Dear all, Just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm a longtime not606 lurker, but finally decided to join up and have a say. I've been tracking a lot of your chat from the 606 days (Houndal, AllHell, Houndal, Franco etc..) I've been a Charlton fan since the age of 9, I have no link to the area (I'm a Peterborough lad) but had a mate who supported Charlton in Primary School and I became a bit obsessed with a certain football league goal machine for a few years. Since my mate went to a different secondary school, I came into a strange place where I knew no other Charlton fans to talk to, and the only solace I got was in internet forums. Here is the bad bit, I've never actually been to a Charlton game. I play football at amateur level on a Saturday and it's a long way to go down when I don't really know any other CAFC fans (except an old girlfriend's dad) My girlfriend and I almost came down to the Exeter game last season, but couldn't in the end (quite glad I didn't in a way!) I am hoping to get down a couple of times this season though. I loved the Premier League years (favourite players: Mendonca, Holland, Parker, Rufus, Euell) and I've remained a loyal fan despite watching Dowie & Reed take us apart. I felt sorry for Pardew in ways (I remember the Fulham game when they snatched a last minute draw, and losing key players for the end of season run-in) but lost any sympathy when we were looking to bounce back and he continued to field loan signing after loan signing, rather than give our lads a go at it. I don't really blame Parky like some others do as he was always up against it, and he nearly took us up (but for Bailey!!!) I don't think Chris Powell is necessarily a better manager (though potentially he could be good) but he's been given the resources and the backing and good luck to him. His signings so far have looked very astute (all 18 of them!) I'm very optimistic this season, and have bought the away shirt with Euell 17 on the back!! Introduction nearly over. Looking forward to chewing the fat with you guys, rather than just reading it. Cheers Ben PS Is it just me that ever thought Yassin Moutaouakil could have had a Duran Duran based song about him? (View to a Kill)
Welcome mate! Making any plans to head down to the Valley soon.. maybe for Chesterfield? Understand the reasons why you've never been, but nothing beats sitting in the Valley come 3pm every other weekend. Just a shame in recent years it's usually resulted in defeat .
Welcome Ben, you're about 40 miles north of me at the other end of Cambridgeshire and I can understand how you might find it both difficult and expensive in getting to home matches at the Valley. I recommend you try on a day when you haven't got a match to play and experience the friendly atmosphere at the Valley. An all zones travelcard from Peterborough will get you all the way the Valley (Kings Cross to London Bridge on the Northern and then SOuth Eastern to Charlton. On match day when you fall out of the train it is but a very short walk to the ground (Think Peterborough station to the shopping centre). North or North West for the first match. If it is an evening match you can still get back to Peterborough on the train afterwards. With regard to CP he has a different approach to PP and looks to play a passing game. PP is steeped in third tioer football and plays a game that is adeuqate at this and the lower level, but CP has a vision of a better game and overall I believe that he will get us out of the cloggers league. Good to know I am not the only addick in Cambridgeshire.
Good to have you on not606 Ben! SC is right, Chesterfield might be a good place to start - only £10 to get you and your good lady into The Valley. Here's the plan - Go down heavily five minutes from the end of your last match before the 24th, groan a lot and suggest it's your cruciate/metatarsal/achilles - ring the manager midweek to say the only time your scan can be fitted in is at a nice private hospital in London on the 24th. You'll find we can provide you with a range of imaginative excuses for just about anything on this site...
Welcome to the not606 Ben Get your arse down to the Valley as soon as possible is a great lil Stadium - Plenty of games / seats to choose from Failing that maybe we'll get Peterborough or Norwich as an Away Replay in the FA Cup this season
Welcome to the board, Ben. Have you ever been to any other football matches? Peterborough, Norwich, Cambridge etc?
Thanks for the welcome guys. Definitely looking to get down a few times this season. I've been to a few Posh games in my time but despite living fifteen minutes from London Road I don't feel much of a connection with the club. My second team has to be Wolves who I have seen about a dozen times at Molineux with a mate when I was younger. Cost of a ticket isn't overly important (I want to support the club - you should see the random things I buy from the club shop to try and help! Beach towels, dvds, socks etc.) just depends on timing, but should be more gaps in my team's fixtures this year (we've joined a better but smaller league, only 22 games, instead of 35 inc cups last season) so definitely hoping to come down a few times on the train.
Hi Ben, welcome aboard. Don't be shy posting on here, and don't worry too much about Ackworth we are not all like him !!!
Alright Benno⦠Itâs always good to welcome a new recruit to the ever growing list of reprobates who already frequent this board. I feel your pain where getting to The Valley on a regular basis is concerned. I would love nothing more than to be in attendance at every home game at the very least. Regrettably, my work dictates that this is not possible (I work 24/7 shifts doing earlies 07:00 to 16:00, lates 15:00 to 23:00 and nights 22:00 to 08:00). However, with a little âcreativeâ use of leave and toil I do manage to get down there for at least half the home games. Prior to a knee injury that put paid to my football career and my current job I too used to play a decent standard of Saturday football. As much as I love being at The Valley watching my beloved Charlton the exhilaration I got from playing the game I so love can not and for me will never be replicated. Iâd always rather have a ball at my feet that I can kick, than before my eyes for me to only observe. My advice to you⦠Enjoy playing the beautiful game all the time youâve got it in your legs to do so. I'd happily ebay a kidney in exchange for a fully functioning right knee, that would allow me to play again...!! I look forward to reading your contributions on this site and I hope you make it to the promised land of The Valley at some point this seasonâ¦
Welcome Ben mate, my brother used to live at Fenstanton (spelling) and with a family he also found it difficult to get to home matches. He did have the advantage of coming to stay with me for some weekends and while his wife was at Bluewater we toddled off to the Valley. Anyway, always nice to have some fresh air
Most welcome Ben, especially as you mention me twice Now just tell you you hate Parky and we will be best mates ..............
There is an excellent cake shop at Fenstanton. I would consider moving there just for the pastries! Franco: I could probably facilitate the kidney/knee swap. Anything is possible in Ponders End.
