Au revoir Chris We've said goodbye to him once already and it appears that Richard Murray has again left the door open for him to return again but amongst the Luke Young stories this weekend, Chris Powell left the Addicks to join Watford on a one-year playing deal. This is further evidence of an Iain Dowie clear-out and reading in between the lines it doesn't look like the communication has been too great between the different parties in the last month or so.

The Sparrows Lane revolving door only has an 'out' sign on it at the moment and with contract's expiring yesterday, we wait to see what "exciting targets" Dowie, Murray and Mills have up their sleeves. Jason Roberts, Steve Sidwell and Ben Watson continue to be linked.

As expected Sky have altered some of our games, which albeit a pain in the bum, actually get me furiously marking my calendar as these are games I can watch in exile either in the pub or at home.

Talking of calendars, here are the confirmed pre-season friendlies, with the first game in just 20 days time at some place called Millwall. If anyone knows of this team, please write to the usual address.

Friendlies:
Sat Jul 22 Millwall A
Wed Aug 2 Welling United A
Sat Aug 5 New Zealand H
Tue Aug 8 Germinal Beerschot A
Fri Aug 11 FC Utrecht A
*Negotiations are still going on regarding some games in South Africa between the Millwall and Welling fixtures.

Germinal Beerschot play in a suburb of Antwerp at the ageing 1920's Olympic Stadium and FC Utrecht is only an hour's drive away from Antwerp if people are considering a short summer break. The Dutch side, who finished 6th in the Eredivisie play at the much more impressive looking Stadion Galgenwaard.  ¶ 14:53