Ed Thomas has become the fourth winner of the Steve Clarke trophy.

He was presented with the trophy at half time of the Burton game by Steve's sons Tom and Jamie and his granddaughter Pearl.

The award was established by CAST in 2021 to commemorate Steve Clarke who was a greatly respected and much-loved Charlton supporter who died of cancer of the kidney in September 2020 at the age of sixty five. Steve was a Valley Party candidate; chair of the CAFC supporters club; the first CAFC supporter director and chair of CAST from 2015 - 2017.  After his death the CAST board decided to preserve his memory by presenting an annual award to the player in the CAFC Academy under 16 group who best exhibited the following qualities:

• Contribution to the team performance
• Consistent individual performance and progress
• Outstanding personal qualities that contribute to and develop team ethic and togetherness
• Educational achievements in the football scholarship

Academy under-16s coach Kieran Cullerton nominated Ed and praised him as follows:

"Ed joined our academy relatively late, signing at the end of his under fourteen season. Since then he has exemplified the characteristics of a Charlton Athletic player, performing to a consistently high level on the pitch whilst being respectful and humble off it. Ed demonstrates a real desire to improve, showing real buy-in to the process of constant improvement and he enjoys the journey of an academy footballer. On the pitch, Ed is a calm yet energetic footballer who has been a huge part of our run to the U16 PDL Cup final. Ed has had a fantastic season and fully deserves such a prestigious award."