Ghosts of 1972 can't frighten Jones's battling Addicks

Remember 1972! For weeks I have been boring family and friends with the bitter childhood memory of Charlton’s late season collapse 54 years ago, which ended in the club’s relegation to the third tier for the first time since 1935.

Theo Foley’s side was never meant to go down that year. With two points awarded for a win back then in a 22-club division, they were six points clear of 21st-place Cardiff City with nine games to go and a cushion of four other teams separating them from the bottom two.

They were in a better position than they had been in the previous campaigns, when safety was secured with wins in the closing matches at The Valley.

Somehow it all went wrong, with Dave Shipperley’s spectacular own goal on Good Friday against Orient signalling a run that saw the Addicks collect just two home draws on the run-in. Millwall twisted the knife in SE7 in the last midweek and their fans danced on the pitch to celebrate a promotion they never completed, but the grim news from Blackpool on the final day had become inevitable.

It’s worth adding, though, that Charlton escaped more often than they perished in that jeopardy strewn decade – not just in 1970 and 1971. In 1978 and 1979 they also staved off disaster in the final game under Andy Nelson, and they did it again in 1983 under Lennie Lawrence, who then turned survival into an art form in the top flight.

My honest opinion is that we are nowhere near that kind of crisis in 2026. I was confident, walking out of Middlesbrough in March, that the unlikely three points secured that night would provide the platform for a comfortable conclusion. It’s very Charlton that we haven’t won any of the following four matches, but the points eked out at Oxford United and Watford have been valuable ones. Matty Godden’s return to fitness can only help too.

There was plenty for Charlton fans to complain about in those 1970s relegation battles, not least the decision to let winger Colin Powell and striker Mike Flanagan leave to play in the United States before the team was safe in 1978.

The context this time is very different. Eight seasons out of nine in League One will do that. I am grateful and excited just to be back among the formerly familiar names and places that make up the modern Championship. I’ve enjoyed watching our better performers and performances, despite an overall playing record that would once have disappointed me.

The 1-1 draw at Watford was the 36th time in 41 league games this season that the Addicks have failed to score more than once. That is extraordinary. Even the side that went down in chaotic circumstances behind the scenes in 1980 managed to do that nine times, despite only winning six matches. Of course, it also conceded 78 goals, whereas the present defence has let in just 49.

Charlton’s problem has been obvious from the kick-off last August - and it’s not Tyreece Campbell, however convenient a scapegoat he makes. But doing something about it, at least without the option of playing Godden, has proven far from easy. 

That said, I’m doubtful we would have stayed up at all without the January signings. Clearly, last summer’s recruitment was hit and miss, and arguably more off target than on. It’s not a good look to be paying for players in the summer and then loaning them out in January, while questions still remain about the 2024 pre-season transfer window too. Gassan Ahadme, anyone?

The thing is, it doesn’t really matter at this point. This is a very different Championship from the one we left in 2016 and it’s understandable that we return to it with a squad that is a work in progress and have struggled to compete on talent and flair.

It’s been a hard watch at times, but nobody has really let the side down. Will Mannion made a mistake against Bristol City and turned in a superman display three days later. Lloyd Jones is outstanding more often than not, Amari’i Bell a pleasure to watch. Kayne Ramsay’s late saving tackle against Bristol was ultimately irrelevant to the outcome but a reminder of his quality.

Ibby Fullah offers tantalising promise for the future, Miles Leaburn can grow into the role, figuratively if not literally. Micah Mbick might come back next year and be a hero. This isn’t 1972, although it may be for Millwall. Here’s hoping!

This time the Addicks will stay up and manager Nathan Jones can hold his head up high. As can the Charlton fans… again… at last. After all we've been through, that’s more than good enough for now. 

Rick Everitt