CHARLTON ATHLETIC

LAST SEASON

LEAGUE ONE 13th FA CUP Third Round

LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER Jayden Stockley ( 20)

FAN FILE

Last season was disappointing. After a promising end to 2020- 21, we had one of our worst starts to a campaign in history. We ended up in mid- table.

The big talking point is our new manager. We let club legend Johnnie Jackson go in May, then after almost a month of waiting, we appointed Swindon manager Ben Garner [ above].

Our key player will be Jayden Stockley if we can keep him. He’s donned the armband on numerous occasions and been one of our most important players. He’s a forward, yet has saved our skin countless times at the back and has the battling attitude we need. The active player I’d love to have

back is Joe Aribo. We miss midfield firepower and he had it in abundance in our last promotion season.

Our most underrated player is winger Charlie Kirk [ below]. He was one of Nigel Adkins’ most exciting transfers after signing from Crewe last summer, but didn’t hit the ground running. After an impressive loan spell at Blackpool, though, he could be one of our most exciting prospects this year. The opposition player who grinds my gears is Sheffield Wednesday’s main man, Barry Bannan. Since his tweet labelling Charlton’s relegation from the Championship in 2016 as “karma”, we Addicks haven’t quite let that go. The thing my club really gets right is making it clear that football is for everyone, and everyone is welcome at The Valley. We’ve partnered with anti- sexism campaign Her Game Too.

Look out for centre- back Deji Elerewe. The 18- year- old debuted last season and only played in three league games, but he already reminds me of a young Joe Gomez who plays beyond his years. The opposition player I’d love here is

Cole Stockton of Morecambe. We need a goal machine like him. The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is not formed yet – he’s had mixed reviews at past clubs Bristol Rovers and Swindon. Most are keeping an open mind. The pantomime villain will be Derby. I think the Rams will be League One’s ‘ we don’t want to play you’ team. I won’t be happy unless we finish in the top six. The play- offs are possible. We’ll finish an optimistic 6th.

FFT VERDICT 11TH

Owner Thomas Sandgaard wants a promotion push, but a squad rebuild is required. It may be hard for manager Garner to honour his chairman’s ambition in his first season, even with the additions of goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott and centre- back Eoghan O’connell.