Steve Avory has bemoaned the number of academy closures ahead of Charlton’s crucial game against Crystal Palace.

The Addicks Under-18s take on Palace in the Professional Development League 2 play-off final at the Valley tomorrow evening.

Charlton are renowned for producing academy graduates, but other clubs haven’t fared so well. Brentford, Huddersfield and Tranmere have ditched their academies in recent years.

Avory, who was appointed academy manager in 2010, said: “I don’t believe in it [the closures]. Brentford did it and it’s their decision.

“But I couldn't quite understand it at the time because we played Brentford in a national final three seasons ago and I thought they had some very good players - and suddenly those players haven't got the pathway that players here at Charlton have got.

“A lot of those players left. Huddersfield did the same this season - it’s a strange decision because again, a team like Huddersfield have been one of our strongest northern competitors in the last four or five years.

“I just think a football club has a duty to its local community as a centre of sporting excellence to provide players in that area if they're good enough.

“That’s what we do, effectively, and that’s what god knows how many other clubs do throughout the country. There’s nothing the fans love more than to see a homegrown player step on to the pitch for the first-team.

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“We’ve managed to do that and I know it’s been satisfying personally and for many other people working here as well as the players who see there’s a pathway.

“When I’m talking to parents of our younger players, who could be as young as nine, you can always point to this production line that we've got here. Parents do see that and they value that.”

Charlton youngsters George Lapslie, Taylor Maloney, Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, Jo Cummings and Jamie Mascoll have all made their senior debuts this season.

And with academy graduates Ezri Konsa, Chris Solly and Joe Aribo regularly starring for Charlton, the Addicks’ kids know there is a route to the first-team.

Avory hopes Charlton’s U18s team attracts a good crowd tomorrow.

He said: “Crystal Palace have got some good players, they’re a good team, they've actually won the Southern League.

“But we've beaten them once this season and they've beaten us. We’ve had some very, very good games with them, not just this season but in previous seasons.

“I remember when we played Sheffield United two years ago and Brentford away three years ago, those two occasions were well attended by Charlton fans as well as the opposition.

“You'd like to think this fixture will attract a decent crowd and it’ll be a great atmosphere. The fans can make a great difference - the boys feel that.”

Charlton v Crystal Palace kicks off at 7pm at the Valley on Friday - season-ticket holders get in for free, while admission is otherwise priced at £3 adults, £2 concessions and £1 juniors