Takeover rumours sqiashed

There has been a bit of takeover speculation of late with Charlton, reports Richard Cawley - but no chance of any of it becoming fact.  The current ownership, many of whom were at the game on Saturday, are resolutely determined to be at the helm of the club for the long term.

Dishing it out to Charlton Liddle and often

One expects Millwall fan Rod Liddle to be regularly disobliging about Charlton in his Sunday Times column.   Apart from anything else, his stock in trade (he also writes for the Spectator) is starting an argument in an empty room. 

Liddle starts by reasonably questioning Birmingham City's expectations of an immediate return to the second tier and hits the nail amusingly on the head about Peterborough by describing them as 'Peterborough United (who exist as a club solely to compete between the top six of tier three and the bottom six of tier two).'

However, Liddle is soon back to the Millwall of the Midlands, noting that 'The eye-catching, if wholly predictable, capture, however, was Alfie May, sprung from Charlton Athletic for about £900,000 and arguably cheap at the price, despite his advancing age. May, 31 last month, scored 23 goals from 43 games for Charlton last time out and won the League One Golden Boot — a remarkable achievement considering that one or another of Charlton’s procession of inept managers, I forget which one, played him out on the wing half the time.

Poor Charlton is the second question on the agenda, seeing as they are installed as one of the favourites for promotion and are the second-biggest spenders. Charlton dragged themselves away from what looked like probable relegation with some panache last season and the fans have rather taken to the manager, Nathan Jones. But May and the talented Corey Blackett-Taylor scored about half of their goals last season and both have gone, Blackett-Taylor to the newly promoted Derby County.

The new owners have spent a little, bringing in Matty Godden, from Coventry City, for an undisclosed fee, and the Moroccan Gassan Ahadme from Ipswich Town, for about a million quid. Godden has been reliable enough for Coventry, averaging about a goal every three games, while Ahadme — properly a second striker — banged in 11 while on loan at Cambridge United last season.

This will be Charlton’s fifth consecutive season in League One and their 11th out of the past 16. Much as I hate to say it as a Millwall fan, obviously, they are beginning to look like a tier three club and the attendances have gradually fallen away.'  (Transfermarkt says they up marginally from 13,436 to 13,481).

Personally, I have some faith in Jones and the new owners, although I accept that not everyone does.

Play off place forecast for Charlton

Four Four Two magazine reckons Charlton will finish 6th in League One this season.  'Alfie May has gone, but Nathan Jones has his new strike duo in Matt Godden and  Gassan Ahadme.  With Luke Berry, Alan Mitchell and John Edwards also joining a tree of teenage talents in Daniel Kanu, Thierry Small and Karoy Anderson, Jones' Addicks are shaping up well.'

Natasha Everitt also forecasts a 6th place finish in her fan file.  She says that Jones' signings are promising and a fit again Miles Leaburn will feel like a new signing.  Karoy Anderson is our most underrated player, look up his goal against Derby.  

The player she would happily drive to another club is Scott Fraser, on a large wage and hasn't lived up to expectations.  The fans; opinion of the gaffer is that he is charismatic, well-liked and not afraid to make bold decisions.   She concludes that Charlton have pulled below their weight for too long, but are now ready to push on.

A 'very competitive league'

I will be taking a break from blogging for a couple of weeks.   Working for a political publishers in a general election year means that my day job is busier than usual with commissioning, editing, meetings and book launches in London.     I also want to find time to see the three generations of my family now settled in Spain.

One last word.   Fans often dismiss League One as a 'poxy' league, but as the authoritative Swiss Ramble has recently said it is a 'very competitive' league.'  Birmingham City, Wrexham and Stockport County are all going to pose problems.   Even Rotherham may be in yo yo form under charm merchant Steve Evans and Peterborough will want to overcome their disappointment.   Hopefully, Bolton will go up.

I'm certainly not banking on promotion.   And I'm not happy about the 12.30 and Friday night kick offs under the new Sky regime which make life difficult for supporters like me who have a return travel time of five hours.

It also looks as if we are going to lose Charlton Live which was the daft Dane's aqueducts moment.  I enjoyed the chats about the Curbishley era and Steve Brown's barbed comments.

Two American owned clubs relegated

Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town have been relegated to League One next season, both clubs with American owners.

Blues were sixth in thr Championship earlier in the season when they sacked John Eustace as he was apparently not trendy enough for the owners.

Living up to their reputation as the Millwall of the Midlands, Blues fans invaded the pitch and fought with stewards after today's match.

The American owners have bought a site for a new stadium at Bordesley alongside the railway line to New Street so they won't want to stay in League One.

Huddersfield are a team we have played in three different divisions in living memory and are likely to challenge for promotion.

Rotherham have put their faith in Steve Evans, the most charming manager in the EFL, to restore their flagging fortunes and burnish their reputation as a yo-yo club.

Wrexham with their £20m revenue also have American owners and have global appeal, ranking as the second most poopular team in the United States: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2024/05/can-wrexham-sustain-its-success.html

To those who say League One is a poxy league, it's going to be even more competitive next season.

Clearout under way

Tyreece Campbell has agreed a new deal with Charlton, reports Richard Cawley.   The winger had been due to be out of contract this summer - although age would have meant he was liable for compensation. Terell Thomas and Michael Hector both released along with Richard Chin, Jack Payne, Lewis Ward and Diallang Jaiyesimi (who he? Ed).

The retained list statement also seems to indicate no late U-turn on George Dobson's move to Fehervar. "The club would like to thank George Dobson, who has played 144 games for Charlton since joining in 2021. He's given his all for the club in every training session and every game and everyone at the club wishes him all the best in Hungary."

Lualua and Wickham have not been offered contrxcts, all loan players are returning to their clubs.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Chuks Aneke is leaving by mutual consent.

Nathan Jones discusses his philosophy and plans here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-built-a-luton-legacy-now-summer-of-transfer-and-squad-construction-awaits-at-charlton-athletic/

Arrivals and depatures: how about a winter away trip to Mansfield?

We say goodbye to Derby County who have been a troublesome side for us ever since that FA Cup defeat.  Our sister site looks at their road from near extinction to promotion: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2024/04/drebys-humble-recovery.html

We welcome Mansfield Town and Nigel Clough, a manager I rate   It's been a long road to promotion back to the third tier, but the Nottinghamshire club are now looking to expand capacity.

Charlton's away fans are a hardy and dedicated lot, but how many will fancy a midweek away game in February in Mansfield?   I don't think they will be easy to beat.