‘Fair play’ – Charlton boss delighted at fans’ warm welcome back for striker Macauley Bonne

Dean Holden says that one of the biggest positives from Charlton’s 2-0 win today was the reception their fans gave Macauley Bonne.

The striker signed up for a second spell with the SE7 outfit on Thursday, agreeing a deal until the end of the campaign. He was a free agent after his QPR contract was terminated this month.

Bonne said he never meant to disrespect Charlton when he talked about the R’s signing him in 2020 and admitting at the time that his “head was turned straight away”.

The former Leyton Orient striker got applause when he started to warm up in the first period against Barnsley and the Covered End chanted his name more than once on the afternoon.

Bonne had the shot which came back off the upright for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi to score their second.

Holden said: “The biggest bonus – aside from the win and the clean sheet – is our supporters singing Macauley Bonne’s name today. I was buzzing off that. I heard it and thought it was a really good moment, fair play. Everyone has pulled together.

“That could’ve been a situation that could’ve been different.

“There has been a bit of history there but Macauley fronted it up, in terms of that he has been honest. The supporters have really bought into that honesty, from what I’ve been told.

“He played well when he came on. You can see he wants to run in behind, he’s strong, he uses his body well and he is clever. He’ll be a nice foil for Miles up top, as well.”

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS