Why do we have such a relatively poor away support?

clb74

Sorry.
Was it me who said everyone should go to every away game?
Yes.
I do try and go to quite a few away games every season, no I don't go to them all.
That's how I choose to spend my money and time.
I've got a railcard with a mate and book the trains early as possible to keep the train fare down.
Luckily for me I'm in a small minority where I'm not bothered who we play.
Not worked our for me so I won't be going to the United game.
Tbh if I were to be having 2 days off work I'd rather of gone to Stockport or go to Forest green than Man u.
For me I get the same kick out of going Exeter away as I would've done if I was heading to Manchester.

MrOneLung

Baldybonce said:

I can't get my head around why people will spend a lot of money to watch a team they don't support.

ever gone to a restaurant with friends even though you prefer another one ?
Or to a film with your wife that you know you wont like
Or to a bar that others enjoy but you dont so much ?

Baldybonce

MrOneLung said:

Baldybonce said:

I can't get my head around why people will spend a lot of money to watch a team they don't support.

ever gone to a restaurant with friends even though you prefer another one ?
Or to a film with your wife that you know you wont like
Or to a bar that others enjoy but you dont so much ?

I haven't got any friends.

No.

I don't drink.

AFKABartram

Baldybonce said:

I can't get my head around why people will spend a lot of money to watch a team they don't support.

When I was younger I had mates come some aways who supported other clubs for a day out / overnighter. 

It’s much a case of growing up where we do, we form friendship groups that are very team split. My closest group of 6 support 5 different teams. You don’t get that so much outside of London / South East

Baldybonce

AFKABartram said:

Baldybonce said:

I can't get my head around why people will spend a lot of money to watch a team they don't support.

When I was younger I had mates come some aways who supported other clubs for a day out / overnighter. 

It’s much a case of growing up where we do, we form friendship groups that are very team split. My closest group of 6 support 5 different teams. You don’t get that so much outside of London / South East

Perhaps it's an age thing but growing up in Charlton in the 60's you lived and breathed Charlton. There was the odd millwall fan around but that's about it.

seth plum

I have to admit that the events of this week have been an uplifting surprise.

I have been to every Carabo Cup game so far (I confess my motivation initially was a lack of a stream), and when we got the draw against Manchester United my first thought was to keep my personal cup run going, less excited that it was them particularly, would've wanted to go to Southampton or Newcastle equally. I would've preferred a home draw anyway to avoid the schlepp.

However watching us at Oxford on the stream mashed any mojo I had for going to Manchester with the likelihood of utter humiliation.

Then of course we had Portsmouth away played much better, and I thought 3-4k Addicks away, yeah I'll go to see the cup run continue.

That was my mindset, but the numbers who want to go has surprised and delighted me and I am absolutely looking forward to this, especially as any on field humiliation will be mitigated by our brilliant numbers on the night.

What pleases me most is to be reminded that even though we are two bob at the moment, lurking in the shadows is support of impressive heft.

I can continue to dream that if we were well run with a decent owner we have the potential to rise again.

oohaahmortimer

AFKABartram said:

Baldybonce said:

I can't get my head around why people will spend a lot of money to watch a team they don't support.

When I was younger I had mates come some aways who supported other clubs for a day out / overnighter. 

It’s much a case of growing up where we do, we form friendship groups that are very team split. My closest group of 6 support 5 different teams. You don’t get that so much outside of London / South East

But would you ever go do the same with them …..

myself , never , although I have no mates who would bother asking cos I’m a miserable twunt who would tell em to far cough cos I hate all clubs 

HastingsRed

oohaahmortimer said:

AFKABartram said:

Baldybonce said:

I can't get my head around why people will spend a lot of money to watch a team they don't support.

When I was younger I had mates come some aways who supported other clubs for a day out / overnighter. 

It’s much a case of growing up where we do, we form friendship groups that are very team split. My closest group of 6 support 5 different teams. You don’t get that so much outside of London / South East

But would you ever go do the same with them …..

myself , never , although I have no mates who would bother asking cos I’m a miserable twunt who would tell em to far cough cos I hate all clubs 

In my last couple of years at school I used to go to the occasional Arsenal game with a couple of mates....they would also come to Charlton games. Went to Palace v Arsenal (team of the 80's)....Palace went down that season.

msomerton

To days game proof of the point that many people going to Man U nort Charlton fans.
We sell 9000 tickets for an away game and I doubt there were 9000 Charlton fans in the Valley today.

clb74

oohaahmortimer said:

Once you’re in the same division for a few years, playing the same old teams and it all loses its appeal .
I’m sure the scums crowds despite their spawny jammy flukey brilliant run will not be that great due to just general apathy of the same old same old in the same division , towards the end of the season if they’re still involved their numbers will pick up .
If we spend a good few seasons in the championship,  like we used to in the average old days , I’m sure our numbers will plateau after the initial excitement and drift off naturally .

I sort of get this ohh ahh.
But how many of the 9000 going Manchester would've been to Fleetwood,  morecambe,  Barnsley,  Accrington , Bolton etc in the past?

MrOneLung

msomerton said:

To days game proof of the point that many people going to Man U nort Charlton fans.
We sell 9000 tickets for an away game and I doubt there were 9000 Charlton fans in the Valley today.

No, today is proof that not all Charlton fans go all Charlton games 

nothing else. 

HastingsRed

msomerton said:

To days game proof of the point that many people going to Man U nort Charlton fans.
We sell 9000 tickets for an away game and I doubt there were 9000 Charlton fans in the Valley today

40,000 + at Wembley......it is what it is.

clb74

MrOneLung said:

msomerton said:

To days game proof of the point that many people going to Man U nort Charlton fans.
We sell 9000 tickets for an away game and I doubt there were 9000 Charlton fans in the Valley today.

No, today is proof that not all Charlton fans go all Charlton games 

nothing else. 

Why is it we need to keep using all games?
As James seed said he 5 of the people he went with to the play off final in 19 , 2 of them haven't been to a game since and the others a hand full of games.

RedChaser

clb74 said:

oohaahmortimer said:

Once you’re in the same division for a few years, playing the same old teams and it all loses its appeal .
I’m sure the scums crowds despite their spawny jammy flukey brilliant run will not be that great due to just general apathy of the same old same old in the same division , towards the end of the season if they’re still involved their numbers will pick up .
If we spend a good few seasons in the championship,  like we used to in the average old days , I’m sure our numbers will plateau after the initial excitement and drift off naturally .

I sort of get this ohh ahh.
But how many of the 9000 going Manchester would've been to Fleetwood,  morecambe,  Barnsley,  Accrington , Bolton etc in the past?

I have 😉

clb74

RedChaser said:

clb74 said:

oohaahmortimer said:

Once you’re in the same division for a few years, playing the same old teams and it all loses its appeal .
I’m sure the scums crowds despite their spawny jammy flukey brilliant run will not be that great due to just general apathy of the same old same old in the same division , towards the end of the season if they’re still involved their numbers will pick up .
If we spend a good few seasons in the championship,  like we used to in the average old days , I’m sure our numbers will plateau after the initial excitement and drift off naturally .

I sort of get this ohh ahh.
But how many of the 9000 going Manchester would've been to Fleetwood,  morecambe,  Barnsley,  Accrington , Bolton etc in the past?

I have 😉

Leave off , they are home games for you

RedChaser

clb74 said:

RedChaser said:

clb74 said:

oohaahmortimer said:

Once you’re in the same division for a few years, playing the same old teams and it all loses its appeal .
I’m sure the scums crowds despite their spawny jammy flukey brilliant run will not be that great due to just general apathy of the same old same old in the same division , towards the end of the season if they’re still involved their numbers will pick up .
If we spend a good few seasons in the championship,  like we used to in the average old days , I’m sure our numbers will plateau after the initial excitement and drift off naturally .

I sort of get this ohh ahh.
But how many of the 9000 going Manchester would've been to Fleetwood,  morecambe,  Barnsley,  Accrington , Bolton etc in the past?

I have 😉

Leave off , they are home games for you

These days but I had done some of them when they weren’t though, Oldham, Barnsley, Bradford, Donny Huddersfield, Sheffield, Hull, Scunny, Leeds, United & City to name just a few 😜.

cafctom

There are a mix of factors at play. The continual domination of the Premier League and Sky TV's coverage of it will always be our biggest competitor in getting people in the door IMO. 

And yes, there will be current fans who cannot commit the financial output or time to do every away game. However, I do suspect that more often than not, its purely a case where people just simply aren't that bothered about watching us play away at Accrington, Morecambe, Burton etc - whether they would choose to admit that or not is up to them. 

Especially when you look at the difference between what we take to those grounds compared to the 9,000+ going on Tuesday. 

Afterall, clubs like Portsmouth and Ipswich seem to have little issue selling out away allocations - even though I think a club like Charlton is smack back in the same category 'size' of club as those. 

As we saw at Wembley 2019, we can generate massive numbers - so its not as if the fanbase doesn't exist. Its just that most of it isn't really that fussed about going unless its a major occasion. And that seemingly is also becoming the attitude with home matches. Even in home games against Millwall and in the past, Crystal Palace, we struggle to really put much of a number together at The Valley. 

We have a very casual fanbase when it comes to matchgoing. 

Sure that will upset a few people, but the numbers tell the story. 

Airman Brown

cafctom said:

There are a mix of factors at play. The continual domination of the Premier League and Sky TV's coverage of it will always be our biggest competitor in getting people in the door IMO. 

And yes, there will be current fans who cannot commit the financial output or time to do every away game. However, I do suspect that more often than not, its purely a case where people just simply aren't that bothered about watching us play away at Accrington, Morecambe, Burton etc - whether they would choose to admit that or not is up to them. 

Especially when you look at the difference between what we take to those grounds compared to the 9,000+ going on Tuesday. 

Afterall, clubs like Portsmouth and Ipswich seem to have little issue selling out away allocations - even though I think a club like Charlton is smack back in the same category 'size' of club as those. 

As we saw at Wembley 2019, we can generate massive numbers - so its not as if the fanbase doesn't exist. Its just that most of it isn't really that fussed about going unless its a major occasion. And that seemingly is also becoming the attitude with home matches. 

Sure that will upset a few people, but the numbers tell the story. 

I don’t agree with that. It’s always been the case - at The Valley at any rate - that Charlton can draw big crowds for big games. You can go right back to the 1923 FA Cup run and see that - a series of record crowds but within the same calendar year the club moved to Catford citing poor gates.

As a London club with a large Kent hinterland Charlton can pull Premier League crowds with a bit of work - we don’t and won’t have the same support as provincial one-team town/city clubs like Portsmouth, Norwich, Ipswich etc for lower division football. That is reflected in the away support.

cafctom

Airman Brown said:

cafctom said:

There are a mix of factors at play. The continual domination of the Premier League and Sky TV's coverage of it will always be our biggest competitor in getting people in the door IMO. 

And yes, there will be current fans who cannot commit the financial output or time to do every away game. However, I do suspect that more often than not, its purely a case where people just simply aren't that bothered about watching us play away at Accrington, Morecambe, Burton etc - whether they would choose to admit that or not is up to them. 

Especially when you look at the difference between what we take to those grounds compared to the 9,000+ going on Tuesday. 

Afterall, clubs like Portsmouth and Ipswich seem to have little issue selling out away allocations - even though I think a club like Charlton is smack back in the same category 'size' of club as those. 

As we saw at Wembley 2019, we can generate massive numbers - so its not as if the fanbase doesn't exist. Its just that most of it isn't really that fussed about going unless its a major occasion. And that seemingly is also becoming the attitude with home matches. 

Sure that will upset a few people, but the numbers tell the story. 

I don’t agree with that. It’s always been the case - at The Valley at any rate - that Charlton can draw big crowds for big games. You can go right back to the 1923 FA Cup run and see that - a series of record crowds but within the same calendar year the club moved to Catford citing poor gates.

As a London club with a large Kent hinterland Charlton can pull Premier League crowds with a bit of work - we don’t and won’t have the same support as provincial one-team town/city clubs like Portsmouth, Norwich, Ipswich etc for lower division football. That is reflected in the away support.

A fair point well made. But I still think the disparity between our support compared to clubs like Portsmouth, Ipswich and Plymouth is something that doesn't reflect too well on us. We should still expect better numbers than what we currently have. 

We can only pull Premier League crowds with Premier League football / football for a fiver offers (and a load of non-Charlton fans deciding to come along). 

Airman Brown

cafctom said:

Airman Brown said:

cafctom said:

There are a mix of factors at play. The continual domination of the Premier League and Sky TV's coverage of it will always be our biggest competitor in getting people in the door IMO. 

And yes, there will be current fans who cannot commit the financial output or time to do every away game. However, I do suspect that more often than not, its purely a case where people just simply aren't that bothered about watching us play away at Accrington, Morecambe, Burton etc - whether they would choose to admit that or not is up to them. 

Especially when you look at the difference between what we take to those grounds compared to the 9,000+ going on Tuesday. 

Afterall, clubs like Portsmouth and Ipswich seem to have little issue selling out away allocations - even though I think a club like Charlton is smack back in the same category 'size' of club as those. 

As we saw at Wembley 2019, we can generate massive numbers - so its not as if the fanbase doesn't exist. Its just that most of it isn't really that fussed about going unless its a major occasion. And that seemingly is also becoming the attitude with home matches. 

Sure that will upset a few people, but the numbers tell the story. 

I don’t agree with that. It’s always been the case - at The Valley at any rate - that Charlton can draw big crowds for big games. You can go right back to the 1923 FA Cup run and see that - a series of record crowds but within the same calendar year the club moved to Catford citing poor gates.

As a London club with a large Kent hinterland Charlton can pull Premier League crowds with a bit of work - we don’t and won’t have the same support as provincial one-team town/city clubs like Portsmouth, Norwich, Ipswich etc for lower division football. That is reflected in the away support.

A fair point well made. But I still think the disparity between our support compared to clubs like Portsmouth, Ipswich and Plymouth is something that doesn't reflect too well on us. We should still expect better numbers than what we currently have. 

We can only pull Premier League crowds with Premier League football / football for a fiver offers (and a load of non-Charlton fans deciding to come along). 

I think the idea the majority crowds only consist of diehard one club fans is a relatively modem idea and not particularly accurate. There are always non-Charlton fans present. It’s also the way you win new fans over.

MrOneLung

I think the numbers would be higher if not for the fear of having to answer the same fucking questions 30 times about coach travel 

msomerton

Airman Brown said:

cafctom said:

Airman Brown said:

cafctom said:

There are a mix of factors at play. The continual domination of the Premier League and Sky TV's coverage of it will always be our biggest competitor in getting people in the door IMO. 

And yes, there will be current fans who cannot commit the financial output or time to do every away game. However, I do suspect that more often than not, its purely a case where people just simply aren't that bothered about watching us play away at Accrington, Morecambe, Burton etc - whether they would choose to admit that or not is up to them. 

Especially when you look at the difference between what we take to those grounds compared to the 9,000+ going on Tuesday. 

Afterall, clubs like Portsmouth and Ipswich seem to have little issue selling out away allocations - even though I think a club like Charlton is smack back in the same category 'size' of club as those. 

As we saw at Wembley 2019, we can generate massive numbers - so its not as if the fanbase doesn't exist. Its just that most of it isn't really that fussed about going unless its a major occasion. And that seemingly is also becoming the attitude with home matches. 

Sure that will upset a few people, but the numbers tell the story. 

I don’t agree with that. It’s always been the case - at The Valley at any rate - that Charlton can draw big crowds for big games. You can go right back to the 1923 FA Cup run and see that - a series of record crowds but within the same calendar year the club moved to Catford citing poor gates.

As a London club with a large Kent hinterland Charlton can pull Premier League crowds with a bit of work - we don’t and won’t have the same support as provincial one-team town/city clubs like Portsmouth, Norwich, Ipswich etc for lower division football. That is reflected in the away support.

A fair point well made. But I still think the disparity between our support compared to clubs like Portsmouth, Ipswich and Plymouth is something that doesn't reflect too well on us. We should still expect better numbers than what we currently have. 

We can only pull Premier League crowds with Premier League football / football for a fiver offers (and a load of non-Charlton fans deciding to come along). 

I think the idea the majority crowds only consist of diehard one club fans is a relatively modem idea and not particularly accurate. There are always non-Charlton fans present. It’s also the way you win new fans over.

In that case Airman we would be better off not having them come along at the moment. As the football we have been playing for the last 5 years would put neutrals off us for life.

Chris_from_Sidcup

AFKABartram said:

Baldybonce said:

I can't get my head around why people will spend a lot of money to watch a team they don't support.

When I was younger I had mates come some aways who supported other clubs for a day out / overnighter. 

It’s much a case of growing up where we do, we form friendship groups that are very team split. My closest group of 6 support 5 different teams. You don’t get that so much outside of London / South East

Same for us. When we used to do a long Northern away day we'd have mates come with us who supported other teams because they fancied a day out. My main mates whatsapp group has 16 of us on it, and whilst a majority are Charlton fans we support 6 different teams.

Obviously isn't like that if you grow up in a 1 or 2 club city.

HandG

clb74 said:

Sorry.
Was it me who said everyone should go to every away game?
Yes.
I do try and go to quite a few away games every season, no I don't go to them all.
That's how I choose to spend my money and time.
I've got a railcard with a mate and book the trains early as possible to keep the train fare down.
Luckily for me I'm in a small minority where I'm not bothered who we play.
Not worked our for me so I won't be going to the United game.
Tbh if I were to be having 2 days off work I'd rather of gone to Stockport or go to Forest green than Man u.
For me I get the same kick out of going Exeter away as I would've done if I was heading to Manchester.

I’m going to Old Trafford and Forest Green and I know which one I’m more excited about! 

HastingsRed

HandG said:

clb74 said:

Sorry.
Was it me who said everyone should go to every away game?
Yes.
I do try and go to quite a few away games every season, no I don't go to them all.
That's how I choose to spend my money and time.
I've got a railcard with a mate and book the trains early as possible to keep the train fare down.
Luckily for me I'm in a small minority where I'm not bothered who we play.
Not worked our for me so I won't be going to the United game.
Tbh if I were to be having 2 days off work I'd rather of gone to Stockport or go to Forest green than Man u.
For me I get the same kick out of going Exeter away as I would've done if I was heading to Manchester.

I’m going to Old Trafford and Forest Green and I know which one I’m more excited about! 

Forest Green....new ground.

HandG

HastingsRed said:

HandG said:

clb74 said:

Sorry.
Was it me who said everyone should go to every away game?
Yes.
I do try and go to quite a few away games every season, no I don't go to them all.
That's how I choose to spend my money and time.
I've got a railcard with a mate and book the trains early as possible to keep the train fare down.
Luckily for me I'm in a small minority where I'm not bothered who we play.
Not worked our for me so I won't be going to the United game.
Tbh if I were to be having 2 days off work I'd rather of gone to Stockport or go to Forest green than Man u.
For me I get the same kick out of going Exeter away as I would've done if I was heading to Manchester.

I’m going to Old Trafford and Forest Green and I know which one I’m more excited about! 

Forest Green....new ground.

Exactly! Plus an overnight stay and a decent chance of a result.

I’m driving to and from Old Trafford on the night (can’t really justify two sick days off school for my son) and with little hope of winning so not as pumped.

Not calling out anyone for only going to Old Trafford as think it’s great that so many Addicks are making the trip but I love the games when there’s only a few hundred of you and it feels like you know the majority of the bods in the away end. 

redlanered

Airman Brown said:

cafctom said:

There are a mix of factors at play. The continual domination of the Premier League and Sky TV's coverage of it will always be our biggest competitor in getting people in the door IMO. 

And yes, there will be current fans who cannot commit the financial output or time to do every away game. However, I do suspect that more often than not, its purely a case where people just simply aren't that bothered about watching us play away at Accrington, Morecambe, Burton etc - whether they would choose to admit that or not is up to them. 

Especially when you look at the difference between what we take to those grounds compared to the 9,000+ going on Tuesday. 

Afterall, clubs like Portsmouth and Ipswich seem to have little issue selling out away allocations - even though I think a club like Charlton is smack back in the same category 'size' of club as those. 

As we saw at Wembley 2019, we can generate massive numbers - so its not as if the fanbase doesn't exist. Its just that most of it isn't really that fussed about going unless its a major occasion. And that seemingly is also becoming the attitude with home matches. 

Sure that will upset a few people, but the numbers tell the story. 

I don’t agree with that. It’s always been the case - at The Valley at any rate - that Charlton can draw big crowds for big games. You can go right back to the 1923 FA Cup run and see that - a series of record crowds but within the same calendar year the club moved to Catford citing poor gates.

As a London club with a large Kent hinterland Charlton can pull Premier League crowds with a bit of work - we don’t and won’t have the same support as provincial one-team town/city clubs like Portsmouth, Norwich, Ipswich etc for lower division football. That is reflected in the away support.

Exactly this.  London has always had a high proportion of non-Londoners who can be attracted to a big game, and we've always been friendly and non-threatening to casual fans.  But even among locals we have always been a good option for those who only like to watch live football occasionally. 

My Dad was a case in point:  he grew up in Millwall itself, and proclaimed them as 'his team'. But despite endless ribbing about my choice of team ("I wouldn't watch Charlton if they were playing in our back yard"),  from the 70s onwards pretty much the only time he went to a game was a big Charlton match, inc. the '98 playoffs.  For the '94 trip to Old Trafford, I got enormous satisfaction from seeing him obliged to join the CAFC Supporters Club in order to be on the train.

I don't get hung up about our somewhat fluid fan base - of course I wish there were more diehards I guess, but equally I have plenty of time for genuine fans who also enjoy doing other stuff...

Gribbo

Baldybonce said:

I can't get my head around why people will spend a lot of money to watch a team they don't support.

I was a junior member at Spurs from age 14 for 2 years and carried on going, on and off, for the 3rd year. 

I got sucked in by a couple of my brothers mates who are older than me and it just happened. All the Spurs blokes we stood with all knew me and one of my brothers mates as Charlton though.

Always was more interested in the Charlton score at half time or by listening to the radios people used to take onto the terraces back then, and got to say I hate Spurs now as much as I do Palace and Arsenal