Hi
Yes I am Palace, but if my Dad had taken me to the Valley at the right time I may well have been Charlton.
Because of my Dad I must be the only Palace supporter who looks out for Charlton scores and hopes they do well. Not as well as us obviously, but do well.
My Dad was a season ticket holder for many years and when he moved to France he was a registered member and would listen to every kick of every game, no matter how you played.
He started taking me to the valley, but he chose the wrong time. I think it 71/72 (may be wrong as I was just coming up to 5 at the time I think) and Charlton proceeded to lose about 6 or 7 of the last 9 or 10 games. After the last defeat that season I asked why he supported a team that always lost. His response was it was the nearest team to where he was born. My obvious question was what is the nearest team to where I was born, need I say more!
We used to talk football and banter for many an hour, even when he moved abroad. He fought cancer for 3 years and our last conversation re Palace and Charlton gave me a lump in my throat as we sat on the couch, his exact words will always stick with me "well son, Paralysis stayed up and I have lived long enough to see us relegated." He died about a week after in May 2009
He would be so proud of not only where, but how you finished this season. A few more games and you could easily of made the play offs yourselves. I may be Palace, but I do not have any hate for Charlton that many people cannot understand and that is down to my Dad,
Wishing you all the best for next year, so long as you give us 6 points if we don't go up! I will always look for your results and hope that Charlton do my Dad proud
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When all said and done its only football. That said I hope that the Left Footers turn you over tonight!
As for tonight my heart has belief and hope but my head tells me the facts so you could get your wish. Weed may be too strong for us at their place, but stranger things have happened.
I was at Brighton for our 0-0, and they are a quality side - there was a period of about 5 mins at the start of the second when we literally couldnt get out of our own half, and only a really good rearguard and some quality saves from Hamer kept us in it , therefore cant see you lot going forward - reckon it could be 2 or 3 nil.
Yes, Dad was a top bloke who could easily of told a small lie to keep me at Charlton, but that wasn't the type of person he was.
And too keep you all happy we will probably lose tonight. But so long as we go out giving it a go and not just surrender I can't ask anymore.
Out of interest how do you all see things going next year at the Valley? Does Powell need to add to the squad or do you think he is happy with what you have? If you start next season like you finished this then would play offs be a reasonable expectation?
to your question IMO we just need a couple of additions, as long as we don't lose anyone. midfielder, striker and probably a goalkeeper... but if we don't get any of those I’m confident we will be in the top half of the league next season.
However, he did tell me a story a while ago that almost all the lads he worked with were gooners and they often tried to get him to go to Highbury with them. I'm actually delighted that he resisted and chose Charlton for him and me. I wouldn't miss what we have been through over the years, as painful as some of it was at the time, including having to share with your mob.
I haven't had your experience and I suspect it is rare amongst Charlton fans. Have to be honest therefore and hope we get the chance to rectify this season's results against you (and the spanners) next season!
I hope to come on here from time to time during pre season and next year to hear your perceptions of how our seasons are going, but for now must go as I have a train to catch.
All the best
RednBlue
ps. I'm the same as Granpa...so just banter from me.
I love my team Charlton, but have none of the irrational hatred for other teams that so many people have. It's a good thing that some of us can recognise good and bad in everyone.
although any of my boys do that then they wont be considered my sons and will be scrubbed off the will
Stick around rednblue, I reckon we can Charltonise you. There are clearly still some decent Charlton traits left in you! Switch to the rednwhite before it's too late.
As an aside am I the only one who is utterly pissed off that for the first time ever our season has been defined by the fact that we are the only south east London side not to have been to Wembley. Come on Chris, get your feckin finger out, son! I'll be sticking my shirt on Palace to go up to soften the blow when it happens because I feel in my bones that it will.