HERE’S a sentence I thought I’d never write: I feel sorry for Charlton fans.
Fourteen years ago during my time as Crystal Palace owner, I famously served a writ on my former manager Iain Dowie for fraudulent misrepresentation during his press conference unveiling as Charlton’s new boss.
Simon Jordan feels sorry for Charlton fans and boss Lee Bowyer, despite his tumultuous history with the clubCredit: Ian Whittaker – The Sun
I was smarting at the lack of loyalty of a manager professing to want to go back to the north.
We released him from his compensation clause before he went precisely six miles up the road to our rivals, who gloated over their wonderful coup. Thankfully, I was successful in the courts.
Charlton were once touted as the blueprint of how clubs should be run and for many years punched above their financial weight in the Premier League with manager Alan Curbishley in place for over 14 years.
The vitriol between the clubs was very real. In 2005, my Palace team were relegated at The Valley to prompt a joyous conga from home fans.
Paraphrasing an infamous quote I made about my feelings towards certain owners, their chairman Richard Murray told me: “Enjoy the Championship, t****r.”
My clash with Iain Dowie 14 years ago saw the intensity between Crystal Palace and Charlton soarCredit: PA:Press Association
I referred to the Charlton fans as ‘morons’ and was lambasted by the chair of the fans group who demanded an apology.
Indeed, I corrected my sentiments to them being imbeciles for their lack of respect towards a club that in their hour of greatest need gave them a home in the 1980s.
The encounters that ensued in further years were rather spicy and dangerous for me.
Enforced police escorts were required with groups of Charlton fans attempting to attack me with knives and bottles.
Recalling all this heightens my sense of incredulity at the real empathy I have for their current plight.
After all is said and done, Charlton are a great London club, steeped in history.
Greedy players like Lyle Taylor are leaving Charlton in a perilous position as they seek Championship survivalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Yes, their fans were awful that day in 2005 and their then-chairman behaved like an odious weasel. But, over recent years these fans have deserved better.
They’ve been in administration (yes, I know, so were my Palace), relegated from the Premier League and then the Championship.
They have had the most ludicrous of owners in Roland Duchatelet who, upon realising he didn’t much like English football, asked the EFL to buy the club from him and blamed them for allowing him to have it in the first place.
The most recent lurch saw an ownership consortium in an awful bun fight — a race to the bottom over who can put the least amount of money in or who can take the most out.
They still achieved promotion back to the Championship, but are now in a relegation battle.
Roland Duchatelet’s time at Charlton was a complete and utter disasterCredit: AFP – Getty
Next weekend they resume the battle under an outstanding younger manager in Lee Bowyer.
He is on his own with no support and guidance, with a selection of players — including talismanic top scorer Lyle Taylor — refusing to play despite being under contract until June 30.
This is pretty much reflective of the attitude exhibited by the bulk of players during the coronavirus crisis.
It is encapsulated by their union, which screams, ‘All for one and some more for me.’
Taylor has a big move in the offing and as a 30-year-old who hasn’t hit the financial heights he’s entitled to it.
Understandable? He refuses to extend, even for a month, to help his club — which is his right — but refusing to play any games up to June 30 most certainly isn’t.
A player purposely runs down his contract, goes on a free transfer with all the benefits and leaves the club who gave him the opportunity to shine with nothing.
This is football loyalty and respect at its finest — and it embodies the outlook of most of its protagonists.
So much for the much-lauded game enhancing the nation’s morale. Not if you’re a Charlton fan.
SIMON JORDAN’S Final Word is on talkSPORT from 5-8pm on Sunday.
Watch Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah score hat-trick as Arteta’s Gunners thrash Charlton 6-0 in friendly
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
