Nathan Jones overwhelmed with relief as Charlton Athletic secure League One play-off final place

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones expressed an overriding feeling of relief as the Addicks secured a date with Leyton Orient in the League One play-off final.

Matty Godden’s strike eight minutes from time was enough to earn a slender 1-0 aggregate semi-final victory over Wycombe Wanderers at an electric Valley.

The forward latched onto Lloyd Jones’ trouble-making in the Chairboys penalty area to send the capacity crowd berserk and leave the Addicks just a game away from a potential return to the Championship after five years away.

Jones, who was seen dropping to his knees at the final whistle, was asked to sum his emotions in that moment.

“Massive relief, euphoria, pride, anything really that’s positive,” explained the Addicks boss.

“But the big thing is relief. When you’re a manager you work so hard and prepare a team and then when something comes off, sometimes people think well it’s just euphoria or ego.

“It’s not, it’s relief and that’s the overriding thing. I’m so proud, so proud of the club tonight, every single member of the club, every member of staff, the board, all the board were here tonight, the owners, they saw a proper football club.

“They came in and bought the club two years ago, the infrastructure and the platform was there, it just needed bringing together and they saw a proper football club again tonight. I’m so proud, so proud of everyone, the fans, staff and especially the players because they were excellent, under big pressure today.

“To keep two clean sheets against Wycombe who are one of the top scorers in the league, it’s a front three that they have and what they can bring off shows that we’re in a good place.”

“We had to keep going, we had to keep believing, We made positive changes, we made changes to go after the game. Taking Thierry (Small) off was a big call because he’s a fan’s favourite and he showed that he wasn’t too happy so it was a big call for me. I’m pleased that it worked out.

“I’m just so proud of the players, the players have gone through a lot. I’ve asked them to trust me, I demand from them, I’m difficult sometimes to work with, I’m relentless, I don’t let them rest. I demand certain stuff, I question certain things they do but they’ve responded and they deserve all the credit they show, they’ve been magnificent, they really have.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS