At 4-1 down in the final seconds fair enough I suppose, although I've never left any football match until the final whistle but people were leaving at 2-1. In some ways I think we can trace our problem with miserable fans back to the 1999-2000 season long before the decline. That was when I got my first season ticket, so I could carry on going every week and not be locked out because all the Surrey and Kent Reds rocked up to see their beloved United. In fact, back then, I sat in the Upper West and the bloke two rows in front of me had MUFC tattoos and supported Charlton when they weren't playing Man Utd and then only when they were winning. When they weren't winning he would spit out his hatred of Curbishley. In the decline those fans who haven't deserted, as many have, have become embittered, some around me refusing to enjoy themselves even last season. Contrast 2011-2012 with 1997-1998 if you can. The Valley (and Wembley) rocked every time we played, and that's not just rose tinted glasses. Whatever it sounds like in the Covered End from where I sit the away end is always louder, and where I sit most people show their passion and loyalty by complaining about one player after another then leaving early regardless of what is happening on the pitch. Typical has touched elsewhere on the political element who seem to want the club to fail while they aren't running it. I agree but I think it runs deeper and that the 6000 at Selhurst, the 8000 on the return to the Valley and the 10000 who saw Curbs build something special got diluted by a new hardcore of high expectation supporters who will never stop moaning until we win the champions league. We weren't very good yesterday, but we weren't very good in the league above the one we were in for three long years with a substantial number of our best players missing. We were playing one of the better teams in the league and at 2-1 down the stands were emptying. I want my Charlton back, in the stands, then perhaps it will be an intimidating place to come and home advantage will mean something on the pitch.
Generally agree. I have to be honest, I don't enjoy coming to The Valley much anymore don't get me wrong, I still look forward all week to football on a Saturday, but this season its just been miserable, and I'm not talking solely about performances on the pitch. The atmosphere has dropped significantly over the past couple of years. Last season it was significantly poorer than the previous season, but there was still a fair bit of noise and a variety of songs (presumably due to us winning and dominating most games). This season its a choice between silence or 'Chrissy Powell's Red Army' on a loop for 20 minutes...and even then its mainly just the drummer doing a solo number. In terms of numbers, I'm sure football for a fiver has a detrimental affect on attendances. It seems after each initiative we get less fans. Even with the away end 1/2-3/4 full of Boro fans yesterday, there were still only 17,000 in the stadium.
I must admit that I went for a whizz at 85 minutes, when I got out of the loo I thought ..' should I go back to my seat or go home? '........ I am sad to say I went home!
Nor the one which sends you lot down Personally can't wait for the two Millwall games. Hows Racon (and Wright) getting on for you guys?
I definitely think the fans are a hinderence at home though we're worse under Parkinson though to say the away fans out sing the home fans it happens everywhere. Listening to the Leeds away game all you heard was our few hundred belting out valley floyd rd. When you go away you sing that's what you do wether 100 of you or 3000 . Though attendances are pretty poor compared with the joke attendances at Millwall and Palace despite winning every week still getting less than us then they ain't that bad. I'm no advocate of football for a fiver as I've said before no point just pisses off the rest of us. Powell is still cheered despite our awful home performances because of who he is. Some of our chanting is just well pony like the circa 1980 we pay your benefits pointless outdated crass and pathetic belted out by the 50 year old scout master in the north upper and his mate. Sadly the atmosphere and sense of our club left a year or so after our return to the valley. Though terrible the selhurst exile was during them times we did feel as one and Charlton was our club we. Kept them alive the premiership spoilt that then the decline and here we are. Last season was good to get success but even then it just don't feel like our club . Cp is doin his best and at least we know defeat hurts him he's Charlton so that's something. Charlton till I die
Wright looks a very good prospect but hardly gets a look in with our very strong midfield - Racon is so far down the pecking order I forgot he is still with us
I always thought Wright looked a good prospect when he was here, in fact I found him more exciting than Shelvey (shows why I'm not a football scout...) Less said about Racon the better...
Without wanting to sound like The Three Yorkshiremen sketch, I think part of the problem is that a lot of these fans simply don't remember the bad old days, the crowds of 3000, the shock of leaving The Valley, the ghastly trek over to Selhurst and then Upton Park - they've only ever watched football (of whatever level) in a smart, modern arena with the club solidly on a professional and stable footing. It doesn't prepare you fully for the lows, only the highs. After the game on Saturday, snorting with annoyance and completely disbelieving the dross that I'd just seen, I bought a ticket for the away game at Bristol City - borderline bonkers, I know but perfectly normal behaviour for a long-standing fan grateful that I've got a club still to support.
Bloody wish I could make it to the Bristol City game. Unreserved seating meaning I could have a sing song, with no fear of me having to sit with the oldies and its a ground I've always wanted to see, plus tickets are cheap. Sadly I have to work on Sunday Very peculiar that the Championship match has to move to accomodate a League Two game (though I think I read something about Rugby being on as well).
Less of "the oldies" please, you young whippersnapper... Yes, Bath are playing The Dragons on the Saturday and the two football matches as well would have seriously overstretched the local Plod.
Was wondering how quickly you'd bite Apparantly this is the only weekend in the whole season where both Brizzie sides are playing at home. If true, then its sods law for me.
JT All is good AllHell Tewkes - As you are reminiscing, lifted this from another site "Reading and Arsenal midweek, brought back memories of an even more remarkable comeback when I was about 9 or 10 in the late 1950s. In December 1957 Charlton played Huddersfield at the Valley, after 20 odd minutes Charlton were reduced to 10 men with their captain going off injured, no subs in those days. Well 25 minutes from the end of the match Huddersfield had built up a 5-1 lead, and that was game over, or so everybody thought. How could 10 men come back from 5-1 down with so little time left. Step forward one Johnny Summers of Charlton. They managed to get the game back to 5-5 with 10 minutes left, took the lead with 5 minutes left to lead 6-5, were pegged back again to 6-6, and guess what with the last kick of the game scored again to win 7-6. Remarkably with 10 men had scored 6 goals in the last 25 minutes. Johnny Summers scored five of the goals. Huddersfield were managed that day by Bill Shankley, Ray Wilson was playing for Huddersfield, who later went on to World Cup glory with England, Denis Law was a 17 year old at the time with Huddersfield, but did not play in that match, injured I think. Sadly Johnny Summers died early thirties from Cancer. Great memories of a great match in a different era."
