Dillon Phillips says he always knew Ashley Maynard-Brewer would play for Charlton's first team.
Just as Phillips did previously, Maynard-Brewer has progressed through the club's esteemed academy and established himself as the Addicks' number one keeper in recent months.
“Ash is a great goalkeeper and I’m so pleased for him," Phillips told Valley Review. "I remember his first training session at Charlton as clear as anything - he was about 14 and absolutely tiny!
"Ben Roberts, our goalkeeper coach at the time, was serving the ball as hard at the youth and first team goalies as he was at this little Australian kid," recalled the 27-year-old, who was part of Charlton's 2018/19 promotion-winning squad. "But his hands were like buckets and he was so clean in everything he did.
“I heard his interview the other day after he signed his new deal and it did remind me of my time breaking into the Charlton side," added Phillips, now on loan at KV Oostende in Belgium. "He went out on loan, but got injured, came back to Charlton and managed to get himself into the team.
“In the season we got promoted, I was all set to join Mansfield on loan in League Two," he revealed. "I had the car packed but then Lee Bowyer didn’t let it happen and it proved to be a godsend. I always knew Ash would play for Charlton and I hope he can keep performing the way he is.”
Charlton fans can support the academy by signing up to the Valley Gold scheme. Valley Gold enables fans to support the club’s academy in unearthing the talents of tomorrow, as well as giving them the chance to win cash prizes.
For more information on how you can become a Valley Gold member, please click here.
