One thing less for you moaners...

[Stu M]

RIght, we have filled the chairman's role, we've now got ground tenants... so it'll just be the sponsor and the remaining squad places to moan about.

 

Charlton Athletic FC Reserves to Play at the Fleet

 

 

World Cup stars could be parading their skills at Stonebridge Road in the new season as Charlton Athletic Reserves begin playing their Premier League Reserve fixtures at the home of Gravesend & Northfleet.

 

The Addicks second string join Charlton’s successful Women’s team in moving their home fixtures to the Fleet where they will entertain reserve sides from clubs such as Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, West Ham, Portsmouth, and Watford . Charlton won the FA Premier Reserve League (South) in 2004 and 2005.

Matches will usually take place on Monday evenings – probably with a 7.p.m. kick off - and Fleet season ticket holders will be admitted to games free of charge. Charlton season ticket holders will also enjoy free admission, while general admission will be only £3.

 

“This is tremendous news for the club” said Fleet Chairman Jason Botley. “This move further strengthens the links between ourselves and Charlton Athletic and we expect to see good crowds attending these fixtures. There is a lot of support for Charlton in this area and I am sure our own supporters will take advantage of using their season tickets to watch these appetising matches.”

 

“The agreement we have reached with Charlton Athletic will have widespread benefits for Gravesend & Northfleet Football Club and this is another very positive step as we take the Club forward.”

 

Charlton Athletic Chief Executive Peter Varney commented, "This will enable us to better protect the playing surface at The Valley. The move will also enable us to make Premier Reserve League football accessible to many of our Kent-based supporters as well as readily accessible to our more locally-based fans. There will also be significant savings by not playing at The Valley."

[Slartibartfast]

Excellent news.

 

I like the sound of “The agreement we have reached with Charlton Athletic will have widespread benefits for Gravesend & Northfleet Football Club and this is another very positive step as we take the Club forward.” <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applaus.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applaus.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applaus.gif" alt="" />

[mikefleet]

great news well done <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applaus.gif" alt="" />

[gravesender]

Great news and having just moved in to town I will certainly support the reserves evening as well as the Fleet. I have it on good authority from a neighbour who works at Dartford Council that Charlton were looking seriously at the new Dartford ground for the reserves and have made several visits there but that the Dartford Council boss wos worried that taking the reserves deal, and the dartford rent away from Stonebridge Rd would be too much of a blow for G&N. Apparently the Leader is totally committeed to Kent footie and is something a bit special. ie) very un-politician like!!

 

He has put £2m of council cash into bring Dartford home AND cares about the effect it has on other clubs. Anyone know him? What's Gravesend Council's support like?

 

Gotta admit, when I drive past the new stadium in Dartford it looks stunning.

[UP FLEET]

great news, lets hope it does bring in new support and money to the club.Does anyone know if a chalton reserve , along with our own fixture list will be available, this could help in attracting more support through the gates.

[David Holden]

No doubt it will be on the Charlton website.

 

If they publish a reserve fixtures page, then I'll add a link to it on the website.

[Hempstead Gaz]

Tremendous news, hopefully, if it is successful, we can extend the deal for a good few years, and into the new ground.

Closer links with a premiership club are very welcome - hopefully we can "share" some of the younger players such as Anome Sodje.

 

Just out of interest, do Fleet get all the gamte receits, of a percentage?.

,

 

[kmj]

Someone told me back in April while I was visiting the Club shop that they were to be our new tenants but that a few details still needed to be ironed out. It is good to read that this was spot on. A very encouraging development for the Club indeed.

[Bloodnock]

Tremendous news and coupled with the new signings it's a far more positive few days, things are moving in the right direction finally.

[Andy Y. (G&NFC)]

Sounds good but I would imagine they are paying us less rent than Dartford.

 

And of course there are bound to be more supporters attending the reserve fixtures than our own. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

 

Then of course the Charlton staff will be able to spot all our halfway decent players and buy them from us at a fraction of their worth.

 

That coupled with the obvious extra wear and tear on our pitch which is bound to make us relegation certainties is ........

 

 

Sorry I was having a WVN moment!

[Hempstead Gaz]

You actually have a point about the crowds, Andy. Man Utd and Liverpool reserves have a home following of up to 25,000 - with over 1000 going to away games.

How many Arsenal/Spurs/Chelski fans would want to come to a local game to see many big named stars - my bet is we could get capacity 4000 crowds if the reserve league is close?

[Slartibartfast]

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:
How many Arsenal/Spurs/Chelski fans would want to come to a local game to see many big named stars - my bet is we could get capacity 4000 crowds if the reserve league is close?

Lets hope you are right C.G. big crowds have got to be good for the Fleet....its nice to see you putting a more positive spin on things. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Hempstead Gaz]

Contrary to the belief of some, I do try to keep a balanced view on things.

I strongly applaud the closer Charlton link, Brian's move to aid the new ground and the withdrawal of reserve league fixtures is sensible.

I still do not think the over rapid move to full time has been well handled, nor do I think the club has aquitted itself well on the field in getting more support.

[Hornchurch Boy 2005]

liverpool and man utd do not get crowds of 25'000 for their fixtures

i believe man utd play away from old trafford in a ground holding around 7'000 and it is never full,as for the away support for reserve games the figure would be nearer 2-300 if that

you lot may get a few down if the likes of west ham,spurs and chelsea come down but they would probably be local supporters of those clubs

[BustaGut]

Quote:

Hornchurch Boy 2005 said:
liverpool and man utd do not get crowds of 25'000 for their fixtures
i believe man utd play away from old trafford in a ground holding around 7'000 and it is never full,as for the away support for reserve games the figure would be nearer 2-300 if that
you lot may get a few down if the likes of west ham,spurs and chelsea come down but they would probably be local supporters of those clubs

If we get 1000 its extra money for the club.maybe charlton wont pay rent, and we just get the gate money. I have no idea how it will work but it,s extra money.Will Charlton reserves play there cup matches at the fleet as well??? more revenue if they do and larger grounds I would suggest <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applaus.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applaus.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applaus.gif" alt="" />

[northfleet_lad]

if daish watches some of these charlton reserves then there could well be some of them joining gravesend

[BustaGut]

Whats the chances do you think? that we will end up with a few loan players from Charlton,as late signings.Any comments ???

[Johnny the Horse]

Good news for G&N and you will make money out of this deal, but you do need to manage expectation a bit. West Ham have been sharing games over the last few seasons with a couple of games being played at Upton Park, but most games being played at Dagenham and Redbridge.

 

D&R tend to close the main terrace on the far side of the ground and the terrace at the far end. crowds have tended to be around 400-500. It was bigger two years ago when Chelsea played there, about 700-800. However forget about World Cup stars. The only two Chelsea players that night with first team experience were the keeper Neil Sullivan and Robert Huth. West Ham had a couple of players on the way up like Cohen and Elliot Ward.

 

I think that Arsenal draw more to Barnet for their reserves, but they tend to play a few more youngsters around the first team than most others sides.

 

As I said at the start, this is a step in the right direction and you will make a little bit out of it, but probably nopy enought to make the Northfleet end all seater with a new roof etc.

[American FLEET FAN No1]

Northfleet was once Spurs nursery, why not Charltons? I have thought for years that would be a positive move.

[BustaGut]

Quote:

AmericanFLEETFANNo1 said:
Northfleet was once Spurs nursery, why not Charltons? I have thought for years that would be a positive move.

sadly they were also arsenals