Nathan Jones responds to Ashley Young's 'cup final' Addicks celebrations at Ipswich, Berry closing in on major goal milestone, Lockyer back with the Gas and Carson retires
The latest review of the week - a round-up of Charlton Athletic news
You know the drill by now, it’s another review of the week in terms of Charlton Athletic news.
Here we look back at the past seven days - including a standout victory at Championship pre-season title favourites Ipswich Town.
Ashley Young tracks Charlton striker Isaac Olaofe in Tuesday’s match
Picture: Kyle Andrews
JONES: WE DIDN’T OVER-CELEBRATE AT IPSWICH
Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones launched a vigorous defence of his side’s post-match celebrations at Ipswich Town after Ashley Young claimed it was “like they’d won a cup final”.
The veteran, 40, made the comment in an interview with BBC Suffolk following the Addicks’ 3-0 victory at Portman Road on Tuesday.
“You saw the way Charlton were celebrating after the game like they’d won a cup final and for many teams that’s what it’s going to be like [against us],” said Young, who has won the Premier League and Serie A with Manchester United and Inter Milan respectively.
Jones was asked about Young’s comments on Saturday following the 1-1 draw against Hull City.
“Ashley Young is an experienced guy and has had a fantastic career,” said the Welshman. “I’m sure when he had a result against the likes of Man City, or whatever, he was pretty happy.
“I don’t think we over-celebrated. We celebrated with our fans - it’s what we do.
“We didn’t go and do a lap of honour, we didn’t do the Conga or the Mexican Wave around Portman Road.
“Bear in mind it is a big, big win - a big, big win. They have come down from the Premier League and we have come up from League One, so put a bit of context on it.
“I’ve got massive respect for Ashley. Huge. Wonderful player.
“Having a pop at us….we have a fraction of their budget - probably a tenth of their budget. If you multiply their budget by 10 it will probably be £300-400m, which would mean them winning the Champions League final. They would be playing against a Juventus or Bayern Munich and they would be celebrating.
“If he thought we over-celebrated I apologise. We didn’t. We just enjoyed the fact we beat probably the best team in the league.”
Luke Berry shoots at Hull City
Picture: Kyle Andrews
BERRY’S INSTINCTS PAY OFF
Luke Berry edged a step closer to the milestone of 100 career goals with his 97th in Charlton Athletic’s 1-1 draw at Hull City.
The 33-year-old attacking midfielder chested the ball in from two yards out from a James Bree corner to secure a point for the south Londoners.
The post-match pod - containing an interview with Berry - can be found here.
“I know Breezy whips a good ball in and that Miles [Leaburn] is winning his fair share of headers, so I thought I would go around the back,” said Berry, who has netted 10 times in 51 appearances for the Addicks. “Thankfully he flicked it and I just chested it in.
“I’d had a couple of little half-chances before, one that just went over. We were pinning them in and they were trying to counter on us.
“Seven points from nine is a great return, especially with the away games that we’ve had. Hull and Ipswich are two top teams in the league, in terms of how they are doing.”
Saturday was only Berry’s second league appearance of the Championship campaign. He is competing for the advanced position behind the strikers with Sonny Carey and Harvey Knibbs.
“Sonny is fantastic,” said Berry. “It was a great goal the other day [at Ipswich] and he is contributing all the time. All I can do is try my best every time I get on the pitch.”
South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition asked Jones if there was anyone better than Berry for the late chance to fall to.
“Absolutely not,” said the Addicks chief. “It is what he does. It is why I’ve given him 10 contracts since I’ve known him. It is why I trust him with my life.
“He’s been unlucky because we’ve had Knibbsy and Sonny Carey. We’ve got three midfield players that find pockets and opportunities to score goals. You can’t teach that, he does it naturally. It is why I love him and put so much emphasis on bringing him to the football club.
“He was injured towards the end of last season and it curtailed his play-off final. But you look at his goals at Barnsley and Wycombe - he’s top for me.”
Picture: Keith Gillard
HUTTON WINS AWARD BUT SKEELS SIDELINED FOR MONTHS
Jodie Hutton has scooped the WSL 2 Player of the Month for October.
The 24-year-old wing-back joined Charlton Athletic in July 2024.
Hutton scored all three of the Addicks’ goals this month. She bagged both in a
2-0 victory over Sunderland then converted a free-kick against Sheffield United.
Kiera Skeels is expected to miss the next 12 weeks of the season after undergoing ankle surgery.
The 23-year-old, capped 12 times by England at U23 level, suffered the injury against Sunderland.
Charlton resume their WSL 2 campaign on Sunday against Birmingham City.
Picture: Kyle Andrews
FRUGAL TICKET ALLOCATION FOR WREXHAM
Charlton Athletic have only received an allocation of 1,293 tickets for their Championship match at Wrexham on November 8.
They went on restricted sale on Wednesday.
Charlton’s record against the Welsh club on the road is not the best. Their only victory there in eight matches came on December 28, 1974. It was a 3-0 success with Keith Peacock (two) and Colin Powell on target.
The Addicks lost 3-0 at the STōK Cae Ras in late April to kill off any hopes they had of a top-two finish in League One.
MILLWALL NEXT UP FOR TABLE-TOPPING ADDICKS
A south London derby at Millwall’s training ground awaits Charlton’s U21 side on Tuesday - and they will head to Calmont Road leading the way in the Professional Development League South standings.
The Addicks defeated Watford 3-1 on Tuesday afternoon to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight matches.
Ethan Brown, Henry Rylah and Reuben Amissah scored for Chris Lock’s side.
The match against the Lions is a 1.30pm kick off.
LEABURN ‘BUZZING’ AFTER FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP GOAL
Miles Leaburn was very happy on Tuesday night, as well you might expect after he scored in Charlton Athletic’s 3-0 victory at Ipswich Town.
It was a milestone moment for the 21-year-old forward as he got on the scoresheet in the Championship for the first time.
Leaburn headed in Tyreece Campbell’s cutback to round off the scoring in East Anglia. It was his first goal since the EFL Cup win over Stevenage at The Valley in August.
Leaburn has 32 goals in all competitions for Charlton.
“The second half was incredible from the team,” he told South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition not long after the full-time whistle at Portman Road. “They were on top of us a lot in the first half but we managed to weather it.
Miles Leaburn
Picture: Kyle Andrews
“Then we scored three goals within a few minutes. The momentum completely shifted. It looked like it was the first half - we were so fresh and ready to give it our all.
“I’ve gone a bit of time without scoring in the league. To get it (a first Championship goal) I am buzzing. Everyone in my family was working but I’m sure they will have been watching on TV. When I look at my phone my mum, dad and sister will be blowing me up. It’s amazing.
“My season has been alright. I’ve had good performances, it’s just that finishing touch. Hopefully from here I can keep going, get some more goals and do what needs to be done when I’m called upon.”
Leaburn says the rivalry between the forwards is a friendly one as he competes for a spot against Charlie Kelman, Isaac Olaofe and Tyreece Campbell.
“Everyone is so supportive of each other,” he said. “Me, Chaz, Tants and TC, we’re all encouraging each other and praying we do well. It’s about the team and not individuals.”
The post-match pod from Portman Road can be heard here.
Bristol Rovers announce the return of Tom Lockyer on their X account
LOCKYER DEAL
Former Charlton Athletic defender Tom Lockyer has rejoined Bristol Rovers.
The 30-year-old Welsh centre-back was released by Luton Town in the summer.
Lockyer has been cleared to resume playing after suffering cardiac arrest in a Premier League fixture against Bournemouth in December 2023.
Lockyer signed for the Addicks in June 2019 after his contract with the Gas had expired. But he then activated a relegation release clause after Lee Bowyer’s side lost their Championship status the following season.
“Obviously I’ve been training here for a while and I’ve tried not to think too much about it or get too excited about the ifs, buts and maybes,” Lockyer told Rovers’ official website.
“But as soon as I knew that Darrell [Clarke, Bristol Rovers head coach] wanted to get something done, it was easy for me to then make a decision about coming back home.
“It is so hard to explain but it’s everything I’ve worked so hard for over the last two years.
“Hopefully I can have many, many more good memories in a football shirt. I’m going to celebrate the little wins back on a football pitch and I just want to enjoy it. I wouldn’t be doing this otherwise.
“I’m doing this because I love playing football and I’ve got that massive desire to play football again, and what better place to do that than back home at Bristol Rovers.”
CARSON HANGS UP THE GLOVES
Scott Carson, a one time Charlton Athletic loanee goalkeeper, has retired.
The 40-year-old joined the south Londoners at the start of the 206-07 Premier League season.
Carson made 38 appearances for Charlton, 36 of those in the top-flight and won their Player of the Year award.
“After an incredible journey between the posts, it’s time to hang up the gloves,” said the former Manchester City, West Brom and Wigan Athletic player.
“Football has given me everything - memories, friendships, and moments I’ll never forget. Thank you to every team-mate, coach, fan, and club that’s been part of my ride.
“It’s been an honour.”
MAY SEES RED
Alfie May was sent off in Huddersfield Town’s 3-0 loss at Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.
The former Addicks striker, sold to Birmingham City in July 2024, was shown a straight red card for a late lunge on Fred Onyedinma. The League One match was 0-0 at the time.
May, 32, has scored twice this season for Huddersfield. He made the move from the Blues in the summer transfer window.
May kicked out at a metal gate as he headed towards the tunnel.
“The incident changed the game as we’re out of control in that moment and Alfie is out of control,” said Huddersfield boss Lee Grant. “If we can’t control our emotions we are going to find ourselves in these situations too often.”
Solid week! And another solid weekly update Rich! lol keep up the good work 👏
Naive questions? Who is textor? And who owned Charlton???