Attention: Please take a moment to consider our terms and conditions before posting.

Lucky the Charlton Cat (1968)

Addickted4life
Addickted4life Posts: 7,479
in General Charlton
Was just going through google looking at old pictures of The Valley and came across this:

Cat "Lucky" with football at the Valley, home ground of Charlton Athletic football club. This puss was adopted by Charlton and christened Lucky after straying into the Valley

image

Cat "Lucky" with football at the Valley, home ground of Charlton Athletic football club. This puss was adopted by Charlton and christened Lucky after straying into the Valley in August 1968. Charlton did not lose another match until the end of September and went on to finish third in the second division, the highest for 11 years. Lucky rubbed off in the FA Cup as well. Lucky's last significant act was to relieve himself on the pitch during a league match against Derby. Ronnie Moore went on to score the only goal of the game in the 84th minute. September 1968.

Source: http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-cat-lucky-with-football-at-the-valley-home-ground-of-charlton-athletic-83595060.html

I didn't know that The Valley had an official cat, I'd never heard of Lucky before.

Was wondering if anyone on CL had any stories/information relating to Lucky?
«1

Comments

  • Pedro45
    Pedro45 Posts: 5,889
    Surely not Ronnie Moore, they mean Graham "Tank" Moore!
  • HantsAddick
    HantsAddick Posts: 2,423
    I vaguely remember a cat when I started going. Had forgotten about it until I saw this. He would be called Unlucky now
  • mistrollingin
    mistrollingin Posts: 3,868
    Also, the Derby game was in January 1969, scorers were Tees and Tracey.
  • stonemuse
    stonemuse Posts: 34,187
    I remember the cat but never having met him, I have no stories :wink:
  • blackpool72
    blackpool72 Posts: 23,875
    Killer shot it
  • DaveMehmet
    DaveMehmet Posts: 21,731
    I seem to remember he passed away in the early 80’s. There was an article in the programme about him making an appearance pitchside in the last game before he died.
  • seth plum
    seth plum Posts: 53,448
    The Football League Review, which was an insert in all programmes, had a front page picture of Lucky.
    I have vague memories that Lucky would watch games from near the old players tunnel.
  • Daddy_Pig
    Daddy_Pig Posts: 496
    Katrien would have got rid of him like she did the other cat
  • magic1999
    magic1999 Posts: 469
    I remember Lucky used to go under the old west stand looking for mice
  • EveshamAddick
    EveshamAddick Posts: 7,056
    I remember seeing a black cat at the Valley in the 70s.

  • Sponsored links:



  • SomervilleAddick
    SomervilleAddick Posts: 3,597
    I used to work at the Valley on game days and during school holidays, and Lucky was around then.
  • ChicagoAddick
    ChicagoAddick Posts: 4,417
    Think he lived at The Valley Club. Was taken in by the manager and was always seen in there at weekends
  • sillav nitram
    sillav nitram Posts: 10,187
    I do remember it but had forgotten perhaps we need another one?
  • lolwray
    lolwray Posts: 4,926
    edited March 2018
    Yes remember lucky well ..he loved a wagon wheel, he favoured George ley of Portsmouth rather than George best ...would dance to t rex at half time and stoutly defended the covered end from visiting supporters

    He refused to use the toilets near the Sam Bartram entrance
  • bolloxbolder
    bolloxbolder Posts: 8,026
    seth plum said:

    The Football League Review, which was an insert in all programmes, had a front page picture of Lucky.
    I have vague memories that Lucky would watch games from near the old players tunnel.

    This.
  • Davo55
    Davo55 Posts: 7,855
    In that photo, he's just begging to be curled into the top corner.
  • pettgra
    pettgra Posts: 1,586
    Didn"t they find the expired Lucky in the pressbox. I think I was even told that he had been placed in one of those drop down units under the desks. That would have made someone jump.
  • bigstemarra
    bigstemarra Posts: 5,099
    We need a Lucky mk II!
  • Simonsen
    Simonsen Posts: 5,555
    There was definitely a black cat skulking around the Main Stand side in the early 80s. 
  • SomervilleAddick
    SomervilleAddick Posts: 3,597
    There was definitely a black cat called Lucky when I was helping out from 1972-1975 

  • Sponsored links:



  • seth plum
    seth plum Posts: 53,448
    Lucky featured on the front cover of the legendary 'Football League Review'.
    A legend for all time.
    I think he reportedly had a long and happy life at the Valley, used to watch from the top of the old dug outs, and legend has it he jumped down and did some doings just outside the touchline minutes before he (she?) went to the great scratching post in the ever after.
  • Lewis Coaches
    Lewis Coaches Posts: 5,440
    Came into The Valley when we lost to Millwall 3-4 first game of season and stayed for LIFE.

    Footnote......in the goalmouths was written Millwall which also stayed for most of that season.

    Anyone remember that.
  • MuttleyCAFC
    MuttleyCAFC Posts: 47,819
    edited August 2020
    I recall stroking Lucky on a visit to the Valley in my youth. It was an honour. Harvey the mascot should have been named Lucky as a tribute.
  • AFKABartram
    AFKABartram Posts: 58,100
    One for @Lucky_the_Cat surely?


  • Lucky_the_Cat
    Lucky_the_Cat Posts: 58
    Can't really let this go, can I?

    My mum worked at the ground back in those days and when I went down there Lucky was quite often around. 

    As far as I can remember he was just a young little stray that everyone befriended (and fed), and as the story says his appearance coincided with some good fortune on the pitch.

    I always thought the colour picture was from the programme rather than The Football League Review, but I may well be wrong there. Either way my late younger sister had the photo in a makeshift frame in her bedroom. It could still be in my loft.

    I am proud to be associated with the legend.

    It would be rather spooky if the emergence of this story heralds the takeover and an upturn in fortune once again for the club. Lucky strikes again?
  • Duncan270566
    Duncan270566 Posts: 402
    ChicagoAddick said:
    Think he lived at The Valley Club. Was taken in by the manager and was always seen in there at weekends
    He was indeed. Ray Donn used to allow him in to the Valley Club. My Grandfather worked at the ground at weekends and my Dad worked in the Valley Club and I met Lucky several times.
  • MuttleyCAFC
    MuttleyCAFC Posts: 47,819
    edited August 2020
    I was under the impression, but could be wrong, that he was looked after by Maurice Banham (the then groundsman). I recall reading an article to that effect but time plays tricks. Maybe a life size statue of Lucky would be nice, Looking at the pitch in front of Covered End. Might represent an upturn in our luck!
  • Duncan270566
    Duncan270566 Posts: 402
    My Grandfather used to feed lucky at the weekend too. I just think that Lucky would befriend anyone that fed him.
  • Simonsen
    Simonsen Posts: 5,555
    Get him stuffed for the museum....
  • SporadicAddick
    SporadicAddick Posts: 6,974
    Simonsen said:
    Get him stuffed for the museum....
    sorted

    Strange Taxidermy Dreamy Wiki Fandom

Categories

“Marketplace”