I played in the game bottom right, but not in the picture..
I regret helping to burn some of what were probably the original 1921 main stand seats on the centre circle. Luckily a short section survived and have made it to the museum...
Anyone else remember the big boom from the bonfire at one point? It sounded like an old petrol can had found it’s way into the heap. Steve Gritt and Lennie were both down there IIRC.
I was there and was all excited when the ‘Today” newspaper photographer asked if he could take a pic of me , mate and the late great Peter Loveridge having a kick about down at the Jimmy South Stand , bought the paper the next day all excited and nope wasn’t in it .
Seems unreal. I was there with my shovel. Had been living in Norwich for less than a year and was very home sick at the time. It would never be allowed these days in view of health and safety. Great to see the photos as no one had camera phones back then. Very proud of our history. Always be part of this history and makes supporting Charlton more unique and special.
If memory serves me correctly, the day before we endured a pretty low key game at Selhurst Park against Middlesbrough. It was the time long before the internet, and fan communication was the early fanzines, the club programme and the local newspapers so nobody knew if the event would be a success or a failure. I woke up on the Sunday which was a dank and dreary wet morning, at the time I was a motorcyclist. Anyway I bungee-corded a spade to the back of my bike, and with a sense of excitement started off early for the Valley. I thought I would be the only person with any enthusiasm or motivation to be there, but felt that if it was only me and a few others so what? It was advertised as starting at 10am I believe, but as I turned in to Floyd Road about 9.30 I was aware of a lot of clinking clanking sounds all around. I parked up, grabbed my spade and went in to the dear old ground where to my astonishment saw what must've been about 2000 people already there before me! And a lot of people also had random implements to clear and work on the terraces, I was probably alongside the estimable @Arsentatters working on the East Terrace, near the large sound player blasting out the Red Red Robin. I remember Steve Sutherland eagerly supplying polystyrene cups of tea, and certainly remember Steve Gritt and Lennie Lawrence turning up, and later some TV cameras who must've got wind of what was happening. One enduring memory was how quickly we turned what was a veritable jungle into something like a recognisable football stadium, well not just a recognisable football stadium but our Valley that we all remembered and loved. One of the best days ever as a Charlton supporter.
Seth’s 2000 right up there with some of our made up away followings of years gone by before the official numbers stopped the think of a number and double it theory fans used to have .
Seth’s 2000 right up there with some of our made up away followings of years gone by before the official numbers stopped the think of a number and double it theory fans used to have .
I thought the same but didn't want to say. I clearly recall a couple of hundred at most, although with the possible comings and goings of people, maybe a maximum of 300 there over the course of the morning, although at different times. Zero chance there were anywhere near 2000 there.
Have just realised that my son, who was born on boxing day that year, was probably already in existence and about the size of a frozen pea on April 2nd. If only my wife had joined me on the East Terrace that day he could technically claim to have been there. But she didn't! Oh well.
I was able to get him in to the Portsmouth game (Jimmy Seed) on my lap, as a two year old, thanks to a duplicate ticket via Chris Parkes, so he has got that one to shout about though.
We have both had our same seats in the East Stand since it was built - on what was that cleared terrace of course.
All good 'family club' stuff.
I would reckon there were 200-300 people there in the late morning. We had a fair chunk of terrace to ourselves.
Comments
One of the greatest and most emotional days I ever experienced.
I regret helping to burn some of what were probably the original 1921 main stand seats on the centre circle. Luckily a short section survived and have made it to the museum...
Thats the problem with history its only the old ones that remember.
Well done all involved.
But blimey, I just had a vague warm feeling that we were coming home. Who knew then, where the next 13 months would take us.
Went with a mate who invited me back to his for Sunday roast. Cheers Derek!
I was there and remember going to the Waterman’s after for a few beers.
Great occasion.
Failed.
It was back a year later.
But we were back three years later
It was the time long before the internet, and fan communication was the early fanzines, the club programme and the local newspapers so nobody knew if the event would be a success or a failure.
I woke up on the Sunday which was a dank and dreary wet morning, at the time I was a motorcyclist. Anyway I bungee-corded a spade to the back of my bike, and with a sense of excitement started off early for the Valley. I thought I would be the only person with any enthusiasm or motivation to be there, but felt that if it was only me and a few others so what?
It was advertised as starting at 10am I believe, but as I turned in to Floyd Road about 9.30 I was aware of a lot of clinking clanking sounds all around. I parked up, grabbed my spade and went in to the dear old ground where to my astonishment saw what must've been about 2000 people already there before me!
And a lot of people also had random implements to clear and work on the terraces, I was probably alongside the estimable @Arsentatters working on the East Terrace, near the large sound player blasting out the Red Red Robin.
I remember Steve Sutherland eagerly supplying polystyrene cups of tea, and certainly remember Steve Gritt and Lennie Lawrence turning up, and later some TV cameras who must've got wind of what was happening.
One enduring memory was how quickly we turned what was a veritable jungle into something like a recognisable football stadium, well not just a recognisable football stadium but our Valley that we all remembered and loved.
One of the best days ever as a Charlton supporter.
No question.
before the official numbers stopped the think of a number and double it theory fans used to have .
I clearly recall a couple of hundred at most, although with the possible comings and goings of people, maybe a maximum of 300 there over the course of the morning, although at different times.
Zero chance there were anywhere near 2000 there.
I was able to get him in to the Portsmouth game (Jimmy Seed) on my lap, as a two year old, thanks to a duplicate ticket via Chris Parkes, so he has got that one to shout about though.
We have both had our same seats in the East Stand since it was built - on what was that cleared terrace of course.
All good 'family club' stuff.
I would reckon there were 200-300 people there in the late morning. We had a fair chunk of terrace to ourselves.