Third man revealed: Mark Kinsella
Charlton have appointed former club captain Mark Kinsella - the only Addicks player to ever lift two major trophies - as the third and newest member of the club's coaching team.
As a player he was the heartbeat of the Charlton side that lifted the 1998 First Division play-off trophy and then the 2000 First Division Championship trophy, gaining promotion to the Premiership on both occasions.
And now he is returning to The Valley to help ensure the Addicks don't lose their top-flight status.
"I've always said one day I wanted to come back to Charlton and I'm delighted to get the opportunity now,” said Mark.
"When I was a player at the club we worked hard for a number of years to get in the Premiership and establish ourselves, and now I'm really looking forward to being part of the team to try and move the club up the table.”
Kinsella made 226 appearances for the Addicks between 1996, when he joined from Colchester United for a bargain £250,000, and 2002.
During his time in SE7 he became the club's most capped international player, for the Republic of Ireland, and was a firm fans' favourite - becoming known for what he called 'the old heave-ho' in front of the north stand following home victories.
His title at Charlton will be development coach, replacing Mark Robson, who stepped up to become assistant head coach following the departure of Iain Dowie in mid-November.
Charlton head coach Les Reed said: "Among the very well qualified and high calibre number of potential coaches, I'm delighted to be able to welcome the appointment of Mark.
"I'm particularly pleased that Mark has agreed to join us because he has very strong leadership qualities, tremendous drive and enthusiasm and of course Charlton blood running through his veins.
"It will be a big boost for us to have someone of Mark's quality on the full-time coaching staff, and it's further evidence of our commitment to move forward and upward.”
He added: "The players will benefit enormously from his experience and he has proven ability as a coach, having coached and managed in a caretaker capacity at Walsall.”
Kinsella, now 34, will play for the Saddlers for the last time on Saturday, when the League Two leaders take on Swindon Town.
He will officially hang up his boots after the match, and start his new role on Monday - with a first reserve fixture in charge the following day, at Gravesend & Northfleet FC against West Ham United.
Said Reed: "Mark will be responsible for the development of our young pros, for the liaison with the academy set-up and the management of the reserve team.
"I'm sure the fans will be delighted and will give Mark a huge welcome when he returns to The Valley for the Liverpool game on December 16th.”
Charlton plc chairman Richard Murray was equally pleased by Kinsella's return.
"Mark was an inspirational player and captain in his time with us and of course led us to much success. I am delighted he has agreed to become the third member of our coaching team,” he said.
"I would also like to thank Walsall for agreeing to release Mark at such an important time in what is proving to be a very successful season for them.”
The Saddlers are currently nine points clear at the top of the table, but Kinsella has no qualms swapping a club at the top of the pile for one that has only just moved off the bottom of the Premiership thanks to victory against Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night.
"Walsall have been brilliant to me,” Mark added. "I've really enjoyed my time at the club and that has made it a much harder decision than it might have been.
"Where we are in the league also makes if difficult, and I think they know that had it been any other club then my decision might have been different.
"But they know how I feel about Charlton, which is my club. It's difficult to leave, but I'm very excited about coming back to Charlton.”
Kinsella made 46 appearances for Walsall after moving to the Bescot Stadium following spells with Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion after the Addicks.
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