‘I kept my promise’ – Alfie May looks ahead to Charlton return after netting on Birmingham debut

Alfie May is anticipating a warm welcome back to The Valley on Tuesday night when Birmingham City head to Charlton Athletic for the first round of the EFL Cup – but the 31-year-old has insisted he will not be affected should the home crowd decide to boo him.

May left the Addicks this summer to join recently relegated Birmingham City after hitting 23 League One goals last season and winning the Golden Boot.

Our paper reported that the South Londoners are thought to have landed a deal worth around £775,000 with add-ons, meaning it could reach a seven-figure total.

May scored on his Blues debut, converting an 87th-minute penalty to secure a point in a 1-1 draw with Reading.

The EFL Cup clash will be May’s first opportunity to return to South London after leaving this summer.

“It will be an interesting one to see what the crowd say and do about me,” May told BirminghamLive.

 “I’m a grown man, an adult, it won’t affect me if I get some boos.

“When I went there there was a lot of outside noise – again – and a lot of inside noise, from people inside the club that were questioning my age when I first signed. 

“But I made a promise to someone when I first signed that I would score 20-plus goals – I kept my promise, I won the Golden Boot, I did my job. I couldn’t do much more.

“When you leave, you hear some things that are said about you, but I’d like to think the reception I get is going to be a good one. Every club that I’ve been to I’ve been a fans’ favourite. I will work hard on the pitch, I’ll run around and do my best to make sure I’m helping the team.”