Dad came over from Bantry Bay in early 50’s, lived in digs, met my mum ... married, rented a couple of rooms in Victoria Way Charlton ... I came along a couple of years later ... taken to the Valley before my 5th birthday ... no money in the family so didn’t go often ... moved to Cherry Orchard Estate Charlton when I was 10 ... met a few kids my age also into Charlton ... within a couple of years we were all going without our parents to the open South terrace ... loved watching the Covered End from afar ... by the next season, we were there 😀
Do you visit your Dads homeplace? Call in for a cuppa if you do, we’re in Baltimore, not that far away 👍🏼
Not been for a long time but will bear in mind your kind offer
I lived in Beckenham and it was the easiest football ground to get to as a kid. Selhurst Park was closer but you had to get 2 buses. To get to Charlton I only needed to get the 54 from the top of my road, so whilst it was a bit longer it was easier. Weird that we ended up at Selhurst in the end anyway so had to do that journey regardless.
I was born in Eltham , my friends elder brother took me to the valley when I was 9 in 1963 . I also used to go to Upton Park and Highbury when charlton played away when I was about 12. But I was an Addick through and through. So I’ve been going 57 years now . My friend and his brother stopped going years ago.
Born in Woolwich, lived in Meridian Road with maternal grand parents then Harold Gibbons Court, Victoria Way. Dad was a Millwall supporter but took me to Charlton as it was closer. First game I can remember was a 4-0 defeat to Blackpool who had Mudie and Matthews playing for them. John Hewie and Stuart Leary stood out in my memory, the former for regularly booting the ball into touch the latter for his reading of the game.
My dad emigrated from the Republic of Ireland in 1947 and being a keen football fan and a decent footballer himself, he adopted his local team, which happened to be Charlton. He took me to my first game in 1967 and that was that! Apart from that, I loved my dad dearly.
My dad took me to both charlton and scumwall so I did have a sort of choice!!! So it was a choice of following a knob club with knob fans or following a club run by total knobs!! What a choice But as it turned out it was a good choice as I ended up working just across the road from the valley for 17 years!!!
I can't remember what year it was but palarse were playing Charlton at shithurst so went with a couple of mates (up until then supported Arsenal) and said whoever wins I'll support.
Charlton lost the game but the herberts smashed up the shops and that was that.
One of the litte known consequences of World War Two. My Dad an Irishman who was in the Royal Artillery, and my Mum who was in the ATS, met when stationed in Woolwich. Lived in Charlton Road and now both lying in Charlton Cemetery. Charlton picked us.
My uncle used to go in the 50s with Colin Cameron. Then he took my older brothers to a few games in the mid 60s. They in turn took me to my first game in 1975 and it was on MOTD.
Grandad was a Barnados boy from west london and ended up in Swanley. Charlton his nearest team from there and dad took me along to Selhurst to see us v Liverpool on Ronnie Rosenthal's debut where he netted a hattrick.
I was a 9 year old Liverpool "fan" up to that game....they hammered us 4-0 but something clicked and I turned to my dad as Barnes scored their 4th and said I want to support Charlton like you dad. Something about the home crowd, the stoicism and good humour about getting stuffed 4-0 but everyone having a laugh etc.
Was hooked and even though the old man tried to suggest I support someone better like Arsenal (probably so he had a valid excuse to sack us off and go somewhere with good football and success) I stuck with it.
Grew up in Orpington where most were the main big london clubs, glory northern clubs and Millwall etc and went to school near croydon so it was all palace, millwall and big clubs don't think I knew another addick outside of my family until I was about 15 but glad I stuck with us as night's like tonight make all the dross worthwhile.
Kids are being brought up miles away from london but are already part of the fold and I can't wait to take them up and down the country following the addicks whatever league we are in.
Massive cliche but we are a special club and whilst unfashionable and uncool I can't imagine feeling the same about Arsenal or Chelsea.
My dad's dad moved to Eltham from Egypt in 1924 aged 4 I think. He must have gone with his dad (my great granddad). We have all supported Charlton ever since.
My dad took my brother and I to Selhurst in 1989, and to witness the derelict Valley, and subsequent redevelopment.
Now my stepson, daughter (5th generation) both my brothers, my cousin, and my dad all support Charlton.
Grew up in Harvey gardens, was always in the valley helping out as a kid in the late 70’s. Always say it’s the only choice I will not allow my 5 year old son to make, he will be a Charlton fan!! 😂. So far when asked who he supports he says Charlton,which puts a big smile on my face.
Moved from North London to Morris Walk in 1966,Dad was a Gooner.brother was a Spud. Went to Charlton Secondary. One of the kids asked me if I was going to the game that night, I asked who was playing and he said Charlton. Never heard of them but went anyway.Was 12 and had to be in by 9 got home at 9 45.Walked through the door to my old man shouting "Where the fuck have you been". Told him "Been to watch Charlton".His reply was "Charlton, they will never be any good all the time you have a hole in your'e arse". Typical Gooner. Still managed to get him to go to a few games.
My grandad, who has supported them since 1942 when he was a young boy, took me to my first game in October 1996 and I've been hooked ever since. We still go together now, and will be back once Covid-19 is no longer a threat.
Straightforward for me. My dad was born and grew up in McCall Crescent Charlton. I was born in Eltham, Charlton through and through. My first game at the Valley aged 7 in February 1964, lost 1.0 to Portsmouth. I was hooked. I pity people who support Liverpool, Arsenal, Man Utd etc: what a bland life they must have!
Aged 40 (55 next month) I went to my first football match and was blown away (not Charlton!) caught football like religion, worked with a whole bunch of Addicks and was really impressed by their enthusiasm & the community involvement. Myself and a mate (who knows way more about footy than I) brought a season and that was that. Felt a bit like a self arranged marriage and the love grew & deepened. Can’t imagine a life without Charlton now - met some great people along the way too.
Grandad - dad and all his mates supported Charlton, went in 73 and loved it. Ive been lucky enough to see some absolutely brilliant games but the best so far is seeing us win at Wembley in the last minute, what a day, no matter what happens to our club, I saw us win at Wembley, that’ll do.
Went to my first game when I was 4 in 2004 when we won 4-0 against Norwich and Johansson scored 2. I also used to love the Charlton Challenge and the community trust work from even before that.
combination of the two things! My Dad supports Newcastle and was more into rugby so had no intention of following that!
Even in hard times I’m still so glad I support a local club and not some massive club that I never get to go to
My Dad’s family is from Woolwich/Greenwich and my Mum’s from Blackheath. My parents emigrated to Germany in 1964 when I was 2, so I didn’t see or hear about London footie until I was about 7 or 8 when my uncle who lived in Woolwich took me to see a match at The Valley. It must have been over the Xmas holiday period as that was only time we were in the UK. It was a dull and dreary day and the floodlights were already on as we come up and over the East Terrace. That was me hooked: the vibrant green of the grass, the bright floodlights and the singing from the Covered End!
I didn’t get to see another match until 1976 when I was sent to boarding school in Blackheath. The school required every boarder to have a legal guardian and my parents chose my uncle, a lifelong Addick. From 1976 until we left the Addick I went to every home game!
Born in Catford , parents not interested in football, but my uncle took me and my older brother to Charlton and Millwall every other week, my older brother chose the wrong option.
Lived on Woolwich Road in Charlton when I was a kid after moving from North London. Dad took me to first game in '68. Theoretically could have been Spurs or Arsenal fan if we had not moved.
Comments
Apart from that, I loved my dad dearly.
So it was a choice of following a knob club with knob fans or following a club run by total knobs!! What a choice
But as it turned out it was a good choice as I ended up working just across the road from the valley for 17 years!!!
Charlton lost the game but the herberts smashed up the shops and that was that.
Charlton were my team.
I was a 9 year old Liverpool "fan" up to that game....they hammered us 4-0 but something clicked and I turned to my dad as Barnes scored their 4th and said I want to support Charlton like you dad. Something about the home crowd, the stoicism and good humour about getting stuffed 4-0 but everyone having a laugh etc.
Was hooked and even though the old man tried to suggest I support someone better like Arsenal (probably so he had a valid excuse to sack us off and go somewhere with good football and success) I stuck with it.
Grew up in Orpington where most were the main big london clubs, glory northern clubs and Millwall etc and went to school near croydon so it was all palace, millwall and big clubs don't think I knew another addick outside of my family until I was about 15 but glad I stuck with us as night's like tonight make all the dross worthwhile.
Kids are being brought up miles away from london but are already part of the fold and I can't wait to take them up and down the country following the addicks whatever league we are in.
Massive cliche but we are a special club and whilst unfashionable and uncool I can't imagine feeling the same about Arsenal or Chelsea.
My dad took my brother and I to Selhurst in 1989, and to witness the derelict Valley, and subsequent redevelopment.
Now my stepson, daughter (5th generation) both my brothers, my cousin, and my dad all support Charlton.
Really I had no choice.
Ive been lucky enough to see some absolutely brilliant games but the best so far is seeing us win at Wembley in the last minute, what a day, no matter what happens to our club, I saw us win at Wembley, that’ll do.
combination of the two things! My Dad supports Newcastle and was more into rugby so had no intention of following that!
My parents emigrated to Germany in 1964 when I was 2, so I didn’t see or hear about London footie until I was about 7 or 8 when my uncle who lived in Woolwich took me to see a match at The Valley. It must have been over the Xmas holiday period as that was only time we were in the UK. It was a dull and dreary day and the floodlights were already on as we come up and over the East Terrace. That was me hooked: the vibrant green of the grass, the bright floodlights and the singing from the Covered End!
my older brother chose the wrong option.