Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones could not hide his emotions following his side’s League One playoff final success, as reported by News Shopper.
Jones’s side overcame Leyton Orient to book their place in the Championship.
Jones Full Of Pride
After Macaulay Gillesphey’s 31st-minute free kick sealed Charlton’s return to the second tier, manager Nathan Jones was full of pride for all associated with the football club.
The former Luton Town boss beamed:
“Masses of relief, a lot of euphoria and even more pride.”
“I am just so proud of the whole football club, everyone. Our fans, especially the 44,000 turning up today.”
Addicks Continue Their Road To Recovery
The Wembley victory continues a remarkable turnaround for Jones and the Addicks in just over one year at the helm.
When the Welshman took over, Atheltic was battling relegation to League Two and will now be preparing to face clubs like former Premier League champions Leicester City next season.
Charlton has languished in England’s third tier for five seasons and failed to finish above 7th in any of those campaigns. Jones guided the club to a 4th-place finish before overcoming Wycombe Wanderers over a two-legged playoff semi-final.
Manager Keen To Kick On
Despite having just secured promotion from League One moments earlier, Jones is determined not to rest on his laurels and continue to drive Charlton Athletic forward.
Aware of the step up in quality, Jones said:
“Now we have to add more quality, we must continue to move forward because now we enter a different environment.”
He even went as far as to somewhat downplay the achievement but confirmed the club is heading in the right direction.
“We have only won the League One Play-Off Final, we have not won the Champions League, but we are in a good place. It is a wonderful day. We are going to celebrate it. It is a great club, I always knew it was.”
Writer’s View
This was as big a win for Jones as it was for Charlton Athletic. The Welshman is rebuilding his reputation after a short yet disastrous spell at Southampton and being back in the Championship is a huge step.
For the Addicks, this is a long-overdue promotion and one that gets them back to where many feel they belong and one step closer to where some supporters may feel they should be.
