More trophies for the cabinet

Charlton’s U21 Development team swept to the League 2 – South Division title yesterday after beating Millwall 3-1 at Sparrows Lane. This on the back of the U18’s winning their Development League after they thrashed Bristol City away 5-0 the day the first team put 6 past Barnsley. The future is bright, the future is red & white!

This is the first year of a reformed quasi-reserve league, which was much missed and I feel we we have really seen an improvement in players that have have stepped into the first team such as youngster Callum Harriott and those returning from injuries like Andy Hughes, Danny Haynes and Rhoys Wiggins. It has also allowed players that have been in and out of the first team to return a lot sharper when required. I am thinking of players here like Matt Taylor, Ceddy Evina and Dale Stephens.

Nathan Jones (photo) deserves a lot of plaudits but he points out that developing future first-teamers is his mission and not winning leagues. Nonetheless this and the U18 success only highlights the quality of young players around the club and it is something that Messrs Jiminez and Slater should take credit for, in having the foresight and intelligence in investing in the acquisition of Paul Hart nearly 2 years ago.

Like the U18’s the Development Team now move onto the play-off’s meeting the runner up from the North Section, which is expected to be either Huddersfield or Derby. Leicester have already secured the title.

Tonight a combination of the U21’s and U18’s go to Thamesmead Town to play in the Kent Senior Cup semi-final, a trophy I would love to see us add to the bristling cabinet at The Valley. The other semi is between Tonbridge Angels and the winner of a delayed tie between Margate and Ebbsfleet Town.

Talking of Ebbsfleet, who have been relegated from The Conference, MyFootballClub have offered to relinquish ownership in the Fleet allowing the Supporters Trust to take a majority shareholding. I knew quite a few people who jointly ‘bought’ Ebbsfleet when the MyFootballClub community website attempted to find 50,000 fans who wanted to own a piece of a football club each paying £35 in 2007. There are I believe only around 1,000 members left.

Good news for Kent non-league clubs though as Welling United won promotion to the Conference after winning the Conference South title. The Wings will compete in the countries 5th tier for the first time since 2000.

Meanwhile Eastbourne Borough are safe but the other team I have a little soft spot for in that division, AFC Hornchurch are in big trouble. This Hornchurch side came out of the original Hornchurch FC that went bust in 2005. I spent a few fun Saturday afternoons watching the original incarnation at their leafy riverside ground before the local owners eyes got bigger than their wallets.

Hornchurch will get relegated tonight if Tonbridge Angels collect a point in their home game against Eastbourne.