I was out in Israel at the time on a kibbutz aged 18 and picking bananas. We used to have a little radio with us out in the fields and have BBC world service on for all the saturday footy. Remember the result coming in and just shouting out. The return to the Valley even made the back pages of the Jerusalem Post newspaper.
There were only 3 things i brought back from my time in Israel: that copy of the Jerusalem Post (which i still have), the machete i used to cut down bananas and a south african girlfriend (which i dont have)
I was out in Israel at the time on a kibbutz aged 18 and picking bananas. We used to have a little radio with us out in the fields and have BBC world service on for all the saturday footy. Remember the result coming in and just shouting out. The return to the Valley even made the back pages of the Jerusalem Post newspaper.
There were only 3 things i brought back from my time in Israel: that copy of the Jerusalem Post (which i still have), the machete i used to cut down bananas and a south african girlfriend (which i dont have)
Was sat in the north stand just to the left of the goal where walshie scored...we would have beaten AC Milan that day (they were the kings of europe at the time just as barca are today). What was amazing was we played oxford utd just seven days later and couldnt fill the ground. Remember Paul Walsh missing a simple chance at the far post near the end, to this day i am sure he meant to miss.
Friday 4th Dec, 6pm: Train journey back to SE London from Winchester, where I was living and working at that time. Midnight: A can of London Pride, opened on the first chime of Big Ben, to toast in my 27th birthday. Sat Dec 5th: Noon: Off to The Valley, nice and early (to enjoy the legacy of The Valley Party, for whom I was a candidate, some two and a half years earlier). 3:08pm (approx) : Colin Walsh scores, at the Covered End, giving me a most cherished birthday present. Oh, sweet joy. 17.30: Off to the 'Who'd a Thought It?' in Plumstead, for a back to The Valley party. What a birthday!
The return to The Valley was pre- premiership and therefore the fourth official in those days for football league games was selected from Senior Amateur football, such as the Isthmian League. I refereed on the Isthmian league in those days and was (and still is) an avid Charlton fan. I asked the fixtures official if I could be appointed for the first game back at The Valley and surprisingly he agreed. I met him at the pub at The Standard prior to the game and gave him my two complimentary match tickets!
The game started and I was seated next to the two dugouts. When Charlton scored (Walsh, 20 mins?) I jumped in the air with joy and it then dawned upon me that my so called neutrality had been comprised.
After the game, we officials were invited into a reception where we were given a paperweight momentum of the occasion (which i still have and treasure) and I recall speaking with many of the Charlton past-heroes. One of the best days of my life.
It was my 26th Birthday, wonderful day great memories. Watching the video on the big screen on Saturday it still brings tears to my eyes watching Roger Alwen unlock those gates
It was my 26th Birthday, wonderful day great memories. Watching the video on the big screen on Saturday it still brings tears to my eyes watching Roger Alwen unlock those gates
And was my 22nd birthday - Happy Birthday for today BA!!
Sat in the covered end, what a great day after enduring those no atmosphere Palace ground games, WHU wasn't so bad
I was there. Despite being 20 at the time I've only got a dim memory of the game, aside from the goal of course. I just remember looking all about the ground trying to recall how it was when I was last there, seeeing the old steep terracing still there, the scaffold walkways and singing 'we're back at the Valley'. A dream come true it was going back. The stadium, our league position and the noise we made seemed to get bigger and bigger from then on, culminating in our promotion to the prem.
Here is the entire last game at the Valley 1985 v Stoke City. Poor game but the half time and full time are entertaining and lots of young faces on show. 28 years ago!
I was too young to be there, but it still brings goosebumps to my body seeing that replay. I used to work in the same building as Walsh and every 5th December I used to email him and thank him for that moment. Such a nice bloke!
Comments
There were only 3 things i brought back from my time in Israel:
that copy of the Jerusalem Post (which i still have),
the machete i used to cut down bananas
and a south african girlfriend (which i dont have)
Hard to believe its 20 years .
Midnight: A can of London Pride, opened on the first chime of Big Ben, to toast in my 27th birthday.
Sat Dec 5th: Noon: Off to The Valley, nice and early (to enjoy the legacy of The Valley Party, for whom I was a candidate, some two and a half years earlier).
3:08pm (approx) : Colin Walsh scores, at the Covered End, giving me a most cherished birthday present. Oh, sweet joy.
17.30: Off to the 'Who'd a Thought It?' in Plumstead, for a back to The Valley party. What a birthday!
"Many Miles Have I Travelled..."
Happy December the 5th everyone
The game started and I was seated next to the two dugouts. When Charlton scored (Walsh, 20 mins?) I jumped in the air with joy and it then dawned upon me that my so called neutrality had been comprised.
After the game, we officials were invited into a reception where we were given a paperweight momentum of the occasion (which i still have and treasure) and I recall speaking with many of the Charlton past-heroes. One of the best days of my life.
Sat in the covered end, what a great day after enduring those no atmosphere Palace ground games, WHU wasn't so bad
They also went to the Huddersfield 7-6 game.
Spotted Airman with "the sheet" at the end, on exactly 2 hours. Steve Allchurch the skinhead was standing next to him.
I haven't seen Allchurch for ages.
Bloody hell, I had tears in my eyes that day, walking up Charlton Church Lane afterwards.
Jimmy seed
Wonderful day
Went to game and sat in the covered end with friends and my six year-old nephew.
In 2010 watched Robert make his full home debut in goal against Derby county in a live sky match,2-2 I think.
Proud to be a Charlton fan, a proper football club