From the Crow's Nest
I know this posting is a bit of self-indulgent crowing, but having been an Addick for more than 40 years and because this is my blog, I think I'm allowed to.
In a season which has seen Arsenal go undefeated and Leeds go down a division and the financial tubes, "
It's going to be difficult for Charlton to remember that this, in fact, is their best-ever season - disappointment always lingers longer than success."
In fact, it's been
Charlton's best finish since 1952/53. And the first victory on the final day for 17 seasons.
But, actually, the commentator was talking about the women's team's disappointment in the FA Cup final, which they lost 3-0 to Arsenal who also won the league title last night when they beat Fulham 3-1. So Charlton ended up second. Not bad at all.
Keith Boanas, who helped Charlton to the Premier League Cup, was voted
Nationwide Manager of the Year by fellow Premier League clubs, the FA and the media.
Ann-Marie Heatherson, 20, who received her first England call-up in February, picked up the Umbro/FA
Women's Young Player of the Year after her 12 goals in 12 starts this season.
And
Scott Parker is (male)
Young Player of the Year. Chelsea pay for the plaudits but
Charlton take the credit. Parker reserved most praise in his acceptance speech for former manager Alan Curbishley and refuses to be blamed for Charlton's disappointing (is it?) end to the season. Yet, since joining Chelsea pundits agree that
his season hasn't been so good. He went for the money, but money can't buy happiness. Especially for those who contributed to
Roman Ambrovich's billions.
What else. Oh yes ~
champions by 8 points of the Premier Reserve League South.
Charlton Athletic PLC (CLO) is also riding high in the money market.
Dean Kiely scooped the Charlton supporters' player of the year award for the second time in three seasons after his triumph in 2002. Coach Mervyn Day, a distinguished former keeper himself who has worked with some of the top names in the game, has put Kiely up there with the best of British. "I was lucky enough to be picked for England at an early age," said Day. "I've worked with Phil Parkes, Ray Clemence, Peter Shilton and Nigel Spink just after he was called up for England, and Deano's right up there with them. He's been great for us since he came to the club. He's more than repaid the faith we showed in him by spending £1million on him. His reliability is first rate."
Matt Holland (capt.) "We have had a good season. In terms of the size of our squad, the wages we pay out, the size of our crowds - many people would think we're punching above our weight."
Alan Curbishley (manager) "To be honest, I don't think we get the credit we deserve. People have said that we've fallen away again, but when you look at what we've achieved here in the past five seasons in the Premiership it's incredible. And we haven't had any help, we haven't had anyone come and chuck lots of money at us."
Former players seem to agree.
Shaun Newton insists Wolves must come back "all guns blazing" after relegation this season and try to emulate his former club Charlton.
Matt Svennson says he "should have left sooner but ....... Addicks (are) a role model for Norwich."
There's a possible pre-2004/5 season
tour of China lined up. The
Shenzhen Evening News said that the east London team will visit Shenzhen and Shanghai during eight days in China. Hang on. We're from
south-east London. And we've already established
community links in South Africa.
Now for Indonesia. That's me and Scott (not Parker) and ......?
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