Charlton were just four points away from qualifying for European competition in the 2003/04 season, but the mid-season departure of Scott Parker ended the Addicks’ hopes of a continental adventure.
Before his move to Chelsea in January 2004 for £10 million, Parker started 20 of them Charlton 21 matches in First leaguehelping them climb as high as fourth place in the table with 37 points.
Following Parker’s departure, this form did not continue in the final 17 games, with Charlton gaining just 16 points, finishing the season in seventh place with 53 points. They finished three points behind both Newcastle in the fifth and Aston Villa in sixth place, both also had a better goal difference. Liverpoolmeanwhile, he had a 60 in fourth place.
Charlton suffered a major decline in form following Parker’s departure
Thanks to this, Newcastle qualified for the UEFA Cup Middlesbrough Winning the League Cup also secured them a place in Europe’s second tier competition the following season.
For Jason Euell, an important player for Charlton that season thanks to his 10 Premier League goals, the loss of Parker ultimately proved to be a key turning point in their European hopes.
“The sale of Scott Parker to Chelsea made the difference,” says Euell FourFourTwo. “We had good balance, especially in midfield where Scott and I worked well together. When I went back, Claus Jensen and Matt Holland were playing on the right and left and we could all score goals.
“It was a big deal when Scott left. Curbs [Curbishley] I didn’t want him to leave; there were some misunderstandings. However, we had a chance to qualify and were disappointed when he left.
Sam Euell lasted just two more seasons at The Valley, with the Jamaica international moving north to join Middlesbrough for the 2006/07 season, despite his Charlton side having previously finished the season at a higher level.
“I didn’t play much last season and was close to joining Birmingham in January,” says Euell. “Then Curbs left and Iain Dowie came. Dowie said I wasn’t in his plans and wanted me to go to Wigan.
“I didn’t take part in the first few games and I knew I would move on. Dowie told me to play in the reserve match, but I didn’t want to risk getting injured, so he asked for forgiveness. He fined me a week’s wages. He tried to show power over me, which I thought was inappropriate, and a week later I was to sign for Middlesbrough.
