Women remain top of table, Bree in running for award, Lockyer cleared to resume playing, Valley lease extended and Mbick impressing at Colchester
The latest review of the week - a round-up of Charlton Athletic news
Despite the international break there is still plenty of news for South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition to cover.
That includes updates on ex-Addicks including Johnnie Jackson, Tom Lockyer and Ezri Konsa.
Plus Micah Mbick is impressing on loan while Daniel Kanu collected a monthly award.
Charlton Athletic Women’s Jodie Hutton celebrates after scoring from a free-kick (below) to make the score 1-1 on Sunday afternoon at The Valley
Pictures: Keith Gillard
WOMEN SECURE HOME POINT
Charlton Athletic Women remained top of WSL 2 on Sunday afternoon after a 1-1 home draw against Sheffield United.
The result leaves the undefeated Addicks one point clear of Birmingham City. The top two play each other next, on November 2, at St Andrew’s.
Emma Taylor put the Blades ahead in the 37th minute before Jodie Hutton restored parity on the hour mark. Hutton has scored three goals in the last two matches.
Charlton had a free-kick at least 25 yards out and Hutton’s left-footed strike beat United goalkeeper Charlotte Parker-Smith.
Mia Ross was denied in the 82nd minute when her header was cleared off the goal-line by Ella Kinzett.
Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones
Picture: Kyle Andrews
DUO MISS OUT ON AWARDS
Nathan Jones and James Bree were nominated for Championship awards in September.
But neither ended up winning.
Jones was shortlisted for Manager of the Month yet he missed out despite his Charlton Athletic side taking the most points (eight) in the month out of any of the bosses in contention.
The award went to Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna. They collected seven points over that period and blitzed Sheffield United 5-0.
Charlton played one more match than the Tractor Boys, who they face at Portman Road on October 21, and were undefeated in September, recording back-to-back clean sheets at Sheffield United and home to Blackburn Rovers.
Julien Stephen (QPR) and Paul Heckingbottom (Preston North End) were also nominated.
Bree has had quite the impact since signing on loan from Southampton at the end of the summer transfer window.
The right wing-back scored two goals - one a very classy finish at Derby County - and matched that in terms of assists.
But Bree saw the Player of the Month award go to Hull City’s Oli McBurnie, who netted five times and collected one assist.
Also in the mix for the award were Sheffield Wednesday’s Barry Bannan and Ipswich’s Jaden Philogene.
BUT BREE MIGHT STILL WIN SOMETHING
James Bree is up for September’s Championship Goal of the Month but faces some fierce competition.
There is no disputing that his half-volley against Derby County at Pride Park was a thing of beauty.
James Bree scores against Derby County last month
Picture: Kyle Andrews
But there are some absolute bangers in the mix too from Oxford United’s Przemyslaw Placheta and Bristol City’s Anis Mehmeti - both of them rockets from outside the penalty area.
And then you’ve got an emphatic back post volley from Swansea City’s Goncalo Franco that is also in contention.
If you’re a neutral, it’s a bit of a dilemma.
But I’m not. I’ve voted for Bree - and you can do the same. The closing date for voting is 5pm today.
MBICK IMPRESSING COLCHESTER BOSS
Micah Mbick struck twice in Colchester United’s 2-1 win at Grimsby Town on Saturday - his second a quality lobbed finish over goalkeeper Christy Pym.
The 18-year-old Charlton Athletic forward is on loan with the League Two club although manager Nathan Jones told this website recently that they have the option of recalling any of their players in the January transfer window.
Mbick has three goals and one assist in six appearances for the Essex-based side.
Colchester United boss Danny Cowley said: “We had a good start. Payney [Jack Payne] plays Micah through and he doesn’t score, he just misses. You think how is he, at 18, going to cope, when a striker misses a chance.
“But I didn’t need to worry because the kid has got real substance and real minerals. He came to me afterwards and said: ‘I should have had three’. That tells me about his mentality. It’s a big reason why he is the player he is and is going to go on and have a really good career,
“His first touch for the second goal is brilliant but the second one is even better - as Christy Pym comes charging out, for him to have the presence of mind but also the quality to execute was great for us.”
Picture: Keith Gillard
VALLEY AND TRAINING GROUND LEASES EXTENDED
Charlton Athletic announced on Tuesday that they have extended the leases on The Valley and their Sparrows Lane training ground until 2040.
The previous agreement ran until 2035.
Former Addicks owner Roland Duchatelet still owns both sites. We discussed the latest development on last week’s podcast - including getting the thoughts of Voice of the Valley editor Rick Everitt.
Ed Warrick, chief financial and operations officer, told the club’s official website: “The support of our owners has been crucial in unlocking this agreement, and their commitment to the club’s long-term future has enabled us to reach this outcome.
“We remain focused on ensuring the club has the certainty and infrastructure necessary to achieve our long-term ambitions, and we’re grateful to the landlord for their constructive engagement in reaching this agreement.
“The Valley has been our home for generations and holds huge significance for the whole Charlton family. Similarly, Sparrows Lane is fundamental to our future, serving as the training base for both our men’s and women’s first-teams as well as home to our highly-regarded academy which continues to nurture exceptional young talent.
“As a club deeply rooted in our community, securing our long-term presence at both locations is a central strategic priority. This is a key step forward on that journey, and the immediate additional security provides a platform to continue investing in these facilities and planning for sustained success over the coming years and beyond.”
Tom Lockyer in action for Charlton in July 2020 against Reading
Picture: Keith Gillard
LOCKYER CLEARED TO RESUME PLAYING
Former Charlton Athletic defender Tom Lockyer is on the hunt for a new club after being given the green light to resume his career.
The 30-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest in Luton Town’s Premier League match against Bournemouth on December 16, 2023.
Lockyer had previously collapsed during the Hatters’ Championship play-off final against Coventry City.
“It’s been a long old road, it really has,” the 30-year-old told the Feast of Football podcast.
“But I’m delighted to say I’ve been cleared to play football again so obviously that’s amazing, just everything I’ve worked for ever since it [the cardiac arrest] happened.
“Everything looks good so I’m really, really happy.”
Lockyer made 43 appearances for Charlton Athletic in the Championship but their relegation meant he was able to activate a clause in his contract to join Luton in September 2020.
Lee Bowyer told the club’s website at the time: “I’m not surprised that someone has tried to take him. He did well for us last year and he wants to stay in and around the Wales squad with the Euros coming up next summer.
“The only thing that’s surprised me is that it’s taken this long for someone to try and take him.”
Daniel Kanu has a shot during Charlton’s pre-season friendly against Dartford in July
Picture: Keith Gillard
KANU COLLECTS AWARD
Daniel Kanu has been named the EFL’s Young Player of the Month for September.
The 20-year-old Charlton Athletic striker is on loan at Walsall and scored in three consecutive matches in that month - against Chesterfield, Fleetwood Town and Tranmere Rovers.
“I’m immensely proud of this achievement,” Kanu told Walsall’s official website.
“It reflects a number of things. The faith that my team-mates and the gaffer have to play me and start me in games. I thank God as well, without him none of this would have been possible.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunities that I’ve been blessed with and taking the opportunities that I’ve been given so I’m really happy to receive this award and that my goals have had an impact on games, helped us get points and pushed us up to where we are at this moment in time.
“It’s really good and I’ve really enjoyed my time here.”
QUARTET FEATURE IN JAMAICA’S WORLD CUP LOSS
Jamaica’s hopes of progressing in their World Cup qualifying campaign took a hit as they lost 2-0 at Curacao on Saturday - with all four Charlton players in their squad adding to their caps.
Tyreece Campbell and Amari’i Bell started for Steve McClaren’s side along with Wolves’ Dexter Lembikisa, who had a trial spell with the Addicks in pre-season.
Kaheim Dixon, on loan at Crawley Town, and Karoy Anderson made substitute appearances in the Group B defeat.
Jamaica are at home to Bermuda on Wednesday.
AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson
Picture: Kyle Andrews
JACKSON DEAL
AFC Wimbledon have taken up an option to extend Johnnie Jackson’s contract until the end of the 2026-27 season.
The former Charlton Athletic midfielder and captain led the Dons to League Two play-off final victory in May.
And Wimbledon have made a strong start to life back in England’s third tier. They are fifth in the table after a 1-1 home draw against Port Vale on Saturday.
Jackson took charge shortly after being sacked as Addicks boss by then owner Thomas Sandgaard in May 2002.
Assistant manager Terry Skiverton, also his number two at Charlton, and first-team coach Dave Reddington have extended their deals.
Jackson told the club’s website: “We just want to keep building.
“We want to keep pushing the club forward. We’ve had some success here already, but we don’t want to stand still, we’ll keep pushing forward and see where we end up.”
Jackson scored 55 goals in 279 matches for Charlton.
BONNE DROPS DOWN
Macauley Bonne has continued his drop down the divisions after signing for Maldon & Tiptree in the Isthmian North league.
The 29-year-old striker has been without a club since leaving Southend United at the end of last season.
The unbeaten Jammers are top of the table with 25 points from a possible 27.
Former West Ham United forward Freddie Sears scored the winner as they defeated Flackwell Heath on Saturday to reach the first round proper of the FA Cup. Bonne made his debut as a substitute.
Ipswich-born Bonne had two playing spells with Charlton.
Ezri Konsa playing for Charlton against Shrewsbury Town in August 2016
Picture: Keith Gillard
KONSA CAPPED AGAIN
Former Charlton Athletic academy product Ezri Konsa won his 15th England cap in their 3-0 win over Wales last week.
The 27-year-old played right-back for the full 90 minutes of the friendly at Wembley.
The defender made his debut for his country in March 2024.
Konsa needs just three more appearances to reach the milestone of 250 matches for Aston Villa. He recently went past 200 games played in the Premier League.
Konsa featured 86 times for Charlton before joining Brentford for an undisclosed fee in June 2018.
By that point he had already earned England U21 recognition at the south London club and been part of the U20 squad which won the World Cup at their age group.
Conor Coventry breaks forward against Blackburn Rovers
Picture: Paul Edwards
IRELAND ADD COVENTRY TO THEIR RANKS
Conor Coventry has received a late call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad for their World Cup qualifier against Armenia at the Aviva Stadium this week.
The Charlton Athletic midfielder was selected after Josh Cullen, a former loanee in SE7, returned to Burnley due to suspension.
The Irish FA announced on their X account that it was “initially hoped that Liam Scales would rejoin the squad but will remain unavailable for the fixture”.
Coventry, 25, has won 28 caps at U21 level for Ireland but is yet to make his senior debut.
The ex-West Ham United player has started all nine of Charlton’s Championship matches this season.
Ireland are bottom of Group F.
Splendid but no mention of the new small 'big screen' at the Valley?