Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Valley of Tears
It is exactly twenty years today since supporters were informed that Charlton Athletic would no longer be playing home matches at The Valley. On 8th September 1985, a sheet of paper was given to fans attending the local derby versus Crystal Palace, as they came through the turnstiles, telling them that Charlton home games would now be played at Selhurst Park. The above (official club) link explains the scenario very well.
The game against Palace was duly won, 3-1. It's a game also remembered for the fact that our Scottish left back (and eventual Player of the Season) Mark Reid took four penalties in the match. Two were scored and two were saved. The first went in; the second was saved by (Scot) George Wood, but the ref ordered it to be re-taken, and Reid scored from his third kick. The fourth (from the third penalty awarded) was saved. Amazing!
The win left a sort of numbness amongst supporters. We played Sheffield United away the midweek after the match, and I was at the Bramall Lane ground early for some reason. I was with a friend (who shall remain nameless), and as we sat there by the players entrance talking, up drove the then current Director Jimmy Hill. Jimmy was more famous as a TV pundit and the man who broke the wage barriers in the early sixties. He had been a director at Charlton (a conveniently overlooked fact these days) for about a year or so, since the Sunley Group had taken control of the club. I think they thought they needed a "football" man on the board and Jim was available. He certainly fitted the bill - I don't think anyone else had much idea of how to run a football club...Jim was also open to new ideas, and would try anything once I believe. Jimmy parked up, and got out of the car. We slowly made our way over toward him for a "chat". He was greeted by the words from my friend "You've really gone and f***ed it up now haven't you!" Mr Hill was not amused but knew exactly what was being refered to and briefly tried to explain the Boards decision to share Selhurst Park. He didn't do a good job though, and soon high-tailed it inside the ground out of earshot.
I kind-of always regretted the fact that my friend swore at Jim; we may have got more sense if we'd had a more controlled discussion but emotion is hard to contain sometimes. At least Jimmy knew that feelings amongst supporters was running high at that point, something I don't think any of the other Directors realised right up until we actually moved a couple of weeks later.
Since that fateful day twenty years ago, the fluctuating fortunes of Charlton have been very well documented. We returned to The Valley after seven long years, almost on our knees. We have since stood up, been counted, and are now in a very strong position.
We sit proudly in the Premiership, currently third and unbeaten, and play in a magnificent stadium. We have the second longest serving manager in the premiership, and third longest in the football league. We have two players in the full England squad this very week involved in World Cup qualifiers. We have a hole bunch of internationals from other countries away playing World Cup matches all over the globe.
Twenty years ago, we would have been locked up for thinking our club might look like this at some future stage. Dreams really do come true sometimes...
The game against Palace was duly won, 3-1. It's a game also remembered for the fact that our Scottish left back (and eventual Player of the Season) Mark Reid took four penalties in the match. Two were scored and two were saved. The first went in; the second was saved by (Scot) George Wood, but the ref ordered it to be re-taken, and Reid scored from his third kick. The fourth (from the third penalty awarded) was saved. Amazing!
The win left a sort of numbness amongst supporters. We played Sheffield United away the midweek after the match, and I was at the Bramall Lane ground early for some reason. I was with a friend (who shall remain nameless), and as we sat there by the players entrance talking, up drove the then current Director Jimmy Hill. Jimmy was more famous as a TV pundit and the man who broke the wage barriers in the early sixties. He had been a director at Charlton (a conveniently overlooked fact these days) for about a year or so, since the Sunley Group had taken control of the club. I think they thought they needed a "football" man on the board and Jim was available. He certainly fitted the bill - I don't think anyone else had much idea of how to run a football club...Jim was also open to new ideas, and would try anything once I believe. Jimmy parked up, and got out of the car. We slowly made our way over toward him for a "chat". He was greeted by the words from my friend "You've really gone and f***ed it up now haven't you!" Mr Hill was not amused but knew exactly what was being refered to and briefly tried to explain the Boards decision to share Selhurst Park. He didn't do a good job though, and soon high-tailed it inside the ground out of earshot.
I kind-of always regretted the fact that my friend swore at Jim; we may have got more sense if we'd had a more controlled discussion but emotion is hard to contain sometimes. At least Jimmy knew that feelings amongst supporters was running high at that point, something I don't think any of the other Directors realised right up until we actually moved a couple of weeks later.
Since that fateful day twenty years ago, the fluctuating fortunes of Charlton have been very well documented. We returned to The Valley after seven long years, almost on our knees. We have since stood up, been counted, and are now in a very strong position.
We sit proudly in the Premiership, currently third and unbeaten, and play in a magnificent stadium. We have the second longest serving manager in the premiership, and third longest in the football league. We have two players in the full England squad this very week involved in World Cup qualifiers. We have a hole bunch of internationals from other countries away playing World Cup matches all over the globe.
Twenty years ago, we would have been locked up for thinking our club might look like this at some future stage. Dreams really do come true sometimes...
