from Henry winter Thinking of Sven-Goran Eriksson this week reminded me of when his England squad borrowed Charlton Athletic’s Sparrow Lane training ground before the infamous friendly with Australia at Upton Park in 2003. Sven was on the front pages again because of a relationship – I never quite understood why the FA didn’t tell us “he’s single, mind your own business” – and the photographers were eyeing up the best shot. please log in to view this image Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez. Photo: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images. One of them noticed the Addicks’ ladies team also trained there and spotted a banner close to the pitch that read “ADDICKTED TO WOMEN”. You can guess what happened next. The snappers stationed themselves to get the money shot when Eriksson stepped in front of the sign. Job done, they had it clicked, and their editors must have been delighted. One of the more football-related pictures used that day involved Eriksson speaking to the uncapped Scott Parker. The midfielder managed the remarkable feat of being on the bench at Upton Park two days later and never coming on. Eriksson changed all 11 at half-time. Danny Mills ended up captain and the armband apparently ended up in his sock drawer. England lost 3-1, the Australian fans chanted “it’s just like the cricket” and Fifa ended up limiting the number of subs that could be made in friendlies. Parker, who went on to make 18 appearances for England, was at Charlton at the time, another reminder of the club’s prodigious youth-development work. So was Paul Konchesky, the left-back who did come on at the break for Ashley Cole. And Charlton keep developing talent. Their latest starlet, Miles Leaburn, has scored four in his last six games, was voted EFL League One Player of the Month for December and is again exciting scouts from other clubs. Although he started out in Chelsea’s academy, Leaburn is quintessential Charlton: the son of club legends, Carl, their former striker, and Tracey, popular head of first-team player care. He will inevitably move on at some point, generating money for the club (his contract runs until 2026) and reminding everyone of the quality of coaching and opportunity at Charlton. So many have benefited from this pathway over the past three decades, from Parker, Konchesky and Lee Bowyer, to Jonjo Shelvey, Carl Jenkinson, Joe Gomez and Ezri Konsa, all England internationals (Jenkinson got one cap in 2012 after his flirtation with Finland Under-21s). Jermain Defoe was at Charlton from 14 to 16. Much of the credit for their development has to go to Steve Avory, who stepped down as academy director earlier this season after 25 acclaimed years nurturing players. Gomez and Konsa, currently embedded in the England squad, invited Avory as their guest of honour to England’s game against Belgium at Wembley last year. Konsa started and Gomez came on. It was great they both saluted Avory at the final whistle. Their talent was spotted and developed early at Charlton. Gomez won the Under-17 European championship with England before moving to Liverpool. Konsa won the Under-20 World Cup with England before moving on to Brentford and now Aston Villa. The elite benefit so much from EFL academies, another reason why the Premier League needs to acknowledge its responsibilities and offer a more generous New Deal to the 72. please log in to view this image All the while, the Charlton production line continues to roll. James Beadle spent nine years in their academy before turning down a contract and moving to Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported compensation figure of £400,000. The tall goalkeeper, currently an England Under-21 international on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, is already worth many times that fee. He’s a good shot-stopper and excellent with the ball at his feet. Charlton will have negotiated a sell-on clause but the reported £400,000 seems remarkably cheap. You can understand why EFL clubs get frustrated when they put in so much vital development work, moulding the person as well as the player, and then a Premier League club steps in. Beadle has already trained with England’s first team (last September) and Thomas Tuchel was in charge at Chelsea when they club tried to sign him from Charlton’s academy. Charlton offer a fabulous launch-pad. They realised early on it is all about contact time with young players so the club hooked up with the Harris Academy Greenwich near Sparrows Lane. The players could study nearby, get into training quickly and the club liaise closely with the school over their education and conduct. Avory and his coaches would talk to the teachers about how the players were doing, and also how they focused Konsa’s huge energy and exuberance. Charlton’s commitment to the pastoral care of their young players is one of the many reasons why parents trust them with their talented offspring. please log in to view this image With a respectful nod to Gomez and Konsa, Ademola Lookman is Charlton’s most famous academy graduate at work at the moment. Avory and his coaches took great pride watching Lookman’s hat-trick to win the Europa League final with Atalanta last May. Goals two and three were strikes from distance - very much Lookman’s trademark at The Valley. So many others have come through, including Joe Aribo, who posted an emotional message to the club when leaving for Rangers. He thanked Avory and the academy coaching staff “for developing my game, a special credit to all the academy coaching staff who do an amazing job bringing through young players”. Two coaches who backed him and picked him were also mentioned. “I’m forever thankful to Marcus Gayle and Jason Euell for showing belief in my ability.” Aribo did well for Southampton at Old Trafford last night before going off with the visitors leading 1-0. The West Brom defender, Semi Ajayi, came through the academy at Charlton. So did his team-mate Karlan Grant. So did Luton Town’s wing-back Alfie Doughty. So many. Parker’s brother-in-law Harry Arter, who went on to play with distinction for Bournemouth and 19 times for the Republic of Ireland, was there. Not all progress all the way through the academy. George Boyd, who played for Scotland, was released at 15. Jordon Ibe, who played for Liverpool, was released at 12. But the success rate of Charlton’s academy is admirable, and deserves better financial compensation when their players do head on to greener pastures than Sparrows Lane. ** please log in to view this image LIKE please log in to view this image COMMENT please log in to view this image RESTACK ©
Here’s how our U21s line-up for this afternoon's clash against Cardiff City: Reid; Watson, Hunter (c), Laqeretabua; Hobden, Kedwell, Huke, Fullah, Enslin; Casey, Dixon Subs: MacLorg, Valentine, Dawkins, Mwamba, Wales It looks like Tennai Watson is back. Hopefully in time to ship him out. I will be watching this on Charlton TV
Enjoyable game to watch, plenty of pacy counterattacks from both sides. I'd like the commentator to say the players' names more.
Have you spotted any gems today Dicky ? According to Methven, they are going to fund his business model for the next 4 seasons
There are a number of very good players in the U21s Enslin, Casey, Kedwell, Huke, Hunter, Bower., Fullah. Dixon is also an excellent player at this level. The difficulty is doing it at first team level.
Here’s how our U21s line-up in this afternoon’s PDL2 fixture against Ipswich Town: Reid; Laqeretabua, Mitchell, Hunter (c); Hobden, Huke, Kedwell, Fullah, Enslin; Casey, Dixon Subs: Sadler, Bower, Mwamba, Wales, Cann
3-0 up at half time. But according to Reams we have a poor set of U21s Goals from Dixon, Casey and Huke.
