In the cold light of day 1998 probably ranks above it given the higher level but against all the odds Bowyer, Jackson and the team have managed to get us promoted and I was delighted to be there with some of my family.
Please grasp this second chance Duchatelet and get the management team signed up along with the key players. Bowyer, Jackson and Gallen will tell you who they are.
Just got home after a long and memorable day. Drained isn’t the word - from the depths of an inexplicable and potentially disastrous own goal, to a steady recovery that got us back on terms at half time, followed by a second half that looked as though it was petering out to the inevitable extra time until the BFG wrote himself into the Charlton history books.
Just for for this afternoon at least, 38,000 Addicks put any differences over the chub’s ownership to one side and came together as one community - a reminder of what the club once was and could be again given a decent owner with vision and interest.
A fantastic day, an emotional day and a very drink-fuelled evening. Lee Bowyer and the players did the business on the pitch and the support certainly helped bring it home.
I’m not sober enough to say anything more eloquent right now but what a bloody day!
Thanks to @Simonsen for sorting the tickets and arranging the pre-match activities - great company with the lads today!
Big shout out to the Mackem that I saw with his wife and three little girls on the train up. Lovely fella. Good bit of banter. Said our goodbyes and saw him less then two hours later sprawled out on Wembley way absolutely banjoed wife and kids nowhere to be seen?? WTF happened there? No idea.
What character the team showed to come back from the first goal disaster.
So pleased to see the 'lesser lights' grabbing their chance, Pratly & Parker were excellent. Purrington - a player i have regularly criticized has steadily improved.
Indeed 'steady improvement' is a label for most of the team, that reflects on the great job done by Bowyer & Jacko.
My abiding memory is, as we were walking away just outside the stadium, on the level above us was a young Sunderland lad, no more than 7, sobbing his eyes out yet still clapping us Charlton supporters. That kid has a big heart!
Noticed Maxwell say to Maynard-Brewer don't give him the trophy when they were all lifting it. Think he got given it anyway but shame he didn't feel part of things.
I've not got any words for that game and I don't think anything needs to be said. No point critiquing any players or marking them, they got the job done.
Seeing London Bridge packed with Charlton this morning and again this evening was a beautiful sight. I love this club.
A soppy but special mention to this forum, which helped me re-ignite my love for Charlton after a few years away from it. Some personalities on here who I've never met but am genuinely buzzing for today. We did it. Up the f**king Addicks.
My wife had said let me know how you get on so I called her at the final whistle and was screaming “fucking get in, fucking have it, we only fucking won “ etc down the phone.
The line went quiet then my wife told me I was on the speaker in the car with my 10 year old also listening.
I strangely wasn't to phased by the OG. I had them down as a team, fairly or not, which sit back on leads and expected us to get back in it. I think Ross is that sort of manager.
I strangely wasn't to phased by the OG. I had them down as a team, fairly or not, which sit back on leads and expected us to get back in it. I think Ross is that sort of manager.
Felt the same, this side doesn't give up easily. It was important we equalised beforemHT I felt.
Rewatching the OG it's horrible by Philips, I can laugh at it now though.
Totally overcome with emotion when Bauer won it for us, celebration felt like it lasted 20 minutes.
Went to at leats 4 parts of London throughout the day and each was full of Charlton everywhere you looked. Never experienced anything like it before and loved every second.
It sounds strange but the OG actually worked in our favour, Sunderland started the stronger side and played some nice football and we weren't really at the races.
The OG almost stunned them as much as it stunned us and they got caught between two stools and thanks to Cullen and Pratley we managed to get a foothold back in the game which we never really lost after Purrington equalised.
The second half was bizarre really, basically nothing happened in the entire half in terms of real chances but it always felt like if we could just get one chance then.....and so it proved.
Our defence and midfield were outstanding but I thought Taylor was poor - the first goal aside - he did not hold the ball up enough and went to ground a lot, we needed a lot more from him. The bloke is the best number 9 in the league but spends his time wide and deep - I know it 'worked' as a tactic but I am not a fan of it.
Parker was better than he was against Doncaster but I thought it was weird that we were playing it long for him to flick-on for Taylor rather than the other way around.
In the end though Parker winning that free-kick in injury time was crucial, it put us in their half for one last throw of the dice and it paid off so even if he never plays for us again he did what we needed him to do.
Watching it with two other Addicks. Celebrated with a bottle of sparkling at 4am Monday morning. Defo not going in to work today. Couldn't believe we actually did it. A lot of screaming, when Bauer scored. Glad there were no neighbours around. Still smiling and will continue to do so for a long time. Too stressful though. Not good for my old fragile heart.
Random 6.20 thought shout out to JJ and Andy Marshall as can't remember our set pieces being so good and it helps when a player like Johnny Williams wins so many free kicks. Can I please go back to sleep now
Brilliant day !!! The whole day from start to finish . Until yesterday , I thought it impossible to ever get near 98 , but this did.We were up in block 531. I have never cried in 43 years of watching Charlton , but when Paddy popped that ball in, after going mad for bit my son ,daughter and I hugged , and I cried tears of joy, and I loved it. Seeing fellow addicks going crazy , can't buy that.Seeing Curbs congratulating Lee ,awesome.Seeing what it meant to not just us customers,sorry FANS , but all the players ,wonderful.Finally I know why they dread playing us ,but all the Sunderland fans we met were top drawer .Still can't stop grinning COYA !!!
Brilliant day seeing new and old friends and taking my son to his biggest game so far - as one of the aforementioned said it will either be the best or the worst day of his life. Well you know the rest.
Missed the post match celebrations due to him being worn out and my throat succumbing to lurgy.
Rewatched the game on Sky with the little fella and pizza, he didn’t make it to the end and asked to go to bed exhausted. He’s ten on Tuesday. Am very pleased for him and Charlton fans everywhere. Little bit worrying that one of his highlights was the journey up, packed tube with lots of raucous singing/swearing Addicks.. it’s been a bit of a rite of passage for him.
I dared not dream of a fairy tell ending for Bowyers first full season but it seems it was fated, although thoroughly deserved despite the negligence that almost derailed it. Come on you reds!
Still feel emotional this morning. To think I have witnessed two of the greatest Charlton matches in its history is an absolute privilege. Forget about his past misdemeanours, Lee Bowyer should be inducted into the Charlton Hall of fame now. Absolute Legend
Comments
In the cold light of day 1998 probably ranks above it given the higher level but against all the odds Bowyer, Jackson and the team have managed to get us promoted and I was delighted to be there with some of my family.
Please grasp this second chance Duchatelet and get the management team signed up along with the key players. Bowyer, Jackson and Gallen will tell you who they are.
Good to meet @Carter again and @sadiejane1981 for the first time on the coach.
A tincture or two has been consumed can't write anything else sensible right now.
COYR
Just for for this afternoon at least, 38,000 Addicks put any differences over the chub’s ownership to one side and came together as one community - a reminder of what the club once was and could be again given a decent owner with vision and interest.
A fantastic day, an emotional day and a very drink-fuelled evening. Lee Bowyer and the players did the business on the pitch and the support certainly helped bring it home.
I’m not sober enough to say anything more eloquent right now but what a bloody day!
Thanks to @Simonsen for sorting the tickets and arranging the pre-match activities - great company with the lads today!
Almost Roland-esque, celebrating another club's triumph.
Big shout out to the Mackem that I saw with his wife and three little girls on the train up. Lovely fella. Good bit of banter. Said our goodbyes and saw him less then two hours later sprawled out on Wembley way absolutely banjoed wife and kids nowhere to be seen??
WTF happened there? No idea.
What a day!!!
Allen.Allez.Allez
So pleased to see the 'lesser lights' grabbing their chance, Pratly & Parker were excellent. Purrington - a player i have regularly criticized has steadily improved.
Indeed 'steady improvement' is a label for most of the team, that reflects on the great job done by Bowyer & Jacko.
My abiding memory is, as we were walking away just outside the stadium, on the level above us was a young Sunderland lad, no more than 7,
sobbing his eyes out yet still clapping us Charlton supporters. That kid has a big heart!
Respect to the Mackems
A few sore heads tomorrow
That for me is the perfect description of why we all love football.
The heartbreak from the early mistake. The nerves. The joy when Purrington scored his first Charlton goal.
The way the 38,000+ Charlton fans kept singing. The quickly-taken free-kick.
The header that takes a ricochet.
The long German leg to poke the ball home.
The scenes. The tears. The outpour of utter jubilation.
A day that'll never forget. An absolute honour and privilege to have represented our club with my friend @KillersBeard.
BRING ON THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Seeing London Bridge packed with Charlton this morning and again this evening was a beautiful sight. I love this club.
A soppy but special mention to this forum, which helped me re-ignite my love for Charlton after a few years away from it. Some personalities on here who I've never met but am genuinely buzzing for today. We did it. Up the f**king Addicks.
The line went quiet then my wife told me I was on the speaker in the car with my 10 year old also listening.
Rewatching the OG it's horrible by Philips, I can laugh at it now though.
Said it all season, love this lot.
Totally overcome with emotion when Bauer won it for us, celebration felt like it lasted 20 minutes.
Went to at leats 4 parts of London throughout the day and each was full of Charlton everywhere you looked. Never experienced anything like it before and loved every second.
BAUER IN THE 94TH, BAUER IN THE 94TH
It sounds strange but the OG actually worked in our favour, Sunderland started the stronger side and played some nice football and we weren't really at the races.
The OG almost stunned them as much as it stunned us and they got caught between two stools and thanks to Cullen and Pratley we managed to get a foothold back in the game which we never really lost after Purrington equalised.
The second half was bizarre really, basically nothing happened in the entire half in terms of real chances but it always felt like if we could just get one chance then.....and so it proved.
Our defence and midfield were outstanding but I thought Taylor was poor - the first goal aside - he did not hold the ball up enough and went to ground a lot, we needed a lot more from him. The bloke is the best number 9 in the league but spends his time wide and deep - I know it 'worked' as a tactic but I am not a fan of it.
Parker was better than he was against Doncaster but I thought it was weird that we were playing it long for him to flick-on for Taylor rather than the other way around.
In the end though Parker winning that free-kick in injury time was crucial, it put us in their half for one last throw of the dice and it paid off so even if he never plays for us again he did what we needed him to do.
Too stressful though. Not good for my old fragile heart.
Absolutely brilliant
I have never cried in 43 years of watching Charlton , but when Paddy popped that ball in, after going mad for bit my son ,daughter and I hugged , and I cried tears of joy, and I loved it. Seeing fellow addicks going crazy ,
can't buy that.Seeing Curbs congratulating Lee ,awesome.Seeing what it meant to not just us customers,sorry FANS , but all the players ,wonderful.Finally I know why they dread playing us ,but all the Sunderland fans we met were top drawer .Still can't stop grinning COYA !!!
Missed the post match celebrations due to him being worn out and my throat succumbing to lurgy.
Rewatched the game on Sky with the little fella and pizza, he didn’t make it to the end and asked to go to bed exhausted. He’s ten on Tuesday. Am very pleased for him and Charlton fans everywhere. Little bit worrying that one of his highlights was the journey up, packed tube with lots of raucous singing/swearing Addicks.. it’s been a bit of a rite of passage for him.
I dared not dream of a fairy tell ending for Bowyers first full season but it seems it was fated, although thoroughly deserved despite the negligence that almost derailed it. Come on you reds!
Doing all again tonight with my best mate for the Villa game.