Leeds game was before I became a proper Addick, I was still a Luton man at the time, but Charlton had become my favourite London club, and I remember coming home from a night out and watching the highlights with no idea of the result . I was drunkenly cooking a bit of grub for me and three friends who had come back with me. I had just dished theirs up, and had mine in my hand when the winner went in, cue dinner all over the floor...
I was at The Valley and Wembley though, having become a fully fledged fan by then.
For me the Leeds game was the most tense and stressfulI've ever been to, and with ten minutes left I was convinced I was seeing the end of the club I'd loved since a four year old. So when Shitliff turned it around, the relief at the end put me on a high I've never experienced before. Unfortunately I said as much to the mother of my two young children - now my ex-wife!
The Sunderland play off was preceded with the stress of getting tickets and my sons coming back early from a holiday to get to the game. At the end I was drained and not euphoric. Ended up drinking in Barking with West Ham supporters saying we'll be straight back down next season. A great day and an epic game that went our way for once.
The Portsmouth game was sheer joy. Again there was the stress beforehand of tickets for family that never turned up. But the sheer fact that we had returned after all the twists and turns beforehand, meant it was always going to be a great day. The result was a bonus.
All very different games, but for me the Leeds play-off was by far the most important.
[cite]Posted By: SXAddick[/cite]Cos it was Leeds. Was there ever a more hostile atmosphere than that semi at Elland Road?
I have never feared for my life at a football ground before or since that game. I must say that I was not entirely sure I was going to live to tell the story that night.
[quote][cite]Posted By: SXAddick[/cite]Cos it was Leeds. Was there ever a more hostile atmosphere than that semi at Elland Road?[/quote]
That was the final (played over two legs), the St Andrews match was the replay of the final.
And if you want a more hostile atmosphere than that Leeds match...I thinki that could be found at the St Andrews replay. I got asked three times on the way to the ground if I wanted to fight and at least once on the way back. Worse than any Millwall match I've ever been to.
[cite]Posted By: SXAddick[/cite]Cos it was Leeds. Was there ever a more hostile atmosphere than that semi at Elland Road?
Leeds was '87. I meant the 96 play-offs that no one ever speaks about as if they have been wiped from the collective memory,
But yes Leeds in 87 was the most hostile atmosphere i can remember. Got into Elland rd early and was being coined even then. And then at the end no segregation just opened the gates and let us fend for ourselves.
Wembley was the best for me.I was so ecstatic I was one of the last to leave the ground and the stewards had to usher me out. I had to kiss the terrace one last time before leaving.
Valley return- Great day. Met in The Director General in Woolwich and later "did the March" to the Valley, before going to the game.
Leeds at St Andrews - Unbelieveable comeback. Totally outnumbered by Leeds fans. Went by coach and after game the coaches hand gone and had about 15,000 angry Leeds fans around us. Never been so scared. Finally found them and escaped. Coaches couldn't have gone from Bromley in those days, so was dropped off at Catford at something like 2am where I rubbed my bleary eyes and a contact lense popped out. Remember looking for a couple of minutes in the road, before giving up. The things I've done for Charlton!!!!
[cite]Posted By: Covered End[/cite] Coaches couldn't have gone from Bromley in those days, so was dropped off at Catford at something like 2am where I rubbed my bleary eyes and a contact lense popped out. Remember looking for a couple of minutes in the road, before giving up. The things I've done for Charlton!!!!
I was on the Catford coach that day. Do you remember the fella weeing in a bag and walking down the front with it only to realise it had a hole in it and it was leaking everywhere. The driver opened the door and he lobbed it out while the coach was still moving!
[cite]Posted By: Covered End[/cite]Off it, my memory is shite but yes I do remember that. Although I couldn't have told you what game it was.
It was definitely the St Andrews game. I remember cos my old man was with me on the coach that day and he never came with me to away games any other time. I also remember what you said about getting back to where the coach should have been and it wasn't there. People were asking the Old Bill if they could give us a lift in their van to where the coach now was. Bloody scary!
Did all three, plus both legs of the play-offs. Elland Road and St Andrews were not safe places to be if you were Charlton fans those nights.
I was absolutely jubilant at St Andrews - I'd seen us be in the top flight - something I thought I'd never see - and I wanted more. Those two goals by Shirtliff at the end opposite us were nothing but pure drama. We mullered them that game and a great free kick by Sheridan had me convinced one year was all we were going to get. Stuck in jams on the way home people from everywhere were congratulating us.
For the Valley return, I was just overcome with emotion. Unlike above, I always knew we would come home. Tears poured down my face as the team came out to the Red Red Robin. Great atmosphere from the 8337. My boy had chicken pox and on the morning of the game I therefore had a spare ticket. Nowadays, gone in a flash but in those days I could only think of giving back to th box office to ensure it went to a deserving case. Always wanted to know who got it in the end.
Play-Off final was different for me. I'd organised 6 coaches from down my and 365 tickets for the game, which Chris Parkes managed to sell by mistake. Ended up scrounging 365 tickets off Reg (though they were 6 pounds cheaper tickets - have you tried refunding 365 people 6 pounds!). The missus nearly divorced me over the 'phone calls for tickets I got - "Hi N, not sure if you remember me, but I was wondering if..........." - though when I game home with the tickets her organising gene came into work and she soon had Wembley stadium laid out across our living room floor. By the end of the penalties, I was knackered - physically and emotionally. Again tears were rolling down my face, (I was later sent about a dozen photo's of me crying from a lot of our group!).
To me, these three games are our most important of modern times and I hold them all in equal awe. Perhaps the Leeds one just shades it, as it was the most typical of my time supporting the club. Less than 2,000 of us stuck in a corner and the home side of St Andrews packed with screaming Yorkshire men.
Did Wembley (exhausted) and The Valley (elated). Couldn't get to St Andrew's because I was in the middle of my finals at uni, had two exams the next day, and no method of transport - got a first for one exam paper and a third for the other which just shows what an emotional wreck I was after the night before!
For the Valley return, I was just overcome with emotion. Unlike above, I always knew we would come home. Tears poured down my face as the team came out to the Red Red Robin. Great atmosphere from the 8337. My boy had chicken pox and on the morning of the game I therefore had a spare ticket. Nowadays, gone in a flash but in those days I could only think of giving back to th box office to ensure it went to a deserving case. Always wanted to know who got it in the end.
For the Valley return, I was just overcome with emotion. Unlike above, I always knew we would come home. Tears poured down my face as the team came out to the Red Red Robin. Great atmosphere from the 8337. My boy had chicken pox and on the morning of the game I therefore had a spare ticket. Nowadays, gone in a flash but in those days I could only think of giving back to th box office to ensure it went to a deserving case. Always wanted to know who got it in the end.
[quote][cite]Posted By: Weegie Addick[/cite]Did Wembley (exhausted) and The Valley (elated). Couldn't get to St Andrew's because I was in the middle of my finals at uni, had two exams the next day, and no method of transport - got a first for one exam paper and a third for the other which just shows what an emotional wreck I was after the night before![/quote]
You had two exams the day after the St Andrews match? It was a Friday...I had an exam that finished (officially) at 5PM on the Friday of the match, but in practice a few minutes later. Earlier that week I went down to London (from Leicester) to buy the tickets with everyone telling me I was mad as I had an exam in a few days, my thought was that I might just as well revise on the train as anywhere else. Right after the exam I had to sprint out the exam hall and make sure I was first in line to get the bus a few minutes later into town, which I did and then I pegged it to the station and caught my train to Birmingham.
[cite]Posted By: Weegie Addick[/cite]Did Wembley (exhausted) and The Valley (elated). Couldn't get to St Andrew's because I was in the middle of my finals at uni, had two exams the next day, and no method of transport - got a first for one exam paper and a third for the other which just shows what an emotional wreck I was after the night before!
You had two exams the day after the St Andrews match? It was a Friday...I had an exam that finished (officially) at 5PM on the Friday of the match, but in practice a few minutes later. Earlier that week I went down to London (from Leicester) to buy the tickets with everyone telling me I was mad as I had an exam in a few days, my thought was that I might just as well revise on the train as anywhere else. Right after the exam I had to sprint out the exam hall and make sure I was first in line to get the bus a few minutes later into town, which I did and then I pegged it to the station and caught my train to Birmingham.
I passed the exam BTW.
Yes - I really did have two exams on the Saturday. It was also very awkward to get to Birmingham from. I'm not saying which uni, coz you'll all laugh at me...
Congratulations on your effort and passing the exam btw!
Comments
I was at The Valley and Wembley though, having become a fully fledged fan by then.
For me the Leeds game was the most tense and stressfulI've ever been to, and with ten minutes left I was convinced I was seeing the end of the club I'd loved since a four year old. So when Shitliff turned it around, the relief at the end put me on a high I've never experienced before. Unfortunately I said as much to the mother of my two young children - now my ex-wife!
The Sunderland play off was preceded with the stress of getting tickets and my sons coming back early from a holiday to get to the game. At the end I was drained and not euphoric. Ended up drinking in Barking with West Ham supporters saying we'll be straight back down next season. A great day and an epic game that went our way for once.
The Portsmouth game was sheer joy. Again there was the stress beforehand of tickets for family that never turned up. But the sheer fact that we had returned after all the twists and turns beforehand, meant it was always going to be a great day. The result was a bonus.
All very different games, but for me the Leeds play-off was by far the most important.
And I was there!
That was the final (played over two legs), the St Andrews match was the replay of the final.
And if you want a more hostile atmosphere than that Leeds match...I thinki that could be found at the St Andrews replay. I got asked three times on the way to the ground if I wanted to fight and at least once on the way back. Worse than any Millwall match I've ever been to.
Leeds was '87. I meant the 96 play-offs that no one ever speaks about as if they have been wiped from the collective memory,
But yes Leeds in 87 was the most hostile atmosphere i can remember. Got into Elland rd early and was being coined even then. And then at the end no segregation just opened the gates and let us fend for ourselves.
Wembley was the best for me.I was so ecstatic I was one of the last to leave the ground and the stewards had to usher me out. I had to kiss the terrace one last time before leaving.
Valley return- Great day. Met in The Director General in Woolwich and later "did the March" to the Valley, before going to the game.
Leeds at St Andrews - Unbelieveable comeback. Totally outnumbered by Leeds fans. Went by coach and after game the coaches hand gone and had about 15,000 angry Leeds fans around us. Never been so scared. Finally found them and escaped. Coaches couldn't have gone from Bromley in those days, so was dropped off at Catford at something like 2am where I rubbed my bleary eyes and a contact lense popped out. Remember looking for a couple of minutes in the road, before giving up. The things I've done for Charlton!!!!
I was on the Catford coach that day. Do you remember the fella weeing in a bag and walking down the front with it only to realise it had a hole in it and it was leaking everywhere. The driver opened the door and he lobbed it out while the coach was still moving!
Didn't make St Andrews coz I was battle scarred from the Elland Road encounter but I did get to the other two[/quote]
Made the two play off games but that was enough! With Valley on that one
Wembley - with my pregnant wife (six months gone).
Pompey - with Cheeseroll's crying brother!
It was definitely the St Andrews game. I remember cos my old man was with me on the coach that day and he never came with me to away games any other time. I also remember what you said about getting back to where the coach should have been and it wasn't there. People were asking the Old Bill if they could give us a lift in their van to where the coach now was. Bloody scary!
I was absolutely jubilant at St Andrews - I'd seen us be in the top flight - something I thought I'd never see - and I wanted more. Those two goals by Shirtliff at the end opposite us were nothing but pure drama. We mullered them that game and a great free kick by Sheridan had me convinced one year was all we were going to get. Stuck in jams on the way home people from everywhere were congratulating us.
For the Valley return, I was just overcome with emotion. Unlike above, I always knew we would come home. Tears poured down my face as the team came out to the Red Red Robin. Great atmosphere from the 8337. My boy had chicken pox and on the morning of the game I therefore had a spare ticket. Nowadays, gone in a flash but in those days I could only think of giving back to th box office to ensure it went to a deserving case. Always wanted to know who got it in the end.
Play-Off final was different for me. I'd organised 6 coaches from down my and 365 tickets for the game, which Chris Parkes managed to sell by mistake. Ended up scrounging 365 tickets off Reg (though they were 6 pounds cheaper tickets - have you tried refunding 365 people 6 pounds!). The missus nearly divorced me over the 'phone calls for tickets I got - "Hi N, not sure if you remember me, but I was wondering if..........." - though when I game home with the tickets her organising gene came into work and she soon had Wembley stadium laid out across our living room floor. By the end of the penalties, I was knackered - physically and emotionally. Again tears were rolling down my face, (I was later sent about a dozen photo's of me crying from a lot of our group!).
To me, these three games are our most important of modern times and I hold them all in equal awe. Perhaps the Leeds one just shades it, as it was the most typical of my time supporting the club. Less than 2,000 of us stuck in a corner and the home side of St Andrews packed with screaming Yorkshire men.
For the Valley return, I was just overcome with emotion. Unlike above, I always knew we would come home. Tears poured down my face as the team came out to the Red Red Robin. Great atmosphere from the 8337. My boy had chicken pox and on the morning of the game I therefore had a spare ticket. Nowadays, gone in a flash but in those days I could only think of giving back to th box office to ensure it went to a deserving case. Always wanted to know who got it in the end.
Probably went to the bloke who sat next to you...
[;)]
Spot on - what do you say to that, Addickted??
You had two exams the day after the St Andrews match? It was a Friday...I had an exam that finished (officially) at 5PM on the Friday of the match, but in practice a few minutes later. Earlier that week I went down to London (from Leicester) to buy the tickets with everyone telling me I was mad as I had an exam in a few days, my thought was that I might just as well revise on the train as anywhere else. Right after the exam I had to sprint out the exam hall and make sure I was first in line to get the bus a few minutes later into town, which I did and then I pegged it to the station and caught my train to Birmingham.
I passed the exam BTW.
Yes - I really did have two exams on the Saturday. It was also very awkward to get to Birmingham from. I'm not saying which uni, coz you'll all laugh at me...
Congratulations on your effort and passing the exam btw!
Smart arses.
plus..............was too cool at the time to go anywhere with my brother ;-)
was at the other two though! tough call to say which was best
most likely the guy saying "what a result! turned up at the book office and they had one seat spare"
How was I to know he had a speech impediment?