Coalville Town defender Jake Eggleton: I’ll be fined if I celebrate a Charlton Athletic goal

Coalville Town’s Jake Eggleton is finally set to achieve his dream of playing at The Valley – with the Charlton-supporting centre-back previously only going on the SE7 pitch after their 2019 League One play-off semi-final win over Doncaster.

The 24-year-old and his family are season-ticket holders and the Dartford-raised defender had a year playing for the Addicks before being released at the age of nine.

Eggleton will be bidding to cause a major FA Cup upset tomorrow when the Southern Central Premier League side head to SE7 for a first round tie.

“I’ve already been told by the boys that if I celebrate when Charlton score it’s a fine,” Eggleton, who had 10 years on the books of West Ham United, told the South London Press.

“It’s just going to be a really good day. All my friends and family are going to be there. But it will also be weird because my mum and dad will be sat in the Coalville end.

“Darren Bent was probably one of my first idols as a kid – then in my teenage years it was Yann Kermorgant and Johnnie Jackson. One of my favourite matches was the one before we won promotion at Wembley – beating Doncaster.

“I was on the pitch afterwards celebrating with my dad Steve and brother Will.

“I remember getting close to Lyle Taylor, but I don’t want to speak about him too much any more.”

Eggleton is hoping that he can swap shirts after the match.

“I’ll be happy with whoever I can get – George Dobson would be a good one,” said the Loughborough University student, who attended his first Charlton game at the age of five. “I played a bit with him at West Ham, he was the year above me so I’ve got a brief connection.

“It will definitely be an upset if we win. Charlton have picked up a bit and are doing alright. With the players we’ve got we can cause most teams problems and we can cause Charlton problems.

“Keeping them out the other end is my job. It will be good to see what team they put out.

“Jayden Stockley, flippin eck, he’s unbelievable in the air. He’s a giant and wins everything. I’ll just look to help my centre-back partner out.”

PICTURES: CHRIS SIMPSON