Attention: Please take a moment to consider our terms and conditions before posting.

Your first ever match - Memories

1234568

Comments

  • 5th February 1994 Charlton 0 - 1 Grimsby. I was 13 and had been following Charlton from around 87 after seeing photos on the back page of the Mercury. Didn’t get a chance to go to a game until a Charlton supporting family moved in near us on the estate. Remember the pitch looking really big and walking past some Grimsby fans outside The Valley pub. Often wondered if Mendonca played against us that day but can’t seem to find any info online. 
  • 16 Sept 1967 - CAFC 3 ASTON VILLA 0  My Uncle Bob started taking me to home games and this of course was the first. Don't remember much about the game except being in awe seeing the players in COLOUR (only black & white TV then) from high up on the east terrace. I think that even then the Red Red Robin was played when the players ran out and for some reason my tiny brain cell seems to recall them being called 'The Valiants' in those days? maybe not? and also remember banging my head on one of those steel rails trying to walk under the terracing.... 
  • 82Stu said:
    Blackpool at home 25//10/82. Promotion winning season, 7 years old with my dad and sister. Memorable for the fact that Alan Ball was playing for Blackpool. 2-1 win.
    1980
    Didn’t know how to edit my own comment…..should proof read before posting!!
  • Drab 0-0 draw v Bristol City the year we almost went up but finished six points behind Palarse. 
  • edited April 2022
    1976, Arsenal v Liverpool, Highbury, midweek, 1-0 Arsenal, John Radford. What a stadium Highbury (Arsenal Stadium) was by the way.

    A few months later my Dad (guilty that family friends took me to my first ever game?) took me to Charlton v Sheff Utd at The Valley, 3-2 Charlton; brilliant.
  • Should've learnt from mine... Thank you Ronnie Rosenthal! 

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VVtnLA28kCI

    I had to stand up at school assembly to say what I had done and remember ending the presentation singing "Charlton Athletic are SOoooo pathetic!" 
  • August 87 CAFC 1 Forest 2 All I can remember is a Reid penalty, two late goals conceded and there being less people there than I would have expected. Did nothing to dampen what became an ever growing enthusiasm for a club I have now supported and loved for 35 years. 
  • 995632 said:
    Should've learnt from mine... Thank you Ronnie Rosenthal! 

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VVtnLA28kCI

    I had to stand up at school assembly to say what I had done and remember ending the presentation singing "Charlton Athletic are SOoooo pathetic!" 

    Yep, i remember that game, the perfect hat trick, left right and header... wasn't bloody perfect in my eyes..
  • About 1953 home v Big spending Sunderland bought Ray Daniel,Trevor Ford,and goalkeeper Jim Cowan.we won 5-3.
  • Oxford at home in October 1968. Won 1-0 and I think Graham Moore scored. Attendance was about 13,000 if I remember correctly. Just missed out on promotion at the end of the season. Next season it all fell flat.
  • Sponsored links:


  • Jaybinho said:
    5th February 1994 Charlton 0 - 1 Grimsby. I was 13 and had been following Charlton from around 87 after seeing photos on the back page of the Mercury. Didn’t get a chance to go to a game until a Charlton supporting family moved in near us on the estate. Remember the pitch looking really big and walking past some Grimsby fans outside The Valley pub. Often wondered if Mendonca played against us that day but can’t seem to find any info online. 
    Yes...he scored the goal for Grimsby.

    Salmon; Brown Minto Pardew Chapple (Balmer 73) McLeary Robson Pitcher Leaburn Grant Newton (Nelson) Sub; Bolder

    Att; 7,534
  • Simonsen said:
    Jaybinho said:
    5th February 1994 Charlton 0 - 1 Grimsby. I was 13 and had been following Charlton from around 87 after seeing photos on the back page of the Mercury. Didn’t get a chance to go to a game until a Charlton supporting family moved in near us on the estate. Remember the pitch looking really big and walking past some Grimsby fans outside The Valley pub. Often wondered if Mendonca played against us that day but can’t seem to find any info online. 
    Yes...he scored the goal for Grimsby.

    Salmon; Brown Minto Pardew Chapple (Balmer 73) McLeary Robson Pitcher Leaburn Grant Newton (Nelson) Sub; Bolder

    Att; 7,534
    I remember it - was in the north stand. Think he went through on goal south stand end and slotted it away.
  • Simonsen said:
    Jaybinho said:
    5th February 1994 Charlton 0 - 1 Grimsby. I was 13 and had been following Charlton from around 87 after seeing photos on the back page of the Mercury. Didn’t get a chance to go to a game until a Charlton supporting family moved in near us on the estate. Remember the pitch looking really big and walking past some Grimsby fans outside The Valley pub. Often wondered if Mendonca played against us that day but can’t seem to find any info online. 
    Yes...he scored the goal for Grimsby.

    Salmon; Brown Minto Pardew Chapple (Balmer 73) McLeary Robson Pitcher Leaburn Grant Newton (Nelson) Sub; Bolder

    Att; 7,534
    Interesting line up - only one sub allowed (?) and it was a keeper??
  • Simonsen said:
    Jaybinho said:
    5th February 1994 Charlton 0 - 1 Grimsby. I was 13 and had been following Charlton from around 87 after seeing photos on the back page of the Mercury. Didn’t get a chance to go to a game until a Charlton supporting family moved in near us on the estate. Remember the pitch looking really big and walking past some Grimsby fans outside The Valley pub. Often wondered if Mendonca played against us that day but can’t seem to find any info online. 
    Yes...he scored the goal for Grimsby.

    Salmon; Brown Minto Pardew Chapple (Balmer 73) McLeary Robson Pitcher Leaburn Grant Newton (Nelson) Sub; Bolder

    Att; 7,534
    Interesting line up - only one sub allowed (?) and it was a keeper??
    Three subs including big Bob, two of whom came on.
  • The Jimmy Seed did go up in the summer of 1981 Inspector. Someone mentioned the Spurs 4-1 game. There was definitely more than 32,000 in the ground that night. I stood on the East Terrace for that and remember Spurs fans running through it brandishing knives. I was so f**kin scared. That was a huge win though and I remember waking up and seeing the report on the back pages of the newspapers - something that never happened in those days (who am I kidding, these too!)
    So when exactly was this?
    As I’m convinced it was my first game too.
    I remember nothing of the game but I do remember standing on the East Terrace, the peanut man & then being scooped up as a bunch of fellas came running into the Terrace from behind the Covered End.
    And the walk back to the train station I was sat on someone’s shoulders. There just seemed to be so many people there, more than I’d ever seen.
  • edited April 2022
    The Jimmy Seed did go up in the summer of 1981 Inspector. Someone mentioned the Spurs 4-1 game. There was definitely more than 32,000 in the ground that night. I stood on the East Terrace for that and remember Spurs fans running through it brandishing knives. I was so f**kin scared. That was a huge win though and I remember waking up and seeing the report on the back pages of the newspapers - something that never happened in those days (who am I kidding, these too!)
    So when exactly was this?
    As I’m convinced it was my first game too.
    I remember nothing of the game but I do remember standing on the East Terrace, the peanut man & then being scooped up as a bunch of fellas came running into the Terrace from behind the Covered End.
    And the walk back to the train station I was sat on someone’s shoulders. There just seemed to be so many people there, more than I’d ever seen.
    It was 77/78 season - 15th Oct 77 to be exact 

    I was livid with my Dad over this game - he refused to take me, as he thought the chance of trouble was high - so he went with 3 of his mates, went to the pub after, then for a carvery meal, and got in very late that night totally hammered 

    My Step Mum was very annoyed with him, but he couldn’t care less as we turned Spurs over 4-1 😆😆

    Some good players in the Spurs team that day - Hoddle, Peter Taylor, Perryman, Naylor
  • edited April 2022
    New Years Eve 1966 (I was 10)
    0-0 v Millwall.
    My dad took me to show me the Valley, where he'd supported Charlton after WW2, being stationed nearby. I was stunned by the sheer size of the place.
    I collected players autographs after the match. Wish I still had the programme.
  • edited April 2022
    Simonsen said:
    Jaybinho said:
    5th February 1994 Charlton 0 - 1 Grimsby. I was 13 and had been following Charlton from around 87 after seeing photos on the back page of the Mercury. Didn’t get a chance to go to a game until a Charlton supporting family moved in near us on the estate. Remember the pitch looking really big and walking past some Grimsby fans outside The Valley pub. Often wondered if Mendonca played against us that day but can’t seem to find any info online. 
    Yes...he scored the goal for Grimsby.

    Salmon; Brown Minto Pardew Chapple (Balmer 73) McLeary Robson Pitcher Leaburn Grant Newton (Nelson) Sub; Bolder

    Att; 7,534
    Wow… Thank you.
  • The Jimmy Seed did go up in the summer of 1981 Inspector. Someone mentioned the Spurs 4-1 game. There was definitely more than 32,000 in the ground that night. I stood on the East Terrace for that and remember Spurs fans running through it brandishing knives. I was so f**kin scared. That was a huge win though and I remember waking up and seeing the report on the back pages of the newspapers - something that never happened in those days (who am I kidding, these too!)
    So when exactly was this?
    As I’m convinced it was my first game too.
    I remember nothing of the game but I do remember standing on the East Terrace, the peanut man & then being scooped up as a bunch of fellas came running into the Terrace from behind the Covered End.
    And the walk back to the train station I was sat on someone’s shoulders. There just seemed to be so many people there, more than I’d ever seen.
    It was 77/78 season - 15th Oct 77 to be exact 

    I was livid with my Dad over this game - he refused to take me, as he thought the chance of trouble was high - so he went with 3 of his mates, went to the pub after, then for a carvery meal, and got in very late that night totally hammered 

    My Step Mum was very annoyed with him, but he couldn’t care less as we turned Spurs over 4-1 😆😆

    Some good players in the Spurs team that day - Hoddle, Peter Taylor, Perryman, Naylor
    Thank you 🙏🏻 
    So I was 7, which would explain why I was scooped up so quickly & why I was on someone’s shoulders on the walk back.
  • This has sent me down a rabbit hole lol
    I had to wait 2yrs for my next football match (Bruv clearly used the trouble as a bargaining tool so I didn’t go to the Valley again 🙄). Our sister had moved to Birmingham and her friends were coming up to see her in their Escort van. They agreed to bring me along as he was an Arsenal fan and they were going to Villa Park. All the way up to Brum in the back of a van to watch a boring 0-0. Looking at the team they had that day, full of household names. But all I remember from that day? It was my first Bovril & it was lovely 🤣🤣🤣
  • Sponsored links:


  • Charlton 3 Carlisle 2 ..1965 I think ..the whole afternoon was brilliant starting with a 75 bus from Catford to Charlton ( church lane) ..entry through the Sam Bartram entrance, a quick pee in the prehistoric toilets and then the sheer amazement at the size of the arena before me ,those smells you dont get anywhere else tangled in the air..fried onions, crushed peanut shells, cigar/cigarette smoke,beery breath,the stench of the toilets ,the ink on the programme..

    The game itself was pretty entertaining with the likes of Billy bonds, Alan Campbell ,Mike Bailey and Ron Saunders playing for us and Willie Carlin and Chris Balderstone playing for Carlisle 

    Yes and they played the red red Robin..with Dick Neve as our compere 

    I think I may have contributed to this thread before so apologies if I am repeating myself 
  • Shag said:
    1978 ish at home to either Blackburn or Bristol Rovers , can't remember which . All I remember is they had a funny kit .

    Stood at the front of the covered end
    1980 I think it was. We beat Bristol Rovers 4-0. The only things are remember from those first few games were some of the oddities (although not for time no doubt). Like playing China one evening and beating them 5-0. Someone sitting high up on one of the floodlights casually watching the game. He must have had a head for heights. And Millwall turning up outside as I think we later learned had had their game cancelled and the majority of the Charlton crowd rushing out of the ground to greet them...
  • Shag said:
    1978 ish at home to either Blackburn or Bristol Rovers , can't remember which . All I remember is they had a funny kit .

    Stood at the front of the covered end
    1980 I think it was. We beat Bristol Rovers 4-0. The only things are remember from those first few games were some of the oddities (although not for time no doubt). Like playing China one evening and beating them 5-0. Someone sitting high up on one of the floodlights casually watching the game. He must have had a head for heights. And Millwall turning up outside as I think we later learned had had their game cancelled and the majority of the Charlton crowd rushing out of the ground to greet them...
    I was at that Bristol Rovers game, was the year we got relegated. I can remember the ball getting stuck in the stanchion when we scored on of the goals. I think the China game was a 3 or 4 years later and we beat them 1-0.
  • The Jimmy Seed did go up in the summer of 1981 Inspector. Someone mentioned the Spurs 4-1 game. There was definitely more than 32,000 in the ground that night. I stood on the East Terrace for that and remember Spurs fans running through it brandishing knives. I was so f**kin scared. That was a huge win though and I remember waking up and seeing the report on the back pages of the newspapers - something that never happened in those days (who am I kidding, these too!)
    So when exactly was this?
    As I’m convinced it was my first game too.
    I remember nothing of the game but I do remember standing on the East Terrace, the peanut man & then being scooped up as a bunch of fellas came running into the Terrace from behind the Covered End.
    And the walk back to the train station I was sat on someone’s shoulders. There just seemed to be so many people there, more than I’d ever seen.
    It was 77/78 season - 15th Oct 77 to be exact 

    I was livid with my Dad over this game - he refused to take me, as he thought the chance of trouble was high - so he went with 3 of his mates, went to the pub after, then for a carvery meal, and got in very late that night totally hammered 

    My Step Mum was very annoyed with him, but he couldn’t care less as we turned Spurs over 4-1 😆😆

    Some good players in the Spurs team that day - Hoddle, Peter Taylor, Perryman, Naylor
    I was ten, and over the moon when my dad asked if I wanted to go. I spent the whole week listening to schoolmates telling me how Spurs were going to thump us (I  was at school in Erith so naturally I was surrounded by Liverpool, Leeds and West Ham fans). Can't remember the game but we were never so high on the East terrace - it was too packed to go further down. The euphoria when we scored, and the happiness strolling into school Monday, just convinced me being a Charlton fan was a great thing to be.
  • edited April 2022
    There was definitely more than 32,000 in the ground that night. I stood on the East Terrace for that and remember Spurs fans running through it brandishing knives. I was so f**kin scared. That was a huge win though and I remember waking up and seeing the report on the back pages of the newspapers - something that never happened in those days (who am I kidding, these too!)
    The Spurs 4-1 game was on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

    The Chelsea 4-0 was an evening game.
  • There was definitely more than 32,000 in the ground that night. I stood on the East Terrace for that and remember Spurs fans running through it brandishing knives. I was so f**kin scared. That was a huge win though and I remember waking up and seeing the report on the back pages of the newspapers - something that never happened in those days (who am I kidding, these too!)
    The Spurs 4-1 game was on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

    The Chelsea 4-0 was an evening game.
    It was definitely dark by the time it kicked off on the terrace & the walk back to the station.
    Was October (so I was informed further up the thread).
  • Took me a while to work this out as I don’t have a programme and all the family and friends who were with me on the day have subsequently passed away. 

    10 September 1966 v Crystal Palace 1-1. Covered by ATV London (Star Soccer?) Watched the World Cup finals over that summer so I was well up for it. I don’t remember anything about the game itself. After the match my cousin and I went onto the pitch to jump up and down and wave at the TV cameras which seemed to be a thing in those days. My uncle was the only one with a car so we all piled into that but he must have heard a surprising result on Sports Report on the car radio because he gasped and the pipe which was a permanent fixture in his mouth turned upside down and hot ash fell into his lap and we careered across Plumstead Common Road on our way home.
  • edited April 2022
    There was definitely more than 32,000 in the ground that night. I stood on the East Terrace for that and remember Spurs fans running through it brandishing knives. I was so f**kin scared. That was a huge win though and I remember waking up and seeing the report on the back pages of the newspapers - something that never happened in those days (who am I kidding, these too!)
    The Spurs 4-1 game was on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

    The Chelsea 4-0 was an evening game.
    It was definitely dark by the time it kicked off on the terrace & the walk back to the station.
    Was October (so I was informed further up the thread).
    I don't wish to be argumentative, but it was a lovely sunny day on the 15th October 1977.
    My dad supported Charlton & Spurs and his Spurs supporting uncle & cousin came to the game and stood with us. I remember the game intently.

    I'm certain it wasn't anywhere near getting dark at any point.
    I just looked back to our mid October fixtures this season.

    This season we were away to Lincoln on Saturday 16th October and there was no loss of light walking from the ground.
    Saturday 23rd October we were at Sunderland A and I had a 20 minute walk back to the station after the game and it was 100% daylight. 

    It's neither here nor there, but I'm 99.9% certain you've misremembered.
    Apologies.

    NB Charlton 4 Chelsea 0 Monday 11th April 1977 was an evening game, so it was daylight when the game started and got dark in the second half. I think you are mixing up the two games.

    This blog show the Charlton v Spurs crowd.
    https://drinkingduringthegame.blogspot.com/
  • Shag said:
    1978 ish at home to either Blackburn or Bristol Rovers , can't remember which . All I remember is they had a funny kit .

    Stood at the front of the covered end
    1980 I think it was. We beat Bristol Rovers 4-0. The only things are remember from those first few games were some of the oddities (although not for time no doubt). Like playing China one evening and beating them 5-0. Someone sitting high up on one of the floodlights casually watching the game. He must have had a head for heights. And Millwall turning up outside as I think we later learned had had their game cancelled and the majority of the Charlton crowd rushing out of the ground to greet them...
    I was at that Bristol Rovers game, was the year we got relegated. I can remember the ball getting stuck in the stanchion when we scored on of the goals. I think the China game was a 3 or 4 years later and we beat them 1-0.

    My memory playing tricks on me there then! It was just one of the standout moments from my recollection of the old valley. I must be confused with another game about the scoreline then.
    The other thing I recall about the old valley was how steep the east terrace was.
  • edited April 2022
    1969 Arsenal 0 Everton 1. Sat with my dad, who was an Arsenal fan, in the West Stand. My first Charlton match was against Millwall at the Den in 1976 with my Grandad. My next was the same fixture the following season. Both ended 1-1. My Grandad had just retired and decided he would take me football and I think Millwall was his choice but I told him I preferred the Red team and we went together for a couple of years whilst he still could. I recall My next game was a 3-1 against Blackpool and I was hooked.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Roland Out Forever!