For 1st December our greatest ever "No.1" Sam Bartram Sorry, no chocolates! Just good memories and Season's Greetings
Ahadme the 4th December to symbolise the goals in his career for us. John Humphrey on the 2nd December as the best right back in my lifetime. Peter Shirtliff will be the 5th December for St Andrews '87.
on the 2nd day of Christmas @lardiman said to me … I’m going to delete anything with which I disagree
For 2nd December as suggested by Elfs, John Humphrey CAFC Player of the Year in three successive seasons The only Charlton player ever to achieve that
For 3rd December, 1998 Wembley Hat-trick hero Super Clive Mendonca Clive's goals ushered in Charlton's 3rd glorious Top-Flight era I tried to attach a video of Clive's Play-off Final goals but couldn't get it to work. If another member can attach a working video please go ahead!
For 4th December, legendary Charlton defender John Hewie Hewie played over 500 games for Charlton between 1951 and 1966, not only at No.4, but at 2, 3, 5 and indeed every other position, including four starts as goalkeeper. An outstanding all-round sportsman, Hewie played Hockey and Tennis and even won a Cap for England as a Baseball player.
By the way, any further suggestions for future Advent calendar posts will be gratefully received. If you think of one, no need to wait until the day before to suggest it. I already have ones ready for 21st and 24th December but all other dates are free...
Recommended by @Smudger603 For 5th December our excellent ex No.5 Patrick Bauer 124 league starts for Charlton over 4 seasons, culminating in his stoppage time winning goal at Wembley in May 2019 Great memories, from a proper footballer.
For 6th December the man who kept Charlton Athletic in the 1st Division in May 1987, Peter Shirtliff Shirtliff's extra-time brace saw the Addicks come from behind to claim a 2-1 win against Leeds United in the Second Division play-off final replay - one of the most incredible moments in our history... He played 103 top flight league games for Charlton between 1986 and 1989. Dark days for the Club, but heroics on the pitch against the finest teams in the Land.
For 7th December a break from the theme of legendary players. Today it's a celebration of Charlton's home in SE7 - The Valley, Floyd Road. Originally known as The Charlton Enclosure. Dug out of the very soil of Charlton by players, Club members and fans shortly after the end of the First World War, it's been the beating heart of our Club since 1919 During the 1950's crowds of 40,000 to 50,000 were not uncommon. CAFC have played home games at nine other locations since the Club was formed in the Summer of 1905. Six of those were before the Valley was created, three afterwards; 1. Siemens Meadow (1905-06) 2. Woolwich Common (1907) 3. Pound Park (1908-13) 4. Angerstein Ground (shared with Plumstead Invicta) (1913-15) 5. Rectory Field (1918) 6. Charlton Park (1918-19) 7. Mount Stadium, Catford (1924) 8. Selhurst Park (shared with Crystal Palace) (1986-91) 9. Boleyn Ground (shared with West Ham United) (1991-92) Of all those individual grounds only Selhurst Park still exists, though of course there are still football pitches in Charlton Park.
For 8th December it's time to remember and celebrate Charlton's 8 seasons in the Premiership, under the leadership of this great man - Alan Curbishley Will we ever see his like again? Seems an impossible dream these days. And it wasn't just the Premiership years. Curbs oversaw our long term revival and a second Golden Age for CAFC. It should have lasted much, much longer But lesser men than our great manager let it slip away.
