Keeps signs

The goalkeeper spot has been a summer priority and it was a surprise that so few names had been mentioned in dispatches. Dillon Phillips has appeared not have grasped the opportunity during pre-season and an experienced ‘keeper became a necessity. Ben Amos was linked with us a few days ago, and signed on a season long loan this morning from Bolton.

I personally would have liked to have seen a permanent signing but there are a whole raft of young or out of favour keepers around and a loan was always more likely. The last negotiations came down to how much we would have to contribute to Amos’ hefty salary that he negotiated for himself when he joined Wanderers from Man U on a free in 2015.

Golden oldies

Great to read about a planned Curbs v Gritty match to celebrate 25 years back at The Valley and to importantly raise funds for the Charlton Athletic Community Trust.

The two sides captained by Steve and Alan and managed by Addicks’ legend Keith Peacock and Addicks’ fan Dave Berry will take place at The Valley on Sunday, September 17th, the day after Gills away. (more)

Anymore for anymore?

Any news of further incomings appears to have slowed, although the ‘we are working hard behind the scenes’ mantra was rolled out again this week by Karl Robinson, who also stated that he expected no one else to leave. This alone may stifle any additions to the squad as no one really expected the likes of Naby Sarr, Tony Watt or perhaps even Karlan Ahearne-Grant to still be here, although it is best to remember that the transfer window has another 5 weeks, so still plenty of time for movement both ways.

New shirts very fitting

Well we have a promotion winning kit, now to see if those that wear it are not only fit for it but can make it proud.

Thank you to Hummel for the new kits, of which the home one is not only unique but champions our history and to of course better days. The away one is original and would work very well as a gym shirt or something to wear to the pub. Good contrasts of blue and again a shout to the blue away kit of 25 years ago.

STVV take another one

If Cristian Ceballos was always going to depart then it begs the question why Karl Robinson used him extensively in the pre-season games thus far. I don’t suspect the ex-Spurs player was one of the highest earners, and those that saw him in Ireland and at Greenwich said he impressed. He may have done a job, although every time I think of Ceballos I think of that corner.

Bermuda’s turn to vote

Today it is Bermuda’s turn to vote in a general election. And unlike the USA and UK polls, the ones here think it’s going to be close, which probably means it won’t be. The One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) are the incumbent, who dramatically came to power in 2012 beating the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) by about 5% of the vote and gaining 19 of the 36 available constituencies, which in truth individually are no more than small towns, with around 1,200 or so eligible to vote in each.

Ajose and Tex leave

As some of us anticipated no new players were going to be granted to Karl Robinson until some of the existing squad he inherited was to be shifted. Robinson hinted as much today after the Welling game, and sure enough STVV couldn’t wait to pull the trigger on the news that Jorge Teixeira has signed for them on a 3-year deal for which one would put their mortgage on, an undisclosed fee.

Whether Tex’s 12k a week salary has been completely moved off Charlton’s books or this is a Duchatelet accounting function we will never know, but with the highly paid Nicky Ajose also gone, although one would assume Charlton are still paying part of his wages, it should give Robinson some renewed armoury in the transfer market.