Charlton Athletic’s owners told their football club is now a ‘different animal’

Nathan Jones reckons that Charlton Athletic’s owners now have a revitalised football club on their hands – compared to the state of affairs when he walked into The Valley.

American duo Joshua Friedman and Gabriel Brener, the two major shareholders in the South London outfit, were at today’s 2-1 win over Northampton Town with their respective families.

Charlton will be in the League One play-offs at the end of the season with the victory this afternoon guaranteeing a top-six finish. There is still a slim chance of the second automatic promotion place.

Jones was appointed as Michael Appleton’s successor 15 months ago and has hit the top-six target that was set before a ball was kicked in August.

“In-house it was the minimum,” said the Welshman. “The size of Charlton in League One – and so on (it was expected). But you have to understand that we were 18th in League One. Now we are fourth. That is some year’s work. I’m not saying that from me. From the whole football club – that is some year’s work. And we haven’t finished yet.

“If we continue that progression then imagine where we’re going to be in four or five year’s time?

“When I took over at Luton I was given time and they went from League Two to the Premier League in pretty much the span I was there. I didn’t take them to the Premier League – but the foundations were laid. That is the foundations we are laying here. Every season was a meteoric jump in everything. That is the progression we have to look for here.

“I’m really, really proud of that because a lot of things have to go right. People have to be good at what they do.

“I speak to them (the owners) regularly anyway. Great to see them. They were here a year ago – they now have a different animal of a football club to look after. We are very proud of that.”

Jones could be seen taking some deep breaths during the closing stages of the win over Northampton. Luke Berry and Matty Godden scored the goals as Charlton moved on to 79 points.

“For anyone who hasn’t managed or wanted to achieve – to be honest I am someone who is on the edge anyway, in terms of stuff – it is exhausting being a manager,” he said. “Driving something and really wanting something.

“It is a precarious job and a wonderfully rewarding job but sometimes you need to take a deep breath and think clearly. Let them (the players) get on with it – they are well prepared. So I went down and sat in the dugout for a little bit, got away from all the atmosphere. I just had a moment to myself. Sometimes you need that, just to gather your thoughts.

“Anyone with a dodgy heart, high blood pressure or anything like that – I advise you never to go into management.”

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS