Up the Albion
Joel Essex finds there’s only one Charlie Oatway
BHAFC has granted Charlie Oatway a testimonial following ten years of service to the Albion, and the former skipper has agreed to donate half of the benefit to Albion In The Community (AITC).
A number of events are planned throughout the season to celebrate Charlie’s time at the club, not just as a player but also as an employee of AITC, and since 2009, as first-team coach.
Charlie, who actually began his professional career with Cardiff City, appeared 248 times for the Albion between 1999 and 2006 playing a key role in the club’s back-to-back Championship wins during 2000/01, 2001/02 and captaining the side to Division Two play-off success in 2004.
After his Albion and professional career was prematurely ended by injury in 2007, he won wide acclaim for admitting to his difficulties with reading and writing and completed an adult literacy course with AITC.
He then went on to become a community relations manager with the club’s charity and in 2011 wrote Tackling Life, an inspiring account of his footballing career and his battle to overcome his problems.
In recognition of his work with AITC, and ongoing support, Charlie has kindly agreed to donate 50 per cent of the proceeds from his testimonial
to AITC.
“It’s been a great honour spending ten years of my life at the Albion, both on and off the pitch, and I want to thank the club for giving me this testimonial,” says Charlie.
“After all the help Albion in the Community gave me after I finished playing it’s only right that I give something back. I’m really looking forward to an exciting year of events and hope the fans can get involved as much as possible.”
Albion boss Gus Poyet paid tribute to Charlie’s contribution to the club: “It’s hard not to notice Charlie! He’s been such a positive influence on the dressing room since I arrived at the football club.”
The testimonial events start with a special Sporting Lunch on Friday 12 October, at the Brighton Hilton Metropole, and will end with a testimonial game against high profile opposition in either July or August next year.
A series of ‘Charlie’s Community Challenges’ aimed at raising money for AITC will also take place throughout the season. Fans will be able to vote on which challenges they would like Charlie to take part in.
Oatway added: “Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not the biggest fan of heights. I’m not too keen on water either so I’m sure the testimonial committee and Albion fans have got something special in store
for me!”
A website has been set up for people to keep up to date with all the latest news and information on Charlie’s testimonial year.
www.thelatest.co.uk is official sponsor of www.seagulls.co.uk
Photo: copyright Paul Hazlewood
