Scott Wagstaff admits it is a shame to see Charlton in their current state - and understands why fans are protesting.

The 25-year-old Addicks academy graduate came on as a second-half Bristol City sub in the damaging 1-0 home defeat last Saturday.

The popular ex-Charlton star received an amazing ovation on his homecoming.

Wagstaff told News Shopper: “It was great to get a really good reception when my name was announced on the bench.

“It was so nice to hear and see that because I was there when I was seven-years-old and I always gave 100 per cent.

“I grew up with the club and really enjoyed my time there and I’m thankful for the opportunity that they gave me.”

It is because of Wagstaff's history with the club that he feels the pain of supporters, fed up by the current regime, and struggling at the foot of the Championship.

He added: “It’s upsetting, I still keep in touch with Charlton fans and friends and they’re telling me how it’s not the same and how everything has changed - it’s not nice to see.

“To be honest, I don't know half the players that are there.

“It’s tough to watch and it’s hard to take because of the position Charlton were in when I left, we did really well in our first Championship season and I thought we’d kick on but it hasn't happened.”

Wagstaff played 120 league games for the South Londoners but was released in 2013 and returned to the Valley for the first time since leaving.

After seeing the home crowd’s anger towards owner Roland Duchatelet, the winger feels sorry for Addicks fans.

He said: “Yes I do [feel sorry for the supporters] because the owner is a foreign owner and he’s got his own ideas of what he wants to do, and the fans have their opinions about it.

“I can understand exactly where the fans are coming from because I’ve grown up with the club and you want to see it do well.

“It’s not a stable club at the moment - you see loads of players and managers coming in and going out.

“You need to get it back to how it was a few years ago - getting the English lads coming through and getting the fans back on side.

“With the squad Charlton currently have, they should be doing better.”

After the Robins defeat, Wagstaff was pictured with fans wearing a black and white scarf - the scarves being worn by thousands of supporters unhappy with the running of the club.

However, the Maidstone-born midfielder saw the funny side of it.

Wagstaff added: “I was literally outside with a few of the fans and I think they were just having a bit of a joke and a laugh.

“I was ready to take a picture and they chucked the scarf on me - it was a laugh which is fair enough.

“They want their club the way it was before and it’s difficult for me to take. It’s a shame to see it like this.”