Here We Go!

Charlton Athletic 1 - Nottingham Forest 1.

'Wolfie' Citizen Smith, Spelling It Out to the Belgians.

Blah, blah, blah... Callum Harriott, blah, blah, Danish bloke haircut, blah, blah 1-0 down at Half Time, blah, blah, second half improvement, blah blah, Danish bloke scores equaliser, blah, blah, 2 quick yellow cards, blah blah, sending off, blah, blah, nearly won it in added on time, blah blah.

Right. That's the match taken care of.

I've always been one of life's protesters. 

At secondary school, I was heartily impressed by the older kids demanding changes to the way my Comprehensive school was run by having 'Sit Ins' and barricading the teacher car park with hundreds of chairs.

Now, as a grown up union rep, I've of course been on many a march, I protested against the invasion of Iraq etc, had my collar felt by a rather 'over keen' copper at a demo against US fighter planes taking off from UK soil back in the mid 80's, was one of the last cohort of students to go through Higher Education with our fees paid and a maintenance grant, (so it was our duty to demonstrate the unfairness of the situation for the benefit of those who followed) and I've been part of many a letter/email writing campaign for Amnesty International. 

Oh and don't get me started on the Poll Tax protests!

I'm one of those irritating people who to quote Vic and Bob, 

"Wouldn't let it lie".

Yesterday thousands of other people,  your ordinary folk, both young and old, (not rent a rabble), felt so strongly about the appalling situation at Charlton Athletic, they were prepared to demonstrate twice in a day outside the ground. 

If you are reading this you'll know why but just on the off chance, here's a quick summary.

Shambles

There were also rousing choruses of disapproval for our absentee owner and his minions throughout the game.

I was extremely proud to be a part of something so close to my heart.

To those people who say we should not be demonstrating as it effects the team, I can dismiss your argument with a flourish.

The two biggest demonstrations the supporters have managed so far have been against Sheffield Wednesday (we won) and yesterday against Forest, when despite having 10 men, we hung on for a draw and but for some fine goalkeeping could even have snatched all three points.

I hope this is the start of something. 

Perhaps Roland may be swayed, ever so slightly, to change his gameplan, even by a mere (ahem) 2%?

We can't afford to stop now. The wheel has started turning. 

Pressure needs to be maintained.

Keep On Keeping On.

'Til The Fight Is Won!

Just before the blind came down! KM pretending it's just a normal post match slap up feast.

M.

Charlton Athletic 0 - Wolves 2

Another appalling display was served up yesterday by the home side at The Valley, this time for the delectation of the usual die hards but also kids who could find an adult willing to spend a pound on them.

The larger than I anticipated crowd showed that perhaps the chance of grabbing a bargain has a stronger pull than most people's inbuilt quality filter. 

I'd joked with friends that £1 to see Charlton was daylight robbery at present but there were a few moments worthy of the 100 pence expense.

Surely it was worth 50p to see the referee Keith Hill go down like a sack of spuds after a clash of heads with our own Big Mac?

We all know head injuries can be scarily serious but everyone also knows that any kind of pratfall involving an official necessitates a jolly good cheer and chuckles all round.

 It could only have been more 'amusing' if he'd been struck in the knackers.

Hill was treated for quite some time before he finally got up.

He seemed anxious to end his afternoon and almost straight away he blew for half time, with by my reckoning at least 2 or 3 minutes of added on time still remaining.

Hill did not return for the second half. 

Personally, the highlight of the afternoon was the spontaneous eruption of anger towards our absent owner, his under qualified puppet and their woeful, floundering latest 'right man' interim coach.

All parts of the ground stood to mock our CEO's public announcement that it is a mere 2% of negative grumblers who aren't satisfied with the direction *our* club is heading. 

Even the Wolves supporters clapped making it impossible to pretend nothing was happening. 

Surely worth another 50p?

As far as the game went, one team was organised, had ideas and looked likely to score, had an experienced coach and pushed on to a deserved but routine win.

The other team was Charlton.

Even if I'd not read the latest VOTV before kick off and at half time, I would have been particularly vocal against our current owners but after reading the Varney email string they published, I was moving towards utter contempt.

Our club needs a massive change. 

Sofas, pie cams and marketing gimmicks are all well and good (actually NOT good but understandable) if the team are pulling it off and there is a feeling of togetherness. Ironic 'crapness' could be amusing in a sold out stadium with a feel good factor. 

Not so at present.

At present, even if RD and KM copied Leicester City and presented everyone of drinking age with a free beer, I'd find a way to work myself up into a tizzy about it because they have 'lost' me, and thousands of other long term supporters. 

We need a very, very good January transfer window for any kind of unity of purpose to return between fans and hierarchy.

Shall I hold my breath?

Seasons Greetings

Seasons Greetings (obviously not football season), to all, -or nearly all-, of the people who've stopped by here over the last year to glance at my missives.

The infrequent nature of my blogging is mainly down to my unwillingness to be a 100% moaner. 

It's very tough not to get on a roll and have a rant when thinking about the current plight of CAFC.

There are wonderful things happening in the world that fill me with joy and happiness. 

Charlton Athletic is no longer one of these things.

While there have been many changes in my life involving births, deaths, marriage breakdown, serious illness and all the other things that thread together to form 'being a grown up', the one constant has been the excitement and enjoyment of following Charlton, win or lose.

Unfortunately, the Charlton that we all remember from just over 2 years ago has gone and I am getting no pleasure from it at all.

The unity once experienced between the club and the supporters has been replaced by infighting, rumour, counter rumour, conspiracy theories and plain old lies.

We have the richest owner we've ever had, yet we are drip fed nuggets of being 'over budget' when it comes to the part of the business that laces up their boots, while extraordinary sums are being spent on the training ground and the Valley infrastructure.

A man who obviously is no fool when it comes to money and getting hold of it, has trusted the day to day management of a multimillion pound organisation with someone who has so little experience they've yet to prove they could manage a sweet shop.

The *one* part of the organisation most of us really care about, the playing staff, are now under the command of a 5th rate coach whose record is so poor, he should be embarrassed to get in his car and drive to work- yet he's kept on as he's a cheap option hiding behind a fake 'interim' label.

I so wish things could be different.

Despite what RD and KM think, it's not their club.

 It was here long before they'd even heard of Charlton and once they've packed up their failed experiment, there will still be people wanting to support the team in (as The Guardian wrote) this 'unfashionable' part of London.

With a change of heart Roland could be a hero but unfortunately, with the Christmas story in the back of my mind, I'm afraid to say RD is looking more and more like a Herod.

Happy Christmas to all Addicks and let's hope for a better 2016.

M

Luzon Sacked

After what Katrien will no doubt call an 'all nighter' but we all know will be texting the next name down on Roly's friend list,  some bloke will be announced and then given a couple of players as a sweetener that Luzon wasn't allowed. 

Results will improve slightly. 

Then it'll all start crashing down again within the year.

Repeat to fade.

A club with a proud history is becoming rather an embarrassment in 2015.

Thanks Guy but you were always on a hiding to nothing.

Happy Returns?

Charlton Athletic 3 Huddersfield Town 0

The Football for a Fiver lapsed fan / never been a fan but fancy a bargain, crowd packed out the Valley yesterday.

The only spaces I could see were in the Jimmy Seed stand where the Huddersfield fans had also taken advantage of the £5 offer. 

There was an air of anticipation pre game.

The return of Chris Powell to his spiritual home went as well as could be hoped for. 

We got to applaud him as he walked to his (unfamiliar) dugout, he paused to shake hands with many old friends and looked up to see a banner across the other side of the pitch in the East stand with the simple message, "Thanks Chris", then 95% of Charlton supporters stood to applaud him in the 3rd minute.

The people who consider themselves to be 'better fans' than the rest of us were free to keep their arms folded and scowl throughout the minute of applause and then we got on with the game properly.

Football for a Fiver has had a rather 'mixed' history.

What often happens is we invite lots of people back to the Valley, then remind them why they don't come anymore.

Yesterday was different. 

Chris Powell had a thoroughly miserable return while those Fiver Folk certainly got value for their money and were given plenty of reasons why they might consider adding a few more fixtures to their calendars.

Huddersfield started brightly and had obviously been given instructions to try and quieten the bumper crowd.

It was all very even until Cousins and JBG performed a rather obvious 'run over the ball, then your mate lashes it in' free kick routine.

The regular supporters and their Johnnie Come Lately neighbours rose as one and bobbed about like joyful dolphins.

The Ref for a Fiver was constantly being fooled by the rather pathetic Am Dram diving and rolling of Vaughn, who I remember as quite a decent player not long ago. 

Surely he doesn't need to add this cheating to his arsenal of skills?

On one occasion, just in front of us, he leapt forward, arching his back and snapping his head back, pretending he had been given the kind of nudge Giant Haystacks might have performed.

There was absolutely no contact whatsoever and he should be ashamed of himself.

Huddersfield were out of it almost as soon as the second half started when Tony Watt wriggled to make the space then doubled Charlton's lead.

The Charlton team then started to, (excuse my French), quite royally take the piss.

The ball was passed about, Huddersfield not really looking too keen on getting it back.

It got worse for them. They had a lifeline back into the game when Henderson managed to pull off a ridiculously good save, the Huddersfield supporters already up and celebrating the 'goal' he managed to deny.

They were still feeling crestfallen when Tony Watt picked up the ball, ran with it- showing strength to maintain possession, then wellied the ball high into the goal.

Three- nil.

Huddersfield then let their manager down. They really just wanted to go home. Charlton could have scored three or four more but we were all rather content with the score as it was.

One of their blokes, (Robinson?), completely lost his head, having 2 attempts to clobber whoever was nearby. He really had no interest in the ball. He went chasing madly, attempting to send people into the stands, completely disregarding any pretence of being a footballer.

This was just assault.

The Ref for a Fiver really had no choice. It was a red card all day. 

Oddly he called the player towards him who just shook his head and walked away…….

RfF then had to chase the naughty boy half the length of the pitch to wave a yellow card???

Surely, even if the original offence had only been worthy of a yellow, the additional petulance should have seen him getting first dibs on the shower gel?

The game ended with Charlton now really, really taking the piss.

The crowd shouted 'ole' as our team stroked the ball about, Huddersfield still not caring.

There was one passage of play when I counted over 20 passes, not going anywhere, just keeping the ball before a Huddersfield player attempted an interception.

So, happy days at the Valley.

A few beers were quite necessary after another 3-0 win.

What's going on?

If it's Guy Luzon I'm prepared to taste the humble pie and say well done. 

This of course doesn't mean I'm forgiving or forgetting the shambles and untruths surrounding his appointment but now he's here, we have to support the team, if not the regime.

So, see you on Tuesday. 

I'm predicting a crowd around 10,000 less than yesterday!

A New Year.

Firstly, I really do need to say a huge thanks to everyone who has taken the time to glance at my words over the last 12 months.

I extend the thanks to include the supporters of other clubs, (even Leeds United!) and those supporters of Charlton who have seen fit to put me in my place when I've written something they disagree with.

This is just a bit of fun for me, it's certainly not my job, which means I can choose to post something whenever I want but also I can leave it alone if I can't be bothered.

2013 had fewer posts from me than any year since I started this blog.
Sometimes life and beer do get in the way!

Charlton's 2014 started in exactly the same way as 2013.
A celebratory knee slide across the turf to the dismay of an opposition's groundsman.

Jackson grabs a point for the Addicks, 2014

Ipswich Town 1 - Charlton Athletic 1.

Last New Year's Day, I was at Watford to witness Captain Jackson score the winning goal for Charlton.
Other than when fellow blogger Al got 'the call' late in the evening and had to leave the pub we were celebrating in, ashen faced, it was an all round perfect day.

Jackson milks it at Watford, 2013

This time, I was all alone, listening in to the game while looking out of the window at the filthy weather.
The 2014 Jackson goal was still celebrated by me but it was with a convivial raising of a mug of Red Bush tea rather than 8 (?) pints of real ale.

Charlton certainly did it the hard way yesterday.

The central figure for the afternoon was former hot shot young gun Premier League referee S. Attwell.

The Premier League realised he wasn't up to the task after some rather eccentric performances and now he's been inflicted upon the Championship.

Is it possible to get nearly every decision wrong?
No, it's not- but he came pretty close!

Very early in the game Ipswich should have had a penalty but Attwell waved play on.

Later, after Charlton had conceded what has become the 'regular' deflected own goal, our referee not only decided that it was a fair challenge on Stewart but also the forward had performed a swan dive and carded him, when everyone else in Portman Road was expecting a penalty for the Londoners.

Coming so soon after the officials had robbed Charlton on Boxing Day, allowing Sheffield Wednesday to equalise from an extremely offside position, there were many Charlton supporters wondering what the FA have against the folk from SE7.

All game, Attwell was busy making a hash of it.  Not always in Ipswich favour, sometimes he messed up to the benefit of Charlton but the theme of the afternoon was the referee was a cock.

Ipswich were eventually given a penalty. It looked to be a correct decision, yet less obvious than the one Charlton were denied.

At this point the afternoon took on a different feeling as Ben Alnwick pooped on Attwell's betting slip and pulled off a remarkable save.

(Red Bush all over the carpet).

Charlton gained belief and as we headed into stoppage time, Jackson was there to plunder a point that had looked quite unlikely for most of the game.

2013 was a good year for me but it was always going to suffer when compared to 2012.

2012 was the year the whole planet came to have a look at this part of London, (and liked what they saw).
If having the Olympics and all the razzmatazz that goes with it within sight of home wasn't impressive enough, good old Charlton managed to outclass the rest of League One and romped to the title.

We had pyro loving parachutists, an opera singer wearing a skirt too tight and a full Valley for the presentation of the L1 Champions trophy.

2012 was amazing but there were times in 2013 I particularly enjoyed.

My Personal Highlights of 2013

1. Seeing The Stone Roses at Finsbury Park.
(This is the highlight of my decade and will only be beaten if The Clash manage to reform, with Joe Strummer somehow coming back Lazarus style, riding on Shergar).

"This Is The One……"

2. Seeing Fleetwood Mac at Madison Square Garden, NYC.

3. Seeing The Who perform at the o2 arena.

4a. Jackson scoring at Watford.
4b. Fuller scoring at Palace, (sadly it went downhill later).

5. Surviving another OFSTED without chinning an inspector or having a breakdown.

Here's to 2014.

Happy New Year everyone.

Same Old Song

Reading 1 - Charlton Athletic 0

Nope, nothing has changed.
It's still the same state of affairs.

The team who released 3 proven goalscorers at the end of last season, now find themselves in the position where barn doors are the safest place on the training ground.

This is not a criticism of the players we retained.
I'd add that 'Churchy', who was brought in at the start of this season, has all the attributes I require of a player wearing the Charlton shirt, those being honest endeavour and 100% commitment to the cause.

However much I respect Simon Church, he hasn't got the kind of goalscoring record a team can hang their season on.
Kermorgant has been struggling to regain the fitness and agility we saw last season and Sordell has been more or less shoved into a corner where chances on the pitch are limited.

The goals that were added to the team from midfield last term seem to have dried up too.

Gaaaah!

So, splitting my time between the BBC Radio London commentary, Sky Sports and #cafc twitter I learned that:
                   a) Charlton worked their bloomin socks off.
                   b) The referee denied Charlton a very good shout for a penalty.
                   c) The second half and much of the first belonged to Charlton.
                   d) Charlton went down to an against the run of play sucker punch goal.
                   e) The Charlton support sang and shouted without cease.
                   f) Reading were poor - but took their chance.
                   g) Charlton deserved more but in reality one goal is enough to beat us.
                   h) I'm irritated by this beyond belief.

Without some kind of cash injection to help poor Chris Powell, this season is going to be extremely bum clenching.

Yeovil away is going to be interesting to say the least.

Back on Track

Charlton Athletic 2 - Doncaster Rovers 0

Oh Donny……..

Doncaster Rovers supporters have every reason to whinge and moan.

Back in the 'Summer', their Rovers team came to the Valley and kicked off a game that really should never have started due to the appalling conditions. They then gave us a bit of a spanking with 20 minutes of fast and confident play.

The Charlton team really didn't know what had hit them.

At the point the referee called for proceedings to be halted, Rovers were 3-1 up. 

Anyone not at the game would have probably thought "c'est du poisson", (especially if they were French), but it wasn't quite so clear cut.

Rovers had gone down to 10 men, Charlton had just scored and were now due to be attacking the 'dodgy' goalmouth that our blokes had found nearly impossible to defend. 
I fully believed on the day that had the game continued, we would have got at least a draw.

The circumstances and overall picture of the way the game was panning out didn't stop plenty of online harping about Charlton 'cheating' of course.

What cannot be denied is there is a serious problem with the pitch drainage, especially on the East stand side and around the North stand goalmouth.

I feel especially sorry for groundsman Colin 'Paddy' Powell, who's image has changed from somebody who was winning awards for his prowess, to someone who fans of other clubs are blaming for games being in doubt.

Throughout all of the Premiership years, and prior to that if I'm honest, the pitch was more suited to a decent game of carpet bowls or somewhere to practice your putting. It was amazing.
We had similar weather to now for all those years yet the pitch retained the immaculate playing surface.

Sometime during the intervening years there's obviously been some hard financial decisions to make by the club and poor Paddy is now reaping the dividends.

I'm generally fairly pessimistic about Charlton's chances on the walk to the game.
I'm usually the one who is convinced we are going to be on the receiving end of a hiding.
Last night however, I was as sure as could be that we would be claiming the 3 points.

I figured Doncaster had already enjoyed their chance to take Charlton to the cleaners and our team wouldn't fall for it twice. There's also the Sods Law aspect to factor in, along with Donny missing some of their key players.

The Valley was under half full.
It could even have been less than that. Awful transport chaos for anybody not driving to the game meant many, many people never made it to Charlton. The reported attendance of 14,000 was laughable, though I suppose that's tickets and Season Tickets paid for rather than actual bums on seats.

Unfortunately for their hardy bunch of supporters, the Doncaster Rovers team never made it either. They were completely missing.
As good as they were in the original fixture, they were awful last night.

We know to our cost they have the ability to attack with speed and venom yet this time they looked like they'd just stepped off the Red Eye, having crossed the Atlantic budget class, with a fat bloke on one side and a crying baby on the other.

The lack of crowd gave the game a rather odd atmosphere. It honestly felt a bit like a pre season friendly at times or one of those meaningless early rounds of the Cup we generally get knocked out in.

To say the game was rather one sided would not be stretching the point. 

Charlton could/should have been 3 or 4 goals up before Dale Stephens unleashed an amazing volley. 
The ball was always destined for the back of the net, the Donny keeper stood no chance.

The chances kept coming (and coming) before Church managed to get the ball to (finally) go between the uprights when he found himself 1:1 with the 'keeper.
Of the chances Church had, it was one of the more difficult to tuck away yet it was the one that had him wheeling away in triumph.
Odd game eh?

The game was so one sided, instead of having a good moan when Churchy failed to knock the ball into an unguarded net, (somehow contriving to copy one of my golf air shots and finishing up on his rear end), we all belly laughed, safe in the knowledge it wasn't going to be a costly miss.

Danny Green made an appearance late on, fresh from stretching his legs on loan in League One.
He wasn't on the pitch long enough to make an impression and neither was Sordell who also ran about a bit when the game was already up.

The original game against Doncaster Rovers was an odd affair and last night also felt strange to me. Yes we won but I didn't walk away from the Valley with that extra bit of pep in my stride that I normally have after a win.

I'm assuming 'normal' service will be resumed on Saturday when Ipswich Town, now managed by Millwall Mick come calling.

I'd settle for a point and I know if we do grab one, I'll feel more elated than I did last night after the win.

I'm a complicated old fart.

What A Strange Afternoon.

Charlton Athletic 1 - Doncaster Rovers 3
(Match Abandoned at Half Time).

This game started with a Rovers goal.

Barely two minutes had been played when some statuesque Charlton 'defending' lead to a strong headed goal.

It all happened in slow motion.
I felt like rubbing my eyes, sit com fashion, such was the absurdity of what I had witnessed.

It was to get much, much worse.

The area in front of the Valley East stand and especially the North stand penalty area (being defended by Charlton) had collected water so there was a distinct splash to the players running. 

It was, at times, impossible to make out the matchball if two or three players were challenging for it.

This wasn't really too much of a problem but when the ball also refused to roll over large sections of the field- and throw ins landed on the pitch and stopped still, it was plain to see that any kind of passing game was impossible.

Before long, Doncaster had scored two more.

Both goals can at least in some part be attributed to the state of the pitch, though for one, the East stand linesman was so far behind the play he was nowhere near able to make a decision on what looked to be an offside in the build up.
The Charlton defence really hadn't adapted to the ball getting stuck in the soup but were also neglecting  their basic jobs such as marking and blocking.

The game was suspended with each and every Charlton fan hoping the referee would see sense, and every Doncaster supporter hoping the game would continue, despite the atrocious conditions and danger to players.

I'd have been exactly the same in their position. Imagine being 3-0 up, away from home and then to hear the game might be void?

After about half an hour, the players returned and despite the work done on the pitch, the rain had continued while the players were back in the changing rooms.

The surface had not improved.

Church managed to score for Charlton to put a little bit of respectability on the scoreline but the game was turning into a farce.

Keegan got a chance to enjoy an early bath when he proved how footballers can sometimes be remarkably thick and infuriating to their supporters.

Why pull down an opposition player, who is in their own half (and isn't posing any kind of threat), when you are already on a yellow card and the referee is only metres away?

What a doofus.

Yann went to ground and Keegan went to have first go with the (Brut?) shower gel.

Charlton came into the game more and more as the clock ticked towards half time.

The break lasted longer than normal and finally the Doncaster players came out onto the pitch, clapped their support and lobbed their shirts into the crowd.

Soon afterwards, the Charlton team came out, clapped and waved and it was clear we'd seen as much as we were going to get today.

People who weren't there will probably think Charlton, and Chris Powell in particular, dodged a bullet today.

This might be the case but the momentum had turned towards Charlton and who's to say the ten man team would have been able to defend that North stand swamp/penalty area?

In summary, poor Charlton defending cannot be denied but the game really shouldn't have got past the first ten minutes.

I felt sorry for the Doncaster supporters who made the journey but the correct decision was made in the end.

For all the crowing from Yorkshire about Charlton 'cheating,' it wasn't the home sides decision to end the game. 

The referee Lee Collins had to make a safety decision and (eventually), though it was clear he was under immense pressure, he did call off the game. 

Yorkies might need to remember that God may be a Londoner but we really have no sway when ordering the weather.

;-)

waterlogged pitch. 

It's HERE!

I posted yesterday that sadly I can't be at The Valley today for our first home game of the season.

However, I can show quite clearly from this photograph that excitement is reaching almost fever pitch as the clock ticks ever closer to 3pm (5pm Greek time).

Missing You...

Unfortunately I won't be at the Valley on Saturday for the visit of tactful Tony Mowbray and his smoggy pals.

Due to booking a sunshine break, way back in April, I took a chance with the fixture list and the cards fell badly.

I was able to visit Bournemouth last Saturday and despite the result, had a thoroughly enjoyable day.

"Since I was young......... etc etc...!"

Truthfully, it was never going to be our day.

 Bournemouth deserved a decent result for their first game back in the Championship and their players seemed to be just the little bit more in command of the game. 

Yann's screamer aside, we looked second best for large periods, despite it being a fairly even encounter.

We could have nicked it of course but after the daylight robbery we performed at the same venue two seasons ago, -when I came perilously close to punching  Jim Davidson in the face with my rather animated added on time celebrations, (he was next to me in the Charlton section), it would have been too much to ask for.

Last season I didn't miss a single home game in the league or our (admittedly rather brief) efforts in the cups.

This year, with the season only a week old, I'll have missed TWO games!

My season ticket is being used as I've handed it to a friend but I can't help feeling a little bit flat about missing the first 'proper' home game.

I will, of course, be following the game via twitter, while I bake my belly in the Greek sunshine.

Give the lads a cheer from me and, in true Curbs programme notes fashion, lets hope the team "Send everyone home happy".

COYA!

Hot Stuff

Welling United 0 - Charlton Athletic 5

So, blogging.
How does it go again?

After around 2 months without football, we reconvened at near neighbours Welling yesterday afternoon.

The sun shone, the beer was cold and the familiar faces were out and about.

The bus trundling between Charlton Church Lane and Welling was sweltering and I instantly regretted not bringing a hat with me.

I had plastered Bald Guyz sunscreen over my dome, relying on the protection for the day.

Despite it being advertised as sweat resistant, I wasn't quite sure it was up to the job.

Playing beach volleyball in Malibu is all very well but the product designers really should have given their guinea pigs a journey on the 486 going over Shooters Hill, on a warm day, inside one of TFL's ovens to really give it the once over.

It was good to bump into lots of familiar people and by the time we headed into Park View Road, over 2,000 of us were eagerly anticipating an afternoon of football again.

The usual game of 'Who He?' played at our Welling friendlies, wasn't really an option this time.
With only one trialist, it was a case of checking up on how many beers and pies the heroes we recognise from last season have tucked away over the break.

The days of footballers heading off for 5 or 6 weeks of excess, then coming back to pre season training to get beasted and sweat themselves back into shape must be a thing of the past.
After only one week back at the training ground, every single player looked ridiculously whippet like, (with the exception of the tubby 'keeper Welling brought on for the second half).

Even over their holiday period, it is clear that today's players have to take it easy and keep an eye on their diets.

The first half saw 3 goals from Pigott and one from Kermorgant.
Kermorgant was pulling the strings and set up each of Piggott's efforts.

My favourite goal was Kermorgant's strike which he skillfully managed to slice around the advancing defenders with the outside of his boot.

On the subject of boots, I'm about to have an old man grumble.

Back in the day, anybody not sporting 'proper' black boots would have been laughed off the pitch, swiftly consigned to the fancy pants Jessie category and promptly kicked into the stands for being some sort of deviant.

Alas, not today.

From our front row seats in the Old Stand at Welling, we had the most appalling view of the players footwear as they warmed up just (ahem) feet from us.

Only Johnnie Jackson came out of it with much credit as his boots weren't quite so evil looking.

Some of these players should be ashamed.

Look away now if you are easily offended.

Surely this madness has to stop?

The second half of the game was a much tighter affair with both teams changing their line up completely.

Welling deserved at least a goal but couldn't quite get the breakthrough their approach play merited.

The only goal of the second half was a late penalty, (an obvious hand ball despite the howls of protest from the Wings supporter sat behind us), tucked away by Danny Green.

Tubby got quite close to it but Green wheeled away in celebration to make the final score a rather emphatic 5-0.

It could have been worse for Welling as Hollands managed to hit the cross bar just a minute later when most people thought the ball was destined for the net.

The traditional amble across the playing surface, despite the best efforts of stewards who all knew it was about to happen, finished off a rather pleasing couple of hours.

It was then back to the pub, a couple more hasty beers before wandering down to the Thai Dynasty where we ate like kings, enjoying the dishes that kept on coming as we ordered and reordered.

A bus heading back towards North Greenwich was all that was needed to complete a top day and with the bus stop directly outside the restaurant door, it couldn't have been simpler.

A rewatch of Quadrophenia on DVD, was just the cherry on top to send me to bed smiling.

It's good to be back.

That's All Folks...

Charlton Athletic 4 - Bristol City 1.

So, another season ends.
Aretha has entertained the crowd and nipped off home for a snack.

Season 2012/13 can be chalked up as a success.

As I've told anybody who'd listen since last August, anything other than a swift return to League One was fine by me.

To finish in 9th, (and crucially above Millwall), is way beyond most of our hopes and expectations.

The momentum gained from promotion this time last year had a handbrake applied due to financial constraints.
The core of the team have been those same players who outclassed tier 3 last term.
Well done to everyone involved.

Even though we didn't have the matchball delivered by parachute and foxy opera singers wearing skirts a little too tight, the final game served up plenty to talk about.

Bristol City had already been relegated and chose to play some of their squad members who are likely to be used next season in League One.

Charlton fielded a strong side that showed Chris Powell was hoping for a powerful performance, despite the slight chance of a Play Off place evaporating last weekend with a draw at 'Boro.

Unfortunately, the first 45 minutes were as dull as any half of football could be.
Other than Wiggins going off with a hamstring and haircut injury, there was precious little to comment upon.

The second half was a completely different kettle of Haddocks.

After only 2 minutes, Yann scored his now traditional last game of the season screamer.
The technique and timing to volley the ball into the top of the net from near the penalty spot was as the pundits say,

"blah blah blah for any kids watching".

We'd only just regained our composure when Yann rose at the far post to power home a second.

Charlton were running riot and it looked as if Bristol City were going to have to start preparing the white flag.

Charlton shot themselves in the foot when Morrison made a complete hash of it and gifted City the opportunity for a consolation goal.
Despite the chance being gold plated, it was converted calmly and with skill.

With Hamer injured, Button was in goal for the Addicks.
While trying to deny the City goalscorer, Button injured himself, ending tied up in the net, leading to youngster Pope having his first team debut.

At 2-1, Bristol lifted themselves and they looked quite lively for a while.

Unfortunately for them, Yann Kermorgant fancied his hat trick and chipped the 'keeper, hitting the crossbar.
John Obika was alive to the situation and followed up to head the ball over the line, into an empty net.

At 3-1 we started to get rather excited.

Crispy had bet on a 4-1 win and my bet was for a Charlton win with Jackson to score.

If Jackson was to score our 4th we'd be both sitting on some very tidy sums of cash.

With around 5 minutes of play remaining, a killer pass from Pritchard bypassed Kermorgant and Jackson slid in at the far post.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

To say we celebrated is rather the understatement!

Those last few moments of the season had a very odd feel as we were willing there to be no more goals.

City had given up by this point and it looked as if we could score at will.

Late substitute Waggy looked to have poked the ball into the net in a frantic goalmouth scramble but despite our affiliation, (and high regard for a player who may have been playing his last game for the club), we were relieved when the score remained the same!

When the referee put his whistle in his mouth to end our season, we were as delighted as anyone could be.

The players ambled around the pitch, (accompanied by tots in replica kits and well kept women in spray on jeans and oversized sunglasses), while we applauded their efforts over this season.

Chris Powell consolidated his reputation as a club legend by again speaking to the crowd, his voice cracking with the two way exchange of love between himself and the supporters.

The seeming inability to win at home on a Saturday is now barely worth a mention after the 4 home wins 'on the spin'.

A gentle stroll to the Rose of Denmark, then The Pilot, then the Southwark Tavern, then The Old Kings Head.... then?.. were enough to celebrate a fine day.

Enjoy the break everyone and see you at Welling for that first pre season friendly.