate group of fans can impact a football club positively as it has been proven before. I wrote that more passionately last July.

Today’s announcement on the Official Site proposing a collaboration between club and Trust is a positive move as well, as long as the Trust stays independent. Martin Prothero and Steve Bradshaw have hardly had very public personas since joining the club so credit to Barnie there for breaking down some barriers.

Interestingly one of the ignition sparks for the beginning of the Trust was trying understand more about the ownership of the club so the Trust should be credited there in initiating a relationship, although Bradshaw and Prothero own about as much of the club as you and me, and they are getting paid.

Nonetheless it will be interesting to see how the relationship develops, and I will sign up soon, I promise, but more methodology would be welcome.