Grant Basey handed Charlton Athletic coaching role

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Grant Basey has been appointed Charlton Athletic first-team development coach.

The 30-year-old had been the Addicks’ kit man since the start of 2018.

Basey played 55 matches for Charlton but injuries forced his early retirement from the professional game.

He said: “In essence it’s going to be a link between the first team and the U23s and just bridging that gap. 

“There are players that have obviously been doing well like Albie Morgan, Alfie Doughty and Brendan Wiredu and it’s managing them and looking after them, whether they’re here with us training with the first team or whether they’re going out on loan to further their development. I will have a big part in their progression to, hopefully, playing for our first team. 

“One of the big pluses for me in that I can relate to where they’re at in their careers.

“My journey started here as a nine-year-old, maybe even before that actually with the community courses that I used to go on. But as a nine-year-old that’s when I signed for the academy and so I’ve been through the whole journey that these boys have been through. So, to pass on the knowledge that I’ve picked up over the years I think it’s going to be good for them and good for me.”

Charlton manager Lee Bowyer said: “Grant knows the game, he’s been in and around us for the last 18 months, he knows what we want. He knows what’s expected.

“He’ll be with us sometimes, other times he’ll be watching the U23s, training and games. He’ll be watching the loan players and also keeping an eye on the younger lads that come up with us. This is a role that [academy manager] Steve Avory has been saying we need for a while, ever since I’ve taken over really, so it’s good that we could bring someone in and I think that Grant fits the bill perfectly.”