2011/12 has been my first season coming to The Valley, and have thoroughly enjoyed it - despite a string of near misses early on!
My first visit was meant to be for the Oldham match. I'd bought a ticket online as I was staying at the Anti ahead of the Manics gig at the o2 and thought it'd be good to watch some football in the afternoon. Sadly I didn't arrive in time for the match, having encountered a load of travel issues en route from South Wales where I live. Near miss #1.
I made a point though of going to the Valley the next day, where I picked up a copy of the Centenary DVD. Ended up watching most of it in Victoria coach station waiting for the bus home, totally enthralled by these names I was so unfamiliar with, like Bartram and Seed and Welsh, and the stories of the 7-6 game with Huddersfield, the burst ball (ahem!) and the war-time cup finals. What perhaps most struck a chord with me was the Valley Party story. There was something about this club that was pulling me back in. So I bought a ticket for Rochdale.
Near miss #2. Got as far as Reading to learn the game was off, With my return train booked for hours and hours later, I still came to the Valley, this time a bit more educated to the club's fine history and that of the ground. After taking a few pictures and that, I got chatting to a longtime fan, and heard some great stories about Sam and his shop, and the Addicks teams of yesteryear. After a bit of food in the Valley Cafe and a few pints of Pride in the Rose of Denmark, it turned out not to be a wasted day - even if my second attempt to watch Charlton had indeed failed.
With work commitments midweek, there was no way I could make the rescheduled match. As a result, my first experience of Charlton live (rather than Charlton Life) was the Notts County match. Yes, exactly! Despite the result though, it was great to watch a game in such a... well, nice environment. Despite being a big club, there is a real sense of community at Charlton, and it was really refreshing. There is clearly massive pride in the club and its history, and yet it's not confrontational or hateful or antagonistic like a lot of clubs.
Picked a bit of a duff game in Orient for my next trip, but Wycombe and Hartlepool were fantastic days. The latter was certainly an absolute pleasure to attend. As someone with a growing interest in the history of our beautiful game (thanks in no small part to Charlton Athletic, Colin Cameron and that excellent DVD), it was an honour to be a small part of what was a historic day for Charlton. Also something about Sam's statue with the scarf on it was really moving I thought.
I just hope you don't mind me tagging along in the Championship next year.
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Comments
In all seriousness, That was a cracking post!
nice story , how old are you (this is not a proposition)
I'm the same age as you so find it amazing that you could just pick up another team like that (only because I can't imagine it happening to me!)
Hope you enjoy many more seasons following this special club, at least Cardiff away next season will be a local one for you!
Where do you plan on sitting Ash?
But I have seen Killer score a hatrick there in a thumping 3-0 win, and a Matt Holland inspired 2-0 win when our friend Pardew was scheming our demise.
Anyway, great story and now that you are Addickted, welcome to the fold.
;o)
There was just a point when I realised I really cared about this club. It has never left me. It perhaps takes somebody who is new to the Club to put their finger on what it is. You have summed it up perfectly.
Its great to have you along for the journey with us. I have to warn you, its not always as good as the 101 points haul this season but I wouldn't miss it for the world. Its the tough times that make me appreciate the good times. It doesn't get much better than days like Saturday and seasons like this.
As for Barry Town, there's some connections between us and them: http://forum.charltonlife.com/discussion/44086/fred-whitlow-1927-31