20 years young
A month from today this Blog celebrates its 20th birthday, for which I have a binary sense of immense pride as well as complete amazement.
I was 30 something when I started penning these pages in June 2004, living on my own in an apartment in Chicago, and England were about to have another ignominious exit from a major championship on penalties.
On my 10th blogging anniversary which coincided with the 2014 Brazilian World Cup, I researched and wrote about my falling in love with football at the 1974 World Cup, a body of work that I still like to read over.
That glorious 1974 World Cup was my prelude to becoming a Charlton Athletic fan, which still sounds absurd, but was true.
50 years an Addick this summer, and I crave a summer, autumn, winter and spring of red & white love.
I considered a range of things I could do for 20 years, although one thing is for sure I have a lot less time on my hands these days.
One thing I went back and forth on was a complete re-design of these pages, but that was time-consuming, and honestly I still love the simplistic way it looks presently.
What I do have an inclination for is lists. In my notepad, which is never far from my side, I am always writing lists.
Consequently I am going to compile a couple of lists that usher together two elements that fuelled the genesis of this Blog. Travel and those damn Addicks.
Over the next weeks and months I will list 20 places and 20 players that mean the most to me. Not necessary the best, just the most important, and I’ll attempt to add some reasonings behind the pick.
As always I’d be yearning some feedback.
Congratulations CA. I was reading the blog for some time before I realised who the author actually was and the fact that we’d attended games and other CAFC related events together over the years and it was great to get back in touch via this unusual route.
Heres to the next 20 year, and who knows where Chicago Addick, or indeed Bangkok Addick, will be based!
Thank you CA for your writing which I have enjoyed for many years. Having been an Addick since 1967 I to have suffered at their hands! Still I keep going and hopefully next season will be different. After all the turmoil and management fiascos it will be different.
Thank you again
Here is to the next 20 years
martin dean email martin_dean @me.com
Many thanks Martin.
Cheers Steve. There were a few like you who didn’t realize it was me back in those early days. Hopefully we can grab that long overdue pint at a game soon.
Happy Anniversary CA! Well done on keeping going at the very least during some really tough times! I always look forward to reading your thoughts on all things Charlton! Looking forward to the upcoming items! Here’s to many more years!
Happy Anniversary CA! Well done on keeping going during some tough times for CAFC! Always enjoy your stuff. Look forward to reading your upcoming items. Here’s to many more years! Phil
Thank you, Phil.
Happy Blog anniversary CA. Always an interesting and insightful read I look forward to the next 20 years which would make me 90 so let’s hope the Addicks excitement doesn’t finish me off in the meantime!
Blimey. You be careful there yelpar 😀
Well done mate
I’m a few years behind you but sticking to the same mantra of never giving up !
Always informative and entertaining , lets hope the next 20 years are more productive on the pitch !!
Cheers AA. Yes, we are few and far between these days sadly.
Huge Congratulations CA! I’m only an Addick for 24 years but now would be a great time to start – the only way is up (hopefully!!) Always enjoy your Blogs – here’s to the next 20! COYA!!👍
At least you got some fun times at the beginning. Thanks Keith
YOUR WRITE UPS ARE PROBABLY THE BEST , YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE GAME AND YOUR STRAIGHT TALK IS TO MY LIKENING .
Very kind Burt.
congratulations, CA. I’ve been following your insightful blog from my Cape Town outpost for the last 10 years. My wife, who has very little interest in football, particularly enjoyed your story about relocating your dog to Sarasota. Particularly looking forward to your 20 player list.
Maybe I should write a dog 🐕 column too! Many thanks Kevin.
Top blogging CA always an enjoyable read. I am nearly 60 years following CAFC, and finding a list of top 20 players is subjective and downright difficult! Needless to say can draw a line through the last few years……
But top for me by a distance is Clive Mendonca. He took us almost single handed to the promised land. Such a shame his career was cut short by injury and he fell on tough times.
I will forever remember his pistol celebration at Wembley.
I’m pretty sure Super Clive will find a way into the 20.
That is a testament to your persistence and commitment.
Perhaps one of the ways to celebrate is to do yourself a favour is ditch the Addicks and start following Man Citee;) it’ll do your mental health and wellbeing the world of good. You’ll be amazed of the weight lifted from your shoulders!
I’m thinking about becoming a Real Madrid fan.
I may join you.
I may join you.
Thanks CA for 20 glorious years of blogging. An addict since 1956, in the 1970s I moved to the Netherlands and became a fan of the local football team PSV Eindhoven for 5 years. It was wonderful Dutch on a weekly basis. Long may your commentaries continue. All the best Paul
Congrats CA…
Here’s to some good news to write about for once!
Cheers SP.
Congratulations CA….and thank you for giving all us Addicks a platform to let off steam (and boy, haven’t we needed to do that over the last decade). Glad you are continuing to keep posting, as the blog is probably the most sensible, informative, passionate and loyal Charlton one around. Here’s to your next 20 years……… Oh, and promotion next season !!! (Or at least a top 6 finish)
Very kind, Greg. Thanks.
well done keep on going
Cheers Paul.
Thanks CA for your excellent blogs over the years. I can only claim 24 years with a loose following of Charlton. In recent years discovered your excellent blogs which give clarity and entertainment when all else is in chaos. I am also a fan of lists, on which I rely and sometimes resort to producing a list of lists. Looking forward to your future blogs and the Addicks getting out of League 1.
Thank you, Richard.
Good man, keep it going, yours is the go-to
Looking forward to the lists…I’m sure they’ll be some controversial player omissions but as you say, it’s based on emotion.
Cheers Steve
Thanks Steve.
I can’t wait to see your top 20 players and other peoples choices too I’ve been a supporter since 1988 not by choice but by accident as someone I started my apprenticeship with was already a Charlton fan
he took me one Saturday too this dump of a ground called Selhurst park but what happened around me with about 800 + supporters was just amazing
I didn’t have a favourite club as a teenager I went to a few local grounds even Dulwich hamlets as I grew up near there
but the way the supporters sang all day in a ground that wasn’t there’s was what got me Charlton through and through
thanks for your blog ca i really enjoy it
Great story Danny. I’m always surprised to learn that we picked up supporters at Selhurst because it was such a dump, but top tier tickets were available and as you once you got the bug, it was hard to stop.
Thanks for reading the Blog.
Congratulations, I read everything you write even if I don’t always agree with you. Great meeting you in Chicago all those years ago. Not sure when I first started writing Addick’s Diary, but it certainly covered the year leading up to the Greatest Game. I didn’t have a great-granddaughter then whose father is a mad keen United fan.
Thank you Wyn. I remember fondly our meeting in Chicago.
You were way ahead of me, and you were one of the inspirations for me to start blogging. I’m really happy that you are still writing. Enjoy your summer break.