Charlton won’t be drawing on the glory of May 25, 1998 as fuel ahead of their League One play-off final on Sunday according to Lee Bowyer.
The Addicks manager takes his side to Wembley 21 years and a day after a Clive Mendonca inspired Charlton won promotion to the Premier League in a repeat of the weekend's fixture.
Bowyer however, although having fond memories of the ‘greatest day’ in Charlton’s history, won’t be using it as fuel to inspire his men.
“21 years is a long time,” he said.
“The game has changed a lot and it’s been a long time since then.
“It’s a unique day, a day that depends on the players, how they handle the occasion.
“We took the lads there on Thursday to show them so it’s not such a big surprise because it’s such a unique place.
“But chances, decisions, injuries between now and the end of the game, it’s who handles the occasion the best."
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Wembley a perfect reward for Charlton fans says BowyerCharlton, who overcame a stubborn Doncaster side in the play-offs in front of a sell-out 26 thousand Valley last week, didn’t play to their full potential over the two legged semi-final according to Bowyer who admitted that the occasion may have got to some of his men, but they will be better for it.
“If I’m honest I think it affected a few of them,” Bowyer said of the biggest crowd at The valley since 2012.
“I think the occasion probably got to us a bit in the second leg but I think it’ll put our young players in better stead.
“The most they’ve probably played in front of before was 14,000 here, but the other night against Doncaster, with the atmosphere and how noisy it was, with that experience they’ll be ready for Wembley for sure.”
For Bowyer, on a personal level, it’ll be a day of immense pride for the manager who started his playing career at the club.
“I started out playing on the astro-turf here as a kid, and now to be walking out a unique set of players that are going to give me everything they’ve got in front of 75 thousand people, it’s going to be an unreal moment.
“It’s probably going to be one of the proudest times in my career for sure.
“I’ve obviously walked out with England there but this will definitely be up there.
“I’ve no doubt my players will give everything and whatever the result come 90 minutes I know I’ll be standing there proud.”
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