U18s midfielder Ed Thomas was presented with the 2025/26 Pierre Bolangi Award ahead of Saturday's Professional Development League play-off semi-final at The Valley.
The annual accolade, which was presented by Pierre's family and friends, is given to an U18s player who has demonstrated Pierre’s characteristics of resilience, leadership, optimism and compassion.
On August 9th, 2000, Pierre, a promising 17-year-old left-back, was part of the U18s' pre-season training camp in Aldershot when he got into difficulty and drowned during an army training exercise.
In recent years, close friends and family members have set up 3P3 The Legacy to remember Pierre and to create opportunities for young people in the Canning Town area, where Pierre was from, and further afield.
The 3P3 The Legacy team said: "We were incredibly proud to present the Pierre Bolangi Award to Ed Thomas following his very solid and composed performances throughout the season. The award represents far more than football - it reflects the values Pierre carried both on and off the pitch: resilience, leadership, optimism and compassion.
"To honour Pierre’s legacy at Charlton through young players who show those same qualities means a great deal to everyone involved with 3P3 The Legacy. Ed embodied those characteristics perfectly and is a very worthy winner."
U18s Lead Coach Jason Pearce added: "Ed came in as a first-year scholar and he's a really intelligent boy. He comes in every day and he works hard. He's had to be patient this season but when he's had his opportunity he's taken it.
"He's shown real quality when he's played. As a person he is a real kind-hearted boy, who is always willing to help others. He's epitomised our values which link closely to Pierre’s values and attributes as well. He's a deserved winner of the award."
For more information and to donate to 3P3 The Legacy visit 3P3TheLegacy.org and follow 3P3TheLegacy on Instagram and TikTok.
Pierre Bolangi Award winners:
- 2021/22: Seydil Toure
- 2022/23: Keenan Gough
- 2023/24: Mason Hunter
- 2024/25: Phoenix Valentine and Marley Rayment-Dawkins
- 2025/26: Ed Thomas
