When I was 11 years old, I never thought I would be so lucky to meet every single Charlton player of the 2006/2007 season. Although we was relegated from the Premier League, it did deliver some sweet moments, but they were overshadowed by the bittersweet moments we had in that fateful season.
We ended up going through three managers this season Iain Dowie, Les Reed and Alan Pardew. The constant changes we had to endure were exhausting to say the least, it was a difficult time maybe not as difficult as it is now, but it was heart-breaking to see us fall out of the England’s top division and then keep on falling.
But never mind all of that the happier times were what it is was all about, just like El Karkouri’s free-kick against Blackburn in the dying minutes, or even Darren Bent’s fantastic diving header after a long ball from the halfway line. There are a lot to pick out but personally for me it has got to be the player of the year dinner.
My dad Darren Keogh who some of you may even know yourself unfortunately passed away from cancer in 2008, but the year before that he made sure that he would leave me with some great memories and he did not disappoint.
Charlton who were kind enough to invite us along to the dinner gave us both a night to remember as players from Charlton past and present lit up the scene of what was to be a special night.
I got to meet players like Darren Bent, Matt Holland and Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink just to name a few and I was in dreamland. Okay some of the players were not great seeing as we did get relegated, but I could not care less I was gettingpictures and autographs off of my childhood hero’s and it was a great night.
Scott Carson was deservedly the Player Of The Year after a fantastic loan spell from Liverpool, he managed some fantastic saves that season, however it was sadly not enough to keep us up.
Mark Kinsella came over to me and my dad as they knew each other from back when Kinsella was our captain, he sat and had his dinner with us and cracked a joke or two, so it was not just a great memory for me, but it was also a gesture from the club that meant a lot to my dad who was huge Charlton fan and that is something I will never forget and it’s also a reminder of what the club can do for its fans and that I am grateful for.
I wish to see more gestures like this in Charlton because it shows football is more than just a game, it’s a way of life.
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