charltonlive.co.uk

By Alex Stedman - http://theendofthedayfootball.blogspot.co.uk/

On a day where everyone was in party mood in South London, there was a small matter of a match to take place. Sure enough, Charlton provided the perfect send-off for the Valley faithful as a champions’ performance sunk Hartlepool. Continue reading →

Between my memory not being what it used to be when it comes to recalling events from more than 12 months ago, and the recurring theme of disappointment rearing its ugly head through two seasons in the third tier, part one of this look back in search of bright lights during dark times for Charlton Athletic was a lot more difficult than this concluding part was to compile.

That said, as we now embark on the Chris Powell era of League One football for the Addicks, the overwhelming tidal wave of contending moments would take its time arriving as the club legend fought to change things for the better… Continue reading →

Charlton were relegated to the third tier of English football in spring 2009, and amidst the shame of such a plummet, lack of cash flow and at one point the looming threat of administration, a large number of the club’s fan base were driven away from attending regular games.

Now that the Addicks have finally secured a return to the Championship in grand fashion, the easy thing for most of us to do is shut the last three years out of our memories – at the very least, the first two – and start afresh, able to stand proud at the office water cooler once again.

But I’ve never done anything the easy way.

That is why I’ve spent the last few days looking at the past while everybody glances optimistically at the future – and rightfully so. The upshot is that I have compiled a list of the best moments of three years in the third division, through thick and thin, from Parkinson through Peacock to Powell.

Before we get to it, some guidelines. Firstly, these choices are mine and mine alone, and not all of them will be consensus. There may also be omissions due to games I was unable to make.

Lastly, this has been compiled in an entirely non-linear manner. Some of the entries will be games, some will be goals, others will be impressive runs for team, manager or even just one player.

Regardless of the nature of each choice, these are, to me, the fondest memories of League One life as a Charlton writer and a Charlton fan.

Right. Let’s get foraging… Continue reading →

It was hard to not include every goal this year but these are the 10 goals that Charlton Live have chosen for this years goal of the season. Please vote for your favourite and we shall give an award to the winner on Sunday at the player of the year dinner.

SCOTT WAGSTAFF vs Bournemouth (H)

It seems like ages since that first game at the Valley, but we have not forgotten that goal. When receiving the ball on the edge of the area, most midfielders take a touch or flick it into the box. Not when you’re Scott Wagstaff. He hit the ball straight away on the volley for a stunner of a goal. It’s rare you see a beauty like this but for the first game of the season this was incredible.

DANNY HOLLANDS vs Preston North End (H)

In a game with five goals it’s not unusual that one is a stand-out. Hollands’ header was pretty powerful to be able to beat the Preston keeper but the build-up play and cross from Rhoys Wiggins were superb. The run by Hollands to meet the ball just makes this better and it is a deserved contender.

YANN KERMOGRANT vs Yeovil Town (A)

Yann has been superb this season and this goal sums up his talent. After Christmas Day there are always a few things you don’t want. This past year, one was travelling to Yeovil on a public holiday, and the other was being a keeper with a Kermorgant screamer heading your way. Yann teed up the ball for his free-kick towards the away end at Yeovil, and within a flash it’s in the back of the net. An absolute peach.

JOHNNIE JACKSON vs Sheffield Wednesday (A)

It’s 0-0 and 28 minutes are on the clock. Charlton are awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Jackson steps up and fires the ball into the net, leaving the ex-Addicks keeper Nicky Weaver stunned and the travelling Charlton fans jubilant. Another free-kick, another worthy contender.

JOHNNIE JACKSON vs Sheffield United (H)

After the goal against Sheffield Wednesday the week before, we all knew Jackson could take free-kicks but what we didn’t know was how flexible he was taking them. After putting the ball into the top right-hand corner at Hillsborough, this time the skipper belted a winner into the top left for three more essential points.

DANNY GREEN vs Exeter City (A)

Green’s bobbing down the wing and crosses the ball in. Everyone’s reaction is it’s a poor cross from Green. The ball then goes over the keeper… surely it’s going out for a goal kick? But the ball’s still curling and it’s gone in the net. There were a few seconds of stunned silence but then the roar of the crowd said it all. I don’t think that we will ever know if this was a cross or a shot but the fact of the matter is it went in.

DALE STEPHENS vs Bury (H)

It wasn’t looking good for Charlton: set to lose our first game at the Valley after Bury got a goal three minutes from half-time. It’s the 93^rd minute and Charlton have surely lost this. Danny Hayne’s effort gets cleared and lands to Dale, who smashes the ball from 25 yards into the roof of the net, breaking part of the net in the process and the stadium erupts.

MICHAEL MORRISON vs Stevenage (H)

With virtually a half-volley from the ‘D’, it’s hard for a striker to manage to control the ball and score from outside the box but for a defender to be able to hit it so smoothly and launch it into the roof of the net beyond the keeper is incredible.

DANY N’GUESSAN vs Yeovil Town (H)

It’s Dany’s debut game and he came to the club with a record of scoring on his debut for almost every team he had played for. The ball came to Dany on the left who crosses the ball in which looks to be going straight over the bar. I remember the guy next to me’s immediate reaction was that this guyis awful. That was a wrong time to make such a statement as the ball started to dip. Was it meant? Probably not. Was it a great finish? Yes.

BRADLEY WRIGHT-PHILLIPS vs Carlisle United (A)

This was not the most skilful of goals but it’s what this goal meant which counts. Charlton needed to better Sheffield Wednesday’s result to seal promotion for a third time at Carlisle. Colchester were holding Wednesday and Charlton only needed one goal. It’s the 76^th minute, Jackson whips in a free-kick, Stephens knocks it forward and then with the vital touch Wright-Phillips puts the ball into the back of the net.

 Time to make your vote…..