Stadium The Valley, Floyd Road, Charlton, London SE7 8BL

Telephone 0208-333-4000

Club Colours Red and White
Nickname The Addicks or Valiants

Official Club Website www.cafc.co.uk

Key Personnel Charlton's current Manager is Lancastrian and part time Ian Hendon impersonator Phil Parkinson who made over 500 football league appearances with Bury and Reading. A tough tackling midfielder, he started his career at Southampton in 1985.

He retired from playing in 2003 and took the reins at Colchester United as Manager. After 3 years at Layer Road he replaced Peter Taylor at Hull City before joining Charlton in January 2007 as assistant to Alan Pardew. When Pardew departed Phil became caretaker and then manager on New Years Eve 2008.

Brief Directions by Road

Not the friendliest drive but then what London ground is?

Option 1 is through the Blackwall Tunnel (A102). When you reach the other side of the river look out for the slip road to the A206 signposted Charlton and Woolwich. Turn left onto the A206 (Woolwich Road). After the major set of traffic lights at Anchor and Hope Lane and Charlton Church Lane, travel around second roundabout and take the last exit to drive back on yourself. Then take the first left into Charlton Church Lane. Cross the railway line and continue up the road, then into Harvey Gardens. The stadium is on the left.

Option 2 is M25 over the Dartford crossing to M25 junction 2. Take the A2 signposted London and Greenwich - this becomes the A102M. Look out for the slip road for the A206 signposted Charlton and Woolwich and effectively turn right here onto the A206 Woolwich Road. Then follow directions as above.

Car Parking

Street parking is available but tough to find due to residents parking around the stadium and near to the train station. The Industrial estates in Westmoor Street, Eastmoor Street, Warspite Road and Ruston Road offer parking. Travel on the A206 east from the stadium though two roundabouts and these roads are on your right about 1/2 mile away.

Directions by Train

Charing Cross and London Bridge stations serve Charlton station. The ground is a 5-minute walk away. Turn right out of the station, cross Charlton Church Lane and first left is Floyd Road. Turn right into Valley Road for the away turnstiles.

North Greenwich on the Jubilee line is another option but the ground is quite a walk away. However the following buses pass close to the ground - 161, 472 or 486.

Supporters Coaches

The BFCSA is running a coach to this fixture and seats are priced at £10.00 adults £5.00 Concessions. The coach will depart from outside the Barnet Odeon at 5.00pm. For further details about supporters coach travel and how to book check out the BFCSA website at www.bfcsa.co.uk. You can also phone the Coach Travel hot line on 01707 647365. Please remember that you must be a member of the Association to travel - don't worry you can join on the day. The club wishes me to point out that supporters' coach travel is entirely organised and operated independently by the Barnet FC Supporters Association. Barnet Football Club Limited cannot be held liable for any losses occurred.

Eating and Drinking Locally

The Rose of Denmark (296 Woolwich Road) and the Antigallican (which means 'anti-French' if you are interested?) appear to be the two pubs close to the stadium that will be most welcoming to away fans. The Antigallican can be found by turning left out of the station to find the pub on the right.

Previous visiting fans have recommended the Charlton Liberal Club (on Charlton Church Lane, turn right out of the station - entry charge of £1.00). This is only 5 minutes walk from the away turnstiles. The Pickwick on Woolwich Road is another friendly pub and has a very good chippy next door!

Ground Description

The story of the Valley is well known - It was once a massive predominately terraced ground with a capacity of 75,000 (the infamous uncovered East Terrace was enormous and afforded a wonderful view from its heights). It was closed in 1985 due basically to safety requirements following the Bradford City fire at Valley Parade and years of lack of renovation work. It was however a splendid place to watch football from believe me. Charlton shared grounds with first Crystal Palace and then West Ham until they returned 'home' in 1992 to the new Valley. The stadium hosted Premiership football for eight seasons and now boasts a healthy 28.000 all seated capacity.

The main or West Stand is two-tiered and was built in 1998 to coincide with promotion to the Premiership. Opposite is the East Stand constructed in 1994. It was the first significant piece of redevelopment after the club's return and sits on the old East Terrace site. It is single tiered with numerous executive boxes.

The North Stand is the latest edition to the stadium and is the home of the Valley Choir. A double-decker, it was built in 2001.

Finally the oldest surviving section of the ground, and the only original part of the Valley, is the Jimmy Seed stand which was effectively built in 1982 although it is just seats bolted onto the old terrace risers. It will be our home for the evening and holds 3,000.

Rivals

Crystal Palace and West Ham United traditionally although Millwall's New Den is just 4 miles away as the crow flies!

Admission Prices

The clubs have agreed to a bargain price of just £5.00 for all fans on the night. Therefore….. travel on the supporters coach and gain admission all for only £15.00 Adults and £10.00 Concessions. Ian and the boys need our support - do it!

Our Last Meeting& Memories

The most recent meeting of course was our pre-season friendly in July at Underhill when goals from Paul Furlong and Albert Adomah were enough in a 2-0 win. We have met on three occasions in competitive games the first in January 1992 in a FA Cup-tie at Upton Park. A fantastic day out was made even more special when Mark Carter crashed in the opener in front of 9,618 until Charlton's pedigree showed and they scored three in reply. Steve Gatting, Carl Leaburn and Kim Grant scored the Addicks goals.

The Coca-Cola Cup competition in August 1995 was a two-legged affair. The 0-0 at Underhill in front of 2,216 was followed by a frankly comfortable 2-0 win for Charlton at the refurbished (albeit in a very modest way) Valley. Lee Boyer scored both goals. Dougie Freedman was the star of the tie and I believe that performance was the decisive factor for watching Crystal Palace manager Steve Coppell to swoop with his Chairman's cheque book. Four weeks later Dougie had gone to Selhurst Park for some £800,000!

Make a day of it Factor

I award a 3/10 for this one. Surprised? Well only because you have the opportunity to view some wonderful pieces of English heritage old and new. All the following are with easy walking distance of the area: The River Thames and the Thames Barrier, The Woolwich Ferry, Canary Wharf and the Millennium Dome.

Celebrity Watch

Surprisingly Charlton is fairly bereft of celebritism (Is that a word Reckless? It is now!) unless famous draftsmen, civil engineers and poets rock your boat. There is of course an ex Barnet legend working at the club. Current Valley groundsman is Colin 'Paddy' Powell. "The George Best of the Non League", Paddy was an all time favourite of many Bees fans in the late 1960's and early 70's. He was without doubt one of the most exciting players to represent our club. The Barnet Football Club Supporters Association members voted him 1970's Player of the Decade. Transferred from Barnet to Charlton in 1973 he has been part of Valley folklore virtually ever since. I know he still has a soft spot for Barnet FC and was a guest of the club last season.