Let's all clap hands for Charlie

Today The Times announces the 55th birthday of lifelong Charlton fan, author and broadcaster Charlie Connelly.   

For over ten years Charlie lived in Deal, but perhaps it was encounters with Desmond from Deal that finally drove him to live north of the border: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/5285243/charlie-connelly-on-his-love-for-dundee/

Charlie was a contemporary of my middle daughter at uni.   She retired with her husband to a farm in Spain as she approached 50 (now joined by my granddaughter and great-granddaughter) and always reminds me that she is a multi-millionaire rather than a mere millionaire. Actually, I never managed to get Charlie's book on radio back off her.   However, he is best known now for his one man show on the shipping forecast.  It always sells out.

Charlie's early books included one on the Liechtenstein national team (which I really enjoyed) and also one on football in London.

I once asked him if he had ever played football competitively and apparently once he was drafted in by a non-league reserve side short of players.   He was out of puff after 30 minutes.

Charlie still has to make the decision which of the Dundee teams to back in his new home.

Greenwich Uni betray Charlton

Greenwich University have for a long time been aligned with Charlton but now they have formed a partnership with Crystal Palace: https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/25397074.university-greenwich-partners-crystal-palace-fc/?ref=rss

A lot of claptrap is spouted about their core values aligning, but Greenwich is our home borough.  And as someone who was born in Greenwich, I take particular offence.

Towards the end of my career a West London university offered me a six figure salary to take a senior position.   If it had been Greenwich I would have accepted and then there would have been a partnership!

Three clubs interested in Chuks

There are reports that Wycombe Wanderers are interested in signing free agent and former Addick Chuks Aneke: https://the72.co.uk/2025/08/19/wycombe-wanderers-offered-chuks-aneke/

Chuks is the sort of player that the Chairboys like, but Burton Albion are also interested and St. Mirren are said to be prepared to offer him the kilt.

Wherever he ends up, the 32-year old will provide work for the club's medical department, but good luck to him.  He did his best for us.

Leaburn farewell

Today we say goodbye to Tracey Leaburn as Head of Player Care.  She has provided 10 years of great service to the club, not least in staying put at The Valley as one of a trio who stood up to individuals who were a great threat to the club's existence.  The surname Leaburn is legendary at Charlton and I wish her every success and happiness in the future.

I only met fellow blogger Dave Thomson (Drinking During the Game) once when Murray mints called in all Charlton bloggers for a meeting.   That was at a time when the blogsphere was more populated and of greater importance.

Dave sadly passed away in 2023 from cancer and his daughter Heather is undertaking a 30 mile walk to raise money for cancer research: https://www.castrust.org/2025/08/sponsor-heather-thomson-in-memory-of-her-father/

Football is more than the game itself.  A few days ago I made a routine visit to my chiropodist.   She is a keen Villa fan (season ticket holder) and we usually talk football, but she was more restrained than usual.  Then she revealed that her father whom she went to games with had passed away and she couldn't raise her normal enthusiasm for the season.

Gasman scores

Shortly after coming on as a late substitute for Stevenage yesterday, Gassan Adahme scored in their 2-0 victory over Northampton.   The Gasman scored 90 seconds after coming on and sent Boro to the top of the League One table.

On 82 minutes the Boro No.10, Dan Kemp, put the ball into the channel for the Gasman to hook across the keeper who was stretching.

Give us a K: one of Team Lisbie, Kyreece, contributed to Colchester's 2-0 victory at Shrewsbury with a late goal.

Charlton in 8th place

Charlton are 8th in the Championship after a creditable 0-0 away draw at Bristol City (Millwall are 15th).  The home side dominated the first half with the Addicks relying on counter attack.   Charlton came more into their own in the second half with Apter having the best chance of scoring.

It’s nearly nine hours since the Addicks last conceded in a league match (including play-offs).

In the first half Charlton were defensively very organised and work so hard to press. City had a few moments when they've got into good positions but Thomas Kaminski was protected very well. Keeper only had the one save to make from Hirakwa's shot from the edge of the box.

City were doubling up on Rob Apter every time he got on the ball. With good reason.

Apter forced Bristol City keeper Vitek into a save low down to his left after being fed on the right of the box by Carey.   Clearest chance either side produced, although Bristol City's Anis Mehmeti hit the woodwork in the second half with a well-struck effort.

Kayne Ramsay was excellent .   He made a fine block to cut out Hirakwa's cross and also produced a couple of crunching and perfectly-timed sliding challenges.

Nathan Jones was going ballistic towards the end of the match about some of the officials' decisions.

As the game went into seven minutes of added time, Charlton summer signing Harvey Knibbs had a close-range chance smothered by Vítek.

All future reports will appear on Addick's Championship Diary.

Is this Bristol City's season?

Bristol City are on their 11th season in the Championship and hav have always fallen short of promotion: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2025/01/parachute-payments-make-life-difficult.html

Owner Steve Lansdown* is getting increasingly frustrated and has indicated his willingness to sell up.

For a city of its size Bristol has punched below its weight in football terms.   It does have two clubs, although when Charlton negativists say we are a laughing stock, the Gasheads always come into mind.

What strikes me is that the fans of both clubs are a bit odd.   There has been trouble between Charlton and City fans in the past.   Some years ago a Gashead I know slightly offered me a lift to a midweek fixture against Charlton.   I declined being pretty sure we would win and he would take it badly.   We won 5-1 and he confirmed that he would have left me in Bristol.

Of course, Bristol is in a strong egg chasing area and Bristol City are also heavily involved in rugby union.

Four Four Two reckons they will finish 12th.   They think City have an energetic squad but lack the top end quality hat would secure them a play off place against richer rivals.

Having said that, City beat Sheffield United 4-1 away last week, although I suspect that was as much a story about the Blades post Chris Wilder as ir was about City, although they were keen to avenge their play off semi-final defeat there, losing 6-0 on aggregate.   Neither defence looked solid in last weekend's game.

This is a big test for Nathan Jones and his side, but we will do well to get a point.   At least moaners will be able to come up from under their stones.

*Of Hargreaves Lansdown, the Bristol-based  funds supermarket.   I have been a client since the 1980s and have been very satisfied.