Oakwell hero thanks Addicks

While Jonjo Shelvey made Charlton history on Saturday, one former Addicks youngster played a starring role for the opposition.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce in his Charlton days

Jamal Campbell-Ryce netted the opening goal at Oakwell and was later named man of the match as the Tykes secured their Championship status with a 3-0 win.

And as well as heaping praise on Charlton's youngest ever player, the Jamaica international paid tribute to the club for paving his way in the professional game.

"Some people say I never got the chance I deserved at Charlton but I don't hold grudges,” he said. "If anything, I want to thank Charlton.

"They gave me my chance, gave me my first professional contract and helped me progress."

With Shelvey joined later in the game by rookie winger Scott Wagstaff, and keeper Darren Randolph and young left-back Grant Basey also on the bench, Campbell-Ryce's involvement meant five players with connections with the Addicks youth set-up were on the Oakwell teamsheet.

The Lambeth-born flanker added: "Shelvey today was brilliant and gave a great account of himself. He has a very bright future as long as he is nurtured the right way.

"Charlton have always given their youngsters a chance and they have always produced players, and that showed with Wagstaff and Shelvey playing a part in the game.

"When I came though Lloyd Sam and Michael Turner came through, and we are still playing now.

"Then you have the likes of Charlie MacDonald, Scott Parker, Jonathan Fortune and Danny Shittu."

It's just over five years since Campbell-Ryce made the first of five substitute appearances for the club, in the Premier League clash at Blackburn Rovers on April 12th, 2003.

An 86th-minute replacement for another youth-team graduate Kevin Lisbie, he would play twice more in the top flight either side of two League Cup games.

The first, against Luton Town at The Valley, saw the winger emerge from the bench and immediately centre from the left for Paolo Di Canio to snatch a late leveller and force extra-time.

Charlton would eventually beat the Hatters on penalties after a thrilling 4-4 draw, but the 1-0 Valley defeat to Leeds United in November 2003 would be his final outing.

"I still had a year and a half left on my contract when I took it upon myself to leave," explained Jamal, who moved to Rotherham United after previous loan spells at Leyton Orient, Milton Keynes Dons and Chesterfield.

"I left when I did because I wanted to crack on and play first-team football. It was all about playing for me, I didn't want to sit around and just play for the reserves.

"I was getting older in football terms - 21 or 22 years old - and although I could have sat around for a year and a half and maybe got a few games, it was time to go out and play regularly."

Saturday's dazzling performance was all the more impressive due to the fact Campbell-Ryce had pre-match injections to ease a foot injury that had prevented him from training for two-and-a-half weeks.

"I had been struggling but I did it to get the team safe," he said, before admitting his delight at breaking the deadlock with just 11 minutes on the clock.

"We knew what needed to be done and it was great, especially against my old side, for me to put us one up.

"I crept in round the back and I think my first effort was going wide, but thankfully it came back to me and I punched it into the far corner.

"The pain was numbed for the game and now I can rest and start my holidays early!"

Valley Gold raises money to support Charlton's academy - and there is still a chance for fans to join the scheme and be eligible to win £15,000 in Sunday's grand prize draw at half-time of the match against Coventry City.

For more details on Valley Gold, and to gain Superstore discounts as well as greater ticket priority, click here.