Rickster's glass is half full

Ramsgate-based fan and VOTV editor Rick Everitt looks at 'the coming storm' in the Championship and assesses Charlton's prospects compared with our last two promotions to our favourite division: https://www.votvonline.com/home/the-2025-26-blogs/31-7-at-last-it-s-back-to-where-we-once-belonged/

End of the Pier

More negative news from down the coast at Deal.   Leading armchair critic Desmond from Deal has had to call off his meeting for Kent coast malcontents at the end of Deal Pier.  Some potential participants felt they could not manage the trek up the pier and others did not like the vegetarian/vegan theme of the café there, one unfortunate having been asked whether he needed milk in his tea.

However, all is not lost.  Des says: 'I had a word with Graham at the King's Head on the sea front and he said we could meet there if there weren't too many of us (no problem about that) and we did insult Palace, Millwall or Gillingham.

Charlton close to signing QPR striker

Richard Cawley, now driving to Cambridge, has reported that Charlton are closing on a deal to sign QPR striker and US international Charlie Kelman.

Career details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Kelman

'Experts' predict 23rd place relegation

In their season preview Four Four Two magazine forecast that Charlton will be relegated from the Championship in 23rd place.   Admittedly they did forecast we would dice with relegation in the year Chris Powell won the League One championship.

The magazine lists some of the players we have added, 'but still have more work to do to improve on their League One squad.  Will a siege mentality be enough to overcome the talent gap?'

However, in the fan file, Ramsgate-based fan Rick Everitt predicts a 16th place finish and 'we'll be more than happy with that.'

Everitt states 'Charlton are back at the level that fans expect and that the club's history, stadium and size of support merit.  The Addicks hadn't spent so long in the third tier since the1920s.'

'Fans think our ownership is well-intentioned but obscure .... Given that their immediate predecessor liked to play his guitar on the pitch, we're just relieved.'

'Our most underrated player is Kayne Ramsay, a right back we picked up from Harrogate Town in February 2024.   His composure in possession has stood out.'

'Fans think our gaffer has proven himself by turning things around after a difficult spell.  Nathan Jones is a very emotional and animated presence on the touchline, and he was won the fans' trust.'

Moaners' spokesman Desmond from Deal was not convinced by the warm words from around the coast: 'Four Four Two have taken a long, cold hard look at the facts.  Mark my words, six weeks and the wheels will be off and then where will the so-called Welsh Wizard be?   He is no Messiah.'

Biggest signing since 2015

Richard Cawley reports on X: ‘Signing number seven for Charlton is their biggest spend of the transfer window - Rob Apter from Blackpool. Most exciting addition of the summer so far? The 22-year-old Scouser, capped by Scotland at U21 level, has penned a deal until the summer of 2029.’

Cawley states: ‘Transfer fees are very tricky to pin down precisely but Apter’s fee is likely to be the biggest paid by the Addicks since they reportedly parted with £2million to bring in centre-back Naby Sarr from Sporting Lisbon in July 2015. One website has claimed that the transfer of the Tangerines’ prize asset exceeds that sum.

It’s definitely the most expensive outlay by owners Global Football Partners since they took control of the club in July 2023. Before that Gassan Ahadme is believed - this isn’t something I’d stand up and testify in court about (although why I would be in the dock in the first place would be puzzling) - to have cost around £750,000 from Ipswich Town last summer.’

Tom Mayne from a Blackpool podcast says: ‘Exciting is definitely a word to use. He is not the finished article but Nathan Jones and Steve Bruce know that. He played every single game last season, bar one.

He is fearless and has a lot of growing to do, which I think he knows himself. What I love the most is his tenacity, if he gets tackled or loses the ball then he’ll continue to try and do something for the team to create something out of nothing.’

Much more on Richard Cawley’s Substack page.

Signings make it a difficult summer for moaners

Joe Rankin-Costello makes it six signings this summer for the Championship new boys - and this time it's not from Luton..  Charlton have offered a four-year contract to the Blackburn player, who joins for an undisclosed fee.

Richard Cawley notes: ‘Lot of talk about his ability to play all over the place but interestingly Nathan Jones talks in his signing quotes talks about the 25-year-old as "a really versatile and technically excellent midfield player.” NJ: "We're really delighted to get Joe on board. He's a player I've watched for a number of years."’

Cawley adds: ‘He fought his way back into favour at Blackburn Rovers.  He is a goal scoring threat – especially against Millwall.  He is a handyman in a number of different positions.  A move down south can get his career motoring.’

Career details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Rankin-Costello

The speed, number and quality of signings is depriving pessimists of one of their favourite summer narratives.

More links with Luton

I met the local Hatter this morning.   He confirmed that Thomas Kaminski is a very good keeper and that he is a real loss for Luton.   He was certainly their best player last season.  If it hadn't been for his saves, Luton would have been relegated by mid-season.  He is a great shot stopper.   The Hatter thought that he did not have any obvious weaknesses.

Richard Cawley reports on another link with Luton:  'More big Championship experience added to the Charlton squad as they hand a two-year deal to Amari'i Bell.  This signing reunites the Jamaican international with Nathan Jones, who was a key factor in him signing for Luton Town. Bell released by the Hatters at the end of last season.'

More on the left back's career: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amari%27i_Bell

Striker signs as search begins for new home for Kanu

Richard Cawley reports ‘Charlton have signed Stockport County striker Isaac Olaofe on a three-year contract with club option of another 12 months. No fee disclosed but believed to be in the region of £1.5million. This is the third signing of the summer transfer window.’

Stockport County chief executive Simon Wilson on Isaac Olaofe’s departure: “It is with both a heavy but also proud heart that we say goodbye to Tanto, a player who has added so much to our club in the two-and-a-half years he has been here. I remember in his first interview, Liam asked ‘how would you describe yourself?’, to which Tanto replied ‘I like to be a nuisance for defenders’! He has been that for sure, but so much more too.”  

Cawley adds: ‘There will be a piece going up on my Substack today about Olaofe but I’m currently somewhere that doesn’t have the signal to upload it,’   Hopefully this will offset some of the inevitable moans before they gather momentum.

Cawley also reports that the Addicks are interested in a loan move for striker Daniel Kanu. ‘The young forward needs extended game time. Probably going to be a struggle to get that with the Addicks this season’ is Cawley’s assessment.

Unconfirmed reports are stating that Gassan Ahadme is close to signing for Plymouth Argyle.   The streets around SE7 have remained calm and there have been no reports of fans rending their shirts.

Charlton swoop for Hatters keeper

Richard Cawley reports that Charlton are expected to confirm the signing of Luton Town goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski.  A fee of around £1m has been reported.

Cawley comments: 'Very experienced. One of the Hatters' star men during their one-season stay in the Premier League.'

It is anticipated that the Belgian will be No.1 keeper with either Will Mannion or Ashley Maynard-Brewer as back up.   One of them will presumably be loaned or sold/

I expect to meeting our local mad Hatter later in the week, so will seek his opinion.

Board member says Charlton want to stay at The Valley

Charlton board member Jim Rodwell confirmed that Roland Duchatelet still owns The Valley and training ground - asked the question by talkSPORT's Simon Jordan: "We make no secret our ownership would like to buy the stadium or enter into a longer lease. We have still got a considerable amount of time left. I know that fans like certainty and so do businessmen."

Some accounts suggest that there are only a few years left before we come up against the EFL ten year rule on leased grounds.   The barmy Belgian (not so barmy when it comes to money) is still asking for a huge sum for The Valley and Sparrows Lane.

Asked about if there is a possibility of moving: "It's always a possibility. I think the desire would be to stay at The Valley. We want certainty of tenure."  He refused to answer whether cost of the lease has gone up after promotion to the Championship.

He commented in relation to transfers: “The silly season is upon us. People go on holiday and it will all get very real in the next week or two."

I have just received the accounts for property investment company Charlton Athletic Holdings Ltd.  The ultimate owner is one R Duchatelet, resident in Belgium.    The Valley and the training ground are valued at £56m.

Rick Everitt reports that Baton 2010 company accounts show Charlton paid Duchatelet £621,000 in rent in 2023/24. Valley lease, which is most of that, is due to expire in January 2035.

Massives defender could join Addicks

Sheffield sources are linking Charlton with a bid for highly rated defender Akin Famewo who has already had two successful loan spells at The Valley and was with Nathan Jones at Luton.  The Massives are currently having difficulty paying player wages: https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/charlton-athletic-sheffield-wednesday-akin-famewo-5162900

We say farewell to Thierry Small who has been snapped up by Preston North End.   Most people would accept a better offer, although I did turn down a substantially better one towards the end of my career because I was happy where I was.

It is also costs less to live in Preston than London.

Jones signs new deal

Richard Cawley reports that Nathan Jones is expected to sign a new deal.  It would increase the compensation to be paid by any club that tried to poach him, believed to be just £1m at present.

The club has now officially confirmed that he has signed the contract/

Why any sensible manager would go nowhere near Cardiff

Some fans still seem to be concerned about Nathan Jones going to Cardiff despite the authoritative Richard Cawley knocking the story on its head.

Rational argument often doesn't do well against clickbait and the social media echo chamber, but let's try.

Nathan Jones has just got Charlton promoted, Cardiff have just been relegated.   He has the backing of the board, the team, and most fans apart from a few perennial malcontents.

Vincent Tan at Cardiff is a hopeless owner.   Despite pouring money into the club and continually changing manager, they have failed on the pitch.

He even tried to change the club's kit from their traditional kit to a red-based kit that was supposed to appeal to Asian fans, most of whom have no idea where Wales is, let alone Cardiff.

He only backed down when his mum told him he was a very naughty boy.

Jones wants to wipe out the memory of Southampton and Charlton gives him the chance to do that.

I have now booked a few days on the Kent coast which is a particular haunt of Charlton pessimists such as Desmond from Deal and Derek from Dymchurch.   I will wear my Charlton badge and will be happy to buy a pint for any fan, even the moaners.

Oracle denies Jones rumours

Sometimes I despair of Charlton fans who are so susceptible to a mood of hysterical pessimism.   A journalist in South Wales starts a clickbait story that Nathan Jones is going to Cardiff and immediately a large segment of the Addickted believe it.  

We all know that many South Walians are chancers, e.g., Rob Brydon pretending to be his own agent.

Thankfully Richard Cawley has stated: 'Indications I've had is that there is no chance of Nathan Jones going to Cardiff. Not to say they wouldn't have loved the Charlton boss to try and bounce them straight back out of League One.'

Nathan Jones may be mercurial, but he is not an idiot.

In further good news, Cawley has indicated that he may be back online before long.

A 'global' strategy for Charlton

I must say that I had to laugh at the account published in The Times this morning of Manchester United's post-season tour to Malaysia and Hong Kong.  It may have raised £8m towards a £10m gap in their finances, but it seems to have seriously pissed off their already demoralised players who had to resort to the consolations offered by a few drinks (such as six bottles of champagne from a slot machine): https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/inside-manchester-uniteds-chaotic-post-season-asian-tour-8vzjh5kn7

However, it does raise the question of how Charlton should boost its global presence now we are in what is de facto the Premier League Division 2, the biggest competition outside the top flight anywhere in the world.

When we were in the Premier League, there was some interest in Charlton in unlikely places.  I have never quite got over switched on my television in Kunming in south-west China to see a rather good analysis of how Curbs and Keith Peacock worked together.

There was some interest in the club in an Asian tour but when I had word with Curbs it was clear that his grasp of geopolitics did not match his football skills - and indeed why should they be.

Our aims now need to be more modest and I would suggest that we should make use of the large numbers of expat Charlton fans in the 'Anglosphere': the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.  Their friends probably already support Premier League clubs, but perhaps they could be persuaded to adopt Charlton as their Championship club?

I also think we ought to reinvigorate our links with South Africa.   In the late 1940s and early 1950s this was an important source of recruitment for us.  In the Premier League days we benefitted from players such as Sean Bartlett and Feesh.

I have never been to South Africa and I don't know anything about the current state of South African football, although I suspect it has gone downhill over the last twenty years, but there may be undiscovered talent there.

Aneke departs

Chuks Aneke has been let go by the club.  It was the right decision by the club for the injury prone player.  I would like to thank him for the crucial goals and the way in which he disrupted opposition defences and I am pleased that he got on the pitch at Wembley.

I hope that he is able to continue playing football, but in the meantime he has built a £2m property business, acquiring his first buy to let in 2013: https://www.3sixtypg.co.uk/about-us/

Reports are circulating that Thierry Small has been offered a new contract.  I hope that he takes it.

Charlton press coverage shredded

South London Press has closed abruptly after 160 years.   The website has been taken down so links here may no longer work: https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2025/news/independent-newspaper-closes-after-160-years-with-loss-of-six-jobs/

Sports editor Richard Cawley has lost his job, presumably Louis Mendez has as well.

Much of the content of this site consisted of links to authoritative stories by the duo.

Nights sleeping at training ground paid off for Jones

From today's Times:

Tightly fought contests are often decided by individual moments of brilliance, and this game demanded exactly that after a cagey opening 30 minutes. The centre half, Macaulay Gillesphey, delivered Charlton Athletic’s season-defining moment when he broke the deadlock with an excellently whipped free kick over the Leyton Orient wall to send his side back to the Sky Bet Championship.

Charlton’s quest to return to the second tier after five years in League One has, for the most part, felt like a slog. Before Nathan Jones’s arrival as manager in February 2024, relegation to League Two looked more likely than promotion.

So for Jones, this result is one of huge personal significance. Despite being a key figure in much of Luton Town’s rise from League Two to the Premier League, his departures to first Stoke City and then Southampton in his two spells meant that, before now, he had not tasted promotion since taking Luton up from the fourth tier in 2019.

“Today was just a culmination of probably 16 months’ work, a lot of belief, a lot of sacrifice,” Jones said. “You can’t quantify the amount of work that’s gone into it because of every single sleepless night, every single phone call, every single time I’ve slept at the training ground, every single time my family’s had to sacrifice not seeing me.”

Promotion to the Championship proved to be a step too far, for now, for Richie Wellens and Leyton Orient, having led the east London side from the bottom half of League Two to the League One play-off final in three years.

This campaign has been unforgettable, having gone toe-to-toe with Manchester City at Brisbane Road in the FA Cup and ended the regular season with a six-game winning streak to secure their place in the top six. However, the campaign was not to receive the fairytale ending many thought it deserved.

“It’s disappointing but we have to recognise where we’ve come [from],” Wellens, the Orient manager said.

The contest was a scrappy affair at the start, with shots a rarity in the opening stages. Charlton looked the better of the sides early on but had very little to show for it in terms of clear-cut chances.

It was the midfield battle that dictated the flow of the game. Being first to the frequent loose balls in the midfield was crucial to taking a foothold in the game, and Jones’s side started to do just that. Each challenge and clearance was full-blooded, with every defensive header won with conviction.

The well-placed free kick from Gillesphey was the first shot on target of the game. The free kick was won by Tyreece Campbell, the pacey Charlton winger, who was often stopped in his tracks by a much more physical Orient defender. This time, the foul was drawn in a dangerous position.

Gillesphey whipped his effort over the wall and it dipped with pace, bending out towards the corner. It was hardly out of reach for the goalkeeper, Josh Keeley, but the ball was struck with such power that he was unable to keep it out of the net, despite diving at full stretch.

That opened up the game heading into the second half, as Orient looked to stretch their opponents using their wide players, with Ethan Galbraith bombing on down the right throughout.

Wellens’s side tried alternative methods to equalise. Two of those came from Jack Currie and Charlie Kelman, whose deflected strikes came close.

Currie’s shot was directed wide of the far post by the desperately outstretched boot of Kayne Ramsay. Then shortly after, the studs of Lloyd Jones sent Kelman’s attempt bouncing wildly towards goal and off the top of the crossbar.

A lengthy break in play because of a fault in the communication between the referee and VAR was criticised by Wellens post-match, as he felt it broke up their momentum late in the match.

They attacked with increasing fluidity but ultimately could not find the final ball necessary to level up the scoreline. They will spend next season in League One, while Charlton get to experience a higher level.

Charlton Athletic (4-2-3-1): W Mannion 6 — K Ramsay 7, M Gillesphey 8, L Jones 7, J Edwards 6 — G Docherty 6, C Coventry 6 — T Small 6 (T Watson 68min, 6), A Gilbert 6 (K Anderson 68, 6), T Campbell 7 (M Mbick 81) — M Godden 7 (C Aneke 81). Booked Jones.

Addicks back in the Championship

For the next few weeks reports will appear here and on the third division diary before this site takes over.

Ramsay was almost caught out early doors, but recovered.   Lloyd Jones was fortunate not to get a yellow and Orient had a free kick. 

Orient won a corner.  Mannion secured the ball comfortably and released it well.   Docherty thought he had won a Charlton corner, but the referee gave a goal kick.

After quarter of an hour there had been few incidents of note. The referee was reluctant to give free kicks. 

Ramsay blocked an Orient counter attack well. 

Charlton needed to improve in the final third to get a shot away.    Orient looked better in the forward areas in terms of positioning and ball control, but neither keeper had much to do.

Charlton won a free kick in a promising position after Campbell had drawn it on 29 minutes.     It was taken by Gillesphey and the much criticised player scored.

An Orient corner was poor and ended in a Charlton goal kick.

Orient tried to finish the half strongly with a spell of possession.   Charlton tried to take the sting out of the game with their own spell of possession.

Two minutes added on.  

HT: 1-0

Gilbert took a Charlton free kick, but then the Addicks conceded a free kick.   Matty Godden won a free kick.

Campbell was starting to look more dangerous.  

An Orient ball was just wide through a deflection.    The corner was not successful. 

Two massive chances for Orient!  Currie was the first to unleash but he sees his attempt deflect out by mere inches to go out for a corner.

What do the O's do with it? They see it go just outside the box for Jordan Brown to pounce on.  He whacks it but it just lifts high. Just.

Charlie Kelman connects with his right-foot in the box to draw breath from the Addicks fans. But as good as his strike is, it takes a small knock from a Charlton defender to see it ricochet off the bar on 62 minutes.

Charlton's Alex Gilbert wiped out Jamie Donley inside of the D and gives Leyton Orient a free- kick.  The wall stood.

A disappointing Small came off along with Gilbert.   Watson and Anderson came on.  (68 minutes)

Charlton won a corner after Keeley deflected a Coventry shot.   Clare headed it away.   Subsequent play ended in a goal kick.   Ramsay required treatment for cramp.   Orient withdrew Clare in favour of James. Brown was replaced by Ball.

Ramsay was still struggling.   Charlton were having to call on all their defensive skills.   Godden waved his arms to the Addickted in encouragement.    Godden went off along with Campbell and Mbick and Aneke came on.  (81 minutes)

Orient made three more changes, Beccles was among those to go off.

The referee went down the tunnel, apparently because of technical issues with communication (the headsets).   Attendance was announced at 76,193.

11 minutes of added time were announced.    Keeley saved from Aneke.    Lloyd Jones got the first booking of the match for interfering with a free kick.

Docherty blocked a free kick with his face.   Mannion collected a free kick well, he was bold and brave.  Mannion claimed an incoming header. 

Charlton won, they are back in the Championship, now the hard work begins.

 

League One promotion race attracts attention in New York

The Athletic (New York Times) makes rhe League One promotion race its lead story this morning.

Here are some excerpts: 'Only time will tell on that score, but there can be little doubt that it’s advantage Wycombe Wanderers in the race to clinch the runners-up spot behind already promoted Birmingham City after Mike Dodds’ side were given a helping hand from the most unlikely of sources.

In 10 years as a professional and more than 275 senior appearances, Taylor Moore had found the net just twice. But, by heading in Matt Butcher’s first-half corner to net his first goal since New Year’s Day, 2019, the Bristol Rovers defender knocked Wrexham off course in their quest to reach the Championship.

Matty James rescued a point for Phil Parkinson’s men, who nevertheless surrendered second spot courtesy of Wycombe’s 2-0 victory at Bolton Wanderers. One point separates Wrexham and Wycombe, and Wycombe’s goal difference is superior by five.

Adding to a fascinating promotion mix are Charlton Athletic who, despite being five points adrift with just nine still up for grabs, still retain their own hopes given they are still to play both Wycombe and Wrexham.

“We’re still in a great position,” insisted Parkinson. “There are three games to go and, hopefully, some more twists along the way. You can’t discount anyone. Charlton face Wycombe (on Monday) and they can’t both win."

On paper, Wycombe’s looks the tougher with home games against Charlton and Stockport, plus a visit to play-offs hopefuls Leyton Orient. Equally, though, Charlton having those six-pointers at Adams Park and then The Racecourse means Nathan Jones’ side cannot be discounted.'

The financial challenge of the Championship

Charlton fans are understandably focused on the various permutations of results that could see us promoted to the Championship.   The financial challenges we will face there are brushed aside.

We should remember that:

• Charlton loses over a quarter of a million pounds a week
• Commercial revenue is increasingly important in the Championship, but Charlton is not strong in that area
• The club does not own its stadium or training ground
• Our owners do not have the resources of a billionaire as in the case of Kazakh owned Wycombe Wanderers.

Of course, promotion might attract new and wealthier investors, that is the best hope.

However, any analysis of Championship finances is sobering: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2025/04/championship-finances-are-little-less.html

Charlton's concerning finances

A little behind schedule, Charlton have submitted their2023/24 accounts.   Once they have been uploaded at Companies House, I will undertake more analysis.   In the meantime, I am using the summary of football finance guru Kieran Maguire.   They make worrying reading.

Revenue was £8.8m down 10%. Wages £12.1m up 18%. Wages £138 for every £100 revenue, a very high figure more typical of the Championship.  Operating loss £14.6m up 48% (£280k a week).   Severance pay (to manager?) £746k.  Exec pay £1.9m up 80% (but remember, salmon coloured chinos don’t pay for themselves, quips Maguire).  Player purchases £1.9m.   Player sales were £1.3m.

Maguire states that total Charlton losses over the years are £71.5m.

Maguire has also revealed: 'Charlton’s auditors are unable to say whether or not the 23/24 accounts are accurate following a cyber attack against the club which meant that the auditors could not obtain supporting evidence.'

The dark days after Curbs left

A story in The Athletic reminds us of a time in our history we would rather forget.

'Les Reed remains the answer to a quiz question. Unfortunately for Charlton, he was not the answer to their prayers.   [He was a decent man with some real football knowledge, but one of his depth in the role].

“In discussing our strategy going forward, it became clear that the continuous speculation surrounding my position was counter-productive to our plans and Charlton’s future,” said Reed, sending an email to a journalist from the Daily Mail after his sacking days before Christmas in 2006 after just seven games and 41 days in charge — still a Premier League record.

“We agreed mutually that it was in the best interests of the club for me to stand down and this I have done in order that this great club can move on. My position had become untenable in circumstances not of my making and beyond my control. I have not run away from this challenge, I have done what is right for Charlton.“

Reed might not have run away but Charlton sent him packing less than six weeks after he replaced Iain Dowie, who himself had lasted just six months.

And you would hope that some of the circumstances that led to the decision were at least partly within his control — one win and just four points from seven league games, perhaps, or the League Cup defeat to League Two Wycombe Wanderers.

So it wasn't rocket science with Dowie and you didn't get off the runway with Reed?   Expect more turbulence with me

Reed was replaced by Alan Pardew.'   Hmm.

Jensen: Charlton was the best part of my career

Claus Jensen recalls his years at Charlton as the best time of his career.   He praises Curbs and recalls that goal at Arsenal on the 'Black Sabbath', voted by Charlton fans as the best goal ever: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/claus-jensen-charlton-athletic-was-the-best-part-of-my-career-the-memories-are-very-strong/

Fans move away from 'the core area'

He's been silent for a long time but now former fanzine editor Rick Everitt has emerged from his wardrobe to celebrate recent achievements at The Valley and declare that there are some grounds for optimism: https://www.votvonline.com/home/the-2024-25-blogs/4-4-25-jones-silences-critics-to-lead-charlton-revival/

The latest CAST survey also shows greater optimism and positivity among fans: https://www.castrust.org/2025/04/optimism-is-growing/ 

The survey did show a gradual scattering of the fan base away from the 'core area', although 12 per xcent still live in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and 62 per cent live in South London or Kent.

My guess would be that in the 1950s two-thirds lived in the boroughs of Greenwich, Woolwich and Bexley or in immediately adjacent areas such as Lewisham and Dartford.

BTW, I read in a national newspaper this week that Eltham may soon be called 'Blackheath borders!'

From Curbs to Karel Fraeye

The latest Four Four Two has a 'best and worst at Charlton' feature written by 'lifelong Addick Paddy Pamment'.   (Who he?  Ed)

He does, reasonably enough, seem to be a bit fixated on the Curbs Premier League era.   Personally I  would have found room for some players from the 1950s and also given Lennie Lawrence an honourable mention.   But you can draw up your own lists.

Jensen excited at Valley return

Claus Jensen will be at The Valley on Saturday and still follows the club.  He has great memories of this time at Charlton where he played 126 games: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/i-still-follow-the-club-ex-charlton-midfielder-claus-jensen-excited-by-valley-return-on-saturday/

He could certainly score from distance.   What was your favourite Jensen goal?   It may seem an odd choice, but I remember a belter at Leeds where we lost 5-2 but he momentarily silenced the home crowd.

Streets in SE7 quiet as Methven departs

Charlie Methven has stood down as Charlton's CEO, saying that the club is now on an upward trajectory and he can pack up his tent: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn4yjp7v9pxo

Reports from SE7 suggest that the streets around The Valley remain calm with no sign of fans rending shirts or returning their season tickets.

Normally in such circumstances one would use the words the cinema newsreels applied to the departure of Neville Chamberlain as prime minister in 1940, 'Thanks for all you tried to do.'   But I was never quite clear what Methven did, although he could talk the talk.

More here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlie-methven-leaving-role-as-charlton-athletic-chief-executive-officer/

The club is advertising the position.

Charlton and the success of Ademola Lookman

Turn the corner in the corridor leading to the sports hall at St Thomas the Apostle School and Sixth Form College (STAC) and, almost hidden away out of sight, you might miss the framed, match-worn Charlton Athletic shirt.   The display also includes a photo of a young Ademola Lookman.

The reigning African footballer of the year is, without question, the most successful player to emerge from STAC, a state-funded all-boys Catholic school in Southwark, south-east London. Yet Lookman’s is just one of several jerseys displayed on that wall, illustrating the sporting achievements of so many former pupils.

He achieved excellent academic results at STAC, with four A*s and five As in his GCSEs, before being picked up late, at 17, by Charlton. He rose rapidly through their academy to the first team and made 49 appearances before a Premier League move to Everton at age 19. A further 48 appearances on Merseyside led to a 2019 transfer to Germany’s RB Leipzig and subsequent Premier League loans with Fulham and Leicester City, until he settled on a permanent deal with Atalanta in August 2022.

“Ademola was academically driven because there was not even a thought back then about him taking up a scholarship let alone a professional contract,” PE supremo Reynolds commented.

Curbs: I didn't get fair shot at England job

A recent edition of Four Four Two has a double page spread interview with Alan Curbishley.

He states: 'After that first promotion to the Premier League, we made a joint decision that of whatever money we took from that season, a third would go on the squad, a third on the stadium and a third would be back-up money if we got relegated.  You see teams relegated from the Premier League having a mass exodus because they can't afford the players' contracts.   That plan meant we didn't have to sell anyone.  We could invest in the squad and we came back up as champions.'

'All of the players we brought to the club had a point to prove.  We never bought the ready-made Premier League player until later.   It ended up working to our detriment a little bit because once we got to that 40 point safety mark, we tailed off from some really good positions.'

'The closest we came to Europe was in 2003/4.  I'm sure we would have finished in the top four or five if Scott Parker hadn't joined Chelsea in January.  We got £12 million, but so late in the window I couldn't spend it.'

Curbs says he didn't get the interviews the other boys did for the England job in 2006, they were interviewed in a private house, he was interviewed in the FA offices because of a timing clash with a FA Cup replay.

In terms of other high profile jobs, Curbs said that he was in a position at Charlton where he was in charge of the whole football club.  He didn't think he was ready for a bigger club, he needed more experience.  He had one year left on his contract and has just been interviewed for the England job.  He wanted his contract to run out - but we all know what happened.

Lennie Lawrence recalls his time at Charlton

Lennie Lawrence has stepped back as Hartlepool United coach and taken the No.2 role: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce3lgy17q0ko

However, before this became known Four Four Two published a two page tribute to the Charlton legend in their March issue.   The survival of the club owes much to him.

Lawrence notes that Hartepool asked him to do the job for a month, just like Charlton did 40 years ago. 

The 77-year old says that  'Man management remains the most important thing and there are aspects of it that are the same as they were 30 years ago.   Others are different (he cites social media)and you need to embrace that.'

Lawrence says that he was not particularly abrasive or confrontational back in the day and 'these approaches now wouldn't hold you in good stead.   To use a modern buzzword, you have to show empathy towards players as well as being demanding and having standards - you've got to understand them and help them.'

'Sometimes it's not what you say but how you say it - that's the key, there has to be mutual respect.  The first thing I said to the players when I took Charlton over 40 years ago was "I promise I'll be honest with you and I'll try to be fair - I can't always be fair, but I'll try to be honest -that's the starting point.'

Nothing to see here

Those with an inside track at the club insist there was nothing much more to the club's relationship with Iran than the signature of Karim Bagheri who made his sole appearance as a substitute when we were losing to Ipswich on a rainy afternoon.  I was there and I can recall him making one directionless header.

One narrative is that by signing him the club was simply trying to appeal to rich Iranians living in London who might come up with some sponsorship.

But then I was given an informal briefing in Westminster around this time which suggested a more complex interpretation which involved using Charlton as an instrument of British diplomacy..

Then I noticed that records from government departments from 20 years ago were appearing in the press.

I decided to set up a meeting with 'Pete' who is an expert on the National Archives.  He said that there was now a 20 year rule, but his impression was that documents were being released somewhat selectively.

We also discussed what might have been behind the briefing that I was given, but we agreed that there were a number of alternative possible interpretations.

However, a quick search of the National Archives online using 'Charlton Athletic' revealed that back in 1966 the Foreign Office was considering sending Football League clubs to Iran.   This was, of course, under the Shah's regime rather than that of the Ayatollahs.  

'Pete' is a regular at the National Archives and he has agreed to undertake a preliminary search to see what he can find.

It may well all turn out to be a mirage and I may have played the role of 'useful idiot', but it is at least worth further investigation.

I'm no nepo baby says Miles

The Guardian has published an in depth feature interview with Miles and Tracey Leaburn.  Tracey, whom we remember for standing up to the clowns who want to take over the club, is a star in her own right.  She cooks jerk chicken dinners for the younger players: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jan/09/charlton-miles-leaburn-carl-tracey-interview

Leaburn has been named League One Player of the Month: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-striker-miles-leaburn-wins-league-one-player-of-the-month-award/

Charlton author joins Sam Bartram

David Lodge, who came from south-east London and wrote atmospherically about Charlton in the 1950s in one of his novels has gone to join Sam Bartram: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2nzgp5yp0o

Charlton were a leading first division side then, if a somewhat quixotic one. David Lodge recalls in one of his novels, 'they were always an interesting team to watch, fickle and unpredictable, but capable of heartwarming flashes of brilliance. More than once he and his friends left the Valley a few minutes before the end of the game, dispirited by their team's poor performance, only to hear, as they passed through the quiet, car-lined streets, a huge explosive roar filling the air behind them, indicating that Charlton had scored a last-minute goal and snatched a point.'

Charlton taxi out, but not cleared for take off

This afternoon's game at Crawley has been called off after an exhibition of dilly dallying by the referee,  achieving new heights of haplessness for a referee at this level.

After an initial pitch inspection at 1.15, Crawley mobilised their two ground staff with brooms while someone else got to work with a roller that looked like it was borrowed from someone's garden.

A further pitch inspection was time for 2.15 pm, but still no decision was forthcoming.  Apparently the referee was concerned about the fact that it was still raining.   Both teams came out to warm up, probably damaging the pitch further.

Meanwhile Jonathan Grade, arriving at the ground, had someone go into the back of his car, presumably an off duty air traffic controller looking for the ground.

The sell out crowd has made a fruitless journey.   Leamington v. Hereford is on and being televised live.

I suppose if the game had gone ahead it might have been abandoned.   As it is, Charlton's players get a respite from their busy schedule, but they may also lose valuable momentum.   An unchanged team would have played.

With most other games apparently on, the Addicks are likely to fall down the table.