Charlton 'built' for Wembley finals
As referee Andrew Kitchen blew the whistle to bring an end to the League One play-off final another landmark day was written in Charlton Athletic's Wembley story."Some clubs are built for Wembley and I've been fortunate to play for two of them that seem to go there and just get the job done by hook or by crook," former Addicks and AFC Wimbledon striker Lyle Taylor told BBC Radio 5 Live's 72+ podcast.Sunday's 1-0 victory ensured Nathan Jones' Charlton side will be playing Championship football next season after five years in the third tier, while the Dons secured promotion to League One when they defeated Walsall a day later.In their past five visits to the national stadium stretching back 79 years, Charlton have won four of them. Their FA Cup final 4-1 thrashing of Derby County in 1946 was followed with another FA Cup victory a year later, this time 1-0 against Burnley, where Chris Duffy scored the winning goal in the second-half of extra time.A 1-0 defeat to Blackburn in the long since defunct Full Members' Cup final in 1987 is their only defeat, before they won 1988's memorable Division One play-off final 7-6 on penalties against Sunderland - the match had finished 4-4 They then beat the Black Cats for a second time 2-1 League One play-off final in 2019 before this year's visit."Ultimately, when you see the job through at Wembley you get to lift the cup and it's one of the biggest days of your career, and it's that simple," Taylor said.
'A rebuild for Jones after damaging jobs'
Jones took over at Charlton in February 2024 with the club three points above the relegation zone and steered them to a 16th-placed finish, before leading them to play-off victory this season."There can be no doubt that he's a very good manager. He's had great success with Luton over two stints. His teams are really difficult to play against," Taylor said."They play a really good brand of football, it's almost like 'crash, bang, wallop!' Let's go and have a big scrap but we're also going to be able to play with the ball as well."I don't think anybody who's a Charlton fan could want for something greater than what they've been given this season in terms of entertainment value, defensive solidity, connection with the team on the pitch and a manager who isn't afraid to speak his mind – good, bad or indifferent – and also wants to give to that fanbase and receive love from that fanbase."The Welshman's most successful stint in management came in his first term at Luton, taking the Hatters from League Two to the Championship during a three-year spell.But an unsuccessful period at Stoke City and a tenure at Southampton in the Premier League which lasted just 95 days dealt a reputational blow that he has been slowly recovering from at the Valley."Overall, I think he's done a fantastic job there," former Reading midfielder Jobi McAnuff added."It's been a rebuild for him personally after a couple of damaging jobs but also for the football club and it just feels, for the first time in a long time, everyone at Charlton Athletic is connected," "And I think that's probably his biggest testament."
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