Charlton Athletic defender could be celebrating back-to-back League One promotions

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Tom McIntyre stands a chance of being part of successive League One promotions with Charlton Athletic’s excellent results keeping alive hopes of a top-two finish.

The 26-year-old, who joined the Addicks on loan from Portsmouth at the start of February, has had to patiently wait for game time due to  the South Londoners being in such excellent form.

McIntyre’s four appearances have all been as a late substitute, helping them to see out victories over Exeter City, Barnsley, Crawley Town and Wigan Athletic.

The Reading-born centre-back impressed after coming through the youth ranks of his hometown club but their well-documented financial issues meant Portsmouth paid just £75,000 to sign him in January 2024.

His debut for the South Coast outfit turned into a horror story.

Not only was McIntyre sent off for a 54th-minute challenge on Mitch Pinnock – which was rescinded on appeal – but he also broke his ankle.

“It was a killer,” said McIntyre. “I felt a big clunk. When you go into a 50-50 then sometimes you get a little bit of a nasty one.

“I was hoping it was not too serious but it was, I had to have a few pins put in. I managed to get a few passing drills in before the end of the season, but it was not ideal.”

Pompey won the title with 97 points – five clear of second-placed Derby.

So could McIntyre still savour the moment despite his situation?

“Absolutely,” he said. “I relished being part of that environment and seeing the lads win every week.

“Even though I hadn’t played a huge amount, I was so invested because you get to know the boys. We had a great trip to Vegas in the summer. They are brilliant memories that will stick with me for the rest of my life.”

McIntyre’s first professional goal  for Reading helped to inflict a 2-1 defeat on a Luton Town side managed by Nathan Jones, now his manager at Charlton, in a Championship fixture in December 2020.

He met Sone Aluko’s outswinging corner with a left-footed volley to make it 1-0 early on.

“The manager mentioned that when I was on the phone to him before my move,” said McIntyre. “It was decent enough. The gaffer went: ‘I remember that worldie you scored at the Madejski’.

“His teams are tough and tenacious – they always give you a good game.”

McIntyre’s interview with the South London Press took place almost immediately after his switch to South London.

“I had a few other options but nothing really appealed to me,” he said. “Then this one popped up and I was delighted.

“I had already gone to them (Portsmouth) saying I wanted to play more football, asking what the plan was, but it was clearer to me at the end of the window that they wanted me to go out on loan.

“I wanted to play, it is frustrating sitting around. I wanted to be part of something special and that has lots of potential.”

Breaking through at Reading remains special.

“It was a dream come true – I had a season ticket since I was four,” said McIntyre. “My dad and all the family still go now.

“I had six months left on my contract and then I had an opportunity like Portsmouth come up – a brilliant and big club that was top of the league.

“Everything was so up in the air at Reading, it probably would have been a bit silly to stay at that stage.

“Some people said about me jumping ship but sometimes you have to think of yourself.

“Career-wise I felt it was something that was going to progress it.”

MAIN PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS