The start of something exciting and new

Covering Charlton Athletic has brought success, failure and ownership craziness

Hello. My name is Rich Cawley and I’m from the South London Pre…..er no, scrap that. Sorry, force of habit.

I’m Rich Cawley, a journalist, and I cover Charlton Athletic. It’s bloody good fun and I don’t, despite being made redundant after the South London Press went into voluntary liquidation, want to let that go.

So my plan, if you can call it that, is to give something a go that I’ve been toying with for quite some time. Previously it would have been in direct conflict - and in breach of my contract - to do so. Now I’m a bit like Tennai Watson or Chuks Aneke - a free agent - just without the football skills or same kind of financial rumuneration.

First, a little bit of background.

I returned for my second stint with the SLP in March 2007. My first game back took me to Turf Moor - a 1-1 draw between Crystal Palace and Burnley. Now, a confession, my brain can be a bit foggy at times - especially when it comes to scorelines and goalscorers. But I remember one. Clinton Morrison scored for the Eagles and Ade Akinbiyi levelled.

The 18 years with the SLP have been a blast. I was also at the paper in the late 1990s when Charlton had reached the Premier League for the first time under Alan Curbishley. The Covered End was only one tier back then and had the company’s name along with The Mercury, a sister title, emblazoned across the roof. That was back in the days when papers were still in their pomp. The SLP had even ended up as the official front of shirt sponsor for Millwall when another company pulled out.

But life - and technology - move on. Papers - whether they be local, regional or national - have all seen their influence and ability to make money seriously tested. And eventually that has brought down one of the publications that had been a powerhouse.

During my time covering Charlton for the SLP, I’ve dealt with a lot of football managers, interviewed hundreds of players as well as owners. Roland Duchatelet only did one sitdown with media in the UK and that was with our publication. I had a fair few more conversations with Thomas Sandgaard, who did not shun the limelight like his Belgian predecessor did.

At certain points it has got a little crazy. Range Rovers, b***ches and the Addicks lurching towards the brink of oblivion due to a disgraceful and shambolic ownership situation.

I’ve reported on promotions - as champions and twice through the play-offs. There have also been relegations and a soul-draining stay in England’s third tier which is thankfully over.

It was typical of Chris Powell’s class that he took to X/Twitter when he heard the SLP had closed down to post a supportive message. SCGRP (Sir Christopher George Robin Powell) is just one of the nicest people you could hope to meet. Both Powelly and Lee Bowyer have been my favourite Charlton bosses I’ve dealt with. In saying that, Karl Robinson and Russell Slade were very decent blokes too - although neither managed to win the approval of the fanbase.

Picture: Keith Gillard

Maybe to do that you need to be Charlton. Powelly, Bow and Johnnie Jackson - all Charlton. Nathan Jones cut his coaching teeth with the club and had an excellent reputation for the job he did with their U21s. All of them enjoyed support from the word go. Three of them delivered promotions and you can make the argument that Jacko did not get a fair shot at delivering success.

At the opposite end of that spectrum you had Karel Fraeye, gone before you had time to put his contact details into your phone.

And then there is the talent that the Addicks have sold. I’ve reported on all of them - Ademola Lookman, Joe Gomez, Ezri Konsa and Nick Pope. That’s just for starters and off the top of my head. The academy has continued to pump out youngsters that have gone on to shine in the first-team. The latest of those is Tyreece Campbell, a crucial part of the side and one who attracted interest in the January transfer window. The decision to rebuff those approaches - despite it being in seven figures - proved to be a sound one.

It feels fitting that the end of my time with the SLP saw me witness Charlton win at Wembley…again. I was there when Patrick Bauer scored in the final seconds to send Bowyer’s side up. Macaulay Gillesphey’s winner came far earlier but did little to settle the nerves.

Picture: Keith Gillard

Charlton are back in the big time. Not the Premier League big time. But having split my employment largely between covering clubs in the Championship and League One, the difference in quality is marked.

You only need to contrast the fixtures. The Addicks will face Leicester, Southampton, Sheffield United and renew their local rivalry with Millwall. It sure beats Stevenage, Burton and Exeter.

I’m excited, and a little bit scared, at this next step. I’ve got loads of ideas. But that does’t mean there hasn’t been sleep-disrupted nights. I’d love to do all this for free but it simply isn’t possible. I’ve got a family - two teenage kids - and bills to pay. Hopefully you will decide, whether now or in the future, that it is something worth backing.

Over the many years in my previous job I’d like to think I had a reputation for being credible and accurate. That is still the aim. I also used to tend to get my fair share of exclusives. I’m not going to promise for one second that I’m going to be first on anything - let alone everything - but I’ll try to write with the same duty of care.

Thanks for reading.

Rich