In what we believe to be a football first, We have invited opposition club owner Andy Holt to meet fans for a chat over a pie and a pint ahead of Accrington Stanley's debut match at The Valley. Hear first hand from the man officially voted the "Best Football Club Owner in the Country" by fans in the recent Against League 3 survey. Andy also won both League Two and overall CEO of the year at the Football Business Awards in November 2018.
An outspoken user of Twitter, Andy does not tend to hold back in giving views on football's role in the community and issues surrounding the game and its governance. He shot into the limelight when the EFL questioned his right to buy his squad a post-match Mcdonalds as they headed for promotion last season. Accrington Stanley, "the club that wouldn't die", have progressed significantly under his four year tenure. He shies away from taking credit, pointing to the contribution of fellow directors and recognising that a club really belongs to the fans not the transient owner.
When asked earlier this season about the situation at Blackpool, Holt commented, "It's so sad that one person can hold a community club to ransom...It's sickening to see a great club alienate fans." He has openly challenged the EFL to do more in such situations.
So come along on Saturday 19th for your chance to ask Andy questions about club ownership, football finance, televised football or anything else of interest to fans of Charlton Athletic.
The space upstairs at The Swan will be open from 12.30 and we anticipate Andy joining us from around 12.45 for an hour or so. A modest buffet courtesy of CAST will be provided along with a cash bar.
Due to limited capacity, this event is open to Charlton Athletic Supporters' Trust members only. Annual membership costs £5 and you can join via www.castrust.org
To register for the event please use the link below. You need to click on "Register" and then "Checkout" which will take you through to the registration page