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Jun 15

1 Comment

From Theo to hero

Blimey we ain’t going to win any beauty contests playing like that but it was a thrilling game with a never say die attitude and I don’t believe I am the only one chuffed for Theo Walcott. He gets a lot of stick from all sorts of quarters including his own club’s fans. If you don’t want him Gooners, then we can find room for him down at The Valley.

At 1-2 we feared the worse, we couldn’t string a pass together, Gerrard and Parker were knackered, Young was running around in circles, Milner was having a shocker and the scene was set for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
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Jun 14

2 Comments

Getting shirty

The Charlton club shop opens on Saturday with the new kit available to buy. It might have been hastily designed but it was sure quick to the shelves. I remember the days when you couldn’t even get it for Christmas. Other items are available as well.
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Jun 14

All bets are off

My betting slip is about to be torn up (my final four: Russia, Spain, France…. and Holland!). The Dutch have had good success in the Euro’s – finalists and semi-finalists four times in the last six competitions, yet, unless the stars align dramatically for them on Sunday, they will be on the KLM flight back to Amsterdam.

The Germans comprehensively beat their old rivals yesterday in the ‘Spider Arena’ in Kharkiv. The Dutch only rallied when belatedly RVP (who on my 2nd betting slip is down as top scorer!) finally managed to unlock his obvious talent. The Dutch now have to rely on the Germans, which is sure to grate, to comprehensively beat Denmark, whilst they will have to raise their game to beat the Portuguese.
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Jun 11

Bulldog spirit

I was pleasantly surprised by that. I thought England started both halves with good intent and showed a lot of industry. Often it was a little backs-to-the-wall but white shirts bravely threw themselves into shot after shot. The type of character that makes an Englishman cheer but a Spaniard or Italian whince.

There were some good performances, in particular Parker, Welbeck and Young. Oxlade Chamberlain also showed patches of fearlessness. I did think Johnson was poor though. Sadly after we took the lead we played so deep we were almost playing in Volgograd whilst the French were in Donetsk.
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Jun 10

Irish luck out

The Irish and Croatian game was like watching a Premier League match this evening, no surprise bearing in mind many of the players on show ply their trade in it.

The Irish typically relied on a strong team spirit but the difference was the Croat strikers Mandzukic and Jelavic. I would have thought that substitutes Walters and Long would have carried more threat but orchestrated by Modric, Croatia were a cut above. My exceptionally tall Croatian mate back in Chicago would be knocking back a Rakia or two to celebrate.
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Jun 9

4 Comments

Orange shock

I met a mate of mine from the west country in the supermarket this morning and we both found ourselves nominating a back-up nation to follow after England either bravely or calamitously get sent home after 3 games.

We both picked the Dutch to follow, Le Oranje, everyone’s second favourite national football team but also since the 1970’s the world’s most frustrating team also.
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Jun 7

2 Comments

The Euros

During the 52-year history of the European Championships there have been more turn-ups than any other national competition. Czechoslovakia and Greece have both been champions as have Denmark, who were only in the finals because Yugoslavia was beating itself up at the time. Belgium, Hungary, Sweden, Turkey and even England have each made it to the semi-finals. Yet almost everyone expects nothing from Roy’s England team at this year’s event. And that maybe *big maybe* is our most potent weapon.
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Jun 6

1 Comment

Andrews Air Conditioning

There is possibly only two things wrong with Andrews Air Conditioning being our latest shirt sponsor and that is the logo is anything but sexy and that it’s not Apple or Google adorning the beer bellies of grown men in tight Charlton football shirts.

But it never was going to be was it, and I am just thankful that it’s not a faceless shell of an online betting company or a here-one-minute-gone-the-next high street mortgage lender. What Andrew Sykes are is a local firm with a wealthy Charlton fan as owner, with a history of supporting the club, an international outlook and over £53.8m of turnover. They’ll a real company too, and actually make stuff, which looking around the league’s other principal sponsors is a rare partner.
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Jun 5

Hurricane season

The hurricane season officially began on June 1st and ends on November 30th. I know a lot of you worry about me, especially after Igor paid us a visit in September 2010, so I thought I would share this year’s hurricane predictions.
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Jun 4

2 Comments

Wet weekend

Bit of a rubbish weekend really. Our little girl was struck down with gastroenteritis at the end of last week and didn’t eat for 4 days and could hardly keep anything down. A dinner we had planned with some friends Saturday we blew out and basically we just camped out in our bedroom watching a couple of films (Albert Nobbs and My Week With Marilyn) and of course the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant.

I had to laugh because I would get embroiled in so many arguments with Americans who used to say to me “I love London, but it always rains.”
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Jun 3

1 Comment

The Diamond Jubilee in Bermuda

Bermuda goes to work tomorrow and Tuesday, whilst sovereign states, crown dependencies and other overseas territories are off waving flags, necking Pimms, eating pork pies and celebrating Her Majesty’s 60 years on the throne.

I shouldn’t complain too much, we get more than our fair share of public holidays here on the rock, but it did interest me that the government in election year decided against observing the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
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Jun 1

7 to 5 to 7

I’m old enough to remember when there was just one sub, although not quite grey enough to remember the very first substitute in the English game, who I don’t need to remind you was one Keith Peacock on 21 August 1965, when Pee-Wee replaced injured goalkeeper Mike Rose 11 minutes into the away match against Bolton Wanderers.
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May 30

2 Comments

Withdrawal symptoms

Anyone else having withdrawal symptoms?

Despite being ultra busy at work, as usual I steal the odd minute to trawl t’internet for football news, especially Addick related and…. nothing. What’s going on? We had signed 15 players by now a year ago. Powell out!

I have just written all of the Euro 2012 kick-off times on my calendar. Nope, still not feeling it. That England squad, and there is not an awful lot different Roy could have done, is one of the most uninspiring I have known for a very long time.
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May 26

3 Comments

Heatwave

The weather has been ultra kind to us since we arrived on Wednesday. The beautiful Secret Garden was swathed in sunshine yesterday for my mate’s wedding. A week ago we would have had our coats and wellies on.

The wedding was superb, my speech went down a storm, even if I say so myself, and it was brilliant to see so many of my old mates and my family altogether in one place.
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May 26

Who will be the 3rd wheel?

6 weeks after the mighty reds were promoted up at Carlisle, one of our season-long rivals will join us this afternoon.

We put a dent in both Huddersfield and United’s promotion push during the course of the past season but both would be deserving of a leg up to the next tier this afternoon after spending the whole season alongside Sheffield Wednesday chasing us around the promotion track.
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May 22

Wedding bells

No, not mine but me and the family are flying back to London tonight for my mates wedding, the one in which I am one of two best men, the speech is coming along nicely, although I’m finding it hard to keep it below two hours.

The wedding is Friday but before then we are doing a mini tour of Oxfordshire and Essex catching up with friends. This after a late dinner last night with a client and then home to pack in the early hours before getting up silly early this morning to come to work. I can sleep when I’m older.
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May 20

2 Comments

Blue is the colour

Chelsea’s thrilling penalty shoot-out win yesterday was a deserving epilogue to a nail biting end to the season.

As I often do in these situations I began watching as a neutral but couldn’t help be drawn to the Blues as my patriotic juices took me over. I also thought of a good mate of mine, a massive long-time Chelsea fan, who has suffered a dreadful year with ill-health.

He pretty much emptied his bank account to get to Munich and he would have savoured every minute of yesterday’s triumph.
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May 14

2 Comments

Non-stop

A couple of days travelling with work beginning this morning. I’m on a flight to Miami in an hour or so then I go to Atlanta tomorrow and back to the rock on Wednesday on the same flight as a friend of mine who is staying with us Thursday night.

I am then desperate for a quiet weekend because next week we fly back to the UK for my best mate’s wedding. That is in Kent on the Friday but we are in Oxfordshire and Essex prior to that. I have the role of deputy best man for the day, or some such, which unenviably includes giving a speech, which I’ve yet to write. Maybe the next few days stuck on a few planes will give me some time and inspiration.
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May 13

What a final day

When I lived in the States I would often have to defend the game of ‘soccer’, normally at a baseball game when fat drug-ridden blokes were running around catching a ball with a huge glove in front of me.

“It’s boring” they would say and as I took a sip of my lite (sic) beer I would just laugh to myself.

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May 12

2 Comments

As happy as a pig in muck

That’s why we’re Champions! I thought to myself as I followed the fortunes of the League One Play-Off’s this weekend. I had a strong feeling for both Stevenage and MK Dons but at the halfway stage the stronger sides, on paper at least, hold the aces.

Even though I feel only enmity to MK, I would prefer a lesser team to join us and Wednesday in the next level up. The quicker we get to 50 points etc…. Joking, jo-king!

In fact I don’t know about you but I am still wallowing in last Saturday’s events. Indeed about this time last week we were all still raising glasses. It was quite a season wasn’t it?
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May 6

2 Comments

Charlton Athletic 3 Hartlepool United 2

Just champion!

What a momentous day at The Valley it was yesterday, and how we milked it! The whole day will live long in the memory and in my mind it was a far more enjoyable day than the Ipswich game in 2000, even discarding the result.

That day though we began an exciting journey under Curbs, and yesterday a bigger crowd joined together to witness another exciting pilgrimage under a beloved leader.

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May 4

3 Comments

United or Wednesday?

Do we have a view?

The race between the two Sheffield massives has occupied the media for the whole season. Who would finish 1st and and who would finish 2nd? Well the story didn’t quite end that way as some little upstarts from darn sarf have done a runner with the trophy. However credit where credit’s due as both Wednesday and United have given it a bloody good go, particularly in the latter stages of the season as they chased us down the home straight.

One of the two clubs could finish the season tomorrow night with over 90 points and not get promoted, which says a lot about our poise and unyielding ability these last 9 months.
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May 3

3 Comments

Let’s party

Two more sleeps, then let’s get it on.

I fly home Friday night, land Saturday morning, will grab a large Costa Coffee at Gatwick, change into fancy dress and will make my way after picking my son up to the promised land of The Valley SE7. Or maybe, just maybe we will pop in the pub first.

This is the most games I have seen in a season for many years, encouraged mostly by the spirit the team have shown under Chris Powell, and I wouldn’t miss this one for the world. It is not every day you see a Charlton team climb a podium in the middle of the pitch and lift a trophy.
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May 2

1 Comment

12 months on

The Sponsors Dinner last night sounded a blast. Last year the players were putting a brave face on it unsure of their futures, and with their pride in tatters. Meanwhile a certain Chris Powell was in big planning mode. Fast forward 12 months and the atmosphere couldn’t have been any different.

The overwhelming message I got from phone calls from my two mates who sat with Danny Hollands and Matt Taylor was one of real team spirit. Players, men, who clearly get on and like each other’s company. I was sad I missed it but even their animated texts and calls gave me a feel good glow.
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May 1

6 Comments

New shirts, new sponsor

In a not very well kept secret Charlton announced today that they will have a new shirt manufacturer next season after agreeing with Macron to end the 4-year deal half way through. I think most people agree that this season’s two kits have been the best for a while so I think Macron are unfortunate to lose our business.

I think the article on the club’s website has changed during the day because I am sure it said that we will begin the search for a new one, but it now says that “the club will announce details of it’s new kit supplier in due course.”.
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May 1

4 Comments

Sponsors Dinner

Tonight two of my mates will take my place at the Shirt Sponsors Dinner at The Valley. Unfortunately I couldn’t get ‘management approval’ to return home a few days earlier this week and instead will fly Friday night instead.

A couple of years back I felt inclined to support the club in some small financial way as I was no longer a season ticket holder so I made the decision to enter into a bit of shirt sponsorship. I went for Semedo last season and for this Champion year I sponsored Danny Hollands.
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Apr 29

3 Comments

Hodgson for England

“West Bromwich Albion have given the Football Association permission to talk to Roy Hodgson about the vacant England manager’s position.” (more)

Bit out of the blue that one, almost as if the FA have flown in the face of the media circus surrounding Harry Redknapp. Reading between the lines, and West Brom have already given their approval, it sounds as if Hodgson is the number one and only choice.

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Apr 29

Preston North End 2 Charlton Athletic 2

Don’t know why I was so disappointed. It was pretty obvious that Graham Alexander was going to have his Roy Race moment but hey it was a decent point on the road for our reserves.

It didn’t matter of course but I think Powell surprised a lot of us with his team selection but it was a chance for players such as Evina and Sullivan to have their patience rewarded and allowed Powell to watch some of his squad players again before he makes some post season decisions.
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Apr 25

10 Comments

How sexy does that ‘C’ look?

I’ll never get bored of looking at that. 97 points, that’s pretty awesome isn’t it? The last team to finish the season with more than 97 were Luton, who got 98 in 2004/5. Wigan hit 100 points in 2002/3. As the Gaffer says…. 44 games gone, 2 to play.

I was wondering about medals the other day, and a poster on Charlton Life answered all of my questions. Back in the day I thought that a player had to make a certain number of appearances, a third if I remember, to claim a league winners medal, but that was pre-big squads. In the 1980/81 season I think we used just 17 players.
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Apr 23

From Barça with love

It was 21 hours from the time the alarm went yesterday morning at 4.30am (after getting in bed at 1.30am), until I got home last night. Today I am shall we say, a little bit fuddled.

But it was all worth it to spend a weekend with a great set of lads and the groom, to whom I am deputy best man, a role I have yet to fully understand except I do have the (dis)pleasure of making a speech at the wedding in a months time.

I left Barcelona with a real positive feel about the Catalonian city. I didn’t get to see anywhere as much of the city as I would have liked, stag weekenders strangely are not always about flying around monuments and museums taking photographs, but those of us that did so on Saturday were joyfully rewarded by a city with spectacular architecture and a bewitching personality.
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Apr 22

1 Comment

Charlton Athletic 2 Wycombe Wanderers 1

Whilst last Saturday night I celebrated pretty much on my lonesome (although my passive-other-half did say she was pleased for me), this weekend I partied like it was 1998 along with my brother and fellow Addicks including the groom long into the night in an Irish bar off Las Ramblas in Barcelona and I tell you what, we out sung the very disappointed Barca fans as well!

We had Estrella on draft and Jeff Stelling for company as we sat under the television awaiting updates from The Valley and when it was all over and MK Dons had also done the business, we hugged it out and drank for a very long time.
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Apr 21

6 Comments

Champions

Or as they say in Barcelona. Championes, championes ole, ole, ole, ole!

Apr 17

5 Comments

To Barca

For this Addick, it is not to SE7 on Saturday to party but to Barcelona.

Some while ago my mate, a fellow Addick, was planning his stag weekend. The dates bounced about a bit and every time he proposed a weekend I would take a quick glance, as I am sure he did, at the fixture list.

Blackpool was toyed with to coincide with the Preston game, I seriously proposed a good old knees up in Blackheath for this weekend and varying other European destinations were deliberated. Football was central to the outcome so Lisbon, Belgrade, Rome and even Dortmund were considered.
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Apr 16

2 Comments

The Reds are going up

48 hours on and the party is still going on in my head. I have watched every available video clip, read every report and smiled over every photograph. How kind it was of our friends at Carlisle to host another one of our promotion parties!

I have stared at that ‘P’ next to our highlighted name in the table and watched the pitch invasion from every camera phone of a Charlton fan who took time to post it on the internet and I have proudly worn the only pair of Charlton cuff links I own to work today (thanks Chris).
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Apr 15

Eddie May RIP

Some sad news after the joys of yesterday. Eddie May died suddenly yesterday aged 68, his son Paul who is a massive Charlton fan was at Carlisle yesterday I am led to believe.

Eddie joined Lennie Lawrence as assistant manager at Charlton in 1983 during a tumultuous, but against all odds successful period of our history. He has legendary status at Cardiff where he won the Division 3 title as their manager in 1983, and despite being born in Essex, Eddie spent almost his entire playing career in Wales.

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Apr 14

3 Comments

Carlisle United 0 Charlton Athletic 1

I am not embarrassed to say that I had tears on my cheeks this afternoon when the final whistle had finally blown at Colchester and our promotion to the Championship had sunken in. This football club can put you through the ringer but these golden moments are to be treasured.

When I watched on Sky Sports News Charlton fans spilling onto the pitch at the final whistle I was so chuffed for those that took the gamble to travel the length of the country to give the players the encouragement. Brunton Park has further still become a massive part of the club’s history. Incredible isn’t it?

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Apr 12

3 Comments

If you know your history….

I was at Carlisle in 1986 (photo), a little too young in 1981 but I remember that day just as vividly. Heaven knows I wish I was going Saturday. The Addick corners of t’internet are in a cold sweat, the anxiety and apprehension is palpable and I am doing my utmost to ignore it.
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Apr 9

2 Comments

Charlton Athletic 1 Walsall 0

6 Easter points…. as tasty as a large handful of Cadbury’s Mini Eggs.

Listening in on the radio was again a nerve-racking experience. Whilst our two hosts talked about what they did the weekend, the crowd ooh and aared, and a young Walsall player from Argentina got all the plaudits the game never came to life however like my Mini Eggs, you can serve Charlton wins as you like.
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Apr 8

Oldham Athletic 0 Charlton Athletic 1

Nerves of steel. No not me I was once again pressing the refresh button on my phone like a demented one, but those wearing the red shirts yesterday. Finally men we can be proud to support.

We may have won nothing yet but I think Powell will look back at yesterday as an afternoon when all is said and done and point to a performance that summed up everything about this group of strangers he put together last summer. Powell may well be learning the coaching game but his man management abilities match him with almost anyone with decades more experience in the game. Those players will run through walls for him, it is all there for us to see.
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Apr 5

Mountain dry

This photo was taken this morning and shows how little, if any, snow remains in the upper Colorado mountains. It has been a poor season snow wise in Colorado, with the state’s snowpack being half of the 30-year average. March, traditionally the biggest snowfall month, had snow for less than 10 days and the snow inches was a third of what it should be.

It was 60oF yesterday, higher today, which justified my decision not to bring a proper ski-coat. About half of the runs are still open nevertheless and the groomers have done a terrific job of managing the runs.
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Apr 4

2 Comments

New kits the NFL way

Charlton are due a home kit change next season, and there are rumours out there that we might take on Nike as the kit manufacturer, which would be disappointing as for ‘lesser clubs’ they only ever seem to put out generic kits.

We did sign a 4-year deal with Macron though two summers ago and I have been pleased with what they have produced for us, especially the current home kit. The more red the better.

So, it was with interest that I read today of the NFL’s new Nike jersey release (via Facebook). The NFL control all things to do with whoring themselves out for the most dollars and they replaced Reebok with Nike on a 10-year deal starting next season.
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Apr 1

Miami heat

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray produced an excellent final of the Sony Ericsson Open here in Miami this afternoon. In searing heat and high humidity the Serb and the Scot slogged it out for almost two and a half hours producing rally after rally.
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Mar 31

Charlton Athletic 2 Leyton Orient 0

Today, Miami International Airport, the Car Rental Center (sic). 11.45am local time. An anxious looking man spotted acting irrationally walking around vast car park pretending to find a child car seat whilst pressing the refresh button on his Blackberry every 5 seconds.

Having fun yet?

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Mar 30

2 Comments

A week away

After a manic, and an often wearing March at work we leave Bermuda tomorrow for a week away spending the first weekend in Coral Gables, near Miami and then next week in Colorado followed by the majority of the next weekend making our way back from the mountains to Bermuda, not something the airlines allow us to do simply.

As I posted last weekend we have tickets for the Sony Ericsson Open tennis men’s final on Sunday afternoon. In today’s semi’s Rafa Nadal plays Andy Murray and number one seed Novak Djokovic is paired with the 21st seed Argentinian Juan Monaco.
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Mar 29

Get well soon Richard

I’d like to add my best wishes to Richard Murray on a speedy recovery after suffering a mini stroke. Charlton and The Valley without Richard Murray’s influence and investment these past two decades would be a very different place and not a better one for sure. Please click for more

Mar 25

Sony Ericsson Open

Currently taking place in Key Biscayne, Miami is the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament, one of the ATP World Tour Masters events. All of the world’s best players are in Miami and we have tickets for the men’s final next Sunday.

The event takes place at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park, which is itself a large urban park occupying the northern part of Key Biscayne which is connected to mainland Miami by bridge.
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Mar 24

1 Comment

Huddersfield Town 1 Charlton Athletic 0

Did anyone else spot that all of the officials were from the north of England including referee Carl Boyeson who lives just a short journey along the M62 in the east of Yorkshire! Is that really allowed to happen?

Yes Darel Russell was an idiot for retaliating and getting sent off for the 2nd time in 5 appearances, but it was clear Anthony Kay was a bigger culprit and should have walked at the same time.

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Mar 23

Hayes is back in the house

The popular Paul Hayes packed his bags up and moved back to SE7 today as Chris Powell took advantage of the 28-day recall clause to end his loan period at Wycombe. A move that could feasibly send the poor old Chairboys down remembering that the loan window is now shut.

There is no point and it would be tough on Hayes, if he was brought back to play third fiddle and Powell himself said as much. Therefore one would have to assume that Hayes will be at least on the bench tomorrow at Huddersfield.
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Mar 22

Longtails are here

Summer has sprung in Bermuda, actually it never really went away, as we mostly avoided the long drizzly damp days that January and February bring. Mind you we are already way down on the annual rainfall, which is going to cause us big problems in a few months when our underground tanks that collect the rain water from the roofs run dry and we have to start buying it at $90 a tank-load!

A sure fire sign that the Bermudian summertime has started is the first sightings of the yellow billed, long white-tailed tropical bird known locally as a Longtail.
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Mar 21

Charlton Athletic 3 Yeovil Town 0

It was all about the result last night, the performance was secondary, as to be fair they pretty will all be now until the fat lady starts singing, but to score 3 and to get a clean sheet was a lovely bonus.

As the Sheffield clubs continue to eat themselves, and I listened to a podcast this morning to both Danny Wilson and Dave Jones talk about their rivals and the pressure that that entails. We were not given as much as a mention.
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Mar 19

Under the floodlights

We have been down around 1,500 to 2,000 home fans for midweek games this season. I was one of 13,300 Addicks at the Colchester game and there were similar home numbers for Sheffield Wednesday, although that was on the box with the Bury game proving the least attractive with less than 13,000 Charlton.

However on Saturdays the Preston, Carlisle, Oldham and Notts County crowds were far better despite a similar number of visitors.

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Mar 19

1 Comment

N’Guessan joins on loan

A new loan player joined the promotion push at Sparrows Lane this morning. With Danny Haynes injured and Leon Clarke unceremoniously packed off to Crawley on Friday night, there wasn’t a striker on the bench on Saturday, although Adebayo Azeez did travel with the squad.

Paul Hayes scored another goal for loan club Wycombe on Saturday, and can return later this week and Jason Euell is back at Sparrows, but it is unclear to his future.

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Mar 18

1 Comment

Fabrice Muamba

One of those moments yesterday when nothing else seemed important. Like every football fan the news of Fabrice Muamba collapsing during the Tottenham v Bolton FA Cup game stopped me in my steps.

There has been an outpouring of heartfelt wishes from the football community and beyond and it also reminded us how fragile life can be.
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Mar 17

4 Comments

Scunthorpe United 1 Charlton Athletic 1

The wrist slashers were out in force tonight across SE7 and t’internet. You have to laugh. If your glass if always that half empty then please don’t come out with me to get pissed.

Stopping the rot (two defeats in 12 games) was the most important thing today and that we did. I listened in and it didn’t sound a great performance and often Scunny were in the ascendency but I was chuffed to see BWP score what sounded like a fine finish from a Waggy cross and I will take a point all day long.

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Mar 16

Any old Iron

Scunthorpe is one of the few English footballing towns I have never been to, never for football, nor work or even a dirty weekend. The 600 or so Addicks who will be in the Industrial Garden Town tomorrow have my respect.

It is tomorrow up on the east coast of Lincolnshire that Charlton will attempt to take the hearts out of a few mouths and put them back proudly pumping in chests. I don’t know what Powell will do with the team selection, it’s unlikely to be too radical, but one would have to think if now is not the time for some minor changes then when is?
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Mar 15

1 Comment

Black football managers

The number of black professional football managers in England, or should I say Britain has doubled recently to four. The reason I mention this is I was thinking how well Keith Curle has done at County since he took over (5 wins and 1 draw). This is not Curle’s first job, that was at Mansfield where he was sacked after being accused of bullying a youth player. The case was unceremoniously kicked out and Curle was awarded damages and the Judge called Mansfield’s disciplinary process as a “sham”.

Things are not going so swimmingly for Terry Connor, who was about the only bloke who didn’t turn down the Wolves job after Mick McCarthy was shown the door.
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Mar 14

11 Comments

Reasons to be cheerful

…. And breath.

I’ve spent a lot of this week pouring though record books to see when was the last time we were 0-4 down at half-time at The Valley, well that and having a few bets on the Cheltenham Races. Overall both exercises have been quite depressing.
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Mar 10

Charlton Athletic 2 Notts County 4

Jesus H Christ. We’re not even into the last 10 games yet! Get me the Samaritans and quick. If that wasn’t a massive kick up the backside then I don’t know what is. Focus, focus, bloody focus Charlton. There’s still a long way to go.

Thankfully there is no midweek game and a trip up north is probably what we need. And perhaps Powell should reverse his team talks and give the 2nd half one before the game!
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Mar 7

2 Comments

Charlton Athletic 0 Colchester United 2

It had to happen sometime, even to me who hadn’t even seen us let a goal in during the 5 live games I’ve been witness to this season. This recent 3 week run of Saturday/midweek games was always going to be difficult to stay unbeaten.

I told my son on the way up that this had all the makings of a classic Charlton hiccup. We haven’t often impressed under The Valley lights this season and I have a long memory. This is Charlton after all and I vaguely remember Colchester beating us at home the last time we won promotion from this division.

We wobbled a bit then 30-odd years ago but this team is better than that and there wasn’t as much room for slippage then. Lying in bed last night I couldn’t help think (and I hadn’t been drinking) that this might not have been a bad game to lose. With the chasing pack taking it in turn to fall at a hurdle, a defeat to an inconsequential rival (no disrespect) is a timely reminder to us all that there is still a job to be done.
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Mar 6

1 Comment

Vintage

A rare treat for me tonight with back to back Charlton games. I’ll drive up this afternoon from my parents and hope to grab a pint in the Rose of Denmark pre-match.

After the euphoric scenes in Bournemouth on Saturday we return home for two games in four days with Essex boys Colchester United up first.
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Mar 4

1 Comment

AFC Bournemouth 0 Charlton Athletic 1

Back from a great weekend in Bournemouth where the match, if not the end result and pre and post game, has been consigned to memory.

It was a pretty dismal affair if I’m honest with Bournemouth edging it but a goalless draw probably the right result. This Charlton team however does not know when it is over.

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Mar 2

6 Comments

Bournemouth calling

This time tomorrow I hope to be supping a pint of decent beer in Bournemouth with Dave and a few others, well about 2,000 others in fact. My son will be on the J2o’s.

I fly back to Gatwick on the BA flight tonight landing at around 6am and will do a drive-by to pick my son up en route to the south coast. Anticipating a long day, and a few pints, I have a hotel booked and we will stay in Bournemouth Saturday night and then cruise around a bit on Sunday before heading back to his later in the day.
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