Nearly 250 Charlton fans will be able to travel free of charge to the club's FA Cup first-round tie at FC Halifax Town - thanks to the generosity of the Addicks players and management.
The first-team squad has offered to contribute towards the cost of five free coaches to Yorkshire on Sunday, November 13th, to encourage as many people as possible to make the awkward journey for the televised 12.30pm kick-off.
The free places will be offered first to fans who have already travelled north to support the team at Bury, Rochdale or Hartlepool United this season.
And the club has arranged with the hosts to issue its own match tickets for the away fixture, so those heading north can be 100 per cent confident of getting in to the game. A number of fans had been in touch to express their concerns at the announcement everyone would have to pay on the day.
Charlton boss Chris Powell explained: "The support we have had on our travels this season has been fantastic, and with such an early start, the players realised that some people might be tempted to stay at home and watch the Halifax game on the television.
"It will make a big difference to us if we have good support on the day, and it's also a way we can say particular thanks to the people who have made the longest trips already. We know that it's expensive for them, and while it's a small gesture, we hope it shows we do appreciate their time and effort."
Tickets for the game, priced £13 adults, £10 over 65s and U16s, £5 U12s and £2 U7s will go on general sale from The Valley at 9am on Friday.
Fans who bought match tickets for any of the Bury, Rochdale or Hartlepool away games this season will be able to secure free coach places at the same time, up to the maximum number of match tickets they purchased, providing they buy the corresponding number of match tickets for Halifax.
This is to ensure that people booking travel have already made a financial commitment to the dawn departing trip and will therefore be less inclined to decide to stay in bed on the morning of the game, leaving the club with spare capacity.f and when the free travel runs out, a subsidised fare of £10 will be charged. The eligibility restrictions will apply to coach places until 3pm on Saturday, with other fans able to secure places from the commercial centre after the final whistle and next week.
No £10 places will be available until the free travel has run out, but other fans purchasing match tickets in the meantime will be able to order coach places retrospectively.
There are up to 1,500 unreserved seats available to Charlton fans, and despite concerns in some quarters, there is no realistic likelihood of these selling out, so fans not eligible for free travel have nothing to lose by waiting until after the Preston game to secure travel at the same time.
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However, remaining free places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis at that point and can still only be ordered by match ticket purchasers. All U16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Valley Away times for the early risers making the trip are Larkfield (5.40am), Bromley (6.00am), Gravesend (6.00am), Bexleyheath (6.15am), Well Hall (6.15am), Charlton (6.30am) and Dartford (6.30am).
Tickets and travel will be available from 9am-5pm on Friday at the Valley Superstore and on 0871 226 1905, then from the commercial centre windows and the same number from 10am-1pm on Saturday.
From about 1pm, fans will be able to buy Halifax tickets from the left-hand side of the north-stand ticket office, as seen from Harvey Gardens, with sales reverting to the commercial centre behind the west stand after the game.
Six wheelchair spaces are available to visiting fans and those interested should contact the commercial centre at The Valley in the first instance. Unfortunately, there is no mobility coach.
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