“Embarrassed” Charlton players to refund fans following 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Huddersfield
Charlton captain Johnnie Jackson has pledged to reimburse fans who travelled to watch the team's 5-0 drubbing at Huddersfield last night.
The loss followed a third-round FA Cup exit at the hands of League One strugglers Colchester United on Saturday and was the club's fourth loss in six games leaving the Addicks second from bottom in the Championship and three points adrift of safety.
Club captain Jackson said he would arrange reimbursement for the roughly 100 fans who made the 440 mile round trip to witness Charlton's heaviest loss of the season so far.
"I know words are cheap but on behalf of myself and the players, I want to apologise for tonight," wrote the former Tottenham midfielder on Twitter.
"It was disgraceful and you deserve better.
"We are going to reimburse fans who travelled up to support us. I will arrange this with the club + [sic] they will let you know how to be refunded."
Read more: Why Roland Duchatelet's project at Charlton is failing
Academy graduate Callum Harriott also apologised to fans on Twitter, writing: "Apologies for everyone who travelled for that it wasn't good enough and we are embarrassed for our performance."
Charlton have earned just 11 points from a possible 39 since making rookie coach Karel Fraeye "interim head coach" in October.
Yet the Belgian refused to speak to the press in the aftermath of the defeat at Huddersfield.
Goalkeeper Stephen Henderson did front up to the media and echoed Jackson and Harriott's sentiments of contrition.
"It's not good enough. It's embarrassing really," said the Republic of Ireland keeper. "Publicly I'd like to apologise to our travelling fans."
Some supporters took to Twitter to express the belief that it should be Duchatelet and the club directors rather than the players – many of whom are youngsters on their first professional contracts – who should fork out for fans' refunds.
@johnnie_jackson respect to you Johnnie but surely the owner and his ceo should be making that gesture .
— Steve White (@drummerwhitey) January 13, 2016
Furious Charlton fans have staged protests in recent weeks against the ownership of Belgian multimillionaire Roland Duchatelet.
A huge crowd outside the Valley chanted for Duchatelet, who has not attended a game at the Valley since October 2014, to sell the club following their most recent home game against Nottingham Forest on January 2.
Fans are furious with the club's apparent lack of direction, poor player purchases and baffling managerial appointments – Fraeye had never managed higher than the Belgian third tier before being placed in charge of the first team at The Valley.