Charlton | Chicago Addick

Mar 3

Powell fights on, in despite of help

BBC’s Late Kick Off shown in London and the South East focuses on Roland Duchatelet’s ownership of Standard Liege and Charlton tonight. Video clip here. The programme begins at 11.20pm.

A lot of what I have seen is frankly no more than we know already, although the BBC journalist appears positively thrilled when Standard’s Jean-Francois de Sart (photo), who oversees their youth academy, happily announces that Standard’s players not deemed good enough will come to Charlton and the Addicks best players will go to Belgium.

We perhaps should forgive de Sart talking not in his mother tongue, but hearing that will have Charlton fans fuming, just as Duchatelet confirming that our best players could be sold. What’s new some of you ask, but I don’t get what benefit selling, say Poyet to Standard has over say Tottenham? It’s like your missus going to the bank to get you out a tenner. In many ways that was your tenner anyway. Wives, please don’t write in and complain, you get my point.
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Mar 2

Leicester City 3 Charlton Athletic 0

Not a wholly unsurprising defeat to the best team in the division yesterday. Not since Newcastle United in 09/10 has a team dominated this division like the Foxes have this season. 3 points from 6 from the champions elect has been a more than good return.

As for us, it was an insipid display after a tough week, but an early goal and one straight after half-time after we ended the first 45 stronger gave Leicester the catalyst for another routine win.

Leicester hadn’t beaten us in 11 games, which after the past week had given Addicks hope of what would’ve been a real turn up of the form book, especially without certain Frenchman who made it a habit to haunt his nemesis. He was busy denting a relegation rivals’ goal difference yesterday.
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Feb 28

Game of poker

It was little over a week ago now since Roland Duchâtelet announced in front of a large audience that he was discussing Chris Powell’s contract “for the coming years.”

That night Powell and Alex Dyer cancelled an appearance at Bromley Addicks, probably to avoid difficult questions from an audience as fans assumed that negotiations were ongoing. That was Thursday.
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Feb 25

1 Comment

Sheffield Wednesday 1 Charlton Athletic 2

“Since being a player at the club in 1998 and since I have come back, we never do well in the cups. It is almost a running joke at Charlton.”

Well, well, well. What an incredible 72 hours to be an Addick. I was otherwise disposed during the game at a dinner and managed to avoid slipping off to the loo to check my phone until just after the final whistle text’s in capital letters came through from family and friends that told me all I needed to know.
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Feb 23

1 Comment

Charlton Athletic 1 Queens Park Rangers 0

“This is the benchmark for what is to come over the next 17 games, I will make sure of that.”

There are very few moments in life when a wave of happiness can be brought about in a split second like there is at a football match. With the whole Covered End stood for the remaining couple of minutes after Johnnie Jackson had headed in an impossible goal, I had to sit down for fear of passing out!

I think I am safe as my other half doesn’t read my blog, but at that moment at around 4.45pm yesterday I don’t think I could have been more impassioned. I was a shaking, starry-eyed mess. And I’ve been doing this sh**t for 40 years. They do that to you don’t they?

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Feb 21

Marcus Tudgay

Sounds as if we may see Marcus Tudgay tomorrow. Nothing official but Tudgay himself tweeted: “On route for new challenge #cafc for the rest of the season.”

In a season full of bad jokes, maybe Marcus is also taking the pee out of us, but one would assume that the comms team will burst into life at some point and confirm the loan signing of the Forest striker.
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Feb 20

Powell in contract talks

Those of you that followed today’s press conference would like me have had an overwhelming postive yet anticlimatic feeling by the end of it. The actual conference itself only lasted a little more than 15 minutes and this was followed by journalists questions that weren’t captured by the Official Site, but some of which were relayed on Twitter by journos in the room.

Duchatelet again spoke about the history of the club and the importance and attraction of the youth set-up as well as making the supporter experience at The Valley better. The Belgian is a big believer in Financial Fair Play and Richard Murray again said that finally the club is on a sound financial footing.

RD said there were no plans to leave The Valley and that the pitch would be replaced at the end of the season. Category One status for the academy is also under consideration.
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Feb 19

Presser

Anyone else notice the growing articles on Roland Duchâtelet’s ownership of the club? I don’t know if our stop-start FA Cup run has brought it to the media’s attention or whether he has a press secretary pushing it to the forefront of journalist’s subconscious. Not forgetting that tomorrow Roland faces the British media, and if nothing else it will be interesting to see which national media outlets deign to show up.

In a Guardian article Duchâtelet says he regrets what happened between fans and himself at Standard because “I am the one who caused it.” (more)
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Feb 17

Greek tragedy

So because of a Champions League match taking place in Piraeus between Olympiacos and Manchester United, Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday have to play their FA Cup game on a Monday night. And because the allotted amount of live televised games for the 5th Round has been met, the game at Hillsborough won’t be on the telly either. And all those parents desperately trying to keep their kids occupied in bad weather during half-term would now have to take them out of school to watch, what is to many, the biggest game of the season. And the bloody Barnsley game is off, when I planned to be in town. And I can’t get to Sheffield because I have to work on the Monday, any other day I would’ve been scurrying up the M1.
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Feb 16

2013 Top Five CAFC Defining Moments

And the final piece on my 2013 Top 5’s. Charlton’s defining moments could mean pretty much anything, but I have attempted to pick five that stood out in my mind from last year as particular landmarks to me.
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Feb 15

Backlog

Another postponement as Hillsborough succumbed to the dreadful British winter (photo).

I would think the majority of travelling Addicks were already en route when they heard about the result of the 10.30am pitch inspection. It’s a shame, because the FA Cup is all about Saturday afternoon’s and the list of games we have ‘in hand’ is lengthened.
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Feb 13

1 Comment

A welcome distraction

Operation Massive, a welcome distraction from the trials and tribulations of our very displeasing Championship season.

2,000 Addicks will make their way up to Hillsborough to cheer the Addicks on in the 5th Round of the FA Cup. Yes, if you have been living under a rock since the turn of the year, Charlton Athletic have made it to the last 16 of a cup competition, the first time since the 1940’s when we were at Wembley pretty much every year. Well, at least it seems like that long ago.
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Feb 12

1 Comment

Standard Liège to be sold?

Belgium newspaper ‘Le Soir‘ is reporting that Roland Duchâtelet is in possession of a €50m bid from a foreign investment fund for Standard Liege.

Duchatelet is said to want €60m, particularly since Standard’s stock is currently so high. Nevertheless after buying the club for €40m in 2011, €50m would still represent a 25% profit.

Duchâtelet threatened to sell the club last summer after Standard fans interrupted a board meeting and invaded his office, this followed the sacking of popular manager Mircea Rednic.

Things have calmed down though in Liege, as they ride high at the top of the Belgium Pro League 10 points clear of nearest rivals Club Brugge and although Les Rouches have to navigate an end of season play-off system, one would have to think that a Champions League spot beckons.
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Feb 11

1 Comment

Steve Claridge faux pas

Does anyone listen to 5 Live’s Monday Night Club? I am a regular podcast listener and the show accompanies me to and from work in the early part of the week and it is usually a very enjoyable indepth conversation. It’s just that last night, the studio which included regular host Mark Chapman, Ian Dennis and Steve Claridge broke away from banging on about Leeds’ woes for a minute and started talking about the Addicks.

Claridge mentioned that “someone got a text from Chris Powell the other day and said that he and the people that are bringing the players in are not in complete harmony.” Claridge has a big mouth although he patently stops himself from continuing the story. Clearly CP needs to be careful who he texts, then again if he fears for his job, which he must do, what does it really matter?
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Feb 11

4 Comments

Field of dreams dashed

The rising stars of Charlton’s U18 squad are the latest to have to suffer The Valley pitch. Tonight’s 5th Round FA Youth Cup tie has been postponed and will now be played at Ebbsfleet’s ground on Friday 21st
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Feb 8

5 Comments

Charlton Athletic 0 Birmingham City 2

“We had to involve them (the new players) in everything we do. They have to get used to us and the way it is in the Championship if they want to add their qualities to the squad and get into the swing of things.”

Chris Powell talks as if his boss has foisted his three sons and a long lost cousin won in a bet on him.

These are very trying times for all of us, and the positivity barometer is not far from rock bottom. I saw Birmingham play us in November and the Blues were terrible, afterwards I had them down as a team we should finish above, 15 0games on and they are 9 points ahead of us and I think we are running out of teams that we can finish above. It is a sorry state and the Powell-out crowd is growing.
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Feb 7

2 Comments

Final chapter on Yann

“Charlton wanted to show people they had tried to do something when in reality they had done nothing special. Even a little offer. They never came back to me or my agent even with something very very low. They could have said they would give me a little bit more – maybe I would have accepted”.

Yann Kermorgant has given a pretty damming interview to Richard Cawley from the SLP (it was only in the published edition, but the guys from Charlton Life have seen it), which further darkens the last few days of the transfer window for us Addicks.
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Feb 2

10 Comments

Wigan Athletic 2 Charlton Athletic 1

Gut wrenching and of course the internet is full of people who didn’t go castigating Powell for team selection, substitutions and general tactical uselessness.

I’d rather listen to those that got off their backsides and travelled to support the club, when they most need it. Strangely they seem to see it a bit different.
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Jan 31

2 Comments

Pole dancer

But little dancing in the streets around Floyd Road tonight.

Piotr Parzyszek did sign for the Addicks after passing a medical early morning and travelled to Wigan with the first team squad. Cedric Evina must have been on the bus too, as his loan move to Bradford didn’t materialise, although it might next week.

One man not on the bus was Yann Kermorgant, who did sign for Bournemouth. He left with these words: “I’m a Charlton fan as well. I had a very, very good relationship with the fans and I love them.” He will be missed.
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Jan 31

4 Comments

Why Yann gave us belief

“Kermorgant has hardly been prolific in a career that has mostly been spent in the French Ligue 2 and his signing has left me pretty underwhelmed if I’m honest and I hope that Powell sees more in him than the record books do.”
– Chicago Addick, Sept 14th, 2011.

Yann Kermorgant did not only become a Charlton hero, but he also gave us belief.

Belief that first impressions can be misleading, belief that everything is possible, belief that when a football player pulls on the cherished red shirt, he can wear it with pride, like you and me.

There will be new heroes, and no one person is bigger than Charlton Athletic Football Club, but Yann was a bit of a one-off.

Thanks for the memories Yann.

Jan 30

1 Comment

Crazy day down in SE7

Ok, so where do we begin?

Let’s look at those going out. Dale Stephens to Brighton is done, undisclosed of course. Good luck to him, my last personal memory of Dale was his winner at St Andrews.

Yann Kermorgant was back at Sparrows Lane today and I am trying to understand what has gone on before and what can still happen in the next 36 hours. It appears Duchâtelet has offered him a contract extension, but one that Yann wasn’t particularly happy with. He has also insisted that Powell be guaranteed his future too. I wouldn’t think for a minute that the Belgium was very happy with this and with that accepted the £500,000 on offer from Bournemouth.

This has almost certainly been Powell and Duchâtelet’s first clash. The Daily Mail reported earlier that Powell’s future was now uncertain. That is hardly news, and I really don’t think Powell is a quitter.
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Jan 30

Plaudits for the U18’s

I’m frankly having a job keeping up with what’s going on in SE7, but I’ll come to that later. I was however determined not to overlook last night’s superb victory by the U18 side away at Southampton in the 4th Round of the FA Youth Cup.
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Jan 29

8 Comments

Worrying similarities between Standard Liege and Charlton

It is looking increasingly like both Kermorgant and Stephens will be gone by the end of the week. According to witnesses Yann’s forlorn clapping of the travelling support last night at Doncaster told them all they needed to know.

Sky Sports are reporting that a fee has been agreed between Bournemouth and Charlton and Wyn understands it to be £500,000.

Yann is a huge loss to the side and it’s supporters. Alongside Johnnie Jackson, Yann has stood for everything that has been good about Chris Powell’s reign as manager. Google any range of Charlton highlights from the past couple of years and there he will be stood, chest puffed, steely grin, arm raised, our Breton warrior. But not for much longer it would seem.
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Jan 29

Doncaster Rovers 3 Charlton Athletic 0

Despite the presence of Dale Stephens and Yann Kermorgant in the starting line up, we were well beaten by Doncaster last night at the Keepmoat.

I am sure Donny will feel justice was done, but from our stand point, the team never even showed up. There was effort of course, but Powell’s patched up team was simply not good enough on the night.
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Jan 28

Brighton bid lodged for Stephens

If Dale Stephens doesn’t play at Doncaster tonight then we will know that his move to Brighton is imminent. Transfer talks are said to be advanced and the club may decide to cash in on the midfielder before his contract runs out. A year ago Tony Jimenez turned down a bid of £1.5m to keep Aston Villa away from one of our prized assets, but then never offered Dale a new contract despite putting a price of £2.5m on his head.

The legacy of Jimenez and Slater is really coming home to roost with Bournemouth also tabling an offer for Yann Kermorgant and rumoured to be interested in Rhoys Wiggins, whilst Michael Morrison has also attracted interest.
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Jan 27

1 Comment

Operation Massive!

Not the most eye catching of ties for both sides, but the game does bring a little edge to it as Wednesday have been more of a rival to us than most in recent times.

The 5th Round game on February 15th takes us back to Yorkshire and with it I hope that we can get a fair few thousand up to Hillsborough for the day out.

I am certainly in the camp that a cup run can only help and not hinder, and frankly they come around so rarely that we should never sniff at them.
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Jan 25

Huddersfield Town 0 Charlton Athletic 1

Third time lucky at the John Smith’s Stadium today, which reminds me that I have no problem with grounds being sponsored, as long as it doesn’t re-write history, but it just becomes plain silly when the name keeps getting changed, so let’s start again..

Third time lucky at the Alfred McAlpine Stadium today to propel the Addicks into a nose-bleed inducing 5th Round draw, the first time since 2006 when we made the Quarter Finals – Operation Riverside, remember that?

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Jan 22

3 Comments

Pay to listen interview

Anyone else think that the very first interview with Roland Duchâtelet and Katrien Meire only available on CAFC Player is a little bit out of order? It’s not very inclusive is it? I don’t know how many fans pay the annual fee of £43 a year, but surely the wider audience want to listen to Roland and Katrien’s plans. It’s quite important isn’t it?

It’s not been widely advertised either. Hopefully those that signed up today get their moneys worth, because I personally think it’s not value for money at the best of times, and I’ve been buying it for years!

Richard Murray joins Duchatelet and Meire as well on camera. Kind of funny that when Richard was the majority owner he would happily show up at fan gatherings for the price of a pint, then we had the recluse Kevin Cash and his publicity shy stooges Tony Jimenez and Michael Slater and now the new owners are charging us to listen to them.
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Jan 21

Oxford United 0 Charlton Athletic 3

An enjoyable routine performance for the 400 Addicks at the Kassam Stadium tonight. It was easily our biggest win of the season and means we make it to the FA Cup 4th Round for the first time since 2009.

Familiar foes Huddersfield might not be everyone’s ideal tie, but it is only the 2nd time in 8 seasons that we have made it this far and allows us to gather a bit of momentum after a stop-start new year.

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Jan 18

2 Comments

Middlesbrough 1 Charlton Athletic 0

Nothing lacking in effort or team spirit today but it’s a team that is desperately calling for some investment, especially in the attacking third.

There is a lot of wariness amongst Addicks at the moment and when news came through that Yohann Thuram would start in goal and there was no Hamer or Alnwick, Addicks collectively shook their heads.
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Jan 17

3 Comments

What the papers say

Today both Chris Powell and Michael Slater took to the media to tell their stories. Slater turned again to his pet, the South London Press and like his partner, Tony Jimenez, Michael decided now was a good time to write his own ~~fairytale~~ chronicle of their time at The Valley.

“People may complain about the management style and the staff overhaul. But sometimes, tough decisions have to be made. There is no getting away from it – there is a real need to drag the club, kicking and screaming, into the 21st Century.”

He wouldn’t remember of course what happened at the turn of the century because Slater was busily watching Manchester City brushed aside by a tatty old Charlton as we lifted the Division One trophy aloft.
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Jan 14

2 Comments

Charlton Athletic 2 Oxford United 2

After that 1st half there won’t be many Addicks voting for a mid-season winter break.

I was pretty removed from today, sadly in the camp of league being more important Cup, mostly because the club have failed us so horribly in cup competition for so long.

I was pleased to see that CP put out a strong side, but with Solly and Stephens missing, Sordell injured and Stewart gone, it only underscored our threadbare squad. Both Liege players were not signed in time for the original game and were on the sidelines. I am sure they were impressed.
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Jan 13

Four keepers and counting

Confusing signals in Addickland today.

Sure, it was no suprise that we signed goalkeeper Yohann Thuram-Ulien on loan from Standard Liege, as it has been talked about ever since Duchâtelet took us over and the Belgium press had confirmed a done deal for most of last week.

Confusing in that I question why we need another goalkeeper, and whether or not Thuram has been foisted upon Powell. Duchâtelet will want Thuram to play games, because he cost him €2m and under Liege manager Guy Luzon he has only played 3 Pro League games and 3 times in the Europa Cup.

On the flip side, this may just be the beginning of a Duchatelet/Powell rebuilding process and this may just be the start of a plan to strengthen the squad.
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Jan 11

3 Comments

Postponed…. again

Welcome to the pleasure dome Ms Meire. Monday should be an interesting day at the office.

I’ll be the first to have a go at the previous regime and their lack of investment, but the statement currently sat on the Official Site beggars belief. Blaming the ground staff and confirming that tickets will still be valid for the rearranged game is pitiful. Oh, and Barnsley fans, don’t call us, sort it out between yourselves.
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Jan 10

And another added to Duchatelet’s stable

AD Alcorcón announced today in a statement that, “pending some legal formalities, the Belgian businessman Roland Duchatelet has become the largest shareholder” of the Madrid club.”.

So, I make that number 8 in the Pan European football network. Excited or nervous?
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Jan 10

Welcome Katrien Meire

Roland Duchâtelet first statement today included a welcome to Katrien Meire, who one assumes will be Roland’s eyes and ears at The Valley.

“Richard (Murray) will act as the spokesperson for the board, just as Chris Powell will represent the first team, and both men are hugely respected by our fans. I would also like to introduce Ms Katrien Meire who has been appointed onto the board and will be working at The Valley from now on.”

Ms Meire is currently the Legal and International Relations Manager at Standard Liège, which roughly translates into business leader with a legal background.
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Jan 9

Stewart moves to Leeds

I think Roland Duchatelet’s takeover came a little too late to prevent Chris Powell changing Cameron Stewart’s mind.

Leeds were in for him in while back and today he finally signed for them on loan until the end of the season, with the lure of a 3-year contract at the end of it when his Hull contract expires. A promotion battle over a relegation one and the security of a three and a half deal I am sure swung it for the Manchester born winger.

I liked Stewart, he was direct, could take a player on and scored a couple of great goals. It does give Harriott a chance to re-establish himself, but I think that leaves quite a big hole in our already thin squad.
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Jan 8

Football club networks. Who’s behind them?

Roland Duchâtelet got me thinking about other serial owners of professional football clubs.

Back at the end of the 1990’s the private investment trust, the English National Investment Company (ENIC) led the way in football club ownership with large stakes in Tottenham Hotspur, Rangers, SK Slavia Prague, AEK Athens, Vicenza Calcio and FC Basel. However UEFA were never happy with this arrangement and by 2007 once Daniel Levy and Joe Lewis had bought the majority of shares in Spurs, they divested themselves from the other clubs.

Major domestic leagues adopted practices where it was impossible to own more than one club, but UEFA or FIFA has never prevented a multi-national investment approach such as Duchâtelet’s.
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Jan 6

1 Comment

What to expect from M. Duchâtelet

So, what next?

On Friday Charlton became the 7th football club that Roland Duchâtelet owns or has an interest in. In 2003 Duchâtelet took over at Sint-Truidense, where he was originally encouraged to get involved as a sponsor. The then commercial manager had written to some of the wealthiest men in Belgium, and living locally Roland got his first introduction to football ownership.

He had to relinquish ownership of Sint-Truidense when he bought Standard de Liège in 2011 as both teams were in the same division at the time, and like only a man can, Roland gave it to his second wife.
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Jan 4

5 Comments

What a pitch!

Whaaaat? Today’s game is off? No cracking open chilled bottles of Leffe? No moules and fries at half-time?

Interesting and probably coincidental that the club actually publish something on the state of The Valley pitch after the takeover news. Nonetheless it is well overdue as the pitch has become a source of ridicule and embarrassment and bluntly things are only going to get worse throughout the winter.
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Jan 3

1 Comment

Richard Murray’s role

The Duchâtelet takeover announcement today by the club stated that Richard Murray will stay on at The Valley as non-executive chairman. The announcement stated that Duchâtelet’s Staprix NV now own 100% of the club so seemingly Murray’s Baton 2010 Limited have relinquished their 10%, even though it was thought he was unwilling to do so.
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Jan 3

2 Comments

Astrit Ajdarevic signs on loan

That didn’t take long, the first Belgian arrives with a crate of Stella at the training ground this afternoon. Ajdarevic is a left footed midfielder signed on loan from Standard Liege for 6 months.

In fact Ajdarevic is anything but a Belgian. Born in Serbia he moved aged two to Sweden with his parents, a country that he has adopted and has represented at various levels. He started his career at Falkenbergs, who play in the top tier of Swedish football before getting a dream move to Liverpool.
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Jan 3

4 Comments

In Jimenez’s own words

“So, finally, I’d like to thank the fans for their unwavering support of the team and the manager during my time at The Valley, and for all of the kind messages and emails. I am sure that they will provide the new owners with the same levels of warmth and support that we have received during our tenure.” more

You have to give it to him, almost within hours of Roland Duchâtelet officially taking over the club our Tony has knocked out a near 1,000 word blog post for the Huffington Post. Not a dickie bird for 3 years, then with his bags packed Tony is thanking all of the supporters for kind messages and emails.
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Jan 2

SLP: Duchâtelet completes Charlton deal

According the Richard Cawley at the South London Press the club have told the paper that Roland Duchâtelet has completed his takeover of Charlton Athletic for £20m, £6m more than originally thought.

“Belgian millionaire Roland Duchâtelet has completed his takeover of Charlton Athletic. The South London Press understands from sources on the Addicks board that they are now under new ownership. And Duchatelet has paid nearer to £20million for the club – not the £14m that has been widely reported. It ends an uncertain period for the Championship club, with the promise of player arrivals to boost Chris Powell’s squad.” more
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Jan 1

8 Comments

Ipswich Town 1 Charlton Athletic 1

One of the best feelings going to an away game is seeing your team grab a late fully deserved equaliser to leave with a point. Add in a homer referee and a penalty save and the return journey is a pretty good one. I wish I was there.

I wasn’t expecting much from today but a win and three draws is a pretty good return from the festive games, particularly as two of the games were against current in form play-off challengers. It’s a nice foundation and meant we did as Chris Powell requested and got something from every game over the Christmas period.
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Dec 31

2 Comments

Happy New Year

Tonight, 3 years ago Charlton’s Official Site burst into life announcing that the club had come off the life support machine and been bought by Michael Slater and Tony Jimenez, with a clandestine third party rumoured to be sat behind the scenes.

24 months later, no one can be surprised at the shroud of confusion that exists over another proposed takeover. Stories are circling that Roland Duchâtelet has pulled out of a £14m deal, whilst the official word is that negotiations continue. There may also be other suitors sitting in the wings watching the currents owner’s negotiating power getting weaker by the day.
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Dec 31

1 Comment

Firing and firing

In America’s National Football League yesterday is known as ‘Black Monday‘ the day after the regular season ends. Six of the 24 franchises that did not make it through to the end of season play-off’s released or fired their head coach and the majority of the coaching staff on the one day. None of them were really a surprise and following the play-off’s NFL owners may still reach for the axe if coaches don’t live up to lofty expectations.

So, how is this different to English football? Well it’s not, except for one thing. Owners nearly always wait until the end of the season before making a head coach change, this despite the frying pan heat to win every week that a 16-game season brings, which for me makes the NFL season far more exciting than say a 162-game baseball regular season.
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Dec 30

Jason Morgan MBE

Tonight something worthwhile and newsworthy amongst all of the rumour and conjecture going on around the club at the moment. Jason Morgan who founded the Charlton’s community initiative over 20 years ago has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List.

Jason began working for the club in 1992, the year we returned to The Valley and formed the Charlton Athletic Football in the Community Scheme. Jason has worked tirelessly and selflessly beginning with an idea and a bag of footballs to pioneering an organization that now employs 80 full-time staff and interacts with 10,000 young people every week and epitomizes everything that makes you proud to be a Charlton fan.
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Dec 30

Charlton Athletic 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1

An expectant crowd which included Tony Jimenez, Michael Slater, Steve Parish, Ian Moody, Tony Pulis and Roland Duchatelet were dished up a load of cold turkey yesterday at The Valley.

It was a disappointing result against a side in our ‘mini league.’ Beating Brighton was great, but for me turning draws into wins against Yeovil and Wednesday would have been a lot more valuable.
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Dec 28

Takeover. Part 564 in a very long series

Charles Sale of the Daily Mail was first out of the traps again with a Charlton takeover story this morning suggesting that Standard Liège owner Roland Duchatelet has bought the club for £14m. The OS later issued a short statement in which Michael Slater was quoted as saying that the current owners are in “very constructive discussions that we hope to conclude soon.”

Since The Mail’s latest tip off the proposed takeover has been widely reported in many media outlets both here and in Belgium, although a later online edition of Flanders News said that there was still a number of conditions to be met, which sounds eerily similar to the Josh Harris offer.

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Dec 26

Charlton Athletic 3 Brighton & Hove Albion 2

Santa well and truly delivered this afternoon at The Valley presenting all Addicks with a fantastic 3 points wrapped in a big bow. I couldn’t make it being on a family walk in South Oxfordshire at the time with the Thames as company and my Blackberry toiling to keep a signal as I followed the goings on in South East London.
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Dec 21

Bolton Wanderers 1 Charlton Athletic 1

The East Sussex Chicago Addick family household burst into life at eleven minutes past three this afternoon as Jeff Stelling announced a Yann Kermorgant lead at The Reebok. Fully deserved said the reporter perched up in the stand after Yann finished a delightful Wiggins run to put us ahead after dominating the early stages.

Sadly just before the half-time whistle the teleprinter told of a Bolton equaliser by Kevin McNaughton, although by then we perhaps should have been further ahead.
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Dec 20

Mini league

As we approach the Christmas period we find ourselves treading water furiously whilst holding a baby elephant. Still, despite our recent form of one win in seven, there are 3 teams below us in the table. Any breathing space there was a couple of weeks back however has been swallowed and since two of those teams have sacked their managers.

Alan Curbishley used to say that you had to ignore the bigger picture and worry about what’s around you and ‘just’ win your mini league. By all means get stuffed at Old Trafford, but make sure you bounce back and win the six-pointer the following week.

That was why the Yeovil result was so galling, even though we were a point better off than we were after last Saturday against a team that I picked to be automatically promoted before the season began.
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Dec 20

1 Comment

Flying home for Christmas

We’re flying home tonight for Christmas. This year we have cut back on our tour around people’s houses as I don’t think us and our copious suitcases are always as welcome as we think! Whilst friends are going back to work, there we are showing up on the doorstep still spouting Christmas guff and waggling wine and cakes in people’s faces. It’s a difficult balance when you are always the visitor and never the host.
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Dec 17

3 Comments

A warm welcome to a new Addick blogger

Please join me in welcoming a new Charlton blogger to the ranks. Tony Jimenez, the man who lives in the shadows, refuses any media presence whatsoever, and as far as I know has never addressed Charlton fans in writing (or in public) is the latest member of the Addicks blogging fraternity.

Unearthed by an eagle-eyed Charlton Life member Jimenez published a blog post on the online UK version of the Huffington Post a week ago.

“Our stadium, The Valley, is less than 10 miles from where I was born – and my strong roots to the area, and understanding of the club’s identity, certainly proved beneficial when I took control.

Having spent two decades working closely with a host of top clubs across the continent, I have seen first hand the subtle differences in how they are run, their histories and traditions – and all of those nuances can pose problems for new owners.” Please click for more

Dec 14

Charlton Athletic 0 Derby County 2

I have been at times an apologist for Chris Powell and he still retains my 100% backing, but I have noticed a little swell of support in ending his reign from some quarters. My problem with that is two-fold.

I personally think he is the right man to take this club forward in the medium to long term, but secondly and more pertinently, if a club is to sack a manager then the supporters need total trust in the board to make the right second decision. The first decision is easy.
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Dec 11

4 Comments

Harris takeover bites the dust

According to the South London Press Josh Harris has pulled out of the bid to buy the Addicks. Toby Porter was the same journo that originally declared that a British property compnay were involved in talks to acquire us, which may have been a plant of just factually wrong, but Porter has now been given information that Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersery Devils owner would not meet Jimenez and Slater’s valuation.
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Dec 7

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Yeovil Town 2 Charlton Athletic 2

How an earth? Absolutely cruising and in complete control at 2-0, we somehow contrived to throw it all out of the window!

They know how to piss you off don’t they? I was at the Atlanta Christmas Parade, happily cheering fat majorettes and high school bands whilst intermittently checking the action. Then in an instant I turned from Father Christmas to Mr Grinch. Damn you Charlton, damn you football, and damn you Twitter.
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Dec 5

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Going back to The Valley

I wrote this a year ago and I thought I would share again. To many of us The Valley will always be Charlton Athletic….

At The Heights my Dad parks the car, and doubly makes sure it’s locked. He holds my hand, the one with the red and white scarf tied around the wrist and we walk towards the steep Lansdowne Road. I’m talking excitedly, Dad nodding or disagreeing with my team selection as I lay it out to him with some tactics I have been thinking about during school this week.

Lansdowne Road meets Charlton Lane and with it comes other supporters, some strolling, some walking hurriedly, all making their descent to the amphitheatre at the bottom of the hill.
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Dec 4

Reading 1 Charlton Athletic 0

Another 1-0 defeat, again with no real shame attached to it.

I switched on towards the end and all I could hear was the magnificent noise and encouragement from the travelling Addicks. We need to make sure we keep that togetherness and spirit, because I can sense on forums and on Twitter that some people are splintering.
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Dec 1

Charlton Athletic 0 Ipswich Town 1

A very disappointing result after the (now even more) important win on Tuesday night. From afar I had two thoughts post game.

Firstly can we expect the players to keep over-performing with so much going on around the club? They were eventually paid for November but late as I understand it. With no discernible sign of any contract negotiations, Powell and Dyer have their work cut out morale-wise whatever CP said in the past week.

Second is that I think we need to roll our sleeves up for a winter relegation battle, fans as well, if you haven’t done so already. Last year our final placing as a result of a strong finish was a real overachievement. To my mind the squad is weaker this season, and after 17 games, and only 4 wins, we are where we are and we need to start searching out 3 teams worse than us.
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Nov 29

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Josh Harris

The same Daily Mail journalist that reported Big Dave Lockwood’s demise as The Valley pitch announcer, has today written that we are set to become the latest American sports franchise.

Josh Harris is worth $2.5bn, according to Forbes, and ranks him as number 222 on their rich list, and is the co-founder of private equity investment bank Apollo.
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