The Best that Never Was (Charlton Academy)

James Walker. Scored for fun at youth level and in friendlies, but never got his chance.

C_A_F_C said:

pettgra said:

In our youth team we had Solly, Wagstaff and Shelvey. We also had a centre forward who West Ham nicked off us. He looked really lively, for the life of me I cannot remember his name.

Danny Uchechi also known as Chima Orelaja.

Was really good on one of the Football Manager games.

Ah that’s the fella. Thanks for that.

Ben Gotobed

I thought Jamal Campbell Ryce would be a top player. Had a decent career  but not reached the top.
Callum Harriott looked very promising at times. 

sam3110 said:

Who was the kid that scored for fun in the youth and decided to go to a US college a few years back?

I thought Rurik Gislason was going to be the absolute nuts as well

To be fair Rurik went on to have a pretty decent career, as went to the 2018 World Cup with Iceland

Became quite popular on Instagram too for some reason

Scoham said:

Athletico Charlton said:

I thought Semi Ajayi would be offered longer than a 6 month contract and was disappointed when he left.  

Kasey Palmer I thought would go on to bigger things than a Championship player.

The first lad I remember hearing about on the radio as being poached was taken off us by Spurs in the 1990's I reckon.  Ford maybe?  Assumed he would be a star when he joined Spurs but he disappeared without trace.

Recently Adigun I thought would become a regular for us.

Spurs lad was Owen Price.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_Price_(footballer)

Ford is probably you remembering Simon Ford who was in our academy around the same time.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Ford

Owen Price was the one.  Don't know where I got Ford from TBH as I don't remember Simon!

tangoflash said:

Matt Eliott

Wasn’t an academy product and neither can you say he didn’t live up to his potential, far far from it.

AndyG said:

In recent years the one that really suprised me was Charlie Barker. He didnt look out of place when he played in our 1st team when we went through that terrible injury crisis. I thought he was nailed on to progress through to our 1st team as a regular

I'm not sure Barker was ever touted as one who would make it, but i agree when he was thrown into the side (was it because we couldn't register senior players or something?) he didn't look out of place originally. 

Pleased to see that he's made his way back into the EFL.

For different reasons but Pierre Bolangi

masicat said:

Was a Vietnamese boat boy many years ago, Da Vin Nguyen ( sic ). Story at the time was that he was going to be a superstar. Was then discovered he wasn’t 13 years old, he was 16. That changed everything. Maybe someone on here can confirm if that’s true as it was a rumour.

Jermaine Darlington was another. Manager at the time chose Millwall away for his debut as a 16 year old. Again, I’m not sure how much is true and how much is rumour. 

About twenty-five years ago a new family took over the chip shop that used to be opposite my flat in Penge. First time I went in the oriental bloke running it saw my Addicks cap and made a comment (exactly what was said I can't recall now), but a few words were exchanged and I said "Hang on, are you Vinny?". He was very surprised I had remembered him. He said he had been working in the USA as a coach, but had come home because of family (I think). The chippy didn't last long, and I have no idea where he went after that. I have never heard the age story before, or anything about him not being legal.       

Ross said:

James Walker. Scored for fun at youth level and in friendlies, but never got his chance.

Remember doing a powerpoint presentation on him for my school.

9goalswentpastperry said:

golfaddick said:

Addick_in_Exile said:

Over the years the Charlton Academy has continued to produce Addick starters, England Internationals (Jermaine Defoe, Scott Parker, Jonjo Shelvey, Joe Gomez and Ezri Konsa) and even a Ballon d'Or nominee (Ademola Lookman).  Has there been an Academy product that you thought was the next Wayne Rooney or Frank Lampard that never quite lived up to their hype or potential?  Or ever put on a first team shirt?

I take offence to the first line which includes the words "addicks starters" and "Jermaine Defoe".

Me too. It's Jermain. 😀

Showing the same level of respect to the man that he gave Charlton.

Seem to remember Mark Lawrenson tipping Stacey Long for a big career. 

DaisyEdwards said:

Seem to remember Mark Lawrenson tipping Stacey Long for a big career. 

The one thing that Stacey lacked was pace, he was captain of many England youth teams. He’s married the daughter of the man who owned the Venue. Saw him recently driving a BD8, he’s involved with Glebe FC.

Ishmael Demontagnac