'He had his first Charlton Athletic kit at the age of two' - new signing Josh Hebert always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his grandad Keith Hayward
Winger, 18, had interest from Millwall, Coventry City and Hull City but Addicks were his number one choice
“I had tears when my daughter sent me photographs of him wearing a Charlton shirt that first time he played for them. If he ever walks out for the first-team then I’ll be an absolute wreck!”
Keith Hayward is a proud grandad after Josh Hebert signed for the Addicks last week. The 18-year-old winger, who had been with Dorking Wanderers, earned his deal after impressing on trial.
But South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition can reveal that Hebert has worn the club’s kit long before the south-east London side decided to run the rule over an exciting non-league talent.
Josh Hebert produces an acrobatic celebration after scoring for Charlton - this terrific picture was captured by Tom West
When Hebert completed his move to the Championship side, it was a case of history repeating itself.
His grandad has strong connections to the club too. Hayward was an apprentice with the Addicks and holds the record of being their youngest-ever goalkeeping debutant at the age of 17 years and 23 days, featuring in the old Second Division in December 1968.
Crawley-based Hayward also represented Charlton’s Ex-Players’ Association and is a member of Bromley Addicks. Before we caught up at the start of this week he sent me a picture of Hebert in a Charlton kit - aged two. Hayward took Josh and younger brother Connor to their first match at The Valley in December 2017.
Josh Hebert kicking the ball in Charlton colours and before a 2017 game with his grandad, mum Louise and sibling Connor
“My daughter Louise went out to live in America and she met her husband in California. Josh was born there. I thought I’d send out a football kit - of course the only one I was going to send over was the Charlton one,” Hayward told South London Sport.
