So as in time honoured tradition we normally like to finish the season by publicly dishing out some praise and gratitude for the unsung heroes amongst us (and to provide some behind the scenes insight into the debauchery that occurs at the End of Season Wrap Party at CL Towers).
You’d think the latter would be the hottest ticket in town after the recent celebrations. Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth. @Stig stuck to his principles and continued his boycott of the event. In this instance there was no doubt that boycotters were firmly in the right as @cabbles bored everyone into submission reading extracts from his new book ‘A-Men – Tales from coach journeys on the A roads of Britain’. Even @Curb_It turned down Sauvignon Blanc to make an early escape…
It’s been a unique year {} with the ongoing uncertainty backdrop and Roland bizarrely reading out quotes from this forum on national radio. But the overriding feeling is it has also been a hugely enjoyable season culminating in the thrilling end of season play offs. After some miserable years I think we’ll all agree it helped bring the forum alive again and monthly site traffic for May was the highest since Jan 16. The post-Wembley collection of members photos have been one of the most enjoyable threads for years.
Through the season there have been a collection of superstars that have helped keep familiarity ticking over on the site. @ForeverAddickted has done a herculean effort turning out a brilliant preview for 50+ fixtures, an amazing effort. @ross1 (aidly assisted by others) has led on providing commentary throughout the match threads, and @lancashire lad has once again done a fantastic shift crunching all those player marks and compiling the brilliant Statbank.
Alongside this, @shirty5 , @paulbaconsarnie and @thai malaysia addick have done a tremendous job governing the regular competitions that were so popular (congratulations to @Addickted2TheReds , @Bedsaddick , @RedChaser and @eaststandmike on your victories), while our band of six site moderators once again helped us keep the site in order and ticking over in soft impact way.
Thanks to everyone one of the above and many others who have gone out of their way to provide added value. For example, @Covered End who in recent weeks has put a huge shift in providing helpful info, @clive for the amount of Charlton related news he adds, @Blucher , @Fanny Fanackapan , @PaddyP17 and everyone else who without fail add some tremendous post-match reports which really help those not there. @Chizz , @GlassHalfFull , @Weegie Addick , @Henry Irving , @BDL , @cabbles who all wrote featured articles. The huge number of Lifers who went out of the way to help other members with Wembley tickets., personal advice and assistance. @PeanutsMolloy with the Grand National, @LargeAddick and @SE7toSG3 with organising the annual CL Trip to The Somme. @DaveMehmet for his relationship advice, @DOUCHER for his takeover insider knowledge.
Every year we keep trying to grow the behind the scenes CL family. We are hoping to evolve the site more, particularly in terms of output generating, so if anyone is keen on getting further involved or has any ideas, please drop me an inbox. Our aim has always been to create a community that everyone feels a part of. We appreciate that it is not always ideal with so many people holding such diverse views, and there are some clear topics and diversions that have emerged in recent years that makes this even more difficult. But we do try our best to be a platform for all Charlton fans.
Our lead fundraising efforts this year were once again tied into supporting the Upbeats. The annual walk was once again a real success story with us raising £7,300 and having over 30 forum members participate in the walk. This was supplemented by £520 raised from the Fixtures competition Thai kindly organised and meant our site’s total contribution to the Upbeats scheme is just a pocket of change shy of £70,000 now. Absolutely incredible, thank you to everyone who has helped us to continue to support this group in such a brilliant way. Alongside this, there has also been some fantastic fundraising provided for Prostate UK, the Museum, Greenwich & Bexley Hospice, Crisis and many others.
So apologies for the waffle but thanks all of you reading this for contributing to this little but unique {} Charlton supporter community. Hope everyone has a wonderful summer and that we can start next season in a positive way.
Up the Addicks
AFKA, Lookout and the rest of the A-(Road) Team
Comments
CL - the first site I log onto in the mornings and the last one I log off from at night, or even in the wee small hours.
Lifers - simply the best ( apologies to SCP...)
AFKA - the Daddy of them all ( we're not worthy)
Thanks for keeping me sane through the worrying times that we inevitably face as Addicks.
I love you all !
xx
Thanks to the CL team for your hard work keeping the site running. Much appreciated.
Thanks to all for their great contributions.
Got tickets for my Grandson and his mate for
Wembley so hopefully we have two more CAFC supporters,
as they were really impressed and enjoyed going back
on the Underground same carriage as the Drummer!
Charlton Life has become an essential part of the daily routine for so many of us over the years.
now to bin the music and RIP stuff
respect to AFKA and the site although I was a bit surprised to receive thanks for my takeover knowledge - player acquisition is where I’d play my joker, the takeover is anybody’s guess
Despite the ups and mainly downs that come with following our beloved football club, it's been a good year - and well, what can I say about 4.50'ish on 26 May?? I think that was an up!
Charlton Life is more than a football forum/community - much, much more. I'm proud to be a member.
Well done as always to @AFKABartram and @LookOut , all the mods, and the insight, humour and compassion of the members.