Charlton coach O’Donnell is perfect man to help club’s youngsters bridge gap to first-team

Richard O’Donnell will be able to use his experience of youth football to help Charlton Athletic’s young players step up to the first-team squad.

That is the verdict of Addicks head coach Michael Appleton, who brought the 38-year-old in as a coach last month.

O’Donnell has worked with Appleton at Lincoln City and Blackpool. He acquired his UEFA A license aged 21 after his playing career was ended due to injury.

“I’ve known Rich quite a while,” Appleton told the South London Press. “I did my B license a long, long time ago with him. I’ve probably got 10 years on him as well – so he did it very, very young.

“We stayed in touch and then there was an opportunity to bring a coach into Lincoln – it was to almost be a bridge between the first-team and the academy.

“Rich spent all of his career up to that point working at academies and various levels, from the tots right up to the U23s. It was a no-brainer at the time.

“We have got so much potential in this group and the academy has been fantastic over the years, I knew Richard would be excellent in that role for me.

“Yes, he is working predominantly with the first team on a day to day basis but he is certainly qualified and got the nous and communication skills to to keep that bridge nice and smooth between the academy and the first team.”

Karoy Anderson, 19, has been selected by Jamaica for international matches against Grenada (October 13) and Haiti (October 16).

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS