I went I went to The Valley a couple of weeks before the season started about five years ago and saw Colin Powell just outside the West stand. We got chatting and I asked him how the pitch was looking. He invited me on the pitch and another groundsman took a photo of me with Colin.
Yep. When I was a kid my mate lived on Flamstead Road and we used to bunk into the derelict Valley regularly and wander about. The pitch was a haven for slow worms and we used to collect them.
Yes. After we got into the play offs in 96. Pitch invasion.
After we got into the play-offs AND Millwall got relegated at Ipswich, having been in the promotion chase up until Christmas. Think it was just E and F Block that went on for that one, certainly was restricted to that corner of the pitch anyway.
Yes, up to six times, depending if you have to step over the touchline for it to count.
Definitely: - match sponsor for a big birthday midweek v Forest - the charity match (as sub for @TCE) - post match v Gillingham when we got promoted in 1981 - anyone else remember that one?
Maybe: - presenting a cheque on behalf of CL to the Academy - taking the big Killer flag round on Powell's first match as manager (volunteered via CL) - a pre match stadium tour including dugout visit v Newcastle in the Prem (just before Parker left)
3/6 of the above thanks to this wonderful website/ community.
Once at the end of a season when we'd got promoted, but not the Preston game. Once during a player of the year do when we were in exile but PotY was at the club behind the N stand.
Some great variation here. Surprised that more than 4/5 have been on the pitch and hilarious the one person who said they hadn’t worked at The Valley for two years!
Yep, when my son was mascot for Chris Powell's first game in charge v Plymouth.
Saw Sir Chris at a jazz club in Streatham a few weeks ago and reminded him. He seemed to have Southend on his mind more though. He let slip he was a keen amateur drummer thouvh
Yes. After we got into the play offs in 96. Pitch invasion.
After we got into the play-offs AND Millwall got relegated at Ipswich, having been in the promotion chase up until Christmas. Think it was just E and F Block that went on for that one, certainly was restricted to that corner of the pitch anyway.
Yep that's how I remember it. I would have been in E block.
Several times, firstly in the 60's as a youngster end of season and smashed a tennis ball into the covered end goal, for the Valley clean up and prior to kick off as a sponsor's guest.
A couple of times as match sponsor, pre RD, played 45 minutes in a charity game organised by the late Bernard Wickham about 12 years ago, and more recently as a fan penalty taker in the pre-Sunderland event. Also after the Stoke game (last match at The Valley) and also after the 7-6 win v Huddersfield to shout for Johnny Summers.
I have been on the pitch lots of times with mates when I was a teenager,couldn't be bothered to do it now
Let’s face it, years ago you had to be a reasonably fit teenager in order to climb over the wall and that metal trellising top to it. Struggling to get over it or falling flat on your face the other side never looked cool. Older and less fit types queuing up to go through the gate in order to invade the pitch in recent years just looked embarrassing
Loads of times in the 1970s. I would run onto the pitch, slap as many Charlton players on the arse saying "well played" and run back into the Covered End, where I would grab my Dad's programme, turn to the back page and use the team list to work out which players arses I'd touched
And about ten years ago, in a match playing for "Charlton" against "England", having won a T-Mobile competition. 2-2. Went to penalties. The "England" goalkeeper had a P*l*ce shirt on, so the pressure was on to touch his arse too. Did him with my eyes.
Also, a few years ago I took my daughter to the Valley as she wanted some photos of a football ground as part of a college project. One of the groundsmen kindly let us onto the pitch so she could get a view of the stands from the centre spot.
My first wife organised a Valley visit for me when we were back in the UK once. Got to visit the boardroom, the changing rooms and walked on the hallowed turf! I was also invited to visit Sparrows Lane and meet Curbs and the team, but had a meeting I couldn’t put off or get out of (regret it to this day!).
Run on the pitch when we beat Villa 2-0 after losing the away game 11-1,also run on the pitch when George Best played for us against Arsenal in a testimonial,just get as near as possible to my idol and the finest player who ever lived.
Comments
Once courtesy of Charlton Life:
Once courtesy of that nice Mr Duchatelet (I'm not in this picture, but this is my son - you can see the family resemblance):
Once on a stadium tour. I can't remember how or why we were there and I don't think I have a photo.
Loved it
Also 2 matches where we hired it for Medway vs Maidstone supporters branches. Considering we were all Charlton fans the games were both pretty nasty!
Last game at the Valley against Stoke before the move to sellout and I got a piece of turf, sadly passed away.
Definitely:
- match sponsor for a big birthday midweek v Forest
- the charity match (as sub for @TCE)
- post match v Gillingham when we got promoted in 1981 - anyone else remember that one?
Maybe:
- presenting a cheque on behalf of CL to the Academy
- taking the big Killer flag round on Powell's first match as manager (volunteered via CL)
- a pre match stadium tour including dugout visit v Newcastle in the Prem (just before Parker left)
3/6 of the above thanks to this wonderful website/ community.
Once at the end of a season when we'd got promoted, but not the Preston game. Once during a player of the year do when we were in exile but PotY was at the club behind the N stand.
Saw Sir Chris at a jazz club in Streatham a few weeks ago and reminded him. He seemed to have Southend on his mind more though. He let slip he was a keen amateur drummer thouvh
Sorry to hear of your demise, Martin
Also, a few years ago I took my daughter to the Valley as she wanted some photos of a football ground as part of a college project. One of the groundsmen kindly let us onto the pitch so she could get a view of the stands from the centre spot.
Got to visit the boardroom, the changing rooms and walked on the hallowed turf!
I was also invited to visit Sparrows Lane and meet Curbs and the team, but had a meeting I couldn’t put off or get out of (regret it to this day!).