Back in the top flight after an eight-year exile, Charlton Athletic made a good start to the
FA Premier League campaign, including a 5–0 thrashing of
Southampton in their first home match of the season as
Clive Mendonca scored a
hat-trick, and
Alan Curbishley was voted
Manager of the Month for August. Their form soon dipped, but they were never completely outclassed by the rest of the Premier League sides. In the end, they were the last team to make the drop following a late revival by Southampton. But Curbishley's job was still safe, as the board had every confidence in his ability to regain a hard-earned place among the elite for the Addicks. The board's faith would prove well-placed as Charlton was promoted back to the Premier League as champions the
next season. Key players in Charlton's ultimately unsuccessful bid to avoid relegation included
Richard Rufus despite his being sent off in his first Premier League game against
Newcastle United. == Kit ==