Monday, October 10, 2005
Addicks in The Guardian
In a slow couple of weeks for Charlton news, due to all the players (OK, only 15 of them...) being away on international duty, it is good to see our supporters trying to keep the club's profile high, with the following response to a letter printed in The Guardian.
The letter was sent following a claim and question by Daniel Owen, World Bank, Washington, DC, also on The Guardian letters page, that
The letter was sent following a claim and question by Daniel Owen, World Bank, Washington, DC, also on The Guardian letters page, that
"Big football clubs have been hellbent on ratcheting up a fan base and marketing with a vengeance the world over. They have been busy gorging on African talent. Is there any evidence of an "ethical beacon", a socially responsible football club engaging in payback to these countries? Could we imagine the possibility of a Premiership club using its name, its icons and vast wealth to do some good, in alliance with other groups, in any number of African countries beset with youth unemployment and lack of opportunities, where Premiership players are household names and football is still an everyday language of passion and hope?"Barbara Holland has duly pointed out in her letter that Charlton do indeed give something back to the community in Africa; as we do in Asia (China), America (USA), Europe (Spain), and Oceania (New Zealand) too!
