Johnnie Jackson’s verdict as Terry Skiverton joins Charlton Athletic as first-team coach

Charlton manager Johnnie Jackson has boosted his backroom team after appointing Terry Skiverton as first-team coach.

The 46-year-old had been assistant manager at Yeovil but left the National League outfit over the weekend.

Skiverton had 23 years with the Glovers as a player, coach and boss.

“I’m grateful to Thomas [Sandgaard, Charlton owner] that he assisted my request and that he showed a bit of faith in me to bring the people to him,” Jackson told the South London Press. “They were not handpicked for me.

“I’m glad that I could go out and do my own scouring and homework and then present my findings to him.

“Our paths have crossed a number of times down the years. I’ve played against his teams that he has coached and managed. We’ve been on a few different courses together and got to know each other a little bit. We played in a few charity games together.

“I know he’s been at Yeovil for a number of years but he is an east London boy. We know a lot of people who know each other.

“We were put in touch again recently when I was on the lookout for a coach. He’s someone I’ve got a lot of respect for and that I really like. He’s got a lot of experience and a wealth of knowledge about the different levels – that’s what I was looking for as well, someone who had been there, done it and can help me and Jason [Euell].

“Skivvo pretty much ticks all the boxes for me.”

Jackson has been a coach light since he replaced Nigel Adkins in the Valley hotseat at the end of October.

“It’s a different voice and a different set of ideas,” said the Addicks boss. “He has his own way of working. It’s good for the lads to hear and see something different. Me and Euelly have been in and amongst it – someone from the outside can have a different perspective and take on things that we haven’t seen.

“I know he will bring enthusiasm and a bit of freshness to it. He likes intensity when he coaches, as I do. I know he’ll get the lads at it, in the way I do as well. He has a similar sort of style to myself in terms of coaching but he has been doing it longer, he’s got more experience. He’ll have been in situations that no doubt I’ll find myself in over the coming months and years – he’ll be a big help to me in those moments.”

Skiverton is a Yeovil legend after his lengthy service. But the lure of Charlton proved too much of a pull.

“He probably had a job there for life – if he wanted it,” said Jackson. “I’m really flattered that he was keen to come and work with myself. It [Charlton] is a huge football club, you can’t ignore that.

“It shows ambition on his part as well. He’s jumping on board with a young manager. I think he can see what I’m trying to do and where I want to go with it.”

PICTURE: CHARLTON ATHLETIC FC