Come on, Roland, and see sense

DID anyone hold a gun to Roland Duchatelet’s head and order him to buy Charlton Athletic? Of course not. The Belgian businessman decided to buy the club of his own free will in 2014, adding to his portfolio of clubs. At that time, the Addicks were in the Championship and Duchatelet might have thought there was an opportunity to take them into the moneybags Premier League.

He may well have felt he could guide Charlton to a brighter future and prosper financially at the same time.

Five years later and we know it hasn’t turned out that way. Amid some questionable decisions on and off the field, Charlton have slipped into League One and, no doubt to Duchatelet’s chagrin, the club has decreased in value.

It has turned into a loveless marriage between Duchatelet and the club, while the fans have long since given him the cold shoulder. The club have been up for sale for over a year and there is little sign of a happy ending at present.

The feeling is that Duchatelet is seeking an unrealistic price to dispose of the club (see back page) and that is what’s holding things up.

His suggestion, or rather demand, that the EFL acquire the club this week was patently ridiculous and has lowered his credibility even further than it already was in the eye of Charlton fans and the wider football public.

The EFL have enough on their plate without having to run Charlton! Surely it is now time for Duchatelet to do the right thing – talk to one of the would-be buyers that want to take Charlton forward and offer them the club at a reasonable price.

It would be ideal if this happened by the end of the season so that the Addicks can plan for next term under a new regime. Come on, Roland, it’s time to ride off into the sunset…