Grant Basey steps up

“Great stuff. This is my Charlton” fellow Addick @HungryTed called out following the announcement of Grant Basey’s promotion from Kit Manager to First Team Development Coach today.

It’s hard not to agree with him, and indeed another sign that Roland Duchatelet is finally listening to advice given to him, a trait he has rarely shown. There’s been a long-needed liaison between the first team and the U23’s, as young men’s careers can easily make or break at this point. Steve Avory has championed this kind of mentoring and developmental role for a long time, and if anyone should know what level of influence and kinship is required at this stage of a player’s career it is Steve.

Steve Gallen during his 30-hour days had obviously done a lot of this work, attending games loanees are playing in, as well as U23 matches, his new wider role just won’t allow for that, so in steps Grant Basey, an UEFA A licensed coach and someone that knows the inner workings of the football club well.

More importantly, I would say, is that he has watched at close quarters Bowyer, Jacko and Gallen build a culture, a meaning, a football club.

It means a lot to me also that Basey is now involved alongside the three of them as well as Andy Marshall, Jason Euell and Steve Avory.

Still only 30, Basey was at Charlton from a very young age and played 55 first team games, and went on to play at a variety of league and non-league clubs but his career was beset with injuries.