Charlton Athletic review of the week - Addicks to honour Headphones Norm, Hernandez ranks Nathan Jones highly and ex-loanee Gilbert scores as Boro win big ahead of Valley trip
It’s the latest review of Charlton Athletic news from the past week.
Picture: Keith Gillard
ADDICKS WILL PAY THEIR RESPECTS
Charlton Athletic have issued a statement saying they are “devastated” at the passing of iconic fan Norman Barker during Saturday’s Championship match against Portsmouth.
The match was halted in the 12th minute at The Valley with Barker receiving medical attention.
At 1.30pm, an hour after kick-off, it was confirmed that the fixture had been abandoned.
The Addicks confirmed later in the day that Barker, who won Supporter of the Year in the summer, had passed away.
Charlton’s statement this morning said: “A true beacon of the Addicks faithful, home and away, Norman was affectionately known by fans as ‘Headphones Norm’ due to his distinctive look, which included a set of headphones either around his neck or in position listening to the latest results coming in, a vest with numerous Charlton and other football-related badges and patches on display and brilliant headwear such as his favourite ‘Davy Crockett’ hat, proudly emblazoned, of course, with his beloved club’s logo.
Picture: Paul Edwards
“Norman was a constant at every game up and down the country for 40 years, always supporting the Addicks through good times and bad with a smile on his face. His dedication to the club was recognised earlier this year as he was presented with the Colin Cameron Supporter of the Year award, receiving his accolade from men’s first-team manager Nathan Jones as part of the 2025 Hall of Fame event at the Charlton Athletic Museum in July.
“Charlton Athletic will honour Norman’s life when the club host Middlesbrough at The Valley on Tuesday evening. Further details on the tribute and how supporters can honour and celebrate Norman’s life will be shared in the next 24 hours.”
Club captain Greg Docherty posted on his X account at the weekend: “Absolutely devastating news… from all of the players at the club our thoughts are with his family and friends through this extremely difficult time.”
Former Charlton manager Dean Holden also took to social media. He said: “Devastating news to hear that Headphones Norm is no longer with us - my love and thoughts are with all his family and Charlton supporters.”
Stadium announcer Dave Lockwood penned his own words on the loss of Barker here.
Charlton Athletic Supporters’ Trust have said they will ensure “that there is a fitting and proper permanent memorial to Norm”.
HERNANDEZ: NATHAN JONES IS SECOND BEST COACH I’VE WORKED WITH IN MY CAREER
Picture: Paul Edwards
Onel Hernandez has rated Nathan Jones as the second-best boss he has played under during his career.
The winger has only worked with the Welshman for a little more than two months after arriving as a free agent at the end of September.
Prior to that the Cuban had been with Norwich City. And Hernandez talked about the Addicks when he was a guest on the TalkNorwichCity YouTube channel.
“I’m at a new place,” he said. “I try my best to help the club and bring a bit of experience.
“Before I went to Charlton I was training with Sheffield Wednesday but they are going through a lot of difficulties and for some reason it didn’t work out.
“Charlton knocked on the door. I spoke to Nathan Jones and he said: ‘I know you from playing against you. I like you as a player - show me what you’ve got’. He liked what he was seeing.
“It’s been amazing. They are building something. They are a very hard-working side with a lot of young talent that are very hungry for the next opportunity. It’s nice to compete with those guys as well.
“The manager is a very good guy. A lot of people have their own picture of him but he is very emotional and passionate. That is something I would be as a coach. He’s the kind of guy, similar to Jurgen Klopp, you would kill for him. He has a big heart for players.
“It is like a coach I never had in my life. If I made a list of them I would put [Daniel] Farke at the top and number two would probably be Nathan Jones, 100 per cent. Not just him - the whole staff are working hard.”
Hernandez is set to head back to Carrow Road on Boxing Day.
“I’m a Norwich City supporter but I play for Charlton - I want to win that game,” he said. “What do you think? I want the best for the club I play for at that moment.
“It would be nice for me to be back there and see everyone again. I wouldn’t celebrate (if I score). It’s not like Birmingham because I had a half-season on loan with them.
“I will try my best to win.”
Picture: Paul Edwards
BOGLE: PAINKILLERS MADE ME HAVE SUICIDAL THOUGHTS
Former Addicks striker Omar Bogle has revealed that an addiction to painkillers led to him having suicidal thoughts.
The 32-year-old opened up to Sky Sports about the issue.
Bogle started taking medication for a back fracture in 2024.
“I could not walk, could not really move, could not sleep,” he said. “When I did sleep, the pain would wake me up. The doctor gave me medication to help me sleep and take the edge off.
“I got addicted fast, and I probably didn’t realise how reliant I was. As time went on I was taking ridiculous amounts. It kept going up and up. Every few weeks I would add another one on top.
“I didn’t tell anyone, and I knew they would have advised me not to. I also knew players that did the same thing, so because this was the first time I had actively taken drugs off my own back to get through games or sleep or training, I thought it was normal.
“It changed me as a person. My decision-making was all over the place. I isolated myself from everyone. I would go home after training, close all the curtains, sit in the dark watching TV, be on my phone all day and not speak to anyone.
“I was in darkness, depressed, with suicidal thoughts. I do not think a day went by where I didn’t have suicidal thoughts.”
Bogle signed for Charlton in October 2020 on a one-year deal after leaving Cardiff City. He scored two goals in 17 matches before joining Doncaster Rovers in January 2021.
Alex Gilbert played in Charlton’s League One play-off final win over Leyton Orient/Picture: Keith Gillard
GILBERT SCORES AS BORO WIN BIG AHEAD OF TRIP TO SE7
Alex Gilbert was on target for Middlesbrough as they thrashed Hull City 4-1 on Friday night - with another away fixture next up at Charlton Athletic on Tuesday.
Gilbert spent the second half of last season on loan with the Addicks.
The 23-year-old made 12 League One appearances but only two of those were starts for the south Londoners.
Gilbert scored Boro’s second goal in their victory over the Tigers and also picked up an assist.
Kim Hellberg, recently appointed as Rob Edwards’ successor, included the midfielder after he impressed in training.
“He’s a very clever footballer and he’s very good at taking information quickly and adapting to that on the pitch,” said the Swede. “He’s good on the ball and in the duels. I’ve seen the good things he’s done in training and I gave him the opportunity today.
The last time Gilbert had played any senior minutes for Boro prior to last weekend was as a 81st-minute substitute in a 2-1 loss to Preston North End in late January.
Middlesbrough have won both matches since Hellberg took charge.
Mark Kinsella with the First Division play-off trophy/Picture: Tom Morris
WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED ON HERE IN THE PAST WEEK
ROUSSILLON START IN U21 CUP TIE
New signing Jerome Roussillon played the opening 45 minutes in Charlton Athletic’s 1-1 draw against Preston North End in the U21 Premier League Cup on Tuesday evening.
It was the defender’s first match action for the Addicks since signing on a short-term contract the previous week.
Roussillon, who had been a free agent after leaving Union Berlin in the summer, was replaced at the break by Bradley Tagoe.
“We probably would’ve been better off training - he would’ve got a higher workload, in terms of the intensity,” said Nathan Jones, who named Roussillon as a substitute in Saturday’s match against Portsmouth. “But he hasn’t played in a while, so we needed him to get some game minutes so he gets that muscle memory.
“We are pleased with how he is training and integrating. He was well behind physically when he came to the building, three or four weeks ago, now he is far closer. He is in a good enough position to be included in the squad and we can build from there.”
Paris Lock, the son of U21 boss Chris, opened the scoring for the Addicks early in the second period at Dartford’s Princes Park but it was cancelled out by Kacper Pasiek.
Charlton are back in Premier League Cup action on December 16 when they host Leicester City (7pm).
WOMEN STRETCH LEAD
Charlton moved five points clear at the top of WSL 2 after a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth on Sunday.
Second-placed Birmingham City lost 3-0 against Crystal Palace.
Karen Hills’ side went ahead in the fifth minute through Lucia Lobato but the hosts levelled before the interval.
Lucy Fitzgerald had an effort cleared off the line in first-half stoppage time with Elisha N’Dow denied in similar fashion in the 99th-minute of the match.
Charlton host Watford on Sunday in the FA Cup third round (2pm).
Picture: Kyle Andrews
REID RECALLED
Tommy Reid’s loan at Sutton United has ended.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper featured six times, five of them in the National League.
Reid was on the bench for one match before being recalled with first-choice stopper Jack Sims back fit after injury.
He had signed for Sutton at the end of October, linking up again with manager Chris Agutter, who had coached him in Brighton’s academy.
NEW ROLE FOR TEBBUTT
Jack Tebbutt has been appointed head of player wellbeing at Charlton Athletic.
He had previously been a freelance player care consultant after leaving Burnley in June 2023.
Tebbutt had three roles with the Clarets, initially starting in their academy set-up before rising to first-team player care lead.
He posted on LinkedIn: “This area is something I’m truly passionate about making a difference, supporting people, and helping them feel valued. I’ve always believed that everyone deserves a champion.
”I’m looking forward to building strong relationships with players and staff throughout the club, creating the right environment, and being part of a place that genuinely cares about the importance of player wellbeing.
”I’m grateful for the chance to keep mentoring, inspiring, and helping people become the best version of themselves, on and off the pitch.”
Tyreece Campbell scored in last season’s 4-0 FA Cup win at Walsall/Picture: Kyle Andrews
FA CUP DRAW TONIGHT
Now this isn’t really part of a review, so really this should go into reminders for the week (not something that is a thing) - but it is the FA Cup third round draw this evening.
Charlton are ball number 10.
The draw is set to take place around 6.40pm and can be watched on TNT Sports 1, discovery+ and TNT Sports YouTube channel. It will be made by Joe Cole and Peter Crouch.
The Addicks reached the third round last season after knocking out Southend United (4-3) and Walsall (4-0) on the road. The ‘reward’ was a long trip to Preston North End, Luke Berry netting in a 2-1 reverse at Deepdale.
The matches will be played on the weekend of Saturday January 10.