The grapevine suggests that Charlton Athletic’s Development Officer, Rick Everitt, is to leave the club.

Everitt is a man of strong opinions which may not have endeared him to the new regime. Hugely prominent in the Back To The Valley campaign a quarter of a century ago, Everitt has also covered Charlton for the Mercury and was of course editor of fanzine, Voice Of The Vallley.

Like fellow VOTV founder, Steve Dixon, Rick went on to head the club’s Communications Department before taking on his current role.

Valley Express was Everitt’s brainchild and he has been instrumental in many of the club’s ticketing initiatives to swell the fan base.

Steve Kavanagh and Everitt were the club’s representatives at the Fans Forum meetings so it remains to be seen if the group will continue to function.

Football club ownership is a volatile business with teams changing hands regularly. It would be no surprise to see Rick return to The Valley under a future regime.

The continuing uncertainty behind the scenes may encourage more people to join the fledgling Charlton Athletic Supporters Trust. There is an awful lot of work involved to make such a venture a success. The Trust’s next meeting will be held at the Charlton Conservative Club on the evening of 25 September.

Anyone who is interested in helping or finding out more about the organisation are welcome to attend the meeting.