London clubs

Charlton fan Charlie Connelley brought out a book called London Fields about football in London.  A lot of it was about non-league clubs and even the Sunday games on Hackney marshes, but he did find time to discuss a then projected move of Charlton to the Millennium dome.

I can't find my copy of the book, but it may still be in store after my house move in November.  Boxes of books are located behind the furniture going to my granddaughter's new home in Swansea.

Alternatively, it may be in Spain. My middle daughter was a friend of Charlie's at uni and if I take one of his books to her Spanish farm, it is usually appropriated.

Charlie lived in Deal for many years, but then relocated to Scotland where he is said to be 'missing Charlton Athletic terribly.'   His account on X has been dormant since 2024 and there have been no new books so I hope he is ok.

Anyway the real point here is what does one think of other London clubs.    I rather like Brentford as they have pulled themselves up by their boot straps.   A good friend of mine has lived in the same house in Acton all his life and has always been a supporter (thankfully not QPR).

If the 'Woolwich Rejects' had not moved north of the river there might not be a Charlton.  My stepdaughter is a fan and her husband has a season ticket.

And what about West Ham?  My father was born in North Woolwich and played his non-league football on that side of the river.  He was actually at the famous first cup final at Wembley.

An often forgotten phase in Charlton history is when we played there while waiting for The Valley to be finished.  We were much better treated there than at Selhurst Park.

Moreover, West Ham dislike Millwall (and are anticipating the 'Dockers' Derby).

That doesn't, of course, mean that we don't want to beat them tomorrow.

FT slates scourge of Charlton

Lord Young of Acton is associate editor of the Spectator.   The late Rod Liddle spearheaded the magazine's campaign against the 'Charltification' of football.   Lord Young ('Tobes') is a keen Super Hoop and often complains about QPR in his column which must baffle the average Speccie reader.  In her tribute to Liddle, former employee Kemi Badenoch called it the Sextator.

Editor Lord Gove knows little about football and less about Charlton so he may well drop the campaign.  Liddle was a talented wordsmith and, as a Millwall supporter, had been attacking Charlton for years in both the Sunday Times and the Spectator.  

However, the 'Charltificatuon' article escalated matters to a new level.  Before then Liddle had mainly resorted to rather tired memes about anoraks and train spotters.  I was baffled by the notion that Charlton was a 'woke' club and was somehow leading other clubs along the wrong path.  Our moaners often say that Charlton are a laughing stock, but the reality is that most fans have hardly ever heard of us.  For example, my chiropodist is a keen football fan (Villa) but doesn't even know which division we are in.  The idea that top clubs are taking cues from us is laughable.

As far as Lord Young is concerned, one question is whether he will renew his unrequited feud with fanzine editor Rick Everitt.   After his failure last year to stage a confrontation with the Rickster on Margate beach last autumn, there was speculation that he might go to the Thanet council offices with a loud hailer and urge Everitt to 'man up' and 'come outside'.  The confrontation between the two folically challenged supporters could then be filmed by fellow QPR fan Louis Theroux.   However, Everitt might well decide to stay in his Ramsgate lair.

I have messaged the noble lord to ask about his intentions, particularly when comes to The Valley, but he has not replied.

Things have been a little tricky for Lord Young recently (he is the son of Lord Young of Dartington, but it is a life peerage).  First, he received several mentions in the Epstein files and for a while it looked as if the new UK Government might respond to calls for the British links of Epstein to be investigated.*

Now the Financial Times has launched an investigation into Young's Free Speech Union which was the vehicle he used to attack 'town hall tyrant' Everitt.   Critics argue that the FSU is interested in free speech for those who agree with its values.

The FT has been investigating in depth Young's links with the Trump administration in the US and the MAGA movement more generally.   The FSU's international umbrella organisation is due to receive $5m from the US State Department.

About seven FSU employees, equivalent to a quarter of the workforce, have resigned or been sacked in the last year, including the chief legal counsel.   One former employee told the FT, 'There's a sharp, sinister edge to the FSU today.   Previously they'd go to bat for, and were, the underdogs.  Now they are the classroom bullies.'  I doubt whether Everitt would succumb to bullying, particularly from a Super Hoop.

* Lord Young has made clear that he was inadvertently included in Epstein's contacts list as a result of a tenuous acquaintance with G Maxwell.   Lord Young has emphatically denied that he ever visited 'Paedo Islamd' (his terminology); traveled on the plane known as the Lolita Express; or met Epstein either at one of his homes or at an incarceration facility.   It is not implied that Lord Young has ever met or communicated with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor..

Rak Sakyi: nothing to see here?

Hopeful fans have been posting photos of cars claimed to belong to Jesrun Rak-Sakyi seen in the vicinity of The Valley.  The former Player of the Year has played more first team games for Charlton than for any other club.

Nathan Jones has confirmed he is an admirer of the Crystal Palace winger but has declined to discuss whether a move for the former Charlton Athletic loan star could be in the offing.

Addicks fans have long held out hope that the attacker could make a return to SE7 after a stellar stay in the 2022-23 League One season. Rak-Sakyi scored 15 goals and collected nine assists.

Rak-Sakyi is in the final year of his Palace contract and the indications are that the SE25-based club are ready to listen to offers.

Nathan Jones said at a press conference “There is nothing to say at this point. We do like him but he is a Palace player. Until that changes, it would be very, very wrong of me to comment on anything.”

Richard Cawley at South  London Sport has heard that Palace chairman Steve Parish wants a deal worth £5million for Rak-Sakyi. That would be more than any of Charlton’s transfer deals since they won promotion back to the Championship.

Asked about that figure looking like a big investment, Jones replied: “Well, yeah, it would be a very, very big investment for us. For others, as we’ve seen, it is a normal or a mid investment. For us it would be a very big one.”

I think this is a signing is more than Charlton can afford, welcome though it would be.

 

Are West Ham invincible?

AI avatar Desmond from Deal had to take his time to put together a pessimistic take on Saturday's win against Derby, but here it is: 'Jones often rides his luck, particularly in the first match of the season, but a thumping at West Ham on Sunday will bring him and the fans down to earth.'

But is defeat inevitable?   The New York Times generally focuses its Championship coverage on praising Wrexham, but here is what its soccer ball coverage has to say about the Hammers:

'Before a ball was kicked against Burnley on Sunday, there was a misplaced arrogance from some that West Ham United would walk the 2026-27 Championship. Instead, they received a much-needed reality check in their season opener.

Following relegation from the Premier League last season, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are understandably considered promotion favourites. But they squandered a two-goal lead at Turf Moor, were taunted by the home supporters and ended up with a 2-2 draw that has created more angst than optimism. It was a game that highlighted West Ham’s lack of squad depth, with Nuno unable to influence the game with offensive substitutions.

West Ham are depleted of attacking options with untested academy prospects Joshua Ajala and Josh Landers the only recognisable forward options on the bench. Despite the imminent arrival of Arne Engels this squad is still not equipped to cope with the rigours of a 46-game schedule in the second tier.

Other glaring issues include Nuno being prone to a drab approach when his side is in front. Last season West Ham dropped 20 points from winning positions, and retreating further into their half for large spells of the second half on Sunday cost them again.

“Disappointing,” said Nuno in his post-match press conference when asked for his thoughts on the performance. “We did a very good first half. We created a lot of chances and we were able to control and stop Burnley but not so good in the second half. After we scored the second goal, I think we should have done better to get the result. Many things (frustrated me about the performance in the second half), many things that we have to improve for the next one (a London derby against Charlton Athletic on Saturday).

“But we need more (bodies), especially in the offensive part of the team. We have young lads, we have options in both full-back positions like in the last game, but we need more bodies in the offensive part of the team. The club knows the targets and the needs of the team. We’re working very hard and trying to get the bodies in as soon as possible.”'

Will Okonkwo join Charlton?

It looks as if flamboyant Wrexham keeper Arthur Okonkwo is firmly out of favour with Phil Parkinson at Wrexham.   However, unconfirmed reports suggest that Bolton and Derby as well as Charlton are interested in a one year loan deal (now completed).

The Addicks have been linked with a move for amid doubts over the future of Thomas Kaminski.  However, there have been no recent updates on a possible deal with Sparta Rottedam.

Addicks manager Nathan Jones did not include Kaminski in his matchday squad for Saturday’s 2-1 win over Derby County on the opening day of the Championship season.

Richard Cawley has consulted a Wrexham expert who has stated, 'The potential of the guy is off the charts but he can’t seem to put it all together.  He has got the same sort of failings of a lot of young goalkeepers. He doesn’t really know when to come off his line, there is no communication and he’s very bad with his feet.

I think you might have a Premier League keeper on your hands. He is still developing. I feel like he needs that arm around him, which he isn’t going to get at Wrexham.'

An Arsenal academy graduate, the Camden born Okonkwo has joined the Nigerian international squad and has made his first appearance with them.

'Unbelievable sound' scoring in front of the Covered End

Lloyd Jones has been talking to Richard Cawley.  Here are a few excerpts as a taster.

Referring to Saturday: “That’s my first goal in front of the Covered End,” said Jones. “The sound was unbelievable. It’s addictive.

“The most important thing was the three points. I would’ve liked a clean sheet but to come from behind, especially in the first Championship game, and get three points is a great feeling.

“The Championship may be a little bit stronger this year. We’ve got to keep building. We had our targets set last week. If we can improve our points tally, goal difference and scoring - we got two today - it will stand us in good stead.”

Plenty of pundits have tipped Charlton to struggle this season. [The bookies have us as favoujrites to go down].So does he pay attention to those comments?

“No - stuff them,” said Jones. “It’s good to be underdogs sometimes, you haven’t got as much pressure going into games. It’s outside noise. We’re a confident bunch. There will be some tough times as well as good ones, it’s just how quickly we can recover from that.”

Lord Young of Acton has been celebrating the Super Hoops win at Portsmouth.   I have messaged 'Tobes' to warn him that Charlton will be more difficult and asking him if he plans to reignite his feud with Rick Everitt.  No reply yet.

No Ram raid today

A second half comeback saw Charlton defeat Derby 2-1 at The Valley this afternoon.   Derby went ahead in the first half.

Lloyd Jones scored with a pinpoint header, making use of a well placed free kick by prodigal Karlan Grant.

Then Tyreece Campbell scored a rare goal to deliver the winner on 80 minutes.

Carlton Morris made a last minute effort for an equaliser and had a penalty appeal turned down.

The Addicks made a rapid start to the game but rarely threatened to go ahead before Szmodics scored following neat interplay with Morris, soon after going close with another strike.

The outstanding Campbell was at the heart of Charlton's best moments, sending in several dangerous crosses, notably when Rams defender Charlie Taylor made a brilliant block to stop Dan McNamara's fierce half-volley.

With pressure increasing on the resumption, Timothy Ouma headed wide when unmarked at a corner but Jones was not so wasteful as he powered the ball in from an exquisite Karlan Grant cross.

Campbell was the appropriate match winner and Charlton survived a late rally by the Rams, in which Oscar Fraulo forced a fine save from Will Mannion, who also denied Morris in injury time.

Nathan Jones told Richard Cawley that Charlton are in "really advanced negotiations" with Tyreece Campbell over a new contract.   And he wants to stay (not all fans will welcome this unfortunately).

Jones had only an opaque explanation of why Mannion was preferred over Kaminski.  Jones has never ruled out a move for him.  It is understood that the Belgian player's family live abroad.  A Cyprus club came in for him early in the transfer window.