Charlton Athletic boss Lee Bowyer so proud his “unique” group of players have reached Wembley

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Charlton manager Lee Bowyer has spoken of his pride at leading the club to their first play-off final since 1998.

The Addicks won 4-3 on penalties against Doncaster Rovers tonight.

Charlton will face Sunderland – also their opponents on the last time they went to Wembley – for a spot in next season’s Championship.

Bowyer said: “I’m proud. It’s going to be a proud day. I’m proud of how things have gone, especially this season.

“And to take this football club and lead them out, this group of players are a unique set. To be walking them out with our fans – singing their hearts out like they do – I think it’s going to be a very emotional time for me.

“I was okay through the penalty shootout. It’s something you can’t control. You’ve got a goalkeeper from each side which is going to keep guessing, and you hope your one guesses right. And he did. 

“I was obviously grateful for that. I said before the game that this would be a proper football match. You’ve got two teams who are going to put their bodies on the line, pass the ball and create chances. I thought both sets of players were outstanding.

“I said to my players after the game that I’m proud of them – I love them all. They never stop and they fight for everything. They just kept going and going. I went into the Doncaster dressing room and said the same to them. Both sets of players, they should be proud of them.

“What Doncaster did there tonight, no-one has done that to us here. Not what they’ve just done. They played so well and caused us so many problems.

“But, one team has got to lose and thankfully we went through.”