A couple of times with my mum (the second of those with @Henry Irving), once with my boys for a photo, and once with 'Team Charlton' before the Amsterdam bike ride.
Yes- in the seventies at the final whistle us kids used to leg it onto the pitch every game. In more recent years, I played 4 games for Football Aid on the Valley's hallowed turf.
Mate was also a linesman in a reserve match v Ipswich, and got invited along as a guest. Paul Alcock was the FAs official checking on the officials performance that night. Met him he seemed a decent guy, didn't ask him whether he missed Di canio though.
i was a mascot v Barnsley in 1983 The last game before leaving v Stoke 1985 Protest v Burnley a couple of seasons ago with my son. My brilliant crossbar challenge attempt v Bristol Rovers this season . ;-)
Only once. My mates company sponsored the match against Walsall on New Year’s Day this year. We had a short tour past the dressing rooms and down the tunnel to the dugouts with Bob Bolder. I surreptitiously stood about six inches the other side of the touchline so that I could say I’ve been on the pitch.
I was quite interested to see how noticeable the slope is from the centre of the pitch to the touchlines. Must be something to do with drainage or something else as it looks like a design feature rather than a natural hump.
When we broke in circa 1987 and had a look around with dad and my sister. I’ve never been on the pitch since it’s been playable though, I doubt I ever will.
Charlton open day when Bob Stokoe was manager. Loads of times after games ended in the 60s. The 80s clean up day. After the Burnley match a couple of years ago (I was trying to save the sofa Tone, honest).
Ps watched my brother play on it in at the end of a season about 7 years ago. He was good player in his day but he was by then in his very late 50s . On this occasion he tried a diving header, barely got off the ground and ended up ploughing in much like a jumbo jet doing a crash landing. A joyous moment.
I’be been on the pitch a few times but I’m struggling to remember the last occasion. Andy Nelson making an end of season speech, perhaps, although I think there was a more recent occasion.
A few times as a kid but the most memorable was more recently when I went down the Valley during the off season on one of my trips back from California. Went with my mate and we got speaking to Colin Powell. Can’t remember how that started but he graciously took us for a tour round ‘his’ pitch. Spent about 30 minutes with him strolling around. Because of the American connection I remember him reminiscing about his days in the NASL.
I’ll never forget it. The ball dropped from over my left shoulder and with one touch I controlled it before smashing the ball into the top corner leaving the goalkeeper flailing.
Was on at last game before we left the Valley protesting at the move. Was also there one night when slogans were painted about the move to Selhurst. Also played in a fans match a few years back.
When I first started going , Corporate for cup game against Spurs Cosy was MOTM and got to meet him and have a photo with him. Think I must have been 11/12
Comments
Yes
First time was after we beat Huddersfield 7-6
Yes - mascot v Wolves in 1994 (lost 1-0, Peter Shirtliff was captain for them).
As a sponsor about 15 yeards ago when we played Newcastle (can't remember much as I was shitfaced)
Couple of times with my son as a mascot and other Young Reds stuff
Camping on the pitch with my daughter a couple of years ago
Once for a tour
In more recent years, I played 4 games for Football Aid on the Valley's hallowed turf.
i was a mascot v Barnsley in 1983
The last game before leaving v Stoke 1985
Protest v Burnley a couple of seasons ago with my son.
My brilliant crossbar challenge attempt v Bristol Rovers this season . ;-)
I was quite interested to see how noticeable the slope is from the centre of the pitch to the touchlines. Must be something to do with drainage or something else as it looks like a design feature rather than a natural hump.
Charlton open day when Bob Stokoe was manager.
Loads of times after games ended in the 60s.
The 80s clean up day.
After the Burnley match a couple of years ago (I was trying to save the sofa Tone, honest).
Also played a charity match there in whatever year it was before the old covered end got redeveloped.
Also, Burnley. And some other time, I think, but can't remember