By Richard Cawley BEN Roberts has revealed he would have left Charlton this summer - even if a move to Brighton had not happened. The amiable 40-year-old became the Seagulls' new goalkeeping coach last month. He was allowed to speak to the South Coast club after they made an official approach. But Roberts - who joined Charlton just days before Phil Parkinson was sacked in January 2011 - had been worn down by the high turnover of bosses since Roland Duchatelet bought the club. He said: "I'm leaving with a heavy heart. I like the club and the majority of people there - I've made some of the best mates I've ever made. "But I needed to get out. Four managers in 18 months has taken a toll - especially Powelly [Chris Powell]. "Him going, more than anything, had a big effect on me. I didn't feel he had been given a fair crack, especially with the budget he got from the previous owners. "On the day he got sacked every member of staff and players were still with him. "I felt I should've gone with Powelly - but there are good people at the club. I listened to people like Keith Peacock, who gave sound advice. I appreciate that. "I kept my head down and worked for the club and the goalkeepers. I've got nothing against any individuals who came in. Every time a manager gets sacked you are never quite sure what will happen in the period where things change. I haven't enjoyed that side of it. But I've always given my all for the ones that have come in. "Something does need to change in the process. Whether it will, I'm not sure. "I wasn't sure this time last year but went into pre-season pushing that to one side, but again the season took its toll. I'm not sure it is going in the direction it should be going and you've got to look after your own career. "There was constant change. I'm quite high-energy but there has got to be an element of consistency - hence why I stayed at Charlton for five years. "I need a fresh start. I let Katrien Meire [chief executive] know that I was looking that way towards the end of the season, that I was probably going to take time out. We had a good discussion. "My missus is due with our first child at the beginning of August. There has been so much change, and different people coming into the club, that I thought it might be time for me to take a step back, go and watch a lot of games again and just re-evaluate my decision. "I would've gone back to take the keepers in pre-season, until the baby was born.” But then Brighton had a vacancy come up when their coach Antti Niemi had to return to Finland for family reasons. Seagulls assistant manager Nathan Jones had worked with Roberts at both Charlton and Yeovil. And the pair played together at Brighton. "The last two summers I could've left Charlton and gone to other clubs - but I had no interest," said Roberts. "Brighton came up and changed my thought process immediately. I could feel the adrenalin back in my veins straightaway. "I had thought all over the summer and was probably leaning towards staying in the game - you are only away from it for a month and you miss it. "This move to Brighton all happened very quickly. I went to meet Katrien last week and told her my time at Charlton was done. "Nathan is a friend and knew I was going to take time out of the game. He must have had a big say [at Brighton]. I met Chris [Hughton] and things went quickly from there. "Nathan is a fantastic young coach. We chat every week and he has told me about the club and the infrastructure.” So Roberts will not have as much time on his hands as initially planned for wife Rebecca and their imminent new arrival. "I knew instantly I wanted to go to Brighton and she has been incredibly supportive," said Roberts. "She lives with me day in, day out and goes through the thick and thin. She knows what I need to make me happy. "I've loved being at Charlton but I can't say the last 18 months haven't been tough. There are so many good people still there who are Charlton people and have got the football club at heart. Katrien wants the club to do well. "I'm honestly not sure how they will do on the pitch. Time will tell what the owner has got in store. Behind the scenes it looks like he is trying to improve the infrastructure. Hopefully it will be translated onto the pitch. "It will certainly be the first result I look for. I already know that I'll be back at The Valley in December."
Good luck to Roberts. Things are **** at Charlton - the amazing thing is a few are determined not to see it.
Brighton have had more managers than Charlton over the last three years chaps so Ben Roberts clearly has an agenda. Average goalkeeping coach with a very short memory, can't wait to see him fail like Stephens and Jones who also left us thinking the grass was greener. Not sure what Roberts has achieved as a coach so no loss at all. unlike Andy Woodman who brought on Elliot and Randolph.
Both Hamer and Henderson say he is the best goalkeeping coach they have worked with, and although you have a great relationship with Katrien and know all the goings on at the club I think I will take their word over yours.
Jezus Reams, no wonder nobody posts on your site any more FYI, I know (and this is 100% certain) that Woodman was considered to be a total disaster as a Goalkeeper Coach and that he rarely came to the training ground to work with the Keepers. I can't say any more but the person who brought Elliot and Randolph through was the youth team keeper coach and not Woodman.
Woodman was notoriously bad, and is pardews stooge. Remembering back, his warm up exercise with the keepers consisted of him floating the ball in to them for 30minutes.
Thing is you all have a downer on RD and on those who don't. Roberts is not as good as what you think and that comes from a retired Professional who has worked with him.
But what about our current number one? You say we have a downer, but you overcompensate your affection for them. You made some bold statements so I guess you have to appear to remain confident.
I'll take this with a pinch of salt, red. I always had a high opinion of Roberts when he was with us and don't see any reason to change it now that he's left.
how is ben roberts all of a sudden not good, just cos he left us. he was a step up from woodman, roberts is still capable of running marathons and his goalkeepers all praised him. woodman would only ever try to eat a marathon and we've heard nothing good about him since he left.
