Thinking of Sven-Goran Eriksson this week reminded me of when his England squad borrowed Charlton Athletic’s Sparrow Lane training ground before the infamous friendly with Australia at Upton Park in 2003. Sven was on the front pages again because of a relationship – I never quite understood why the FA didn’t tell us “he’s single, mind your own business” – and the photographers were eyeing up the best shot.
One of them noticed the Addicks’ ladies team also trained there and spotted a banner close to the pitch that read “ADDICKTED TO WOMEN”. You can guess what happened next. The snappers stationed themselves to get the money shot when Eriksson stepped in front of the sign. Job done, they had it clicked, and their editors must have been delighted.
One of the more football-related pictures used that day involved Eriksson speaking to the uncapped Scott Parker. The midfielder managed the remarkable feat of being on the bench at Upton Park two days later and never coming on. Eriksson changed all 11 at half-time. Danny Mills ended up captain and the armband apparently ended up in his sock drawer. England lost 3-1, the Australian fans chanted “it’s just like the cricket” and Fifa ended up limiting the number of subs that could be made in friendlies.
Parker, who went on to make 18 appearances for England, was at Charlton at the time, another reminder of the club’s prodigious youth-development work. So was Paul Konchesky, the left-back who did come on at the break for Ashley Cole. And Charlton keep developing talent. Their latest starlet, Miles Leaburn, has scored four in his last six games, was voted EFL League One Player of the Month for December and is again exciting scouts from other clubs. Although he started out in Chelsea’s academy, Leaburn is quintessential Charlton: the son of club legends, Carl, their former striker, and Tracey, popular head of first-team player care. He will inevitably move on at some point, generating money for the club (his contract runs until 2026) and reminding everyone of the quality of coaching and opportunity at Charlton.