You still got to admire them as football supporters when they attend games, support them passionatly, buy football shirts and a good banter between these loyal supporters.
I know this is going to sound funny for me to say this but I would rather walk in a local highstreet and see a group of teenagers wearing a Palace shirt than a Liverpool or Man Utd shirt. If I came accross a fan who claims to support any of the teams stated above then you know they are local and loyal supporters. A mate of mine who is a Palace fan shows his passion for his team and I actually admire him than I would do if I was talking to a mate of mine who is an armchair Man Utd fan.
What annoys me is that these plastic fans who claim to be a supporter still ask me, why Charlton? and I get comments like they are rubbish etc. The fact is I am as loyal as anything when it comes to Charlton and whenever I see Charlton fall to pieces like we have in recent years. I would like to see what Old Trafford could be like if Man Utd fell to League one, would we still see a group of teenagers in Man Utd shirts?
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The best response is to ask how many games they've actually seen their team play in the flesh and the highest answer I got back was 20 (Bar one hardcore Chelsea fan who's been a season ticket holder since he was 6).
In terms of rivals I think a lot depends in which era you started supporting Charlton . I started in the 70's .This is how I have seen the clubs mentioned over the years .
Palace were never big rivals until we moved to Selhurst but since then I detest the club but not the fans .
I saw Millwall as our main rivals growing up but they fell off my radar during the Prem years , I even would go there as a neutral from time to time . Now the 4-0 needs avenging which I'm hoping SCP can do for us next season. I don't hate the genuine fans but do not like the machismo attached with that club.
West Ham were in the First Division until the late 70's and I remember hating the fact that most of my Sidcup based school friends supported them .The one highlight of 79/80 was beating them 1-0 complete with Trevor Brooking at the Valley which temporarilly gave me bragging rights . Since then I have felt we should see them as rivals but for some reason I never have . I enjoyed our 18 months at Upton Park and like the mutual respect the clubs seem to have . The fact we have an excellant record against them over the last 30 years probably helps as well.
The Gills were only in our Division occasionally and apart from Scally I always liked them . I have never seen them as rivals.
10:13AM
West Ham were in the First Division until the late 70's and I remember hating the fact that most of my Sidcup based school friends supported them .The one highlight of 79/80 was beating them 1-0 complete with Trevor Brooking at the Valley which temporarilly gave me bragging rights . Since then I have felt we should see them as rivals but for some reason I never have . I enjoyed our 18 months at Upton Park and like the mutual respect the clubs seem to have . The fact we have an excellent record against them over the last 30 years probably helps as well.
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Richard do you remember who scored the winning goal against WHU in 79/80 ? I was in the old shed end (North) and can't quite remember who scored it, I am pretty sure it was a header at the South Stand End (Jimmy Seed stand) but can't remember who scored it.
It was a great victory in a tight game as WHU assumed that they would walk the game, having just been relegated from the Old League One (Premiership) and us having a poor season, we were relegated that year to the old division 3 and had a great season in 80/81 with promotion.
I actively dislike West Ham and Millwall fans, whereas I just think armchairs are irrelevant and to be treated with contempt more than hated
It was a dismal season that one - http://www.statto.com/football/teams/charlton-athletic/1979-1980. http://www.statto.com/football/teams/charlton-athletic/1979-1980/results
1980 - 81 was much better - http://www.statto.com/football/teams/charlton-athletic/1980-1981. Promotion from the old third division !
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/charlton-athletic/1980-1981/results
The double against Gillingham that season.
I don't particularly like the other clubs mentioned for obvious reasons re Palace and Millwall and irritation at the media getting their knobs out unjustifiably re West Ham.
All that said I would far rather see those teams' shirts in London and Kent than Man U, Liverpool etc as also said by others above.