Nathan Jones asked if promotion is number one target for Charlton Athletic next season

Nathan Jones was asked after Charlton’s 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury on Saturday whether promotion was his number one goal next season.

The Addicks are unbeaten in 14 matches – their longest undefeated run in 24 years – but are also guaranteed to finish in their worst league position in 98 years.

Former Luton Town manager Jones has only been at the South London club for a little more than two months and has pulled Charlton away from relegation danger in a campaign which also saw two head coaches – Dean Holden and Michael Appleton – both dismissed.

The Addicks have failed to fashion any kind of promotion challenge in the past three seasons since and lost their Championship status in July 2020.

“What we want to do is build a football club over a number of years – in the time frame that we believe is possible – and we will be where we believe we will belong,” said Jones, when quizzed if the target was going up in the 2024-25 campaign.

“Yes, we want to get promoted as quickly as possible. But, we want to build a football club that is sustainable and that is front-footed and goes after our goals.

“We want to reinstate this to once again be a wonderful football club – that’s what we want to do.

“Part of that is getting promoted and part of that is playing in the top leagues. That’s what we want to do. There is a time frame on everything – so I’m not going to say 100 per cent we’re going to get promoted. Of course we want to do it next season. Yes, we want to do it as champions or in the top two.

“We have a goal here that we want to achieve something and we believe we’re going to do that.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD