It was just an 'interesting' wiki, we'd want double deck open top, might have to be from selhurst to charlton homelands barring using the tunnel/ferry, would only work if we could get some kind of deal i think
I have seen this (resurrected) thread only today. I have very happy memories of the Valley Party. Indeed, it was one of the best things I was involved in. I remember going to an away game (possibly Highfield Road, Coventry), when the coach steward came round asking if anyone was interested in being a candidate. My name went on the list. I had no problem getting the required number of signatures necessary to validate my application form. I recall the planning meetings, the open-top bus rides, the fabulous billboard advertisements and, on polling day (May 3rd 1990), being out on the streets with a megaphone until the poll closed at 10pm. Then it was off to the Town Hall, where, throughout the evening, more and more Addicks got in. As news of our successes throughout the borough came in, I put my Charlton scarf around Queen Victoria's neck, at the top of the Town Hall staircase. (There's a picture of this in Rick's 'Battle for The Valley'). Some of the Labour Councillors hated us standing; they thought they had more of a right to stand than us! ("A bunch of fascists" and "an abuse of democracy" are comments that come to mind). Along with several others, I was expelled from the Labour Party (which was fair enough, as standing against their candidate was deemed unacceptable). I wasn't concerned about this, as I knew that we were an unstoppable force with a true community spirit. I knew that we were on to a winner, and so it proved. Happy days.
I have a friend who was in the Labour Party in Greenwich around the time of the BtTV campaign. He said John Prescott got in touch (may even have come down to Greenwich) and told them to get it sorted, i.e. get us back to The Valley, as soon as possible as it was deflecting attention away from the important job at hand, fighting the Tories.
Is there a page/ site anywhere that sums up the campaign and return? Many of the links on this one have died. I was a bit young at the time so could do with some explanation on the intricacies of this stuff.
Is there a page/ site anywhere that sums up the campaign and return? Many of the links on this one have died. I was a bit young at the time so could do with some explanation on the intricacies of this stuff.
Planning to do this on the new museum site
Or you could buy Airman Brown's book which has all the detail. Copies in the Museum and elsewhere.
Wasn't alive when any of this took place but it gives me goosebumps must reading about it. An entire generation of Charlton fans (most of whom started supporting us during the prem years) owe a huge debt of gratitude to all of those involved. If it wasn't for all of these people (plenty on here) I would never have been taken to my first Charlton game.
In some ways I wish I was alive when this took place I would have loved too have been part of it. It truly is something special, there was a full page spread about this in my A level politics text book a few years ago.
It is a shame that I am in the minority of Charlton fans, below a certain age, who know or even care about this.
Yes the debt we all owe to the Valley Party is beyond measure and the experience gained in that campaign has stood CARD in very good stead.
Now, dare I say it for fear of being labelled Meire obsessed but was has become of instrumental former Valley Party candidate Paul Ellis who was a member of staff at The Valley when Meire swept onto the scene in 2014. As I recall it one of her first acts was a staff cull and Paul Ellis one of the first victims.
If you know, no need to reply here on this thread - a pm will do.
Comments
I recall the planning meetings, the open-top bus rides, the fabulous billboard advertisements and, on polling day (May 3rd 1990), being out on the streets with a megaphone until the poll closed at 10pm. Then it was off to the Town Hall, where, throughout the evening, more and more Addicks got in. As news of our successes throughout the borough came in, I put my Charlton scarf around Queen Victoria's neck, at the top of the Town Hall staircase. (There's a picture of this in Rick's 'Battle for The Valley'). Some of the Labour Councillors hated us standing; they thought they had more of a right to stand than us!
("A bunch of fascists" and "an abuse of democracy" are comments that come to mind).
Along with several others, I was expelled from the Labour Party (which was fair enough, as standing against their candidate was deemed unacceptable). I wasn't concerned about this, as I knew that we were an unstoppable force with a true community spirit. I knew that we were on to a winner, and so it proved. Happy days.
Or you could buy Airman Brown's book which has all the detail. Copies in the Museum and elsewhere.
Meanwhile I'll find dad's old books, sure it must be in there.
In some ways I wish I was alive when this took place I would have loved too have been part of it. It truly is something special, there was a full page spread about this in my A level politics text book a few years ago.
It is a shame that I am in the minority of Charlton fans, below a certain age, who know or even care about this.
Now, dare I say it for fear of being labelled Meire obsessed but was has become of instrumental former Valley Party candidate Paul Ellis who was a member of staff at The Valley when Meire swept onto the scene in 2014. As I recall it one of her first acts was a staff cull and Paul Ellis one of the first victims.
If you know, no need to reply here on this thread - a pm will do.