RA, East Renfrewshire
I was brought up in Blackheath and first went to the Valley in 1966 (Charlton beat Ipswich 2-1 with 2 Mike Kenning goals) and was a season ticket holder for a number of years (1970’s) before moving away to University then to a career in the NHS that took me to Scotland in 1986. I am also a fan of Dunfermline Athletic who I have supported since 1989. Whilst I try to get to the Valley on occasions I have more frequently been to Charlton games in the north of England. Spoilt at present with Valley Pass providing the opportunity to watch all games! My favourite game was a remarkable 4-1 away win against QPR at Loftus Road in November 1970 with two Mike Kenning goals and one Ray Treacy goal putting bottom of the table Charlton 3-0 up at half time. the goals all scored at the end of the ground where I stood low on the terrace just one side of the net. Unfortunately a week later it was down to earth with a bump as we took a 2-1 lead over Blackburn Rovers at the Valley only to lose 4-2! Such is life following the Addicks! I even resorted to watching the youth team in the 1970’s playing in the South East Counties League Division 1 and in 1972/73 went to all the FA Youth Cup matches as Charlton overcame Tottenham (3-0), Plymouth Argyle (4-0) and West Ham United (away) (1-0) before losing in the 5th round at Sheffield United (2-1). As a 16 year old making a solo trip to Bramall Lane on a Cold Monday in February I must have also skipped school that afternoon! My 50th birthday treat was a trip to the Valley to see Charlton beat Newcastle United 3-1 in a Premier League game in March 2006. I took my son and two of his school pals (one a Celtic fan and the other Rangers!) to Carlisle in April 2012 to see Chris Powell’s Charlton secure promotion after Bradley Wright Phillips had bundled the ball home late in the second half. Trips to Burnley, Wigan, Blackburn and twice to Blackpool followed in years after that. I even had my wife accompany me on a few of those trips! We were on holiday in Portugal watching the 2019 win over Sunderland on my iPad just as we arrived at our AirBnB accomodation on the Algarve!
I grew up in Belvedere, Kent and Dad introduced me to Charlton. I have vivid memories of those early days on the old East Terrace – beating Preston 3-1 to clinch promotion in 1975, thumping Spurs 4-1 with a Flanagan hat-trick, despairing at Hales and Flanagan being sent off as we scraped a 1-1 draw with non-league Maidstone. My nadir was attending the 7-1 defeat away at Luton. At least back then football was so unfashionable I was barely ribbed about it at school. I was studying abroad when Dad told me about the move to Selhurst Park. I still went regularly to games but have far fewer memories of that era. After graduating I was working in North London and lived for a while on Avenell Road bordering Highbury. One evening in March 1989 I introduced Dad properly to my boyfriend – later husband – when we drew 2-2 there. It was the first time Valley Floyd Road was sung, greeting news of our intention to return to SE7. Dad was born and bred in Argyll so it all felt very appropriate. We were sitting in the main stand, surrounded by Arsenal fans – Dad berated a couple of them for leaving early and it nearly turned nasty! After I married, we moved to Scotland in 1991, and apart from a few years abroad in the mid 90s we’ve been here ever since – Glasgow then Edinburgh then back to Glasgow, where we still have a flat and an (empty) office for our travel business. We’ve now made Kintyre home. When allowed, we still go to watch Charlton “live” at least once a month. I write about football as a hobby.
HMc, Argyll & Bute
HMc, Argyll & Bute
I grew up in Belvedere, Kent and Dad introduced me to Charlton. I have vivid memories of those early days on the old East Terrace – beating Preston 3-1 to clinch promotion in 1975, thumping Spurs 4-1 with a Flanagan hat-trick, despairing at Hales and Flanagan being sent off as we scraped a 1-1 draw with non-league Maidstone. My nadir was attending the 7-1 defeat away at Luton. At least back then football was so unfashionable I was barely ribbed about it at school. I was studying abroad when Dad told me about the move to Selhurst Park. I still went regularly to games but have far fewer memories of that era. After graduating I was working in North London and lived for a while on Avenell Road bordering Highbury. One evening in March 1989 I introduced Dad properly to my boyfriend – later husband – when we drew 2-2 there. It was the first time Valley Floyd Road was sung, greeting news of our intention to return to SE7. Dad was born and bred in Argyll so it all felt very appropriate. We were sitting in the main stand, surrounded by Arsenal fans – Dad berated a couple of them for leaving early and it nearly turned nasty! After I married, we moved to Scotland in 1991, and apart from a few years abroad in the mid 90s we’ve been here ever since – Glasgow then Edinburgh then back to Glasgow, where we still have a flat and an (empty) office for our travel business. We’ve now made Kintyre home. When allowed, we still go to watch Charlton “live” at least once a month. I write about football as a hobby.
RK, Argyll & Bute
Member of Castrust for several years.Belfast boy and grew up supporting Spurs – as that was my big brother’s team – think he latched on to them around 1961. Ulster TV carried the LWT Big Match which meant I did see Derek Hales occasionally. Came to Edinburgh as a student and decided to follow Meadowbank Thistle – cheaper than Hearts and Hibs and of course randomly a very comfortable stand! Best pal at the time was a Raith Rovers fan so spent a couple of season following them around too. Eventually went to London for work and started watching Spurs – glory days of Gazza.First football match I went to with my Charlton supporting wife was actually Spurs v Man U…and my intro to Charlton was at Selhurst, FA cup v Kettering… I maintained my Spurs allegiance for a couple of years while increasingly going to more Charlton games with my wife…finally “converted” in the 98 season…by which time we were living in Scotland…
I would love to be involved in the set-up of a Scottish Addicks group, or should it be Addicks in Scotland, or The Woolwichers?! When I came to Scotland back in 1992 to help open the first 5 star hotel in Glasgow – the Glasgow Hilton – I met the woman who became my wife. As she lived in Inverclyde, my first home was in Fort Matilda, which borders Gourock and Greenock. What I learned many years later as a volunteer with Inverclyde Tourist Group (who welcome all the cruise ships), I wasn’t the first person from South East London to re-locate and live in Gourock. No there were circa 700 workers and their families who came before me, known as The Woolwichers locally!! Back in 1910 The Admiralty decided to move the Royal Gun Factory at Woolwich Arsenal away from London, and yes it moved to Fort Matilda, known as the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory. 100’s of houses close to me were built for them as they didn’t like the Scottish Tenement! I then established the factory football team was called none other than Torpedo Athletic. Could it be a coincidence?
AH, Gourock, Inverclyde
AH, Gourock, Inverclyde
I would love to be involved in the set-up of a Scottish Addicks group, or should it be Addicks in Scotland, or The Woolwichers?! When I came to Scotland back in 1992 to help open the first 5 star hotel in Glasgow – the Glasgow Hilton – I met the woman who became my wife. As she lived in Inverclyde, my first home was in Fort Matilda, which borders Gourock and Greenock. What I learned many years later as a volunteer with Inverclyde Tourist Group (who welcome all the cruise ships), I wasn’t the first person from South East London to re-locate and live in Gourock. No there were circa 700 workers and their families who came before me, known as The Woolwichers locally!! Back in 1910 The Admiralty decided to move the Royal Gun Factory at Woolwich Arsenal away from London, and yes it moved to Fort Matilda, known as the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory. 100’s of houses close to me were built for them as they didn’t like the Scottish Tenement! I then established the factory football team was called none other than Torpedo Athletic. Could it be a coincidence?
HMo, Borders
We moved to Kent from the North West of England in 1987 as my then husband to be was moved with his job. For the same reason we are now in Scotland, moving 3 years ago. He took our son aged 6 to his first Charlton match 22 years ago – and never looked back. What a fab club – they actually rang us a couple of weeks before our daughter’s 13th birthday to ask if she wanted to be a mascot on her birthday as she was a Junior Red. Now she’s 29. I’m a teacher and loved taking students on trips to the Valley when I worked in Kent. The students I teach now are ASN and think it is funny that I support a team they’ve never heard of – they’re mainly Celtic, Rangers or Hearts fans. Although I have got a couple of them following Charlton now. We were very sad to give up our season tickets but Valley Pass is spoiling us at the moment.
I was born in Eversley Rd, Charlton (so have SE7 on my birth certificate!) and taken to the Valley before I was 1, in 1961. My mum’s family were all Addicks from Charlton and my dad was a Shetlander who was working on the river for the PLA. We always spent our summers at the family croft in Unst, my folks moved permanently when dad retired and I moved here in 2004. I’m still a season ticket holder (west stand) though I only get to 6-10 games a season. We have a drink at the Anchor and Hope before the game and at the River Ale House after. The one away fixture we never miss is Middlesbrough so I’m keen to get back to the Championship. My Scottish team is Stenhousemuir (it’s a good Norse name!). I enjoy Valley Pass and my CAFC cash! I am, a Valley Gold member.
SM, Shetland
SM, Shetland
I was born in Eversley Rd, Charlton (so have SE7 on my birth certificate!) and taken to the Valley before I was 1, in 1961. My mum’s family were all Addicks from Charlton and my dad was a Shetlander who was working on the river for the PLA. We always spent our summers at the family croft in Unst, my folks moved permanently when dad retired and I moved here in 2004. I’m still a season ticket holder (west stand) though I only get to 6-10 games a season. We have a drink at the Anchor and Hope before the game and at the River Ale House after. The one away fixture we never miss is Middlesbrough so I’m keen to get back to the Championship. My Scottish team is Stenhousemuir (it’s a good Norse name!). I enjoy Valley Pass and my CAFC cash! I am, a Valley Gold member.
JS, Lothian
I think my first game was the 60/61 season as my father was a lifelong fan and took me. Those days there was always plenty of room to wander down the front for a small 6 year old. We moved to Solihull in 65 when I was 11 and only got to see them when they played in the Midlands, often losing! When older and my own car I had friends in Kent and used to drive down, lunch then onto Palace to watch our games but first wife put a stop to that! Current wife is more sport aware and managed to get daughters christened Cara Alice, Freya Clare. Fortunately liked the names as much as I liked the initials. Moved to Scotland 97 with a 9 month old daughter, soon to be 24 and later another just turned 20. When I first moved up I played cricket and first match there was a father and son playing who were both Charlton fans! Seems surreal to have three together on a pitch in Haddington! I was fortunate to work for a global Travel company and so had contacts such as Scotairways. They flew Charlton around in those Premier League days and often got an invite to their box at the Valley. In fact had a tour with Nicky Johns I think it was and into the dressing room to see DiCanio shirt hanging up ready for his debut.
Born in Yorkshire. Grew up in various parts of England mainly the North. Bequeathed football by my dad, but adopted Charlton when best friend and I decided to go and see our local team in the mid 1990s. It was love at first sight. CAST member and erstwhile CARD trouble-maker. I only stay in Scotland part time but I do host a cracking Burns Supper every year (except this). The only Scottish match I have been to was to see Hearts get stuffed 4-0 by Celtic. Why? Because I wanted to see Henrik Larsson in the flesh! And yes, I did have a macaroon.
HA, Lothian
HA, Lothian
Born in Yorkshire. Grew up in various parts of England mainly the North. Bequeathed football by my dad, but adopted Charlton when best friend and I decided to go and see our local team in the mid 1990s. It was love at first sight. CAST member and erstwhile CARD trouble-maker. I only stay in Scotland part time but I do host a cracking Burns Supper every year (except this). The only Scottish match I have been to was to see Hearts get stuffed 4-0 by Celtic. Why? Because I wanted to see Henrik Larsson in the flesh! And yes, I did have a macaroon.
NW, Ayrshire
I was brought up in New Eltham and started watching Charlton as a nipper in the mid-60’s – my first hero was Billy Bonds and then when he went to join the Hammers, Bob Curtis and Paul Went were my favourites (I played footie for my primary school at right back and centre half). I started going to the Valley with my Dad and older brother in the mid-60’s when roasted peanuts were a ‘tanner a bag!’. I moved to Scotland in ’86 and now live on the west coast of Ayrshire, but continu to avidly follow the (mis)fortunes of our great club along with my brother (he lives in Surrey). It is an addicktion, no doubt about it. Gutted I didn’t win Tommy’s Range Rover(!), but have been (mostly ) enjoying my £10 worth of live footage of the games. Having spent my younger years following Charlton at the Valley, other matters began to occupy my attention – rugby (I went to Colfe’s), studies and a number of good women, not necessarily in that order. Then came the move to Scotland (1986) for work reasons and I settled down with my wife and family – my wife is a nurse and from Perth so my Scottish team is St. Johnstone. We are still working, both involved in nursingcare home services. The wonders of modern science have brought Charlton back into focus over the past 20 years or so for me to the point where it is a roller-coaster journey for my brother and me as we either enjoy or endure from a distance every twist and turn both on and off the pitch in the fortunes of the club.
I hesitate to class myself as a ‘Fan’ but defo a follower!! I was born in Greenwich and all the southern side of my family are Charlton fans / ex season ticket holders. My nephew was a goalkeeper in the Academy and went on to help the the Club’s PR dept before moving on to West Ham and now London Marathon. I played football at Amateur level and was the President of the Club (Heathside) when we won the Scottish Cup twice in 3 years. I was also Vice President of Irvine Meadow. I’m an old geezer now but young at heart. I live in Ayrshire and watch Ayr Utd most Saturdays but always look for the Charlton result. I’ve done a bit of ‘missionary’ work on all my golfing mates on behalf of Charlton and I’ve got quite a number taking an interest. They all know how the original Valley was the largest in the UK (except Hampden), their name Addicks came from; (maybe), the local Chip Shop and the disastrous merger with Catford!!
JD, Ayrshire
JD, Ayrshire
I hesitate to class myself as a ‘Fan’ but defo a follower!! I was born in Greenwich and all the southern side of my family are Charlton fans / ex season ticket holders. My nephew was a goalkeeper in the Academy and went on to help the the Club’s PR dept before moving on to West Ham and now London Marathon. I played football at Amateur level and was the President of the Club (Heathside) when we won the Scottish Cup twice in 3 years. I was also Vice President of Irvine Meadow. I’m an old geezer now but young at heart. I live in Ayrshire and watch Ayr Utd most Saturdays but always look for the Charlton result. I’ve done a bit of ‘missionary’ work on all my golfing mates on behalf of Charlton and I’ve got quite a number taking an interest. They all know how the original Valley was the largest in the UK (except Hampden), their name Addicks came from; (maybe), the local Chip Shop and the disastrous merger with Catford!!
DH, Tayside
I grew up in Sussex, near Brighton, but as I was born in Lewisham hospital I was always certain that my local team was Charlton. My first game was the 5-0 victory against Southampton in 1998/99, and, after that, I was hooked. Winning seemed easy! After much pestering of my dad for season tickets, we only missed 2 or 3 home games over the following six seasons – mostly the Premier League glory years – but then university and work moved me away from London. I’ve been an international Addick for many years – literally flying the flag on occasion while living in the US and going to games whenever I was back in the UK at the right time and in the right place. I’ve ended up in Edinburgh, and since Valley Pass started video streaming, I haven’t missed watching any of our games. It’s a novelty to have confidence in our ownership structure again, and I’m hoping for some good years ahead.
NB, Lothian
NB, Lothian
I grew up in Sussex, near Brighton, but as I was born in Lewisham hospital I was always certain that my local team was Charlton. My first game was the 5-0 victory against Southampton in 1998/99, and, after that, I was hooked. Winning seemed easy! After much pestering of my dad for season tickets, we only missed 2 or 3 home games over the following six seasons – mostly the Premier League glory years – but then university and work moved me away from London. I’ve been an international Addick for many years – literally flying the flag on occasion while living in the US and going to games whenever I was back in the UK at the right time and in the right place. I’ve ended up in Edinburgh, and since Valley Pass started video streaming, I haven’t missed watching any of our games. It’s a novelty to have confidence in our ownership structure again, and I’m hoping for some good years ahead.
RH, East Dumbartonshire
Born in Plum Lane, Plumstead Common. At the time, my parents rented rooms to Jock Campbell and his wife and they became my adopted uncle and aunt. One of my first memories is of (Uncle) Jimmy laying in bed with a wooden splint on his leg and being attended to by what must have been the Club doctor. I was duly dragged down to Charlton, probably aged three, to see Jimmy play and remember the opposing team playing in white shirts and black shorts. I spent most of the game with a bag of Percy Dalton’s throwing the shells at the tall boys standing in front of me on the front railings of the East Terrace. The first game I can recall properly was the 6-4 defeat of Plymouth Argyle with John Sewell playing right back and me watching from the Covered End. Subsequently my friend and I used to run home after a match in time to watch Doctor Who at 5:15 which first aired in 1963. Since then I have been to most of the notable games but I played football on a Saturday until I was 40 then moved to Glasgow so was spared regular attendance. My family and various friends still live in SE London and I have a flat in Woolwich so I am a regular visitor (though not lately!) and usually manage a few games each season, both home and away.
Used to live in Eltham then Kent. I have supported Charlton from a young age. My older brother used to have one of those trays selling chestnuts/ ice creams behind the goal in the early 70s. Went to home games with my son after weaning him off Man U ha ha. Lived up here for a couple of years. Managed a few games including the last Play off final since moving up here. I did submit occasional articles for Dr Kish during our premiership days under the name of ‘Miss Kish our favourite school teacher’.
EG, Borders
EG, Borders
Used to live in Eltham then Kent. I have supported Charlton from a young age. My older brother used to have one of those trays selling chestnuts/ ice creams behind the goal in the early 70s. Went to home games with my son after weaning him off Man U ha ha. Lived up here for a couple of years. Managed a few games including the last Play off final since moving up here. I did submit occasional articles for Dr Kish during our premiership days under the name of ‘Miss Kish our favourite school teacher’.
SC, East Renfrewshire
I’m in Glasgow. Retired early from Wealth Management. Before that was the U.K. Sales and Marketing manager for a football souvenir company and had many happy hours ( and orders) with Chris Tugwell in the club shop around the time of ‘ Back to the Valley’ and that’s how Charlton became my team ( in England). I’m a Glasgow Rangers man, so pleased Aribo is doing well. Saw the ground when the high terracing was still in place. Managed to catch Charlton at Upton Park ( we beat Portsmouth that day) during the ground sharing, but it was only last February that I made it down to the Valley and match hospitality for the Barnsley game ( with a mate who’s a Barnsley fan) – thought that result had secured our place in Championship ( and 4/5 bets came up : Lyle to score first goal, Charlton to win, Charlton to win half time and full time, Charlton to win 2-1). My main sport is tennis, I play for the oldies, have played tournaments throughout UK and ITF Senior events abroad, ; sadly lockdown , no gyms and dodgy knees ( playing with a double tear in my good knee right now) have curtailed that slightly but 2 years ago was nearly in top 100 on ITF Senior Circuit for my age group in doubles ( have good partner lol) , am about to be Tennis Convenor at my club, and I also Referee. But watching Charlton on the streams this year has been a constant – pity the results haven’t all been to our liking.
I was brought up in Welling and moved to East Kilbride 30 years ago. Used to take my 2 boys to The Valley but not on a regular basis due to work commitments.
PN, South Lanarkshire
PN, South Lanarkshire
I was brought up in Welling and moved to East Kilbride 30 years ago. Used to take my 2 boys to The Valley but not on a regular basis due to work commitments.
LS, Highlands
My Charlton background is that I was brought up in Plumstead and I’ve supported the Addicks all my life (I would go with my dad until he passed several years ago) and as I’ve now reached my late 60’s that is quite a long time. I last had a season ticket in the North Stand until we moved up here last August – so my recent Valley experience is still fairly “fresh”. We had been promising ourselves that we would move out of London for a number of years so when the chance came we grabbed it. Before I retired I was an accountant and worked for Greenwich Council. Valley Pass has been great especially as we are all so restricted on what we can do – although at least in the Highlands we have a great view! When things free up a bit I will try to combine trips to London to visit family and friends with home games.
It is very possible to feel out of the loop when you’re a long way from SE7, so the informal group is an excellent idea. Things are never dull in matters Charlton, are they? Glad we’re under new ownership.I lived in various south London locations, and elsewhere, when growing up, but Eltham was key. I first went in the late 60s, the era of Wright, Treacy et al (I’m a teacher, taking online classes several times a day). I remember well standing many times on the massive East Terrace, hearing The Red, Red, Robin as the likes of Horsfield, Powell, Hales, Peacock came out. Haven’t seen CAFC play as much as I’d like in recent years, having lived and worked in the Highlands for about 35 years. I like the idea of the odd trip to the north of England.
MG, Highlands
MG, Highlands
It is very possible to feel out of the loop when you’re a long way from SE7, so the informal group is an excellent idea. Things are never dull in matters Charlton, are they? Glad we’re under new ownership.I lived in various south London locations, and elsewhere, when growing up, but Eltham was key. I first went in the late 60s, the era of Wright, Treacy et al (I’m a teacher, taking online classes several times a day). I remember well standing many times on the massive East Terrace, hearing The Red, Red, Robin as the likes of Horsfield, Powell, Hales, Peacock came out. Haven’t seen CAFC play as much as I’d like in recent years, having lived and worked in the Highlands for about 35 years. I like the idea of the odd trip to the north of England.
Join Charlton fans in Scotland
Sign up to access our forum, get notifications of meet ups, and game travel updates