I came to the Valley that day without a match ticket and was lucky enough to find a passer-by with a spare. Sat in the South Stand. One of many great CAFC memories in my life. Woolwich Town Hall (in the rain), Carlisle x2, Villa Park (4-3), Simonsen reserve team debut, Cardiff (5-4), Arsenal Black Sunday, Hales & Flanagan fisticuffs, Wembley Sunderland AND Full Members Cup Final, Spurs at home in the '70's (4-1)........hoping there are more great days to come
Started off in the H&G, me, my dad and pals, ended up in a very busy Oak, slll started going hazy after that.
Sat in the North stand over towards the corrugated east stand behind a stair well/exit, great atmosphere, ended up in a pub in Plumstead for even more beer.
Have met with Colin Walsh a few times since on other business, top fella.
I wasn't there, as it wasn't long after I'd got out of hospital after being injured in Bosnia. I kept a couple of newspaper features from the time though. Still have them.
I was shocked when we left The Valley. It didn't seem long since my mum had opened the Jimmy Seed Stand. She was very upset, as she was a regular visitor back in the day, when she went to both first team and reserve matches with her mum.
I remember visiting the portakabin at Selhurst to pick up my camera pass once in about 1991 when filming a match for ITN. I rarely mention that I'm Jimmy Seed's grandson ;-) but I did that day, and straight away two of the Charlton staff volunteered to carry my tripod and camera bag to the camera position. Result! I felt really sorry for the old club, being stuck in that horrible portakabin, with dwindling crowds. The future looked bleak, and I wonder if the club would have survived without the Back to The Valley campaign. Maybe not.
Really looking forward to Saturday, when I'll be with the chap who returned Jimmy Seed's 'lost' 1923 England cap. He's coming all the way down from Whitley Bay for the occasion. We'll be presenting the cap to the museum where it'll be on loan for a time at around 12 o'clock.
I came to the Valley that day without a match ticket and was lucky enough to find a passer-by with a spare. Sat in the South Stand. One of many great CAFC memories in my life. Woolwich Town Hall (in the rain), Carlisle x2, Villa Park (4-3), Simonsen reserve team debut, Cardiff (5-4), Arsenal Black Sunday, Hales & Flanagan fisticuffs, Wembley Sunderland AND Full Members Cup Final, Spurs at home in the '70's (4-1)........hoping there are more great days to come
Thanks to Ben and others for making it the JS Stand again later on.
No chance of a ticket so my dad decided not to go, |I had a ticket to go to Spurs with some Chelsea mates from my local, they agreed to swing past the Valley, I saw the jazz band on the corner of Ransom Walk playing Red Red Robin and decided to stay, one of the Chelsea blokes got quite pissed off with me I remember but the other two were fine and wished us luck.
Met a some bloke in a suit o/s The valley Cafe and we clubbed together £100 for a ticket that we hatched to share half each, Pompey fans having none of it, we both ended up watching over Sam Bartram Gates and then with around 75 mins gone we walked into the Covered End and stayed long after the whistle, met the Chelsea blokes at London Bridge and they had won 2-1 so a memorable day for all. Certainly one I wont forget and my dad never forgave himself for not going. We both went to Watford away the following week. I will certainly think of him on Saturday.
I was living and working in Winchester at the time and traveled to my parents' home on the Friday evening. After supper, I enjoyed a can of London Pride, which I had been saving for the occasion.
On Saturday 5th December - my Birthday - my brother, father and I joined lots of Addicks assembled in General Gordon Square, Woolwich, and walked, en masse, to The Valley. The energy and buzz of it all was tangible and uplifting. I had been been a Valley Party candidate in 1990 and the realisation of CAFC coming home was very gratifying.
Entering Harvey Gardens was a wonderful moment. We visited the Club shop and I was gifted a replica 'Back to The Valley' shirt as a present. I watched the game from The Jimmy Seed Stand.
Later that evening I attended an activists' party at The Who'd 'a' Thought It? pub in Timbercroft Lane, Plumstead Common. Club Statistician, Colin Cameron, was there. At closing time a friend kindly offered me a lift home to New Eltham. This weary Addick was very grateful.
What a splendid day it was. Unique, and never to be forgotten. Live, love, laugh and be happy.
Strong memories still of getting emotional before the match, when of all people Kim Grant came onto the pitch for the warmup. Clearly I knew that in 3 years time he'd score the goals in the snow that beat Millwall!
Was in the Covered End back then, not sat there since 1994...
I am a bass player and had a gig that night. I was so pissed after the day’s festivities that my wife had to drive me to the gig. I was on cloud nine, but I was advised by the band afterwards that my playing that night was quite dreadful.
I was there that day (and there is a picture on the OS Valley history but not saying which one I am). My missus has the right hump with me as we only got back from holiday on the Friday and off to the Valley on the Saturday.
To this day I still don't understand why she couldn't comprehend the importance of this match.
She got her head round it yet Nick?
Was there with Dad, what a day so many memories. Sadly Dad is no longer here and I know I will well up at three o'clock thinking of him. Not just for this game but for all the games that we shared.
Come on Charlton, make the old man look down and give that big smile of his again.
remember it vaguely as a 10 year old. had been going to selhurst and upton park. Remember being sad that rob lee was sold but being told by my dad it was to go toward going back to the valley.
Got taken to the valley as a toddler but remember parking up that day around where what was st austen's and walking down what would become probably one of the most completed walks of my life to date.
Remember entering the covered end and I think taking my seat to the left of the goal as you face the jimmy seed stand, so maybe what was block b/c
the goal i remember very well and the quench I had for following it on the news that evening. Remember being in my dining room that evening and I think it got mentioned on the national news although i can't be sure
Desperate to go the match. However all the tickets had been sold?
I was going to stand outside the valley. It meant so much to me.
My opinion was, unless we returned to the Valley the club would die.
I followed a bloke on the off chance; into a shop, two doors up from Floyd Road. He looked like a ticket tout, and was selling tickets just inside the door. Ten pounds bought a ticket, and I was over the moon.
My seat was in the temporary stand. The game started and I remember a beautiful cross came across and Leaburn headed the ball in the goal. I jumped up to celebrate, so did the chap beside me, then our dismay; the goal was disallowed for offside.
I said to him “are you Charlton” and he replied “Yes”. It was then I realised that we were sitting to the front of Portsmouth fans. The ticket had printed for Portsmouth Players.
They were a good bunch of fans; a guy was blowing a horn behind me and singing “Play up Pompy”. However they looked a little dismayed to have Charlton fans in their presence.
Stood as a valley party candidate and was there in 1992. Watched the game with my mates in the north stand who had helped me canvass my ward and do countless leaflet drops. Realised that if we didn't take the fight to Greenwich Council back in 1990 then there might not be any CAFC for future generations so doing nothing was simply not an option. Not ashamed to say we all shed a few tears that day back in 1992.
Have come close to boycotting under the current regime but having fought so hard to get back to the Valley I just can't give up something that is so much a part of who I am.
Proudest moment was sitting with my son on the 21st anniversary of our return with him proudly wearing my old "Back to the Valley" club shirt. He was only born in 1999 but has heard all the stories about our fight to get our club back to where it rightfully belongs. We worked out we sit in roughly the same row that we, as valley party candidates, stood to have our pre-election photos taken in when the north stand was just a derelict roofless shell, that's when you remember you have been part of something special.
I will be in the same seat again on Saturday and although we have lost and gained a few family and friends along the way it will still be a special day. My son is away at university so won't be with me against Pompey but I'm sure he will be thinking about SE7 come 3pm on Saturday.
25 years is a long time and in that time many things have changed we have to hold on to that and hope that we can soon rid this great club of the current ownership and get it back in the hands of people who understand who and what we are and are prepared to work with rather than against us to get the club back to where it rightfully belongs.
I was there with my cousin, who went instead of my dad. My dad made the decision to go to work instead. I think my grandfather hammered that work ethic into him. An example being he had a ticket for the 1947 cup final and my grandfather made him go to work, and yet my grandfather was the original Addicks fan in my family. As far as the match goes, I remember the goal, but apart from that all I remember is being on the verge of crying at various moments during the game. I'm sure many of us felt the same way, it seemed to be all over seven years before.
Great day - think we went in the water mans arms then the big pub on way to woolwich after - sat in A block covered end - transferred to F soon after - did I mention that I helped secure the TV gantry the night before due to the storms - surprising for somebody who is supposed to be either RD, Bexley boy or bexley Boys twin - all for offering up solid information - never mind - enjoy tonight, enjoy Saturday and try and enjoy the rest of the season / if u go of course
Was there with my dad and brother. Behind the goal to watch Walsh's super strike. Dad no longer with us. He bailed when we were still in the Prem. Glad he hasn't had to endure the shower of shite that is the Roland Years. COYA!
In the Jimmy Seed stand, pretty central, near the front. Think Lee Power (on loan from Norwich) was playing for us. Now a Director at Swindon. Colin Walsh one of my all time favourite players.
South stand with my mates, about 10 of us, such happy memories, even went down the Royal Oak on the Friday just to get in the mood, of that 10 all still fans but none of us are regulars. I have a season ticket but only do night games these days & 1 other has a ST, 2 of them went on to be match day sparks at the Valley right through to premiership days. I am not there this Saturday but 5 of them are.
I was out in Israel on a kibbutz at the time, but remember listening to the football scores on the BBC world service radio with a couple of Bristol Rovers fans. There was an article in the Jerusalem Post that day about our return to The Valley, so obviously got hold of a copy of the paper, which is stashed away with all my old Charlton stuff. Always wondered if i should give it to the club for their museum if they have one?
Just read every post here again for the umpteenth time and I still get a lump in my throat every time. I long for the day when we all become united as fans again when the Belgians leave. I will fly home for the first game at the drop of a hat.
Great day, foresters pub in the morning to blow away the cobwebs from the back to the valley party the night before, 96 to woolwich and then the march to the ground. Great seat in the covered end, sat with mark dannet but he only lasted until half time as he had a headache, hungover more than likely, lightweight. Then valley pub afterwards celebrating to the early hours.
I love that Blue shirt.....if anyone has one.....Id love to buy it.
Comments
I get permission I will post them on separate thread.
Watching it the next day on The Big Match.
I was shocked when we left The Valley. It didn't seem long since my mum had opened the Jimmy Seed Stand. She was very upset, as she was a regular visitor back in the day, when she went to both first team and reserve matches with her mum.
I remember visiting the portakabin at Selhurst to pick up my camera pass once in about 1991 when filming a match for ITN. I rarely mention that I'm Jimmy Seed's grandson ;-) but I did that day, and straight away two of the Charlton staff volunteered to carry my tripod and camera bag to the camera position. Result! I felt really sorry for the old club, being stuck in that horrible portakabin, with dwindling crowds. The future looked bleak, and I wonder if the club would have survived without the Back to The Valley campaign. Maybe not.
Really looking forward to Saturday, when I'll be with the chap who returned Jimmy Seed's 'lost' 1923 England cap. He's coming all the way down from Whitley Bay for the occasion. We'll be presenting the cap to the museum where it'll be on loan for a time at around 12 o'clock.
Met a some bloke in a suit o/s The valley Cafe and we clubbed together £100 for a ticket that we hatched to share half each, Pompey fans having none of it, we both ended up watching over Sam Bartram Gates and then with around 75 mins gone we walked into the Covered End and stayed long after the whistle, met the Chelsea blokes at London Bridge and they had won 2-1 so a memorable day for all. Certainly one I wont forget and my dad never forgave himself for not going. We both went to Watford away the following week. I will certainly think of him on Saturday.
On Saturday 5th December - my Birthday - my brother, father and I joined lots of Addicks assembled in General Gordon Square, Woolwich, and walked, en masse, to The Valley. The energy and buzz of it all was tangible and uplifting. I had been been a Valley Party candidate in 1990 and the realisation of CAFC coming home was very gratifying.
Entering Harvey Gardens was a wonderful moment. We visited the Club shop and I was gifted a replica 'Back to The Valley' shirt as a present. I watched the game from The Jimmy Seed Stand.
Later that evening I attended an activists' party at The Who'd 'a' Thought It? pub in Timbercroft Lane, Plumstead Common. Club Statistician, Colin Cameron, was there. At closing time a friend kindly offered me a lift home to New Eltham. This weary Addick was very grateful.
What a splendid day it was. Unique, and never to be forgotten. Live, love, laugh and be happy.
Was in the Covered End back then, not sat there since 1994...
She got her head round it yet Nick?
Was there with Dad, what a day so many memories. Sadly Dad is no longer here and I know I will well up at three o'clock thinking of him. Not just for this game but for all the games that we shared.
Come on Charlton, make the old man look down and give that big smile of his again.
Got taken to the valley as a toddler but remember parking up that day around where what was st austen's and walking down what would become probably one of the most completed walks of my life to date.
Remember entering the covered end and I think taking my seat to the left of the goal as you face the jimmy seed stand, so maybe what was block b/c
the goal i remember very well and the quench I had for following it on the news that evening. Remember being in my dining room that evening and I think it got mentioned on the national news although i can't be sure
I was going to stand outside the valley. It meant so much to me.
My opinion was, unless we returned to the Valley the club would die.
I followed a bloke on the off chance; into a shop, two doors up from Floyd Road. He looked like a ticket tout, and was selling tickets just inside the door. Ten pounds bought a ticket, and I was over the moon.
My seat was in the temporary stand. The game started and I remember a beautiful cross came across and Leaburn headed the ball in the goal. I jumped up to celebrate, so did the chap beside me, then our dismay; the goal was disallowed for offside.
I said to him “are you Charlton” and he replied “Yes”. It was then I realised that we were sitting to the front of Portsmouth fans. The ticket had printed for Portsmouth Players.
They were a good bunch of fans; a guy was blowing a horn behind me and singing “Play up Pompy”. However they looked a little dismayed to have Charlton fans in their presence.
Well we won the match, it was best ever.
Have come close to boycotting under the current regime but having fought so hard to get back to the Valley I just can't give up something that is so much a part of who I am.
Proudest moment was sitting with my son on the 21st anniversary of our return with him proudly wearing my old "Back to the Valley" club shirt. He was only born in 1999 but has heard all the stories about our fight to get our club back to where it rightfully belongs. We worked out we sit in roughly the same row that we, as valley party candidates, stood to have our pre-election photos taken in when the north stand was just a derelict roofless shell, that's when you remember you have been part of something special.
I will be in the same seat again on Saturday and although we have lost and gained a few family and friends along the way it will still be a special day. My son is away at university so won't be with me against Pompey but I'm sure he will be thinking about SE7 come 3pm on Saturday.
25 years is a long time and in that time many things have changed we have to hold on to that and hope that we can soon rid this great club of the current ownership and get it back in the hands of people who understand who and what we are and are prepared to work with rather than against us to get the club back to where it rightfully belongs.
Here's to the next 25 years.......
As far as the match goes, I remember the goal, but apart from that all I remember is being on the verge of crying at various moments during the game. I'm sure many of us felt the same way, it seemed to be all over seven years before.
Think Lee Power (on loan from Norwich) was playing for us.
Now a Director at Swindon.
Colin Walsh one of my all time favourite players.