Following on from "The Crest" thread, as a kid at the end of the 70s I remember Valiants and Robins being used but dont remember exactly when Addicks became our more popular nickname. I had one of those inflatable haddocks for away game at Villa in 89 when we won 1-0 so im guessing Addicks became more popular around this time upto the present day.
What do you prefer?
For the record iv always prefered Valiants as it sounds more like a sign of "strength" than the other two and ties in with the name of the ground
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It was most likely local journalists on The Kentish Independent (Gills fans take note!) who then concocted the name The Addicks, though exactly who it was and when is not known.Arthur was also known as "The Addicker" in the local press.
Why Arthur did this was probably to advertise his fish shop as much as to support the team.
In later life he became destitute and for some years in the 1930's was reduced to living on a council allotment.He died in 1956 at Kings College Hospital Dulwich and is buried in Charlton Cemetery in the family grave. Members of the Bryan family still support us to this day.
Knowing all that history is there really 'anyone' out there who wants to see us called The Robins or The Valiants....come on guys and gals you can't even think of it.
Besides, it's a really unusual and quirky name that I personaly am very proud of and love to embrace.
Your comments really surprise me Tel...we are and always were The Addicks.
Even during the years when we changed our name(twice in fact) you would always hear the cry of...."Up the Addicks" all over The Valley.............it never went away and never will.
for the first time in living memory - I agree
You can blame the club for the confusion.
Robins and Valiants both used in club programs and badges of old.
sort it out Waggot
when the red red addick goes bob bob bobbing along.
I just dont remember ever hearing addicks used throughout the 80s but totally accept there is only 1 nickname these days, only ever remember hearing valiants around 78/79 when my dad started taking me, just something that sticks from my early memories
Addicks....nothing else like it, its ours.
Swindon are Robins too.
As a kid I remember the mid-60s when the Valiants name was introduced along with the then new sword emblem.
We played at The Valley, so Valiants sort of made sense I suppose.
But my Dad always referred to us as The Addicks back then, and always has.
As VG says:
Addicks....nothing else like it, its ours.
Spot on.
Going against the grain of history I know, but I reckon Addicks is just Athletics said really quickly in south-east london accent.
Saying that, the bloke who sits next to me in covered end smells like he brings a fish to every match so I could be wrong...
As to the Arthur Bryan story, I think there's something fishy about it: I've never personally fixed a haddock to a pole, but in some of my more bored moments I have imagined trying to do so. My problem is with the "twirl it round above his head" part. Apart from the fact I just can't think of how you'd fix it without it falling to bits, I just can't imagine twirling it in a crowd. Even in them days, I'm sure it wouldn't have been long before he got a slap for splashing someone with whatever liquids drip from a dead fish. Perhaps it just illustrates how spacious the east terrace was in those days.
Two questions:
1. Am I the only saddo who has haddock in preference to other fish, believeing it's the Charlton thing to do?
2. When you get a mental picture of this fish on a stick, is it a freshly caught wet fish or is it done to a turn in crispy batter?
1. not too keen on haddock but sadly get really small excited when i see it on a menu..(weirdo)
2.i picture it as a wet grey 2.5 foot fish(quite heavy) almost alive as he swings it around defying science , gravity and what not to stay on the stick
I know it's heresy, but I feel the same. The fish story is wonderful, but it ignores the obvious ... why take a fish on a pole to a football match? Advertising your wet fish shop? Yeah, right.
We are Chowtun Adledick ... there's the more likely origin of the marvellous Addicks nickname. No fish required.
For anyone to doubt the story (which one or two of you seem to be doing) is simply amazing, as it's well documented....anyone else got this book? I bought it in the club shop a few years back.
As amazing to some of you as it may sound, this is absolute fact...100%.
I once saw Dennis the Menace turned away from the turnstiles because they wouldn't let Gnasher in with him...
2. Yes I do believe the story
3. Yes I always ask for Haddock
4. I would never ask for a 'straw Bloater' post#2 That would be a weird fish
5. I remember standing on the East Terrace with my Dad-Ted- wondering if we were called the Valiants cos from the top the players looked like ants, Valley ants.
Lucky he didn't own a pie and mash shop!
Careful Tel, Southend have a mascot called Elvis The Eel.