Review of the week: Dykes hoping for Bristol City contract, Bolder and Solly react to Hall of Fame inclusion, Charlton boss Jones happy with Maribor runout and defender makes non-league move
Konsa part of England team as they progress to World Cup semis and Gunter joins Oxford United's backroom staff
It’s time for the Charlton Athletic review of the week.
This update includes details on the Addicks’ pre-season friendly against Maribor in Slovenia on Friday and the Hall of Fame event which took place at The Valley on Wednesday.
Plus there are details on some former Charlton players securing their next moves and Ezri Konsa helping England to the World Cup semi-finals.
Lyndon Dykes celebrates scoring against Bristol City in early April/Picture: Paul Edwards
Sharp-eyed spot shows Dykes has other plans
It’s been radio silence on the club future of Lyndon Dykes since the end of last season.
What we do know is that Charlton Athletic had offered the Scotland international, a free agent after his short-term deal expired on July 1, fresh terms.
But Dykes now appears to be on trial with Bristol City.
How do we know? Well, one of the perils these days of trying to keep new faces in a squad under wraps is that they only have to creep into the background of some video footage for a split second and a supporter will, more often than not, identify them.
That happened this summer with Nathan Redmond, who is on trial with the Addicks and has played in their opening two friendly matches.
Now Dykes has been caught on camera.
“Bristol City fans are convinced they’ve signed a Scotland star after training ground footage sparked a massive social media frenzy,” reported The Scottish Sun, not sparing the hyperbole.
City players were being stopped before a training session to get their predictions ahead of England’s match against Norway on Saturday night and Dykes appeared in shot for just a split second.
The 30-year-old scored for Charlton against Bristol City in early April at The Valley but the visitors, playing their first match under new boss Roy Hodgson, won 2-1.
Dykes netted three times in 20 appearances for the Addicks.
Leaburn nets in Maribor
Charlton drew 1-1 with Maribor in their friendly on Friday.
We recorded a post-match pod discussing the game which can be found here.
The Addicks once again named two completely different sides for each half. Goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski and midfielder Karoy Anderson, the subject of transfer interest from Blackpool, played their first minutes of pre-season at the Stadion Ljudski vrt (below).
It’s very hard to pick much out of a friendly, particularly when Charlton still have another four matches before they play a competitive fixture, the EFL Cup tie at Cheltenham on August 8.
Yet again it was a back four in both halves and looked to be a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Miles Leaburn put the visitors into a 50th-minute lead, the striker converted first time from Tyreece Campbell’s left-wing cross.
Isaac Tshipamba levelled up the score 10 minutes from the end as he raced onto a dinked ball over the Addicks backline and beat Will Mannion.
“It was an excellent runout,” Charlton boss Nathan Jones told the club’s X account. “They start their league season next week, so they are considerably ahead of us in their pre-season.
“We’ve had a wonderful week here (in Slovenia). No injuries. Everyone has come through it. People like Josh Edwards, Micah (Mbick), (Matty) Godden and Doc (Greg Docherty) are all closer to being back.
“We wanted a good test. Every week will be a different test - a more physical test. This was a technical test because they are a very good European side.”
Charlton are back in friendly action at Gillingham on Saturday (3pm).
Charlton Hall of Fame
South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition went to the Hall Of Fame event held in Charlton Museum.
Mordor would probably have been a cooler location.
My car’s temperature gauge kept increasing as I drew closer to SE7 and it was just as hot as I feared inside the room. It was a case of sweating more than Leicester City’s accountants looking at their financial figures after back-to-back relegations.
There were four inductees into the Hall of Fame. Billy Kiernan (pre 1955), Bob Bolder (1956-1990), Chris Solly (1991-present) and Kim Dixson (women’s team).
Sols, who played 313 first-team matches for Charlton, has agreed to do an in-depth interview with us on The Stack but I still had a brief chat with the former right-back.
“It’s a real honour,” he said. “I was looking at the names on the board - to join them now is a really proud moment.
“I’ve pretty much been a one-club man, even though I know I ended it with three years as a player-coach in non-league after I left here. Loads more good memories than bad memories.
Chris Solly breaks forward against Fulham in 2019 at Craven Cottage/Picture: Paul Edwards
“The bad memories almost go into the role I’m in now, to help me to understand what players might be going through.
“It’s so hard to pick one moment or one game as a highlight, because there were so many good ones, but probably the first year when we got promoted in the 2011-12 season. The lads we had, the management staff….everything we had was just so enjoyable. We won most weeks and broke the record for the points total.”
Solly was twice voted Player of the Year by supporters in 2012 and 2013. He did the double in 2012, also lifting the Young Player of the Year award.
Ian Wallis, a trustee of the museum, told those in attendance that only one other Addicks player had won both accolades in the same year - Richard Rufus (in 1995).
“Someone did tell me that before,” said Solly, asked about that achievement. “I’ve never really looked back on personal accolades too much but when people read that out it makes you feel proud.”
Goalkeeper Bolder kindly agreed to stay around after proceedings to chat about his career and that will go out as a long read (and a pod too at some point).
Bolder, who made 296 appearances for the Addicks, said: “It’s marvellous (to be in the Hall of Fame). I know I’m appreciated by fans at Charlton but it’s nice to have that little bit of backing from people that still remember you.
“I’m one of four or five goalkeepers in it - Dean Kiely, Nicky Johns and obviously Sam Bartram. Whenever you get a bit of praise like that - you’re on the scoreboard so to speak - it is lovely.
“Two-thirds of my whole life have been spent here. It is 40 years this July that I’ve been at Charlton. Playing, coaching and stepping into the community trust and hospitality.
“There have been ups and downs over that period but we’re still here and looking well-balanced as a club now. Hopefully we can crack on this year.”
Winger Kiernan, who featured for England B in 1955, is one of only eight players to make more than 400 appearances for Charlton, playing for them between 1940 and 1960. He passed away two decades ago. Kiernan’s family flew in from Canada to attend the Hall of Fame induction.
Wallis said: “People who saw him play said that when he jumped it was like he was on a trampoline - scoring headers at the far post.”
Kiernan’s son Peter said: “It is well-deserved. The stats basically speak for themselves - 400 games, 100 goals, playing on the left wing, club captain and a one-club player.”
Wallis said: “The three names that have now been engraved on there bring us to 45 players. To put that in context, that is 45 players out of 1,023, the number of men who have played for Charlton first team since we became a Football League club in 1921.
“There are still some very good players who aren’t in there and the fun will be voting them in, year by year.
“If you look at the board, I don’t think you will find anyone on there that shouldn’t be on there.”
Kim Dixson at a Charlton photocall in 2020/Picture: Keith Gillard
Dixson, a former England U23 international, was in the Charlton side which won the 2015 Premier League Cup. She joined their Centre of Excellence as a nine-year-old and made her first-team debut at the age of 17, in 2005, and was part of the squad for the next 17 years.
“We talk about Keith Peacock being Mr Charlton and I think you are Mrs Charlton,” said Wallis.
If you haven’t checked out Charlton’s Museum, I would definitely recommend it. It is open every Friday (11am-2.30pm) and on a match day (11am-1pm) but entry is by appointment only outside those opening hours.
Katie Bradley on the ball against Leicester City in May/Picture: Keith Gillard
Bradley ‘sad’ after ending spell with Addicks
Katie Bradley has left Charlton Athletic Women.
The 24-year-old played 53 times for the Addicks and scored 13 goals.
Bradley played the full 120 minutes of Charlton’s play-off victory against Leicester City which took Karen Hills’ team into the top flight.
She scored four goals last season, three of them from the penalty spot.
“I’d like to wish Katie Bradley all the very best,” Hills told the club’s official website. “She has been instrumental over the past couple of seasons and has played a huge part in the club's success.
“Her impact has been unbelievable this season and helped Charlton Women secure promotion.
“Katie is a player who has set fantastic standards in training and on the pitch, played an integral role in our team, and I wish her all the best in her new adventure.”
Bradley posted a message on her Instagram.
“I’m sad to say my time at Charlton has come to an end. This has been a very hard decision and one that hasn’t been easy. Thank you to everyone who made my time special at the club, past and present players and staff.
”Through the highs and lows we stuck together. Achieving 27 WSL 2 games unbeaten was a huge achievement for the club. And ending with promotion to WSL1, which the fans and this team deserve. Your amazing support did not go unnoticed.”
The size of the challenge facing Charlton has been underlined by London City Lionesses landing Spanish star Alexia Putellas on a three-year contract.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner left Barcelona in May. Reports claim she is earning a base salary of just under £1million a year.
Lionesses are owned by US billionaire Michele Kang.
Gunter follows Ramsey to Oxford United
Former Charlton defender Chris Gunter has joined Aaron Ramsey’s backroom team at Oxford United.
Ramsey, who played for Arsenal and Wales, was appointed the U’s head coach in June.
Gunter, 36, retired from playing in 2023.
Ramsey told Oxford’s official website: “I’m delighted to bring Chris and Tom (Hutton) to the club to add to the already strong coaching staff we have in the building.
“Having worked closely with both, particularly Chris, I know the qualities they will bring. They’ll add fresh ideas, a huge amount of energy and an incredible attention to detail that will help drive us forward.”
Chris Gunter playing for Charlton against Plymouth in December 2020/Picture: Keith Gillard
Oxford announced earlier in the week that they had been placed under a transfer embargo by the EFL. They are not allowed to sign any players until the January transfer window.
Gunter signed for Charlton from Reading in October 2020 on a free transfer. He made 54 appearances during his two-year stay. The Addicks did not take up the option of an extra 12 months and the defender moved to AFC Wimbledon.
Urchins move for Inniss
Ryan Inniss has signed for Hornchurch following his recent release by Forest Green Rovers.
The defender played 64 times for Charlton before departing in the summer of 2023.
Urchins manager Daryl McMahon said: “We’ve managed to convince him that this project is one that he can buy into with the plan we have long term for the football club.
“We’re over the moon that he’s decided to join us. He’s had offers from other places.”
Hornchurch won the National League South play-off final in May. Ex-Addicks midfielder Rob Lee was appointed director of football in June.
Ryan Inniss has joined Hornchurch
Ty-me for a loan
Charlton’s teenage defender Ty Ewens-Findlay has signed a new 12-month contract and joined Crawley Town on loan. The full story is here.
World Cup semi-finals for Ez
Ezri Konsa was part of the England side which defeated Norway 2-1 to reach the last four of the World Cup.
The Three Lions will face Argentina next on Wednesday evening in Atlanta.
Konsa had played every minute for his country at the tournament before Saturday’s quarter-final but was substituted for Morgan Rogers in the 88th minute.
The former Charlton Athletic defender has 26 caps. He played at right-back against Norway, shifting across due to Jarell Quansah’s suspension.
Informative update as ever I too loved the Leicester City line Thanks Rich
Exceptional as always, however the line about sweating more than a Leicester City accountant should be lauded throughout the land.