The first home game that I've got vivid memories of (Forest Aug 87)
First big crowd, and big team opposition, I can remember being in awe of, crowds of sub-10,000 the norm and then 28,000 rock up (unbeaten Liverpool Jan 88)
First away game, I'd have to look that up, being on someone else's patch, the stands gradually coming into view and seeming massive as you make the steps up from concourse to terrace for the first time
Battle of the Bridge
Southampton away April 90, away end on great form, lost the match, relegation all but confirmed, got a soaking - definition of being a Charlton supporter becomes ingrained.
Those personal aspects I'd like to revisit, the sights, smells, feelings, recapturing those memories.
Easily 50+ great/important games I could rattle off and instantly recall.
Given one wildcard interloper choice, might be threadworthy on its own, would be the Villa cup game in 38, and 75,031 at The Valley.
Can't believe no one has mentioned the Leeds play off final at St Andrews. We wouldn't be here now imo if we'd lost it.
The 4-3 home win in the night home match v Brighton in late 70s.
The other 2 play off finals.
3 promotion matches at Carlisle, probably the first makes up my personal 5 as the players got on the football special home, plus we came back from two down to win..
Clearly had bigger and more important wins since, but this is still the best game I ever saw at the Valley.
Away, the most complete performances
Leicester 3-0 in 78/79 Cardiff 4-1 few weeks later, bloody hell I have never run so fast after the game. Bristol Rover 5-5 few weeks after that. Not a perfect performance clearly and maybe a sign of our latter form that season. Still an epic.
We were on such a roll early season, but it all went very pear shaped later that year, in typical style.
Home to Cardiff City Sep 66 won 5-0. My first ever game as an 8 year old. Home to Bristol City Feb 22 won 2-1. I took my daughter to her first game at 4 and a half years old. Away to Nottingham Forest Oct 98 won 1-0. Just a wonderful day out with my daughter. Away to Man Utd in the FA cup 94. Away to Bristol Rovers Nov 78 drew 5-5. Last minute decision to go with my mate when we were at Southampton Uni and were at a loose end in the morning.
Having posted the palace v Charlton cup game programme on another thread I started thinking about games I’d pick if I could re-live them all over again.
The two play off finals against Sunderland are a given. The Doncaster home leg of the play offs was an exceptional night. That Pompey away game was an exceptional performance by the Charlton fans and the 68/69 palace replay was just an amazing night from just trying to get ti the ground and then all through the game.
I then realised that I hadn’t picked one single PL or old first division game, or even the back to the valley match, not that there wasn’t any good or great matches then or since but that the five I’ve mentioned were all on another level above the rest.
just looking at this team and remembering that night, a stand out fantastic memory in a season of them.
I remember that team well and it must have been almost unchanged for two years as it is pretty much the same line up as for my first match in Sept 1967. This was the team that almost got us promotion in 68/69 so I agree the 2-0 win over Derby that season would be worth seeing again just to remember how good Tees and Treacy were. As it was Palace that pipped us for promotion that year I also agree the relegation match against them in the mid-noughties would be high in my list for a second viewing. In addition to others already mentioned - and I think Wembley 98 would be top of my list - what about the extraordinary Lisbie-inspired 3-0 win over Liverpool? Or the 4-0 win over Ray Wilkins’ Chelsea when their fans lit fires in the North Stand and wrecked the turnstiles? Finally, a little-known game people might remember was against Shrewsbury (I think) in 87 at Selhurst when I saw Robert Lee inspire Charlton to a 4-1 win and I remember thinking that after thirty years in Divs Two and Three they really had a chance to get promotion to Div One which under Lennie they did.
Just seen this clip, as a reference to the scrapping of FA Cup replays. The 1994 replay win over Bristol City that took us to the 6th round at Old Trafford was another epic night.
Jim Melrose's hat trick v Everton in 1986, always remember that game fondly.
That Everton game was the first time I had been able to persuade my dad to go to sellout park after charlton had been moved there. He’d returned our season tickets without telling when the announcement to leave the valley was made ( which meant I was paying on the day each time after that). The Melrose hat trick didn’t convince him to change his mind and trek from SE3 every other weekend though I did manage to get him to go there again for one other match but not that season. The only other time I can recall him ever going to Selhurst was the 68/69 replay.
Having posted the palace v Charlton cup game programme on another thread I started thinking about games I’d pick if I could re-live them all over again.
The two play off finals against Sunderland are a given. The Doncaster home leg of the play offs was an exceptional night. That Pompey away game was an exceptional performance by the Charlton fans and the 68/69 palace replay was just an amazing night from just trying to get ti the ground and then all through the game.
I then realised that I hadn’t picked one single PL or old first division game, or even the back to the valley match, not that there wasn’t any good or great matches then or since but that the five I’ve mentioned were all on another level above the rest.
just looking at this team and remembering that night, a stand out fantastic memory in a season of them.
I remember that team well and it must have been almost unchanged for two years as it is pretty much the same line up as for my first match in Sept 1967. This was the team that almost got us promotion in 68/69 so I agree the 2-0 win over Derby that season would be worth seeing again just to remember how good Tees and Treacy were. As it was Palace that pipped us for promotion that year I also agree the relegation match against them in the mid-noughties would be high in my list for a second viewing. In addition to others already mentioned - and I think Wembley 98 would be top of my list - what about the extraordinary Lisbie-inspired 3-0 win over Liverpool? Or the 4-0 win over Ray Wilkins’ Chelsea when their fans lit fires in the North Stand and wrecked the turnstiles? Finally, a little-known game people might remember was against Shrewsbury (I think) in 87 at Selhurst when I saw Robert Lee inspire Charlton to a 4-1 win and I remember thinking that after thirty years in Divs Two and Three they really had a chance to get promotion to Div One which under Lennie they did.
If that's where Lisbie got a hat trick it ended 3-2.
my first ever game - 1-1 with Shrewsbury in 1984. Nothing special about the match but just remember the buzz of being at a live game for the first time.
Having posted the palace v Charlton cup game programme on another thread I started thinking about games I’d pick if I could re-live them all over again.
The two play off finals against Sunderland are a given. The Doncaster home leg of the play offs was an exceptional night. That Pompey away game was an exceptional performance by the Charlton fans and the 68/69 palace replay was just an amazing night from just trying to get ti the ground and then all through the game.
I then realised that I hadn’t picked one single PL or old first division game, or even the back to the valley match, not that there wasn’t any good or great matches then or since but that the five I’ve mentioned were all on another level above the rest.
just looking at this team and remembering that night, a stand out fantastic memory in a season of them.
I remember that team well and it must have been almost unchanged for two years as it is pretty much the same line up as for my first match in Sept 1967. This was the team that almost got us promotion in 68/69 so I agree the 2-0 win over Derby that season would be worth seeing again just to remember how good Tees and Treacy were. As it was Palace that pipped us for promotion that year I also agree the relegation match against them in the mid-noughties would be high in my list for a second viewing. In addition to others already mentioned - and I think Wembley 98 would be top of my list - what about the extraordinary Lisbie-inspired 3-0 win over Liverpool? Or the 4-0 win over Ray Wilkins’ Chelsea when their fans lit fires in the North Stand and wrecked the turnstiles? Finally, a little-known game people might remember was against Shrewsbury (I think) in 87 at Selhurst when I saw Robert Lee inspire Charlton to a 4-1 win and I remember thinking that after thirty years in Divs Two and Three they really had a chance to get promotion to Div One which under Lennie they did.
If that's where Lisbie got a hat trick it ended 3-2.
Having posted the palace v Charlton cup game programme on another thread I started thinking about games I’d pick if I could re-live them all over again.
The two play off finals against Sunderland are a given. The Doncaster home leg of the play offs was an exceptional night. That Pompey away game was an exceptional performance by the Charlton fans and the 68/69 palace replay was just an amazing night from just trying to get ti the ground and then all through the game.
I then realised that I hadn’t picked one single PL or old first division game, or even the back to the valley match, not that there wasn’t any good or great matches then or since but that the five I’ve mentioned were all on another level above the rest.
just looking at this team and remembering that night, a stand out fantastic memory in a season of them.
I remember that team well and it must have been almost unchanged for two years as it is pretty much the same line up as for my first match in Sept 1967. This was the team that almost got us promotion in 68/69 so I agree the 2-0 win over Derby that season would be worth seeing again just to remember how good Tees and Treacy were. As it was Palace that pipped us for promotion that year I also agree the relegation match against them in the mid-noughties would be high in my list for a second viewing. In addition to others already mentioned - and I think Wembley 98 would be top of my list - what about the extraordinary Lisbie-inspired 3-0 win over Liverpool? Or the 4-0 win over Ray Wilkins’ Chelsea when their fans lit fires in the North Stand and wrecked the turnstiles? Finally, a little-known game people might remember was against Shrewsbury (I think) in 87 at Selhurst when I saw Robert Lee inspire Charlton to a 4-1 win and I remember thinking that after thirty years in Divs Two and Three they really had a chance to get promotion to Div One which under Lennie they did.
If that's where Lisbie got a hat trick it ended 3-2.
One that hasn't been mentioned. Charlton's 4-2 win over Hull City in 87-88 Full Members (Simod) Cup at Selhurst Park. I was a ball boy around the half way line on the Arthur Wait. It was my first experience of a penalty shoot out and was thrilling.
Can't believe no one has mentioned the Leeds play off final at St Andrews. We wouldn't be here now imo if we'd lost it.
The 4-3 home win in the night home match v Brighton in late 70s.
The other 2 play off finals.
3 promotion matches at Carlisle, probably the first makes up my personal 5 as the players got on the football special home, plus we came back from two down to win..
Lennie's promotion season, 3-3 at 'home' against Millwall, 3 down in about 20 minutes, Mark Stuart got a couple, I think, before half time then Melrose got the equaliser.
I was there and was literally buzzing. Went up on the coach with @northstandsteve & others and dropped a pill at the pub in Catterick that we stopped at on the way up.
Lennie's promotion season, 3-3 at 'home' against Millwall, 3 down in about 20 minutes, Mark Stuart got a couple, I think, before half time then Melrose got the equaliser.
After that the game could have gone either way.
It was 3 1 at half time. Good comeback but was a disappointing result as we really needed the 3 points at that time. Followed it up with another draw, 1 1 away at Hull with a late Flanagan equaliser.
Comments
First big crowd, and big team opposition, I can remember being in awe of, crowds of sub-10,000 the norm and then 28,000 rock up (unbeaten Liverpool Jan 88)
First away game, I'd have to look that up, being on someone else's patch, the stands gradually coming into view and seeming massive as you make the steps up from concourse to terrace for the first time
Battle of the Bridge
Southampton away April 90, away end on great form, lost the match, relegation all but confirmed, got a soaking - definition of being a Charlton supporter becomes ingrained.
Those personal aspects I'd like to revisit, the sights, smells, feelings, recapturing those memories.
Easily 50+ great/important games I could rattle off and instantly recall.
Given one wildcard interloper choice, might be threadworthy on its own, would be the Villa cup game in 38, and 75,031 at The Valley.
The 4-3 home win in the night home match v Brighton in late 70s.
The other 2 play off finals.
3 promotion matches at Carlisle, probably the first makes up my personal 5 as the players got on the football special home, plus we came back from two down to win..
I was at all the above matches.
4-3 win v Brighton in 70's
Cardiff 5-4 runs it close, but not quite
Clearly had bigger and more important wins since, but this is still the best game I ever saw at the Valley.
Away, the most complete performances
Leicester 3-0 in 78/79
Cardiff 4-1 few weeks later, bloody hell I have never run so fast after the game.
Bristol Rover 5-5 few weeks after that. Not a perfect performance clearly and maybe a sign of our latter form that season. Still an epic.
We were on such a roll early season, but it all went very pear shaped later that year, in typical style.
Spurs 4-1 (Flanagan hat-trick)
Ipswich 1-0 (Newton)
Sunderland 4-4 (Mendonca 3)
Everton 2-2 (FM cup; won 7-6 on pens)
Home to Bristol City Feb 22 won 2-1. I took my daughter to her first game at 4 and a half years old.
Away to Nottingham Forest Oct 98 won 1-0. Just a wonderful day out with my daughter.
Away to Man Utd in the FA cup 94.
Away to Bristol Rovers Nov 78 drew 5-5. Last minute decision to go with my mate when we were at Southampton Uni and were at a loose end in the morning.
2. Play-off final 1
3. Play-off final 2
4. Battle of the Bridge
5. Palace '05
Not the result but the Man Utd cup quarter-final at Old Trafford in 1994 and "Things Can Only Get Better".
my first ever game - 1-1 with Shrewsbury in 1984. Nothing special about the match but just remember the buzz of being at a live game for the first time.
Man Utd in the FA Cup
Leeds at St Andrews
Charlton 1-0 Millwall...6th Jan 1968...👍
Leeds v Charlton at St Andrew’s. 87
Charlton v Sunderland Final 98
Man Utd v Charlton League 86
Carlise Utd v Charlton league 86
Palace v Charlton at Selhurst FA Cup 69
After that the game could have gone either way.
Upton Park Melrose fastest goal v Wet Spam
Norwich away when they were top of league, we were bottom - beat them 3-1 incl a Morts wonder goal
Battle of Bridge 88 - very scary but wow I was walking on air afterwards
2-2 at Highbury incl Steve McKenzie wonder goal
Back to The Valley match
Win at the Den in the snow
1st play off final
Palace away won 1-0 with Kitson last min goal
Sending Palace down
Hartlepool Smurfs
2nd play off final
Doncaster 2nd league at The Valley
AND for very personal reasons Charlton 1 Bristol Rovers 0 August 2017 - the last match Dad and I watched together - he passed away a few days later
There will be lots of other matches, but these are the cream of the crop for now for me