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Covered End Choir - 1974

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  • Isawsummersplay
    Isawsummersplay Posts: 1,428
    edited December 2023
    Back in the 60s and 70s there were many grounds without a designated away end, particularly in the lower leagues. Therefore there was little or no segregation. 
    My first visit to Walsall was in the early seventies, which was our first game of the season following relegation from the old second division.
    Along with the bulk of Charlton I stood in the ‘home’ end and it was accepted and expected that the aim of the home fans would be to get the visiting support out of their end.
    Often there would be little sign of a police presence until it all kicked off - which is what happened at Walsall.
    My abiding memory of that game is ducking down at the last second to avoid being pinned by half of a brick thrown by another Charlton fan. He’d obviously recognised me!
  • Valley Ant
    Valley Ant Posts: 468
    I would have been 16 standing just to the left of the halfway line on the vast old East Stand terrace leaning against the second barrier from the front.
    What me? A creature of habit? Never....
  • alan dugdale
    alan dugdale Posts: 3,077
    I was a six year old, loving my first season supporting Charlton, avidly anticipating every home game. Would have been sitting in the main stand with me Dad for this game.
  • charltonbob
    charltonbob Posts: 8,267
    Isawsummersplay said:
    Back in the 60s and 70s there were many grounds without a designated away end, particularly in the lower leagues. Therefore there was little or no segregation. 
    My first visit to Walsall was in the early seventies, which was our first game of the season following relegation from the old second division.
    Along with the bulk of Charlton I stood in the ‘home’ end and it was accepted and expected that the aim of the home fans would be to get the visiting support out of their end.
    Often there would be little sign of a police presence until it all kicked - which is what happened at Walsall.
    My abiding memory of that game is ducking down at the last second to avoid being pinned by half of a brick thrown by another Charlton fan. He’d obviously recognised me!
    To be honest back in the 60s & 70s I don't think there was such a thing as a designated away end. you had the Home end where all the singers & hoolies gathered & the away fans could go in that end for fisticuffs & try & take the end but if you didn't want that you just went & stood elsewhere. As far as I remember the police never stopped away supporters going in the home "end" either in the Covered End or when we were away. Once a skirmish was over the police sometimes moved the away fans out, but often they would throw a few people out (while giving them a few digs on the way) & fighting would recommence. Mad days but we were young
  • Eric_Dales
    Eric_Dales Posts: 412
    My first full season was 73/74 age 12, having been to the odd game since 1971, so I would definitely have been there somewhere. Used to stand to the left of the goal at the front when kicking towards the covered end so probably just out of shot. Would have had my parka on with the pockets stuffed full of bus ticket rolls to throw on the pitch.  Used to sometimes have a quick chat with John Dunn in goal if you were lucky too.
    If we had been kicking towards the South stand I might have been anywhere in the ground you could see nothing much of the other end stood at the front of the covered end but you could freely wandered around the whole place pretty safely as a kid especially given the low level of away nutters likely to be following Walsall, assuming it wasn't pouring with rain, no south stand in those days.
    Simpler times and brought back some good memories.
  • ElfsborgAddick
    ElfsborgAddick Posts: 29,090
    "Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough".
  • soapy_jones
    soapy_jones Posts: 21,358
    Eric_Dales said:
    My first full season was 73/74 age 12, having been to the odd game since 1971, so I would definitely have been there somewhere. Used to stand to the left of the goal at the front when kicking towards the covered end so probably just out of shot. Would have had my parka on with the pockets stuffed full of bus ticket rolls to throw on the pitch.  Used to sometimes have a quick chat with John Dunn in goal if you were lucky too.
    If we had been kicking towards the South stand I might have been anywhere in the ground you could see nothing much of the other end stood at the front of the covered end but you could freely wandered around the whole place pretty safely as a kid especially given the low level of away nutters likely to be following Walsall, assuming it wasn't pouring with rain, no south stand in those days.
    Simpler times and brought back some good memories.
    Grandad was a simple fellow.  Took great pleasure in shouting, "well done Dunn!", and then giggling to himself.
  • Karim_myBagheri
    Karim_myBagheri Posts: 12,731
    KBslittlesis said:
    Bring back wearing scarves on your wrists!!!!
    Strangely I thought I was being really original as a kid in the early 90s going to matches with my dad's old Charlton scarf tied round my wrist. 
    Remember a bloke turn to his mates at a match and said "that brings back memories" pointing to my scarf. 
  • Redskin
    Redskin Posts: 3,117
    Like everyone else, I'm  not in that picture. But unlike everyone else, I wasn't even there.
  • KBslittlesis
    KBslittlesis Posts: 8,615
    Karim_myBagheri said:
    KBslittlesis said:
    Bring back wearing scarves on your wrists!!!!
    Strangely I thought I was being really original as a kid in the early 90s going to matches with my dad's old Charlton scarf tied round my wrist. 
    Remember a bloke turn to his mates at a match and said "that brings back memories" pointing to my scarf. 
    I love that 😍

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  • Stuart_the_Red
    Stuart_the_Red Posts: 1,854
    Valley Ant said:
    I would have been 16 standing just to the left of the halfway line on the vast old East Stand terrace leaning against the second barrier from the front.
    What me? A creature of habit? Never....
    I would have been about 4 barriers behind you and more central, together with my Uncle Alan who I blame for starting me supporting the Addicks!) and his father-in-law, another lifelong Addick!
  • AFKABartram
    AFKABartram Posts: 57,833
    Who sat in the West Stand? Someone must have! 

    I don’t think I’ve ever read a single one of you old goats on here say you stood / sat anywhere other than the Covered End or East Terrace! 
  • Covered End
    Covered End Posts: 52,015
    West Stand has always been for the elderly/well off/genteel supporters  :)
  • stonemuse
    stonemuse Posts: 34,015
    Covered End said:
    West Stand has always been for the elderly/well off/genteel supporters  :)
    Certainly not for us council estate kids 🤣
  • Lordflashheart
    Lordflashheart Posts: 5,623
    AFKABartram said:
    Who sat in the West Stand? Someone must have! 

    I don’t think I’ve ever read a single one of you old goats on here say you stood / sat anywhere other than the Covered End or East Terrace! 
    I first went with my Dad 1976 aged 6 - oddly, we either stood on East Terrace, or sat in the West Stand - perhaps it was whether Dad could afford being seated or not at the time 🤷

    My Dad would never have been a Covered End supporter, purely because he didn’t like watching football, unless he had to (i.e. as an away fan, when it was sometimes forced on him) from behind the goal - he always wanted to watch from the side, as close to the halfway line as possible 

    Being honest, if we were on East Terrace mid 70’s, and me being a little boy, I would look at the Covered End during the game, and it scared the life out of me 😂😂
  • Isawsummersplay
    Isawsummersplay Posts: 1,428
    Only sat in the old West Stand once. It was a bitterly cold night in 1973. We beat Halifax 1-0, and the crowd was just over 3,000. Happy days.
  • usetobunkin
    usetobunkin Posts: 2,187
    A photo was posted showing Harry Gregory celebrating against the Covered End railings (Aug 68? )
    and i am in that photo. Vaguely remember Bristol City all turning up with white lab coats on and running towards the covered end. But most of the "rucks" seemed to be only when it was 6 onto 1.

    But my Dad use to get "freebies"  for the West stand where he and i would sit, (we nearly always sat in front of Peter Reeves Mum and Dad). 

    Don't quite know how he copped the tickets.

  • Covered End
    Covered End Posts: 52,015
    The closest I got to the West Stand was the fights behind it at HT  :D
  • EveshamAddick
    EveshamAddick Posts: 7,019
    Isawsummersplay said:
    Only sat in the old West Stand once. It was a bitterly cold night in 1973. We beat Halifax 1-0, and the crowd was just over 3,000. Happy days.
    It was more expensive in the old West Stand. I remember going in it twice. The first one was 5 November 1976 against Plymouth. The East Terrace was closed because there was a fireworks display with the fireworks being launched from the terrace. We won the game 3-1 (Hales 2, Flanagan).

     Second time was 15 October 1977 when we beat Spurs 4-1 (Flanagan 3, McAulay) in front of 30,706. The Spurs team included Hoddle, Steve Perryman and Peter Taylor and would go on to win promotion that season.
  • Lewis Coaches
    Lewis Coaches Posts: 5,409
    Isawsummersplay said:
    Only sat in the old West Stand once. It was a bitterly cold night in 1973. We beat Halifax 1-0, and the crowd was just over 3,000. Happy days.
    That’s why The East Terrace was not crowded that night ? Attendance 3015 I think.

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  • charltonbob
    charltonbob Posts: 8,267
    AFKABartram said:
    Who sat in the West Stand? Someone must have! 

    I don’t think I’ve ever read a single one of you old goats on here say you stood / sat anywhere other than the Covered End or East Terrace! 
    True Story. In the late 70s I contracted meningitis, I wasn't a good patient spent a couple of weeks in St Thomas's & kept asking when I could go home, eventually they said OK you can go home today but you must have complete rest etc etc. It was a friday & Charlton happened to be playing that night, now I didn't want to go back on my promise but I wanted to see the game, so thought a compromise was fair & went & sat in the west stand. Pretty sure I gave the away bench a bit of stick (but in a very calm manner  :D) No idea if we won or lost but that was I think the only time I've sat in the West stand.
  • Covered End
    Covered End Posts: 52,015
    charltonbob said:
    AFKABartram said:
    Who sat in the West Stand? Someone must have! 

    I don’t think I’ve ever read a single one of you old goats on here say you stood / sat anywhere other than the Covered End or East Terrace! 
    True Story. In the late 70s I contracted meningitis, I wasn't a good patient spent a couple of weeks in St Thomas's & kept asking when I could go home, eventually they said OK you can go home today but you must have complete rest etc etc. It was a friday & Charlton happened to be playing that night, now I didn't want to go back on my promise but I wanted to see the game, so thought a compromise was fair & went & sat in the west stand. Pretty sure I gave the away bench a bit of stick (but in a very calm manner  :D) No idea if we won or lost but that was I think the only time I've sat in the West stand.
    Reminds me of the late 70's when I had 2 wisdom teeth removed in Greenwich District Hospital. I looked like The Elephant Man. 
    I discharged myself against medical advice to get to The Valley for Sheff U. 
    I wrapped a Charlton scarf round my face so not to frighten anyone. 
  • ElfsborgAddick
    ElfsborgAddick Posts: 29,090
    edited December 2023
    Covered End said:
    West Stand has always been for the elderly/well off/genteel supporters  :)
    Your season ticket next season then  :p
  • Covered End
    Covered End Posts: 52,015
    ElfsborgAddick said:
    Covered End said:
    West Stand has always been for the elderly/well off/genteel supporters  :)
    Your season ticket next season then  :p
    Very good. 
  • TEL
    TEL Posts: 10,100
    edited December 2023
    Only ever sat in the old West stand twice, both times as a guest of someone else paying. I always thought it was reserved for the posh folk as a kid.

     My earliest memory of being in the Covered end (rather than on the East Terrace standing on a box) was about 1966/67 ish against QPR. We stood on the left side nearest the East Terrace and we ended up having to move as QPR tried to take up residence behind us. From 1972 age 12 onwards I went with school mates and we always stood in the covered end. Often we had to walk to or from Welling or at least one way as we didn't have enough money for bus fares all the time. 
  • Bournesnr
    Bournesnr Posts: 296
    Was a regular in the covered end with my dad from the early 60’s except on one occasion, the return of Eddie Firmani, I had injured my leg and couldn’t stand for long not wishing to miss his return dad treated us to west stand tickets, now I’m an old git I have season ticket in the upper west.
  • DaveMehmet
    DaveMehmet Posts: 21,605
    AFKABartram said:
    Who sat in the West Stand? Someone must have! 

    I don’t think I’ve ever read a single one of you old goats on here say you stood / sat anywhere other than the Covered End or East Terrace! 
    I sat in the West stand a few times, first time was in ‘79 when my cousin was the mascot for the Swansea game. Met John Toshack before the game. Was also there for the 4 1 Bolton game in ‘83. Was a couple of rows in front of Mark Hulyer.
  • Six-a-bag-of-nuts
    Six-a-bag-of-nuts Posts: 8,127
    I actually sat in the West Stand for that 1963 game against Chelsea when we lost 1-4 and Bobby Tambling scored all their goals.
    As a kid I experimented standing all over the ground; East Terrace at first; South Terrace; the weird bits either side of the West Stand and of course the Covered End, including a feisty home draw against Millwall where both sets of fans were "jostling" for supremacy. (The song, "we all piss in a blue and white pot" to the tune of Yellow Submarine sticks in my mind).
    Truth is though, I wasn't one for singing and I wasn't built for aggro, so by the turn of the 70s I had secured a regular spot on the East Terrace towards the away end, about half way between the penalty area and the centre circle, a third of the way up.
    We owned our crush barrier and resented any encroachment.   :D
    Got my first Terrace season ticket in 1973 and there we stayed until we got our first West Stand season ticket in, I think, 1984.
    Things were looking up, we had the best seats in the house. And then Selhurst.
  • stockportugaladdick
    stockportugaladdick Posts: 1,139
    Only ever sat in the old west once, that was as a guest of my dads mate. He had never been to the Valley before and refused to stand.

    I started out for a season on the little terrace to the south of the west stand, moved over to the east at the front near the edge of the penalty box, again the south end, flirted with the south terrace for part of a season before finally getting brave enough to stand in the covered end.

    Once the seats behind both goals went in I was back on the east.
  • Addick Addict
    Addick Addict Posts: 39,811
    AFKABartram said:
    Who sat in the West Stand? Someone must have! 

    I don’t think I’ve ever read a single one of you old goats on here say you stood / sat anywhere other than the Covered End or East Terrace! 
    My Dad and I started in the Covered End but "progressed" to the West Stand and were season tickets there. In fact, we would have been sat in the West Stand at the time the opening photo was taken because that was the season that promotion was confirmed following our night game against Preston.

    Now I might have this totally wrong but I am convinced that we used to sit right in front of a young Steve Dixon and his Dad. The proof would be if anyone on here could confirm that Steve did used to sit in the West Stand as a youngster and that his Dad was a bearded Scotsman?  It's fair to say that whoever the gentleman in question was he certainly didn't hold back when one of our team wasn't playing particularly well and at times he would scare the living daylights out of me, a young and somewhat sheltered kid who had never heard an angry Scotsman bellow before. Well not right in my ear anyway. 

    If it wasn't Steve then might I take this opportunity to apologise to him now and of course to his Dad too. The search will have to go on. But, if it was, please advise who I send the bill to for my tinnitus!

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