Decent and reasonably well-researched write up.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/football-league-blog/2011/aug/21/charlton-chris-powell
Charlton Athletic have come a long way in five years – a long way down. On 23 August 2006 they played Manchester United, the second of seven defeats in their first eight league games. That was the beginning of the descent. On Saturday in League One Scunthorpe United reminded them how far back it is. Charlton were 2-0 up before the hour and on course to maintain their 100% league record, only for Scunthorpe to get back to 2-2. To make matters worse the second goal came in the 91st minute.
Sheffield United, with a similar record, also led then drew, allowing MK Dons to spring above both on goal difference. Chris Powell, Charlton's manager since January, was sanguine. "We haven't lost yet," he said. "We can take pride in that."
But he admitted: "We have to see games out. You want to play higher but naturally tend to defend what you've got." To prove it and maybe his inexperience he went from 4-4-2 for 80 minutes to 4-5-1 (with Jason Euell for Paul Hayes), then virtually 5-5-0 in added time (with Gary Doherty for Bradley Wright-Phillips). Scunthorpe, never outplayed, knew they were on to a good thing and Bobby Grant, scorer of their first, showed with his equaliser there was another fire in The Iron. "He's been bang on it in training," said his manager, Alan Knill. "We've tried to calm him down."
"I must applaud Scunthorpe for playing their part in a very good game," said Powell. As a left-back for nearly 25 years, including three spells at Charlton which yielded five caps under Sven-Goran Eriksson, he earned a reputation that led to chairmanship of the Professional Footballers' Association. As he prepared last year to move from pitch to dugout he lamented the game's loss of "humility and integrity". Back at The Valley he is unlikely to see the riches that have taken players "out of touch with the common man".
Charlton, who owe their existence and home to the common man after a seven-year exile from 1985, take pains to keep in touch. "In signing 16 players this summer we've had to take wage capping into account," explains the chief executive, Stephen Kavanagh, to fans. At this level none cost anything worth disclosing. Fewer left on the same basis, though Carl Jenkinson went to Arsenal for £1m.
Danny Hollands, from Bournemouth, stood out in a bright midfield until collective legs went. His crisp cross laid the second goal on Wright-Phillips's head, his third of the season. The first followed a free-kick, Johnnie Jackson heading in.
Charlton have known false dawns before. Two seasons ago, in their first attempt to get back to the Championship with Phil Parkinson, they kicked off with six wins but finished fourth. They were fifth last January when Powell succeeded him, starting with four wins before four defeats and only two more wins in the last 19 games, but Powell can take heart from Parkinson's experience: he was engaged in 2008 after eight matches as caretaker without a win. Charlton recognise false dusks, too, as well as good men when they have them. They have learned the lesson of snap appointments that followed the Curbishley years. Powell starts in credit.
He and they value community and communication and should see a 15,505 crowd as due reward, matching last season's average. So was a letter Powell received from a lady in Coventry, who was "horrified" to find Charlton on a summer training camp in Spain sharing the hotel where she customarily spends quiet family holidays. "I am writing to congratulate your team on their behaviour and general politeness – so totally opposite to the reports generally applied in the tabloids," she wrote.
Powell had his own words about the riots which forced postponement of Charlton's Carling Cup match against Reading. "We shouldn't underestimate the role we can play in our community. I want all our fans and everyone connected with Charlton to do their bit," he said. The match is now being played on Tuesday. Charlton will have no fear of penalties and every hope of a marriage made in heaven with Powell
Comments
Not everyone will think it's important, but I do take pride in the comment about the players being well behaved in the hotel. I might see things through rose tinted glasses, but I do associate Charlton with decency.
I bet the woman from Coventry is glad Dennis Wise didn't become our manager. He would probably have glassed her while she was queuing for thebuffet.
Just read this. The very last comment is well worth reading. Is by someone called Brasilbranch.
Ah Chris Powell. The great Lost Player. I wanted him to play in my team back home, he is a good mate of one of our boys. Just wanted to see how good a supposedly 'ordinary' (in the nicest sense) top level player would look alongside us.
Chris Powell:
They had one of those on the Saturday morning phone-in, probably Danny Kelly. The deal was The Nicest Man in Football.
A Charlton fan called up and spoke for quite a while with them. There wasn't much point taking any more calls on the subject after this one.
This guy and his wheelchair-using son were regulars at Charlton, and knew Chris Powell from all his sterling community work at The Valley. They were making the trip especially to see Chris make his debut for England at Villa Park. At some point on the train journey up to Birmingham, our boy got a phone call. From Chris Powell, asking them if they were ok, on the way, with the tickets for the disabled section etc. (I have this image of this kid on the train, talking to other football fans, and saying how they knew the new England left-back. People indulging the fairy stories, then his phone ringing and him telling them 'It's Chris Powell! Yeah, yeah, ok Chris... see you at the match... yeah... bye! Oh... and good luck! Too late, he's gone' and nobody believing him at all).
So they got in the stadium, watched the first half, cheered when Chris Powell made his England debut, and then wondered where he was for the second half. He'd been subbed at half time, then as the second half started, they saw him making his way through the disabled section. He found them, said hello, spoke about the game with them, then gave his brand new, freshly soiled England debut shirt as a present to the boy. Called them on the way back home as well to make sure they were ok.
Brings a tear to your eye, doesn't it.
God bless him and all who sail in him, I hope he becomes the best manager that Charlton or anyone else have ever had.
Great Article , says a lot about the man , really hope he does well with us.
Thought the story about Powell on his England debut speaks volumes of the man.
A down to earth, genuine bloke.
Top stuff.