22nd of April a wonderful day

[cite]Posted By: Lewis Coaches[/cite]The anniversary of when I first entered The Valley. Can it really be 43 years ago, that I crossed the bridge into The Valley. As a young schoolboy, I had always supported Chelsea, whilst my best friend Tony Denton, followed Charlton. On our note books would be scribbled Tommy Doc and Bob Stokoe. Tony decided to change my allegiance to the Valliants of SE7. Both Tony and his father were season ticket holders in the West-stand, the old rabbit hatch. They would always travel in the white Jaguar that his father owned. On this day, there would be 2 other passengers: myself and another schoolfriend Steven Beams. I am unable to say why my allegiance was changed that afternoon, but just maybe it was the vast open space that we call the Valley. Six months prior to this I had been attending Stamford Bridge and watching games played by a top first division club. Now I had fallen for the reds of SE7, a lowly 2nd division club. Some 43 years further on nothing will change my belief in the Addicks. On Saturday I will be at Exeter, ground no. 83. All thanks to my old schoolfriend Tony Denton.