Ten years ago: promotion campaign falters

Charlton's promotion campaign continued to falter in April 1996. After a 0-0 draw away at Sunderland (where Andy Petterson won Man of the Match from the Sunderland sponsors), Charlton drew 0-0 at home with Derby County in front of the television cameras on 14th April 1996. It was also the day of the Auto Windscreens final and I encountered a lot of cars and coaches with Rotherham banners on the M1.

My notes recall, 'Charlton played with vigour and determination, but despite a number of chances, could not find the back of the net. Petterson good in goal. An exciting game, but not the result we wanted.' Rufus and Bowyer were both missing because of suspensions. Charlton were 4th in the table coming into the game.

The programme revealed that midfielder Peter Garland had left the club 'by mutual consent'. It also mentioned that Kevin Nicholls and goalkeeper Robert Wright had been brought into help carry the kit at Sunderland. Nicholls is now Luton captain, but what happened to Wright?