Happy Monday
I’m at Gatwick waiting for my flight, which I might actually miss unless I can stop myself scrolling through videos and photos of yesterday.
A momentous day, a momentous season that due to the contrasting segments of it seemed to last forever.
Pre-game yesterday felt very different to 2019. I think then a lot of us were just happy to be there. We were at that time one of the last handful of clubs yet to play at the new Wembley, and the build up resembled more of a day out.
The lead up to the game yesterday brought a different expectation. I didn’t necessarily agree that we were the favourites but with the level of backing and on the back of five long and demoralizing seasons, I think we knew that this was our one big opportunity, and we had to take it.
I tried to avoid a lot of the ‘what if we do, what if we don’t’ conversations beforehand, but there is absolutely no doubt that the club is in a far better place now than it was in 2019, and we now hope that the planning and ambition that follows will also be light year’s different.
I was nervous all week, but actually quite calm during the game. Nathan Jones’ defensive shield and the real belief that he vibes intravenously through all of us makes even the most skeptical of Addicks feel empowered.
Thanks to the referee and the stupid VAR equipment we had to suffer 12 minutes of injury time, but how many times have we said that we’ve rarely looked threatened late in games, and yesterday those injury time minutes were the icing on the cake.
That clean sheet record is something to behold, Macauley Gillesphey’s turnaround is incredible. The way this side has bonded us all together is a beautiful thing.
Last season’s slapstick defending is a very distant memory, and Nathan Jones’ vision, burning determination and personality is not for everyone, whether player, fan or pundit, but he with the support from a only recently formed owner group has reignited this football club that so many tens of thousands of us hold so dear to our hearts.
It was a brilliant day, spent with family, mates and 40,000 Addicks united in harmony, and just like how I felt before the game yesterday, I also feel different the day after as well.
Charlton are just not back, they are back with a purpose.
I think we could be in for a busy pre season with quite a few player changes. Exciting times!
Brilliant day CA, it still hasnt sunk in. Have a safe journey home. Can I take this opportunity to thank you for your blogs this season. I always look forward to seeing a reminder for the latest one drop I my emails. Your views and positivity are very much appreciated. Yesterday, I also had thoughts of those we’ve lost who watching from above like Seb and Ketts (and my mate big Rich) they were up there jumping and singing with us. Hope you and the family have a lovely summer in sunny Sarasota. And remember, 26th June 12.00pm fixtures come out!
Cheers, Ade
Thank you Ade.
The big flag of Seb before the game was one of yesterday’s highlights. Last night I thought of Seb, Ketts, Big Dave Thomson and all those Addicks cheering us on from the very top tier yesterday.
COYR 🔴⚪️
I was also thinking of Dave Thomson & His Good Mate from Elgin Dave Milne who was a Life Long Charlton Fan who also encouraged Me as a Young Lad to follow Charlton which I have done now for 55 Years, COYR.
Dave T’s wife and oldest daughter were there ♥️. I hope Elgin Dave made it.
Everything is looking perfect for next season…I’m very optimistic about doing well and Nathan is building brick by brick a really strong team that will be competitive.
I’m hoping the owners will now back the club with more finance to see us grow intona major force given time.
Enjoy the flight home CA….
Anyone like me, who since yesterday, has developed an uncontrollable need to fist pump the air every 5 minutes? BIG thanks to CA whose insightful and witty commentary has kept us going throughout our recent dark ages.
Me 🙋♂️.
Many thanks Dave. COYA.
Bon Voyage CA. Keep the blogs coming….
Thank you Alan. They will 😁
Many thanks as always for your blogs – they do keep us going!
What a season – COYA!!! 🔴💥💥💥🎉🎉🎉🏆
My pleasure, Keith. Thank you 🙌🔴⚪️
Safe journey home CA. No hiccups in travel back from Lille – whole day went very smoothly so my 3.00 am nightmares about everything that could go wrong came to nothing. We met some Orient fans in Eurostar departures who had also been to see Bruce. Had a long chat and took photos – they were lovely and on the same wavelength about a lot of things in the modern game. As we walked up Wembley Way we looked to our right and there they were walking with us!! In amongst 70,000.
Thanks CA for telling me to grasp the moment – I certainly did. Have a good summer and keep up the brilliant work – the first thing we do the morning after a game is turn to your blog.
PS. The Sydney Addick found some fellow Addicks to watch it with, so all was well.
PPS. Cried when I heard Nathan’s speech in the dressing room (and note Kayne sneaking in looking a bit guilty) – he is never going to forgive us is he for earlier in the season. Bless.
Glad it all worked out, and no regrets. What a day for all of us.
Loved the dressing room speech and I’m sure Nathan will mention a few more times about Crawley and Alfie May 😆.
And, thank you for your continued encouragement 🖊️ 📄
Does anybody know how the gate money from the playoffs is allocated?. One of my contacts told me that EFL takes a large slice to go towards the share out money that each club receives. Also there is the TV money, how is that allocated.
I think the two finalists receive 25% each of the gate money, and another 25% is shared between the semi-finalists. Assume the other 25% is shared between the EFL and Wembley.
Don’t know about the TV money.