Ive been writing this for a few weeks now (i may have to split it into 2/3 parts). Now more than ever it is important to remember what being a Charlton fan and our club is all about. For the younger ones it gives a bit of history, but for everyone i hope it will give a sense of encouragement and pride, it certainly does for me, so i wanted to share it with you all.
We've been in worse positions before and got out of it, its the start of a new week now, lets forget everything thats gone before today and we have 19games left so each an every game we need to support our beloved club. Whether people agree with goings on or not, we need everyone to support together and stop the divisions that happen week in week out. We need to remember we are Charlton Athletic, the fans have saved us before and we are needed more than ever now. I hope you enjoy it...itl be up shortly...
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In 1905 a club was founded,
and to this days it’s reputation remains quite outstanding.
On the 9th June when the club was born,
the town in South London, it saw a new dawn.
And in 1919 we moved to a ground,
which would go on to be one of the most famous around.
In August in 1921, we joined, the football league,
and Exeter City were the team that we beat.
The reputation it grew and the club gained its fans,
people would come from all over the land.
We grew as a team and in 1933 were first promoted,
successive promotions to division one, and we had to be noted.
In 1937 we finished so close, runners up,
but the following years we seemed to slip up.
But this Charlton was strong and despite the war era,
were the most consistent team as the war drew nearer.
If it wasn’t for the war breaking up the game,
then maybe today we’d be the big name.
But we continued the success with finals and war cups,
we were constantly on top, a team on the up.
Then came the pinnacle of our time as a club,
we were into the final and up for the cup.
1947 a famous date for those who then saw it,
a bit of reprise for the defeat the year before it.
Because Charlton had won the FA Cup for then the first time,
and this still remains the one time, years down the line.
What a success he had been the legend Jimmy Seed,
few realised 20 years earlier how much he’d succeed.
But he was undermined by the club, no support,
with no money for the team or the Valley like first thought.
And a few years later, we had been relegated,
and the success it dwindled, after the fans they had waited.
And for long did they wait because it was worse than first feared,
we lingered in the second division - for 20 long years.
Until it came to a head in 1972 with relegation,
caused team support to drop because of the situation.
But after yoyoing up and down for the next decade and so,
then came the time of financial trouble and woe.
For promotion in 1981 was meant to be the start of something fresh,
but a change in management and ownership the club was in a mess.
Summed up by the signing of Simmonsen, a footballer of the year, just before it,
but it would have been a good acquisition if the club could afford it.
The reckless behaviour of those involved with the club,
caused administration of a team that the nation had grown to love.
In 1984 they had said that was that,
Charlton were finished they’d never come back.
But they reformed and came back a new start but same tale,
the finances weren’t there and the clubs ground it fell foul.
Failure of regulations saw the Valley shut down,
and Charlton were left searching the country for a ground.
And so we moved up the road to the neighbours, Selhurst Park,
and the ground share continued the days just looked dark.
Slightly brightened they were in 1986,
when we won promotion, the problems, maybe, could be fixed.
Survival occurred in the years to succeed it,
but relegation in 1990, administration, fans could see it.
But then came a spark that spelt a new generation,
an era so big, with such an indentation.
Two men took joint charge and control of the club,
Alan Curbishley and Steve Gritt, they showed it some love.
We rose up the league, possible promotion once more,
but they needed some money, best players, out the door.
In 1995 a new chairman came in to control the club,
made some decisions, to bring us out, the times all so rough.
Curbishley sole manager, the start of a dynasty,
if only he’d stayed, thats part of the mystery.
And in 1998 we reached the play off final,
and overturned Sunderland though it took quite a while.
And up we were back to England’s top division,
and it felt good to be back though we suffered relegation.
But this Charlton were new, they were stronger, a unit,
they said they’d bounce back and boy did they prove it.
Finished on top, crowned champions of Division One,
the start of something big, had surely just begun.
For 7 years after we stayed with the elite,
labeled the stable club, a role model, was quite a feat.
For little old Charlton we took the league close,
with a post promotion record that few teams could boast.
This became highlighted in 2003/4,
we finished the highest we had since the years of the war.
But seasons that followed saw the dream bubble burst,
and the situation is deteriorated, only got worse.
In 2007 we were relegated after Curbs had left,
and we didn’t bounce back though they did their best.
Instead we went down yet another division,
the public they scrutinised every decision.
Made by the manager, the board or even the team,
getting back to the premiership had again become a dream.
So we started in the third tier, the first time in years,
but this season was too to end in tears.
For much of the time leading the way, at least top six,
finished at the end with the fans feeling sick.
A loss in the play offs to Swindon Town,
devastation was clear, etched all around.
a manager who bled Charlton red, it was every fan’s wish.
And from the last few seasons, the club has gone once more,
and maybe again it will continue to soar.
A complete change of team, in and out of the door,
brought success and records, but also much much more.
Record goals and record points, heroes were created,
but for many it was seeing other things, for which they had waited.
The players performed with heart, each single one,
they were proud to wear the shirt, they experience joy and hurt as one.
We were promoted as Champions, but more than just that,
Powell has transformed us - we had our Charlton back.
This season has been hard, but its not the time for condemnation,
Football is a business, we’ve been saved from administration.
Our future is ours to make it, it’s about blood sweat and tears,
It’s the team and the players together, it’s what being Charlton is.
Disappointment will try to beat us, but its our duty to face it,
As one, we have something special, no-one can break it.
Chris and his team, our season starts now,
These players can make themselves heroes, just like Chris Powell.
Never have i heard someone interview how Chris does,
His passion, his emotion, for the club that he loves.
There may be difficulty, but come matchday its about being CAFC,
110% and well be sure to start to climbing up that league.
Time and time Chris has spoke of what makes Charlton unique,
Lets show this pride, the Charlton way, over every coming week.
And through any tough time, we need to unite,
sing at the top of our voices at day games and night.
Just because we were in league one, didn’t mean that was that,
our history wont fade, we made sure we got back.
Let’s stick by them, every week and we can be proud,
and Valley Flloyd Road we shall always sing loud.
From the covered end, the east to the west,
from the top of your voices, for the badge on your chest.
No longer will the club be down in the dirt,
for this is Charlton, be proud of the red on the shirt.
And Chris Powell will help us, have us up off our seats,
but he needs us behind them, we’re the club’s heartbeat.
Since i was young, i’ve always known,
CAFC - the team for me, the Valley’s my home.
It’s not the trophies that matter, for us it’s much more,
for most it’s the passion, that we all know we once saw.
Because this is the valley, and we’ll always be bobbing,
we’re the addicks, the valiants, the mighty red robins.
I’ll always remember, how it started, the day we went down,
Spurs at home i’ve never experienced such a memorable sound.
For the last 15 minutes every fan of their seat,
singing Valley Flloyd Road as the drum played its beat.
The noise it was deafening from every single end,
hands in the air, was a moment that made your hairs stand on end.
Because when they said we were finished, that we’d never do it,
the club stuck together, the fans got them through it.
And with the same support again through the ups and the downs,
the day will surely come when the big teams come to town.
But all of us know what it means to be a red,
loyal supporters, we are forever Charlton, born and bred.
You can travel up and down the country, this league or higher,
you’ll never hear louder than the covered end choir.
Because no matter, what league, we’ll go across the land,
and at home we’ll sing loud from the covered end stand.
Because we know what it’s like to be at the bottom so low,
but we did it, we got back to Valley Flloyd Road.
We’ll never be down and out, no challenge is too much,
lets show our support - we never have and never will give up.
And from now onto then, it will be a tough task,
supporters will be left with memories that will last.
From the dismay and the glee, the tears of sadness and of joy,
from the man to his wife, to the little Charlton boy.
They’ll all stick together for the team, for the club,
like their generations before them who showed the same love.
For a club who rose from ashes to the top,
who were tested and written off but never did, drop.
For they are the team to fight struggles and hardyears,
a club who replace smiles in place of the tears.
The history the values, live long in the memory and mind,
and another club like it, you’ll struggle to find.
And will they be back stronger, i wouldn’t bet against it,
they’re not going anywhere, no chance, forget it.
Because you’e heard the story, you’ve listened, or read it,
the story that makes you proud of CHARLTON ATHLETIC.