The end of the pier show

Richard Cawley reports: 'Charlton will play at Southend United on August 2 (3pm). Final tune-up before their Championship season starts. No home friendly this time around - priority is ensuring The Valley pitch is in tip-top condition for the new campaign.'

Posh player rumours denied

Richard Cawley reports on X: 'No contact from Charlton for Peterborough United's Malik Mothersille. Had been a suggestion recently that QPR are prepared to pay £1m for the 21-year-old, who is due to be out of contract next summer.'

Posh are set to re-introduce their policy of transfer listing players entering the last year of their contract if they refuse to sign a new deal. Mothersille has so far resisted all Posh efforts to get him to sign a fresh contract.

Mind the gap

CAS Trust recommends an article on how the examples of Portsmouth and Oxford United suggest how Charlton might survive in the Championship: https://www.castrust.org/2025/06/can-charlton-bridge-the-gap-next-season/

It is one of  the most competitive leagues in the world but we shouldn't be too daunted.

A chip off the old block

Danny Mills was one of my favourite Charlton players, albeit we had to sell him to balance the books.  Curbs got him from Norwich and I happened to be behind the scenes on his first day at The Valley so I told him he was a great signing for the club.

It is therefore pleasing to see the progress of his son, George, losing his hair like his dad.  He did well in the Diamond League athletics in Stockholm the other night and yesterday he achieved a personal best in Paris, coming 3rd in the 1500m after leading much of the way.

His brother plays for Oxford United.

Move away from Valley not ruled out

Charlton board member Jim Rodwell confirmed that Roland Duchatelet still owns The Valley and training ground - asked the question by talkSPORT's Simon Jordan: "We make no secret our ownership would like to buy the stadium or enter into a longer lease. We have still got a considerable amount of time left. I know that fans like certainty and so do businessmen."

Some accounts suggest that there are only a few years left before we come up against the EFL ten year rule on leased grounds.   The barmy Belgian (not so barmy when it comes to money) is still asking for a huge sum for The Valley and Sparrows Lane.

Asked about if there is a possibility of moving: "It's always a possibility. I think the desire would be to stay at The Valley. We want certainty of tenure." He refused to answer whether cost of the lease has gone up after promotion to the Championship.

He commented in relation to transfers: “The silly season is upon us. People go on holiday and it will all get very real in the next week or two."

I have just received the accounts for property investment company Charlton Athletic Holdings Ltd.  The ultimate owner is one R Duchatelet, resident in Belgium.    The Valley and the training ground are valued at £56m.

Rick Everitt reports that Baton 2010 company accounts show Charlton paid Duchatelet £621,000 in rent in 2023/24. Valley lease, which is most of that, is due to expire in January 2035.

Huddersfield bid for Charlton target

Richard Cawley reports on Twitter: Huddersfield Town have put in a bid for Leyton Orient's Ethan Galbraith. Not sure if it is the £2.5m that has been mooted, but sounds like it's in that ballpark. No indications at the moment whether EG is still one that Charlton are sweet on. Don't think wages likely to be a problem, it's just how high he is up their wanted list.

The Pompey route to staying up

Football finance guru Kieran Maguire praises Portsmouth's 'sustainable' approach to the Championship.  Some teams like Bristol City have spent big and got nowhere in what Maguire calls 'the most bonkers division' in world football: https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/portsmouth-fc-finances-championship-kieran-maguire-expert

We have a good record of taking six points off them.

Massives see hope of owner changing

Regarded by their fans as a 'massive' club, Sheffield Wednesday have been in the doldrums recently.  EFL sanctions have prompted speculation about a fire sale of players from which Charlton could benefit.  But now a serious American ownership bid has emerged whilst their unpopular owner faces financial pressures of hos own: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2025/06/hope-of-effective-new-ownership-at.html

Galbraith bid shows ambition

We may have had our bid for Leyton Orient's Ethan Galbraith turned down, but it does show that the current ownership is willing to spend some money to keep us in the Championship.  It is possible that we could increase our bid for the Northern Ireland international: https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/northern-ireland/charlton-athletic-see-ps13million-bid-rejected-for-northern-ireland-star-who-is-premier-league-player-in-the-making-5177533

Reading supporters think that attacking midfielder Harvey Knibbs may be on his way to us, but I have no independent confirmation.

In any event all the signals suggest that the approach to promotion is different from the days of the barmy Belgian.

Historic club in danger of forced move

An appeal by the Scottish Football Supporters Association for an historic club:

Next Friday, the SPFL will release the fixtures for next season.    At present, Hamilton Academical will feature in that list, but there is a serious chance that they may not be able to fulfil those fixtures.  Why? Well, it’s a mess to be honest, but this is what we understand the current situation is, with the caveat that this is changing on a daily, if not hourly basis.

As we have reported over the last few weeks, the Accies Supporters’ Association has come together to do everything it can to save their club.  The SFSA has seen at first hand the passion and emotional involvement of the Accies’ supporters.  It’s both uplifting and harrowing: these fans really do fear, and with justification, for the future of the club that many have watched for generations.

Currently, there are three parties involved.  They are: the directors/owners of the club; the man who owns the stadium; and the fans.  It is no secret to say there is a lack of trust between all three.

The SPFL will not allow a club to take part in its competitions unless it has a ground to play in, with a lease for at least a season.  Essentially, there are a few days for the directors/owners of the Accies to sign a deal which is acceptable to the football authorities. If that doesn’t happen then it seems likely that the club will struggle to continue to exist, unless it can find another ground.

There is, we understand, a possible deal for the Accies to remain at New Douglas Park. This has (again we understand) been verbally agreed between the Supporters’ Association and the stadium owner.  The problem is that the club directors/owners will not agree to this under any circumstances. In our view, without knowing all the details, this is a tragedy.  If some way could be found to square this circle, the Accies could stay in Hamilton.  

Surely, that’s what everyone would want? Radio Scotland reported that the owners say that is their intention to return to Hamilton. If they can demonstrate a viable plan to do this, the supporters would, we suspect, be much more comfortable with what is happening just now. But at present, it looks like it’s Broadwood [Cumbernnauld, 1 hour 14 minutes by train] or bust.  Let’s hope it’s not the latter. No fan will want one of Scotland’s famous old clubs to be consigned to history.

It’s incumbent fans of all clubs to support their counterparts at Accies.  Please do so here (this will take you less than 30 seconds).

https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/s-f-s-a/hamilton-accies-support

 

Kermorgant agreed to take pay cut to come to Charlton

Richard Cawley's new Substack platform is allowing him to do more expansive and informative interviews than when he was at SLP.   His latest one is with former Charlton chief executive Peter Varney.

Richard now derives his livelihood from the platform, but I am going to give a short teaser from the interview about Yann Kermorgant: 'I don’t want to quote the figures of what he was on at Leicester, but we only had half of that money left in the budget. We came up with a way that Yann got the money later, if we got up. All that is quite stressful because he wants a figure and you can’t get a figure from the powers that be. So you have to be innovative in the way that you’re doing it.'

Congratulations to the Chicago Addick on 21 years of blogging.   Addick's Diary started in September 1997, so it has been going for nearly 28 years.   It was then much more personal, as it really started as series of electronic notes for my own benefit.

The first entry read: 'On September 26th I gave up the line management job I have held for the last seven years. At 12 noon I handed over the personnel files to the fervent Baggie who was succeeding me. In the afternoon we held a meeting which he chaired for the first time, ending with his wishing us all 'Good football matches over the weekend.' 'How does it feel?' asked one of my young Australian colleagues, 'Are you going to go home and open the champagne?' 'No', I said, 'I'll just have a workout and open the champagne if we win tomorrow.'

The heyday of blogging was in the Premier League days, Richard Murray even invited us in for a briefing.  We have now lost two of our best bloggers who have gone to join Sam Bartram.

I will be slowing down somewhat as Richard Cawley is now really the 'go to' source of news, but I will post stories from time to time that he has not covered.

Famewo linked with Charlton

Sheffield sources are linking Charlton with a bid for highly rated defender Akin Famewo who has already had two successful loan spells at The Valley and was with Nathan Jones at Luton.  The Massives are currently having difficulty paying player wages: https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/charlton-athletic-sheffield-wednesday-akin-famewo-5162900

We say farewell to Thierry Small who has been snapped up by Preston North End.   Most people would accept a better offer, although I did turn down a substantially better one towards the end of my career because I was happy where I was.

Jones to sign extended contract

Richard Cawley reports that Nathan Jones is expected to sign a new deal.  It would increase the compensation to be paid by any club that tried to poach him, believed to be just £1m at present.

The club has now officially confirmed that he has signed the contract/

Unbelievable. Jeff

Some fans still seem to be concerned about Nathan Jones going to Cardiff despite the authoritative Richard Cawley knocking the story on its head.

Rational argument often doesn't do well against clickbait and the social media echo chamber, but let's try.

Nathan Jones has just got Charlton promoted, Cardiff have just been relegated.   He has the backing of the board, the team, and most fans apart from a few perennial malcontents.

Vincent Tan at Cardiff is a hopeless owner.   Despite pouring money into the club and continually changing manager, they have failed on the pitch.

He even tried to change the club's kit from their traditional kit to a red-based kit that was supposed to appeal to Asian fans, most of whom have no idea where Wales is, let alone Cardiff.

He only backed down when his mum told him he was a very naughty boy.

Jones wants to wipe out the memory of Southampton and Charlton gives him the chance to do that.

I have now booked a few days on the Kent coast which is a particular haunt of Charlton pessimists such as Desmond from Deal and Derek from Dymchurch.   I will wear my Charlton badge and will be happy to buy a pint for any fan, even the moaners.

Escape the clickbait

Richard Cawley has now set up a site on Substack.   He writes: 'It’s exciting times for Charlton Athletic after promotion to the Championship and I’m aiming to bring my own brand of coverage on this platform. My previous job at the South London Press led to me covering the Addicks for nearly two decades. Now it is time for the next chapter. I strongly believe this platform will allow me to enhance and freshen up my approach. Plus I want input from subscribers about what they want me to cover - as well as all the ideas I have for features and other aspects of the site.'

Highly recommended.  https://southlondonsportcharlton.substack.com/

Calm down!

Sometimes I despair of Charlton fans who are so susceptible to a mood of hysterical pessimism.   A journalist in South Wales starts a clickbait story that Nathan Jones is going to Cardiff and immediately a large segment of the Addickted believe it.  

We all know that many South Walians are chancers, e.g., Rob Brydon pretending to be his own agent.

Thankfully Richard Cawley has stated: 'Indications I've had is that there is no chance of Nathan Jones going to Cardiff. Not to say they wouldn't have loved the Charlton boss to try and bounce them straight back out of League One.'

Nathan Jones may be mercurial, but he is not an idiot.

Cawley has indicated that he may be back online sooner rather than later.

Another Lisbie joins EFL side

Kyrell Lisbie has joined Peterborough on a three year deal for an undisclosed fee.   The 21-year old scored 16 goals for Braintree Town in their survival fight in the season just ended.   Lisbie joined the Iron last summer from Cray Valley Paper Mills whom he helped to the Isthmian South East title.

As well as being Player of the Season at Braintree, Lisbie was also awarded Sportsbeat Young Player of the Year at the Non-League Paper's awards ceremony.

Lisbie's twin brother Kyreece already plays at Colchester United.   'K' is clearly popular with dad Kevin Lisbie.

I shall watch his progress with interest.

Time to go Feeshing?

I must say that I had to laugh at the account published in The Times this morning of Manchester United's post-season tour to Malaysia and Hong Kong.  It may have raised £8m towards a £10m gap in their finances, but it seems to have seriously pissed off their already demoralised players who had to resort to the consolations offered by a few drinks (such as six bottles of champagne from a slot machine): https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/inside-manchester-uniteds-chaotic-post-season-asian-tour-

However, it does raise the question of how Charlton should boost its global presence now we are in what is de facto the Premier League Division 2, the biggest competition outside the top flight anywhere in the world.

When we were in the Premier League, there was some interest in Charlton in unlikely places.  I have never quite got over switched on my television in Kunming in south-west China to see a rather good analysis of how Curbs and Keith Peacock worked together.

There was some interest in the club in an Asian tour but when I had word with Curbs it was clear that his grasp of geopolitics did not match his football skills - and indeed why should they be.

Our aims now need to be more modest and I would suggest that we should make use of the large numbers of expat Charlton fans in the 'Anglosphere': the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.  Their friends probably already support Premier League clubs, but perhaps they could be persuaded to adopt Charlton as their Championship club?

I also think we ought to reinvigorate our links with South Africa.   In the late 1940s and early 1950s this was an important source of recruitment for us.  In the Premier League days we benefitted from players such as Sean Bartlett and Feesh.

I have never been to South Africa and I don't know anything about the current state of South African football, although I suspect it has gone downhill over the last twenty years, but there may be undiscovered talent there.

Farewell Chuks

Chuks Aneke has been let go by the club.  It was the right decision by the club for the injury prone player.  I would like to thank him for the crucial goals and the way in which he disrupted opposition defences and I am pleased that he got on the pitch at Wembley.

I hope that he is able to continue playing football, but in the meantime he has built a £2m property business, acquiring his first buy to let in 2013: https://www.3sixtypg.co.uk/about-us/

Reports are circulating that Thierry Small has been offered a new contract.  I hope that he takes it.

Blackpool defender speculation

Without the guidance of Richard Cawley available, it is difficult to know what filters to apply to transfer speculation.   Clubs X and Y may be genuinely interested in a player, but then their agent throws some more clubs in the mix.

We are supposedly front runners for this Blackpool defender who is a free agent as a replacement for Thierry Small: https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpool-fc-transfer-news-charlton-reading-doncaster-rovers-jordan-gabriel

He did spend some time at Forest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Lawrence-Gabriel

Looks like quite a long shot to me.

Danish delight

Former Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard has posted the following message: 'Charlton Athletic have done it. Promotion to the Championship. Wembley conquered. 

This is what belief looks like. A squad that fought with everything they had, backed by fans who never lost faith. This is what makes football beautiful and what makes this club so special. 

Charlton is more than a club. It’s a symbol of community, history, and ambition. Tonight’s win honors that legacy while setting the tone for a bold future. Congratulations to every Addick. This one’s for you. The Championship awaits.'

Sandgaard may have been naive in understanding the scale of investment necessary to get us out of League One, but he was a decent man who rescued us from the clutches of ESI.  Raffling off the Range Rover was an inspired gesture.

South London Press closes

South London Press has closed abruptly after 160 years.   The website has been taken down so links here may no longer work: https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2025/news/independent-newspaper-closes-after-160-years-with-loss-of-six-jobs/

Sports editor Richard Cawley has lost his job, presumably Louis Mendez has as well.

Much of the content of this site consisted of links to authoritative stories by the duo.

Jones tells of sleepless nights

From today's Times:

Tightly fought contests are often decided by individual moments of brilliance, and this game demanded exactly that after a cagey opening 30 minutes. The centre half, Macaulay Gillesphey, delivered Charlton Athletic’s season-defining moment when he broke the deadlock with an excellently whipped free kick over the Leyton Orient wall to send his side back to the Sky Bet Championship.

Charlton’s quest to return to the second tier after five years in League One has, for the most part, felt like a slog. Before Nathan Jones’s arrival as manager in February 2024, relegation to League Two looked more likely than promotion.

So for Jones, this result is one of huge personal significance. Despite being a key figure in much of Luton Town’s rise from League Two to the Premier League, his departures to first Stoke City and then Southampton in his two spells meant that, before now, he had not tasted promotion since taking Luton up from the fourth tier in 2019.

“Today was just a culmination of probably 16 months’ work, a lot of belief, a lot of sacrifice,” Jones said. “You can’t quantify the amount of work that’s gone into it because of every single sleepless night, every single phone call, every single time I’ve slept at the training ground, every single time my family’s had to sacrifice not seeing me.”

Promotion to the Championship proved to be a step too far, for now, for Richie Wellens and Leyton Orient, having led the east London side from the bottom half of League Two to the League One play-off final in three years.

This campaign has been unforgettable, having gone toe-to-toe with Manchester City at Brisbane Road in the FA Cup and ended the regular season with a six-game winning streak to secure their place in the top six. However, the campaign was not to receive the fairytale ending many thought it deserved.

“It’s disappointing but we have to recognise where we’ve come [from],” Wellens, the Orient manager said.

The contest was a scrappy affair at the start, with shots a rarity in the opening stages. Charlton looked the better of the sides early on but had very little to show for it in terms of clear-cut chances.

It was the midfield battle that dictated the flow of the game. Being first to the frequent loose balls in the midfield was crucial to taking a foothold in the game, and Jones’s side started to do just that. Each challenge and clearance was full-blooded, with every defensive header won with conviction.

The well-placed free kick from Gillesphey was the first shot on target of the game. The free kick was won by Tyreece Campbell, the pacey Charlton winger, who was often stopped in his tracks by a much more physical Orient defender. This time, the foul was drawn in a dangerous position.

Gillesphey whipped his effort over the wall and it dipped with pace, bending out towards the corner. It was hardly out of reach for the goalkeeper, Josh Keeley, but the ball was struck with such power that he was unable to keep it out of the net, despite diving at full stretch.

That opened up the game heading into the second half, as Orient looked to stretch their opponents using their wide players, with Ethan Galbraith bombing on down the right throughout.

Wellens’s side tried alternative methods to equalise. Two of those came from Jack Currie and Charlie Kelman, whose deflected strikes came close.

Currie’s shot was directed wide of the far post by the desperately outstretched boot of Kayne Ramsay. Then shortly after, the studs of Lloyd Jones sent Kelman’s attempt bouncing wildly towards goal and off the top of the crossbar.

A lengthy break in play because of a fault in the communication between the referee and VAR was criticised by Wellens post-match, as he felt it broke up their momentum late in the match.

They attacked with increasing fluidity but ultimately could not find the final ball necessary to level up the scoreline. They will spend next season in League One, while Charlton get to experience a higher level.

Charlton Athletic (4-2-3-1): W Mannion 6 — K Ramsay 7, M Gillesphey 8, L Jones 7, J Edwards 6 — G Docherty 6, C Coventry 6 — T Small 6 (T Watson 68min, 6), A Gilbert 6 (K Anderson 68, 6), T Campbell 7 (M Mbick 81) — M Godden 7 (C Aneke 81). Booked Jones.

Resilient Charlton back in the Championship

Ramsay was almost caught out early doors, but recovered.   Lloyd Jones was fortunate not to get a yellow and Orient had a free kick. 

Orient won a corner.  Mannion secured the ball comfortably and released it well.   Docherty thought he had won a Charlton corner, but the referee gave a goal kick.

After quarter of an hour there had been few incidents of note. The referee was reluctant to give free kicks. 

Ramsay blocked an Orient counter attack well. 

Charlton needed to improve in the final third to get a shot away.    Orient looked better in the forward areas in terms of positioning and ball control, but neither keeper had much to do.

Charlton won a free kick in a promising position after Campbell had drawn it on 29 minutes.     It was taken by Gillesphey and the much criticised player scored.

An Orient corner was poor and ended in a Charlton goal kick.

Orient tried to finish the half strongly with a spell of possession.   Charlton tried to take the sting out of the game with their own spell of possession.

Two minutes added on.  

HT: 1-0

Gilbert took a Charlton free kick, but then the Addicks conceded a free kick.   Matty Godden won a free kick.

Campbell was starting to look more dangerous.  

An Orient ball was just wide through a deflection.    The corner was not successful. 

Two massive chances for Orient!  Currie was the first to unleash but he sees his attempt deflect out by mere inches to go out for a corner.

What do the O's do with it? They see it go just outside the box for Jordan Brown to pounce on.  He whacks it but it just lifts high. Just.

Charlie Kelman connects with his right-foot in the box to draw breath from the Addicks fans. But as good as his strike is, it takes a small knock from a Charlton defender to see it ricochet off the bar on 62 minutes.

Charlton's Alex Gilbert wiped out Jamie Donley inside of the D and gives Leyton Orient a free- kick.  The wall stood.

A disappointing Small came off along with Gilbert.   Watson and Anderson came on.  (68 minutes)

Charlton won a corner after Keeley deflected a Coventry shot.   Clare headed it away.   Subsequent play ended in a goal kick.   Ramsay required treatment for cramp.   Orient withdrew Clare in favour of James. Brown was replaced by Ball.

Ramsay was still struggling.   Charlton were having to call on all their defensive skills.   Godden waved his arms to the Addickted in encouragement.    Godden went off along with Campbell and Mbick and Aneke came on.  (81 minutes)

Orient made three more changes, Beccles was among those to go off.

The referee went down the tunnel, apparently because of technical issues with communication (the headsets).   Attendance was announced at 76,193.

11 minutes of added time were announced.    Keeley saved from Aneke.    Lloyd Jones got the first booking of the match for interfering with a free kick.

Docherty blocked a free kick with his face.   Mannion collected a free kick well, he was bold and brave.  Mannion claimed an incoming header. 

Charlton won, they are back in the Championship, now the hard work begins.

Reports will appear here and on Addicks Championship Diary for a few weeks before we revert to the Championship site.

 

Jones bares his soul

Nathan Jones talks in depth about his upbringing in the Welsh valleys, his temperament, his beliefs and his views about current society: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/24/nathan-jones-charlton-league-one-playoff-final-leyton-orient-football

It would be difficult to find someone more different from Alan Curbishley.  It is perhaps difficult to remember after all these few years quite a few people had doubts about Curbs as manager (which is why he started as joint manager).

Leyton Orient were forecast by Four Four Two to finish 17th this season, but they have ended it as an in form team.   I think we need to win in 90 minutes.   I wouldn't like the game to go to penalties, our first Wembley final notwithstanding.

Hopes of a brighter future

Ramsgate-based fan Rick Everitt has had many roles in relation to Charlton including sports editor of he late lamented Mercury, club employee and editor of the Voice of the Valley fanzine.

The Rickster has never been slow to criticise trenchantly when things have gone wrong, but now he sees new hope at the club after many dark years: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletics-resurgence-under-nathan-jones-brings-tantalising-hope-of-a-far-brighter-future/

He makes the point that this is not an exceptional side and hence their achievement in getting to Wembley is even the greater.

Alan Curbishley says that Charlton are 'too big' for League One: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c861g02p275o

My new wife managed to buy a Charlton place mat for me yesterday in Leamington after sorting through Manchester City and Crystal Palace merchandise.   I take it as a good omen.  

Jones helped Gillesphey improve

Macaulay Gillesphey was much criticised in the earlier part of the season and he was a leading candidate for scapegoat player of the year.   Some of the criticism was justified, as there were too many unforced errors.

But he thinks that his game has improved under the 'new gaffer' and now he faces the biggest game of his career: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-defender-macaulay-gillesphey-ready-for-biggest-game-of-his-career/

Travel issues on Sunday

Trains from South-East London face disruption on Sunday (mind you these days most Addicks live further afield, especially those who have retired): https://greenwichwire.co.uk/2025/05/21/charlton-athletic-play-off-final-travel-news/

The view from the other side

A Leyton Orient expert reckons that Sunday's ties could go to penalties and the O's have the sort of goalkeeper who would relish them: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/leyton-orient-expert-on-charltons-league-one-play-off-final-opponents-resolve-and-teamwork-key-to-os-success/

He rates Sean Clare more highly than Charlton fans did and says that Darren Pratley has been a leader at the club.

Addickted come from far and near

The Chicago Addick has already publicised this map showing how far the Addickted are travelling to get to Sunday's game, but it deserves wider publicity: https://cafc-many-miles-have-i-travelled.netlify.app/

At the Greatest Game I got a ticket for someone who had lived in Warwickshire but had emigrated to Canada.

Some people are complaining about long lost fans emerging from the woodwork, but I am pleased to see them back.  'Jack' used to live near the training ground, but is now in rural Kent.   He was a season ticket holder and also player shirt sponsor.   He is bringing his two adult daughters on Sunday.

Former Addick in charge at Dripping Pan

Former Addick Bradley Pritchard has been appointed manager of Lewes FC.   The midfielder played over 100 games for the Rocks between 2021 and 2024.

Initially hired by Charlton as a performance analyst, Pritchard was then given a footballing contract by the Addicks and made a total of 79 appearances scoring three goals.

Let go by Charlton, he went to Leyton Orient and then reverted to the non-league with Greenwich Borough.

I would describe Pritchard as industrious rather than skilled, but good luck to the 39-year old who has stuck with a football career through thick and thin.

Jones can be excused emotional response to victory

Nathan Jones has attracted some criticism from the tabloids for his emotional reaction to Thursday's victory, but he and the club have been through the mill as the BBC acknowledges: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c991y2zgp77o

The Currant Bun report on his 'bizarre antics' is here: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/34980600/nathan-jones-charlton-praying-wycombe-playoff/

At least Charlton is getting some attention for once, even if some of the publicity is negative.

I was surprised to learn that one of my granddaughters, who has shown no previous interest in football, but plans to move to Wales has applied with enthusiasm for a backroom job at Swansea City.

Charlton in Dreamland

The report from The Times this morning on last night's game (click to enlarge):

Godden delivers Wembley final

He was derided as a poor quality replacement for Alfie May at the beginning of the season, but Matty Godden secured a Wembley final for Charlton at The Valley this evening.

Matty Godden's goal nine minutes from time sent Charlton into the League One play-off final as they edged past Wycombe at The Valley.  In a second leg almost as tepid as the first leg, the tie was settled by Godden's 22nd goal of the season.

A long ball into the Wycombe penalty area was turned towards goal by Lloyd Jones and fell kindly for Godden to poke home from close range.

Charlton will now play Leyton Orient in the final at Wembley on Sunday, 25 May with the Addicks aiming to return to the Championship for the first time since 2021.

It was another night of few chances but Charlton, who finished a point and a place above Wycombe in the table, finally found a goal as attention began to turn to extra time.

Macaulay Gillesphey floated a ball from just inside his own half into the Wycombe box and Jones beat Adam Reach to it and steered towards goal with his right boot.

Franco Ravizzoli, who replaced the unwell Will Norris in goal, was a little hesitant to come off his line and could only block Jones' touch towards goal. It bounced into the path of Godden who chested down and turned into an empty net.

Jones had earlier squandered by far the best chance of the whole tie as, six minutes before the break, he totally miscued a free header from six yards out, diverting Godden's cross from the right fully 20 yards wide of the right-hand post.

Charlton went close again after the break as Thierry Small cut inside from the right but curled his left-foot shot just wide of the left-hand post.

Wycombe were second best and failed to fashion a clear-cut chance but did go close twice as the game wore on.

First Garath McCleary took Fred Onyedinma's cross but his shot was superbly blocked by Kayne Ramsay for Charlton before the rebound fell for Xavier Simons, whose shot was also blocked by Ramsay.

At full-time Addicks boss Nathan Jones was close to tears as thousands of Charlton fans spilled onto the pitch to celebrate.    He says that relief was his main emotion: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-overwhelmed-with-relief-as-charlton-athletic-secure-league-one-play-off-final-place/

Transfer 'ambitions'

Charlton will work off pretty much the same transfer list whether or not they get promoted.   I suppose you could interpret that as ambitious in one case and less so in the other: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-set-to-work-off-same-transfer-window-wanted-list-even-if-they-win-league-one-promotion/

Thierry Small wants to ply his trade in the Championship, although Millwall seem to have lost interest.

It's Orient in the final

Today's the day: either Charlton fans will be heading to Wembley or will have the joy of heading to beautiful downtown Burslem next season to play Port Fail: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/wembley-or-bust-charlton-athletics-championship-dreams-on-the-line-in-huge-league-one-play-off-semi-final-decider/

Orient got through to the final and penalties and with momentum may pose a greater challenge than gritty and tenacious Stockport.

Radio 5 were bigging up Orient this morning but I would agree with the Orient fan who said that a Wembley staging of the Blackwall Tunnel derby would sell out the stadium.  Wycombe wouldn't be able to fill it despite its proximity to beechy Bucks.

The strange world of beechy Bucks

An old secondary school friend of mine lived in many different parts of the UK before returning to his native heath on retirement (TOWIE).

He reckoned that the best place he lived was the Isle of Wight (home to many Addicks) and the worst was High Wycombe.   He thought that the people there were odd and unpleasant.

He never met many Chairboys, but that's not so surprising as home attendances this season averaged 5,456.

For many years they were a successful amateur club and only joined the non-league system in 1985.  For over ten years they hosted Wasps rugby club and it is the sort of area that favours egg chasing.

The train from Leamington usually stops at High Wycombe and on a match day lots of fans of Premier League London clubs (plus QPR) would pile on.  Chelsea had a particularly strong representation.

Many years ago I went to see Rushden and Diamonds play Wycombe.  As I recall Irthlingborough's finest won and Sid and Doris Bonkers and the other away fans took exception to some of the decisions by the officials.

They then staged an away stand sit in and as I walked up the hill to the lane where I had parked my car, plaintive calls of 'Chairboys' drifted on the breeze.

Aneke is available and motivated

Super sub Chuks Aneke is available for tomorrow's play off match against Wycombe Wanderers and is extremely motivated: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-boss-expecting-extremely-motivated-chuks-aneke-for-wycombe-play-off-semi-tie/

Charlton are ready for the possibility of a penalty shoot out: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-boss-expecting-extremely-motivated-chuks-aneke-for-wycombe-play-off-semi-tie/

Let's hope that the referee hasn't won this month's Specsavers voucher and is more used to officiating at cage fighting.

Backroom bosses answer questions

Having got married last Friday and having my eldest's 25th wedding anniversary on Saturday meant that I have not had much bandwidth for Charlton matters, but I was pleased to have a Charlton table at my wedding reception.

I have now read the CAST meeting with the non-executive chair and the chief operating officer.  It is informative on a range of topic (including the recent ticketing problems): https://www.castrust.org/2025/05/gavin-carter-assume-positive-intent/

On the whole I was reassured by the answers.    However, it is implicit that the owners are not going to splash the cash if we get promoted.    The Championship is highly competitive with spending patterns influenced by parachute payments.

Dismal draw could lead to Valley victory

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Addicks were unable to replicate their league victory over Wycombe in the play offs, but start with a clean slate at The Valley on Thursday.

The two sides played out a largely uninspiring and cagey League One play-off semi-final first leg which ended goalless.

Former Leamington ace Daniel Udoh forced a good save from Will Mannion in the first few minutes but that was a rare bright moment in the first half.

Things got marginally better after the break and Will Norris in the Chairboys goal had to make key late saves from Matty Godden and Greg Docherty.

The stalemate means that none of the first legs in this season's EFL play-offs have been won by the home side - the first time this has happened since 2014-15.

Charlton had ended the season in fantastic form, with 16 wins from their final 22 league matches.  However, in a game where both teams lacked quality in the final third, it took them until almost the 70th minute for Godden to have their first shot on target.

That was straight at Norris in the Wycombe goal but the keeper was worked more by the striker's second attempt in the last few minutes and he then showed good reflexes to keep out Docherty's instinctive effort from the resultant corner.

Wycombe offered little in a match punctuated by fouls.  They were perhaps a touch fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men before the break when striker Richard Kone was only booked for a poor challenge on Kayne Ramsay.

Mike Dodds' men have now failed to score in five of their past nine matches but only runaway league winners Birmingham picked up more points away from home than the Buckinghamshire side in the regular season and nobody scored more goals.

Wycombe boss Mike Dodds told BBC Three Counties Radio:  "Two really good teams cancelled each other out I think.   When you play a Nathan Jones team they are so aggressive in the first phase we didn't want to give them the momentum in terms of making too many passes in front of them which probably contributed to the fact it was quite messy at times.

You need a moment and it didn't land for them and it didn't land for us.  They've had one big chance and we've had one and it was a really tight, even contest."

Charlton boss Nathan Jones told BBC Radio London: "It was a tough game, a war of attrition.  We defended our box excellently and I felt we finished really strongly.

It's evenly poised and it's not a bad place to be. We've got to win a home game to get to Wembley and I think we'd have taken that.   I'm really proud of the performance because we showed a resilience. Would I have liked us to play a bit more and create a bit more and show a bit more quality? Yes."

The SLP’s Richard Cawley said: ‘By no means a classic but it was the Addicks who showed more urgency to win it in the closing stages. Norris with a couple of key saves. Mannion only had one stop early on from Udoh. Charlton defence were very good.’

On a day when Barca beat Real Madrid 4-3, it was hardly an English 'el Classico' in beechy Bucks and it was rather pathetic of the Chairboys to turn up the public address system given the lack of noise coming from fans Sid and Doris Bonkers.   However, Richard Cawley gives his analysis of the game here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/the-lowdown-on-wycombe-0-charlton-0-physicality-and-industry-outshine-quality-in-tense-league-one-play-off-encounter/

 

Jones emphasises his commitment to Charlton

Nathan Jones emphasies that he is at Charlton for the long tern, despite potential interest from other clubs: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/i-want-to-be-here-nathan-jones-has-unwavering-commitment-to-charlton-athletic-as-he-targets-league-one-play-off-glory/

Two Wycombe players face late fitness tests, but they have not been named: https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/highwycombe/25153301.wycombe-vs-charlton-athletic-mike-dodds-looks-ahead/

Godden: we must forget the 4-0

Like many footballers, Matty Godden uses golf to relax.   Life is different now he is back home.  He is prepared to take penalties for Charlton in the play offs if necessary.   He rightly emphasises that we must get the 4-0 victory at Wycombe out of our minds: tomorrow will be a completely different game.  https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/golf-is-a-switch-off-from-football-matty-godden-an-ice-cool-performer-on-football-pitch-and-the-fairway/

CAS Trust also warn against complacency: https://www.castrust.org/2025/05/back-to-wycombe/

Our record in the play offs has been quite mixed.   The defeat on penalties by Swindon at The Valley still hurts, but I had blotted the defeat to Shropshire's finest out of my mind: https://www.castrust.org/2025/05/a-brief-history-of-time-in-the-play-offs/

Jones and Godden on coming through adversity

Moaners were hoping for his early dismissal, but Nathan Jones defends the way in which he brought success to Charlton by sticking with his squad: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-boss-jones-on-key-to-coming-through-adversity-this-season-to-land-play-off-place/

Matty Godden was derided as a poor replacement for Alfie May at the beginning of the season but here he talks about how he has battled through his career, including a spell in non-league: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/ive-worked-my-n-off-charltons-matty-godden-on-non-league-career-rebuild-and-rooting-for-coventry-city-play-off-success/

Over at our sister site special guest correspondent Nigel Pooter has been looking at the finances of Crystal Palace: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2025/05/can-eagles-soar-even-higher.html

Jones is full of Fullah

Nathan Jones was rightly delighted with Ibrahim Fullah's debut at The Valley on Saturday and sees it as reflecting the strength of the Academy as a whole: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/it-has-a-wonderful-feel-charlton-boss-on-handing-debut-to-ibrahim-fullah/

Alex Mitchell and Matty Gooden are both named in the final Sky Bet League One Team of the Week.

Saturday’s attendance of 20,971 was the highest at the Valley for the last home regular League game of the season in 10 years.

Charlton to face Wycombe in play offs

Charlton will face Wycombe at home in the second leg of the play offs on May 15th after the Chairboys lost 1-3 at home to Stockport today.   The first leg will be in beechy Bucks next Sunday evening.  (The EFL has changed the date more than once). The out of form Chairboys have lost six of their last eight games.  Stockport will face in form Leyton Orient.

Charlton beat Burton 3-1 as I forecast at the start of the season.  A Brewers penalty gave an early scare and their fans literally went bananas as they did the conga in the Jimmy Seed.

Matt Godden scored two first half goals and Alex Mitchell made it three on 51 minutes in front of a crowd of 20,971.

The Addicks fell behind in the 13th minute, Mason Bennett converting from the penalty spot after Fabio Tavares was brought down by goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

Godden restored parity in the 24th minute, Charlton’s top scorer finished from the right of the penalty box with Burton keeper Max Crocombe making a bad call to stray from his line to try and reach Tennai Watson’s through ball.

Godden doubled his tally in the 34th minute, producing a sharp turn from Josh Edwards’ pass to beat Crocombe, who managed to get a hand to his low left-footed shot.

Alex Mitchell, whose poor back pass had led to the early penalty, made amends when he headed in Conor Coventry’s inswinging corner in the 51st minute to put Charlton 3-1 ahead.

Addicks debutant Ibrahim Fullah hit the right post from Karoy Anderson’s cutback.

Just as well the play off is now on Sunday evening, as I am getting married on Friday and my eldest is having her 25th wedding anniversary party on Saturday evening.

Analysis of the game by Louis Mendez emphasises the contribution of Matt Godden who was, of course, written off as useless by moaners earlier in the season: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/the-lowdown-on-charlton-3-burton-albion-1

Team of the year Jones 'like a brick wall'

Lloyd Jones has been named in the League One Team of the Year.   He was also picked by Four Four Two for their list of the top fifty EFL players.

Josh Edwards reckons that Jones has been 'like a brick wall' (other labels are available): https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/hes-been-a-brick-wall-charlton-defenders-praise-for-vice-captain-lloyd-jones/

Not gone for a Burton

Burton Albion's draw against Wigan last night means that they will survive in League One and don't need to take points off us on Saturday.

We don't need to risk any injured players, or indeed any key players on Saturday, but it would be good to get a win in front of what promises to be a bumper crowd.  My forecast at the beginning of the season was 3-1.

The toughest test in the play off semi-finals could be tenacious Stockport.   If we beat them and face Wycombe at Wembley, I would be confident of our chances.   Leyton Orient could be trickier with their new American owners.

Wycombe fans (Sid and Doris Bonkers) will have a short trip to Wembley from Beechy Bucks.  However, hopefully the Chairboys are losing form at the crucial time, even if they think they might have learnt lessons from our hammering of them.

Wycombe are owned by one of the world's wealthiest men, but so far he has not been splashing the cash.  They could be more of a threat next season if we both end up in League One, but there is real hope that we won't be.

Conor Coventry: I'm a more rounded footballer at Charlton

Even moaners have had to concede that Conor Coventry puts in s a shift and it is therefore no surprise that he has been selected for a feature interview by The Athletic (the online publication from the New York Times stable.

Conor Coventry is open, engaging and affable, but one question from The Athletic prompts the former West Ham United youth product to pause for thought.

It is 14 months since the midfielder swapped West Ham for League One Charlton Athletic in search of opportunities.  He has become a lynchpin in Nathan Jones’ promotion-chasing team,, but emotions are still raw for the 25-year-old when it comes to his former club.

“I find it weird watching West Ham,” Coventry tells The Athletic. “I haven’t been back to the London Stadium since leaving. If I went back, I can picture the lads giving me stick and telling me to let it go.

Coventry made 10 first-team appearances for West Ham, but they were sporadic. From a debut in September 2018 against Macclesfield Town, then of League Two, in the Carabao Cup, Coventry was never given a regular run of games.

Charlton first showed interest around November and it just felt right.  Even the new start at Charlton has had difficulties. He was signed by Michael Appleton on January 12 — but within 12 days the manager had been sacked and replaced by Jones, with Charlton in relegation trouble.

“It was a difficult time leaving West Ham and then the change at Charlton. When the gaffer (Jones) arrived, we spoke when he took over about where I could improve and what he liked about me.

“I’m a more well-rounded footballer now, but there’s still more to come. I’ve overcome disappointments and not playing consistently in my career. But this is the best I’ve felt and I needed this stability.

This season, Coventry and Charlton, who have been in League One for five years, have been transformed. He has started 42 of their 44 league games and impressed in his holding midfield role as Jones has built a team with a play-off place secured. In November, his form earned a senior call-up for the Republic of Ireland squad for the Nations League game against England.

“Last summer, I arrived for pre-season with the intention of being in the team, so it’s great to feature heavily in the push for promotion — the gaffer has shown great faith in me,” Coventry says.

“Maybe people from the outside thought we wouldn’t be around it. But we all had confidence we would compete and here we are now. I believe the club can return back to where it belongs (the Premier League, where they have not played since 2006-07).

“We’ve seen it with recent performances from the team. The club is back on a rise and hopefully we can end the season on a high. I look back positively on my year here.”

 

 

'A game too far'

That was the verdict of Nathan Jones on the 3-0 defeat at Wrexham with Charlton hit with injuries - and that to Lloyd Jones sounds particularly worrying: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-defeat-at-wrexham-a-game-too-far-as-charlton-battle-with-injuries-ahead-of-play-off-campaign/

I was surprised that so many Charlton fans thought that Wrexham would roll over in the same way as Wycombe.  They had automatic promotion in their sights.   What they have created from a non-league start is not a circus but a minor global brand.

Unfortunately after being 0-2 down Stockport managed to beat Lincoln 3-2 so we are back in 5th.  Let's hope we can get to 4th as it would give us a better start in the play off lottery.   Leyton Orient may be in with a shout under their new American owners.  With Wycombe playing Stockport there is a variety of possible outcomes in terms of play off line ups.  If Reading qualify, they may be disqualified by the EFL because of their unresolved ownership issues.

The excessive pessimism of the 'We'll be playing Bromley next season' moaners had been replaced by an excessive optimism that we could get automatic promotion, although more realism now seems to be creeping back in.   However, the squad was never as bad as some made out and some of them have developed over the season.   I intend to spend a few days on the Kent coast in the summer and if I can find Desmond from Deal and Derek from Dymchurch and all the other seaside pessimists I will ask them why they are so miserable.

My forecast was 3-1 for this game, but we didn't get the consolation goal. Louis Mendez provides his usual forensic analysis, emphasising the impact of the absence of Lloyd and Small: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/the-lowdown-on-wrexham-3-charlton-athletic-0-addicks-top-two-hopes-ended-as-wrexham-seal-promotion-to-second-tier/

Cefnogwyr bywiog Charlton yn anelu am Gymru

Wrexham will be automatically promoted if they beat Charlton tomorrow and Wycombe drop points against Orient.   Wrexham captain James McClean [sic] has understandably called it a 'huge' match: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/wrexham-captain-james-mcclean-demands-his-side-deliver-in-huge-league-one-match-against-charlton-athletic/

Wrexham supremo and former Charlton manager Phil Parkinson is said to be 'relaxed' ahead of the encounter, although he looks grim faced in the accompanying photo as if someone has been spotted in the Charlton end in a clown costume: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/enjoy-it-wrexham-boss-parkinson-staying-relaxed-ahead-of-pivotal-league-one-meeting-with-charlton-athletic/

Charlton fans seem to be in an optimistic mood as they prepare to cross the Welsh border and sample the delights of Wrexham.   I had the Wycombe game down as a win at the beginning of the season and this as a 3-1 defeat, but a draw may now be more likely.   However, I don't think one can read the results of this game off the win at Wycombe.

After I congratulated a Burnley fan the other day, he responded 'Good luck in the play offs' and that looks like a realistic call.

CAS Trust preview here: https://www.castrust.org/2025/04/wrexham-showdown/

Aneke red card stays

Given that Miles Leaburn is injured, Nathan Jones is understandably upset that Chuks Aneke's red card has not been overturned: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-boss-jones-left-fuming-as-chuks-anekes-red-card-upheld-on-appeal/

Not a surprise, however.  First, the authorities are always reluctant to undermine referees by challenging their decisions.  Second, listening to Steve Brown's account at the time (even though he tends to look for negatives), Aneke was at least unwise in his response to provocation.

Jones has had to 'clarify' his remarks about Wrexham being a circus, saying he did not mean any disrespect to a well-run club: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-boss-jones-addresses-wrexham-the-circus-comment-ahead-of-mega-league-one-showdown/

Sometimes Jones speaks before he thinks, but then his emotional nature appeals to many fans.

Jones upsets Wrexham by calling them a 'circus'

Nathan Jones has called Saturday's opponents Wrexham 'a circus' and it seems to have got under the skin of the Welsh side: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/wrexham-a-circus-says-charlton-boss-before-league-one-showdown/

Whether it's a smart move in the pre-match mind games or something Jones will come to rue remains to be seen.

Before the Hollywood glamour boys arrived Wrexham was not without its comic elements, not least Mickey Thomas.  

During his football career, Thomas became involved in a counterfeit currency scam, whereby he laundered the money through Wrexham's trainees. North Wales Police arrested him in 1993 and following a conviction he was sentenced to 18 months in jail.   It has been alleged that 10p coins were involved (remember this was a long time ago).

In August 1992, Thomas was attacked by two men in a country lane at Dyserth, Clwyd. He was sitting in his Volkswagen with a 29-year-old woman, when his window was smashed and he was assaulted with a hammer and a screwdriver. Thomas was admitted to hospital with 15 stab wounds to his left buttock.

It was alleged that the woman was his sister-in-law and that his posture was more vigorous than the word 'sitting' would imply.

Jones has high hopes for young defender

Nathan Jones has high hopes for the Charlton future of young defender Zach Mitchell, currently loaned out to St. Johnstone where he has suffered an injury setback: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-boss-still-has-high-hopes-for-loaned-out-youngster/

Aneke looks to be out for rest of the season

Nathan Jones was clearly unhappy about Chuks Aneke being sent off at Wycombe, but it doesn't look as if the club will challenge the red card: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-boss-jones-on-aneke-red-card-there-is-more-on-that-i-can-promise-you/

Lloyd Jones is understandably pleased with his defensive contribution this season and in particular the way he dealt with Wycombe striker Richard Kone: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/it-means-a-lot-charlton-defensive-rock-jones-delighted-after-20th-clean-sheet-of-season/

Charlton turn over the furniture

The Times said this morning that Charlton were a team coming into form at the right time and they demonstrated that with a 4-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers in beechy Bucks this afternoon.   The clean sheet was offset by the dismissal of Chuks Aneke in time added on for violent conduct.  Earlier Nathan Jones was booked for excessive celebration.

Charlton remain in 4th place.  Second placed Wrexham won at Blackpool and Charlton face what Steve Brown called a 'massive game' there next week.

The Addicks bossed Wycombe from start to finish and took an 11th-minute lead through Lloyd Jones' well-taken half volley past goalkeeper Will Norris.

It was 2-0 after 24 minutes thanks to a brilliant strike from Luke Berry, who fired home from 15 yards.

Wycombe rarely offered anything in attack, indeed it was 86 minutes before Will Mannion had to deal with a shot on target.  Richard Kone was starved of service and around the hour mark the game was wrapped up.

Norris slipped when receiving a back pass from Xavier Simons and Matt Godden tapped in Charlton's third in the 58th minute.

Four minutes later, moaners' target Karoy Anderson scored a header to send the 1,849 travelling fans into ecstasy.

With players such as Godden taken off, Charlton stepped off the gas in the closing phase of the game.

Conor Coventry had an excellent game in midfield and Macualy Gillesphey was outstanding.

His ears ringing from an angry phone call from the steppes, Wycombe's shell shocked supremo Mike Dodds rued the loss of their defensive record and said that Charlton had forced them into errors and were really aggressive on second balls: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/wycombe-boss-looking-to-conduct-autopsy-after-4-0-loss-to-charlton-athletic/

Nathan Jones says that he was very pleased with the level of performance: https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/national/25104962.nathan-jones-hails-outstanding-charlton-display-wallop-wycombe/

Chairboys boss gets his excuses in

Wycombe head coach Mike Dodds says that Charlton are a good side and Nathan Jones is a 'brilliant' manager: https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/ll-against-good-side-mike-040000972.html?

This could be just a classic case of a manager getting his excuses in first, but the Chairboys have only lost at home three times in the league this season.

Charlton are capable of upturning the furniture this afternoon and upsetting the Genghis Khan of technology, although I am less optimistic than most Addicks.

Macaulay Gillsphey is playing.   McIntyre, who has attracted recent criticism, has been dropped completely. 

Charlton 'could gatecrash promotion party'

The Athletic makes rhe League One promotion race its lead story this morning.

Here are some excerpts: 'Only time will tell on that score, but there can be little doubt that it’s advantage Wycombe Wanderers in the race to clinch the runners-up spot behind already promoted Birmingham City after Mike Dodds’ side were given a helping hand from the most unlikely of sources.

In 10 years as a professional and more than 275 senior appearances, Taylor Moore had found the net just twice. But, by heading in Matt Butcher’s first-half corner to net his first goal since New Year’s Day, 2019, the Bristol Rovers defender knocked Wrexham off course in their quest to reach the Championship.

Matty James rescued a point for Phil Parkinson’s men, who nevertheless surrendered second spot courtesy of Wycombe’s 2-0 victory at Bolton Wanderers. One point separates Wrexham and Wycombe, and Wycombe’s goal difference is superior by five.

Adding to a fascinating promotion mix are Charlton Athletic who, despite being five points adrift with just nine still up for grabs, still retain their own hopes given they are still to play both Wycombe and Wrexham.

“We’re still in a great position,” insisted Parkinson. “There are three games to go and, hopefully, some more twists along the way. You can’t discount anyone. Charlton face Wycombe (on Monday) and they can’t both win."

On paper, Wycombe’s looks the tougher with home games against Charlton and Stockport, plus a visit to play-offs hopefuls Leyton Orient. Equally, though, Charlton having those six-pointers at Adams Park and then The Racecourse means Nathan Jones’ side cannot be discounted.'

Wycombe are a club that has taken a steppe up

Nathan Jones has emphasised that Charlton need to win all their three remaining games if they are to secure automatic promotion: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-charlton-need-to-win-all-their-remaining-games-to-keep-automatic-promotion-dream-alive/

It is mathematically possible, but it seems to me that the excessive pessimism of earlier in the season has now been overtaken by excessive optimism.

Even in League One, money talks in football and all the top three clubs are wealthy, but the Chairboys have the backing of a Kazakh billionaire and are tipped by many pundits to be in the Premier League in a few years' time.

Technology entrepreneur Mikhail Lomtadze has a net worth, according to Forbes, of $5.8billion and that makes him the 592nd richest person in the world right now.

On the pitch, the headline in The Times this morning is 'Wycombe hit stride at perfect time', noting their 2-0 win away at Bolton, themselves play off hopefuls.  This was the third consecutive win for the Chairboys.

Wycombe's coach says that teams visiting beecby Bucks are showing them 'extra respect': https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/boss-of-charlton-athletic-promotion-rivals-in-league-one-makes-respect-claim/

One way of interpreting that is that teams are adopting a defensive strategy and relying on counter attacks to score and these tactics could well earn Charlton a draw.

CAS Trust note: 'Given that Wycombe have been in a promotion challenge all season, their level of support is very disappointing. Apart from the Wrexham game their attendance is usually less than 5000 and sometimes short of 4000. The 1800 Addicks fans travelling on Monday could well comprise at least a third of the crowd and surely will be making all the noise.'

Nathan Jones has assured Charlton's owners, some of whom were at The Valley yesterday, that the club is a 'different animal' now: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletics-owners-told-their-football-club-is-now-a-different-animal/

We will soon know whether the optimists or the realists are right.

 

Charlton secure play off place

Matty Godden's 18th goal of the season helped Charlton secure their place in the League One play-offs with a 2-1 win over away draw specialists Northampton.

Luke Berry put the Addicks ahead in the ninth minute. The attacking midfielder struck a right-footed volley home after Northampton defender TJ Eyoma could only partially cut out Godden's cross.

Dara Costelloe equalised for the visitors soon after. The striker sent goalkeeper Will Mannion the wrong way from the penalty spot after referee Ollie Yates penalised Tom McIntyre for handling Tariqe Fosu's teasing delivery.

Charlton made a rather hesitant start to the second half producing a torrent of moaning from Steve Brown who accused them of being naive.   Chuks Aneke came on as a substitute soon afterwards with Tyreece Campbell reverting to right wing-back with Small at left wing-back.   Some of Small's shortcomings drove Nathan Jones to distraction.

Former Charlton winger Fosu produced a terrible miss in the 53rd minute from close range after being picked out by Tyler Roberts – his attempt harmlessly drifting out towards the left touchline.

Godden rattled the crossbar in the 67th minute from Thierry Small's cross but the veteran striker made no mistake four minutes later, sliding his finish underneath Northampton goalkeeper Lee Burge after racing on to Chuks Aneke's flick-on.

Northampton substitute James Wilson was just unable to reach Costelloe's pass as Charlton endured a nervy finish with Mannion making two good saves in the five minutes added on.   However, the home side's tactics produced further expressions of exasperation from moaner Brown.  

The Addicks moved up to fourth in the table one point above Stockport.  The Shoe Army posed some challenges in a tough game, but the Addicks face a much tougher test on Monday in beechy Bucks against Kazakh-owned Wycombe Wanderers.

Northampton set out to be party poopers

As the Shoe Army plans to descend on The Valley on Friday, the Cobblers are planning to derail Charlton's play off hopes in front of what is expected to be the biggest home crowd of the season: https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/2025/april/17/kevin-nolan-17-04/

I had this down as a 3-0 win at the beginning of the season, but every game is potentially tricky.

Northampton are five points clear of the drop zone so they are not entirely out of relegation trouble and a point (as they gained at home to Reading last Saturday) would be a good result for them.

Away from home they have won five, drawn eight and lost eight.  Along with Wigan and Reading, this makes them the away draw specialists in League One.  Three of their last six matches have been drawn.

Nathan Jones is not taking any risks with Lloyd Jones, the implication is that he will be available for the vital game at Wycombe on Monday: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-boss-not-taking-any-risky-approach-with-vice-captain-lloyd-jones/

Will Mannion looks back on his season: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-boss-not-taking-any-risky-approach-with-vice-captain-lloyd-jones/

Small is Championship target

Thierry Small will soon be out of contract and has attracted the attention of Premier League promotion hopefuls Millwall and Preston North End: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-boss-asked-about-thierry-small-amid-millwall-transfer-links/

Nathan Jones says no one has spoken to him, but that doesn't mean there is no interest.

Nathan Jones shortlisted as manager of the season

Nathan Jones has been shortlisted as manager of the season.   Looking at the other contenders I would have thought that Chris Davies was the most likely winner, but it it is still an honour for the manager and the club: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-boss-shortlisted-for-league-one-manager-of-the-season/

It's not so long since leading moaners were calling for his early dismissal.  Managers need time to turn a club around, there is far too much short termism in football.

A financial warning

Charlton fans are understandably focused on the various permutations of results that could see us promoted to the Championship.   The financial challenges we will face there are brushed aside.

We should remember that:

• Charlton loses over a quarter of a million pounds a week
• Commercial revenue is increasingly important in the Championship, but Charlton is not strong in that area
• The club does not own its stadium or training ground
• Our owners do not have the resources of a billionaire as in the case of Kazakh owned Wycombe Wanderers.

Of course, promotion might attract new and wealthier investors, that is the best hope.

However, any analysis of Championship finances is sobering: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2025/04/championship-finances-are-little-less.html

Charlton spend £430k on agents

Charlton spent £430k on agents between February 2024 and February 2025, FA figures reveal.   They ranked fifth in League One in terms of the amount spent, just ahead of Stockport County, and accounted for six per cent of all such expenditure in League One.

Huddersfield topped the charts with spending of £.1m, followed by Wrexham at £784k and Birmingham City at £590k.    Lowest spenders were relegated Shrewsbury Town at £76k.

'Brilliant' Academy faces challenges

David Storey takes an in depth and sympathetic look at Charlton's 'brilliant' Academy, but pointing out the challenges that even such a successful operation (ranked 12th) faces in trying to compete with the elite clubs, not least in London: https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/charlton-athletic-gold-mine-blessing-curse-3640469

'Chopper' Harris backs Charlton in play offs

'Chopper' Harris confesses that he is a big Nathan Jones fan.   The former Spanners boss reckons that Charlton will do well in the play offs: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/cambridge-united-boss-harris-backing-charlton-athletic-to-do-well-in-league-one-play-offs/

One is enough

A 14th minute goal from returning Tyreece Campbell was enough to give Charlton all three points at Cambridge United this afternoon.  Unfortunately Stockport won 3-1 at home against Rotherham so we remain in fifth place.

The Addicks had five shots on target against none by the home side.   Louis Mendez described it as 'a scappy win.'   The game lacked quality, particularly in the second half, but securing the three points was what mattered.

In the first half Matt Godden hit the upright from the edge of the area.

Campbell struck with the first attack of the match after 14 minutes when he was allowed time on the left to cut inside and fire low beyond Jack Stevens.

History almost repeated itself 12 minutes later when Campbell shot from a similar position before this time being denied by a good low Stevens save.

Moments later Campbell touched the ball on to Matty Godden, whose shot came back off the far post with Stevens beaten.

Cambridge were almost handed an equaliser just before half time when Josh Edwards headed James Brophy's cross narrowly wide of his own post.

After a low-quality second half, Cambridge could have snatched a point four minutes from the end when Edwards carried the ball forward before shooting wide from the edge of the box.

Nathan Jones said that it was a case of doing the basics really well, it was never going to be a great footballing game: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/it-wasnt-ever-going-to-be-a-good-footballing-game-nathan-jones-on-massive-three-points-for-charlton-athletic/

Louis Mendez provides a forensic analysis of the game, naming Macualy Gillsphey as start man (also chosen by the Football League Paper): https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/the-lowdown-on-cambridge-united-0-charlton-athletic-1-addicks-keep-pressure-on-with-rugged-win-at-the-abbey/

Josh Edwards comments on the bobbly pitch: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/josh-edwards-charlton-stood-up-to-cambridge-test-to-close-in-on-claiming-league-one-play-off-spot/

You can't read results off the table

'Chopper' Harris admits that he is in for 'a really tough game' against Charlton at the Abbey 'Stadium' tomorrow.    The home side are unbeaten in their last four games, albeit three of them have been draws and are still engaged in a fight against relegation.   At home this season they have won just five games, drawn six and lost nine.  However, they have been relatively tight defensively.

Last week they won 1-0 at bottom club Shrewsbury.  Salop's finest have lost Gareth Ainsworth as their manager and have seen an American takeover run into the sands because of unspecified legal problems.  Michael Appleton is now in charge.   For Cambridge it was their first win in seven.

I had this down as a 1-1 draw at the beginning of the season and I would say that a draw is the most likely result.  The moaners were already crawling out from beneath their stones last week and an away point will certainly see Nathan Jones criticised for his team selection, formation and substitutions.

Of course, the confirmation of the club's basket case finances makes promotion even more imperative.  The extra revenues in the Championship would be offset by extra costs, but we might become more attractive to investors with really serious money.

CAS Trust point out that three of our five remaining games are away from home, two of them tough tests against promotion rivals: https://www.castrust.org/2025/04/opposites-attract/

Matty Godden says that no season is going to be 'plain sailing': https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-top-scorer-matty-godden-no-successful-season-is-ever-going-to-be-all-plain-sailing/

Charlton losing over quarter of a million pounds a week

A little behind schedule, Charlton have submitted their2023/24 accounts.   Once they have been uploaded at Companies House, I will undertake more analysis.   In the meantime, I am using the summary of football finance guru Kieran Maguire.   They make worrying reading.

Revenue was £8.8m down 10%. Wages £12.1m up 18%. Wages £138 for every £100 revenue, a very high figure more typical of the Championship.  Operating loss £14.6m up 48% (£280k a week).   Severance pay (to manager?) £746k.  Exec pay £1.9m up 80% (but remember, salmon coloured chinos don’t pay for themselves, quips Maguire).  Player purchases £1.9m.   Player sales were £1.3m.

Maguire states that Charlton total losses over the years are £71.5m.

Maguire has also revealed: 'Charlton’s auditors are unable to say whether or not the 23/24 accounts are accurate following a cyber attack against the club which meant that the auditors could not obtain supporting evidence.'