What we are to make of Ramsay rumours?

I'm not sure what to make of rumours that Torino are interested in Kayne Ramsay who has one year left on his contract at Charlton.

The story seems to have started on the Currant Bun website and has then echoed around various advert heavy clickbait sites.   However, the fact that Richard Cawley has referred to it suggests that it may have some substance, although it could have started with the player's agent trying to stoke interest in the UK.

Ramsay had a rather stuttering start to his career before being signed by the Addicks from the Sulphurites.

A dependable figure across the back line, he helped the Addicks earn promotion and cemented his place as a regular Championship starter. Now 25, Ramsay has amassed more than 200 senior appearances.

As an athletic, versatile defender, these are qualities that make him an attractive, cost-effective target for clubs such as Torino. The Serie A outfit may be looking to replicate the success of Brooke Norton-Cuffy after he made the switch to Italian side Genoa.

Maynard-Brewer hands in kilt

Ashley Maynard-Brewer's short stay in Scotland is over,  He played 12 games for Dundee United but was then injured, just as he was when he was on loam at Dingall's Ross County.

He has now gone on a free transfer to Sheffield Wednesday: https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/sheffield-wednesday-sign-former-charlton-athletic-and-dundee-united-goalkeeper-8832014

Having been brought up in sun kissed Joondalup with its kangaroo infested golf courses, the former Addicks keeper may have found the Scottish climate taxing, not to mention haggis and chips and fried mar bars.

Jones praises trialist

Nathaniel Chalobah, a free agent after leaving Sheffield Wednesday, started for the Addicks in the 2-0 win at Colchester and played a holding midfield role. The former Chelsea player, 31, has also had permanent moves to Fulham, Watford and West Bromwich Albion.

“He was excellent,” Jones told Richard Cawley's website. “He did pretty much everything I knew he could. He has had a fantastic career. He is a wonderful footballer.

“What we need to do is improve the technicians we have. We want to evolve, have more possession and have more of a cutting edge. To do that we need players that can play that way - and Nate is one of those.”

“Ability-wise there is no question. I’ve known him since he was 16 or 17. It is where he is in terms of his physicality - can he do what we want him to do? If he can do that then technically he is comfortable.

“We are actively looking (for more signings). We’ve still got two more to do."

However, the Massives have left the door ajar for him and may take him back: https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/nathaniel-chalobah-sheffield-wednesday-8826992

Career history here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Chalobah

Richard Cawley notes that Owls fans say he is quality, but availability is the issue.  The Sparrows Lane treatment table awaits.

Bolton Wanderers have obtained additional investment from an American pardoned by Donald Trump.

A spanner in the works

Kevin Lisbie's son has gone to Millwall: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cr59de9g2r0o

I thought that he might have been a good acquisition for Charlton, but I doubt whether we could match Millwall's offer or wages.

Charlton wing it

Richard Cawley reports that Charlton have completed a permanent move for Millenic Alli. No fee disclosed but been unverified claims that it is around £1.5million.

The word on from him other clubs seems to be that he is a bit of a maverick, but needs must.

Cawley notes that the Addickshave now got three players - Tyreece Campbell, Karlan Grant and Millenic Alli - who all played down the left at Championship level next season. Obviously doubts about the future of TC, whose deal expires at the end of this season.

Nathan Jones has dabbled with him playing as a CF, now has the attacking players to more easily do that. Grant and Alli both right-footed but have tended to play the inverted winger role.

Alli is 26 and has had his first call up for the Republic of Ireland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millenic_Alli

Dixon leaves

Kaheim Dixon has joined a Serbian super league club Novi Pazar.   Recruited from Jamaica, he made a limited impact at Charlton and I hope that the move works out for him.

Unconfirmed reports are saying that Charlton are to make an improved offer for Lyndon Dykes, but I would question whether we can outbid Bristol City.   And should we?

The rumour mill is linking Charlton with winger Jordan Holsgrove.   He has forsaken the kilt for the last three years to play for Estoril in Portugal.

However, a number of other Championship clubs are said to be interested, plus Werder Bremen.

Kevin Keegan and the Addicks

VOTV editor Rick Everitt reflects on the links between Kevin Keegan's career and Charlton, including an attempt to sign him: https://www.votvonline.com/home/the-2025-26-blogs/23-7-keegan-and-the-addicks-a-tale-of-the-very-unexpected/

Charlton enter Kamara race

Charlton have entered the race for the signature of Hull winger Abu Kamara much to the annoyance of Portsmouth where he was formerly a loan player: https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/portsmouth-fc-news-transfer-latest-abu-kamara-hull-charlton-rich-hughes-john-mousinho-8817172

The Lambeth born 23 year old came up through the Norwich City academy but for the past season was on loan with Getafe in La Liga: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Kamara_(footballer,_born_2003)

Another prodigal returns

Defender Danny McNamara has signed a one year contract with Charlton, having been let go by Millwall. Richard Cawley has revealed that he was with Charlton until the age of 14.

He plays golf with Matty Godden who recommended the Addicks to him.

Career details for the 27 year old who would like to reboot his international involvement with the Republic of Ireland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_McNamara_(footballer)

The rumour mill has been suggesting that Alex Mitchell is in Plymouth today and it is not just for a cream tea.  He had a season long loan with them last season and was well thought of by fans.

Mitchell has now signed foe Argyle, preferring them to Wycombe Wanderers.

Hibs interest in Kanu doubtful

There have been reports of interest from Hibernian in signing Daniel Kanu and I thought he might have donned the kilt.   Hibs could offer SPL football and they could fund a decent fee.

My Scottish correspondent, Angus from Portobello, who happens to be a season ticket holder at Easter Road, has been investigating.

He reports: I'm not aware of Hibs interest in Kanu, but it's possible that there is something in what you've heard. I'm slightly sceptical because Hibs have just acquired Nathan Lowe on loan from Stoke City. I've only seen Lowe play 45 minutes in a pre-season friendly, but he looked good to me, and not only because he scored both of the Hibs goals.' 

In any case Hibs are away in Kosovo tomorrow in a European Conference league qualifier (1st leg).

Armchair managers on the prowl

Charlton are blessed with a number of negative armchair managers who seem to think they understand the game better than professional coaches so let's remind ourselves of some of their favourite clichés.

We're already relegated This has already been used by leading moaners without a ball being kicked and last season was in frequent use after Christmas although we were only briefly in a relegation position.  If I felt so pessimistic about the club, I would stop being an active supporter,

He's lost the dressing room Asserted by a fan about the coach who has never spoken to any players.

He's got to go Charlton lose a match or draw at home, coach's dismissal is demanded without any sensible suggestions about a better replacement.

If we can see it, why can't he? Coach told what he sees on training ground or gains from analysis of statistics not generally available to fans is irrelevant.

Owners have to invest Owners told to turn large fortune into a smaller one.   Reminded 'you can't take it with you', but fans seem to forget that those of us departing soon have dependants with expectations.   A visit from the Spanish branch of my family reminded me that I have 13 not counting partners!

Seaside deal for Karoy

Karoy Anderson has joined Blackpool where he was on loan last season.  The fee paid for the Jamaica international and Academy product has not been disclosed, but the negotiations appear to have been protracted: https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2026/july/21/seasiders-sign-karoy-anderson-on-a-permanent-deal/

He is clearly delighted to be back by the Irish Sea.   Thanks for all your tried to do and every success in the future.

Kanu's fate in the balance

A number of clubs have expressed interest in Daniel Kanu, including Burton Albion and Hibernian.  I will be speaking to my Scottish correspondent, Angus from Portobello, who happens to be a season ticket holder at Easter Road.

Nathan Jones is emphatic that Kanu won't go out on loan again after his successful spell at Walsall last season.  Jones is happy to keep him and use him, but equally would accept a good enough offer.  That would be pure profit as Kanu is a product of the Academy.

My hunch is that he will soon be measured up for his kilt.

Jones upbeat about Karlan Grant signing

The signing of Karlan Grant has not been greeted with universal enthusiasm by Charlton supporters who seem not to realise that Nathan Jones has to work within a tight budget.

Karlan has been on my radar since he was 15,” Jones told Richard Cawley. “I was aware of Karlan when I coached here with the U21s. I really took an interest in him.

“I spoke to Harty (Paul Hart, then academy boss) about him and he said: ‘This kid has got it all - he can be a bit special’. He has proved that. He went through the Charlton age groups quickly and got into the first team.”

“He got a move and did fantastically well. At that point the financial side really helped Charlton. Since he has moved on, and his career has developed, Charlton have continued to benefit (from future transfers).”

The sanguine supremo added: ‘You look at midfield and I’d like to bring another midfield player that gives us real control in a game. But you’ve seen the emergence of Alan Mwamba, which is wonderful. How you saw him play today (against Gillingham), he has been like that every single day in training. So that gives us an option.’

 

Charlton to beat drop

With their usual positive outlook some Charlton fans are proclaiming that we are already relegated before a ball is kicked.   However, last season Four Four Two magazine said we would be relegated.  This year they are forecasting survival in 21st place.

FFT's verdict is: 'Solid defensive foundations plus a capacity for surprising one-off results thanks to an underdog spirit after Nathan Jones could be enough io beat the drop - but a touch more open play creativity is needed.'

Fan Natasha Everitt forecasts a 17th place finish 'which is fine by me.  Rome wasn't built in a day.'

Everitt says that the main change she would make at the club is to stop signing injury prone players.  The opposition player she'd like at The Valley is Swansea's Chilean keeper Lawrence Vigouroux.   Let's hope he's not like the Chilean player I saw playing for Catholica in Santiago who when he scored the only goal of the game took his shirt off to reveal a tattoo of Christ on the cross covering his back.

She hopes that 19-year old Micah Mbick will recover from his injury to offer a fantastic attacking option.

Will the prodigal return?

Nathan Jones has confirmed to Richard Cawley that Charlton are interested in free agent Karlan Grant who is a free agent after being let go by the Baggies.  I understand that he has now signed a two year contract.

He made 80 appearances for Charlton between 2014 and 2019 and scored 16 goals, but this included tow loan periods.  He then went to Huddersfield Town.

The conversation followed the 1-0 victory by Charlton at Gillinbgam.

Rickster mees Burnham

Charlton fanzine editor Rick Everitt has posted a picture of himself with incoming prime minister Andy Burnham at Gravesend town pier {?]   The Rickster had already been invited to No.10 by Keir Starmer.

Everitt told Burnham that he hoped to see Burnham at The Valley before long supporting Everton.  He also reminded him of the needs of Thanet where he is Labour leader of the council.  Not all areas of deprivation are 'oop North.

I don't want to rain on Everitt's parade, but the Spectator magazine looks as if it is getting ready to renew its campaign against the 'Charltification' of football.

It will be recalled that Spectator columnist Lord Young of Action fulminated against Everitt last season and  the QPR blogger invited the fanzine editor for a confrontation on Margate beach last October.

The idea of two folically challenged gents in their early 60s engaging in handbags at six paces was as bizarre a stunt as one would now find in Clacton and the noble lord returned to London in high dudgeon.

After Millwall supporter Rod Liddle's attack on Charlton, Lord Young (the son of Lord Young of Dartington) has been sounding off about football again in this week's issue, but I am still trying to make sense of what he is saying, although much of it is about QPR.

There are rumours that Young is planning to make a return trip to Margate, this time accompanied by QPR supporting minor celebrities Louis Theroux and Giles Coren.

The Varney 'memoirs' and Duchatelet

The latest instalment of Peter Varney's conversations with Richard Cawley on his Substack page cover Duchatelet and his guitar playing successor.  Needless to say, Varney has little time for either of them.

I have asked Richard Cawley if these interviews can be aggregated in some way as they give a fascinating 'behind the scenes' look at Charlton's recent travails.

Varney doesn't suffer fools gladly and I felt the rough edge of his tongue when I put friendship with an Addick before good judgement.   Nevertheless, he is a very shrewd and experienced individual and a genuine Addick.

Rick Everitt and Varney worked closely together on the excellent Rickshaw project  among others and Varney uses Everitt as corroboration at one point in his remarks.  Nevertheless, it has been alleged that they had the occasional  vigorous exchange of views when working together.

Duchatelet seems to have formed the view with Varney was a 'bad' person and refused to engage with him in relation to attempts to buy the club from serious bidders.  The barmy Belgian's excessive valuations of the stadium and the training ground also discouraged prospective buyers.

Apparently Duchatelet took exception to a £25k consultancy fee Varney had received from Jiminez for some hard work on his behalf.   Varney initially got nothing, but Her Indoors rightly insisted that he should be paid for his labours.

As for Sandgaard, Varney makes it clear what he thinks of his lack of realism.

Greg Docherty rumours

Unconfirmed reports are suggesting that Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City are interested in Charlton captain Greg Docherty.

He has one year left on his Charlton contract.

It's not coming home

I didn't buy into all the 'It's coming home' hype, but I did hope we would make it to the final.  Supporting Charlton should inoculate me against football disappointment, but it doesn't work like that.

I was 19 when we won the World Cup, watching it at home on a black and white television.   I didn't fully appreciate at the time as I was about to embark on my first trip abroad, travelling around Northern Europe by boat and night train, ending up in Finland which has always been a special place for me.

I don't want to add much to what the armchair managers are saying, other than saying that I don't think we have enough world class players.   The referee should have done something about the early fouls by Argentine players.   However, this is not the Premier League and, having been to both Argentina and Chile more than once, the game there is more physical.

My wife has just told me that she saw Argentina beat Spain 2-1 in the group matches in 1966, having been given free tickets to Villa Park by her oil company employers.

Given that my daughter and partner, one granddaughter and my great-granddaughter live in Spain, I shall feel justified in supporting them on Sunday.

Dykes departs?

It appears that 'Last Ditch' Dykes is on trial at Bristol City, having been photographed there.  However, there has been no comment from official or unofficial sources in Bristol.  

Richard Cawley reports: It’s been radio silence on the club future of Lyndon Dykes since the end of last season.   What we do know is that Charlton Athletic had offered the Scotland international, a free agent after his short-term deal expired on July 1, fresh terms.

Presumably Bristol can offer him better terms as they seek promotion to the top flight.  The club is bank rolled by Steve Lansdown who was one of the founders of the funds supermarket Hargreaves Lansdown.

For more about Bristol City and the benevolence of Steve Lansdown, go here: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2025/01/parachute-payments-make-life-difficult.html

*The writer is a client of Hargreaves Lansdown.

Apologies for lack of posting, but I have been rather preoccupied with the World Cup.  I remember 1966 well, but it seems a long time ago.   In an earlier post I selected Jude Bellingham as a truly world class player.   Here is a photo of him with his brother in the kit of my non-league club Leamington (his father was a great striker for the Brakes):

 

Deloitte warn on Championship finances

Deloitte have warned in their latest financial report that the state of the Championship gives them the greatest cause for concern in European football.

'‘The underlying football fundamentals of England’s second tier remain strong, providing the foundations to sustain and build domestic engagement and an incredible opportunity to grow global interest. It’s a competition with a wealth of authentic narrative about fans, communities, players and an increasingly multi-national mix of owners.

It’s the landing point for relegated clubs to seek resurgence, the platform for some larger football communities seeking promotion after many years away from the top, and occasionally a dreamy wonderland for a smaller town club to punch above its weight.

Escalating player wage costs and agent fees drive persistent and growing levels of annual losses. Despite impressive revenue growth over the past 20 seasons (average annual growth of 6%), Championship clubs’ aggregate losses over the same period total £4.5 billion.

These annual losses are being funded by a combination of owner injections through equity (£0.9 billion across the past five seasons) and soft loans, alongside more risky sources of cash from external lenders, player sales and, for the lucky few, promotion to the Premier League. These annual financial results and funding strategies yield a deteriorating balance sheet position, for which the latest published snapshot in 2025 reveals aggregate net debt of £1.4 billion and very few clubs with significant positive cash reserves.

This financial fragility fuels fans’ frustrations, the media’s portrayal of ‘clubs-in-crisis’, churn of ownership, regulatory interventions such as player transfer embargoes, complexities of legal disputes and, unfortunately, the occasional distress and uncertainty of an insolvency situation.

For club owners, their personal reputation, well-being and financial health are at stake. For the competition overall, this uncomfortable off-pitch business narrative blurs the focus away from football. Football’s innate competitiveness and passionate personal desire for triumph over others drives the intensity of talent recruitment and retention.

Club owners seeking to satiate their fans’ appetite for success are simultaneously and collectively succumbing to the financial demands of players, managers and their agents. The financial prize of promotion to the Premier League, even when short lived, provides an added dimension which fuels clubs’ business behaviours, with these increasingly tending to prioritise shorter term goals.

Recognising the need for collective action and financial regulatory intervention, the Football League and its member clubs have devised a variety of antidotes in recent decades, influenced in the past by the Premier League’s somewhat short shrift financial regulatory methods. In the circumstances, the Football League has commendably battled to help mitigate some of the worst financial excesses over the past 20 years.’

Mitchell delighted to don the kilt

Charlton's Zach Mitchell is delighted to be don the kilt and return to St. Johnstone on a season long loan.  He has fallen in love with the city of Perth and the Pars: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c1jyyr6nz99o

Mitchell was very much a fans' favourite at McDiarmid Park and is looking forward to playing in the SPL.

Last season Mitchell had to be recalled from an unsatisfactory loan at Hibernian.  My Scottish correspondent, Angus from Portobello, is a Hibernian season ticket holder and thought he was badly treated at Easter Road.  He was surprised that more use was not made of him.

Charlton is able to sign foreign players who have difficulty with the impenetrable accents of the Central Belt and the cuisine.   Equally, many English players enjoy the warmth of a Scottish welcome.

I lived in Glasgow for a year in Balmanno Building, Rotten Row (and it was) but it was great to live in the centre of a city and yet to have spectacular countryside and islands within easy reach.   It was also great for my sport of orienteering.   And haggis and chips at lunchtime was just nine old pence.

Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow

Nathan Jones has emphatically denied rumours linking Charlton with St Mirren striker Mikael Mandron.  Whether or not he stays in Paisley, he is not coming to Charlton.   It would appear from Scottish sources that he is ready to hand in his kilt, but Leicester City are also reported to be interested in the Frenchman.

Jones says he was impressed with the performance of trialist Nathan Redmond who will be going to Slovenia.   The winger is a free agent after being let go by Blackburn Rovers.

Jones has emphasised that it will be a slow window.  More on Richard Cawley's Substack page.

Quality not quantity says Jones

Nathan Jones says that there will only be five to seven signings  at Charlton this summer with the emphasis on quality not quantity.   In other words, we haven't got the readies.

Jones admits that there is a real need for quality in the final third, but that is hard to find and expensive in both fees and wages.

I wouldn't mind the DRC keeper who is No.2 at Le Havre!

BTW, Konsa's dad was Congolese and the DRC was keen to get him to play for them.   There are about 10,000 DRC expats in London.

Time to make a few predictions:

• In the week before the first game, the New York Times has a special article on Wrexham, predicting that they will the Championship
• On the Saturday, the NYT says this will be Wrexham's last first game in the Championship before next season they claim the Premier League title that is rightfully theirs

Danny Murphy's greatest games

The latest edition of Four Four Two carries a feature on Danny Murphy's greatest games.  It is necessarily a compressed item featuring just four games, none of then at Charlton (56 appearances, seven goals).

Listening to Murphy drone away commentating on Spain versus Austria, I uncharitably thought that his former recreational habits might explain his nasal tone.   But then it occurred to me that this may be what Scousers trying to doing RP sound like.

But then the King of the North doesn't sound like that.   But then he read English at Cambridge and married a Dutch aristo.

Compering the programme was Kelly Cates who has a curious strangulated voice which may be an attempt to mask a Glaswegian accent as well as a Liverpool one.

Both Danny and Kelly have seen their relationships break up, so perhaps the World Cup could bring them together?   Danny would then join football aristocracy as Kelly is the late Sir Kenny Dalglish's daughter. But then I remembered that Kelly is in a mocked up studio in Salford and Danny appears to be perched at the top of an American football stadium.

But is it really Danny or an avatar created by AI?   It would be quite difficult to replicate his dismal tone, though.

Billy Koumetio stories may be credible

A number of sources both south and north of the border report that Billy Koumetio is about to sign for Charlton.   Earlier six figure bids were rejected by Dundee.

The 23-year old French centre half is reported to have had enough of haggis and chips and is ready to return his kilt. and live in England.   Dundee have been insisting that he is a key part of their plans.

It is now been confirmed that he has signed for Charlton.  The fee is £500,000 plus add ons.  This represents a substantial profit for the Dark Blues after his arrival from Liverpool.

Gassan Ahadme has been loaned to Cambridge United  on a season long loan to help him get game time and more fluency (i.e., find his level). The streets of SE7 remained calm after the news.

Macaulay Gillesphey is reported to have joined Bradford for an undisclosed fee.   No rending of shirts has been reported.