Another forgettable year awaits South London as the Addicks gear up for their fourth consecutive season in the third tier. Their final match against Cheltenham this Sunday will determine if they can secure a 10th place finish.
It has been a rollercoaster season filled with ups and downs, which has unfortunately become a familiar pattern in SE7. With takeover rumours looming and no clear plan for the upcoming season, fans are left bewildered.
Despite having one of the most impressive stadiums in the football league, the club finds itself struggling in League One. What went wrong this year?
Abysmal Beginnings
The Addicks kicked off preparations for the 2022/23 campaign by appointing Ben Garner at the helm. The former Swindon Manager was held in high regard as he put pen to paper at The Valley, guiding Swindon Town to an impressive play-off finish the season before. Key things fans noted upon his arrival were his style of play, possession-based, attacking football.
Having penned a three-year deal with Charlton last June, Garner brought three members of his Swindon squad along to South London on free transfers. At the time of his arrival, Ghana’s number one, Joe Wollacott, Jack Payne, a creative attacking midfielder and full back, Mandela Egbo.
Before the season even started, Charlton fans had doubts about the year ahead. The club failed to make any significant signings and relied heavily on free transfers and loans. Fans questioned whether players from the fourth tier could excel and push Charlton into the play-off spots.
Unfortunately, Garner’s tenure got off to a disappointing start, with just five wins in 20 League One matches. He eventually departed the club after six months in charge following a 1-0 defeat at home to Cheltenham.
Salford Saviour
With the club parting ways with another manager in such short notice, there was an element of uncertainty amongst the fans; what was the strategy and plan that was promised?
The Addicks spent two weeks without a manager, tasting defeat on two occasions with losses to Stockport in the FA Cup and Joey Barton’s Bristol Rovers.
On December 20th, the club appointed former Bristol City assistant manager Dean Holden. The fans immediately took to the Salfordian as he emersed himself within the club’s culture, travelling to the pub with the fans and spending time amongst the community.
Initially signing on a short-term basis until the end of the season, Holden penned a new deal with the club due to his promising performances, keeping him in SE7 until the summer of 2026.
Carabao Cup Conquest
Despite a disappointing league campaign for the Addicks, not all was negative this season. With Charlton progressing into the Quarterfinals of the EFL Cup, being the last remaining London side in the competition.
Their journey to the final eight was a tough challenge with some impressive results along the way, including an astonishing penalty shoot-out victory over Brighton and Hove Albion under the lights.
Due to the triumph over Brighton, Charlton entered the pot for the next stage of the competition, where they drew footballing giants Manchester United at Old Trafford, a tie fans desperately needed to restore their love for the game, seeing a true underdog story.
Unfortunately, Ten Hag’s titans took the lead within twenty minutes through Antony, whose strike sailed into the top corner before the in-form, Marcus Rashford netted a brace in the dying embers of the game. A performance to be proud of for the League One side who travelled to Old Trafford with almost 10,000 supporters.
Defying The Odds
Charlton’s standout result this season was an unbelievable eight-goal thriller back in October as they welcomed the Tractor Boys to The Valley. Ipswich, who recently cemented their promotion place finish, held a 2-0 lead heading into the hour mark before the reliable Rak-Sakyi pulled one back for the Addicks and Albie Morgan netted an equaliser with fifteen minutes remaining.
The tie turned for the worse as Freddie Ladapo entered the pitch for the visitors, making an instant impact and putting Ipswich ahead in the 91st minute. With Charlton throwing everyone up the other end of the pitch, Sam Morsy was presented the opportunity on the counterattack to extend their lead to 4-2 with a well-placed strike.
Fans began to flood out of The Valley, thinking all hope was lost until Terell Thomas pulled one back for Charlton after a scramble in the box. Sarcastic cheers echoed through the stadium from supporters as the defender netted what was believed to be a consolation goal.
As the clock hit the 99th minute, the ball was played out to Albie Morgan, who dug a deep cross out to the back post, finding the skipper, George Dobson who’s looping header soared over the keeper and into the back of the net. Erupting South London, Charlton had done the impossible.
Consistent Performers
Although the club has suffered yet another season in the pits of the third tier, there are several positives to take away from this year. It has been an exceptional campaign for the academy over at Sparrows Lane, with a number of graduates featuring for the First Team squad.
Two notable academy products who provided significant contributions to the side’s season were Miles Leaburn and Ashley Maynard-Brewer.
Miles Leaburn started the season as the club’s third-choice striker behind Jayden Stockley and Chuks Aneke; however, due to injuries and outgoings, the 19-year-old quickly became one of the first names on the team sheet. With 12 goals and two assists to his name in the league this year, Leaburn currently ranks alongside some of the league’s most lethal strikers in Dion Charles and Aaron Collins. A key player that will undoubtedly draw a lot of interest in the summer.
At the other end of the pitch for Charlton is the 23-year-old shot stopper, Ashley Maynard-Brewer. The Australian joined the Charlton ranks at 14 and has worked his way through the age groups since. Due to Joe Wollacott’s injury before the World Cup, Maynard-Brewer received his place in the starting eleven and has held it since due to his consistent performances in between the sticks.
Player of the Year
It is fair to say that Charlton’s outstanding performer this year has been Crystal Palace loanee Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. The 20-year-old joined on a season-long loan at the beginning of the season and has claimed 15 goals and eight assists in his first full season in senior football.
The prolific winger scooped up the Players’ Player of the Year and the Supporters’ Player of the Year awards at the club’s official ceremony as well as a nomination for the League One Young Player of the Year award, which was handed to Plymouth’s Bali Mumba.