The season has certainly not gone to plan, that is obvious. But with any bad experience you can still take something out of it whether good or bad.
I have never boo'd the team off the pitch and what has been good is that (barring the officials) our support hasn't. Even when we have been up against it, outplayed/classed there has been nothing after the game to kick the lads when they are down. Seasons past I remember the boos would ring out after the final whistle and hopefully that will stay in the past. Ok maybe they haven't come off the pitch in rapturous applause but the feeling that must instill in a player is that we are still behind them.
The Academy aswell, it is making a massive difference. It has changed, and arguably, saved our season and our status as a Championship club. I used to find myself worrying about a youngsters debut for us as we went through a baron spell of producing quality, but now I'm feeling positive when any are in our match day squad.
That the owners have a plan, not an overnight success plan, but actually improving things which will help the club e.g. The pitch and training facilities.
Saying that I have renewed my season ticket so arguably still have a lot to learn! Onwards and upwards and keep the faith.
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No matter who the manager is, we will never beat Millwall.
No matter who the owner is, we will always sell key players in January.
Things can only get better
Obviously without investment that is unlikely to happen but we did bring in some players and I didn't expect to be rock bottom at any point.
Simon Church is a Boyce
Andy Hughes is Leeds pretending to be Charlton
That not investing in a playing squad over the summer leads to danger of relegation during the ensuring season.
That lack of investment in the playing surface will have a knock-on effect on the rest of the season.
That an FA Cup run is possible - but that it has a cost when you get 4 rescheduled games in a week and a half when you're struggling at the foot of the table.
That even managers you consider CAFC through and through have a finite lifespan in their role and will be let go.
That replacement managers (or to be more precise Head Coaches) can surprise even the most hardened of sceptics.
That players you had marked down as 'crap' turned out to deliver hat tricks and make you eat your words.
That the Captain wore his heart on his sleeve and brought the rest of the lads with him.
We also learned:
That some people are frightened of change, some want to embrace it and others are more philosophical - but never the less all would consider themselves "Charlton till I die".
That change has happened and we came out of the other side and most of us are smiling.
That the burgers, beer, tea and coffee inside the ground are still crap and overpriced (and we live in hope of Roland's match day experience review).
That CAFC has a future and it looks very much like the new owner wants to see us succeed. We just don't know all his plans as yet.
We knew some things already, but during the season we were reminded of some things that make us Charlton, and which are not about results, money, or indeed glory:
The wonderful moment when the Upbeats did their lap of honour. For five minutes it really was *their* pitch!
The third minute of the Huddersfield game when we gave thanks for Chris Powell but afterwards moved on and carried on supporting the club, players and the new head coach.
The silence held to remember those who died at Hillsborough, and the universal belief we share that no-one should go to a football game with their family or friends and not come home from it.
And, to echo the sentiments of that previous point, the actions of Rylo which kept a fellow Addick alive and bought him the time to get to hospital and the right medical attention.
Proud to be an Addick, and proud to stand alongside you guys and cheer on CAFC. Onwards and upwards!