I’ve followed the whole “Supporter’s Director” role quite closely through the years. It’s a great initiative by the club and shows how the board have tried to bring us all together as one.Since 1992, when this position was given to the supporters by the board, five individuals have participated over the years with enthusiasm in the decision-making processes of the club. Steve Clarke, Craig Norris, Mick Gebbett, Wendy Perfect and Sue Townsend have all offered sound and constructive input and most importantly made sure the views, no matter how big or small, of ordinary supporters were heard in the boardroom.
Now with the sixth candidate taking up this role, I’ve seen them come and go, make mistakes, make things good, but I have never seen someone as outrageous as the current bloke!
In the clubs current dire situation, many are currently asking where our illustrious leader is, after he has become noticeably absent. As a representative of the supporters, he should be calming things down and trying to bridge the gap between us and the board, but this is currently not the case.
It would seem that Benjamin Hayes, OUR Supporters Director, who has committed himself to the club for the next 2 years (17 months or so and counting left!); with the up most determination to "represent all Charlton fans" is completely back firing on him, but completely of his own doing.
IN THE BEGINNING:
It was seen from the outset, that Hayes was willing to break all the barriers to get the coveted role of Charlton Athletic Football Club “Supporters Director”. Not only was his manifesto a little light on the ground, but he also showed initiative, albeit against the “rules”, to put up posters and flyers (with spelling mistakes) outside the Valley, in order to influence votes away from the other three candidates.
The actual election process, off the back of this campaign was also seen as a farce. The club were at fault for the actual process and no blame was pointed at Hayes, but to the surprise of the other three candidates, Hayes was unveiled slightly before schedule.
Someone had already had their say during the election process: “Is it just me, or is this 'fan on the board' thing a complete tokenistic waste of time and effort?
“Why do we need a fan on the board when our board all seem to be fans anyway? Why is that bloke [Hayes] from Bromley talking about 'standing up to the board'?
“You leave our board alone you nasty man!”
Charlton fans (adult season ticket holders), were then branded “fools”. It was revealed that over 400 spoilt ballot papers were received and for such an easy voting process, how could this be? What rubbed salt into the wounds of the other candidates was that there were only 8 votes between Hayes and the runner-up.
“A recount”, they all cried. Surely 8 out of the 400 so called “fools” could have been trying to vote for the unlucky second place favourite and accidentally spelt their name wrong?, or forgot what seat number they have sat in for the past few seasons?
These cries for a recount were quickly disregarded by the Hayes camp, and these actions, along with his campaigning methods certainly put the backs up of a few; however, it just showed how much Hayes wanted this role, and how far he would go to get it. “Ben Hayes is your undisputed winner”, proclaimed the banners.
Many were shocked at the overall result. Surely those who voted were simply influenced by the advertising, rather than Hayes’ bold, yet sparse manifesto?
In fact, does anyone actually care about the Supporters Director role? Seemingly, some people do, especially when this appointed person (even if you haven’t voted) is representing and speaking for you and your club to the board and ultimately the media.
THE VISION:
Saturday 1st July 2006, it all became clear…
Hayes’ main vision was and still is, to turn the board’s plans for the much anticipated 40,000 all-seater Valley stadium expansion into a Hayes 70,000 all terrace, all standing pilot scheme and to then rename the stadium, “The Hayes” and all the stands to “North Hayes”, “South Hayes”, and so forth. Failing that, he wants to setup a museum (of Charlton, not himself you’ll be pleased to hear), or failing that, he wants to protect Charlton fan’s interests (or failing that, accidentally on purpose, just his own).
Hayes told the official Charlton website, after his election win: "Perhaps the most difficult part of it is going to be judging what I can and can't communicate to people and making sure I'm representing their views at the highest level of the club.”
After six months in charge, what has this “great man” achieved? Apart from thinking he needs to have an opinion on absolutely anything, mixing it up with the directors and wearing a suit to matches nowadays, what has he done for us Charlton fans?
WRONG ATTITUDE:
Well, Hayes appears to be completely deluded as he only wants opinions, projects, etc done via him. Anyone that chooses to go alone for the good of the club, or for the good of any other worthwhile cause, or simply “for the fans”, should be pre-warned; you are about to get as much support off of the “fan’s man” as you would with rubber crutches.
Calumnious comments from the Supporters Director and complete lack of respect is the best you’ll get. If the words “Ben Hayes” aren’t included in the title or if he doesn’t get a mention in the press release, then you might as well give up and go support another team.
Many supporters who run their own blogs have on numerous occasions given their ideas and simply said “Ben, feel free to use these as your own ideas!” as they are fully aware of how he operates and how he likes to massage his own ego.
This lack of respect from Hayes has already been witnessed first hand by a number of fans, and after speaking to our mathematical experts, they forecast a trend occurring over the remaining months of his reign.
Hayes has tried to introduce a new concept into the Supporters Director’s role. The Internet. This needed to be a slow transition, however Hayes, as seems the norm with his style, has gone into it guns blazing.
Something that clearly needed a calm and collective approach, the 45-year-old has instead gone out to offend as many people as he can. Petty and childish remarks, comments towards religion, offensive towards other fans and that’s just for starters; under his birth name.
We have also been tipped off by a known “grass”, that Hayes also goes under the name of someone else, “Henry Irving”. This individual has also been a naughty boy and we are led to believe that he has been pretending to act like a 12 year-old-boy with stupid indirect comments; the sort you would expect in a playground to show off in front of your peers.
This character feels as though he needs to comment on absolutely anything, given his role in the club, but at the same time forgets one important factor, that he is still a Charlton Athletic Football Club representative at the highest level.
Comments regarding lesbians, oral sex, male genitalia, race, religion, skin colour, brothels, prostitution and his lack of ability to live in a multicultural world are clearly not wanted and have offended many individuals and charitable organisations, which in turn have caused great concern amongst the people he is meant to be representing. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but knowing when to bite one’s tongue when the comments are crude, disgusting and derogatory towards people’s creed, colour, race and religion, especially in a directors role of a football club, should be realised.
Spouting off his own opinions and beliefs regarding these kinds of items are currently being seen as a general “Charlton Athletic Football Club supporter’s” opinions within the media and football world, and this generalisation by Hayes is totally out of order. Why Hayes has chosen to bring up lesbians, oral sex, religion, etc in the manner that he has, in a football environment is not known, but he clearly has a “bee in his bonnet” about something. We just wish he would keep it to himself, and better still keep it totally out of his current role.
At the time, acting commercial director, Steve Sutherland, wanted this from Hayes: "The fans' director attends all the football club board meetings, and the club is looking for someone who is trustworthy, committed to helping the club progress, and who is in touch with supporters and their aims, wants and need, and who displays integrity and professionalism."
Thus far, you could say Hayes has failed on all counts.
Chief executive Peter Varney was correct when he said “Ben [Hayes] has a hard act to follow”, when referencing the sterling job that previous fans director Sue Townsend had done.
“What the position is NOT about is dealing with cold coffee in the Covered End” proclaimed Hayes. Why ever not? If it’s a supporter’s issue, big or small, surely he should be the fans first port of call, seeing as he is the fans representative. Whether he deals with it himself (which he clearly doesn’t want to) or gives the correct contact details to others who can assist (which he clearly doesn’t want to), the fans should be his priority, not whether or not he gets his latest article submitted to the Kentish Times in time or not.
Unknown to Hayes, his attitude is making fans turn to Townsend, who appears to be continuing parts of her role in the background (for the love of her club), in order to sweep up the devastation which Hayes is leaving behind. Unlike Hayes, she actually realises what the most important thing is for such a role – the fans, and not personal gain. People seem to be bypassing Hayes and communicating directly with Townsend, as she can be trusted.
Although only 9% of the approximate 22,000 Valley support actually voted during the election, Hayes appears to only want to represent 0.2% of this 22,000 figure. He has stated on numerous occasions, he will only listen to those who can be found in his regular match day boozer and those who are above his 18-year-old threshold, who he considers a "Charlton fan" and worthy of an opinion. Ageism of its highest form, which completely disregards the clubs efforts to encourage the next generation of fans with cut price season ticket packages for children.
The attitude of “if you can’t be bothered to find me in my pub, then I can’t be bothered to help”, is so the wrong one. This attitude completely contradicts his pre-election statement to a blog site: “In this day and age and with 20,000 plus crowds being available in one stand or one pub isn’t going to work.” So why the change of heart? Just another false claim and promise to add to his bow.
“Email me on my official site” is another phrase which he likes to use. Yet another contradiction as is explained below:
During December 2006, Hayes decided to remove his official “Charlton Athletic Football Club Elected Representative” website from the Internet domain, just six months into his “reign”. Not only did this site feature his manifesto, but along with his other flawed actions, was also meant to feature the latest news and goings-on regarding his activities. A place where all Charlton fans can contact him and see what he is doing. Clearly he wants to remain anonymous for some bizarre reason?
No explanation was given to why he had removed his website, but many have suggested that the repeat references back to his manifesto by some, during recent complaints, were causing him great concern and embarrassment. The easiest thing to do was to hide it. The site, along with its content was completely removed, so any evidence could not be found. The domain is now linking through to some sort of “official blog”, where Hayes preaches his own pointless football knowledge and opinions, rather than the job in hand, by giving the fans he is representing, the low-down on what he is “doing” for them.
Whatever happened to the good old fashioned ways of communicating? The telephone being a prime example. Surely he has one? Or even one of those mobile models which have a neat pre-recorded message called an answer phone?
BAD PRESS:
After recent events, many Hayes voters and fans have removed posters of him from their bedroom walls and have since replaced them with Iain Dowie. Their decision simply because Hayes has bitten, chewed and spat out the hand that fed him.
Hayes has mentioned that certain areas of the media are after his head and that he is being offended left, right and centre with no real reason and that he fears he is being “Internet bullied”. “They're just sad,” Hayes described them as, but many top critics have cooled these suggestions by simply telling Hayes to grow up and to realise that this role is going to attract positive and negative opinions.
Hayes’ decision to use the Internet like he is, has put him at a disadvantage, as you can’t put tone to text and is his own worst enemy when he takes offence to innocent opinions and questions, whilst then giving replies back with meaningless and damn right rude comments. Hayes said: “[There are] some rather childish individuals that think that being the fan's representative means they are entitled to personally abuse me and claim it's ‘freedom of speech.’”
Hayes claims that these “childish people” represent 1% of all Charlton fans. That’s more than the 0.2% which he believes he is “actually” representing, so should be grateful and again, needs to realise that this role is going to attract positive and negative opinions. As Margaret Thatcher probably said: “its politics at the end of the day”.
Hayes is in this role to be the go between from the fans to the highest level within the club. Would the likes of Murray and Varney act like children and throw insults and stupid quips at fans of the club?
By this time, Hayes was being branded as nothing more than a fraud and one fan blog simply called him “Haze”, “Mr Egoist”, along with several others giving reference to his surname from one of the four meanings in the 21st century urban dictionary, which were all quite relevant.
It appeared that only a select few had a good word to say about him. Those who he had claimed an “active role” in their projects, those which saw him in “his” pub and those included in the recent rumours (see here).
During the Hayes reign, he could only muster up derogatory comments, which became a trait of the “fan’s voice”.
WHAT DID HAYES ACHIEVE?:
His “sister” projects and those not included in his original manifesto, due to him jumping on the band wagon along the way, did come to fruition. These included bottled beers, flags pinned up at the Valley, a Kentish Times column for his own personal gain (which is only published in London, I guess we don’t have supporters who live further a field then, Hayes?) and….we are still searching the archives. He has since suggested he has joined the Safety Advisory Group, due to their lavish Christmas parties and is also the first and only fan to have thought of the away loyalty ticket scheme. I can’t believe none of us had thought of this before?
Hayes’ main project, the all-standing stadium scheme, as predicted from the outset, also flopped, as a first stage health and safety application was turned down. The Valley also never got the 40,000 capacity extension plans accepted, as Hayes refused to apologise to senior representatives at Greenwich council, after he had ridiculed them in his weekly column in the local rag.
Museum plans were also dashed after Hayes’ ultimatum to the board to put a much taller and wider bronze statue of him, in front of club legend Sam Bartram were instigated by the Hayes camp.
He also failed miserably on the most important item. One which encompasses the actual role of the Supporters Director, which he was given: “representing the fans views”. No doubt the board would have rather heard from the fans via Hayes, rather than the fans hearing from Hayes with his pointless non-related comments. Zero points for being able to protect Charlton fan’s interests, then?
Where did it all go wrong? After just three months into his role, he had already made it clear that he was only interested in running as Supporters Director for the two years which he was enrolled for and had no intention of fighting the next election campaign to stay. Commitment of the lowest level. This, along with his bad attitude, egotistical methods, smutty and offensive comments, all accumulated to most Charlton fan’s losing faith in him with 18 months still left to run in his reign. “Do not trust this man”, which in all honesty is a real shame.
LIFE AFTER HAYES:
It then came apparent that Hayes was using this role simply for personal gain. A “career booster” was suggested by some. Two years worth of bigging himself up, using his title and role to get in with certain areas of the media, to ultimately increase his ego even more than it actually was and to get so well known for his controversial comments that he would indeed become the fourth judge on ITV1's hit music talent show; the "X-Factor".
Hayes was no longer remembered in the history of Charlton, something that he later regretted. He made it clear in his post election interview that he wanted to be remembered as being “great”. Due to his lack of compassion, this sadly did not happen.
He was instead remembered for being dumped off the hit show X-Factor after just two shows, after receiving a left hook from fellow judge Louis Walsh, after Hayes had suggested that one of Walsh’s acts looked tired after a recent religious festival.
Hayes’ plans were simply thwarted by his own self-importance, however, his determination to succeed and hopefully become chief of a large organisation, or to appear on American Idol as a replacement for Randy Jackson, has picked up a new lease of life.
After his unsuccessful “Charlton year (and a bit)”, he is now supporting Crystal Palace and is said to have been a fan of The Eagles “all his life”.
He is expected to become the fans representative at Palace and feels his personality will work hand-in-hand with the main man and media-darling of the club, Simon Jordan. Whether their similar personalities and ego’s can handle each other is yet to be seen, but Hayes is looking forward to his task ahead of him – making Selhurst Park a 120,000 all terrace “Hayes Super Bowl” stadium, with “HAYES WILL AMAZE” embroidered in all the drapes and banners around the ground.
As the official Hayes website used to state (after it was taken down due to corruption): “So why do we need an elected director at all?”
After you Hayes, exactly!
