Claus Jensen: Charlton Athletic was the best part of my career – the memories are very strong

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

There are signs that the good times could be returning for Charlton Athletic but there is still a seriously long way to go to reach the golden spell when Claus Jensen starred in their midfield.

The Dane, now 47, was back on The Valley turf before Saturday’s 4-0 win over Huddersfield Town as part of a Nordic quintet of ex-Addicks which included Hermann Hreidarsson, Jonatan Johansson, Martin Pringle and Mathias Svensson.

Jensen was a huge fans’ favourite during his four years with Charlton. The silky midfielder was a club record £4million signing from Bolton Wanderers in July 2000 and played 126 matches in the Premier League for the Addicks as Alan Curbishley’s side finished ninth, 14th, 12th and seventh.

That last campaign is the Addicks’ best-ever position since the English top flight was rebranded.

Jensen had the choice between Charlton and Ipswich Town when he left Bolton. Both clubs had been promoted from the second tier but the title-winners had more pulling power.

“I remember going to Ipswich first, having talks over there, but it was planned then that I was going to The Valley to meet Curbs,” Jensen told the South London Press.

“They were very intense days. I was never really in doubt, in terms of Charlton. They had a really strong team and I was suited to being in it.

“Curbs is a fantastic man. You have that feeling in your stomach, which is probably the most important thing, that this is the right place. My heart was with Charlton after I’d been there. I met Richard Murray, the chairman, and that was a really good conversation as well.”

Jensen’s impudent chip over Arsenal’s Richard Wright at Highbury in 2001 was voted Charlton’s greatest goal by the club’s supporters a few years ago.

So does he have it playing on a continuous loop in his house?

Jensen laughs.

“It was a special goal and a special moment,” he said. “Beating Arsenal 4-2 at their ground was one of those highlights where we showed everyone that we were a team to be reckoned with.”

Curbishley’s team built a reputation for never being in relegation danger but suffered run-in slumps to end prospects of securing European qualification.

The stinger was the sale of Scott Parker to Chelsea in January 2004 when Charlton were fourth in the standings.

“We finished in the highest position that year, which was seventh, and I still think it was a great achievement by the team,” said Jensen. “I’m not looking at it like that (as missing out).

“I’m glad my last season with Charlton was a great one. It was the best four years of my career, in terms of football. I loved my time with Charlton. Sometimes it feels like a different lifetime, but the memories are very strong.”

Jensen is at a loss to explain why Charlton had a pattern of seasons fizzling out – despite finishes that are now only dreamed about with the South Londoners looking to end a five-year stay in League One.

“It was never complacency or satisfaction with what we achieved,” he said. “It wasn’t like when we got to 40 points that was it, I don’t think anyone thought that.

“We grew stronger every season I was with Charlton. By the end we had 25 very good players. You need that to be able to be competitive all through the season.

“We got into the Premier League and had to establish ourselves and the club. We did and I’m very proud of that. I’m grateful for the years we spent together.”

Jensen made the move across the capital to Fulham in 2004 – a £1.25m deal – but announced his retirement in 2007. He was only 30.

He said: “Sometimes as a player you have a feeling that you need to get some fresh air. That was the case when I joined Fuham. I had been with Charlton for four beautiful years. In a short playing career that you have, I felt it was the right time for me to go to a new place and have to prove myself again.

“I’ve said it many times, I loved my time at Charlton – all the respect for that – and the people around it.

“The three years I had at Fulham were very injury-plagued – so it is good Charlton got rid of me before then!

“Retiring was unfortunate and too early. I tried everything to get back. I love the game and I’m still in the game, just on the sidelines now.

“It was the right thing to do. It has given me the chance to get on with the other side of life a bit earlier than some of my team-mates – I’ve enjoyed that, when I look at it with hindsight. At the time I was sad.

“I feel so privileged, in terms of what I have been able to see. That is what fills me up today and in my life in general.

“Injuries are part of football and, if you have to have them, it is better to get them in your late 20s than when you are 17,18 or 19.

“Back in those days you weren’t told about resting. I played national team games and I would play 50-60 matches a year. I think in the end it was just a matter of too many smaller injuries – I wasn’t able to train.

“The body was worn out- not the mind.”

Jensen was part of a small group of investors who bought his hometown club Nykøbing in May 2015. He has had stints as manager, chairman and now director of football.

“I went back to my hometown club and that is where I have been, trying to get some successful football in that part of Denmark. We have had some really good years and I’m part-owner of the club – we’ve tried to develop that focusing on the young kids and talent development, so they have opportunities to follow their dreams where I was born.

“That is a great place for me. I love every day of doing that. I’ve done that for the last 10 years and had different roles – I’ve even been chairman for a while. It’s been very inspirational to be part of my old hometown club.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD AND PAUL EDWARDS