THERE was disbelief among Charlton fans on Monday when Darren Bent missed out on a place in England's World Cup squad. The club's player of the year hit 22 goals in 2005/06 but Sven Goran Eriksson preferred Arsenal rookie Theo Walcott, yet to make his Premiership debut, for the main squad and Crystal Palace's Andrew Johnson for his standby list. There was better news of Luke Young, however, who is on standby for the tournament, with the final squad to be submitted to FIFA next Monday.

UNITED States international Cory Gibbs was confirmed as Charlton's first new signing of the summer on Monday. The 26-year-old left-sided defender is rated at £2m but is out of contract and the free agent has signed on a pre-contract from Dutch club Feyenoord. The transfer is subject to the club obtaining a work permit. "I received interest from Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers, Reading and Charlton," said Cory, who can play at left-back as well as on the left of a central defensive pairing. "Playing Premiership football has always been my dream and I honestly believe I am joining a club that is ambitious and hungry for success."

CHARLTON will play Millwall and New Zealand in the run-up to next season, and could also play two games in South Africa. The Addicks' pre-season schedule so far includes dates against the Lions at the New Den in a testimonial for Alan McLeary on July 22, games in Durban and Johannesburg on July 16 and 19 respectively and a Valley clash against the All Whites on August 5.

INTEGRITY and a British passport are at the top of the wishlist of Charlton plc chairman Richard Murray as he continues his search for a new manager this week. Applications must be submitted by today, and Murray said: "There is no shortlist. We have placed an advert for the post and then we will consider the candidates. We'll be looking for someone with integrity and probably somebody British because we are mainly a British side."

ONE season may have finished, but there are only 14 weeks until 2006/07 and existing season-ticket holders at The Valley have until the end of May to secure their current seat. Seats, the majority of which have been reduced in price, are available from just £99 under-11s, £125 under-18s, £225 under-21s and £325 adults. Get more details from 0871 226 1905 or at cafc.co.uk, and fans can also renew online. There is no price increase after the May 31 deadline, but existing fans' seats will no longer be reserved. The Valley ticket office will be open from 8am-6pm on weekdays and 9am-1pm on Saturdays during the close season.

TICKETS are still available for the big Sir Elton John concert at The Valley next month. The Rocketman will be performing more than two hours of hits from his incredible back catalogue as a 120-tonne stage is erected at The Valley for the gig on Sunday, June 4. Seats are priced from £40-100 and more details are available on 0871 230 4426 or ticketmaster.co.uk FANS held up signs saying 'Thanks Curbs' at Alan Curbishley's 729th and final game in charge of Charlton on Sunday. Before the match Sir Alex Ferguson presented the Addicks boss with a pair of first class tickets to New Zealand courtesy of the Charlton board, with Curbishley intending to visit his sister for the first time in 30 years during his break from management.

OUT of contract left-back Chris Powell has insisted he wants to remain with the Addicks next season after making his 700th career appearance against Manchester United on Sunday. "I know long term there will need to be a new, younger left-back," said the 36-year-old. "But I still feel I've got a part to play." Powell was named player of the year runner-up.

CHARLTON'S usual programme of summer events will take place across Greenwich, Bexley and Kent between July and September, and Summer Slam organisers are looking for volunteers. Temporary staff are wanted to supervise the free events, which include five-a-side football and face painting - see cafc.co.uk or e-mail helen.reed@cafc.co.uk for more details.

A BIG few days lie ahead for the Charlton women's team as they travel to Everton on Sunday needing to win their final match of the season to finish second in the league. The Addicks beat Sunderland 6-0 last Sunday and three players were due to represent England in a World Cup qualifier against Hungary on Thursday night. Meanwhile, trials for girls aged 16-21 who want to join Charlton's academy take place at the club's training ground in New Eltham on Saturday (12pm). The academy is based in London and Canterbury and currently has a roster of 28 players enrolled in a football/education programme designed exclusively for females. Get more details on 020 8298 2734 or deb.browne@cafc.co.uk THREE Addicks are set to feature in the Elite Round of the European under-19 Championships later this month, with Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph travelling to Slovakia for games against the hosts, Turkey and Georgia, while striker Michael Carvill and defender Nathan Ashton go head-to-head in Belgium for Northern Ireland and England respectively.

YOUNG Charlton fans can now receive football coaching from the Addicks as well as learn a new language following a partnership with a Malaga language school. The Charlton Athletic European Soccer School has joined forces with ESDE Idiomas to provide a two-week educational football programme in July - get more details at edufootball.com CHARLTON may have finished 2005/06 in 13th place, but their final home game was lucky for Dartford's Darren Warner, who left The Valley on April 29 £15,000 richer after scooping the Valley Gold end-of-season grand prize. The 34-year-old east-stand season-ticket holder possessed the winning numbers 2303, and will pay off some debts with the cash. Charlie Knight, of Bexleyheath, scooped the £1,000 second prize with number 2289, while Michael Murphy (2336), of Heathfield, East Sussex, won £500. All proceeds from the Valley Gold scheme are donated to the club's youth academy.