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Valley Atmosphere
AFKABartram
Posts: 58,099
I’ve said it before, but the atmosphere down the ground the last year or so is the best as I can ever remember in my 30-odd years going.
I was North Upper since it was built up to a couple of years ago and have since retired to the sides. In the NU it always feels like it’s the best atmosphere ever, but I genuinely don’t think we ever made noise in the big Prem years like we are nowadays. The side stands used to rhythmically clap along but they never used to properly join in like now.
The Doncaster play off game I don’t think will ever be beaten for atmosphere, but from Sunderland in early Jan on there’s been plenty of L1 / Champ league games that it’s been electric.
That “Lee Bowyer’s red and white army” in the last five minutes was awesome.
I can’t measure how sad this probably is, but Im 43 years old and I can’t think of much in life that gives you a buzz as much as the Valley proper rocking when we are winning.
Am I going OTT? Am i getting it wrong about the Prem years?
I was North Upper since it was built up to a couple of years ago and have since retired to the sides. In the NU it always feels like it’s the best atmosphere ever, but I genuinely don’t think we ever made noise in the big Prem years like we are nowadays. The side stands used to rhythmically clap along but they never used to properly join in like now.
The Doncaster play off game I don’t think will ever be beaten for atmosphere, but from Sunderland in early Jan on there’s been plenty of L1 / Champ league games that it’s been electric.
That “Lee Bowyer’s red and white army” in the last five minutes was awesome.
I can’t measure how sad this probably is, but Im 43 years old and I can’t think of much in life that gives you a buzz as much as the Valley proper rocking when we are winning.
Am I going OTT? Am i getting it wrong about the Prem years?
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I know exactly how you feel. I'm not a great one for singing all through a game but since LB took over the atmosphere has been magnificent. Was only talking about it with Golfie Jnr a hour or so ago as we watched some of the Barnsley v Brentford match on Sky, where you could hear players & management shouting & the only singing came when Brentford scored. As LB says this must surely give the players a lift, esp away from home.AFKABartram said:I’ve said it before, but the atmosphere down the ground the last year or so is the best as I can ever remember in my 30-odd years going.
I was North Upper since it was built up to a couple of years ago and have since retired to the sides. In the NU it always feels like it’s the best atmosphere ever, but I genuinely don’t think we ever made noise in the big Prem years like we are nowadays. The side stands used to rhythmically clap along but they never used to properly join in like now.
The Doncaster play off game I don’t think will ever be beaten for atmosphere, but from Sunderland in early Jan on there’s been plenty of L1 / Champ league games that it’s been electric.
That “Lee Bowyer’s red and white army” in the last five minutes was awesome.
I can’t measure how sad this probably is, but Im 43 years old and I can’t think of much in life that gives you a buzz as much as the Valley proper rocking when we are winning.
Am I going OTT? Am i getting it wrong about the Prem years?
Stood & clapped for about 5 mins at the end of the game yesterday......the players deserved it.
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It’s decent now more consistently than before , I think Ipswich play off 98 was mental but I was 12 pints under so could be wrong .
i’d like us to be getting behind the team without needing a goal or incident to get us going but that’s me dreaming of 20k mad passionate fans who are up for it like ourselves but that’s never gonna happen clap clap clap , siddarn, pass the blanket4 -
There were big matches with a good atmosphere in the Prem years at The Valley too. I remember victories against Tottenham and Liverpool when it was rocking to name but two.AFKABartram said:I’ve said it before, but the atmosphere down the ground the last year or so is the best as I can ever remember in my 30-odd years going.
I was North Upper since it was built up to a couple of years ago and have since retired to the sides. In the NU it always feels like it’s the best atmosphere ever, but I genuinely don’t think we ever made noise in the big Prem years like we are nowadays. The side stands used to rhythmically clap along but they never used to properly join in like now.
The Doncaster play off game I don’t think will ever be beaten for atmosphere, but from Sunderland in early Jan on there’s been plenty of L1 / Champ league games that it’s been electric.
That “Lee Bowyer’s red and white army” in the last five minutes was awesome.
I can’t measure how sad this probably is, but Im 43 years old and I can’t think of much in life that gives you a buzz as much as the Valley proper rocking when we are winning.
Am I going OTT? Am i getting it wrong about the Prem years?5 -
Spot on mate.AFKABartram said:I’ve said it before, but the atmosphere down the ground the last year or so is the best as I can ever remember in my 30-odd years going.
I was North Upper since it was built up to a couple of years ago and have since retired to the sides. In the NU it always feels like it’s the best atmosphere ever, but I genuinely don’t think we ever made noise in the big Prem years like we are nowadays. The side stands used to rhythmically clap along but they never used to properly join in like now.
The Doncaster play off game I don’t think will ever be beaten for atmosphere, but from Sunderland in early Jan on there’s been plenty of L1 / Champ league games that it’s been electric.
That “Lee Bowyer’s red and white army” in the last five minutes was awesome.
I can’t measure how sad this probably is, but Im 43 years old and I can’t think of much in life that gives you a buzz as much as the Valley proper rocking when we are winning.
Am I going OTT? Am i getting it wrong about the Prem years?
imo The prem years was 20% prem supporters, not Charlton supporters.
Hence people creating atmospheres against Chelsea, Arsenal, spurs, West Ham, Manu.
Prem supporters couldn't give a monkeys when we played against Blackburn or Bolton or the likes.
I really don't want to qoute it but this side was on a journey from the Plymouth hom game with Bows in charge.
I was on board then and told anyone that would listen.
This group give it all and leave nothing on the pitch, there will be bad days but it won't be for the want of trying.
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The Donny match ... I was in the West Upper nearer the Donny fans than the Cupboard End and the noise was deafening. I was trying to talk to the missus and I could barely hear her. Never experienced anything like that at the Valley. Electric10
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Definitely best ever ! Have been a regular since ‘singing/chanting’ started in the 60’s ...sore throat today after yesterday’s efforts0
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The days of dreading these big matches are over. I don’t think you can limit this to just Doncaster and Leeds match. The Valley was rocking for Blackburn, Portsmouth, Luton, Rochdale on the final day.
For the last couple of years I’ve been leaving straight on the final whistle, but I’ve been staying until the tunnel jump to soak in the atmosphere and the celebrating. Things are great down at The Valley and I hope it will continue.
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Yeah prem years I was offski before full time. We don't leave until whistle now as little fella wouldn't allow it.
Queue im stuck in fckin traffic still at 6pm near Kidbrooke.
Joke the traffic I sued to be indoors at falconwood by 5.15.2 -
It's easy to celebrate beating huge teams like Liverpool, this season is something else.
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For match atmosphere 2019 is the best it's ever been. No doubt about it, none at all.
I thought the Ipswich POSF 1998 would be tough to beat. There was an incredible atmosphere that evening, the climax to 15 switchback years of near extinction, Valley exile, return and then seasons of steady progression.
But that was a smaller Valley, 15K in attendance. There were 10K more for the Donny game, 25K shaking the stadium as a dramatic match was the perfect catalyst for an emotional tsunami, the release of years of anger, frustration, disillusion and betrayal. A fine team of true warriors gave expression to all our hopes in a campaign that began on 24 Mar 18 with Lewis Page's superb 2nd minute goal against Plymouth the detonation which marked the start of the Bowyer years. Back in May there was a lot of celebrating to catch up on, and so we did. Wembley was good, of course, but different - at The Valley is where it means everything.
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Portsmouth away last season was something special.5
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Don't suppose you have got a tape of that, that I could borrow?_MrDick said:The Donny match ... I was in the West Upper nearer the Donny fans than the Cupboard End and the noise was deafening. I was trying to talk to the missus and I could barely hear her. Never experienced anything like that at the Valley. Electric2 -
Yes that was the best away but the one two seasons agoBlackheathboy said:Portsmouth away last season was something special.6 -
I must of been the only one at the cardiff 5-4 home game12
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That Doncaster game was electric
Still makes the hairs on neck stand up thinking about it1 -
Yes , time flies.0
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That was a cracking atmosphere but under Bowyer the crowd are up for it more regularly.clb74 said:I must of been the only one at the cardiff 5-4 home game5 -
All fans want , is a team that gives it their all and under L B , that’s exactly what you get .and the fans feed off that.9
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I have always told my son as he was growing up what the rocking Valley was like. I think he probably thought I was exagerating as whilst he was a mascot in the year we got relegated, he was too young to experience it. I also told him how magical the 98 play off victory was. I met my wife later that year and was sad that I couldn't share the magic of the occasion and drama of events with my family.floydroadfaithfull said:That Doncaster game was electric
Still makes the hairs on neck stand up thinking about it
My son has just gone to Uni in Bournemouth - taking his first steps in the World as a man - but this year I have experienced what I never thought would happen. I never even dared to dream it. I knew it wouldn't! A rocking Valley to rival any rocking Valley before (Doncaster game) which I shared with him and I was able to take my wife and son to Wembley. And it provided the atmosphere and drama. I thought I would go to my grave (or urn) without ever being able to do that.
I know of Arsenal fans who went and who say they have never experienced anything like it. A rocking Valley is one of the most special experiences in football. It is only most people don't know it.
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I'm 58 and I've been going to the Valley since 75. My son and I stand in Covered End H Block. I think what we have now is the best atmosphere over that 44 year period. I think the away atmosphere is the best I;ve experienced too. Massive kudos to the drummer(s) as he plays a key part in it, You can't guarantee anything from a Charlton match on the pitch, but you can make it a good experience in the stands if you go with the right attitude10
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Bowyer and the boys have worked wonders
imagine a manager doing what he’s done and being rewarded by a 12 month contract.7 -
When you put it like that, it is truly laughable.2
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Going to get shit on for this, but I am afraid I disagree.
It appears to me that what is sung at Charlton is pretty much the same as many other grounds, give or take.
Maybe I am getting old, but some of the songs that were sung in the old covered end were songs that were not repeated throughout other clubs.
As for best atmosphere, anyone who tells me that listening to the monks chant or a packed old den can be replicated at Charlton had never visited New Cross.
Had some great atmospheres at Charlton (usually night games), but occasion against occasion, that lot down the road take some beating regarding atmosphere.
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It isn't the proms. It is not what is sung, it is how it is sung.5
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Doncaster at home in the playoffs is the loudest The Valley has been since I’ve been going (1992)
Stood the entire game in the East Stand - it’s unheard of!4 -
Just to add, to get anyone to clap along to create an atmosphere in the west stand should be considered a result, at least it used to be.2
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Woke me up when the bloke next to me started singing, bet he tries to share my blanket when it gets cold.4
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Accrington at home last season gets fogotten about, but that has to be the best smallish crowd Valley atmosphere ever.2
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Who's cares about the old den? We're comparing the Valley to the Valley. AFKA hasn't opened this thread saying we're the loudest fans in the country, it's merely a comparison to how we were a few years ago.Robbo on the wing said:Going to get shit on for this, but I am afraid I disagree.
It appears to me that what is sung at Charlton is pretty much the same as many other grounds, give or take.
Maybe I am getting old, but some of the songs that were sung in the old covered end were songs that were not repeated throughout other clubs.
As for best atmosphere, anyone who tells me that listening to the monks chant or a packed old den can be replicated at Charlton had never visited New Cross.
Had some great atmospheres at Charlton (usually night games), but occasion against occasion, that lot down the road take some beating regarding atmosphere.
And, for what it's worth, atmosphere at the new den is dead.14 -
Plenty of individual matches down the years where the valley has been rocking. Viewing from afar it’s the consistency of atmosphere that seems to be the difference these days.5
