Swisdom....Chelsea 5-2 game whenI got the two brilliant goals....we were 2-0 up at half time...Kevin Smith and Terry Bullivant.....they got it back to 2-2 just after half time...Colin Lee and Pop Robson.....then me twice and Carl Harris finished the scoring. Then I got my car trashed by Chelsea fans. The year was 1983 (82-83 season).
The Man City game you referred to (after I had left the club as a player and had become an East Terrace supporter) finished 1-0 (the Hales header past Alex Williams). It was pissing with rain. Year was 1983 (83-84 season).
Keegan's game was 1984 (83-84 season). I was on a plane to Trinidad at the time....off to play cricket (for Brent Schools....not Denmark).
I'm only 23 so was way too young for the old Valley but reading about this stuff is fascinating! My Dad has been going since the mid 70s and tells the odd story, including kicking off with Wednesday in an FA Cup match, walking into a pub full of Cardiff up the top of the hill then being chased for miles, and standing on the old east terrace which was massive so I here?
The Bert Williams mentioned in a couple of earlier posts was in fact Milton Williams who was a neighbour of us.A far better bloke than Horrobin who hated me,I think cos I scored a hatrick against Chis n Sid when they took the piss and turned up at Bexleyheath with a were going to stuff you attitude and also something to do with my Dad.The Mr Mawbey mentioned was later a deputy head at Bexleyheath School.I remember bouncing off him after trying to tackle him in a rugby training session in the early 80s. Im surprised Milton was at a football match!
My first game was in 1977 although I had seen us in a few away games from 1975. My memory was like others- the toilet being a wall that had an open drain you walked past as you entered the ground. The alphabet half times were good fun adding a bit of suspense and requiring that you brought the programme that took a coupel of minutes to read. The club shop was an old shed where the north west quadrent now is and you could get a bottle of beer on the north east.
I remember opposing fans trying to take the north stand and their being regular fights there. I rememeber the pitch being atrocious at times. I also rememebrthe evening games where a thrilling climax and lots of goals seemed to occur with regularity. I remember having a great view from the top of the east terrace (which was my favoured area as you could move one end to the other depending which side we were attackin). I remember paying a£5 and getting a certificate saying that I helped buy Ronnie Moore. I remember an attack of Hales, Flanagan with support from Peacock and Powell and having a dfence that was always sure to concede.
When I remember the old Valley, I always rememebr it fondly. Happy times.
I started coming in the fifties. I remember entering the East Terrace and thinking how steep it was. I used to take my kids right up the back where we could sit on the wall with the gardens behind us. It seemed a good place to be with kids, but we were so far from the pitch that the players looked like ants. I used to look across at the West Stand and think how pathetically small it was. In the early days, if I brought my Girlfriend ( now Wife ) to the East Stand you had to push your way off the gangway up a step and hopefully be able to lean against one of the metal barriers. At halftime the flasks would come out all around you, and there was always plenty of banter. My favourite players include Mike Bailey, a real barrel chest he had, Eddie Firmani when he returned, Good old Sam of course at the end of his career, Marvin Hinton so cool in the middle, a bit later Hales, Flanaghan and Glover up front, steady John Hewie, and for a short while Billy Bonds. The overall scene was quite drab, we didn't really wear colours those days except perhaps a few scarves, but an abiding memory was all the people carrying rattles, and so many men in caps. Happy days.
1.Walking to the ground, getting the first gimpse of the floodlights always made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. 2.The tiny sports shop at the foot of Floyd Rd, once owned by Sam Bartram. 3.The West Stand roof with 'CAFC' along it, bought off of Aldershot? 4.The enormity of the East Terrace, the goal mouth behind where the Police 'spy' box is now. 5.The pointed railings to the left of the 'West' as you faced it, twice saw high balls come down and impale themselves' there. 6.Raining one week and everyone in the ground fitted easily in the Covered End. 7.Millwall coming along to pretend to support us if they didn't like who we were playing, and fought alongside us. Well, they did the fighting! 8. Me and my brother at the Chelsea game, in the covered end, scarves n all, when a mighty roar of 'Chelsea!(sounded like G L C!)all around us and managing to walk like a crab out of the stand without getting done. Then the turnstiles being set alight. They tried to burn down the stand as well but prob too soaked in years of piss to catch light. 9.Flash's hatrick against his former employers, Notsohottenham shitespurs. 10.Being able to practically walk around the whole ground during a game cos of the lack of fences. 11.Getting into the ground one Saturday when the game had been abandoned(we didn't hear) with my mate Paul R and taking a kick off with an imaginary ball and passing this ball to each other all the way to the covered end goal and passing it backwards and forwards to each other for ages cos neither of us wanted to 'miss' with this invisible ball!
Is it rose tinted glasses or was it as marvellous as I remember? Saying all that, I still get a lump in my throat looking around the place now just before kick off.
The railings that you could get your foot just inside each one, wearing your 'tuff shoes', leaning overto buy some peanuts. The big terrace that I would walk up to the back of and see the people on the top of the sheds getting a free view from the houses!. The big advertising hording on the Jimmy seed side, advertising away games like Bury. I had not a clue where Bury was but it seemed a grim far away land like Tibet! Charlie Wright and his cap! Len Glover, John Hewie, and Billy Bonds, Ray Treacy ( my then favourite player)
I rememmber one of the Charles brothers coming down to play, he seemed very old, and slow to me!.
How cold the Valley could be, on those cold steps in the covered end!. The smell of beer wafting up from the exit's in the covered end!.( I am sure there was sheet ice in those days)
The crush to get out along Floyd Road. The vast expanse of the heights at the back of the Valley, with crap frozen toilets.
Watching the results in the tv shop in Church Lane.
The old clakerty turnstiles, always thought I would get my foot caught.
The snow at the side of the pitch. The fog.
The night time matches were always special, there was a crack of excitement in the air.
People being in a good mood! until they had a punch up with the opposition, or we were playing Millwall.
Hot dogs!
Wearing my red Charlton shirt, that the badge had gone slightly pink when I got it really dirty once playing in Charlton park in the snow and mud!
So many people remember the night games with a lot of affection ... I agree ... there was something special about night games in those days especially in the old Covered End.
**I also recall getting moved on from certain crush barriers as it was a particular person's "spot" - a spot amongst the near empty 300 square kilometres that was the old East Terrace!**
That was quite possibly my uncle and his father-in-law, they always stood at the same barrier about half way up the East terrace on the half-way line.
My Uncle, RIP, was Charlton though and through and took me to my first match in the early 70s, and I was hooked after that. I was at boarding school in Blackheath at the time and used to spend every week-end with my uncle and his family in Woolwich.
The Saturday ritual was always the same: drive to my Aunt's old house near Cherry Orchard, have lunch, then walk with my uncle and his father-in-law to Charlton village, down Lansdowne Lane and Charlton Lane und up to the turnstiles in Lansdowne Mews.
I remember the there was a little hut, about half the size of a portacabin that was a CAFC shop where Ibought my first scarf, the peanut man and the greasy joe's at the top of the East Terrace.
A lot of the previous posts have brought back a lot of memories for me, thanks.
I remember playing at the old Valley in 1965. Played for Deptford & Greenwich primary schools against Woolwich in the Kent Cup Final. Won 2 - 0. Sam Bartram's nephew Mel was playing for Woolwich which, I believe, was instrumental in getting the game played there. Vividly remember the East Terrace looking even more massive from pitch level, and seeing Frank Hill watching from the Directors' Box. Absolute magic for an 11 year old.
i had been to six games at the valley , my dad took me as we lived in mitcham , my dad would not travel on trains so it was 9 buses each way , on this night we played wolves i went to the toilet where the car park is at half time i had a charlton scarf round my wrist , i was about 8 years old . a wolves fan followed me in , he was about 30 he hit me round the head took my scarf of me and went towards the south stand , they had sey a fire between the south and west stands , where he thew my scarf .
i remember the score at the time was 4-0 but dont remember who too
also remember getting a paper round to pay for a season ticket , iwas standing behind the what is now the club shop . it was the players turnstile and dreak hales stopped to give me his autograph and said why are you not inside the ground ,
he then took me though the turnstiles and said hes with me .
the next week i was at the same place when the same steward said come on in go up to the players bar i will see you there just get me a scotch , ten minutes later there he was , wheres me drink
so no season ticket needed
First game around 1968, i have no idea who we played.
Walking what seemed like miles down the hill and into the turnstiles at the back of the East terrace, stood on the little wall by the burger/tea thing just looking down at the pitch thinking this is massive along with those bloody great big floodlights.
Being passed/pushed down the front to the railings by others to get a better view.
The toilets at the back of the West stand being a brick block with no roof and a kinda gutter to pee in.
Hearing my dad swear for the first time.
Having my silk scarf taken by a chelsea knob in the covered end, was with a bird! how bloody scared i was!
Was there a pole or something at the front of the west stand that the camera men used to climb up?
Standing on the little high bit nxt to the west stand and covered end and watching us stuff chelsea...flanagan header i believe? was the score 3-1?
Going back to my Nans for a cup of tea with me dad after the game, she lived just down past the chemist on the corner.
Thinking i could walk faster than the 89 bus up shooters hill.....
I went first time 1969, aged 12 standing on the East Terrace near the Jimmy Seed end for the first half and changing ends at half time with the team,rushing behind the goals for a penalty, thinking people sitting in the West Stand must be really posh, looking up which match corresponded to each letter for half time scores, the peanut seller and program sellers coming round and finally the club not so superstore in the car park behind the west stand, golden days
my grandad first took me to the old valley against southampton 1976 ? it was afriday night game we won 6-2 and i used to stand with him on the east terrace and we used to stand at the the top the view was awesome ,games that stand out are the ipswich game in the cup losing 3-2 against a superb ipswich side and also beating bolton last game to stay up a and running on the pitch to celebrate ,also as i got older used to stand under the clock on the corner next to the covered end,how times av changed who thougt then we would have such a stadium now .
1) At the top of the old east terrace, the players looked like matchstick men.
2) The half time scoreboard - I remember thinking that communications were so coordinated and fantastic to be able to get half times from around the country
3) The jokes cracked by the crowd
[cite]Posted By: Stuart the Red[/cite]**I also recall getting moved on from certain crush barriers as it was a particular person's "spot" - a spot amongst the near empty 300 square kilometres that was the old East Terrace!**
That was quite possibly my uncle and his father-in-law, they always stood at the same barrier about half way up the East terrace on the half-way line.
My Uncle, RIP, was Charlton though and through and took me to my first match in the early 70s, and I was hooked after that. I was at boarding school in Blackheath at the time and used to spend every week-end with my uncle and his family in Woolwich.
The Saturday ritual was always the same: drive to my Aunt's old house near Cherry Orchard, have lunch, then walk with my uncle and his father-in-law to Charlton village, down Lansdowne Lane and Charlton Lane und up to the turnstiles in Lansdowne Mews.
I remember the there was a little hut, about half the size of a portacabin that was a CAFC shop where Ibought my first scarf, the peanut man and the greasy joe's at the top of the East Terrace.
Stuart, i got my wife to read this last night as it sounded such a mirror image of her family, i wondered if you were related !
Her dad (RIP) and Uncle used to always stand at the same spot on the halfway line, halfway up, while all the kids used to run around the front of the terrace. They used to all meet at her Grandma's at Cherry Orchard, have lunch then walk to the ground !
Her dad at one stage had to pick up all the programmes from the printers and deliver them to the ground, and used to take all the takings post-match to the bank to deposit. Can't really see modern football getting 'a fan' to do that now !
First game 30 Apr 55. First vivid memories from the early sixties. Not surprising for such an open stadium, the weather often played a part in The Valley's special atmosphere. Some highlights ....
Jan 62 FAC4 Derby Co. Few games in London that day so a massive 34K saw a cracking game (2-1 to us) dominated by the peerless Stuart Leary. A thick mist shrouded the ground, so the pitch became a brilliant stage enlivened by our bright red shirts (Derby in monochrome black+white) in waves of attacks towards the Covered End.
Mar 63 Plymouth (6-3 to us). A cloudburst emptied the East as several thousand scuttled into the Covered End, always a smug entertainment for those of us already in the dry. The pitch ended up a lake - a March pitch then was mostly mud anyway.
Oct 63 Cardiff. Eddie Firmani was recently back from Italy and on a golden Autumn afternoon 26K saw each forward score in an absolutely rampant display - 5-2 was no true reflection of the finest 90 minutes of breathtaking forward play I can recall. Watched from near the top of the East, a sea of heads on the terrace below on a day glorious in every way.
Late 50's before the days of the big flag to let the opposition know where they were we made up 8 wooden painted boards about 8" square spelling C-H-A-R-L-T-O-N. Ritual involved propping them up pitch side against the wall on the halfway line of the east terrace. If a board got knocked over by the ball we would lose so we would dangle our legs through the railings ready to kick then ball if it came near. We made sure we arrived an hour before kickoff to get pole position. Police only made half hearted attempts to stop us kids running on the pitch at full -time, which we did regardless of the result.
The size of paul wents thighs,Matt tees being kicked into the stands and getting straight up without a whinge, The piece of waste ground behind the south stand with kids having a kick about before and during a game,Walking around the car park and spotting a vauxhall vx490 owned by arthur horsfield.Dick neve playing shit music supplied by TWrecords.
Comments
The Man City game you referred to (after I had left the club as a player and had become an East Terrace supporter) finished 1-0 (the Hales header past Alex Williams). It was pissing with rain. Year was 1983 (83-84 season).
Keegan's game was 1984 (83-84 season). I was on a plane to Trinidad at the time....off to play cricket (for Brent Schools....not Denmark).
Stoke match was 1985 (85-86 season)
Hope this helps.
Siiimmoo!!!
Im surprised Milton was at a football match!
I remember opposing fans trying to take the north stand and their being regular fights there. I rememeber the pitch being atrocious at times. I also rememebrthe evening games where a thrilling climax and lots of goals seemed to occur with regularity. I remember having a great view from the top of the east terrace (which was my favoured area as you could move one end to the other depending which side we were attackin). I remember paying a£5 and getting a certificate saying that I helped buy Ronnie Moore. I remember an attack of Hales, Flanagan with support from Peacock and Powell and having a dfence that was always sure to concede.
When I remember the old Valley, I always rememebr it fondly. Happy times.
2.The tiny sports shop at the foot of Floyd Rd, once owned by Sam Bartram.
3.The West Stand roof with 'CAFC' along it, bought off of Aldershot?
4.The enormity of the East Terrace, the goal mouth behind where the Police 'spy' box is now.
5.The pointed railings to the left of the 'West' as you faced it, twice saw high balls come down and impale themselves' there.
6.Raining one week and everyone in the ground fitted easily in the Covered End.
7.Millwall coming along to pretend to support us if they didn't like who we were playing, and fought alongside us. Well, they did the fighting!
8. Me and my brother at the Chelsea game, in the covered end, scarves n all, when a mighty roar of 'Chelsea!(sounded like G L C!)all around us and managing to walk like a crab out of the stand without getting done. Then the turnstiles being set alight. They tried to burn down the stand as well but prob too soaked in years of piss to catch light.
9.Flash's hatrick against his former employers, Notsohottenham shitespurs.
10.Being able to practically walk around the whole ground during a game cos of the lack of fences.
11.Getting into the ground one Saturday when the game had been abandoned(we didn't hear) with my mate Paul R and taking a kick off with an imaginary ball and passing this ball to each other all the way to the covered end goal and passing it backwards and forwards to each other for ages cos neither of us wanted to 'miss' with this invisible ball!
Is it rose tinted glasses or was it as marvellous as I remember? Saying all that, I still get a lump in my throat looking around the place now just before kick off.
The big terrace that I would walk up to the back of and see the people on the top of the sheds getting a free view from the houses!.
The big advertising hording on the Jimmy seed side, advertising away games like Bury. I had not a clue where Bury was but it seemed a grim far away land like Tibet!
Charlie Wright and his cap!
Len Glover, John Hewie, and Billy Bonds, Ray Treacy ( my then favourite player)
I rememmber one of the Charles brothers coming down to play, he seemed very old, and slow to me!.
How cold the Valley could be, on those cold steps in the covered end!. The smell of beer wafting up from the exit's in the covered end!.( I am sure there was sheet ice in those days)
The crush to get out along Floyd Road. The vast expanse of the heights at the back of the Valley, with crap frozen toilets.
Watching the results in the tv shop in Church Lane.
The old clakerty turnstiles, always thought I would get my foot caught.
The snow at the side of the pitch. The fog.
The night time matches were always special, there was a crack of excitement in the air.
People being in a good mood! until they had a punch up with the opposition, or we were playing Millwall.
Hot dogs!
Wearing my red Charlton shirt, that the badge had gone slightly pink when I got it really dirty once playing in Charlton park in the snow and mud!
Good times!, Good mates!.........
That was quite possibly my uncle and his father-in-law, they always stood at the same barrier about half way up the East terrace on the half-way line.
My Uncle, RIP, was Charlton though and through and took me to my first match in the early 70s, and I was hooked after that. I was at boarding school in Blackheath at the time and used to spend every week-end with my uncle and his family in Woolwich.
The Saturday ritual was always the same: drive to my Aunt's old house near Cherry Orchard, have lunch, then walk with my uncle and his father-in-law to Charlton village, down Lansdowne Lane and Charlton Lane und up to the turnstiles in Lansdowne Mews.
I remember the there was a little hut, about half the size of a portacabin that was a CAFC shop where Ibought my first scarf, the peanut man and the greasy joe's at the top of the East Terrace.
A lot of the previous posts have brought back a lot of memories for me, thanks.
i remember the score at the time was 4-0 but dont remember who too
also remember getting a paper round to pay for a season ticket , iwas standing behind the what is now the club shop . it was the players turnstile and dreak hales stopped to give me his autograph and said why are you not inside the ground ,
he then took me though the turnstiles and said hes with me .
the next week i was at the same place when the same steward said come on in go up to the players bar i will see you there just get me a scotch , ten minutes later there he was , wheres me drink
so no season ticket needed
Walking what seemed like miles down the hill and into the turnstiles at the back of the East terrace, stood on the little wall by the burger/tea thing just looking down at the pitch thinking this is massive along with those bloody great big floodlights.
Being passed/pushed down the front to the railings by others to get a better view.
The toilets at the back of the West stand being a brick block with no roof and a kinda gutter to pee in.
Hearing my dad swear for the first time.
Having my silk scarf taken by a chelsea knob in the covered end, was with a bird! how bloody scared i was!
Was there a pole or something at the front of the west stand that the camera men used to climb up?
Standing on the little high bit nxt to the west stand and covered end and watching us stuff chelsea...flanagan header i believe? was the score 3-1?
Going back to my Nans for a cup of tea with me dad after the game, she lived just down past the chemist on the corner.
Thinking i could walk faster than the 89 bus up shooters hill.....
Chesnut sellers....ummm lully....
2) The half time scoreboard - I remember thinking that communications were so coordinated and fantastic to be able to get half times from around the country
3) The jokes cracked by the crowd
Stuart, i got my wife to read this last night as it sounded such a mirror image of her family, i wondered if you were related !
Her dad (RIP) and Uncle used to always stand at the same spot on the halfway line, halfway up, while all the kids used to run around the front of the terrace. They used to all meet at her Grandma's at Cherry Orchard, have lunch then walk to the ground !
Her dad at one stage had to pick up all the programmes from the printers and deliver them to the ground, and used to take all the takings post-match to the bank to deposit. Can't really see modern football getting 'a fan' to do that now !
Jan 62 FAC4 Derby Co. Few games in London that day so a massive 34K saw a cracking game (2-1 to us) dominated by the peerless Stuart Leary. A thick mist shrouded the ground, so the pitch became a brilliant stage enlivened by our bright red shirts (Derby in monochrome black+white) in waves of attacks towards the Covered End.
Mar 63 Plymouth (6-3 to us). A cloudburst emptied the East as several thousand scuttled into the Covered End, always a smug entertainment for those of us already in the dry. The pitch ended up a lake - a March pitch then was mostly mud anyway.
Oct 63 Cardiff. Eddie Firmani was recently back from Italy and on a golden Autumn afternoon 26K saw each forward score in an absolutely rampant display - 5-2 was no true reflection of the finest 90 minutes of breathtaking forward play I can recall. Watched from near the top of the East, a sea of heads on the terrace below on a day glorious in every way.
Special times ....
The piece of waste ground behind the south stand with kids having a kick about before and during a game,Walking around the car park and spotting a vauxhall vx490 owned by arthur horsfield.Dick neve playing shit music supplied by TWrecords.