Thierry Small issues response to "abuse" from Charlton Athletic fans that Preston North End will love | OneFootball

The 21-year-old scored in Preston's 2-0 win against his former club on Saturday.

Preston North End star Thierry Small has responded to Charlton Athletic supporters who gave him a frosty reception during the Addicks' defeat at Deepdale on Saturday.

The 21-year-old made 48 appearances in all competitions for Charlton last season as they won promotion to the Championship via the League One play-offs, before deciding to join Preston North End at the end of his contract in June.

The former Everton wing-back has made a promising start to life in Lancashire, helping the Lilywhites put themselves in the early promotion picture with a number of exciting performances under Paul Heckingbottom during the first couple of months of the campaign.

Small faced his former club on Saturday, and Charlton boss Nathan Jones discussed the youngster's decision to swap The Valley for Deepdale in the lead up to the game, explaining that he had done everything he could to help the player develop following a difficult spell at Southampton, as per Richard Cawley via X.

"Apart from paying his mortgage, bathing him, driving him to school every day and cooking his meals, I don't think I could've done any more," the Welshman said.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Small scored the opening goal in his side's 2-0 victory over his former club with a right-footed effort which deflected off his former team-mate Kayne Ramsey and out of the reach of goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski.

Small turned to 'shush' the travelling fans at the opposite end of the pitch, before knee sliding and embracing his new supporters in the stands at Deepdale, in what was undoubtedly a bitter moment for the Charlton faithful, who had been jeering and chanting at his every touch.

It was always going to be interesting to see what kind of reception Small received from the Charlton supporters who travelled to Deepdale at the weekend, given the fact he played a significant role in the club returning to the Championship after five years away, but also left to join a team in the same division at a time when the Addicks needed to strengthen rather than having their squad weakened.

It quickly became apparent that Small was going to be booed every time he touched the ball, while he was also subjected to claims of being greedy for leaving the club, which, in hindsight, may have motivated him to perform rather than putting him off in any way.

Small discussed the reception from his old supporters after the game, as per Rich Cawley's substack, stating that he was surprised by the greeting he was given.

"It was a shame, if I'm being honest with you," Small said.

"But I also understand it is football. I've got a lot of time and respect for them. Even though they wanted to boo me and not be nice, I understand that it's football.

"If I'm being honest, I didn't really expect to be getting that much abuse. I understand it's part of the game and it's football. I've got a lot of time and respect for Charlton as a club and the fanbase.

"Obviously, it didn't really feel nice getting booed but I had to do a job on the pitch. I'm a Preston player now and I love being at Preston. You've got to put all your emotions aside and just get the job done and that's what I've done."

Charlton Athletic will seek revenge later in the season on Thierry Small and Preston North End

Charlton will have an opportunity to get revenge on Small in the reverse fixture at The Valley later in the season.

There is every chance that Small, if he operates in the same position as he did on Saturday, will come up against Josh Edwards that day, as the Scottish left-back was ruled out with an injury at Deepdale, meaning Kayne Ramsay played out of position on the left-hand side.

The reverse fixture is at the business end of the season on April 11th 2026, and Nathan Jones will no doubt be keen to see his side put in a better performance than they did at the weekend, particularly in the final third.