Johnnie Jackson pays tribute to Chris Solly ahead of his testimonial dinner

Johnnie Jackson has paid tribute to club captain Chris Solly, ahead of the defender’s testimonial dinner on Sunday, March 17th. 

Next month, the duo will be joined by members of the club’s League One title-winning squad from 2011/12 – as well as a host of other special guests – and tickets for the event can be purchased online by clicking here

This season represents Solly’s tenth as a first-team player with the Addicks and Jackson remembers first meeting the then young academy graduate. 

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“It’s incredible to have seen his journey,” Jackson, now of course assistant manager, said. “Sols was at the club before I joined but he was a young lad who had just made his debut. 

“Seeing him go from making his debut to becoming a regular feature in the team, to becoming one of the best players in the team, vice-captain to myself and then going on to captain the club himself; to see that journey and be a part of it is incredible.

“The fact that he’s managed to maintain the level that he has for this long is true testament to him. He’s a club legend now, there’s no doubt about it.”

Solly won the supporters’ Player of the Year award in 2011/12, with Jackson finishing third in the same vote, and he is looking forward to reminiscing about the historic season. 

Jackson said: “Certainly for myself, it was the best part of my career and I’m sure Sols would say something similar. To have all the guys back together, see some old faces and tell some old stories will be great. 

“You see some of them from time to time in football but others you haven’t seen since. It’ll be good to remember such a great season.”

Jackson is also looking forward to being joined by Charlton fans, who of course played such a big role in helping the team to win the title. 

He said: “They’re always relaxed events where you can mingle. The players let their hair down and engage in conversation and that’s not always available to the fans. There will be some good stories shared and I’m sure the fans have some god stories from that season because it was certainly eventful!

“A lot happened that year, mostly good but a few bad. From the fans’ point of view, there’s one story where I had a drink on the way back from Exeter with a few of them, so there’s that one. 

“It went viral and blew up, so that one’s quite funny. There were lots of little anecdotes along the way that I’m sure will be told on the night.”

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