Great stuff on various threads today, North London Addick & others.
Instead of throwing our toys out of the pram just because we lost a 90 minute football match, the needed reality check is simply to put things in context:
24 years ago, we were 5 minutes from being wound-up. Almost defunct, history, R.I.P.
23 years ago, we were 'sold down the river' as a club and lost our sacred ground.
22 years ago, we were promoted to the top division with a bunch of big-hearted nomads lead by Lennie the Legend.
21 years ago, an unsung hero called Peter Shirtliff rescued us from oblivion almost single handed in 9 desperate minutes
19 years ago, a group of unlikely heroes formed The Valley Party and defeated the Council chairman single handed.
18 years ago, we were relegated and lost not only our topflight status but our talisman manager.
17 years ago, two managerial novices took charge, we escaped Sellout death row and were welcomed to Upton Park
16 years ago, after huge effort from Club and supporters alike, we came home. Nobody who's Charlton can forget that!
14 years ago, FA Cup Quarters at Old Trafford, unforgettable atmosphere but it cost us promotion.
13 years ago, Curbs was in sole charge after Gritty was sacked, many of us thought the wrong man stayed
12 years ago, Curbs took us to the playoffs and the doubters were proved wrong
10 years ago, with around 12 matches to go we came from nowhere to win the Playoffs, Wembley, a place in the Prem
9 years ago, Curbs and the players were out of their depth after, erm, a 'Valiant' struggle
8 years ago, FA Cup Quarters - and a savvy Curbs won the then 1st Division title with more or less the same team
4 years ago, the sale of P*rk*r proved a 'Bridge' too far. European dreams fell from the sky and the slide began
2 years ago, the FA Cup quarters -Curbs' swansong. Dowie's disasterous start to a disasterous season, Reed's last rites
1 year ago, Pards took charge, 4-0 thrashing of Hammers, hope & despair as the lights went out - relegation.
Now - 6th in the table, 12 games to play, most teams around us as inconsistant as we are. Expectation is the enemy.
A quarter century of history - what an adventure. That's just a bit of what made Charlton today.
And why we are Addicks.
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You've brought a tear to my eye.
Good on you mate.
25 years ago today lost 7-1 to Burnley, who then got relegated, while we scraped 17th place on the last day of the season.
Maybe Blackpool wasn't so bad ;-)
I've just been reading the story of Tom Hick's son who apparently was spat at in a pub after Liverpool had merely won another match, why? Because he's the son of the owner who apparently isn't spending enough/not bringing success quickly enough to Liverpool. I hope we never get into a situation where a year after taking Charlton to a CL final, and after we finish fourth in the PL some pleb spits at the son of whoever our owner is for not bringing enough success.
A sense of perspective is a requisite necessity for being a Charlton fan, reading Oggy's post emphasises that we've experienced more over the last 25 years than much bigger and better teams, and if we never win anything in my lifetime it won't necessarily be a bad thing.
Blimey! I did too, OohAah....... ;o)
21 years ago we also got unexpectedly to Wembley for the 1st time in my life - a day I never imagined I'd ever see.
But losing the Mickey Mouse Cup didn't compare to Shirty's monumental superhuman performance.......
Interrviewed on TV next day, Shirts was asked:
"As a Yorkshireman, how do you feel keeping down Leeds in the 1st Division, Peter?"
"......'appen I 'aff t'plaaaay f'Chaaaaarton", was Shirty's classic reply. lol
.... until Saturday!
Puts things into perspective. I don't think anyone could accuse Charlton supporters of being glory hunters. Unfortunately we seem to have a few who are quick to blame people who can't really answer back.
Live, Love, Laugh and be Happy!!
Charlton til I die!!
Up the Addicks!
Reading all the 'Grant out' stuff from Chelsea fans on the way in puts things in perspective.
Not the end of the world if we dont go up, more carnage in Blackpool again.
lol....
I wore that video out as a kid......
I did make reference to the Micky Mouse Cup Final day out at Wembley a few posts below in reply to OohAah's post.
But I decided that Shirts inspiring us to safety in the last few minutes at St Andrews, changed our future from oblivion
- and meant even more to me than getting to Wembley which, as a Charlton supporter, I never expected in my lifetime.
Our day at Wembley was such an anti-climax.
But winning against Leeds at St Andrews in the last few minutes WAS our cup final!
John Helm was the match commenatator
Roger Greenwood was the one asking Shirty the questions.