Team spirit

I had a smashing time at the Charlton Players Sponsor’s Dinner last night. I took a mate as my date and we sat on a table with Danny Hollands and Rhoys Wiggins, two nicer lads it is probably harder to meet.

Wiggins was particularly good, engaging and opinionated. Hollands is more softly spoken but gracious and an everyday fella.

Andy Hughes, almost 20-years older than some of his teammates was as loquacious as I had been told, Waggy was open and honest particularly about his future and Yann Kermorgant very charming and quite a hit with the ladies as was Dorian Dervite.

Ben Hamer and Dale Stephens were clearly in a race to see who could grow the highest hair, and were the butt of most of the jokes with Danny Haynes and the clearly respected skipper Johnnie Jackson the main ringleaders.

I had a good chat with Ricardo Fuller who told me that he has thoroughly enjoyed his season with us, although especially the most recent months. He told me that if the season was a month longer we’d be in the play-off’s and every other team would be frightened of us and our form.

It was pretty clear to those lucky enough to be there last night that these young men are a very tightly knit bunch who have a lot of respect for Chris Powell and Alex Dyer, both who were as welcoming as always.

Not once did I see any player shirk a conversation, a photo opportunity or avoid signing everything and anything that was put under their noses. It was a pleasure to be in their company.