I think I am completely unbothered by some highlights here.
- I liked all the music, was a proper party atmosphere mixed with our songs
- I loved the players and Jones waving their flags, it's what makes people unique, their heritage
- I didn't mind not seeing the players celebrate the trophy lift towards us in the West section, I was just delighted we won, and they came over afterwards anyway.
- I liked seeing Jones parade the trophy. He deserves his moment after a few rough years at Southampton, Stoke and that patch here. He would have been getting pelters if he didn't win from the footballing world.
My Mum and Aunt said they heard someone shout about Nathan Jones having a Welsh flag and we are an English club. I don't get it. He wants to represent, let him. Despite all the banter and rivalry with Wales, they still have more in common with us English than most other countries, and they're good people.
All in all, happy days. All that matters is we went up!
An English club that has and had so many fans and players from so many different nations it makes absolutely no sense to say this, very odd thing to say. He has every right to celebrate with his national flag, and I'm delighted someone shared the flag with him it was a great touch.
Tupac and Karoy had Jamaican flags.
Charlton away days (and home) we often have Welsh and Irish flags.
Re: number of fans and passion. I think it really did feel like more fans, even from early on travelling up. As I posted before, I’m not sure how many of the ‘season ticket four’ hangers on were really that neutral as there was a hell of a lot of bouncing and singing. Shame we couldn’t get those extra blocks so everyone could have gone but I think 99% of those there were truly invested in the result.
As for massive wherever we go, I’m currently sitting in Basingstoke chilling with wine and the windows open and I’m convinced I’ve just heard a couple of lads singing ‘Championship again, ole! ole!’ - unless they’re Saints fans…
I got the 08.39 from Tunbridge Wells. It was standing room only by the time we got to London Bridge and 70%+ Charlton in our carriage, which looked typical. Looking across London Bridge station every other escalator coming down from the platforms seemed to be 70% Charlton, too. The biggest migration of Charlton I can recall.
I got the 08.39 from Tunbridge Wells. It was standing room only by the time we got to London Bridge and 70%+ Charlton in our carriage, which looked typical. Looking across the station every other escalator coming down from the platforms seemed to be 70% Charlton, too. The biggest migration of Charlton I can recall.
We were on the 09.39 and they needed Japanese tactics to get everyone on the train by the time we got to Orpington!
Nothing really to add other than a big thanks to all of you who went, being overseas and not able to make it over plus a fcking shite start to the weekend... The win and all of your photos, meet ups and Euphoria has been great to feed off.
Re: number of fans and passion. I think it really did feel like more fans, even from early on travelling up. As I posted before, I’m not sure how many of the ‘season ticket four’ hangers on were really that neutral as there was a hell of a lot of bouncing and singing. Shame we couldn’t get those extra blocks so everyone could have gone but I think 99% of those there were truly invested in the result.
As for massive wherever we go, I’m currently sitting in Basingstoke chilling with wine and the windows open and I’m convinced I’ve just heard a couple of lads singing ‘Championship again, ole! ole!’ - unless they’re Saints fans…
We're so massive I've got my parrot singing "Godden again ole ole..."
Apologies for the sloppiness, I started very early that day and the loss of voice. But what a day.
Fantastic vlog we were sat next to you at Wembley so we star in this when we scored my nephew’s me my brother and 2 lifetime friends of almost 50 years also you were in the row in front at the Wycombe semi !!!!
Apologies for the sloppiness, I started very early that day and the loss of voice. But what a day.
Fantastic vlog we were sat next to you at Wembley so we star in this when we scored my nephew’s me my brother and 2 lifetime friends of almost 50 years also you were in the row in front at the Wycombe semi !!!!
I am so bloody glad I ended up next to you lot. We gave it a right go and I'll never forget those scenes.
I don't know who was who but the two younger lads were golden and one of them retrieved my mic among the chaos!
Also one of you grabbed me and said "you better fackin upload this one son!" Or something along those lines. It was all a bit foggy 😂
They'll have to refit those screws of those metal sheets above those sections I imagine.
Thank you to your lot for adding to my experience.
And yes I was near the front for Wycombe away for the 4 nil and was adopted by a different group for the day 😂 its what its all about 👍🏻
Haven't read the entire thread but was it just me that found the music played at the end a right pain? We had 40,000 fans there ready to create their own atmosphere and didn't need to have our noise drowned out by the tannoys.
I get when Wembley is 50% full of quiet corporates for FA Cup/England games but not the play offs.
Also thought it was lousy that flags bought into the ground had to come down as they were hung over Sky adverts.
Plus the trophy presentation on the pitch had most fans behind it unable to see so sky could get better shots, and the players spent ages with their backs to their fans for more Sky shots afterwards.
Hate Sky.
Red, Red Robin on the final whistle Valley, Floyd Road All the other music ... not too fussed about that.
The trophy presentation itself was in the Royal Box so not a lot could be done about that unless you wanted to ditch 100 years of tradition.
The big team photo with the tickertape, flamethrowers etc was on that side of the pitch presumably because that's where the press box is so the reporters and radio commentators could see it. Sky would have had cameras all around the ground and quite a few mobile ones as well so it wouldn't make much difference to them where it was.
Yeah, I meant the on pitch tickertape bit not the Royal Box which should always stay of course.
That tickertape bit could have been done near the centre circle so all fans could see, but was done where it was so that the photographers had pictures with fans in the background rather than the backdrop of Leyton Orients empty seats.
Maybe not Sky driven but certainly not fan driven. It's not a big thing but cumulatively I thought is all just detracted.
Playing Red Robin was good as the fans likely wouldn't have sung it otherwise. Valley Floyd Road would have been sung in full voice by the fans and didn't need the music drowning them out.. I think back to the singing after Leyton Orient away this season, it was great.. Wembley made it all feel far more "generated".
However it needed the music to act as a handbrake to slow everyone down!
Folks, it's not a bloody race! You don't have to sing VFR at the speed of sound, take your time and sing it properly so that you can actually make out the words instead of the whole verse and chorus being crammed into 5 seconds.
What a great day. We met in Spoons at Baker St for breakfast to distribute the printed tickets and have a couple of pints. Unlike prior to, and during, our previous finals, I felt reasonably calm. Sunday was my 17th play-off encounter but I think it was principally that I have finally learnt to trust the side and its ability to find a way to win. The team is more than the sum of his parts; Nathan has organised them exceptionally well and every single player, including those on the bench, knows his job.
As for the game, the first half was a predictably cagey affair, with little in it until Macauley’s big moment, with Keeley assisting with yet another goal for us (his third of the season).
Orient had a good spell in the second half for about 20 minutes or so but, in the final analysis, we made them play in front of us throughout. They rarely got to the byeline and managed only two attempts on goal (something most pundits seemed to overlook) - Currie’s deflected shot, which Mannion had covered, and Kelman’s deflected shot against the bar. Orient did have a fair amount of possession and moved the ball well in midfield at times, but I never felt unduly worried given our outstanding ability to defend our box. Indeed, the only meaningful goalkeeping save from any attempt on goal during the entire match came from Keeley late on following Doc’s deflected shot.
The VAR earpiece failure was farcical but Richie Wellens is clutching at straws in saying that it robbed his team of momentum. By the 85th minute or whatever it was, we had long since weathered their best spell and were seeing the game out reasonably comfortably.
Unable to get into BoxPark afterwards, we reconvened in Spoons and then rounded the night off at home with a few glasses of sparkling vino.
I think we’re in a much better place this time than in 2019. Following that promotion, the imbecilic Duchatelet attempted survival on a League 1 budget, with a predictable outcome, despite the best efforts of Lee Bowyer and his staff. We instantly lost Aribo and Bauer to Rangers and Preston and Krystian Bielik returned to Arsenal following his loan spell and moved straight on to Derby with a big money transfer. Duchatelet refused to sanction a new contract for Taylor and Bowyer had to do what he could with an extremely modest budget.
Unlike then, we now have no reliance on loan players, a very trim squad and, with all due respect, Small is the only one of the three out of contract players that we’d like to retain. We shall certainly need to strengthen significantly to be competitive but I feel the owners will back Jones in securing some good permanent deals. Hopefully we’ll make judicious use of the loan market with a couple of quality additions, although Premier League clubs have a nasty habit of recalling players in January, usually to sell them on or play at a higher level. Recruitment will be key and strengthening our team with the appointment of Phil Chappell will certainly help.
Looking forward to the release of the fixtures on 25 June - not to mention the plethora of news, comment and ill-informed opinion on the Summer Transfer Rumours thread …..
I gazed at the heavens when the final whistle went, thinking of my Dad who we lost in the 2000s. We were there together in 98. Then the tears came.
We choose our club, we bond with it, our journey together creates a lifetime of memories.
They came flooding back in that afterglow of victory giving thanks at the altar of English football - Wembley Stadium.
I first went to the Valley in 1968. I am 66 in less than a week.
So many memories from that day forward. Traumatic memories, some of joyous, some the opposite.
I was there when Killer's brace killed off Preston in 1975. 24,000 screaming Addicks, many on the pitch at the end including me - the only time I have ever done that.
I was there in 1977 when we dispatched Chelsea 4-0 and later that year when Flash gunned down Spurs with a hattrick against his old club - the game featured on Panorama regarding hooliganism and Millwall.
Orient memories flooded back. I was there at Brisbane Road on 3rd May 1978 - the only league match I went to three times.
1st time the game was called off near to kick off. 2nd time the game was abandoned at half time. Finally it was our last game of the season.
We needed a draw to stay up. The O's needed to win but they had one more game. The nerves were shredded and at 0-0 as we entered injury time, Orient were going for it. The ball came across and it was headed down into the right hand corner - it was a nailed on goal when Jeff Wood from our manor, pulled of a save that to me anyway, rivalled Banks' save from Pelé. The game finished. Mayhem! The first time I witnessed grown men crying.
I was there in 1984, waiting for BBC Sport to come on at 6.45pm on the radio to find out if our club had been saved from extinction. There was huge relief at the news but later I learned the truth of how close we came in the brilliant book - Battle for The Valley by @Airman Brown
I was there when the announcement came that we were leaving The Valley for Sellout Park. Dear God playing at Palace FFS!
I went to the home game of the first play off final versus Leeds at Sellout Park. When we scored the winner, I remember fights breaking out all over the ground. I think it was the most intimidating atmosphere I ever witnessed.
I was there for the first game back against Pompey. A day we had thought sometimes would never happen.
Of course I was there for the 98 Play off final. A game of a lifetime. Super Clive x 3. Rufus 5 mins from the end of normal time, 13 penalties scored and Sacha saves the 14th. Bedlam, tears, hugs, the OMGs, the noise and then the quiet walking back down Olympic Way being clapped by coach loads of Sunderland fans - absolute class.
I was there for our first home game in the Premier League and for the first home game when we returned in 1999.
I was there to see us beat Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Man City and Arsenal along the way.
I was there for our last game in the top flight at Anfield. I thought we would be back the next season. How wrong was I?
I have been there for the subsequent dawns - most of them false.
The 2019 Play Off Final against Sunderland again. BFG in the last minute. I cried for my Dad who was there with me in spirit.
I thought finally we were back and moving upwards. I was wrong.
The immortal words of Bill Shankly came to mind on Sunday as the tears of joy and relief gradually subsided:
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that."
The music also slight downer for me. Valley floyd road was ok, until the bagpipes kicked in.
DJs choice of Charlton Party Tunes would have been better reserved for moments when/if the singing faltered rather than being played over the crowd and dominating the crowd noise. Bit tin eared imo.
Don't know if this has been covered but it is refreshing to see so many past players congratulate us on our promotion. Even some of those from more recent, much less popular squads.
Shows that the lack of class shown by Albie Morgan, Charlie Kirk and Sean Clare on recent posts was nothing more than that, a lack of class on their part.
Keep looking at the teams in the Championship. My god, what a league - some proper fixtures in there. Bar maybe 1 or 2, all former prem teams not too long ago. Thank you NJ, the team, and everyone else involved - we're back! (Let's just hope for good this time...)
Don't know if this has been covered but it is refreshing to see so many past players congratulate us on our promotion. Even some of those from more recent, much less popular squads.
Shows that the lack of class shown by Albie Morgan, Charlie Kirk and Sean Clare on recent posts was nothing more than that, a lack of class on their part.
What a day , family and friends , loads of tears and emotion Good to meet this parish’s Len glover sitting behind us with family I think I kicked every ball that game it was madness , I could have been certified ten times over . the result was perfect seeing my 4 boys all at Wembley buzzing their nuts off but most of all for petrol head 2019 he was in Barbados watching the formula one while little shit and Peter k watched the play off final on the other screen in the bar , he had no real interest in Charlton, me and boffin delayed our flights to go to the final .Now he’s home and away wherever in the country , Completely mad for it. Those punters who travel to those northern shitholes midweek for the cause are the ones who deserve this more than anything , full respect to them . Plenty of Charlton royalty nearby in the ‘royal box’ including Sir Chris who Bob Bolder got over so we could have a family photo with our hero , me and youngest sis drove up to villa park for his debut when we found out he was in the England team , I ❤️ him .
Most importantly we’ve left the shithouse league one behind , we need to stabilise and make sure we don’t return, we’ve endured the worst run in our history since the god that is Alan Curbishley left the building , let’s hope our Welsh Wizard can continue to create magic and lead us onwards and upwards . I never thought this victory would come thought they’d play around us , oh ye of little faith … they were junk but we made that happen . ive read all the posts on this thread , all so uplifting just so glad the seasons over and I can relax for a bit playing/watching cricket at our crappy park cricket ground full of Orient fans 🤫
That prick keeper deserved that , I’m pretty certain he was being a proper prick during penalties with Stockport swearing at the County players and playing up before the pens , knob , pick that one out you Leyton hotspur twat
The music also slight downer for me. Valley floyd road was ok, until the bagpipes kicked in.
DJs choice of Charlton Party Tunes would have been better reserved for moments when/if the singing faltered rather than being played over the crowd and dominating the crowd noise. Bit tin eared imo.
That was a request by Josh Edwards and Greg Docherty for their Families. It was Greg's Dad's Birthday. If 22 year old Josh Mulligan joins from Dundee the Bagpipes will become a regular sound at the Valley.
Comments
As for massive wherever we go, I’m currently sitting in Basingstoke chilling with wine and the windows open and I’m convinced I’ve just heard a couple of lads singing ‘Championship again, ole! ole!’ - unless they’re Saints fans…
Apologies for the sloppiness, I started very early that day and the loss of voice. But what a day.
We're so massive I've got my parrot singing "Godden again ole ole..."
I don't know who was who but the two younger lads were golden and one of them retrieved my mic among the chaos!
Also one of you grabbed me and said "you better fackin upload this one son!" Or something along those lines. It was all a bit foggy 😂
They'll have to refit those screws of those metal sheets above those sections I imagine.
Thank you to your lot for adding to my experience.
And yes I was near the front for Wycombe away for the 4 nil and was adopted by a different group for the day 😂 its what its all about 👍🏻
However it needed the music to act as a handbrake to slow everyone down!
Folks, it's not a bloody race! You don't have to sing VFR at the speed of sound, take your time and sing it properly so that you can actually make out the words instead of the whole verse and chorus being crammed into 5 seconds.
Great to meet you and put a face to a username 👍🏻
What a great day. We met in Spoons at Baker St for breakfast to distribute the printed tickets and have a couple of pints. Unlike prior to, and during, our previous finals, I felt reasonably calm. Sunday was my 17th play-off encounter but I think it was principally that I have finally learnt to trust the side and its ability to find a way to win. The team is more than the sum of his parts; Nathan has organised them exceptionally well and every single player, including those on the bench, knows his job.
As for the game, the first half was a predictably cagey affair, with little in it until Macauley’s big moment, with Keeley assisting with yet another goal for us (his third of the season).
Orient had a good spell in the second half for about 20 minutes or so but, in the final analysis, we made them play in front of us throughout. They rarely got to the byeline and managed only two attempts on goal (something most pundits seemed to overlook) - Currie’s deflected shot, which Mannion had covered, and Kelman’s deflected shot against the bar. Orient did have a fair amount of possession and moved the ball well in midfield at times, but I never felt unduly worried given our outstanding ability to defend our box. Indeed, the only meaningful goalkeeping save from any attempt on goal during the entire match came from Keeley late on following Doc’s deflected shot.
The VAR earpiece failure was farcical but Richie Wellens is clutching at straws in saying that it robbed his team of momentum. By the 85th minute or whatever it was, we had long since weathered their best spell and were seeing the game out reasonably comfortably.
Unable to get into BoxPark afterwards, we reconvened in Spoons and then rounded the night off at home with a few glasses of sparkling vino.
I think we’re in a much better place this time than in 2019. Following that promotion, the imbecilic Duchatelet attempted survival on a League 1 budget, with a predictable outcome, despite the best efforts of Lee Bowyer and his staff. We instantly lost Aribo and Bauer to Rangers and Preston and Krystian Bielik returned to Arsenal following his loan spell and moved straight on to Derby with a big money transfer. Duchatelet refused to sanction a new contract for Taylor and Bowyer had to do what he could with an extremely modest budget.
Unlike then, we now have no reliance on loan players, a very trim squad and, with all due respect, Small is the only one of the three out of contract players that we’d like to retain. We shall certainly need to strengthen significantly to be competitive but I feel the owners will back Jones in securing some good permanent deals. Hopefully we’ll make judicious use of the loan market with a couple of quality additions, although Premier League clubs have a nasty habit of recalling players in January, usually to sell them on or play at a higher level. Recruitment will be key and strengthening our team with the appointment of Phil Chappell will certainly help.
Looking forward to the release of the fixtures on 25 June - not to mention the plethora of news, comment and ill-informed opinion on the Summer Transfer Rumours thread …..
We choose our club, we bond with it, our journey together creates a lifetime of memories.
They came flooding back in that afterglow of victory giving thanks at the altar of English football - Wembley Stadium.
I first went to the Valley in 1968. I am 66 in less than a week.
So many memories from that day forward. Traumatic memories, some of joyous, some the opposite.
I was there when Killer's brace killed off Preston in 1975. 24,000 screaming Addicks, many on the pitch at the end including me - the only time I have ever done that.
I was there in 1977 when we dispatched Chelsea 4-0 and later that year when Flash gunned down Spurs with a hattrick against his old club - the game featured on Panorama regarding hooliganism and Millwall.
Orient memories flooded back. I was there at Brisbane Road on 3rd May 1978 - the only league match I went to three times.
1st time the game was called off near to kick off.
2nd time the game was abandoned at half time.
Finally it was our last game of the season.
We needed a draw to stay up. The O's needed to win but they had one more game. The nerves were shredded and at 0-0 as we entered injury time, Orient were going for it. The ball came across and it was headed down into the right hand corner - it was a nailed on goal when Jeff Wood from our manor, pulled of a save that to me anyway, rivalled Banks' save from Pelé. The game finished. Mayhem! The first time I witnessed grown men crying.
I was there in 1984, waiting for BBC Sport to come on at 6.45pm on the radio to find out if our club had been saved from extinction. There was huge relief at the news but later I learned the truth of how close we came in the brilliant book - Battle for The Valley by @Airman Brown
I was there when the announcement came that we were leaving The Valley for Sellout Park. Dear God playing at Palace FFS!
I went to the home game of the first play off final versus Leeds at Sellout Park. When we scored the winner, I remember fights breaking out all over the ground. I think it was the most intimidating atmosphere I ever witnessed.
I was there for the first game back against Pompey. A day we had thought sometimes would never happen.
Of course I was there for the 98 Play off final. A game of a lifetime. Super Clive x 3. Rufus 5 mins from the end of normal time, 13 penalties scored and Sacha saves the 14th. Bedlam, tears, hugs, the OMGs, the noise and then the quiet walking back down Olympic Way being clapped by coach loads of Sunderland fans - absolute class.
I was there for our first home game in the Premier League and for the first home game when we returned in 1999.
I was there to see us beat Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Man City and Arsenal along the way.
I was there for our last game in the top flight at Anfield. I thought we would be back the next season. How wrong was I?
I have been there for the subsequent dawns - most of them false.
The 2019 Play Off Final against Sunderland again. BFG in the last minute. I cried for my Dad who was there with me in spirit.
I thought finally we were back and moving upwards. I was wrong.
The immortal words of Bill Shankly came to mind on Sunday as the tears of joy and relief gradually subsided:
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that."
Charlton til I die!
my nephew got the goal love seeing my sons reaction hanging on the railings
Should have asked for his money back
Good to meet this parish’s Len glover sitting behind us with family
I think I kicked every ball that game
it was madness , I could have been certified ten times over .
the result was perfect
seeing my 4 boys all at Wembley buzzing their nuts off but most of all for petrol head 2019 he was in Barbados watching the formula one while little shit and Peter k watched the play off final on the other screen in the bar , he had no real interest in Charlton, me and boffin delayed our flights to go to the final .Now he’s home and away wherever in the country , Completely mad for it. Those punters who travel to those northern shitholes midweek for the cause are the ones who deserve this more than anything , full respect to them .
Plenty of Charlton royalty nearby in the ‘royal box’ including Sir Chris who Bob Bolder got over so we could have a family photo with our hero , me and youngest sis drove up to villa park for his debut when we found out he was in the England team , I ❤️ him .
I never thought this victory would come thought they’d play around us , oh ye of little faith … they were junk but we made that happen .
ive read all the posts on this thread , all so uplifting
just so glad the seasons over and I can relax for a bit playing/watching cricket at our crappy park cricket ground full of Orient fans 🤫
That was a request by Josh Edwards and Greg Docherty for their Families. It was Greg's Dad's Birthday.
If 22 year old Josh Mulligan joins from Dundee the Bagpipes will become a regular sound at the Valley.
What happened to our Charlton Opera Singers?