Three of the released academy youngsters have joined new clubs and will be hoping to prove that Charlton were wrong to let them go.

It is always a difficult decision, when it comes to deciding which players to let go. Sometimes the decisions are marginal and every club has made mistakes. Time will tell whether any of the trio come back to haunt the Addicks.

Young players also decline offers from their club, thinking they can do better elsewhere, only for them to fail to make it in the game. Decisions can have far reaching effects.

Keeper, Harry Doherty, has been taken on by Brighton, Ellis Brown has gone to Southend and Tomi Adeloye has signed for Stoke.

The fact that one of the players has gone to a Premier League team, and another to a Championship play-off team suggests that, potentially, they could have bright futures.

Midlands sources suggest that Ben Hamer’s move to Leicester is more-or-less a done deal. Not a shock, but it confirms Charlton will have a decision to make regarding the goalkeeping position ahead of the new season.

The club will have to decide whether Nick Pope is ready to step up to Championship level or if they need to bring a more experienced keeper in.

Nigel Worthington would like to take Pope to York on a permanent basis but the Addicks are unlikely to allow that.

Dillon Phillips will probably be loaned out to gain experience during the next campaign, if so, Charlton will have to bring in another senior keeper.

Reports suggest that gritty defender, Richard Wood, has activated a clause in his contract that will keep him at The Valley for another season.

Wood’s left footedness adds natural balance to the back line and he is an experienced Championship campaigner.

Leon Cort and Bradley Pritchard will not be offered deals for next season and are seeking new clubs.

First team coach, Damien Matthew, goalkeeping coach, Ben Roberts, and sports scientist, Laurence Bloom, are also reported to have signed new deals.

Chris Powell’s assistant, Alex Dyer, has left the club, while a decision regarding the head coach’s position is expected to be announced within the next week or so.