I would like to offer my thoughts following a trip to The Valley on Saturday. This was a last minute trip only sanctioned by the Mrs on Saturday morning.
I approached The Valley (considerably more sober than usual) at 230, bought a ticket for NU (£20) and then walked in. Amazingly the club had managed to remember we had a game, provide ticket sales and even entrance at this point. I did not get anywhere near the shite hospitality which people moan about but continue to pay for.
The bars in the NU were ok, clean, plenty of staff about. Most of the staff had never see a pint before (let alone poured one) but no rush, small crowd and no drama. They had tried a queing system at the bar but it didn't seem to work as there were no pints pre-poured and there was lost time in walking from the side to the (for example) furthest till.
The TVs were working, the toilets clean enough (one hand dryer broken) and no H/W. Plenty of people were betting at the allocated places for betting rather than fighting with their cocks.
At half time I queued for ages for a beer and burger but in the corner bit (NE) I can't see any better way of funneling people in and out of there. Went for the meal deal which meant my chips cost me about 20p so stopped the lad in front of me from ordering any and gave him mine.
Game was good, crowd got behind the team, flags are accepted (if not left at work (and big ones need a fire certificate which I now have)) a new tune / song and 3 points.
I thought the signage had improved, I thought the marketing guy's bit in the programme was on the money and the stadium looked ok - lots of new paint (faded seats of course) - montage of Charlton highlights before the teams came out was good (never noticed it before due to reasons intimitated above) and all in all a good day and Powell seemed more chuffed than me.
Things might not be great up top, we haven't signed anyone and we're up for sale but let's be realistic - we're doin' alright.
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