Cherry Red

It felt like the other Kingston tonight, not the one residing upon the Thames. A shatteringly hot day in South London, who'd have thought the Cherry Red stadium was named after a record label and not the colour of our heads after all this sun.

My first ever visit (I think) to the ground which many know by the name of Kingsmeadow and I have to say I enjoyed it. I did once watch Sutton United in a Surrey Senior Cup final at Kingstonian's ground in the late eighties but I think that may have been their old Richmond Road ground. We stood tonight down the length of the pitch in a terrace with a low roof built for noise and atmosphere. This would be a great ground to get drawn at in a cup match.

It was the other team from Kingston, AFC Wimbledon that hosted Charlton this evening though, the Addicks first teams third pre-season friendly and the first since returning home from Spain.

Charlton put out a strong side which featured both our trialists from the off. Richard Wood partnered Leon Cort at the heart of the defence while Yann Kermorgant lined up alongside Adamo Coulibaly, a fellow Frenchman who has spent the last four seasons in Hungary playing for Debreceni VSC. A tall powerful front man with a good turn of pace, the 31 year old is only with Charlton for a week and hopes to impress. He got a good hour in tonight but is a week or two behind the rest of the squad when it comes to fitness.

As is the case with pre-season friendlies, the football was quite low key and the challenges mild. Moments of note were few and far between but Wimbledon had by far and away the best chance of taking the lead when a good ball from just outside their box from a lad with a little Jason Lee pineapple thing going on put through their striker who rounded the keeper and had the easiest of finishes to put it away but somehow hit the foot of the post instead, up there with Ronny Rosenthal. It transpires apparently that Button clipped him and the home side were claiming it worthy of a spot kick. Just looked like a comical miss to us.

Danny Green put the visitors in front with a lovely strike a little later, only for Wimbledon to equalise on the half hour as the Charlton defending went to pieces. A lad on the back post was ignored by all and left alone to calmly nod home when the ball floated over everyone else. Stealth like he was, except to the three hundred travelling fans, we all saw him.

The highlight of the second half except for the officials change of tops (from murky white/grey to yellow) was a sublime piece of skill from Kermorgant. He won the ball on the edge of the box from a Dons defender, turned and tried to chip the keeper. Chip him he did but unfortunately the ball went just over the bar, it was exquisite and deserved a bigger result.

Speaking of shirts, we saw tonight the new N**e home shirt for the first time and I must confess, it looks a lot better on a football pitch than it does on a mannequin (or for that matter an overweight fifty-something on a terrace). It did help that it wasn't violated with either a shirt sponsor or a players surname although that little peek through a retro keyhole won't last for long!

The linesman on our side made a name for himself with his balding head, his rather large waistband and his total lack of understanding as to why a goal kick is awarded. He then proceeded to lose his rag with Bradley Pritchard while the Charlton player was warming up for reasons only he could know. He got quite heated and for a moment looked capable of a Basil Fawlty explosion. Needless to say from this moment on he was heckled non stop.

The final whistle blew and one youngster next to us hurdled the advertising hoardings and ran onto the pitch, not to cause a disturbance but for a laugh and to show off to his mates. This kid didn't really know what to do once there and circled the players before legging it as a steward walked towards him. Good old Kingston police, they must have a quiet life as when we exited the ground one bobby was making it his sole purpose of the week to find this youth and lay the law down. Never have I seen a more peaceful pitch invasion or such an unnecessary manhunt.

A 1-1 draw in summer evening sunshine, a pint or two with friends I haven't seen for far too long, yes football is back. The pre season is as much for the fans to get back into it gently as it is the players. Me, I'm feeling almost match fit already.

Goals, Goals, Goals.

And so it's begun. Charlton Athletic are not only back in training but are kicking footballs on a pitch in front of paying spectators. And doesn't it feel good!

The first team have now had three matches, the traditional opener at Welling United followed by a now nearly traditional trip to Spain where they've faced a Gibraltar XI and Scottish Premier League side St Mirren.

At Welling a healthy crowd saw a five goal show from the visitors with young Joe Pigott bagging a hat trick and causing a minor storm on twitter with the #feedthepig hashtag.

A two-nil victory at Gibraltar's national stadium followed by this morning by a four-nil convincing victory over The Buddies to take our non competitive tally to eleven goals scored, none conceded. Great reading I'm sure you'll agree but I'm still concerned, we've lost Wright-Phillips, Haynes and Fuller yet haven't appeared to do anything about filling that void. Does Chris Powell have a cunning plan to unleash upon returning to our shores?

Haynes has gone to Notts County, young Waggy has gone to Bristol City, everybody seems to be moving in the transfer market except for us. We've signed Mark Gower and brought defender Richard Wood in on trial. I thought we were keen to sign Jonathan Obika permanently, and if that was the case wouldn't that have been one of the quick deals so he could have gone on the gaffers Spanish bonding session?

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to see us sign players for the sake of it, and as I discussed last night with a good friend over a pint of London Pride or two, I'd much rather see youngsters given a chance ahead of loan signings that don't share the club's passion, but isn't Yann Kermorgant our only striker of note at the moment? Pigott, Cook, Smith, Azeez, all strikers on the books but not a Championship first teamer amongst them yet, and love big Yann as I do, he's not a twenty goal a season striker is he.

If a neutral looked at our first three scorelines they'd never ponder such a situation, let alone worry where the goals will come from. We've been blessed of late with midfielders and defenders getting themselves on the score sheet, but if we're going to build on last season we need match winners. Despite Haynes' fitness and Fuller's age, they were for all intents and purposes match winners, they had a bit of class about them and a real presence on the football field.

We shall see, Powell knows his job (and his resources) far better than I do, but surely there's got to be an announcement or two soon hasn't there? We're in grave danger of being left behind. While we're at it, another midfield general and a centre half would be nice but I'll settle for just a striker right now. I keep thinking I've just forgotten someone, this tropical summer heat getting to my head but I've checked the first team squad list to quash this paranoia and sure enough we look as light as I feared.

Perhaps a new front man will arrive in SE7 at the same time as the new kit. Many would assume that if you've picked a design straight out of a catalogue the suppliers would have it on your doorstep very sharpish. And then you remember we're Charlton, not really on Nike's 'A' list of clientele so we can quite happily sell replica's to the supporters and keep the coins entering the sportswear giants pockets but they in return can't quite manage to kit the players out? Well done Nike, your nonchalant sentiment never fails to make me smile, keep it up. Perhaps they are waiting to officially release it at the much anticipated 'club day' on the 21st July. I do hope not.

And so to Wednesday evening, and my first visit to Kingstonian's ground for the friendly against AFC Wimbledon. I've only ever been to one of their fixtures before, a friendly away to Sutton United at Gander Green Lane which was coincidentally their first ever match. I'm quite excited, who knows there's even time between now and then that I could witness the arrival of a new player or even a new shirt.

Then again.......

Up Pompey!

Modern football never sleeps. Charlton Athletic have a full ninety minutes left to play this season, yet before the dust is being given a chance to settle, this summers pre-season friendlies have been announced by the club. Handy if you haven't actually booked your holidays yet.

The cream of the crop has to be a trip to Fratton Park and Fourth Division Portsmouth. Always a great ground to visit, there are plenty of superb watering holes in the town. Portsmouth of course are now the largest fan based owned football club in England, and like the many others in that situation they have my deepest respect and good wishes. Pompey know more than anyone with their 'island' like mentality how mismanagement can ruin and destroy the history, pride, and livelihoods of not only the club and it's loyal supporters but the townsfolk as a whole.

There must be a theme to these friendlies as AFC Wimbledon, a club also owned by a supporters trust, will welcome the Addicks to the Kingsmeadow ground in Kingston as well. The Dons survived by the skin of their teeth in an enthralling League Two relegation scrap last weekend to achieve a third successive season at that level. No mean feat when you consider how small their budget is in comparison to their counterparts.

Another side caught up in the mire at the foot of the league with Wimbledon were Dagenham & Redbridge. They too will play host to Charlton as the Addicks continue their tour of local League Two grounds.

Welling United will, as is traditional, start our pre-season outings. The Wings will be looking forward to a season at the highest level of non league football after claiming the Conference South title this season, while Isthmian League Thurrock will entertain a 'Charlton XI' (probably the newly crowned Kent Senior Cup winners team) in the one other friendly announced, although expect one or two more to be confirmed during the summer. I highly doubt however that this will include a trip to Spain again.

The full list is-
Sat July 6th Welling United (a) 3pm

Wed July 17th AFC Wimbledon (a) 7.45pm

Sat July 20th Portsmouth (a) 3pm
Sat July 20th Thurrock (a) 3pm

Tue July 23rd Dagenham & Redbridge (a) 7.45pm

We mustn't forget though as we hastily scribble these dates in our diaries the small matter of finishing this campaign first. The club certainly don't want you run the risk of losing interest for a couple of months do they!

The wait is over.

Even though we've had a superb international football tournament to enjoy this summer, i say summer..., it seems an age since our celebrations of early May. How we've all missed our passion that is domestic football.

Charlton along with a host of other clubs enjoyed their first run out since they returned to training today.
It's an opportunity for spectators to see the new kit for the first time, watch trialists they have no idea the name of, get a glimpse of and make assessments of the new signings and most of all, watch their club play under no pressure.
This isn't just a friendly warm up for the players. Supporters need to get match fit too, it's a long season ahead for all of us.

Welling United once again hosted the Addicks for this traditional curtain raiser, although at times many jokingly speculated if the game could be called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
Again, i say summer...

Chris Powell fielded a different eleven each half including a trialist keeper named Jacobo who has certainly got people tweeting.
After an even first forty five minutes, Charlton showed their dominance in the second to run out 4-0 winners.
Goals from Michael Smith, Johnnie Jackson from the spot and Danny Haynes secured the win after an own goal opened the visitors account.

Charlton won't begrudge another side taking all of today's headlines though. Maidstone United returned home after a 24 year absence. As Charlton fans (and Maidstone's visitors Brighton) will know, the day you return home to your own ground is a day that will live clear in your mind for years and years to come.

I went to the old Athletic Ground with Sutton United back in the late 80's for a GM Vauxhall Conference game. I believe it was New Years Day but i could be mistaken, it was possibly Boxing Day. Mark Golley was the talk of the terraces as the former Sutton hero was helping Maidstone to the title and a life in the football league.
At that time you could never have envisaged what would unfold over the next few years.

The ground didn't meet Football League standards so Maidstone went off to Dartford to share their Watling Street stadium.
They started well in the big time making the play offs but the following season the form dipped as did the attendances. Charlton legend Keith Peacock was at the helm during this period, the poor results on the pitch cost him his job. His successor, Graham Carr didn't last long either!

With the club in a dire financial situation bankruptcy was inevitable and Maidstone were expelled from the Football League.
Admittedly there are different circumstances involved (most notably Sky's TV revenue), but Rangers take note. The new Maidstone, named Maidstone Invicta initially, dropped seven tiers to the Kent County League fourth division playing youth football!

Games were played at the training ground at this level but to move up the ladder, and to play at a senior status, a new home had to be found. Sittingbourne's Bourne Park became the next stop for Kent's nomadic football team as the Stones entered the Kent League.
This is where Maidstone stayed as they progressed into the Isthmian League. During this period a piece of ground in James Whatman Way was destined for their own new home. Still financially struggling, work on the stadium was however infuriatingly non existent.

In a cost cutting exercise Maidstone would move again as cheaper rent made Ashford Town's ground seem a more appealing prospect. In the long run dwindling attendances put paid to this idea and saw a return to Sittingbourne for the 2011-12 season.
Encouraged by larger crowds and the very obvious rapid building work to the new stadium, Maidstone's performance on the pitch improved last season giving a great foundation for the side to build on as they return home for the new campaign.

Brighton went to Kent and ran out five nil winners today. This was of little consequence though, the wait is over for the Stones supporters, football is back in Maidstone!
Hopefully I'll be able to write a similar piece regarding Kettering Town in the future.

As a little postscript to this piece, and as we're on a little good news roll, it is ten years ago this week that i went down to Gander Green Lane to watch a rather special pre season friendly. Sutton United entertained a side who were playing their first ever football match, AFC Wimbledon.

Good news doesn't sell papers though so I'm guessing Rangers will still dominate tomorrows back pages.

The revolving door never stops.

Saturday was one of those days you were proud to support Charlton Athletic. Yesterday was one of those days you are proud to have a soft spot for AFC Wimbledon in your heart. Everybody's favourite second team (except possibly Sutton and Crawley fans) have, as Chicago Addick said so wonderfully, their own Thierry Henry moment.

Jason Euell has signed on loan with the south London club for five weeks and is expected to be in the squad to face Port Vale on Saturday.
Unlike the supporters of everybody's least favourite neutral club up in Buckinghamshire, these fans will remember seeing him turn out for the Dons first time around.  How lovely would it be to see him do what the Frenchman did on Monday night and wear his scoring boots to mark his homecoming.
It's fair to say those die hard Wimbledon supporters will see a different footballer than they did last time he wore the blue shirt. He is a shadow of his former self in match day performance although he still has a fantastic footballing brain. Similar in some ways to the great John Barnes during his stint in SE7.

As the season progresses for Wimbledon it has become obvious to us all that their honeymoon period has finished. Financially worse off than many of their opponents, it is this gritty part of the season where his experience will benefit the young players in the dressing room and give their fans a renewed sense of hope. With the rich kids down the road in West Sussex blossoming it would be an absolute delight to see their poorer compatriots doing the same.

Speaking of AFC Wimbledon a local paper, the Wimbledon Guardian, is running an on-line petition to get Milton Keynes to drop the 'Dons' from their name. Whether any good will come from it i don't know, but it's got my support. Football heritage is important and hard earned. The real Dons work harder than most!

We've seen the Paul Benson, Leon Clarke deal go through recently, today it was announced Leon Cort had signed permanently.
With six appearances for the addicks so far this season on loan, the defender has made it permanent after being let go by Burnley earlier in the week.
Cort has proved he is great cover at the heart of the defense, especially in Charlton's last outing at The Valley against Brentford and is a welcomed addition by all except perhaps the ginger Pele, Gary Doherty!

Charlton's official twitter page stated today that there hadn't been any breaking news for a while. Of course with transfer windows these days players all seem to move at once but the backroom staff keep that door spinning all year round. Look at Tony Jimenez.
I think we could see more 'breaking' news this week if the rumours are to be believed.  Jeffrey Schlupp's name has once again been on people's lips as it was pre season but it's Danny Haynes that seems the more likely.
Haynes is currently with Barnsley and word is the Yorkshire club have agreed a fee with Charlton. Others were interested in the former Ipswich striker including Millwall, but they just wanted the player on a short term loan deal.
Nothing is cemented until the club announce it and these days we've all read it on twitter and the like a long time before it's 'official', but it shows Chris Powell is still keen to add to his forward options during this window.
Onwards and upwards, I'm not sure but i think he'll be number twenty four?

A fiver buys more than a franchise

Saturday's football for a fiver campaign has to be seen as a success. Last season we drew the crowds in and the team failed to deliver. This time around however those long lost fans got quite a bit of entertainment for their green stuff.

How many of those 8000 or so returning (or new) faces come back again remains to be seen, but one things for sure, it's fantastic marketing by the club.
Club shop sales, food kiosk sales, extra revenue for the local pubs, cafes and take aways, it is a good old reminder of what things were like in SE7 just a handful of years ago. And at the current rate, what things will be like again soon.

On the pitch Charlton are doing as much to convince people to return as they are off it. Chesterfield are just the latest to stumble when confronted with Chrissy Powell's red and white army.

Once again work stopped me handing over my hard earned Lady Godiva and being a part of the 22,000 strong support. Nevertheless, the boys got through it without me. And while they were slogging away on the field of play, i was doing the same on my own personal battleground.

You see, tomorrow morning (and very very early morning at that) we head off down to Bath for a few days away.
So after work at about half two i serviced the car rather than listen to the match on CAFC player.
I knew in the long run this would give me a bartering pole.

As Paul Hayes opened the scoring with that glorious backheel, i was spinning the new oil filter on. When Johnnie Jackson made it two with a simple but precise strike from a free kick, i was filling the windscreen washer bottle and cleaning the lines.

So you ask me, why couldn't this wait until Sunday?
Well, I had the rare opportunity of an away game. I struggle to get out of work in time for home matches, unless we are drawn away to Crawley in the cup away days are a thing of the past for me. A day off and Charlton playing only an hour and a half down the road is far too good an opportunity to miss.

So when Chesterfield got a goal back i was choosing my moment. Then as Bradley Wright-Phillips sealed it in injury time, and i was putting up a curtain rail (complete with curtains) in the spare room, i struck with the venom of a particularly dangerous rabbit.

"I'm thinking of going to Milton Keynes on Tuesday my darling"

Not overly impressive but it did the trick and I'll jump on the bike later this afternoon to ride up there. Heidi has gone for a girlie shopping spree in Brighton in retaliation. Expensive this football lark.

A good home win then before two tricky away days. MK Dons started very brightly but have just started to drift away a little now. I don't see them rolling over tonight and a difficult game awaits. Then it's the red half of Sheffield on Saturday. This will i fear be even trickier. I would be happy just with two points out of these games, four and I'll be jumping up and down. If we win them both who knows what I'll be up to.....................................................probably a lot more DIY!

I'm looking forward to my first trip to StadiumMK, I've heard as grounds go it's quite an experience. It's just the club we have trouble with.
In a week when Wrexham are set to join the likes of Exeter and AFC Wimbledon in a true football romance story, being owned by the supporters, the whole franchise affair still leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of all true football fans.
As does the name Clinton Morrison in the north and south of all Addicks. I'm sure we'll be seeing an appearance from this 'gentleman' tonight. I just hope it's not a repeat of the last time.

If you see me this evening (I'll be the one walking around with a crash helmet) come over and say hello. You will however have to wait for the next post containing my adventures tonight until after the weekend when i return from the west country.

Come on you reds!!!!!