Thanks very much, I had never heard of this place.
Needless to say I do not know how many games we played there, or the history of the ground.
The Royal Artillery used to hold a Tattoo there. I'm fairly sure it was owned by them. When I was a child I watched the Canadian Air Force play baseball there and later they used to have the Monster trucks destruction derby.
Thanks very much, I had never heard of this place.
Needless to say I do not know how many games we played there, or the history of the ground.
The Royal Artillery used to hold a Tattoo there. I'm fairly sure it was owned by them. When I was a child I watched the Canadian Air Force play baseball there and later they used to have the Monster trucks destruction derby.
My dad took me to one of the tattoos in the early 70’s. Remember a member of a parachute display team landed in a stand and injured a spectator.
I think there are several reasons why the - otherwise excellent - Museum should not display stickers featuring Nigel Farage:
Political neutrality - The museum should remain an inclusive space for all fans, avoiding associations with divisive political figures. Displaying a sticker linked to Farage, even unintentionally, could suggest an endorsement of his views.
Potential offence to fans - Farage is a highly controversial figure, and his presence in the museum may alienate or upset Charlton supporters. Many fans may feel uncomfortable seeing a far-right-linked figure associated with their club’s history.
Not relevant to Charlton Athletic - The museum’s purpose is to celebrate Charlton Athletic’s rich football history, not unrelated political movements. It's mission is to preserve, present and promote the heritage of the club. A sticker created by political supporters of Farage has no meaningful connection to the club’s heritage.
Misrepresentation of the club’s values - Charlton has a strong tradition of community engagement, diversity and inclusion. Associating with a divisive political figure could misrepresent the club’s ethos and alienate fans. In fact, it could damage the club's image.
Risk of Political Exploitation - The sticker’s presence could be used to suggest that Charlton Athletic or its museum has links to Farage’s ideology. This could damage the club’s reputation among supporters and the wider football community.
Encouraging further political symbolism in football - Football is often used as a tool for political messaging, but the museum should resist becoming a battleground for political discourse. Keeping the sticker on display may encourage others to introduce more political symbols, creating unnecessary controversy.
Respect for the Club’s supporters’ diverse views - Charlton fans come from a wide range of backgrounds and political beliefs. A display featuring Farage risks alienating sections of the fanbase who strongly oppose him.
Negative Publicity for the Museum and the Club - The presence of the sticker risks attracting criticism from fans, media and advocacy groups. This could overshadow the museum’s intended purpose and damage its reputation - that's too much to risk.
Potential breach of anti-discrimination policies - Many football clubs, including Charlton, adhere to anti-discrimination initiatives. Given Farage’s links to far-right rhetoric, displaying his image could be seen as conflicting with these policies.
Lack of Historical or Cultural Significance - A politically motivated sticker does not contribute to the historical documentation of Charlton Athletic. The museum usually prioritises artefacts that genuinely reflect the club’s legacy.
In summary, keeping the sticker in the museum risks political controversy, misrepresentation of the club and alienation of supporters. The best course of action would be to remove it to maintain the museum’s neutrality and focus on Charlton’s football heritage. The Museum itself is a great part of the club's heritage. Something like this tawdry sticker shouldn't be allowed to diminish the great and genuine pride a lot of supporters have in the work that the museum does. Thank you for letting me give my view.
The sticker isn't on display btw - it's just in our archive.
Thanks for your input on what we should be doing and how to maintain our neutrality.
Who cares if they show a Charlton sticker with Farage, Starmer or Badenoch - how is that impacting any of you!!
Putting political opinions and viewpoints aside. Nigel Farage is a Palace Fan and has gone on record as such.
“My earliest memories of football are being taken, I suppose 1969 or 1970, to watch Crystal Palace play. My father and uncles used to go and watch Palace, my son is a season ticket holder at Palace, I follow Palace closely every week. Football is not my No.1 sport, but I follow it."
The fact there is a leader pose with a Charlton badge on it is odd. It would be the equivalent of keeping a sticker of Simon Jordan (in a similar pose) with a Charlton badge on- It just seems odd given his affiliation to one of our rivals.
Keep the sticker if it makes you happy (but if you do display it please state he is a Palace fan), as I don't see the affiliation with our club.
Must admit I always loved (and wanted to get) a custom Fifa cover. They are so lovely designed.
Did Charlton ever have one of those purely club games (or was that just Liverpool and those teams).
Also do you have one of those custom balls the EFL used to do for every club?
I remember Charlton Club Manager in the early-ish 00s? One of them was the season we had PDC. But we never got one of those Codemasters Club Football games.
I absolutely detest the sticker and shame on whatever fans are using them but a museum should be impartial. Despite all the great work the club does, stickers like these, booing the knee etc has been part of our fan culture, even if it's only a minority of idiots. As much as I'd love to forget about that side of our fanbase, it does exist and the museum shouldn't censor it, if anything it further highlights and provides context to the importance of the great work the club and community trust do in tackling these issues.
I hear what you are saying and in principle I agree...BUT...this isn't anything to do with CAFC/our culture/our history...you can find the same sticker with a number of clubs attached...it is a campaign to hijack our (football) culture, as opposed to being part of it..
Otherwise I could make any sticker with absolutely anything on it, stick a CAFC badge on it and claim it's part of CAFC's heritage and should be preserved, which would be - quite rightly - absolute rubbish.
Couldn't agree more Charlie. Does a museum really need to be completist?
Comments
U21s team sheet from Feb 2025 and a much older plaque already in the collection
One one visitor wasn't keen, it seems but they are probably a Stoke fan.
Charlton only ever played youth games there as far as I know.
The men's team played games on Woolwich Common pre-WW1 but not at the stadium
Until very recently you could still see the outline of the stands but I think it is now just an overspill carpark for the hospital.
The stadium was also the home to Charlton Rovers in the infamous spoof article in Voice of the Valley
Putting political opinions and viewpoints aside. Nigel Farage is a Palace Fan and has gone on record as such.
“My earliest memories of football are being taken, I suppose 1969 or 1970, to watch Crystal Palace play.
My father and uncles used to go and watch Palace, my son is a season ticket holder at Palace, I follow Palace closely every week. Football is not my No.1 sport, but I follow it."
The fact there is a leader pose with a Charlton badge on it is odd. It would be the equivalent of keeping a sticker of Simon Jordan (in a similar pose) with a Charlton badge on- It just seems odd given his affiliation to one of our rivals.
Keep the sticker if it makes you happy (but if you do display it please state he is a Palace fan), as I don't see the affiliation with our club.
Did Charlton ever have one of those purely club games (or was that just Liverpool and those teams).
Also do you have one of those custom balls the EFL used to do for every club?
I remember Charlton Club Manager in the early-ish 00s? One of them was the season we had PDC. But we never got one of those Codemasters Club Football games.
Spot the mistake on this one
Does a museum really need to be completist?