The Charlton Athletic Academy refers to the teams and players in the youth system of English professional football club Charlton Athletic; they play the majority of their home games at the club's training ground in New Eltham, London. The Under-21 Development side consists mainly of Charlton's academy players who are aiming to break into the first team squad and in the near future, while senior players occasionally play when returning from injury. The current senior professional development coach for the under-21 squad is Danny Senda. They compete in the

Professional Development League The Professional Development League is a system of youth association football, football leagues that are managed, organised and controlled by the Premier League or by the Football League. It was introduced by the The Football Association, Footbal ...

, League 2; the club's Under-18 team plays in the same category of the lower age group.

Reserve team history

From 1999 until 2007, Charlton Reserves were members of the FA Premier Reserve League Southern; however, due to the relegation of the first team at the end of the 2006/2007 season from the Premier League to the

Football League Championship The English Football League Championship (often referred to as the Championship for short or the Sky Bet Championship for sponsorship purposes) is the highest division of the English Football League (EFL) and second-highest overall in the En ...

, they were demoted to the Football Combination Central where they played against other

Football League The English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, the league is the oldest such competition in the world. It was the top-level football league in Engla ...

reserve teams and successful Football Conference reserve sides. At the end of the 2008–09 season the first team were again relegated to

Football League One The English Football League One (often referred to as League One for short or Sky Bet League One for sponsorship purposes, and known as the Football League One from 2004 until 2016) is the second-highest division of the English Football Leag ...

and the reserve side was dissolved as a competitive team.

Under Glynn Snodin

In 1999 the team joined the FA Premier Reserve League Southern. Led by reserve-team coach

Glynn Snodin Glynn Snodin (born 14 February 1960) is an English football coach, and former professional player. As a player, he was a midfielder from 1977 to 1998. He played for Doncaster Rovers and later made just under 100 appearances for Leeds United an ...

had relative success in their first season, finishing 2nd, however in comparison the next 3 seasons were disappointing as the club finished 8th, 7th & 7th respectively. After this however things picked up, and Charlton became unexpected winners of the league in 2003/2004, and this was then followed by a second success at the Charlton team won the division again in 2004/2005, just a season later. This was followed by another good season, seeing the Addicks finish fourth, however popular reserve-team coach Snodin left to join Southampton as first-team coach. Snodin was replaced by

Mark Robson Mark Robson may refer to: * Mark Robson (film director) (1913–1978), Canadian-American film director and producer * Mark Robson (American writer), Scottish-American writer and expert in United States coins and stamps * Mark Robson (footballer) ...

for the remainder; however, this was short-lived as Charlton faced a managerial re-shuffle after the resignation of

Alan Curbishley Llewellyn Charles "Alan" Curbishley (born 8 November 1957) is an English former football player and manager. He played as a midfielder for West Ham United, Birmingham City, Aston Villa, Charlton Athletic and Brighton & Hove Albion and has worke ...

Mervyn Day Mervyn Richard Day (born 26 June 1955) is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League as a goalkeeper for West Ham United, Orient, Aston Villa, Leeds United, Luton Town, Sheffield United and Carlisle United. He la ...

and

Keith Peacock Keith Peacock (born 2 May 1945, in Barnehurst) is an English former footballer and manager. He was the first player to come on as a substitute in the Football League. Early life He was educated at Erith Grammar School, now named Erith School. ...

Under Mark Kinsella

With the installation of Iain Dowie as head-coach, Robson was moved to development coach, working with both the Reserve & First Team sides, however after Dowie was fired he was named assistant head-coach, under Les Reed.

Mark Kinsella Mark Anthony Kinsella (born 12 August 1972) is an Irish football manager and former player, currently a coach at Drogheda United after previously being both the manager and assistant manager. He played as a central midfielder for most of his ca ...

replaced Robson as development coach until this hiring of current club manager

Alan Pardew Alan Scott Pardew (born 18 July 1961) is an English football manager and former professional footballer, who is the current manager of Greek Super League club Aris. Pardew's highest achievements in the sport include reaching the FA Cup Final th ...

when Kinsella was moved to reserve-team coach. Despite a hectic season the team still managed to finish 6th, however due to the relegation of the first-team the club were demoted to the Football Combination Central where after spending much of the season top of the table were pipped to the post by Southampton F.C. Reserves on the last game of the season. In 2008 Mark Kinsella moved to a more senior role within the first team under Caretaker manager Phil Parkinson while the club sought after a replacement for

, who parted company with the club 22 November 2008. He was replaced by the club's U18 Youth Coach,

Damian Matthew Damian Matthew (born 23 September 1970) is an English football coach, former professional footballer and television pundit, who is currently first-team coach at Rangers. As a player, he was a midfielder from 1989 until 1999, notably in the Pre ...

, for the interim period. When Parkinson assumed the role of first team manager Matthew was designated Development coach, based on the same role Mark Robson had held previously. In 2009 the reserve team was disbanded as a competitive side. With the relegation of the first team from the

to the

it was decided that the team would no longer play in the Football Combination and instead only played a number of friendly matches throughout the season.

Home ground

In the last nine years the reserves had many different stadia. In their first season they played their matches at Welling United's ground,

Park View Road Park View Road is home to National League South semi-professional football club Welling United, and was the ground of their predecessors Bexley United. Welling have played there since 1977. It is also the home of Erith & Belvedere who have ...

, but the stay was short-lived. For the 2000/2001 season the reserve team played their matches at the first-team's ground, The Valley, however when there was a clash in matches the reserve teams would play their games at Park View Road. This system continued until the 2006/2007 season, when the team moved their matches to Gravesend & Northfleet's ground,

Stonebridge Road Stonebridge Road is a multi-purpose stadium in Northfleet, Gravesend, Kent, England, also known as Kuflink Stadium for sponsorship reasons. It is primarily used for football matches. Stonebridge Road was constructed in 1905, and was initial ...

. The reserve team continued to play their games there in the 2007/2008 season, after the change of club name from Gravesend & Northfleet F.C. to

Ebbsfleet United F.C. Ebbsfleet United Football Club is a professional football club based in Northfleet, Kent, England. As of the 2021–22 season, the club competes in the National League South, the sixth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1946 from ...

Reserve team managers

Recent reserves seasons

Under-21s squad

Current squad

Academy history

The Charlton Athletic Youth Academy was a development of Charlton's commitment to develop young players, a scheme which started in the early-mid-1990s when there was an explosion of young talent under joint managers Steve Gritt. Notable players such as Scott Minto, Kim Grant, Anthony Barness, Lee Bowyer, Richard Rufus,

Linvoy Primus Linvoy Stephen Primus MBE (born 14 September 1973) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. Born in Forest Gate, England, to Caribbean-born parents, Primus began his professional career at Charlton Athletic, whe ...

, Shaun Newton, Jermain Defoe,

Jlloyd Samuel Jlloyd Tafari Samuel ( , 29 March 1981 – 15 May 2018) was a professional footballer who played as a defender and midfielder. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, he was raised in England and played for England up to under-21 level. He played two ful ...

Jamie Stuart Jamie Christopher Stuart (born 15 October 1976) is an English footballer who plays for Isthmian League South Division club Greenwich Borough as a defender. He started his career in the Football League with Charlton Athletic, Millwall, Bury a ...

Kevin Lisbie Kevin Anthony Lisbie (born 17 October 1978) is a former professional footballer who played as a striker. Born in London, he earned ten international caps for Jamaica. He is now a coach at Leyton Orient. Club career Charlton Athletic Born in Ha ...

, Paul Konchesky &

Scott Parker Scott Matthew Parker (born 13 October 1980) is an English professional football manager and former player who played as a midfielder. He is currently the head coach of Club Brugge in Belgium. Parker began his career at Charlton Athletic, and ...

all came through the ranks. This was followed by the creation of the Youth Academy in 1998, aiming to find the best local, and worldwide talent to bring to Charlton at a young age. There are 13 players playing in the top 2 tiers of English football who began their footballing career at the Charlton Youth Academy, including Arsenal's Carl Jenkinson, Bournemouth's Harry Arter, Huddersfield's

Tareiq Holmes-Dennis Tareiq Marcus Holmes-Dennis (born 31 October 1995) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. Club career Charlton Athletic Born in Farnborough, England, Holmes-Dennis started his football career at Charlton Athleti ...

& Kasey Palmer, Norwich's Michael Turner, Newcastle's Robert Elliot &

Jonjo Shelvey Jonjo Shelvey (born 27 February 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Newcastle United. Shelvey began his career at Charlton Athletic, becoming their youngest-ever player at 16 years and 59 days old.

, QPR's

Jordan Cousins Jordan Paul Cousins (born 6 March 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Cambridge United. Born in England, he represents the Jamaica national team. Cousins began his career with Charlton Athletic, breaking into the ...

, Reading's Callum Harriott, West Ham's

Darren Randolph Darren Edward Andrew Randolph (born 12 May 1987) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club AFC Bournemouth and the Republic of Ireland national team. He has previously played for the Republic of Ir ...

, Liverpool's Joe Gomez, Everton's

Ademola Lookman Ademola Lookman Olajade Alade Aylola Lookman (born 20 October 1997) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for club Atalanta and the Nigeria national team. Lookman made his senior debut in 2015, playing as a forward for Charlt ...

and Sheffield Wednesday's Morgan Fox as well as 5 current Charlton first team players

Dillon Phillips Dillon Phillips (born 11 June 1995) is an English professional association football, footballer who plays as a Goalkeeper (association football), goalkeeper for K.V. Oostende, KV Oostende on loan from Cardiff City F.C., Cardiff City. He had brie ...

Ezri Konsa Ezri Ngoyo Konsa (born 23 October 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Premier League club Aston Villa. He came through the academy at Charlton Athletic and later joined Brentford and Aston Villa. Kons ...

Karlan Ahearne-Grant Karlan Laughton Ahearne-Grant (born 18 September 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Cardiff City on loan from West Bromwich Albion. He has represented England at youth level and is also eligible to repr ...

Chris Solly Christopher James Solly (born 20 January 1991) is an English professional footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, ...

and

Harry Lennon Harry George Lennon (born 16 December 1994) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. Career Charlton Athletic Born in Romford, England, Lennon joined Charlton Athletic's academy and once captained the U18 squad. I ...

,. The Under-18 team play in the U18 Professional Development League 2 however the academy takes boys from the ages of 9 upwards.

Valley Gold

The Valley Gold scheme was previously set up to aid Charlton's return to The Valley. When a supporter signs up to the scheme, they now have the opportunity to win up to £15,000 at half-time on home match days, as well as getting £15 off the price of their season ticket and the opportunity to have first priority to away games or high demand home matches. Since Charlton's return to the Valley in December 1992 the scheme has since used to give financial support to the Charlton Youth Academy, to help nurture Charlton stars of the future.

Under 18s squad

Current squad

Coaching staff

Notable players

National Team Caps

NB: ''Bold players are playing for Charlton Athletic.'' * Semi Ajayi Nigeria U20 * Karoy Anderson Jamaica * Wassim Aouachria Algeria U18 * Harry Arter Republic of Ireland U17/19/Republic of Ireland *

Ade Azeez Adebayo Linford Kazim "Ade" Azeez (born 8 January 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Billericay Town. He began his career with Charlton Athletic, spending time on loan to Wycombe Wanderers, Leyton Orient, Tor ...

England U19 * Grant Basey Wales U17/19/21 *

Daniel Bowry Daniel Robert Bowry (born 29 April 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League South side Worthing. Born in England, he represents the Antigua and Barbuda national team internationally. Club career After joi ...

Antigua and Barbuda * Lee Bowyer England U18/21/England * Jason Brown Wales U21/Wales * Mason Burstow England U20 *

Jamal Campbell-Ryce Jamal Julian Campbell-Ryce (born 6 April 1983) is a former professional footballer who played as a winger. He is currently with Peterborough United as Manager of the U18s. Born in Lambeth, Greater London he began his career with Charlton Ath ...

Jamaica *

Michael Carvill Michael Desmond Carvill (born 3 April 1988 in Belfast) is a Northern Irish footballer who is currently player-manager of Kilmore Rec. Career Early career Carvill came through the youth ranks at Charlton Athletic but was released by the club i ...

Northern Ireland U21 * Regan Charles-Cook Grenada *

England U16/17/18/20 & Jamaica * Harry Doherty Republic of Ireland U17 * Archie Edwards England U16/17 *

Rob Elliot Robert Elliot (born 30 April 1986) is a professional footballer who is currently a technical director and goalkeeper for Gateshead. Elliot also played for the Republic of Ireland national team. Elliot began his career with Erith Town, befo ...

Republic of Ireland U19/Republic of Ireland *

Simon Ford Simon Gary Ford (born 17 November 1981) is a former professional footballer who played as a defender from 2001 to 2013. Having started his career with Charlton Athletic as a youngster, he transferred to Grimsby Town in 2001. He moved on to Bri ...

Jamaica * Morgan Fox Wales U21 *

Hady Ghandour Hady Ismail Ghandour ( ; ar, هادي اسماعيل غندور, ; born 27 January 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward. Coming through the youth system, Ghandour began his senior career at Tooting & Mitcham United in 2 ...

Lebanon U16/19/Lebanon * Joe Gomez England U16/17/19/21/England *

Karlan Grant Karlan Laughton Ahearne-Grant (born 18 September 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Cardiff City on loan from West Bromwich Albion. He has represented England at youth level and is also eligible to repre ...

England U17/18/19 * Kim Grant Ghana * Ruairi Harkin Republic of Ireland U16/17/19 * Callum Harriott England U19 & Guyana *

England U18 * Carl Jenkinson England U17/U21/England & Finland U19/21 *

Mikhail Kennedy Mikhail Caolan Patrick Kennedy (born 18 August 1996) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Dergview. He also represented his country up to under-21 level. He played four professional matches for English Footba ...

Northern Ireland U17/19/21 * Paul Konchesky England U18/21/England *

England U20/21 *

Jamaica *

England U19/20/21 & Nigeria * Stacy Long England U16/17/18/19/20 * Sean McGinty Republic of Ireland U17/19/21 *

Dimitar Mitov Dimitar Veselinov Mitov ( bg, Димитър Веселинов Митов; born 22 January 1997) is a Bulgarian professional Association football, footballer who plays as a Goalkeeper (association football), goalkeeper for club Aberdeen F.C., A ...

Bulgaria U16/17/19/Bulgaria *

Keiran Murtagh Keiran Zac Murtagh (born 29 October 1988) is a footballer who represents Dartford and Antigua and Barbuda at international level. Club career Murtagh joined Conference South side Fisher Athletic in November 2007, in his only season at the Lond ...

Ireland U17 & Antigua and Barbuda * Shaun Newton England U21 * Kevin Nicholls England U18/20 * Kasey Palmer England U17/18/20/21 & Jamaica *

England U16/18/21/England * Diego Poyet England U16/17 & Uruguay U20 *

Republic of Ireland U21/Republic of Ireland * Richard Rufus England U21 * Lloyd Sam England U20 & Ghana * Osei Sankofa England U16/17/18/19/20 *

England U16/17/19/21/England *

Tobi Sho-Silva Oluwatobi Fabian Shobowale Akintunde "Tobi" Sho-Silva (born 27 March 1995) is an English professional association football, footballer who plays for Maidenhead United F.C., Maidenhead United as a Forward (association football), forward. Career ...

England U18 *

England U16/17 * Alex Stavrinou Cyprus U17 *

England U18/21 * Tamer Tuna Turkey U19 * Daniel Uchechi Nigeria U20/23 * James Walker England U18 & Antigua and Barbuda *

Myles Weston Myles Arthur Eugene Wesley Weston (born 12 March 1988) is a professional footballer who plays as a left winger for Dagenham & Redbridge. Born in England, he represents the Antigua and Barbuda national team. Club career Charlton Athletic Westo ...

England U16/17/18/19 & Antigua and Barbuda *

Josh Wright Joshua William Wright (born 6 November 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League side Ebbsfleet United. Wright played for Gillingham between 2015 and 2017, Millwall from 2011 to 2015 and Scunt ...

England U16/17/18/19 *

Rashid Yussuff Rashid Olatokunbo Oladobe Alao Yussuff (born 23 September 1989) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder. Career Early years Yussuff is of Nigerian descent but was born in Poplar, London on 23 September 1989. He is often nicknamed ...

England U16/17/18

Other academy graduates

NB: ''Bold players are playing for Charlton Athletic.'' * Kasim Aidoo *

Nathan Ashton Nathan Wesley Ashton (born 30 January 1987 in Beckton, London) is an English footballer who last played for Isthmian League club Tilbury. He is an ex-England youth international, who had several call-ups to the England Under-20 squad. Career ...

* Aaron Barnes * Anthony Barness * Steve Brown *

Dean Chandler Dean Andrew Robert Chandler (born 6 May 1976) is an English former professional footballer. He last played for Redbridge and has represented England's Learning Disability team. Chandler began his career as a trainee with Charlton Athletic, tur ...

* Ben Dempsey *

Alfie Doughty Alfie Henry Harman Doughty (born 21 December 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Luton Town. Career Charlton Athletic Doughty joined the Charlton Athletic Academy at the age of eight and progressed through ...

Jonathan Fortune Jonathan Jay Fortune (born 23 August 1980) is an English professional footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, Amer ...

* Barry Fuller * Dylan Gavin * Adam Gross *

Brandon Hanlan Brandon Alex Graham Hanlan (born 31 May 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Wycombe Wanderers. Career Charlton Athletic Hanlan joined the academy at Charlton Athletic in November 2012, and signed a two-year ...

* Alistair John * Jason Lee *

Paul Linger Paul Linger (20 December 1974 – 1 October 2021) was an English professional footballer who played in the Football League as a midfielder for Charlton Athletic, Leyton Orient and Brighton & Hove Albion. He went on to play non-League football ...

* Sam Long * Neil McCafferty * Charlie MacDonald *

Yado Mambo Yado Massaya Mambo (born 22 October 1991) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Hampton & Richmond Borough. He started his career at Charlton Athletic for whom he featured in a number of cup matches, and also spent time on loan ...

* Ollie Muldoon *

Harry Pell Harry David Balraj Pell (born 21 October 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for League Two club AFC Wimbledon. Pell came through the youth system at Charlton Athletic where he spent 12 years. He spent time on ...

Joe Pigott Joseph David Wozencroft Pigott (born 24 November 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for League One club Portsmouth on loan from Ipswich Town. Career Charlton Athletic Born in Maidstone, Kent, Pigott began his ...

* Johl Powell *

Junior Quitirna Armando Junior Quitirna (born 25 April 2000) is a Bissau-Guinean professional footballer who plays for Fleetwood Town. Career Charlton Athletic Quitirna made two appearances for Charlton Athletic, both in cup games before it was announced on 1 ...

Onome Sodje Onome Sympson Sodje (born 17 July 1988) is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a striker. He has played professionally for clubs in England, Slovakia, Malta, Vietnam, Algeria and Albania. Career Born in Warri, Delta State, Sodje came through the ...

Donovan Simmonds Donovan Ashton Simmonds (born 12 October 1988 in Walthamstow) is an English footballer who last played for Kingstonian. He plays as a striker. Simmonds began his youth career with London side Charlton Athletic, before moving to Coventry City wh ...

* Paul Sturgess *

Jason Tindall Jason James Tindall (born 15 November 1977) is an English professional football manager and former player, who is currently the assistant manager of Newcastle United. A defender during his playing days, Tindall spent the bulk of his career wit ...

* Aswad Thomas * Michael Turner * Josh Umerah *

Alex Varney Alexander Varney (born 27 December 1984) is an English Association football, footballer who came through Charlton Athletic's academy and played in the Football League for Barnet F.C., Barnet. Varney was born in Farnborough, London, Farnborough ...

* James Vennings *

Scott Wagstaff Scott Andrew Wagstaff (born 31 March 1990) is an English footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Tonbridge Angels. Early life Wagstaff was born in Maidstone, and attended Bennett Memorial Diocesan School in Tunbridge Wells. Career ...

Freddie Warren Frederick Windsor Warren (23 December 1907 – 1986) was a Welsh professional footballer and Wales international. Club career Warren began his career at his home town club Cardiff City, spending time as understudy to George McLachlan befor ...

Lawrie Wilson Lawrie Robert Wilson (born 11 September 1987) is an English footballer who plays as a right-back for club Billericay Town. Wilson started his career at Charlton Athletic, and played regularly for the club's under-18 and reserve teams until he ...

* Brendan Wiredu

Honours

Reserve team/Under-23s

Youth

References

External links

Charlton Athletic Official Website

Reserve Team Fixtures & Results at the Charlton Athletic Official Website

Charlton Athletic Youth Academy Webpage

Charlton Academy Squad Profiles
{{Reserve and Youth football in England Charlton Athletic F.C. Metropolitan League Aetolian League (football) Football academies in England 1998 establishments in England London League (football)