Welcome Ben Garner
Well that’s a surprise.
Despite various denials, indecisiveness and fluff, two weeks after the cat was out of the bag, the club have finally confirmed that Ben Garner will be Charlton’s new manager, signing a three-year contract.
Welcome Ben and you will get my maximum support and I look forward to an exciting and prosperous journey.
Thomas said that there were 40 candidates of which more than a dozen were interviewed, but Garner with his brand of attacking, possession based football and his record of coaching young players got him The Valley job.
It does sound that both of Garner’s coaches at Swindon Scott Lindsey and Scott Marshall will join him in SE7, but not Ben Chorley, the previous director of football at the County Ground.
Swindon topped all of the L2 stats in goals scored, average shots per game, shots on target, possession, pass completion and most away wins.
The single most important thing next is recruitment and the obvious sign of a plan to attack promotion from L1 head on.
Chicago Addick 
Relegation dog fight ahead.
Awful appointment.
Good luck CAFC , I am finished after 57 years supporting this club.
Kind regards,
John
John Birkins
Founder & CEO
27th Year in Business
Voted Top CEO & Forex Business in Switzerland 2017/2018
Asset Management firm of the year 2018/2019/2020
Frustrated at the indecisiveness but it’s done and we get behind him. League 2 stats are promising but he will need to recruit well to play that style in a very strong league 1. Swindon had some big players down there (Jonny Williams). The same sort of player for league 1/Champ level will cost, but they are some decent ‘frees’ available. Just got to pay the wages. Hopefully part of Garner’s interview was about who he’d want to bring in. Hopefully the start of improvement.
We should of backed JJ , A TRUE Charlton legend . I have always been so supportive of CAFC , but my patience has now run its course . I hear the new manager plays a mean guitar , best wishes to you all , once a great club with unbelievable supporters
My good friend said he heard Ben’s interview on Talk Sport and he came over really well. I replied so did Bowyer and Jackson when they were first both appointed!
Lets hope your right CA and Mr Garner’s out and out attacking football works out, if not there will be scrambled egg on Sangaards face!
Looks like he will also be bringing both his sidekicks with him, subject to compensation, so that would obviously mean Euell would be on his way out and maybe even Avory, who have previously both done wonders with the Under 23’s and 18’s, which wouldn’t be good news at all.
The other issue is, according to various pundits MS and Son will have a large influence over transfers this summer, which would be very concerning, considering it appears they already have been, as we have all seen with all the dross brought in last season!
Anyway like you CA I will give my 100% support to BG, but it will soon fade if things start to deteriorate.
Panel of 4 for recruitment – Sandgaard, Sandgaard Jnr, Gallen & Garner with Mrs Sandgaard the deciding vote.
We will be a laughing stock next season . Bringing in Swindon players and back room staff , who failed to beat Port vale . I will revert half way through the season with “ I told you so “ enjoy the summer everyone .
Agreed of course CA. Nothing more to add at this stage but hopefully this promised “new style” will please the eye rather better than Jacksons turgid style, which he stubbornly refused to change and ultimately cost him his job. For that I think we should applaud TS for making the change. Legend yes but who can honestly say Jacksons approach would get us anywhere but more mid table mediocrity.
I really hope that Kirk will stay as he should be licking his lips at the prospect of playing a style where he can prosper.
Hi CA
I witnessed the white smoke emissions from the burger van in the West Car Park and at last what was commonly known the appointment of Ben Garner and his backroom team.
TS now needs to get players in and ensure we are fully prepared for the season ahead.
Fans will I’m sure be 100% behind Ben and players if we hit the ground running.
I welcome Ben to CAFC and after hearing him on talksport today I’m far more confident.
BG words , attacking football and stats could not even beat Port Vale in a Div 4 play off semi . JJ pulled us out of the mire .If he was given the financial backing that BG is apparently going to receive the outcome would of been different . If JEuwell Avory leave because BG is bringing in his back room staff good luck with that one . As for Kirk , no comment . I admire all the positivity ahead of the new season .
At last Chris. No fire without smoke 💨
Love reading Chicago words of wisdom Keep them coming
Thank you Keith.
Everyone deserves a chance and I also, will throw my good wishes behind the new manager (but I can remember doing that when Adkins was appointed ) and hope he has the backing of Sandgaard & Son in closed season recruitment.
I would love to know the list of people who applied for the position and hope that Garner wasn’t just the cheapest option.
I wish Ben all the best and hope he succeeds, but do laugh at the press release, sounds like it was written by a 10 year old. Also no mention that Swindon had worst defensive record in the top 10. Maybe we will get a Kevin Keegan brand of football. Out score our opponents!
BG talks big about attacking football but I saw little evidence of that in the second game against Port Vale. Davison was isolated up front with a defender attached to his hip. The most positive thing about the game was the performance of left back Iandolo who was outstanding. If he is recruited for a position we need to fill then that will be a plus mark for BG.
Big mistake if Steve Avory and Jason Euell are shown the door……both of them are an asset and have proved their worth !!!
I really think the club should look back on this and see what lessons they can learn from it, clearly we need to up our game in terms of communication and expectation management. Perhaps there are other things that can be improved upon too.
TS is now saying, “let’s see if we can improve on last year”, a much better line to take in my view. The learning curve continues we hope.
Just to make it clear JJ was not sacked, his contract was not renewed, quite a different thing, although granted, the same end result.
Can anyone say hand on heart they enjoyed watching Jackson’s brand of football. His style was never going to improve our position. I don’t blame TS at all in not renewing his contract, rather applaud him for taking what appeared at the time a drastic step. He clearly knew Jackson was not the man to try and achieve his aim. And if that means “Keegan” style football, bring it on.
Keegan style football , is this now the Chicago comedy forum . My point was if JJ received the financial backing the new manager is apparently receiving , and will waste , there was more hope of us moving forward . Injuries , depleted squad etc caused the team to be reshuffled around and results suffered . If JJ gets the financial support at AFC Wimbledon ( which I don’t think will be the case ) we will pass them on the way down ..
Academy….
What is the point of having a fantastic Academy if we let £25 million prospects leave for £2.50 . So we continue to strengthen the squads of Chelsea , Liverpool, Rangers etc etc . When will the club learn the business correctly regarding contracts for developing youth . Again laughing stock .
Who is laughing, exactly? Millwall. mates?