In 1922/3 division 3 South Charlton Athletic , playing in the FA Cup for the first time as a league side, went on an incredible giant killing run, defeating top flight Man City and Preston before taking on a third 1st division side at The Valley, West Brom, winning 1 - 0
Programmes from this era are very hard to find so we were very happy to get this one.
Interesting how the club was billing itself in those days as 'Charlton Athletic Football Company, Ltd.' Rather than as Charlton Athletic Football Club. I know the club had only been incorporated in 1919, and I'm sure the board were proud, especially given their meteoric rise from humble beginnings, but was this a usual way for football clubs to describe themselves?
Interesting how the club was billing itself in those days as 'Charlton Athletic Football Company, Ltd.' Rather than as Charlton Athletic Football Club. I know the club had only been incorporated in 1919, and I'm sure the board were proud, especially given their meteoric rise from humble beginnings, but was this a usual way for football clubs to describe themselves?
The club used "Football Company Ltd" from the first season in the league but more of that later.
After beating Man City, Preston and West Brom, Division 3 South Charlton took on a 4th 1st division side in Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup fourth round, equivilent of the Quarter final.
A then record 41,023 Valley crowd (league average was 6,175 that season) saw Bolton win 0 - 1.
Wanderers went on to win the Cup in the first Wembly final.
Much of the money Charlton made from the game was spent on compensation to those injured when fencing collapsed as Kosha Goodman was about to score.
Before the start of the 1921/22 season, the first in the football league, two sides made up of Charlton players, Reds v Whites, played each other in a public practice match.
This programme is rarer than the one that followed it v Exeter.
It seems incredible that the referee officiated that match wearing a blazer. At what point did they realise that such attire was ridiculous and bring in proper referees kits?
The programme from Charlton's first ever league game in August 1921, only 10 seasons after being formed by 15 year old boys starting a team on a street corner.
The stand isn't ready but the board hope the support will come
13,000 see Tommy Dowling score the only goal in a 1 - 0 win
There will be a few ups and downs over the next 103 years
Before the start of the 1921/22 season, the first in the football league, two sides made up of Charlton players, Reds v Whites, played each other in a public practice match.
This programme is rarer than the one that followed it v Exeter.
Before the start of the 1921/22 season, the first in the football league, two sides made up of Charlton players, Reds v Whites, played each other in a public practice match.
This programme is rarer than the one that followed it v Exeter.
Comments
Programmes from this era are very hard to find so we were very happy to get this one.
Another part of Friday's fantastic donations
After beating Man City, Preston and West Brom, Division 3 South Charlton took on a 4th 1st division side in Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup fourth round, equivilent of the Quarter final.
A then record 41,023 Valley crowd (league average was 6,175 that season) saw Bolton win 0 - 1.
Wanderers went on to win the Cup in the first Wembly final.
Much of the money Charlton made from the game was spent on compensation to those injured when fencing collapsed as Kosha Goodman was about to score.
1922/23 Charlton Athletic V Bolton Wanderers FAC 4th RD - YouTube
Before the start of the 1921/22 season, the first in the football league, two sides made up of Charlton players, Reds v Whites, played each other in a public practice match.
This programme is rarer than the one that followed it v Exeter.
The Whites won 1 - 0
Can't be many of these around...
Our programme collector trustee doesn't even have a copy, so it must be very rare.
Whites won 1 -0
The previous year the Blues beat the reds 3 - 2 and in 1922 the first team beat the Rest 3 - 0.
In 1923 it was Reds 3 - 1 Greys then Red/White, Red/blue and even white/blue a few times.
Last such game listed in home and away was August 1960 Reds 5 - 1 Whites
And no, @ElfsborgAddick it's not for sale
The oldest known home programme is from Christmas Day 1919 when we beat local rivals Ordnance 8 - 0.
It is on display in the museum.
We know of later programmes from the same season but none before so we believe it was the first.
The oldest known Charlton programme is from an away game at Dulwich Hamlet before WW1.
Does the museum have the Dulwich Hamlet one?
The museum doesn't have a copy but one of the trustees does
The aim is to build the archive now rather than have to plug gaps in years ahead.
We're open today from 11 - 1.00 and again on Friday 21 Dec 11 - 2.30 but we're closed on Boxing Day. Free entry in Harvey Gardens.
This CD