Attacking midfielder signs

Attacking midfielder Conor McGrandles has signed for Charlton after leaving Lincoln City, where he was highly rated, on a free: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-complete-fourth-signing-of-the-summer-conor-mcgrandles-on-free-transfer-following-lincoln-exit/

The Scottish theme at Charlton continues.

Here is a Lincoln City assessment of him: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/hes-got-a-temper-on-him-lincoln-city-verdict-on-charlton-new-boy-conor-mcgrandles/

Purrrington dons the kilt

Ben Purrington has become the latest former Charlton player to be fitted for a kilt, joining SPL Ross County on a two year contract.  Ashley Maynard-Brewer was with them last year.   The Staggies think he will offer experienced leadership in the dressing room: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/ross-county/4477350/ross-county-sign-former-charlton-athletic-left-back-ben-purrington-on-two-year-deal/

Wishing him every success in Dingwall.

Loan deal for Maynard-Brewer

Ashley Maynard-Brewer has joined Gillingham on a 12 month loan with a recall clause: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-keeper-makes-gillingham-loan-move/

Jason Euell has been appointed first team coach at Bristol City: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/bristol-city-coaching-role-for-former-charlton-athletic-coach-jason-euell/

Cyprus berth for Matthews

Former Addick Adam Matthews has joined Neil Lennon's Omonia Nicosia side on a two year contract: https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/sport/neil-lennon-signs-adam-matthews-24303305

How good is Egbo?

A Swindon journalist gives his view on new signing Mandela Egbo.  It's generally positive, but he needs work in cpaching on his defensive positioning: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/classy-player-swindon-town-insight-into-charltons-new-full-back-mandela-egbo/

Purrington shares his Wembley memories

Ben Purrington talks extensively about his time at Charlton including that goal at Wembley: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/ben-purrington-on-his-release-by-charlton-athletic-scoring-and-winning-at-wembley-with-addicks-will-never-be-forgotten/

New keeper signed

Charlton have signed Jojo Wollacott. Swindon Town keeper was in the League Two Team of the season. They have had him in their sights for a while.  Wollacott is a Ghana international. He is a keeper with strong distribution.    

Richard Cawley says that this suggests that Charlton will listen to offers for Craig MacGillivray, who had been their number one last season.   MacGillivray did not quite live up to his billing.

A Swindon assessment of the new keeper here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/he-is-a-quality-goalkeeper-swindon-town-reaction-to-joe-wollacott-signing-for-charlton-athletic/

Brian Jokat has left his position as chief operating officer at Charlton - appointed in late April and his role was focused on non-football operations. Owner Thomas Sandgaard has already started the search for Jokat's replacement.

Scott Marshall has been appointed as first team assistant coach: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-appoint-scott-marshall-as-first-team-assistant-coach/

Jason Euell has left the club and has thanked Charlton fans: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/ill-miss-you-jason-euell-has-praise-for-charlton-athletic-fans-after-leaving-first-team-coach-role/

Thank you, Jason, for all your efforts as a player and a coach and wishing you every success in the future.

Roland would want £44m for The Valley

The 2020/21 accounts for Charlton Athletic Holdings have been published confirming that £44m of leasehold improvements were transferred from CAFC Ltd to the Duchatelet-owned company when Thomas Sandgaard bought the club in September 2020.

VOTV editor Rick Everitt comments: ‘This essentially means the stands and other buildings at The Valley and Sparrows Lane became RD’s property - in return for wiping out the similar loan from RD’s Staprix to Charlton. It’s NOT news but it does firm up the detail.’

‘It’s probably also a good indicator of what the Belgian will continue to demand for the return of The Valley (by far the more valuable of the two sites).’

I have not yet read the accounts, but will add any relevant details.

Second signing

Richard Cawley gives the lowdown on Charlton's second signing of the summer, Mandela Egbo.   The 24-year old can play at right back or wing back and was at Swindon at the end of last season: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/the-lowdown-on-charlton-athletics-second-signing-of-transfer-window-former-palace-prospect-mandela-egbo/

No longer able to complain about the absence of signings, moaners are saying that the signings are no good and we are on our way to League Two.

First, let's see all the signings and how they play before writing them off.

First summer signing

Centre back Eoghan O'Connell has joined Charlton.  He was on a free after rejecting terms at Rochdale: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/the-lowdown-on-new-charlton-athletic-signing-eoghan-oconnell-the-first-addition-made-since-ben-garners-appointment/ 

He seems to be well regarded by Rochdale fans.

Gilbey could be the man

Conor Washington thinks that Alex Gilbey is one of the best midfielders in League One and could deliver for Charlton with assists and goals next season if the system suits him: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/one-of-the-best-midfielders-in-league-one-charlton-athletic-midfielder-gets-strong-backing-from-former-valley-team-mate/

Gilbey's last season was blighted by contracting Covid at the start of the season.

Sol Bamba Charlton link

37-year old central defender Sol Bamba is a free agent after leaving Middlesbrough and has been linked with Charlton among other clubs, but is in no hurry to make a decision: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/preston-north-end-charlton-athletic-24258237

Career details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol_Bamba

Positive reports from Garner's previous managerial roles

Views of Ben Garner as manager from his time at Bristol Rovers and Swindon.  At least he is not wedded to one particular formation: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/the-inside-track-on-new-charlton-manager-ben-garners-managerial-approach-at-bristol-rovers-and-swindon/

Stockley will do what's required

Departing player Conor Washington reckons that Jayden Stockley will rattle in the goals this season: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/conor-washington-backing-charlton-striker-jayden-stockley-for-a-hefty-goal-return-next-season/

So. farewell then, Ben Purrington

Ben Purrington has been released by the club: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/exclusive-one-of-charltons-wembley-heroes-will-be-leaving-the-club-this-summer/

I always thought that he was an underrated player and Curbs praised him a lot, but I suppose he does not fit in with the new manager's plans.

Thanks for all your efforts and hope you find a new club.

A more attacking style of play promised

New Charlton manager Ben Garner expects to be judged on rn results: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/its-about-what-we-do-new-charlton-boss-ben-garner-expecting-to-be-judged-on-results/

Garner talks about the identity and style of plan he hopes to create: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/ben-garner-has-enjoyed-a-promotion-at-palace-one-at-charlton-would-surely-be-top-moment-in-coaching-career/

Thomas Sandgaard said that out of 40 candidates for the post, four were taken seriously and explains why Charlton thought Garner was the right man for the job.

Stockley not for sale

Thomas Sandgaard says Jayden Stockley is not for sale this summer, but admits there is interest in him: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-owner-has-no-plans-to-sell-jayden-stockley-in-summer-transfer-window/

It doesn't look as if there will be any new signings before the squad head for their training camp in Spain: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/will-charlton-have-new-signings-in-before-spanish-training-camp-thomas-sandgaard-gives-his-reaction/

Transfer activity ready to start

Steve Gallen is ready to press on with transfer activity now that Ben Garner has been signed as manager: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-set-to-press-ahead-with-transfer-activity-after-resolving-boss-situation/

Gallen says that a  number of players are 'warm', possibly from their summer holidays, and presumably the reference to 'meetings with myself' is not to be taken literally.

From our poll, this is how fans assess our chances under Garner next season: 

Automatic promotion	0.00% 0
– Play offs	24.36% 19
– 7th-12th	48.72% 38
– 13th-20th	24.36% 19
– Relegation	2.56%

Welcome, Ben Garner

Ben Garner has been officially confirmed as the new Charlton manager.   CAS Trust give their views on the appointment here: https://www.castrust.org/2022/06/ben-garner-welcome-to-charlton/

If the results of our survey are anything to go by, fans are not very enthusiastic about the appointment.  They were asked tobrate him as the next Charlton manager. Reasonably enough, the biggest response was 'wait and see', but of those who expressed a definite opinion negative responses outweighed positive ones.

Very good	3.61% 3
– Good	10.84% 9
– Fair	14.46% 12
– Poor	12.05% 10
– Very poor	8.43% 7
– Wait and see	50.60%

It's a done deal

Richard Cawley reports that Ben Garner has agreed a two year contract to be the next Charlton manager: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/ben-garner-agrees-two-year-contract-to-be-next-charlton-athletic/

Judging from our poll, of which more tomorrow, Charlton fans are not too enthusiastic about the outcome, but one has to be realistic about who a club that finished in the bottom half of League One can attract.

Some confusion has been caused by an apparent tweet from the owner's wife suggesting that the Cawley story is wrong, although in what respect is not clear.   It would have been better if she had told Richard Cawley privately and directly.

Swindon sources seem to think the deal is going ahead, with their owner keen to get everything sorted before he returns to Australia: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/20187673.ben-garner-agrees-two-year-contract-charlton-athletic-manager/    The Athletic is also running the story.

Seagulls pay up for keeper

Brighton and Hove Albion have paid Charlton £400k compensation for England Under 18 keeper James Beadle: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/compensation-figure-revealed-for-charlton-keepers-move-to-brighton/

Massives to swoop for Stockley?

Now that they are able to make signings again, Sheffield Wednesday have renewed their interest in Jayden Stockley: https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/sheffield-wednesday-consider-move-for-big-striker-as-charlton-athletic-star-re-joins-wanted-list-3717772

Blackpool want cut price deal for Kirk

Blackpool claim that they cannot afford to pay £500,000 to retain Charlie Kirk and are trying to push the price down: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/blackpool-not-prepared-to-trigger-automatic-deal-for-charlton-athletic-winger/

Some fans argue that we should not let him go on the cheap, but he may not settle and perform if he returns and we would save his wages.