Given how poor our keepers have been this season it is perhaps no surprise the two U21 lads are being released given they didn't even get on the bench. Such a shame Beadle and Kone left last summer as I suspect either of them may well have been our number one by the end of this season.
Beadle was number one at Oxford and then Sheffield Wednesday this season. We aren't known for promoting our keepers at the age of 19 (Elliott, Randolph, Pope and AMB to name four internationals who had to wait 'til they were 22 plus). Going to a PL Club enabled him to be loaned out to a club at a higher level than had he stayed with us and next season he will probably be back in the Championship possibly with Wednesday once again.
Now confirmed officially then good luck to both Henry and Prince on finding new clubs and proving us wrong. Tough life is the life of a young footballer at our level.
That's a real shame. Hope this doesn't come back to bite us. Would have liked to have seen him get a game or two at the end of the season for us when we were safe and the likes of Fiorini and Bakinson were getting minutes. Good luck Adigun.. Promising player.
Shame about Adigun, he always looked as if he would be making his way into the first team at some point. Perhaps he hasn't pushed on as expected. A few years ago I would have said he was the most likely to come through.
Saw Adigun at U18 level and was convinced he'd be the next one to come through but for whatever reason that hasn't quite worked out. Think he'll probably still have a strong professional career though.
Hope we keep hold of Viggars. Had injury problems this season I believe but when when I saw him in pre season last summer I was impressed.
I think the only U21 who has played mens football. But not big enough to be a target man, or quick enough to be a striker. More a link man. Puts himself about. Surely worth another year and perhaps a higher loan.
Always felt the contract to Okechukwu was likely one year given due to his injuries beforehand and allowing him a chance to prove himself; but agree Bower, Hobden and Kedwell all likely to still be here next year (same with Huke)
Bakrin Ladapo Santos Williams Viggars Okechukwu Dench Hand
Offered new Toure Huke
Retained
Bower
Hobden
Kedwell
It is nice Toure has been offered a new deal as he won the Bolangi award a couple of years back so clearly a good egg and has had injuries in his time with us. Hope he signs and can push on.
Huke looked good in the U18s last season with plenty of goals so again seems a sensible one to try to hold onto.
From the little I know of those leaving Adigun and Williams both looked good on the occasion I saw them and I would think have careers in the game; of course good luck to all of them, it must be really tough hearing someone say you are not good enough after the dedication and commitment each will have put in to get this far.
The 3 retained maybe start to get to an age they could do with a loan or some first team time depending on where they are with development.
Overall, reducing the number of kids this way seems sensible as it creates room for those coming through and also room for first teamers out of fitness/form and needing minutes.
With the slightly older age group I really hope we can tie Leaburn and Mitchell down with longer contracts soon and maybe give Casey an extra year or two as well.
With the younger ones it will be interesting to hear who signs pro.
Comments
Beadle was number one at Oxford and then Sheffield Wednesday this season. We aren't known for promoting our keepers at the age of 19 (Elliott, Randolph, Pope and AMB to name four internationals who had to wait 'til they were 22 plus). Going to a PL Club enabled him to be loaned out to a club at a higher level than had he stayed with us and next season he will probably be back in the Championship possibly with Wednesday once again.
Sorry to see you leave.
My advice is keep the focus, keep the faith in yourself, it isn’t all over for your football career.
Seemed to impress at Welling so should have a career at least at senior non-league level.
Good luck to Jason.
As has been said 75% of the U21 squad being released so he will be the first of many. Always sad to hear.
Good luck Adigun.. Promising player.
I wonder what steps are being taken to strengthen the under 21s for next season.
Released
Adegoke
Adigun
Roddy
Unknown
Ladapo (I have seen rumours he is leaving)
Santos
Williams (I have seen rumours he is leaving)
Viggars
Okechukwu
Toure
Dench
Hand
Harvey Kedwell – son of former AFC Wimbledon striker Danny – pens first Charlton pro deal – South London News (londonnewsonline.co.uk)
Same for Bower, Holden and Okechukwu
Three Charlton youngsters pen professional deals – South London News (londonnewsonline.co.uk)
Ladapo
Santos
Heard they had all gone but WIOTOS
Always felt the contract to Okechukwu was likely one year given due to his injuries beforehand and allowing him a chance to prove himself; but agree Bower, Hobden and Kedwell all likely to still be here next year (same with Huke)
Successfull U18s step up to U21s.
Squad probably was a bit too big in terms of purely numbers but a lot of those U21s released haven't featured much this seaso
The other way of looking at it is that it leaves room for signings like Maclorg, Cant and Phillips plus some Mount Pleasant lads.
Need @Scoham to give us an updated squad list🤞
It is nice Toure has been offered a new deal as he won the Bolangi award a couple of years back so clearly a good egg and has had injuries in his time with us. Hope he signs and can push on.
Huke looked good in the U18s last season with plenty of goals so again seems a sensible one to try to hold onto.
From the little I know of those leaving Adigun and Williams both looked good on the occasion I saw them and I would think have careers in the game; of course good luck to all of them, it must be really tough hearing someone say you are not good enough after the dedication and commitment each will have put in to get this far.
The 3 retained maybe start to get to an age they could do with a loan or some first team time depending on where they are with development.
Overall, reducing the number of kids this way seems sensible as it creates room for those coming through and also room for first teamers out of fitness/form and needing minutes.
With the slightly older age group I really hope we can tie Leaburn and Mitchell down with longer contracts soon and maybe give Casey an extra year or two as well.
With the younger ones it will be interesting to hear who signs pro.
The club may feel that there are decent players at other clubs we can pick up.