2011 Top 5 CAFC Defining Moments
A year is a long time in football and it can also remind you that rarely do good things happen overnight. It wasn’t easy to pick just 5 Defining CAFC Moments, but here they are:
1. Chris Powell appointed as manager, January 14th
This is what I wrote on the day he was unveiled: “My heart aches with undying joy but also trepidation but I know more than anything else that Chris Powell’s heart has Charlton Athletic Football Club running through it like a stick of rock. Welcome home Chris. Make us proud again.”
2. The first signings of the summer, May 26th
In what was the start of things to come on this day Chris Powell signed Danny Hollands, Bradley Pritchard and young keeper Nick Pope. I stuck my neck out and wrote that I anticipated another 9 or 10 signings. Danny Haynes was Powell’s 20th permanent transfer.
3. Bournemouth at home, August 8th
Of course nothing is won on the first day of the season but the 3-0 victory, the way it was achieved and the buzz around The Valley told of better days ahead. Dale Stephens led the way with a sparkling performance, Waggy scored a cracking volley and we had two of Bournemouth’s best players now playing for us.
4. Huddersfield at home, November 28th
Huddersfield came to The Valley unbeaten since 1988 and with the media in their pockets. Sky decided to show the game and we all shivered with dread but we were immense and fully deserved the 2-0 win to cement our lead at the top of the table, even if no one else had noticed.
5. Carl Jenkinson signs for Arsenal, June 8th
We were aware long before it was announced by Arsenal that the 19-year old was leaving us for The Emirates and I think many of us have been surprised by the amount of games he was selected for by Wenger before he got injured. Nonetheless this Top 5 is about us and not Arsenal and I wrote (in March) that I was a lot less disappointed to see Carl Jenkinson turn down a new contract than Chris Solly.
Solly has turned into a superstar and the estimated £1m we received for Jenkinson went a very long way to funding Chris Powell’s rebuild.
I was going to argue that 4 should be 2 CA, but signings are more long term that one result, so I concur!
Pembury Addick
No1 certainly has turned out a season defining moment. However, for a while it was looking like a tragedy for Charlton and Chris Powell.
I should of course emphasise, despite that, i’m delighted with how things are, both for Charlton and Chis Powell.
I do like a good Top 5, and this is a very good Top 5!
As a defining moment, losing 4-2 to Swindon at the New Year with Charlie whats-his-name scoring twice was the point of no return for Parkie. Had that not happened, we (CAFC) may not have had a new hero, and history could have been completely (!) different…
I refer you to my 2010 Top 5 Defining Moments Pedro.
http://chicagoaddick.wordpress.com/2011/01/05/top-5-2010-defining-cafc-moments/#comments
When Huddersfield visited the Valley in November I had no idea that they had remained unbeaten for 23 years since 1988. That really puts our win in perspective.
And Dickie…. they are still unbeaten….