Powell leads Addicks to promotion

Monday 16 Apr 2012
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Chris Powell has guided Charlton Athletic to the Championship after Saturday’s League One results confirmed the club’s promotion. Here is an excerpt from the Bexley Times following their victory over Carlisle United at Brunton Park:

Charlton fans can finally breathe out.

After 43 hard-fought matches, following several seasons of increasing despair prior to this, Bradley Wright-Phillips scored the only goal of the game at Carlisle on Saturday to give them a 28th victory of the season and an ultimately decisive one in terms of achieving their aims for the campaign.

However, three points alone were not enough. On the final whistle players desperately looked around for news of Sheffield Wednesday.

Seconds felt like minutes and minutes felt like hours as everyone in a red shirt waited for the result. Finally, with fans already on the pitch at Brunton Park, the verdict was delivered. The Owls had drawn at Colchester United. The Addicks were promoted.

Jubilant scenes followed in the stands and on the pitch and tears with tears being shed amongst both groups, but they can now look forward to Championship football next season.

“It’s a big day for our football club. We’ve had it tough recently in the past few years and it’s a small step forward in our history,” said an emotional Chris Powell, with a quiver in his voice.

“I’m really proud to be the man at the helm, but my staff, all my players and the board have backed me from the day I came in.

“Days like this don’t come around too often and I’m emotional. It’s my mum’s birthday as well so it was meant to be I think. I really do.

“Ten months of training and hard work have culminated in our performance today. We were tested by Carlisle and I think my players were a bit nervy as they knew exactly what could happen.

“I’m proud that Bradley Wright-Phillips got the goal for us and we’ve been tremendous away from home.

“We’ve played some really good football and some determined football when our backs have been against the wall. They’ve shown a togetherness and I’m emotional for them as they are a young group and they’ve really worked hard to have a day like this. It’s a proud moment.”

From Bexley Times

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