“I’m emotional and proud.”

Those were the words of Lee Bowyer moments after his Charlton side secured a trip to Wembley a week Sunday after their penalty shoot-out win over Doncaster.

Taking charge at the Club 18-months ago, Bowyer has guided the Addicks to within touching distance of Championship football, all with the backdrop of off-field dramas that would rival any soap-opera.

“I’m proud of the way that things have gone, especially this season,” he said.

“To take this club, this group of unique players, to walk them out with our fans at Wembley will be a very emotional time for me.

“It’s going to be a proud day.”

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With the forever 'imminent' sale of the club up in the air, the hostility between owner and fans, and the puzzling contract negotiations of players and manager, Bowyer has remarkably got people talking about what is happening on the pitch instead of off it.

“It’s not been easy," he continued.

“There’s highs and lows, but the task I set myself was promotion.

“Promotion was most important.

“I wanted to rebuild this club, it’s a special club, we’ve got amazing fans that travel every week up and down the country, so if I can give them a set of players who are also unique, we’ll be some team.”

Filling out The Valley has long been a goal of Bowyer’s since his arrival, and with the official attendance against Rovers being 25,428, it marked the highest gate since 2012.

“What we’ve achieved tonight is massive, we’ve just filled a stadium that hasn’t been filled for so many years.

“It shows the job me and my staff are doing is really good.

“I’m very proud.”

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Sunderland Favourites

Turning his attentions to Sunderland, a side they lost to on the opening day of the season at The Stadium of Light before sharing the points at home, Bowyer conceded they will be underdogs.

“They’ll go in to it as favourites.

“We haven’t beaten them this season.

“We gave them a good run at theirs with a small squad.

“We drew here but I thought we were better here.

“They’ve an advantage having played at Wembley already this season, but I know we’ll turn up and give everything.

“With these fans behind us it unique what we’ve built in 18 months.

“Sunderland aren’t going to turn up and think it’ll be easy, they’ll respect us and well respect them.”

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Report: Charlton 2-3 Doncaster Rovers - Addicks go to Wembley on penalties (4-3)