'Yes, Jones is intense - but he gives everything'

The first time I took notice of Nathan Jones was in 2012, when he joined Charlton Athletic as the Under-21s professional development coach. Even then, whispers around the club spoke of his sharp coaching mind and infectious energy.

Before long, Brighton & Hove Albion came calling — and just like that, he was gone, off to assist Oscar Garcia. I remember feeling disappointed. It felt like we'd just glimpsed something special, only for it to slip through our fingers.

Still, I followed his career from a distance - the highs at Luton, the bruising spells at Stoke and Southampton - always wondering if he'd return to SE7.

So when Charlton appointed him manager in February 2024, while we were sitting in 19th place in League One, I was genuinely excited. He returned not as a coach, but as a man on a mission. His message was simple: tighten up at the back, sharpen up front, survive the season, then build something better.

The summer that followed brought promise. Smart recruitment. Three wins on the bounce. But football is rarely linear — and soon, the Nathan Jones rollercoaster took a dive. A woeful performance at Reading saw him, in his own words, "go off his nut". A few shaky results followed. The mood turned restless.

Then came a moment few expected. After a home win against big-spending Birmingham City - a moment made for celebration - Jones instead lashed out at the home fans, frustrated by their lack of belief. He even offered to step aside.

It was shocking. But also, in a strange way, galvanising.

Supporters began to understand the method behind the madness. Jones wasn't here for hollow applause - he wanted buy-in. Unity. Grit. Around Christmas, things began to click. Results improved. So did the connection between manager, players and fans.

That journey culminated at Wembley in May - a day that rewrote the mood of the club.

What I admire most about Nathan Jones is his brutal honesty and burning passion - qualities that resonate deeply in this working-class corner of London. Yes, he demands a lot. Yes, he's intense. But he gives everything. And in return, he asks only that we trust the process, even when it's uncomfortable.

That infamous Birmingham rant? It wasn't petulance. It was a challenge. A turning point. And looking back, it was the beginning of Charlton rediscovering its heartbeat.

Macaulay Gillesphey summed it up perfectly after the play-off final: "He doesn't mess about."

Jones has a deep affection for this club - forged in that early stint back in 2012, strengthened by old friendships, and cemented by this chapter of redemption. As we now step into the Championship, there's a quiet confidence that we're in good hands.

The foundations are set. The belief is returning. And with Jones at the helm, the 'grand design' doesn't seem so far-fetched anymore.

Nathan Jones: a builder, a believer, and the man Charlton didn't know it needed - until now.