Peckham’s Tyreece Campbell on a marathon journey at Charlton Athletic – with the toughest challenge still ahead

Tyreece Campbell has done so much of the hard graft to make the grade at Charlton Athletic. But the next stage of the challenge – to cement himself in Ben Garner’s first-team squad – is arguably the toughest.

The Peckham teenager was playing for United Allstars when he was signed by the Addicks at the age of nine after previously trialling at Crystal Palace.

Fast forward to the present day and Campbell has made 15 first-team appearances for Charlton, including playing the full 90 minutes – collecting an assist – in the 4-1 FA Cup win over Coalville Town earlier this month.

He has also started three of their last four League One matches.

“I often refer to it as a marathon journey,” Charlton’s long-serving academy boss Steve Avory told the South London Press when discussing Campbell’s time in the Charlton system.

“Tyreece is one of those long-term player development journeys – you’re even prouder of them coming through from that initial age group.

“It’s a real achievement, for sure. It’s the reason why we sign players at U9. I’ve always been a believer that players should come into the system at that age.

“There are some people in the youth development game who don’t necessarily approve of that. They think nine is too young. But if players are talented and identified at those ages then they come into an environment whereby they are training and playing games against equally talented youngsters. That’s got to be a positive in terms of bringing them on.”

The player’s full name grabs the attention – Tyreece Anthony Tupac Shakur Campbell. It is a nod to the American rapper, who was shot dead in 1996.

“My mum and dad were big fans of him and had pictures around the house,” explained Campbell. “He passed away on September 13 [1996] and I was born on September 14 [2003]. I don’t listen to his music.”

Campbell’s objectives are exactly what you expect to hear from a young footballer.

“To get some more appearances, more goals and more assists,” he said. “And a call-up to England U20s.”

Campbell, who is also eligible to play for Jamaica, has had plenty of sound advice off Charlton right-back Mandela Egbo.

“He speaks to me all the time about my football and that is really helpful,” said Campbell.

“The manager Ben Garner has told me to be confident and do what I do, my normal game and don’t always do the safe thing.”

Campbell signed his first professional deal with the Addicks in July 2021. He had been part of Anthony Hayes’ U18 team which reached the Professional Development League 2 national play-off final.

“What is pleasing is that Ben Garner has certainly seen enough of him – as recommended by us – to convince him that the first-team is where Tyreece should be at this moment,” said Avory.

“He has integrated into the everyday training with them – that’s where he is every day now. That has happened maybe a little bit sooner than I expected this season but I’m delighted that it has because it shows Tyreece has grabbed his opportunity.

“The thing that has always excited me about Tyreece is his wonderful ability to manage the ball at close quarters. He has that one-v-one ability to go past players at speed with the dribble and get into goalscoring positions as a result of it. Throughout his academy journey he has always been a consistent goalscorer.

“He’s had an impact, for sure. His first opportunity [at senior level] came last season but the impact has been more consistent this season.

“I don’t think any player can say they have established themselves as a first-team player until those number of appearances becomes 40 or 50 and he is well aware of that.

“Of course some have moved on to other clubs – but ones that get that many games, 40 or 50, have tended to stay in our first-team squad. They aren’t toing and froing between U21s football and first-team football.

“Initially everybody does that – Tyreece has been doing that and that may, at times, still happen. I’m really pleased he is holding his place at the moment.

“Tyreece is a quiet lad but he doesn’t lack in terms of confidence on the field or in day-to-day training. I don’t think that is holding him back. Every player thrives on encouragement and he’ll get plenty of that here.”

MAIN PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS