On 13 September 2011, Yann Kermorgant was brought to Charlton Athletic from Leicester City and quickly established himself as a fan favourite.
The French striker became a key member of Chris Powell’s squad and was instrumental in helping them win promotion to the Championship after winning the League One title.
He teamed up with the likes of Bradley Wright-Phillips and was a constant threat for the defences that faced him during his time with the Addicks.
Kermorgant had earned a contract extension to remain with the club until the end of the 2014 campaign, with an option to extend his stay at The Valley for a further 12 months.
However, January 2014 saw the club go through a huge change, with Roland Duchatelet arrive and subsequently saw the attacker sold to AFC Bournemouth on deadline day.
Fans were angry that he had been transferred, with many taking to Twitter to share their disgust with the decision.
Here are some of their reactions…
@CAFCofficial why have we just sold two of our best players?? Yan and Stephens both gone?? Disgruntled fan right here like. #NaeHappy
— Lewis Taylor (@LewTee11) 31 January 2014
“@CAFCofficial: TRANSFER NEWS: Yann Kermorgant has joined @afcbournemouth for an undisclosed fee –> http://t.co/NMAxYtus66. #cafc Fuming
— Mem (@MemEmin_) 31 January 2014
@CAFCofficial disclose the fee, we want to know what the club sold its star striker for. Very very disappointing news #cafc #kermorgant
— david moss (@dm055y) January 31, 2014
@CAFCofficial Very sad to see Yann leave. He's been a shining light. @afcbournemouth you don't know how lucky you are. #ThanksYann
— Ian Cogswell (@Cogsi) January 31, 2014
https://twitter.com/jrvking/status/429289501421498368
https://twitter.com/ALowrey86/status/429256898240471041
@CAFCofficial @afcbournemouth absolutely gutted!!! :'(
— Daniel Basham (@danbashamCAFC) January 31, 2014
The decision to sell Kermorgant was even more bizarre considering the fact that Charlton were involved in a relegation battle at the time.
The striker himself called Duchatelet “deluded” with the vision he had held for the club and admitted that he had wished to have remained at the club, per the BBC.
That change was not the only thing that the Belgian owner did that season, angering the fans even further with his decisions.
Dale Stephens was sold and Chris Powell – another fan favourite at The Valley – was sacked and replaced by Jose Riga, who did eventually keep them in the Championship after he turned their form around.
Fans have been extremely vocal about their distain for the way the club has been run under the owner and have made it clear that they want him to sell up and leave.
And, it would appear the sale of Kermorgant in his early days had put Duchatelet in a position already set for failure.
Charlton fans – thoughts?
