The club were delighted to welcome Soccology back to Sparrows Lane last month for the 2024 Pierre Bolangi Legacy Match.
Started with the support of former academy player Kevin George, Soccology bring a squad full of grassroots players from the local area to Sparrows Lane for a showcase game against one of Charlton's academy sides, in memory of the late Pierre Bolangi who tragically lost his life on a pre-season tour.
George said: “The game is about the ‘Keep the Dream Alive’ project in memory of Pierre Bolangi. Because Pierre couldn't fulfil his dream of making his professional debut, the idea is to use his legacy to provide young people with that opportunity to fulfil their dream.”
This year’s contest consisted of two U13s teams going head-to-head, with many fans in attendance, as well as Nathan Jones and his first-team coaching staff.
Also in attendance was the academy's Head of Coaching Rhys Williams, who stressed the importance of carrying on Pierre’s legacy.
“One of the big values of our club is that it is very much a family club," he explained. "Certainly, from the academy perspective, once you have been in the academy you are a part of that family. Sadly, families have some distressing moments sometimes. This happened slightly before I joined the club and it’s something that is really important to remember, the legacy of Pierre. From a collective perspective, being a part of the community and Charlton family is an enormously important thing
“If you face these difficulties, it is really important to remember them. We are very proud of Pierre and also proud to remember him to this day.”
Paul Elliott CBE MBE, Vice Chairman and the Board of Directors' lead for equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and mental health, added: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for these young people from diverse backgrounds, all in memory of Pierre. I was talking to Kevin and his leadership and commitment is a wonderful legacy - a sustainable one as well. It is about giving people opportunities to be the very best version of themselves, allowing us to come here and see the talent on show.
“Adversity can bring out so much positivity,” he continued. “Clearly the adversity has been challenging for the family, but to actually see 20 years thereafter the most extreme sadness, something positive has happened. There has been continuity of this, and today we get to watch these kids come from different backgrounds all looking for a pathway into the beautiful game.
“One of the great things is that they all want to be footballers, of course they do, but there are so many other opportunities to be involved in the game. It is a fabulous initiative - a lot of credit has to go to so many good people like Kevin behind the scenes.”
There was huge success off the back of last year’s inaugural Legacy Match as four U16s were offered pathways into the sport, with one player having a successful trial at the club.
“Last year, one of the boys got signed at U16 level," George revealed. "Another got invited in - he was a 12-year-old but trained with us and was amazing. Two others afterwards got sent into Sutton United, so four boys got opportunities in total.”
In order to carry on Pierre’s legacy, George and Angelique Bolangi, Pierre’s sister, created the Pierre Bolangi Award back in 2022.
Given to an U18 player within the academy, the award recognises the key characteristics that Pierre possessed, those being resilience, leadership, optimism and compassion.
Williams spoke on the importance of carrying on Pierre’s legacy, with the award and the club’s memorial garden being key in enabling that.
The award and the club’s memorial garden at Sparrows Lane is key in continuing Pierre's legacy, Williams and Elliott CBE MBE explained.
“Pierre very much represented the key values that we believe matter, not just for young players but young people as well. To represent those values with his award is a wonderful thing. By inspiring those who wouldn’t have known Pierre or his story but recognising the important values of being a good person and player, that is massive. It’s a really important legacy and one that we are proud to be celebrating now.”
Elliott CBE MBE added: “It’s such a strong focal point, it evidences everything that Pierre was about, very smiley and engaging. People say to me he was a wonderful young man and very personable as well. But when he stepped on to that pitch, he was a winner, he had that instinct. That visibility is a clear signal of remembrance and respect to the family. It is so important to remind people of past, present and future, what it meant, the impact on the club and the way the club has conducted in order to support the family.”
