First Voice

Stig · June 2011

On Henry's suggestion, below are pages
from the first ever edition on Voice of the Valley. Boy, if you
thought things were bad now reading this will soon put you right.
The club in exile at Selhurst. Crowds of under 5k to watch top
flight football. Fans going to matches out of loyalty or habit, but
not for fun or enjoyment. Other fans staying away through
alienation, private protest or because Selhurst is such a bloody
awkward place to get to. Supporter's club chairman verbally
attacking club fans. Former player saying, “The Charlton I knew
just doesn't exist anymore”.

The positive story to all of this
though, is that a little over ten years later we were back at The
Valley watching Premiership football from gleaming new stands. So,
however bad things seem at the moment, it's worth remembering that
things can change very quickly in football. There's no reason at all
for us to be gloomy about the future as Charlton has turned around
much worse situations in the past.

In this edition of VotV fans were urged
to boycott the match on 26^th March 1988 versus Oxford and
to attend The Valley instead. I wondered what experiences people on
here had of that day. Did you watch the match at Selhurst or did go
to The Valley? If so, what was it like? Or, you do something else?
Personally, I have no recollection of that game, I guess I did what
I usually did which was to stay at home listening to reports on LBC.

Finally it's interesting to note that
23 years on we're still debating the worst ever Charlton player. The
suggestion here (as several recently said) was one Barry Endean.

Riscardo · June 2011

Our friends from Preistfield .... lol,

Henry Irving · June 2011

I hope Airman Brown won't mind. Without sounding like I'm blowing hot air up his posterior the editorial reminds us of just what a good writer he was and is.

Be interesting to hear from those who have never seen this before and weren't around at the time what they think? And how many of those contributors are still around now?

PS When I was sorting out the VOTVs for Stig I started flicking through on much later edition. There was a photo of BDL, letters from Large Addick, Prague Addick and about 6 from a J Ackworth. And something about "he's here, he's there, he's in Trafalgar Square" and a fifth column. Same people, different media

Miserableoldgit · June 2011

Didn't "Paul Gonad" write afew bits & pieces ?

Henry Irving · June 2011

Didn't "Paul Gonad" write afew bits & pieces ?

Yeah but they were bollocks : - )

By coincidence I met Peter Burrows (featured above) in Bromley today

Miserableoldgit · June 2011

Any "Scoops" Henry ?

Henry Irving · June 2011

Didn't "Paul Gonad" write afew bits & pieces ?
Yeah but they were bollocks : - )

By coincidence I met Peter Burrows (featured above) in Bromley today

Any "Scoops" Henry ?

No but I know where he lives!

ChicagoAddick · June 2011

I know my brother and I have VOTV #1 somewhere but I can't locate it so thanks for this Stig. Brilliant editorial by Rick. Those were the days....

ChicagoAddick · June 2011

I did boycott the Oxford game but I don't remember going to The Valley. Got a feeling I went with some mates to a Bromley home game.

Miserableoldgit · June 2011

Think the Boycott was called off as we had some "Promises" from Greenwich and The Board.

Lewis Coaches · June 2011

That evening at the supporters meeting in The Valley Social Club was turning into a hanging party until Steve Dixon got up on stage.This was before the two directors arrived with the club captain at the time a very good move on the directors side.I spoke with Mike Norris on the night and he gave me his telephone number saying ring me and i will arrange a meeting with you.He invited me around too his house afew weeks later.

Somehow can not see that being done today.

LoOkOuT · June 2011

Cracking read.

I rang Peter Burrowes he's given me the heads up on the new centre back. ;-)

Stig · June 2011

Your right MOG. Issue number three reports that Mike Norris and Roger Alwen had bought The Valley. That the boycott had been called off but that pressure to move back to The Valley would continue via (amongst other things?) a petition. On the cover was a picture of a Selhurst portakabin with the title "For Sale" and the description, "Very undes. re in little sought after corner of Croydon". There were concerns though that Greenwich council might try to force the club into moving to a site near the Blackwall Tunnel.

Henry Irving · June 2011

I have all the VOTV 1 to 20 plus quite a few more as well as lots of other CAFC, Welling and Dartford fanzines that will be coming up for auction on here soon.

Covered End · June 2011

Bloody hell, talk about bring back memories. God bless Airman Brown & Steve Dixon.

I was at that meeting & Lewis Coaches is correct - if Mark Aizlewood hadn't turned up it would have kicked off big time. There were 1000 angry men & nothing to placate them. It seemed like there was no hope for our club & whilst the Captain couldn't say anything of specific consequence, he said enough to calm the tempers.

Lewis Coaches · June 2011

Covered End

1000 ANGRY MEN.

How times change,can not see the new guard of supporters that follow Charlton now doing what that loyal band of followers got up to 24 years ago.Times were good back then with the fans all pulling in the same direction,the football was better and the players more down to earth.The directors you could at least talk to when Alwen and Norris took over,now the only person at the club from that time is Chris Parkes bet he could tell you a story or two.