Charlton fans have reacted with disappointment to the news that the annual fixture with Welling United at Park View Road which traditionally opens the pre-season is not happening this year. The fixture was originally known as the Crown Berger Cup, although what happened to the cup is not known.
The fixture was convenient for locally based Charlton fans who have pointed out that Welling forms part of the Charlton family.
Charlton retained the Crown Berger Cup with an emphatic 5-0 win over Welling at Park View Road in the traditional season curtain raiser this afternoon. There was an attendance of 2,140 in the warm sunshine. The Conference South champions were given a guard of honour at the start of the game. The Addicks played different teams in each half, but the lack of new signings was a contrast with earlier matches. The first half side were the 'probables' and the second half the 'possibles' and this is reflected in when goals were scored.
A heartening aspect of the first half was the hat trick scored by Joe Pigott with Yann Kermorgant the provider for all three goals. The first came after nine minutes with a deliciously weighted through ball from the Breton. He then went on to score a fourth before the break. After the break Wings winger Kieran Hughes-Mason forced Cedric Evina into a goal-saving tackle and keeper Dave Button had to make a fine save round the post just minutes later. In the second half Danny Green scored from the spot, after a cross from Jordan Cook had been handled, to make it 5-0. Cook later tweeted that it was great to see so many fans and good to be back.
Wings supremo Jamie Day now has Pigott in his sights, telling The Non-League Paper 'Hopefully later on in the season we may be able to loan him in.' Chris Powell commented, 'There won't be anyone going out in pre-season but we are open to potentially loan out a few lads as the season progresses.
Charlton target Sone Aluko has understandably preferred Championship football to the Scottish third division, but has decided to join Hull City rather than the Addicks. There is a link there as he was at Birmingham City with Steve Bruce.
George Friend has decided to stay 'oop north and has joined Middlesbrough from Doncaster Rovers. A six figure fee is mentioned, presumably bigger than the £100k that was reported in connection with Charlton.
Chris Powell has admitted that he has found the transfer market frustrating and trickier than last season: Transfers
It has been argued by the club that Powell was building a Championship side last season, but the manager was hoping for some 'sensible strengthening' over the summer and that is looking more difficult.
Elsewhere Welling United owner Barrie Hobbins has praised Charlton for attracting 1,700 to Park View Road in bad weather for the Crown Berger Cup. The Wings supremo said, 'Charlton don't do what a lot of clubs do and ask for money for sending a first team down which shows how much they value football in the area.'
