I can't think of any other player whom Charlton fans would be more willing to succeed than Miles Leaburn.
Everyone loves to see a youngster coming up through the Academy and finding his feet in the first team. No matter who, it's always appreciated when a player gets - and takes - a chance with the first team, having 'grown up' at Charlton. 'One of us', we're all very ready to exclaim.
But for Miles it's different. Different and better. He ticks the youngster-through-the-ranks box; and he also ticks the his-Dad-used-to-play-for-us box. While Gavin Peacock and Elliot Lee had the latter, they didn't have the first. And while several players have come through the Academy and youth processes to appear, succeed and excel in the first team (and, in the cases of Parker, Konchesky, Lisbie (and more) win full international caps), none has done so as the son of a former Valley favourite. Possibly (some on here will know better) the closest was Leigh Hales, son of the legendary Killer.
But Miles goes one better. His Mum is a Charlton legend too.
Leaving aside his obvious talent and physical advantages, he has another, crucial edge. He will have the support - the full, unambiguous, desperate-for-success support - of all Charlton fans. Is he good enough? Probably. Do we want him to prove it? Absolutely. He will score goals in the Premier League. I hope it's with Charlton.
Miles, everyone wants you to go all the way. I think you will.
Did he come through the Academy? Thought he joined from Chelsea?
I don't doubt that other, higher ranked, clubs were sniffing around during the summer but he, and his family, must have thought Charlton was the best place for his development.
He signed a three year deal which is a statement of intent from both sides.
The uncertainty over the manager in the summer can't have helped either
I just hope there isn't too much pressure heaped on him because of his surname.
Some fans are far too quick to over praise academy players or expect them to be world beaters in their first season.
We’ll just before the final whistle I bought the NFT of his goal on the Sultana Blockburn for 230 wankbats and I’ve probably doubled my wankbat portfolio already.
Quite aside from the goal, I thought it was a promising cameo from him. Often players his age have the skills but struggle with the physicality of mens football but he’s such a big lad he was already bullying their defenders a bit and used his size well to shield the ball. First time I’ve seen him play but I thought he already looks far more ready than Burstow ever did. Tougher tests to come as opponent’s analyst start to watch him play and set pans to counter act him but I think you could see today why he’s considered a viable first team option.
A great story too. And not often you get to recycle a chant verbatim about an individual player.
There we a few who always moaned about his dad at games and this irritated me because they were thick and didn't understand what he brought to the team. Of course a lot of fans did understand and Carlo was a great player for us. He was one of my favourites and when Miles scored I got a bit emotional and my wife asked who had scored and I couldn't get the words out which is unusual for me.
To hear the chant of Leaaaabuuurrrrn again is special. It should be an honour for Miles as he has the chant of his father. How many players have a family chant? And equally it must be an honour for Carlo. Of course he is going to get noticed by the big boys. I hope the family connection to the club keeps him here a bit longer as I think it will benefit him not to chase the bucks but to work on his game and leave us when he is nearer to the finished article. The big clubs don't spend for any other reason that they are taking a punt and a player should leave because they are wanted and needed.
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Lets hope the similarities end there and it doesnt take him quite as long to score his second!
Debut as a sub v Oxford
This one's for you, Miles .
Simply the best !
But with lots more to come.
He signed a three year deal which is a statement of intent from both sides.
The uncertainty over the manager in the summer can't have helped either
I just hope there isn't too much pressure heaped on him because of his surname.
Some fans are far too quick to over praise academy players or expect them to be world beaters in their first season.
Keith and Gavin Peacock
Nicky Forster and Jake Forster-Caskey (step)
Robert and Elliot Lee
Carl and Miles Leaburn.
Is that all the father (or stepfather) and sons to play for us?
To hear the chant of Leaaaabuuurrrrn again is special. It should be an honour for Miles as he has the chant of his father. How many players have a family chant? And equally it must be an honour for Carlo. Of course he is going to get noticed by the big boys. I hope the family connection to the club keeps him here a bit longer as I think it will benefit him not to chase the bucks but to work on his game and leave us when he is nearer to the finished article. The big clubs don't spend for any other reason that they are taking a punt and a player should leave because they are wanted and needed.