Former Charlton skipper Andy Reid will be supporting the Addicks from afar when they take on near neighbours Crystal Palace.
After sealing a £4m switch to Sunderland on transfer deadline day, the 25-year-old schemer would like nothing better than a derby win against the Eagles on Friday night (7.45pm).
"Whenever I get off the pitch now I'm playing for Sunderland, the Charlton result will be the first one I look for," said the Irishman.
"It's a fantastic club and I don't see any reason why the players and the staff can't go on and win promotion whatever way that will be. And it will be nice to keep that momentum going with a good win over Crystal Palace on Friday."
Reid revealed he was surprised at the speed of his move to Wearside, but admitted the lure of a return to the Premier League was too good to turn down.
"I went up on Wednesday and spoke to Roy Keane, and we took it from there," he explained.
"Sunderland are a massive club and it was a chance to play in the Premier League, which is the place to be.
"And such is the nature of the way finances are in football at the moment when you get relegated from the Premier League, you have to look at the bigger picture - and part of the bigger picture was getting the money for me.
"While I was sad to be leaving Charlton - because it's a great club that has always been good to me - it was too good an opportunity to turn down."
Reid joined the Addicks in summer 2006 from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal that ultimately amounted to £2.812m after ex-head coach Iain Dowie ended his frustrating spell at White Hart Lane.
The Dublin-born midfielder had made his mark at Nottingham Forest before moving south in an £8m double deal with Michael Dawson in January 2005.
He made 27 appearances in a season and a half with Spurs, scoring once, and during a similar spell in SE7 he featured 40 times, scoring on eight occasions.
Reid's persistent hamstring injury in the second half of last season restricted him to just one game under Pardew, and left him to watch on from the stands as the Addicks lost their top-flight status.
And no one will ever know if Charlton would have stayed up had the midfielder been able to contribute to the survival bid.
Reid returned fitter, stronger and more influential this season, skippering a new-look side and netting six times in 23 appearances before a knee injury, sustained at West Bromwich Albion in what proved to be his last Addicks outing in mid-December, consigned him to the treatment room.
Now he has joined the Black Cats' battle for survival, and he reflected: "It is a bit of a reversal. Last season, if I had been fit, I would have given anything to try to help Charlton stay up.
"And in the summer while I was recuperating and getting ready for pre-season, everyone around the club and the training ground were so great to me."
Working with Sunderland boss Keane, a man with whom he once shared the international midfield stage, was also a big factor, but Reid had nothing but praise for former boss Pardew and the Charlton team.
Andy continued: "The manager was great with me, even when I was injured last year. He helped me an awful lot and was a big factor in me getting back to the level of performances I got to.
"Obviously I'm sad to leave, because they are a great bunch of lads and I loved every second of playing with them and my time at Charlton."
Reflecting on the Addicks fans, Reid, who always enjoyed a special relationship with the Valley faithful, added: "I enjoyed my time there and was proud to play for the club.
"Unfortunately, things didn't work out the way I wanted, but although I didn't get to finish the job at Charlton, I hope the fans realise the opportunity was too good to turn down.
"However, I genuinely hope the club get promoted and do well. It's a fantastic club, and it will be great to see the name of Charlton back in the Premier League next season."
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Comments
Let's hope the players who are left behind realise it - this game could get the fans onside and the team on the up. It's not a must-win at this stage but I really think it's a pivotal moment in our season.....
If he was prepared to stay then we should never have sold him. That decision could really come back and bite us in the arse if we don't get promoted.
I remember his reaction to the win at shitehurst, top bloke!!
Didn't have to take the £3.25 + add-ons & I'd much rather have Reidy to push for automatic promotion and get £40million + next year in the Prem than have the money in the bank and get £10m in paracute payments next season by not getting into the top six.
Yes, its that simple.
It's all about money but a bit of fair play from the player doesn't hurt.
Now waiting for Alex Song to come back to the club. Get knocked out Cameroon
Except I am even more gutted now about him going :-(
think we all (included him) wished it had turned out different
but heh, I have a great picture of himself & me (oh & my best bud) presenting him mom, so I got to meet him in the end
good on ya Reidy, enjoy the craic & you'll always have a hearty welcome in the Killer household!
dont a lot of players say this stuff do teh really mean it ?
Do they really give 2 hoots
Normally I would agree with you but the look on that players face at the end of the Palace away & Southampton Away games celebrating with the fans leave me in no doubt he loves Charlton.
Now waiting for Alex Song to come back to the club. Get knocked out Cameroon[/quote]
Your wish is not granted I'm afraid - went through against Ghana last night.
Did anyone else see Bikey push the stretcher man over and get sent off? Really weird. Also looked like the stretcher man was about to push the Cameroon physio over before Bikey got to him.......what the hell was going on there?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3ptEXSTB_4
:)
missed the earlier game unfortunately, but that later game was quite funny that last goal was superb, and drogba did an'arf look p'd off :-)
Like any human being? If someone offerd me 3x my salary at another firm I'd be off, no questions asked.
I'm sure there are many other differences between footballers and human beings..
:D
What colour is the sky on your planet?
LOL