I’m Bexley Borough and don’t think I’ve ever been through Brockley in my life. Guessing it’s past Lewisham way, but wouldn’t be able to pin it on a map. Surprised we have fans that way.
I would have assumed it was Millwall as it's next door to New Cross. Though I'd say it has more of a Dulwich Hamlet vibe to it these days!
My dad said that when he first started following us in the mid 60s, it was very much go to Charlton one week, Millwall the next, as I think a lot of people did/could back then, and he eventually settled on us, hence my allegiance. I would certainly say that having grown up in the SE4 postcode, I definitely never went to school with any other Charlton fans. It was only when I went to secondary school that I met a few others. However as @MillwallFan mentioned above, these weren’t fans of us that went to the games, more fleeting family connections and to be honest a few of them had us as their second team and would typically be your Man Utd, Liverpool fans etc
Because of this, I never had a group of mates my own age I would go to games with, which never really bothered me as I have always enjoyed going with my dad, my uncle and their mates. And any additional fans that have become friends or acquaintances, have been through here and on the away supporters coaches when I was going more.
Looking forward to continuing the tradition with my two boys, particularly given I’m now Shirley which means there will likely be mainly Palace in their schools as they grow up
I would also add that as I have gone through working life and met colleagues and shared who I support, whenever I have mentioned Charlton, people are often interested in knowing more, purely on the basis I think they recognise you’re likely to be a true fan. I would imagine it’s the same for QPR, Millwall, Orient, Wimbledon etc. Maybe still Brentford, Palace and Fulham, but they have probably gained a few fans as a result of being in the Prem over the last few years, so you never know if they were there when they were all in the lower leagues
The vast majority of Charlton and Millwall fans certainly did not go to Millwall one week and Charlton the next in the 60’s……I can 100% assure you. Yes, maybe quite a few did pre war and into the early 50’s, but certainly not in the 60’s. I never knew one single Addick who ever did that…..by that time the lines had definitely been well and truly defined. You were either an Addick or a Spanner……Palace were rarely spoken of. I’ve been going since 1958 by the way.
I’m Bexley Borough and don’t think I’ve ever been through Brockley in my life. Guessing it’s past Lewisham way, but wouldn’t be able to pin it on a map. Surprised we have fans that way.
I would have assumed it was Millwall as it's next door to New Cross. Though I'd say it has more of a Dulwich Hamlet vibe to it these days!
My dad said that when he first started following us in the mid 60s, it was very much go to Charlton one week, Millwall the next, as I think a lot of people did/could back then, and he eventually settled on us, hence my allegiance. I would certainly say that having grown up in the SE4 postcode, I definitely never went to school with any other Charlton fans. It was only when I went to secondary school that I met a few others. However as @MillwallFan mentioned above, these weren’t fans of us that went to the games, more fleeting family connections and to be honest a few of them had us as their second team and would typically be your Man Utd, Liverpool fans etc
Because of this, I never had a group of mates my own age I would go to games with, which never really bothered me as I have always enjoyed going with my dad, my uncle and their mates. And any additional fans that have become friends or acquaintances, have been through here and on the away supporters coaches when I was going more.
Looking forward to continuing the tradition with my two boys, particularly given I’m now Shirley which means there will likely be mainly Palace in their schools as they grow up
I would also add that as I have gone through working life and met colleagues and shared who I support, whenever I have mentioned Charlton, people are often interested in knowing more, purely on the basis I think they recognise you’re likely to be a true fan. I would imagine it’s the same for QPR, Millwall, Orient, Wimbledon etc. Maybe still Brentford, Palace and Fulham, but they have probably gained a few fans as a result of being in the Prem over the last few years, so you never know if they were there when they were all in the lower leagues
The vast majority of Charlton and Millwall fans certainly did not go to Millwall one week and Charlton the next in the 60’s……I can 100% assure you. Yes, maybe quite a few did pre war and into the early 50’s, but certainly not in the 60’s. I never knew one single Addick who ever did that…..by that time the lines had definitely been well and truly defined. You were either an Addick or a Spanner……Palace were rarely spoken of. I’ve been going since 1958 by the way.
Well, my dad used to go to Charlton one week and Millwall the next with my older brothers in the 60s.
I’m Bexley Borough and don’t think I’ve ever been through Brockley in my life. Guessing it’s past Lewisham way, but wouldn’t be able to pin it on a map. Surprised we have fans that way.
I would have assumed it was Millwall as it's next door to New Cross. Though I'd say it has more of a Dulwich Hamlet vibe to it these days!
My dad said that when he first started following us in the mid 60s, it was very much go to Charlton one week, Millwall the next, as I think a lot of people did/could back then, and he eventually settled on us, hence my allegiance. I would certainly say that having grown up in the SE4 postcode, I definitely never went to school with any other Charlton fans. It was only when I went to secondary school that I met a few others. However as @MillwallFan mentioned above, these weren’t fans of us that went to the games, more fleeting family connections and to be honest a few of them had us as their second team and would typically be your Man Utd, Liverpool fans etc
Because of this, I never had a group of mates my own age I would go to games with, which never really bothered me as I have always enjoyed going with my dad, my uncle and their mates. And any additional fans that have become friends or acquaintances, have been through here and on the away supporters coaches when I was going more.
Looking forward to continuing the tradition with my two boys, particularly given I’m now Shirley which means there will likely be mainly Palace in their schools as they grow up
I would also add that as I have gone through working life and met colleagues and shared who I support, whenever I have mentioned Charlton, people are often interested in knowing more, purely on the basis I think they recognise you’re likely to be a true fan. I would imagine it’s the same for QPR, Millwall, Orient, Wimbledon etc. Maybe still Brentford, Palace and Fulham, but they have probably gained a few fans as a result of being in the Prem over the last few years, so you never know if they were there when they were all in the lower leagues
The vast majority of Charlton and Millwall fans certainly did not go to Millwall one week and Charlton the next in the 60’s……I can 100% assure you. Yes, maybe quite a few did pre war and into the early 50’s, but certainly not in the 60’s. I never knew one single Addick who ever did that…..by that time the lines had definitely been well and truly defined. You were either an Addick or a Spanner……Palace were rarely spoken of. I’ve been going since 1958 by the way.
Well, my dad used to go to Charlton one week and Millwall the next with my older brothers in the 60s.
I’m Bexley Borough and don’t think I’ve ever been through Brockley in my life. Guessing it’s past Lewisham way, but wouldn’t be able to pin it on a map. Surprised we have fans that way.
I would have assumed it was Millwall as it's next door to New Cross. Though I'd say it has more of a Dulwich Hamlet vibe to it these days!
My dad said that when he first started following us in the mid 60s, it was very much go to Charlton one week, Millwall the next, as I think a lot of people did/could back then, and he eventually settled on us, hence my allegiance. I would certainly say that having grown up in the SE4 postcode, I definitely never went to school with any other Charlton fans. It was only when I went to secondary school that I met a few others. However as @MillwallFan mentioned above, these weren’t fans of us that went to the games, more fleeting family connections and to be honest a few of them had us as their second team and would typically be your Man Utd, Liverpool fans etc
Because of this, I never had a group of mates my own age I would go to games with, which never really bothered me as I have always enjoyed going with my dad, my uncle and their mates. And any additional fans that have become friends or acquaintances, have been through here and on the away supporters coaches when I was going more.
Looking forward to continuing the tradition with my two boys, particularly given I’m now Shirley which means there will likely be mainly Palace in their schools as they grow up
I would also add that as I have gone through working life and met colleagues and shared who I support, whenever I have mentioned Charlton, people are often interested in knowing more, purely on the basis I think they recognise you’re likely to be a true fan. I would imagine it’s the same for QPR, Millwall, Orient, Wimbledon etc. Maybe still Brentford, Palace and Fulham, but they have probably gained a few fans as a result of being in the Prem over the last few years, so you never know if they were there when they were all in the lower leagues
The vast majority of Charlton and Millwall fans certainly did not go to Millwall one week and Charlton the next in the 60’s……I can 100% assure you. Yes, maybe quite a few did pre war and into the early 50’s, but certainly not in the 60’s. I never knew one single Addick who ever did that…..by that time the lines had definitely been well and truly defined. You were either an Addick or a Spanner……Palace were rarely spoken of. I’ve been going since 1958 by the way.
Late sixties, beginning of the seventies I’d occasionally jump on a bus and being too young to travel too far I’d go to the Den if Charlton weren’t playing at home and I didn’t have anywhere better to go.
Started going in the early 60’s my best two mates were Millwall they occasionally joined me at the Valley but I could never bring myself to visit the Den unless it was us they were playing.
My mate at St Joes, Blackheath a spanner. Went to the Den a lot in the 80s when Charlton away. Remember a sort of forced dislike for Charlton as at time we were at a low ebb, as until 88 Millwall were West Ham were the big rival. More to do with firms than the football.
I’m Bexley Borough and don’t think I’ve ever been through Brockley in my life. Guessing it’s past Lewisham way, but wouldn’t be able to pin it on a map. Surprised we have fans that way.
I would have assumed it was Millwall as it's next door to New Cross. Though I'd say it has more of a Dulwich Hamlet vibe to it these days!
My dad said that when he first started following us in the mid 60s, it was very much go to Charlton one week, Millwall the next, as I think a lot of people did/could back then, and he eventually settled on us, hence my allegiance. I would certainly say that having grown up in the SE4 postcode, I definitely never went to school with any other Charlton fans. It was only when I went to secondary school that I met a few others. However as @MillwallFan mentioned above, these weren’t fans of us that went to the games, more fleeting family connections and to be honest a few of them had us as their second team and would typically be your Man Utd, Liverpool fans etc
Because of this, I never had a group of mates my own age I would go to games with, which never really bothered me as I have always enjoyed going with my dad, my uncle and their mates. And any additional fans that have become friends or acquaintances, have been through here and on the away supporters coaches when I was going more.
Looking forward to continuing the tradition with my two boys, particularly given I’m now Shirley which means there will likely be mainly Palace in their schools as they grow up
I would also add that as I have gone through working life and met colleagues and shared who I support, whenever I have mentioned Charlton, people are often interested in knowing more, purely on the basis I think they recognise you’re likely to be a true fan. I would imagine it’s the same for QPR, Millwall, Orient, Wimbledon etc. Maybe still Brentford, Palace and Fulham, but they have probably gained a few fans as a result of being in the Prem over the last few years, so you never know if they were there when they were all in the lower leagues
The vast majority of Charlton and Millwall fans certainly did not go to Millwall one week and Charlton the next in the 60’s……I can 100% assure you. Yes, maybe quite a few did pre war and into the early 50’s, but certainly not in the 60’s. I never knew one single Addick who ever did that…..by that time the lines had definitely been well and truly defined. You were either an Addick or a Spanner……Palace were rarely spoken of. I’ve been going since 1958 by the way.
Late sixties, beginning of the seventies I’d occasionally jump on a bus and being too young to travel too far I’d go to the Den if Charlton weren’t playing at home and I didn’t have anywhere better to go.
Yeah , tough that when you only had the rest of the world to choose from
I’m Bexley Borough and don’t think I’ve ever been through Brockley in my life. Guessing it’s past Lewisham way, but wouldn’t be able to pin it on a map. Surprised we have fans that way.
I would have assumed it was Millwall as it's next door to New Cross. Though I'd say it has more of a Dulwich Hamlet vibe to it these days!
My dad said that when he first started following us in the mid 60s, it was very much go to Charlton one week, Millwall the next, as I think a lot of people did/could back then, and he eventually settled on us, hence my allegiance. I would certainly say that having grown up in the SE4 postcode, I definitely never went to school with any other Charlton fans. It was only when I went to secondary school that I met a few others. However as @MillwallFan mentioned above, these weren’t fans of us that went to the games, more fleeting family connections and to be honest a few of them had us as their second team and would typically be your Man Utd, Liverpool fans etc
Because of this, I never had a group of mates my own age I would go to games with, which never really bothered me as I have always enjoyed going with my dad, my uncle and their mates. And any additional fans that have become friends or acquaintances, have been through here and on the away supporters coaches when I was going more.
Looking forward to continuing the tradition with my two boys, particularly given I’m now Shirley which means there will likely be mainly Palace in their schools as they grow up
I would also add that as I have gone through working life and met colleagues and shared who I support, whenever I have mentioned Charlton, people are often interested in knowing more, purely on the basis I think they recognise you’re likely to be a true fan. I would imagine it’s the same for QPR, Millwall, Orient, Wimbledon etc. Maybe still Brentford, Palace and Fulham, but they have probably gained a few fans as a result of being in the Prem over the last few years, so you never know if they were there when they were all in the lower leagues
The vast majority of Charlton and Millwall fans certainly did not go to Millwall one week and Charlton the next in the 60’s……I can 100% assure you. Yes, maybe quite a few did pre war and into the early 50’s, but certainly not in the 60’s. I never knew one single Addick who ever did that…..by that time the lines had definitely been well and truly defined. You were either an Addick or a Spanner……Palace were rarely spoken of. I’ve been going since 1958 by the way.
Well, my dad used to go to Charlton one week and Millwall the next with my older brothers in the 60s.
Very rare.
I used to go in the late 70s if I didn't go to away games with Charlton ..
I’m Bexley Borough and don’t think I’ve ever been through Brockley in my life. Guessing it’s past Lewisham way, but wouldn’t be able to pin it on a map. Surprised we have fans that way.
I would have assumed it was Millwall as it's next door to New Cross. Though I'd say it has more of a Dulwich Hamlet vibe to it these days!
My dad said that when he first started following us in the mid 60s, it was very much go to Charlton one week, Millwall the next, as I think a lot of people did/could back then, and he eventually settled on us, hence my allegiance. I would certainly say that having grown up in the SE4 postcode, I definitely never went to school with any other Charlton fans. It was only when I went to secondary school that I met a few others. However as @MillwallFan mentioned above, these weren’t fans of us that went to the games, more fleeting family connections and to be honest a few of them had us as their second team and would typically be your Man Utd, Liverpool fans etc
Because of this, I never had a group of mates my own age I would go to games with, which never really bothered me as I have always enjoyed going with my dad, my uncle and their mates. And any additional fans that have become friends or acquaintances, have been through here and on the away supporters coaches when I was going more.
Looking forward to continuing the tradition with my two boys, particularly given I’m now Shirley which means there will likely be mainly Palace in their schools as they grow up
I would also add that as I have gone through working life and met colleagues and shared who I support, whenever I have mentioned Charlton, people are often interested in knowing more, purely on the basis I think they recognise you’re likely to be a true fan. I would imagine it’s the same for QPR, Millwall, Orient, Wimbledon etc. Maybe still Brentford, Palace and Fulham, but they have probably gained a few fans as a result of being in the Prem over the last few years, so you never know if they were there when they were all in the lower leagues
The vast majority of Charlton and Millwall fans certainly did not go to Millwall one week and Charlton the next in the 60’s……I can 100% assure you. Yes, maybe quite a few did pre war and into the early 50’s, but certainly not in the 60’s. I never knew one single Addick who ever did that…..by that time the lines had definitely been well and truly defined. You were either an Addick or a Spanner……Palace were rarely spoken of. I’ve been going since 1958 by the way.
Late sixties, beginning of the seventies I’d occasionally jump on a bus and being too young to travel too far I’d go to the Den if Charlton weren’t playing at home and I didn’t have anywhere better to go.
Yeah , tough that when you only had the rest of the world to choose from
Whilst we may well have had a lot more freedom as kids in those days than kids today enjoy I suspect you might be getting a little senile to think we had the whole world to choose from or realistically had a lot of choice of things to do or places to go to, unaccompanied on a Saturday afternoon. The cinema, ABC and Odeon, and it had to be a U film of course, maritime museum (a personal favourite of mine) and football were the main options. Crossing the river wasn’t an option. Not many people had phones and it was usually a last minute decision to go because there was fuck of all else to do.
I’m Bexley Borough and don’t think I’ve ever been through Brockley in my life. Guessing it’s past Lewisham way, but wouldn’t be able to pin it on a map. Surprised we have fans that way.
I would have assumed it was Millwall as it's next door to New Cross. Though I'd say it has more of a Dulwich Hamlet vibe to it these days!
My dad said that when he first started following us in the mid 60s, it was very much go to Charlton one week, Millwall the next, as I think a lot of people did/could back then, and he eventually settled on us, hence my allegiance. I would certainly say that having grown up in the SE4 postcode, I definitely never went to school with any other Charlton fans. It was only when I went to secondary school that I met a few others. However as @MillwallFan mentioned above, these weren’t fans of us that went to the games, more fleeting family connections and to be honest a few of them had us as their second team and would typically be your Man Utd, Liverpool fans etc
Because of this, I never had a group of mates my own age I would go to games with, which never really bothered me as I have always enjoyed going with my dad, my uncle and their mates. And any additional fans that have become friends or acquaintances, have been through here and on the away supporters coaches when I was going more.
Looking forward to continuing the tradition with my two boys, particularly given I’m now Shirley which means there will likely be mainly Palace in their schools as they grow up
I would also add that as I have gone through working life and met colleagues and shared who I support, whenever I have mentioned Charlton, people are often interested in knowing more, purely on the basis I think they recognise you’re likely to be a true fan. I would imagine it’s the same for QPR, Millwall, Orient, Wimbledon etc. Maybe still Brentford, Palace and Fulham, but they have probably gained a few fans as a result of being in the Prem over the last few years, so you never know if they were there when they were all in the lower leagues
The vast majority of Charlton and Millwall fans certainly did not go to Millwall one week and Charlton the next in the 60’s……I can 100% assure you. Yes, maybe quite a few did pre war and into the early 50’s, but certainly not in the 60’s. I never knew one single Addick who ever did that…..by that time the lines had definitely been well and truly defined. You were either an Addick or a Spanner……Palace were rarely spoken of. I’ve been going since 1958 by the way.
Well, my dad used to go to Charlton one week and Millwall the next with my older brothers in the 60s.
Very rare.
My dad used to. I’ve even been to a couple of Charlton games as a neutral
On the very rare occasion I went to Millwall in the late 60s when Charlton were away up North somewhere , it was only to support to away team. Never to support the spanners.
Lewisham market barrow boy stood next to us at Charlton by the old stand - 1 week Charlton, Millwall the next . Got really upset when my dad playfully suggested he was closet Millwall. I worked with a guy from Canning Town who would always come to Charlton when West Ham wernt at home. Working as a local postman we had about 25 out of an office 50 Charlton fans of which a dozen were season ticket holders during the Prem years, the next best number were all west Ham fans.Towards the end of my working life a few Millwall started to work there but they were all the younger crowd and it gave them kudos. Woolwich possibly had more Westham than Charlton fans in 60s & 70s as it was easy to get to and had the World cup winners legacy. As a teen I would often go there for big matches when Charlton wasnt an option - travel and admittance 40p.
My father used to alternate Millwall and Charlton. Indeed the old compilers of the fixture lists used to contact clubs to ask which (one?) other club they wouldn’t want to be playing at home at the same time/day as them, something I assume still exists. I also assume it was because people wanted their weekly fix of football relatively locally and it was a given that people might watch, say, Bristol City one week and Bristol Rovers the next. I became a Charlton fan because my old man took me to the Valley first I reckon. Watching another team is not the same as supporting them, but I can say that Londoners would root for London teams if neutral. That doesn’t include the Croydon team or Watford.
My father used to alternate Millwall and Charlton. Indeed the old compilers of the fixture lists used to contact clubs to ask which (one?) other club they wouldn’t want to be playing at home at the same time/day as them, something I assume still exists. I also assume it was because people wanted their weekly fix of football relatively locally and it was a given that people might watch, say, Bristol City one week and Bristol Rovers the next. I became a Charlton fan because my old man took me to the Valley first I reckon. Watching another team is not the same as supporting them, but I can say that Londoners would root for London teams if neutral. That doesn’t include the Croydon team or Watford.
That avoidance of clashing with each other’s games was probably more evident midweek. Millwall would play Monday nights, Charlton Tuesday nights and Palace Wednesday nights.
If i couldn't get to Charlton as a kid I used to find this round ball thingy and kick it around a park or fields emulating my hero's , with some mates, randoms whoever, crazy idea
I’m Bexley Borough and don’t think I’ve ever been through Brockley in my life. Guessing it’s past Lewisham way, but wouldn’t be able to pin it on a map. Surprised we have fans that way.
I would have assumed it was Millwall as it's next door to New Cross. Though I'd say it has more of a Dulwich Hamlet vibe to it these days!
My dad said that when he first started following us in the mid 60s, it was very much go to Charlton one week, Millwall the next, as I think a lot of people did/could back then, and he eventually settled on us, hence my allegiance. I would certainly say that having grown up in the SE4 postcode, I definitely never went to school with any other Charlton fans. It was only when I went to secondary school that I met a few others. However as @MillwallFan mentioned above, these weren’t fans of us that went to the games, more fleeting family connections and to be honest a few of them had us as their second team and would typically be your Man Utd, Liverpool fans etc
Because of this, I never had a group of mates my own age I would go to games with, which never really bothered me as I have always enjoyed going with my dad, my uncle and their mates. And any additional fans that have become friends or acquaintances, have been through here and on the away supporters coaches when I was going more.
Looking forward to continuing the tradition with my two boys, particularly given I’m now Shirley which means there will likely be mainly Palace in their schools as they grow up
I would also add that as I have gone through working life and met colleagues and shared who I support, whenever I have mentioned Charlton, people are often interested in knowing more, purely on the basis I think they recognise you’re likely to be a true fan. I would imagine it’s the same for QPR, Millwall, Orient, Wimbledon etc. Maybe still Brentford, Palace and Fulham, but they have probably gained a few fans as a result of being in the Prem over the last few years, so you never know if they were there when they were all in the lower leagues
The vast majority of Charlton and Millwall fans certainly did not go to Millwall one week and Charlton the next in the 60’s……I can 100% assure you. Yes, maybe quite a few did pre war and into the early 50’s, but certainly not in the 60’s. I never knew one single Addick who ever did that…..by that time the lines had definitely been well and truly defined. You were either an Addick or a Spanner……Palace were rarely spoken of. I’ve been going since 1958 by the way.
Well, my dad used to go to Charlton one week and Millwall the next with my older brothers in the 60s.
Very rare.
My dad used to. I’ve even been to a couple of Charlton games as a neutral
Yeah, come on MF…we all know you’re a secret trainspotting Addick really. Nothing neutral there mate 😉
I’m Bexley Borough and don’t think I’ve ever been through Brockley in my life. Guessing it’s past Lewisham way, but wouldn’t be able to pin it on a map. Surprised we have fans that way.
I would have assumed it was Millwall as it's next door to New Cross. Though I'd say it has more of a Dulwich Hamlet vibe to it these days!
My dad said that when he first started following us in the mid 60s, it was very much go to Charlton one week, Millwall the next, as I think a lot of people did/could back then, and he eventually settled on us, hence my allegiance. I would certainly say that having grown up in the SE4 postcode, I definitely never went to school with any other Charlton fans. It was only when I went to secondary school that I met a few others. However as @MillwallFan mentioned above, these weren’t fans of us that went to the games, more fleeting family connections and to be honest a few of them had us as their second team and would typically be your Man Utd, Liverpool fans etc
Because of this, I never had a group of mates my own age I would go to games with, which never really bothered me as I have always enjoyed going with my dad, my uncle and their mates. And any additional fans that have become friends or acquaintances, have been through here and on the away supporters coaches when I was going more.
Looking forward to continuing the tradition with my two boys, particularly given I’m now Shirley which means there will likely be mainly Palace in their schools as they grow up
I would also add that as I have gone through working life and met colleagues and shared who I support, whenever I have mentioned Charlton, people are often interested in knowing more, purely on the basis I think they recognise you’re likely to be a true fan. I would imagine it’s the same for QPR, Millwall, Orient, Wimbledon etc. Maybe still Brentford, Palace and Fulham, but they have probably gained a few fans as a result of being in the Prem over the last few years, so you never know if they were there when they were all in the lower leagues
The vast majority of Charlton and Millwall fans certainly did not go to Millwall one week and Charlton the next in the 60’s……I can 100% assure you. Yes, maybe quite a few did pre war and into the early 50’s, but certainly not in the 60’s. I never knew one single Addick who ever did that…..by that time the lines had definitely been well and truly defined. You were either an Addick or a Spanner……Palace were rarely spoken of. I’ve been going since 1958 by the way.
Well, my dad used to go to Charlton one week and Millwall the next with my older brothers in the 60s.
Very rare.
My dad used to. I’ve even been to a couple of Charlton games as a neutral
Yeah, come on MF…we all know you’re a secret trainspotting Addick really. Nothing neutral there mate 😉
Yes, he's been in denial for years but true colours force themselves to show in the end.
I’m Bexley Borough and don’t think I’ve ever been through Brockley in my life. Guessing it’s past Lewisham way, but wouldn’t be able to pin it on a map. Surprised we have fans that way.
I would have assumed it was Millwall as it's next door to New Cross. Though I'd say it has more of a Dulwich Hamlet vibe to it these days!
My dad said that when he first started following us in the mid 60s, it was very much go to Charlton one week, Millwall the next, as I think a lot of people did/could back then, and he eventually settled on us, hence my allegiance. I would certainly say that having grown up in the SE4 postcode, I definitely never went to school with any other Charlton fans. It was only when I went to secondary school that I met a few others. However as @MillwallFan mentioned above, these weren’t fans of us that went to the games, more fleeting family connections and to be honest a few of them had us as their second team and would typically be your Man Utd, Liverpool fans etc
Because of this, I never had a group of mates my own age I would go to games with, which never really bothered me as I have always enjoyed going with my dad, my uncle and their mates. And any additional fans that have become friends or acquaintances, have been through here and on the away supporters coaches when I was going more.
Looking forward to continuing the tradition with my two boys, particularly given I’m now Shirley which means there will likely be mainly Palace in their schools as they grow up
I would also add that as I have gone through working life and met colleagues and shared who I support, whenever I have mentioned Charlton, people are often interested in knowing more, purely on the basis I think they recognise you’re likely to be a true fan. I would imagine it’s the same for QPR, Millwall, Orient, Wimbledon etc. Maybe still Brentford, Palace and Fulham, but they have probably gained a few fans as a result of being in the Prem over the last few years, so you never know if they were there when they were all in the lower leagues
The vast majority of Charlton and Millwall fans certainly did not go to Millwall one week and Charlton the next in the 60’s……I can 100% assure you. Yes, maybe quite a few did pre war and into the early 50’s, but certainly not in the 60’s. I never knew one single Addick who ever did that…..by that time the lines had definitely been well and truly defined. You were either an Addick or a Spanner……Palace were rarely spoken of. I’ve been going since 1958 by the way.
Well, my dad used to go to Charlton one week and Millwall the next with my older brothers in the 60s.
Very rare.
My dad used to. I’ve even been to a couple of Charlton games as a neutral
Yeah, come on MF…we all know you’re a secret trainspotting Addick really. Nothing neutral there mate 😉
...and he can read and write. The evidence is all there.
If i couldn't get to Charlton as a kid I used to find this round ball thingy and kick it around a park or fields emulating my hero's , with some mates, randoms whoever, crazy idea
Fields?? You must have lived in the sticks then. On Saturdays the school playgrounds were locked up so playing football meant a trek to Blackheath, Charlton Park or Greenwich Park and nobody ever fancied doing that.
If i couldn't get to Charlton as a kid I used to find this round ball thingy and kick it around a park or fields emulating my hero's , with some mates, randoms whoever, crazy idea
Fields?? You must have lived in the sticks then. On Saturdays the school playgrounds were locked up so playing football meant a trek to Blackheath, Charlton Park or Greenwich Park and nobody ever fancied doing that.
Really. We also had both parts of Plumstead Common, one with the adventure playground which was pretty new when I was a kid, Winn Common, Shrewsbury Park, Bostall woods, Oxleas, Charlton and Maryon Wilson parks. Loads to do with just the green spaces, rather than trekking up to the Old Kent Road to make yourself feel dirty 🤷🏻♂️
If i couldn't get to Charlton as a kid I used to find this round ball thingy and kick it around a park or fields emulating my hero's , with some mates, randoms whoever, crazy idea
Fields?? You must have lived in the sticks then. On Saturdays the school playgrounds were locked up so playing football meant a trek to Blackheath, Charlton Park or Greenwich Park and nobody ever fancied doing that.
There was a big open green space on Villas Road on the Glyndon Estate that was great for football - and when I got older we used to walk up Waverley Road to Winn's Common opposite the Links Coop - neither could be described as 'in the sticks'.
If i couldn't get to Charlton as a kid I used to find this round ball thingy and kick it around a park or fields emulating my hero's , with some mates, randoms whoever, crazy idea
Fields?? You must have lived in the sticks then. On Saturdays the school playgrounds were locked up so playing football meant a trek to Blackheath, Charlton Park or Greenwich Park and nobody ever fancied doing that.
Really. We also had both parts of Plumstead Common, one with the adventure playground which was pretty new when I was a kid, Winn Common, Shrewsbury Park, Bostall woods, Oxleas, Charlton and Maryon Wilson parks. Loads to do with just the green spaces, rather than trekking up to the Old Kent Road to make yourself feel dirty 🤷🏻♂️
I grew up in SE3 so like I said, we rarely fancied the (walking) trek to the local parks let alone the bus (busses) trek to the green space places you had local(ish) to you.
I’m Bexley Borough and don’t think I’ve ever been through Brockley in my life. Guessing it’s past Lewisham way, but wouldn’t be able to pin it on a map. Surprised we have fans that way.
I went to primary school in Brockley (well, it was just about in the SE4 postcode). Was me and one other Charlton fan in my year. Most of the other kids "supported" Liverpool, because they won everything back then. There was a small sprinkling of other London teams (although I don't remember any Millwall or Palace) and some Man U.
Needless to say, me and the other Charlton fella were the only ones that ever went to watch games live.
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Yes, maybe quite a few did pre war and into the early 50’s, but certainly not in the 60’s.
I never knew one single Addick who ever did that…..by that time the lines had definitely been well and truly defined.
You were either an Addick or a Spanner……Palace were rarely spoken of.
I’ve been going since 1958 by the way.
Never to support the spanners.
I worked with a guy from Canning Town who would always come to Charlton when West Ham wernt at home.
Working as a local postman we had about 25 out of an office 50 Charlton fans of which a dozen were season ticket holders during the Prem years, the next best number were all west Ham fans.Towards the end of my working life a few Millwall started to work there but they were all the younger crowd and it gave them kudos.
Woolwich possibly had more Westham than Charlton fans in 60s & 70s as it was easy to get to and had the World cup winners legacy. As a teen I would often go there for big matches when Charlton wasnt an option - travel and admittance 40p.
Indeed the old compilers of the fixture lists used to contact clubs to ask which (one?) other club they wouldn’t want to be playing at home at the same time/day as them, something I assume still exists. I also assume it was because people wanted their weekly fix of football relatively locally and it was a given that people might watch, say, Bristol City one week and Bristol Rovers the next.
I became a Charlton fan because my old man took me to the Valley first I reckon.
Watching another team is not the same as supporting them, but I can say that Londoners would root for London teams if neutral.
That doesn’t include the Croydon team or Watford.
Needless to say, me and the other Charlton fella were the only ones that ever went to watch games live.