Charlton Athletic staff told that bonuses will not be paid – as owner Duchatelet blames “very bad financial year”
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
Charlton Athletic owner Roland Duchatelet has told staff that they will not be receiving bonuses – because of the heavy financial losses that the League One club are making.
The Addicks have made a number of cost-saving moves in recent months as takeover talks have failed to reach a fruition.
As well as Ezri Konsa, Harry Lennon and Josh Magennis being sold – to Brentford, Southend and Bolton respectively – a number of other measures are being followed to try and cut the financial outlay.
And the latest development is that bonuses due to staff who hit targets in their roles, believed to be worth in the region of five or 10 per cent of their salary, will not be paid.
Coalition Against Roland Duchatelet [CARD] are expected to step up protest plans for Saturday’s home game against Fleetwood Town.
And Charlton staff were also thought to be holding their own meeting this afternoon following developments, with a statement also likely at some stage today.
The South London Press had asked for a comment from Charlton Athletic yesterday but was told that no public statement would be issued until employees had been updated.
That happened this morning, with an email from Duchatelet explaining that stringent attempts to slash the budget will continue.
The Belgian also said he “could not put a timeline on how long the takeover will take”. He also added that the aim was “to make costs more bearable for any potential owner”.
A Charlton Athletic statement said: “Since Roland Duchatelet took over Charlton 4½ years ago, every employee has been paid on time, every month. This will not change.
“The club will continue to fulfil contractual obligations.
“The club had a very bad financial year last season and because of this the club will not be paying incentivised bonuses.
“Before we can look at bonuses in the future, we need to restore the club’s financial health.”
That was actually a section of the email from Duchatelet.
“The club makes a very significant operating loss every month which is out of proportion with the occasional player sales revenue intended to offset these operating losses. Various parties interested in taking over have been put off by the high running costs. This is a matter of restoring the financial health of the club, which had got out of control for a League One club.
“At the moment there are no plans for redundancies, but we will let you know if that situation does change.
“I am grateful for the changes you have made so far, and if you have any further ideas on where we should review our efficiencies then do let your line manager know.”
IMAGE BY KEITH GILLARD
We know those bonuses are historic and contractually enshrined and for the employer now to renege is simply exploitation of the lowest form. There is no justification for Duchatelet’s position and he must be held to account. The club’s parlous financial position is the direct result of his own ridiculous mis-managemnt over more than 4 years. Charlton fans will support the staff whatever their decision over this despicable mistreatment.
I am afraid this is the world today. We are a loss making company and in any other area we would have gone into liquidation with job losses. I think the staff would rather keep their jobs such as they are .
Our club has been ruined by the owners inept way of running it , indeed all he has done is run it down into the gutter. Just cut ya (self made) losses and get out
This is my 50th year as a supporter.
Who can blame the owner after the way the fans have treated him. He invested money into the club and particularly the training facilities. The fans who protest must be made aware of the financial realities. Who in their right mind would want to buy a club with Charltons protesting fans. Who are they anyway? They certainly do not represent me in any way. Many people are put off now, me included, mostly because of the protesting fans. Ive been to both home games so far but wont go on Saturday with idiot protesters helping the opposition, Is there another club out there claiming to be so hard done by by an owner who is expected to keep paying for their comforts in a two thirds empty stadium?
Its the protesters who are running Charlton to destruction.