It is fair to say that most of us are shocked and ashamed about the developments of the past week. Our beloved football club is now at probably the most crucial juncture in its history, and there are only 2 possible paths over the next 15 years – either renewed success, or the disaster of merger/relocation (unthinkable really).

I believe that there is too much bickering at the club (reflected by activity on TC, as Dannyboy posted in his ‘metaphor’ thread) and there is little focus on the principles that will guide us back to the top. The sad thing us, we know what most of these principles are (such as marketing the resurgent youth, developing young players etc.), but nobody at the club is competent enough to implement them.

This website represents a significant bloc of passionate Carlton supporters, probably 99% of which are members. If there is an upcoming election, this website will be a genuine forum for debate and will decide many votes. Jarusa has alluded to the power of this forum in a potential vote.

We have many bitter disagreements over specifics like who should coach, who would be a good board member etc. BUT, I believe that most of us at TalkingCarlton could agree to a “Statement of General Principlesâ€

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They will know that they've been playing against the famous old dark blues

A STATEMENT OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE RESURRECTION OF
THE CARLTON FOOTBALL CLUB

We, the undersigned members of TalkingCarlton.com, are disappointed with the apparent confusion that has ensued in the past week with regard to the future of our football club. It is our belief that we represent a diverse readership of approximately 5000 passionate Carlton members from all parts of Australia and from all walks of life. All of us have one goal – the return of the Carlton Football Club to its eminent position as the greatest club in Australian football history.

Accordingly, we have established the following set of general principles that we believe are crucial for the rebuilding the Carlton Football Club, and we implore any current or future board members at the club to give these principles the greatest consideration.



1.
The time has come for all Carlton people to be welcomed back into the fold, keeping in mind past mistakes, so that they are not repeated as we ascend the ladder once more. At such a time of crisis, the time for bickering between factions of our current and past hierarchy is over. The current situation demands that all Carlton people unite and begin to pull in the one positive direction. Healthy debate is necessary, but destructive comments in the media help nobody, and give comfort to our detractors.


2.
The current board of the Carlton Football Club is unfortunately not meeting the expectations of its members. We have not been presented with a plan that will take the club forward, and the decision making process appears to be fraught with confusion rather than direction. We do not condemn all current board members, but believe that as an entity, this board no longer has the confidence of its members.

a. Consequently, we call for new elections to be held to the board of the Carlton Football Club, and welcome all Carlton people to run. To all those prominent Carlton people with great ideas for the club, now is your time to put your vision to the members. We are in need of quality leadership.

b. Any board of the Carlton Football Club would be expected by its members to act in the best interests of the club, without any deference whatsoever to self-interest and political point-scoring.

c. Any board of the Carlton Football Club would be expected by its members to provide a logical plan of how it intends to take this club back to its rightful position at the top.



3.
The coaching staff of this football club, especially the head coach, should be appointed after an orderly selection process conducted by the club.

a. This search should canvass all potential candidates from across the football world, in order to find the best person for the job.

b. It is recommended that an independent group of quality and contemporary football minds should be convened to assess the coaching options available to the club. The Board should then consider the advice of such an independent group, and make appointments to the coaching staff accordingly.



4.
The club should intensely focus on developing the quality young players that are now being drafted by the club.

a. Ultimately, this is the only practice that will see the football club rise again.

b. A healthy youth policy should stay with the club permanently, so that the club never again falls into its current situation.

c. The coaching staff should present young players, and members, with a positive vision as to how this club will improve on-field.



5.
The recruiting staff of the Carlton Football Club are vital to our future sustained success.

a.The Board should provide as much support to the recruiting department as is financially possible.

b.The Board should also conduct reviews at sensible intervals of the recruiting department’s performance to monitor its progress.



6.
The marketing department of the Carlton Football Club must begin to win back Carlton people that have been lost over the last 5 years. This involves marketing a vision of a young improving team that will lead us back to glory.

a. It is understood that without a clear vision from the Board or the coaching staff, it is difficult to promote such a vision.

b. Therefore, the establishment of a vision for the future of Carlton by all parts of the club is crucial to the marketing department’s success.



We believe that this club is still great, and can be mighty again. With a united effort, and good, orderly decision making by the club’s hierarchy, whoever that may turn out to be, Carlton can return to the top.

With all the champions they like to send us, we’ll keep our end up.

Signed,

TalkingCarlton.com members.

Simonverbeek



Add your signatures if you can agree. If not, recommend alterations. Nothing partisan.

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They will know that they've been playing against the famous old dark blues

I have a few suggestions.......

Where do I sign.

Also I might add, that our leaders Coach, Presidents etc develop a personality and tell us what they are going to do to fix things and talk up our young guys instead of focussing on the obvious mistakes we make. Tell us how you are going to fix it.

Our Carlton people need to represent our club in the media, marketing etc in a positive light.

Thankyou - some sanity amonst all the mayhem! Please count me in as I fully support your most articulate and passionate plea!

I agree with most of your points Simon (would be hard to get total agreeance) - the only thing that sticks with me though is the return of people to the club - the club would say that everyone is welcome to contribute while the people staying away would site a certain person as the reason for not coming back and then the merry go round starts.

On the whole though I am happy with it, thanks for putting the effort in.

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

Not trying to hairsplit Simon but perhaps change that to all parts of the world

Good statement, well said.

Not now.

Great effort simon, might want to include the entire football department in either point 3 or 4 at some point though.

Otherwise you've got me down.

James H (aka jimmae).

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

2 questions:

What would it cost to post this in the Hun?
Would anyone here have contact with a (for example) Fraser Brown type that might fund it?

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"I had to eat"

The Hun are probably already reading it.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

great post...i am with you

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#sayerscouldbetheman!!

full page ad in the Hun about 35k. A junior page around half that. You wouldn't want anything smaller.

And I sign it too.

Well done simonv.

Oh, I'm up for a hundred bucks. Put that with Fraser Brown's $34,900 and we're there!

Add my signature, and $50 towards tha ad.

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Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

There's not too much wrong with the principles as such simonverbeek but I actually don't want unity for the moment.

I want this board dismantled.

I want blood.

I've had enough.

After that unity would be fine thanks.

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

Is Jim Wilson a friend or foe. He is a Carlton man we should put it on him to put the statement in to the Hun.

I am all for having the statement published and with 5,000 posters at buck each would that be enough.

Just on Jim Wilson and his article today. If he is a fairdinkun Carlton person he should publish the sources of the leaks to him and have the rats driven out of the club for good, who ever it is. This is one of the most unprofessional performances of an organisation that I have ever witnessed.

Go Blues we must stick together.

I understand your point kk.

What my aim is in point 1 is to try and end the infighting and get Carlton people back to Carlton. As someone said in an other thread - "this club has lost its mojo".

We need the best people back - a Brown has to be able to work with a Lee who can work with a Kernahan who can work with a Pratt.

It is a call for all personal quarrels to be put aside as a basis for moving forward.

If you have some alternative text you want in point 1, let me know.

Lets get a unanimous voice out there. There are thousands of us - we can make a difference.

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They will know that they've been playing against the famous old dark blues

Without leaks many would never have realised the state of this board's incompetence. All organisations leak. The way to stop them is to make smart decisions in a transparent manner and then there's nothing to leak.

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

Re-read GWS, he's stipulating that this should be in-place for a potential election.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

You've got me!! I wouldnt think that any article representing a disgruntled group of 5000 CFC members would have too much trouble getting into the paper right now. In fact I reckon they'd be chasing you!!!

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"Who discovered we could get milk from cows, and what did he think he was doing at the time?" Billy Connolly

GWS I think we all want some blood.

The statement calls for new elections - you'll get blood. But the elections should be held with healthy debate, not backtabbing. The only people that win out of sniping in the media are our detractors.

If you want to alter the unity sentence let me know

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They will know that they've been playing against the famous old dark blues