Spectator magazine opens fire on Charlton again

I have said before that I am baffled why Spectator editor Michael Gove thinks that unleashing his columnists in Charlton is a good way of boosting circulation.   First, Charlton are hardly a high profile club.  Those Millwall fans who are not at His Majesty's pleasure are hardly likely to subscribe to an erudite if somewhat barking magazine.   Likewise, Palace 'ultras' are too busy trying to look hard on the mean streets of Croydon.

I don't particularly like Gove or his views, but I do think he is smart, so what is the angle here?

Admittedly, keen Super Hoops fan Lord Young of Acton has not mentioned football in recent weeks.  One of the most ludicrous events of last season was his attempt to lure Rick Everitt to an autumnal confrontation on a windswept Margate beach (Young did come down from London).

I suppose I should be surprised that Millwall fan Rod Liddle is at it again.  His latest column complains about the 'Charlton-ification' of football 'with clubs replicating the congenial family atmosphere you find at our unfortunate friends down the road'

In fact it is possible to have a variety of experiences at Charlton.  It's different being in the Covered End from the West, once the inspiration for a blog 'All Quiet in the West Stand.'

Liddle recommends a piece of Millwall invective screamed at opposition fans: 'Do you want me to open you up like a can of ****ing peaches, you slag'   Each to their own.

Time for a break

I won't be hitting the beach, although I will be taking advantage of the roof garden here at C(h)arlton House.  Having enjoyed the snooker I am looking forward to Wimbledon and the World Cup.   I will be slowing down in terms of posts over the summer.     Richard Cawley on Substack will keep us reliably updated.

Blogging as an activity has been overtaken by new formats.   Two of our leading bloggers have gone to join Sam Bartram, as I may do as I enter my 80th year,

Podcasts are very much in fashion, but I don't find time to listen even to one I subscribe to.   I can read much more quickly than I can listen.

Substack is a favoured format and is important for those seeking to make a living like Richard Cawley.  I make a little bit of money from the ads on these pages but I plough it back into the club by buying raffle tickets.

The two active bloggers (Chicago and Burgundy) have the benefit of living outside the UK.   Regent Street in the Royal Spa hardly rivals, although it is amusing how many locals have suddenly discovered their inner Sky Blue.

However, because I have been supporting Charlton for a very long time, I can offer some historical perspective.   We have nearly the lost the club more than once, certainly in terms of playing at The Valley. We have suffered more than most clubs with rogue owners, but at last we have some stability.

I think that mid-table is a realistic target for next season.   The biggest problem with supporting Charlton is the negativity and pessimism of so many supporters.   Win and there is little activity on social media: lose (or even draw) and every armchair manager is explaining how they would have done it better.

'It's all about opinions', but modern football is increasingly about evidence in terms of data analysis (the foundation of Brentford's success and now working at Hearts since Brighton's owner acquired a stake).

One leading moaner said in January 'we are already relegated' and we weren't even in a relegation position.   Do cheer up.

Fuel costs and potential shortages are a real concern, but try and enjoy the summer.

Jones hits the ground running

Nathan Jones has told Richard Cawley hs is adamant he will make “ruthless decisions” on his Charlton Athletic squad this summer - and has vowed they will be competing higher up the table next season.

“We need to get better on every single level. We keep saying it, but two years ago the club was on an 18-game streak of not winning in League One. To come to where we are now is the stark reality. Now I have to make big decisions to take the club forward.”

“On Monday and Tuesday we have got individual player meetings with every single person at the football club.”

Presumably not the catering staff at Sparrows Lane?   But the proof of the pudding is very much in the eating.  Will the owners give Jones a big enough budget to improve?

I know: it's not my money that is being spent.  But there are times when you have to speculate to accumulate.

Highest position in EFL for 11 years

Swansea City ended the Championship season with victory as substitute Adam Idah's late double and a sparkling Leo Walta free-kick secured a 3-1 triumph over Charlton Athletic. in front of 2,000 Addicks who had made the journey to sunny South Wales.

There was something of a party atmosphere for both sets of supporters, although the home side dominated possession,

A forgettable goalless draw between two sides with little to play for had looked on the cards until Idah met Josh Key's pass with a crisp first-time finish to put Swansea in front 16 minutes from time.

Charlton responded swiftly as another substitute, Miles Leaburn, headed home from Sonny Carey's corner.

But Nathan Jones' were only level for three minutes before 19-year-old academy product Thomas Woodward – who had only just come on for his senior debut – centred for Idah to steer home his second with the aid of a deflection off Gillesphey.

January signing Walta put a layer of gloss on Swansea's triumph as he scored a memorable first goal for the club, a curling effort from 25 yards which bounced into net off the post.

Victory sees Swansea finish the season in 11th for the second successive season, though the Welsh club are three points better off than they were this time last year.

Charlton end 2025-26 in 19th, their highest finishing position in the EFL pyramid in 11 years, despite ending the season with only one win in their final nine games.

'Fan write' Paul Sullivan gives the BBC his verdict on the season: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cdrp0852xggo

Swan Song

Loyal away Addicks will be going to Swansea tomorrow while others will head to the Valley to watch the fixture and then the crucial women's match.

One of my granddaughters recently discovered her inner Welsh woman and moved to Swansea (Abertawe) where she can buy a three bed with garden, workshop and parking for a low six figure sum.

She won't be going to the match tomorrow as like almost all my family she has no interest in football (performing arts are her thing).

Discounting myself and my three year old great-granddaughter no one in what is now a large immediate family supports Charlton which is perhaps a blessing after a century of suffering.  My wife is interested in football provided it is played in the Premier League, La Liga, the Champions League or the World Cup. She follows Manchester City.   I have one son-in-law who is a season ticket holder at Southampton.

Currently 11th, Swansea have won ten, drawn six and lost six at home.  Should the Addicks win, they could overtake Portsmouth and Stoke depending on their results.   Given that both Blackburn and West Brom could win, a defeat could see them 21st.  A draw would not necessarily save them from this fate

But Nathan Jones could give his instructions in Cymraeg for all that it matters, the focus now has to be on strengthening for next season.  As his latest interview with Richard Cawley makes clear, he recogbises the need to sign better quality players this summer.  Hopefully, the money will be available.

Swansea could move into the top 10 with a win at home:.

• Swansea have only lost one of their past 10 league games against Charlton (W6 D3), going down 2-0 on MD1 of the 2008-09 season.

• Charlton have lost four of their past five league visits to Swansea (D1); all four of those defeats have been by a one-goal margin.

• Swansea have only won their final league game in one of the past five seasons (D1 L3), beating West Bromwich Albion 3-2 in 2022-23.

• Charlton have lost their final game in each of their past three Championship seasons by an aggregate score of 0-10.

• Charlton Athletic have only scored 43 Championship goals this season – the last time they ended a season with fewer than 50 league goals scored was in 2015-16 (40).

On an old WILTY last night, reference was made to a pub in Swansea and it was suggested that it might be a gastro pub.  Cardiff boy Rob Brydon quipped, 'No, not in Swansea.'

Cyril the Swan may be on duty tomorrow, one of the few mascots to get a yellow card.

Swansea are eager to return to the Premier League and have some interesting investors, notably Snoop Dogg who attended the match against Preston.  Their manager noted that it was unusual to smell weed in the tunnel: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2026/02/snoop-dog-turns-up-in-abertawe-thats.html

Ferry across the Tay?

Unconfirmed reports from Scottish media (the Daily Record and Dundee Courier) are reporting Charlton interest in 25-year old Dundee United full back Will Ferry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Ferry

According to some reports, Phil Chapple has been north of the border to see him play.  Blackburn are also rumoured to be interested.

Ferry was born in England, but has appeared for the Republic of Ireland.

Former Addicks keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer is now at Dundee United (currently injured).

Missing fact about Gemma Arterton

There was an interesting profile of Gemma Arterton in The Times yesterday.   She has just started a new drama series with ITV which has got good initial reviews.

However, it missed the most important fact about her: she is a Charlton supporter.   Her father is a keen Addick and took her to The Valley when she was young.   She was born in Gravesend.

On YouTube you can see her being presented with a Charlton shirt on television.  I doubt whether she gets to The Valley these days though.   She has two children, but it is not known whether they are Addicks.

Can anyone explain the brief reference to Charlton by 'comedian' Paul Merton on Have I Got News For You? on Friday.  I watched it again last night and still couldn't understand the context, although it was evidently some kind of insult.

Merton is the son of a tube driver and is a keen Spurs fan.  He may be laughing on the other side of his face at The Valley next season.   I still remember our 1-0 victory at the old White Hart Lane with Spurs fan Chris Powell scoring the winning goal.

Are you heading for the Italian lakes this summer,  Then take a look at the successful strategy of the Como side: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2026/04/comos-unique-strategy-offers-new.html

Charlton is not in a fashionable part of London so we can't replicate their strategy, but could we make more of the River Thames which is known globally?

Richard Cawley has a fascinating interview with Ashley Maynard-Brewer.  His career has been plagued by injuries: he has broken his nose three times and now he has dislocated his shoulder with Dundee United playing against Rangers.

I have stayed in his home town of Joondalup near Perth WA and I can understand that his first winter living in Welling must have been a shock.  He also talks about the pressures of playing for a 'big' club like Charlton and he needed help from a sports psychologist.