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VOTV - RIP

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  • stonemuse
    stonemuse Posts: 34,013
    Ah. Ah, crap. But of course, I understand.

    There are so many wonderful things to celebrate about VOTV, but what it means to me is this:

    In 1985, I lived in Surbiton, but my parents were still in Eltham, and my Dad and I had got into going together to Charlton games again. It was a quietly special feeling, and it brought me home. And then we got that piece of paper, and it was all ripped apart again. . 

    In 1988 I was going to Selhurst to watch this thing that was still called Charlton but it wasnt anything to do with Charlton, SE7. It was an easy drive but my Dad and his mates came from a different direction, and we chose the most convenient stands at that dump for our separate journeys. Really, as I walked glumly through those alien streets to the supermarket, I asked myself what this place has to do with me. And then, outside the Sainsbury end, someone stuffed a piece of paper into my hand. It was called Voice of the Valley. And as I read it it slowly dawned on me that I wasnt alone. There were 5,000 people here who felt just like I did. I located and got to know Rick and Steve, and where the action was. The action that would lead us out of this nightmare, and home.

    And everything that makes us proud as Charlton fans today stems from that scruffy piece of paper. A bunch of alienated individuals realised they were actually all members of a lost, exiled tribe. The tribe took its football club back home, helped build it up to heights we scarcely dreamed of, and defended it fiercely even as our dreams fell apart. The legacy of VOTV is a fanbase that, when the chips are down, knows that whatever else in our own lives is going on, we are all Charlton. 

    What a monumental, timeless legacy that is. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏



    Great words mate 
  • PragueAddick
    PragueAddick Posts: 22,157
    What's your favourite VOTV cover? There were many priceless ones, but for some reason my personal favourite featured Terry Waite, the man of Blackheath held captive in Lebanon for so many years. I guess this must have been around the time of his final long awaited release, but were still in exile (maybe at Upton Park) and the photo showed him with a look of consternation saying "Whaddya mean, they're STILL not back at the Valley?"

    They were never less than very funny. That's quite something to achieve over so many years. Of course the style is inspired by Private Eye, and why not, but it's still a hell of a skill to come up with a good topical one each and every time.
  • soapboxsam
    soapboxsam Posts: 23,231
    edited April 2022
    It's time for Airman Brown to land after many decades of hitting the target and doing what all fanzines should do which is to try to keep Owners honest and not be a mouth piece for the good, bad and ugly people who have run the club over the last 30+ years.
    At least we have an owner now who means well even if we are stuck as a mid table League 1 team at present.

    I salute Rick and team for all their efforts over this long period. His experience of working for the club gave him an insight into the daily problems faced by professional football clubs and the possible solutions needed to run efficiently in a football results business.

    The boy Rick done good.  Theo Foley patent!
  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,874
    What's your favourite VOTV cover? There were many priceless ones, but for some reason my personal favourite featured Terry Waite, the man of Blackheath held captive in Lebanon for so many years. I guess this must have been around the time of his final long awaited release, but were still in exile (maybe at Upton Park) and the photo showed him with a look of consternation saying "Whaddya mean, they're STILL not back at the Valley?"

    They were never less than very funny. That's quite something to achieve over so many years. Of course the style is inspired by Private Eye, and why not, but it's still a hell of a skill to come up with a good topical one each and every time.
    The one that sticks in my mind was from around the 1992 General Election, with Labour leader Neil Kinnock on the cover. It went something like

    "Kinnock for Number 10?"
    "No chance boyo, they'll never drop Garry Nelson!"
  • DOUCHER
    DOUCHER Posts: 7,907
    Haven't bought it for years but was a great thing back in the day and maximum respect to airman for all he has and does do with the clubs best interests at heart - he's not always right but never doubted his intentions.
  • Lordflashheart
    Lordflashheart Posts: 5,623
    Very sad

    One of my favourite regular articles in the early VOTV was ‘Red Faces’ ( I think it was called) detailing former crap players - one that sticks in my mind was about Shane Westley - why, I do not know -pretty sure Ralph Milne cropped up in one as well
  • thewolfboy
    thewolfboy Posts: 2,927
    Thank you Ric - you will always be a hero of mine and I'll miss buying VOTV from you in Floyd Road. Good luck in your new venture.
  • Gutted. That's the only word for it.

    Years ago, when I heard about this fanzine I remember rushing up to Sportspages in Charing Cross in my lunch hour to see if I could buy a copy of the mag. And there they were - a few copies on the floor amongst all the other fanzines that were around at the time. I was delighted. 175 copies later, they are all still packed away in boxes in my wardrobe! (My wife will be the one person I suspect who will be pleased by this news!)

    Since the very first issue, I've always looked forward to the next issue. The mixture of opinion, campaigning, gossip about events inside the club and historical articles always made it a good read. And I'm sure the part the magazine played in pre-internet days in getting us back to the Valley was invaluable.

    And it's a huge shame that those who try and abuse and misuse our club won't be held so freely to account now 

    Thanks for your efforts Rick. Who knows, there was a large gap in publishing previously and I live in hope you might change your mind again in future!
  • Mametz
    Mametz Posts: 1,254
    I will admit that I haven’t bought a copy for quite a few years. Ironically it was because websites like this one filled that need to commune with one’s fellow supporters. However, in it’s heyday it was a superb means of disseminating information to the faithful and in doing so it raised the volume of fan’s opinions to the point where a move back to the Valley became unstoppable. I honestly believe that the heights achieved by the club in the late 90’s and early years of this century were linked to VOTV. The quality of the writing was extraordinarily high and frequently very funny. We often talk of the great servants of this club as “Legends”: VOTV deserves to take it’s place among the best of them.

    My sincere thanks goes out to all who were responsible for it.
  • AddicksAddict
    AddicksAddict Posts: 15,796
    edited April 2022
    Perhaps the most influential publication in the history of our club. I did a stint selling it once at Selhurst, and have bought and read every copy.

    It will be sadly missed...
    Ditto. 
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  • AddicksAddict
    AddicksAddict Posts: 15,796
    DA9 said:
    As an aside, if anyone has an old copy of local pub reviews in votv from circa 94 onwards, would gladly buy it from you 
    @DA9 drop me a line. 
  • AddicksAddict
    AddicksAddict Posts: 15,796
    One of the sellers back in the old days was a really handsome lad.

    It leaves a great legacy.


    Blushes. 
  • GenevaCharlton
    GenevaCharlton Posts: 163
    edited April 2022
    Thank you Rick and to all those who have contributed to the VOTV over the years what an outstanding job you have done. It’s a proud part of our history as a club and won’t be forgotten.

    Since I started watching the team back in 1987 it’s been a constant in my life and I will miss it greatly. I have lived away now for 17 years and each month when the copy arrives in the post it lifts my mood, no matter how good or bad the results are. Without doubt it has made me feel much closer to the club and has helped to keep that link and my interest. So thank you again Rick and team.

    If there is a nostalgia addition I would ask for the Lennie Lawrence on the psychiatrist couch article to be included. Magnificent!
  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,874
    I’m very grateful to everyone for their kind words, on here, on Twitter, elsewhere, by email and at the ground today. It’s been heartwarming to hear how much affection and support there still was for VOTV. I don’t want to say too much more because there will be opportunity enough when the final issue comes out in September, but I really do appreciate the reaction and understanding.
    With all the money you've made from selling VOTV, I hope you blow it all on Range Rovers and bitches  ;)
  • A fantastic mag that kept me in touch with CAFC when abroad in various places well before the internet was a thing. A record to be proud of. 
  • RickAddick
    RickAddick Posts: 1,198
    I’m very grateful to everyone for their kind words, on here, on Twitter, elsewhere, by email and at the ground today. It’s been heartwarming to hear how much affection and support there still was for VOTV. I don’t want to say too much more because there will be opportunity enough when the final issue comes out in September, but I really do appreciate the reaction and understanding.
    But not enough to change your mind?!    :D
    Seriously, I am looking forward to your next projects.

  • T_C_E
    T_C_E Posts: 16,421
    Thanks for all you’ve done in the past and will do in the future.
    Good luck in your new career as Katie Miere’s PA 😉
  • JamesSeed
    JamesSeed Posts: 17,380
    DOUCHER said:
    Haven't bought it for years but was a great thing back in the day and maximum respect to airman for all he has and does do with the clubs best interests at heart - he's not always right but never doubted his intentions.
    Wow
  • Thanks for so many great reads …… so much awareness/reporting of what was happening at the club and the continuous “voice” of the support base. It has all been very much appreciated over the years.
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  • JamesSeed
    JamesSeed Posts: 17,380
    I’m very grateful to everyone for their kind words, on here, on Twitter, elsewhere, by email and at the ground today. It’s been heartwarming to hear how much affection and support there still was for VOTV. I don’t want to say too much more because there will be opportunity enough when the final issue comes out in September, but I really do appreciate the reaction and understanding.
    But not enough to change your mind?!    :D
    Seriously, I am looking forward to your next projects.

    Perhaps eventual retirement will free up the time required to produce VOTV? 
  • cblock
    cblock Posts: 1,959
    Ferryman said:
    No spoiler alert mine hasn't arrived yet?
    Still waiting for mine years ago
  • fmaddick
    fmaddick Posts: 182
    Got my refund today, thanks

    Do we still have a final ever(?….) issue to look forward to in the next few weeks?
  • ChicagoAddick
    ChicagoAddick Posts: 4,393
    fmaddick said:
    Got my refund today, thanks

    Do we still have a final ever(?….) issue to look forward to in the next few weeks?
    I f-in hope so fm. 
  • charlton4ever
    charlton4ever Posts: 1,719
    edited August 2022
    I think Rick said September will have a last issue. Will miss VOTV. (MOD is a great read).
  • LoOkOuT
    LoOkOuT Posts: 10,859
    I have a short window in the next couple of weeks if you still want to do that feature and centrefold spread Airman, just let me know soon.

  • LoOkOuT said:
    I have a short window in the next couple of weeks if you still want to do that feature and centrefold spread Airman, just let me know soon.

    Don't worry lookout I am already preparing the October issue. Vice of the valley it will be called. Centre spread is yours. No interview needed just let me know what you're perfect evening in would be. 
  • DA9
    DA9 Posts: 11,091
    LoOkOuT said:
    I have a short window in the next couple of weeks if you still want to do that feature and centrefold spread Airman, just let me know soon.

    Don't worry lookout I am already preparing the October issue. Vice of the valley it will be called. Centre spread is yours. No interview needed just let me know what you're perfect evening in would be. 
    Careful where you put the staples 
  • Off_it
    Off_it Posts: 28,866
    I think @Airman Brown should consider relaunching it as a NFT. 

    It's the future!