What a day out
With no football, and this time of year signaling the closing of season’s past I’ve enjoyed isolating over old Charlton memories – games at Stamford Bridge, Twerton Park, Portman Road and Brunton Park of course, but it was a year ago today that gave me one of my favourite away day memories.
The 1st leg play-off tie will always be overlooked because of the remarkable (there will never be a word that will describe the night properly) 2nd leg game, but that Sunday was a corker of a day out.
I flew in just for the game, arriving on Saturday and heading back on Monday morning but what a day in between it was. I spent Saturday night at my brother’s before four of us got the very early train up to Donny. Charlton everywhere.
We were a notch or two better than Donny that day, but they showed in spells and at the end their own never say die spirit, and that they were very capable of scoring goals. Joe Aribo was outstanding as was Patrick Bauer. Hard to accept that even at a higher level we probably man for man have a weaker team this season especially since the loss of Conor Gallagher.
Anyway, a year ago today, and what a day out it was. I’ve been in many crazy and noisy Addicks away end’s, but that one of the best. The wall of noise from 3,800 Addicks was deafening and constant.
I can’t for the life of me remember what happened later that week 🤷♂️.
Chicago Addick 
Last season was a good year to be an Addick, expectations in the summer were low and stayed down for some time but I began to get the same feeling as I had in other seasons where we pulled something out of the bag – ’87, ’98 etc that there was something special happening and I could see the team grew in confidence before my eyes. There might have been confusion and chaos in the boardroom but on the pitch, in the manager’s dugout and above all in the stands everything magically came together. It’s a cliche but we fans really were the 12th man and I’d like to think we inspired the team to dig just that bit deeper on a few occasions and made the difference. Doncaster away was typical of many such performances, fantastic loud support and a team that ran for everything, I’d like to think we also played our part in the return fixture. I know you weren’t there but the old school pitch invasion at full time was a special moment and the Valley was rocking that night. Credit to Donny for holding their nerve, but we came through.
SP – it just makes the current situation all the more galling. We were on an upward curve. A gradual but progressive curve with the whole club led by Bow and JJ as one. What the f just happened?!
As you probably remember I watched the 2nd leg in a boozer here. With a few work colleagues, (who thought they knew me), but really on my own in front of the TV and a frenzied and hysterical mess. I will never tire of those post match videos. What a night.
Curbs used to have a method when he sold the club to the a new player. So must Gallen. If I was brokering the deal to sell the club to perspective buyers (and I am available and a pretty good negotiator), I would just show them that scene after the 2nd leg. Sold!
As per usual I flew over from Sydney for the whole month of May. We stayed in a campsite just south of Doncaster the night before then headed up early as I thought I may have had issues parking my motorhome near the ground. As luck had it they let me park in the car park next to the ground. Brekky at McDonalds and the area seemed to be heaving with Charlton fans. Brilliant atmosphere inside which drowned out the Donny support. We were the better team on the day but should have capitalised with at least another goal. The return at the Valley was a completely different kettle of fish, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who wondered what was happen wing as the pitch got invaded as I thought we needed to score one more. Got a really great video of the aftermath scenes…. one to cherish.
Tel – what memories eh? Great little town Donny too.
So, what is Sydney like in May? 🤷♂️😉
We saw the Donny away game in the league but had to miss the semi. My son’s team won their cup semi final in March and as they walked off the pitch I asked their manager when the final was. He gave us a couple of dates in May and we just knew we’d miss one of the play off games. As my son was the keeper we couldn’t go to Donny. Think he was a bit puzzled why were so deflated at getting to the cup final. Ironically Donny gave the best play off performances of the four semi finalists i thought.
Pembury Addick