Millers have disappointed early hopes

Yo-yo club Rotherham were expected to be promotion contenders this season.  Four Four Two forecast a 4th place finish, but things haven't gone to plan for the Millers: https://www.castrust.org/2025/01/rotherham-a-draw-isnt-enough/

The fan commentator said that morale had been lifted by the return of charm merchant manager Steve Evans, but that hasn't worked out.  Could he succumb to the curse of Charlton?

Evans is still chasing transfer targets, not that we seem to have any: https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/rotherham-united/offers-are-in-heres-when-rotherham-united-expect-answers-4948287

A local fan reminds us that we haven't won there since 1983: https://rotherham.vitalfootball.co.uk/head-to-head-millers-v-addicks-2/

Shrews swoop for Brakes ace

Fans gathering at the Your Co-op Community Stadium for Tuesday's live televised fixture between Leamington and Chester were puzzled by the absence of star striker Cally Stewart who has scored 14 goals in 23 appearance this season.   But then it was revealed that he was signing for Shrewsbury Town for an undisclosed fee (reported to be £150k).

Manager Paul Holleran has been in charge at Harbury Lane for 15 years and was recently featured on Football Focus. He has made it his mission to spot talent lower down the non-league system (Stewart was signed from Coventry Sphinx) or players discarded by academies at Midlands clubs (such as keeper The Hawk' who came from Burton Albion).   He then develops them and sells them on to EFL clubs.  Fans have been trying to count the number, but it is certainly in double figures.

One of the outstanding successes from the Leamington production line has been Colby Bishop who initially went on to Accrington, but is now a success with Portsmouth.

Charlton have made it clear that they will not go 'all Acworth' and take a risk on the potential of non-league talent.

Out of the Cup

Mid-table Championship overcame mid-table League One at Deepdale tonight as Preston North End beat Charlton 2-1.

I listened to BBC Radio Lancashire who offered a fair and balanced commentary.  They were full of praise for Tyreece Campbell who was a real threat down the wing and also for the physicality and pace of Thierry Small.    They did wonder if playing three at the back left us exposed on the wings.

After Charlton had been the better side, a defensive mix up between Mitchell and Manion with the defender hitting an under powered back pass allowed the home side to go ahead.  However, Berry equalised before half  time from a Campbell cross.

On 47 minutes poor defending from a corner allowed Preston to go ahead with a volley.   Preston scored from their two shots on target.

Charlton kept themselves in the game and never really went away. It took a wonderful Woodman save to keep out Chuks Aneke's bullet header five minutes from the end to ensure that Preston progressed.

The Gasman had a poor game up front and was eventually replaced by Leaburn.

Attendance 7,734 (716 Addickted).

Nathan Jones considers that the game showed that Cbarlton were 'near Championship level' and fans thought that the performance was one of our better ones: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-after-narrow-fa-cup-exit-at-preston-charlton-athletic-have-a-championship-level-squad/

Preston are draw specialists

Preston North End are the draw specialists of the Championship, having drawn 12 matches and particularly those at home.  So tomorrow's FA Cup tie could end in penalties after extra time.

Manager Paul Heckingbottom has followed the usual practice of getting his alibi in first by saying that Nathan Jones has got the Addicks well organised and playing well.

Preston has been available for a takeover for over a year, but there have been no serious offers.  The cost of staying in the Championship is emphasised by a £69m loss over the years: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/search?q=Preston+North+End

The Iran illusion?

Those with an inside track at the club insist there was nothing much more to the club's relationship with Iran than the signature of Karim Bagheri who made his sole appearance as a substitute when we were losing to Ipswich on a rainy afternoon.  I was there and I can recall him making one directionless header.

One narrative is that by signing him the club was simply trying to appeal to rich Iranians living in London who might come up with some sponsorship.

But then I was given an informal briefing in Westminster around this time which suggested a more complex interpretation which involved using Charlton as an instrument of British diplomacy..

Then I noticed that records from government departments from 20 years ago were appearing in the press.

I decided to set up a meeting with 'Pete' who is an expert on the National Archives.  He said that there was now a 20 year rule, but his impression was that documents were being released somewhat selectively.

We also discussed what might have been behind the briefing that I was given, but we agreed that there were a number of alternative possible interpretations.

However, a quick search of the National Archives online using 'Charlton Athletic' revealed that back in 1966 the Foreign Office was considering sending Football League clubs to Iran.   This was, of course, under the Shah's regime rather than that of the Ayatollahs.  

'Pete' is a regular at the National Archives and he has agreed to undertake a preliminary search to see what he can find.

It may well all turn out to be a mirage and I may have played the role of 'useful idiot', but it is at least worth further investigation.

Small Talk

At 20 years old Thierry Small is still a developing player and according to Nathan Jones a transfer window priority is to get someone who can play down the right wing: as it is, Charlton's attack has been lopsided: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/thierry-small-impressing-for-charlton-athletic-but-transfer-window-focus-is-still-to-strengthen-down-that-side-of-pitch/

Mills: Charlton made my career

I was doing some sponsorship at Charlton on the Saturday after Danny Mills joined the club, a great spot by Curbs.   I was introduced to him.  'You are a great signing for the club,' I assured him and so it turned out to be.

Mills says that Charlton made his career.  He also discusses Saturday's cup game at Preston: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/danny-mills-charlton-athletic-move-made-my-career-it-took-me-to-a-whole-new-level/