Former Charlton Athletic left-back Grant Basey has told Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) he is “very proud of where he started” after being the first player to make it into the first team via one of the Trust’s community courses. Now a coach with Charlton Athletic’s academy, he has also been working this week on CACT’s football holiday courses at Sparrow’s Lane in New Eltham
The Farnborough-born player was scouted while on CACT’s Saturday morning courses, joining the Academy and going on to make more than 50 appearances for the Addicks. He was coached by current Academy Director Steve Avory and CACT’s Head of Football and Sports Development Sean Daly.
Grant made his first-team debut against Queens Park Rangers in October 2007 at the age of 18. He went on to play 53 times for the first-team in the Championship and League 1. He also represented Barnet, Peterborough United and Wycombe Wanderers.
Grant went to school in and lives in Chislehurst, but has Welsh roots and represented Wales at U17, U19 and U21 level.
Grant said:
“To be the first person to come through the community scheme to play for the first team was a great honour for myself.
“Now being back in a coaching capacity, you see how things go now, and you’re also learning.”
He not only coaches on the same community courses he took part in himself, but also the Academy itself.