1960s Valley shots and kit porn

Henry Irving

So today I went to pick up a donation from Nick Hill who blogs as Blackheath Addick http://blackheathaddicted.blogspot.com/

In 1965 Nick's father wrote to Charlton and asked for permission to take some photos on the Valley pitch.

Here's the reply he got from Don Welsh

Henry Irving

So Nick and his dad went along on what looks like a cold winter's day on what could have been 16th January when we played Derby County



Nick leaning against the goalpost in front of the Covered End

Henry Irving

Two more photostTaking a corner at the North West corner and on the goal line with the East terrace behind.

Check out the boots.

Henry Irving

On what looks like the edge of the Covered End six yard box.

This was the picture I saw on Nick's shelf and prompted me to ask for copies.

The East terrace and open end with the still new flood light tower.

Wouldn't it be great if you still had that shirt I said.........

Henry Irving

"I do" said Nick

and here it is.

Henry Irving

Supplied by Club Sports of New Cross and Woolwich.

Is this an official replica kit?  No such thing was even thought of but a local firm can only have made this as a Charlton shirt as only we wore that design, which was very radical for its time.

It may even be that Club Sports supplied the Charlton kit, I don't know.  Does anyone?

Henry Irving

So having rummaged in an old bag of shirts for the red shoulder flash Nick fished out another shirt and suggested the museum probably wouldn't want it as the badge has been hand sown on.  As the son of a seamstress and grandson of a tailor I can confirm this was not a professional job but it is a late 60s badge and a late 60s Bukta shirt

 We'll get them cleaned up and on display soon.

And no, they are not for sale. 

eastterrace6168

What a great piece of personal history and memorabilia @Henry Irving  love the personally signed letter and yes, those boots, how did they ever run in them wonderful memories.

bobmunro

Fantastic - thanks to Nick for the generous donation.

Club Sports in Wellington Street, Woolwich - that's brought back some memories!

Rothko

What/where was Sawyer Lodge? 

cafc999

A fantastic and most welcome donation to the museum. Thank you ever so much Nick 

KBslittlesis

This is wonderful 😍

clive

Rothko said:

What/where was Sawyer Lodge? 

It's address was the same as 'The Valley' maybe it is where now the club shop is located or described as rear of Valley car park in advert in programme.

https://www.stfcnewspapers.co.uk/images/Programmes/1963-1964/PDF/1964-03-14 Charlton Athletic Vs Swindon Town.pdf

Henry Irving

Rothko said:

What/where was Sawyer Lodge? 

Good question.

Any of the oldies know?

clive

Henry Irving said:

Rothko said:

What/where was Sawyer Lodge? 

Good question.

Any of the oldies know?

See my post above,

Henry Irving

One more photo of Nick scoring at the Covered End

created space for himself and was there to finish it from close range.

KBslittlesis

Henry Irving said:

One more photo of Nick scoring at the Covered End

created space for himself and was there to finish it from close range.

Such a wonderful photo 🥰

charlton4ever

oh that's fantastic - thank you for sharing!

BartramBlitz

Ben these are brilliant photos. Thanks for sharing

ChicagoAddick

Brilliant photos and memories. Nick is a great writer as well. 

T_C_E

Henry Irving said:

Rothko said:

What/where was Sawyer Lodge? 

Good question.

Any of the oldies know?

Wasn’t that the house that stood where the club shop is?

Bournesnr

From memory I believe sawyer lodge was next to the turnstiles in Valley Grove.

robinofottershaw

The white shirt with the red shoulder flashes is one of my favourites. I always associate it with the 1963/64 season when we came fourth in the second division (Championship in new money) behind Leeds, Sunderland and PNE.

Dave Rudd

Yes, Sawyer Lodge was in Valley Grove ... next to the turnstiles as Bournesnr says.  It was a single storey building (hut?) which served as a sort of Club development headquarters.

As kids we would often congregate there when the team was playing away.  Every fifteen minutes or so, the phone would ring and a Club Official would answer.

"Yes, yes ... thank you."

And we would be informed ... "The score is still 0-0."

willieduff

Bournesnr said:

From memory I believe sawyer lodge was next to the turnstiles in Valley Grove.

Correct.

LMHR

Sawyer lodge became like a mini police station on match days in the late 60s if my memory is correct. 

charltonbob

Bournesnr said:

From memory I believe sawyer lodge was next to the turnstiles in Valley Grove.

Correct (I think )I wasn't sure if it was in the row of shops where the fish & chip shop now is or adjacent to the turnstiles. I used to buy old Charlton programmes in Sawyer Lodge before the game, some home ones I bought went back to the late 50s which seemed amazing at the time & more recent away games (this would be mid to late 60s.) I think that you could book away coach travel there as well although that may have been for the supporters club as I used to go with Lewis coaches & I'm sure that I used to have to go to the Lewis Office in Woolwich to book up. Amazing to think that I was travelling to places like Blackpool on my own at age 13/14  especially as my parents were quite strict about that sort of thing.

charltonbob

Dave Rudd said:

Yes, Sawyer Lodge was in Valley Grove ... next to the turnstiles as Bournesnr says.  It was a single storey building (hut?) which served as a sort of Club development headquarters.

As kids we would often congregate there when the team was playing away.  Every fifteen minutes or so, the phone would ring and a Club Official would answer.

"Yes, yes ... thank you."

And we would be informed ... "The score is still 0-0."

Never knew that ......................... & I doubt it was 0-0 that often 

charltonbob

Henry Irving said:

So having rummaged in an old bag of shirts for the red shoulder flash Nick fished out another shirt and suggested the museum probably wouldn't want it as the badge has been hand sown on.  As the son of a seamstress and grandson of a tailor I can confirm this was not a professional job but it is a late 60s badge and a late 60s Bukta shirt

 We'll get them cleaned up and on display soon.

And no, they are not for sale. 

Pretty sure that badge was available in 66 (if not that style than very similar & think it had the club name on), I had bought a red football shirt, white shorts & red socks in the summer & my Mum had sewn the Charlton badge on the shirt. After summer holiday back to school & first football "lesson" lined up in my Charlton kit & the bloody teacher said something along the lines of  "Oh I see you've got your England world cup kit on" Extremely pissed off I pointed to the badge & said "It's a Charlton kit" 

TEL

Great memories. I had that same red Bukta shirt. Waited ages to get my Nan to sew on the badge and when she finished it was crooked 😊 would have been around 1968/9

guinnessaddick

TEL said:

Great memories. I had that same red Bukta shirt. Waited ages to get my Nan to sew on the badge and when she finished it was crooked 😊 would have been around 1968/9

Thats the 60’s and LSD for you.