GAMBLOG UK - WE ARE QPR - Bring Back Brian? Charlton's Match Announcer Sacked

Brian Cole's Apology
It is with much sadness that I accept that the club have decided to dispense with my services over my announcements last night.

I have extended apologies to the Chairman, Directors and Chief Executive of Charlton Athletic Football Club over any embarrassment caused by my announcement last night. I would also like to apologise to the Directors and CEO of Crystal Palace who were offended by the remarks.

At the time I did not feel that my comments were any worse than we as Charlton Supporters have endured from announcers at some other grounds. However this is not an excuse and with hindsight I know that I made a gross error of judgement and I can only once again apologise for putting Charlton Athletic Football Club in this embarrassing position.
Brian Cole

Bring Back Brian Update 7.10pm GMT
The radio is carrying the story about Charlton sacking their Match Announcer Brian Cole on every news bulleting. Seems like Charlton sacking Brian has caused quite a stir.

More of Brian Cole can be found on the Charlton Addicks website and on the Charlton Live site. Brian will be doing a live broadcast on the internet on this Sunday, October 30, at 20:30 GMT. Listen in if you can, I am sure Brian will have something to say on the matter of his sacking. Keep up with Brian and his Internet radio broadcasts for Charlton on the Charlton Live Forum

It has been suggested in the media that I mis-pronounced the names of Palace players when reading their team. I categorically deny this and read every Palace player correctly. I did however read them out quickly and in a monotone voice in order to prevent the Palace fans the opportunity to cheer their players names.

Regarding incidents outside the ground I had no knowledge of them happening at that time and to suggest that me saying "Palarse" instead of "Palace" could be in any way linked to a few idiots outside the ground is quite inexplicable. To suggest that my play on words was in any way provocative does appear tenuous at best and certainly no more provocative than Charlton showing the 2 victories over Palace from our Championship season on the big screen at the away end of the ground.

Peter Varney has suggested that I was suspended from making any announcements at half time. I was never informed of this, the main reason being that I didn't have any announcements to make and therefore didn't even attempt to leave my seat in the East stand at half time.

I did however, speak to the Chief CAFC Security officer John Little in the police control room just after the kick off and extended my apologies to Varney through John and was informed by John not to worry and that he would convey those apologies.

I left the ground at full time unaware of any official complaint from the Palace officials.

The next day I went to work as usual with the intention of ringing the club during my lunch break. At approx. 11 am I received a phone call from a friend who told me the CAFC website had announced that Peter Varney had sacked me

I broke off from my job to ring Peter Varney who returned my call some 30 minutes later. I asked why he felt it necessary to sack me publicly through the website before he had informed me.

He said he did not have my phone number and that he had sent me an email outlining his decision. FACT: The club do have my phone numbers and at least 1 member of staff involved in the pitch presentation process has my mobile number.

I agreed with Varney that my position was now untenable and agreed to issue a statement of apology to both club's directors. This I duly did on this website and via email to Peter Varney. My statement also appeared in the general media.

In the match programme against Middlesborough Varney clearly stated his reasons for my sacking but no mention was made of the statement of apology from me which was very disappointing. Brian Cole

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