GEOFF Billingsley is a member of the new Charlton Athletic Fans' Forum, which meets regularly with the club’s hierarchy to raise supporters’ concerns about life at The Valley.

The Woolwich-based Addick will be regularly reporting for News Shopper on what goes on at the meetings and today delivers the latest instalment of his column.

Well, I think I'm quite an optimistic sort of person really, but even I thought by now we might have heard something re the proposed takeover at The Valley.

When our Fans’ Forum meeting was postponed less than 48 hours before it was due to take place on Thursday of last week, it appeared an announcement was imminent.

With the exception a worrying story in a Sunday national paper, there was nothing to suggest the proposed takeover was not going as well as we might have thought.

We must remember it is a proposal only.

Sometimes the ‘marriage’ just does not happen, with one party left standing at the altar.

Southampton and Newcastle fans will understand, I'm sure. Let's hope we've learned our lesson from last time, where long before the deal with Zabeel went pear shaped, there were hordes of fans celebrating at The Valley and the media encouraging comment, some of it a little hysterical if I recall.

The club are obviously determined to keep a lid on things for as long as it takes, although I think even they are pushing their luck a bit now.

Supporters are rightly concerned about goings on at the club and it is doubly frustrating for the Fans’ Forum to constantly have to tell people we have very little to report in the way of news from within the club.

Even so, I would be very surprised if they haven't made some sort of a statement by the time we take on Crawley Town at their Broadfield Stadium on Tuesday night.

I am going to see Waiting for Godot tonight in London.

Let’s hope we don't have to wait as long as that for some good news. Still, the club did announce last week new shirt sponsors in the shape of Kent Reliance Building Society, so there are some positives around. Postal strikes also to deal with but season tickets have arrived safely once again.

The squad are back from their two-game winning trip to Ireland but have to quickly prepare for Saturday's game at Forest Green Rovers.

FGR hail from Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, if you didn't know and if I wasn't going to visit my Aunt Hannah on her 100th birthday at the weekend, I would be going along as well.

A safe and victorious trip for all who do make the effort.

The Fans’ Forum members have been busy speaking to others interested in helping our cause and I am very pleased to say that our new signing is Matt Dainty.

Aged just 21, Matt is a Charlton nut both home and away.

Matt lives locally in SE3 and was at his first meeting earlier this week where we all welcomed him and his fresh ideas.