So, I know Spector is not the first American to wear a Charlton shirt. That would be former backup keeper Paul Rachubka, right? He is now at Huddersfield Town in what is now called League One. But if Spector starts, will he be the first American Addick to start and play in a Premiership match? Are there other American Addicks? Do tell.
Goalkeeper Mike Ammann started his pro career with Charlton, before moving to MLS and Kansas City, the MetroStars and DC United. Mike Stevens, from Chicago, is a long-time member of Charlton's board of directors. I've been a Charlton shareholder since the early 1990s -- at the time around the return to The Valley, Mike and I were the only two shareholders from North America. ( Mike with a few more shares than me. ) And, of course, Charlton now run an academy in Arizona. I know there are quite a few Charlton supporters in Greater Boston (including a season ticket holder who regularly flies to matches), as well as Greater Toronto in Canada. The club runs an International Supporters Club branch, with information available from ian.cartwright@cafc.co.uk .
Dapper Doug, Thanks for the info. I guess I should have made myself clear. In talking about American Addicks, I wanted to know more about players only. Not that supporters, etc., and that information isn't great. It is. But let's keep this to players only. Shall we? Any other American Addicks?
No others that have actually played for the first team, but several have for the reserves or been trialists ... Corey Gibbs, Eric Wynalda, Paul Caliguiri, John Kerr ... all had trials. Gibbs had a work permit issue, and went to St. Pauli, instead. Charlton chose to pass on Wynalda, Caliguiri and Kerr. I think there have been a few others, as well. Charlton had two American 16s in training last winter, and several MLS players have gone over during the American offseason and spent a couple weeks or months with Charlton. One is a DC United striker whose name presently escapes me. I think he played in college for Duke or North Carolina, if that shakes anyones memory. There was a relatively famous incident of Caliguiri getting hit over the head with a beer bottle in a restaurant while on trial at Charlton. He ended up signing with MLS. Paul Rachubka was born in California, but grew up in the UK, I believe. And I don't believe he ever made a first team appearance for Charlton. Mike Ammann played a few seasons, and about 30 appearances for Charlton. I actually saw his debut at Portsmouth, a 1-1 draw.
Doug and Doug, I apologize if I offended. Really, if my tone came off as anthing but nice, I am very sorry. I just want to talk about American Addicks players. And shouldn't that be UNTIE!? P.S. doug -- still trying to find that email address for you. It must be on the old computer. I will try to hook it up and get it this weekend.
Hartley, Just giving you a hard time. Good thread, I didn't realize so many americans had been addicks (or almost addicks).
I had forgot about Gibbs. I do rememeber reading about some trials/training of the other guys. I think that Mike Amman bought out his contract to play for MLS. Anyone else remember that?
So, technically, Mike Amman is the only American Addick player to start for Charlton, right? Then Spector will most likely be the second. I rate him to start the first match this season due to El Karkouri's injury absence. So, let's take this thread in a slightly different direction. Which American players do we think would make good Addicks? Which ones would Curbs pick? Obviously, many would pick Landon Donovan. But he's not leaving America any time soon. Beasley would be great, but he has found a good start at PSV and may be looking to BIGGER clubs if he ever comes to England. Others?
Clint Dempsey(already had trials at Feyenoord) or Oguchi Onyewu(6'4, 210 lbs Centerback who plays for Standard Liege in Belgium) or Eddie Johnson(Plays for FC Dallas and trained with Man U after the last MLS season finished)
I would love to see Oguchi Onyewu on the Charlton back line. And Dempsey is great. I just don't know how he would fit the Addicks lineup. He seems he would most likely go to Holland before England. He doesn't have enough National duty under his belt to get the work permit. EJ just signed a long-term deal with MLS. I would expect for at least the next two or three years he will be staying in the States. After that, it will be a big club for him -- like Man U.
Now there is another American with Charlton. One Brian Jackson, a striker, is on trial. He is young and getting Reserves playing time. Apparently he is from Salt Lake? Anyone know anymore about this youngster?
Here is an article about a match he played in: http://www.charlton-athletic.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=22415&newstype=m Not too sure if that is him in the picture. He scored the first goal. It is a little unclear if he is on trial or signed.
Jackson is on trial according to this article: http://skysports.planetfootball.com...le=Addicks+trial+American&channel=premiership Of course, that may mean nothing. No indication that he has signed though.