| Contents |
What's The
Valley Like?
Future Developments
Looking Towards The North
Stand (photo)
What
Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
West Stand (photo)
Where To Drink?
The
North Stand On Match Day (photo)
How
To Get There By Car And Where To Park
Jimmy
Seed (South) Stand (photo)
By Train/Tube
View From The Front Of The Away
End (photo)
Layout
Of The Valley
Local Rivals
Admission Prices
Fixtures 2011-2012
Programme & Fanzine
Disabled Facilities
Sam Bartram Statue (photo)
Record & Average Attendance
Fans Ground
Reviews
Hotel Accommodation
Valley Location
Map
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| What's The Valley
Like? |
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The
construction of the North Stand has transformed the
ground. What was a single tier separate stand, is
now a large two tiered affair, extending and
completely enclosing the North East & North West
corners. The re-development of
this area of the ground was completed in 2002 and
in total houses 9,000 fans. Both sides
have also been re-developed in the
mid 1990's and anyone who saw the derelict
Valley some years back, now wouldn't
believe their eyes. The West Stand on one side is a good sized two tiered stand, whilst
opposite, is the
smaller single tiered
East Stand, where the vast open terrace, reputedly
the country's biggest, was located until demolished
in the 1990's. There is a row of
executive boxes that run across the back of this
stand and it has a television gantry suspended
beneath its roof. The older South Stand,
behind the goal, is given to away supporters and now
looks out of place in its smart surroundings. On one side of this is a police
control box. The stadium doesn't have any
floodlight pylons as such, but has rows of small
floodlights running across the tops of the stands.
The stadium is overlooked by a block of flats
beyond the South Stand and it is not uncommon to
see fans out on their balconies watching most of
the game for nothing. In one corner of the stadium
between the Jimmy (South) Seed & East Stands,
there is a large video screen. Outside the ground
there is a statue of Charlton's legendary former
goalkeeper Sam Bartram.
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| Future Developments |
Mike Keeler informs me; 'The Club have
now got planning permission from Greenwich Council
to increase the capacity of the Valley to 30,900.
This will involve adding a second tier to the East
Stand as well as the 'filling in' of the South East
corner of the stadium'. However formal time scales
have yet to be announced as to when this will take
place.
George Packman adds; 'The Club intend to increase
the capacity of the Valley to over 40,000. Following
on from the first phase of the scheme, which would
see an additional tier added to the East Stand, the
Club then intend to re-develop the Jimmy Seed
(South) Stand. This would be replaced with a similar
looking structure to the existing North Stand. This
would result in the Valley becoming totally enclosed
and boosting capacity to 37,000. Lastly a third tier
could be added to the new South Stand at a later
stage, meaning that the Valley would have a final
capacity of 40,600'.
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Looking Towards The North
Stand
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| What
Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? |
Away
fans are housed in the Jimmy Seed (South) Stand at one
end of the ground, which is slightly raised above
pitch level, making for a generally
good view. Up to 3,000 away fans can be
accommodated in this end. However, if the visiting
team are unlikely to sell their full allocation of
3,000 tickets, then this end may be shared with home
fans. This stand being older
than the rest of the ground, looks somewhat tired
and for those used to other modern premiership
grounds, may find it somewhat of a shock.
Peter Inwood a visiting Leeds fan adds; 'There is one
solitary supporting column in the entire ground and
guess where it is? Right in
the middle, behind the goal, in the away supporters
end. Very
annoying it is as well. However, I would commend the
stewards, who took a relaxed attitude to the away
supporters who stood throughout the match, although expect to be searched on the
way in'. Otherwise the
height between rows is good and the stand quite
steep, keeping you fairly close to the playing
action. It is worth noting that if your team is
allocated the whole stand, that there are
refreshment areas on either side of the stand. As to
be expected those located by the entrance
turnstiles, tend to be busiest, whilst those on the
other side of the stand are normally less congested.
The refreshment kiosks serve the usual array of hot
dogs, pasties and burgers. These outlets are
supplemented by separate hot dog stalls. There is
also a Ladbrokes betting kiosk inside the ground.
Adam Hodson a visiting Stockport County fan adds;
'There is a decent fish and chip shop at the top of
Floyd Road, which you pass on the way to the away
fans entrance.'
I was quite impressed with the atmosphere at the
Valley and I can see why many away
fans see it as one of their favourite away days to
the capital. The Charlton fans are clearly
passionate about their team, but in a non-intimidating
way. I had pleasant day out and would go again. I was
particularly impressed with the loud P.A. system that
played some great music before the game commenced which rocked around the stadium.
It is worth noting that you can only gain entrance to
the ground by ticket, which
you have to buy from a ticket booth beforehand.
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West Stand
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| Where To Drink? |
Simon
Phillips informs me that 'The Antigallican, a big pub
near Charlton station, seems to be the favourite haunt
of away supporters'. However, it can get very busy and
this is not helped by the local Police not allowing
fans to drink outside. It is a
rather basic pub but has real ale available (albeit
a lone handpump) and also offers a selection of
filled rolls and pork pies. Whilst Colin
Gilham recommends the 'Rose of Denmark' on Woolwich
Road. The pub not only allows in away supporters but
absolutely welcomes them. They have a photo display on
the wall of fans from visiting clubs that have
frequented the pub this season and
it also has SKY television'. Please note that this is a home
supporters only pub after the game. To find these
pubs come out of Charlton station and turn left into
Charlton Church Lane and the Antigallican pub is down on the right hand corner.
If you continue down to the t-junction with the
Woolwich Road and turn left you will reach the Rose
of Denmark further down on the left.
There is also the Charlton Liberal Club, to which away
fans are welcome on payment of an
entry fee of £1. This
is more spacious, less busy, has
a large screen television and
families are welcome. The club can be found
by turning right out of Charlton station and walking
300 yards up the hill on the left hand side of the
road, past the row of shops. The club is a five minute
walk from the away end, but like
the Rose Of Denmark, it becomes a home supporters
only venue after the game.
Robert Taylor adds; 'I would recommend
the Pickwick on Woolwich Road, which is about a
10 minutes walk away from
the ground. It has a
good mix of away and home fans, with
a friendly atmosphere (with the usual
banter!). There is a
huge beer garden where kids are allowed to play
football and it has Sky television
with a huge projector screen at one end. It has a
pool table, games machines and there is a handy chippie right next
door'. Alternatively alcohol
is available in the away end.
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East Stand
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Thanks
to Owen Pavey for providing the above photos.
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| How
To Get There By Car And Where To Park |
| Leave
the M25 at Junction 2 and follow the A2 towards
London. When the A2 becomes the A102(M), take the A206
towards Woolwich and you will come to the ground on
your right. If you cross over the Thames or reach Blackheath, then you
have gone too far.
Street parking, but due
to a local residents parking scheme, not in close
vicinity to the ground or Charlton railway station.
However as you come off the A2
onto the A206, there is some street parking to be
had on your right, in a couple of streets, before
you reach the Rose of Denmark pub. Colin
Gilham informs me; 'There is some street parking
to be had around the industrial estates
in the area, in Westmoor Street, Eastmoor Street
(the very road where the
club was apparently formed 100 years ago!), Warspite
Road and Ruston
Road. If you are coming up
the Woolwich Road from the the Blackwall
Tunnel, then as you go past
the ground, the
industrial estates are on the left hand side.
Map showing the location of
the Valley football ground (at the
bottom of this page).
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Jimmy Seed (South) Stand
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Thanks
to Luke Weatherall for supplying the above photo.
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| By Train/Tube |
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The ground is in
walking distance of Charlton railway station, which
is served by Charing Cross, London Bridge and
Waterloo East stations. On Saturdays there are also
services from Cannon Street station.
Colin Gilham informs me; 'Come out Charlton station
into Charlton Church lane (all exits lead onto this
road). and turn right and cross
over to the other side. Take the next left into
Floyd Road and then right into
Valley Grove for the away section entrance'.
Darryl Chamberlain adds; 'Although Charlton station
is very close to the Valley, many people will find
it easier to take the (far more reliable) tube.
Using the Jubilee Line to get to North Greenwich
station and then take a short ride on buses 161, 472
or 486 to get to the ground'.
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View From The Front Of The Away End
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| Local Rivals |
| Crystal
Palace, Millwall & West Ham.
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| Admission Prices |
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Home Fans:
West & East Stands (Upper
& Centre Blocks):
Adults £25, Over
60's
£18, Under 18's £10, Under 11's £5
North Stand
(Lower Tier):
Adults £25, Over 60's £18, Under 18's £10, Under 11's £5
West
& East Stands (Wings):
Adults £22, Over 60's
£18, Under 18's £10, Under 11's £5
North Stand (Upper Tier):
Adults £18, Over
60's
£18, Under 18's £10, Under 11's £5
North East & West Quadrants:
Adults £18, Over
60's £13, Under 18's £10, Under 11's £5
Away fans:
South Stand
Adults £25, Over 60's £18, Under 18's £10, Under 11's £5
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Layout Of The Valley
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A more detailed stadium
plan can be downloaded from the official Charlton Athletic
website (PDF file).
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| Fixtures 2011-2012 |
| Charlton
Athletic FC fixture list (takes you to the
BBC Sports Website).
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| Programme
& Fanzine |
Official Programme £3.
Valley View
Fanzine £1.
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| Disabled
Facilities |
| For
details of disabled facilities and club contact at the
ground please visit the relevant page on the Level
Playing Field website..
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Sam
Bartram Statue
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Thanks
to Ralf van de Wiel for supplying the above photo.
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| Record & Average
Attendance |
Record
Attendance:
75,031 v Aston Villa
FA Cup 5th Round, February 12th 1938.
Modern All Seated Attendance
Record:
27,111 v Chelsea
Premier League, September 17th, 2005. (This record
has subsequently been equalled).
Average Attendance:
2010-2011: 15,582 (League One)
2009-2010: 17,606 (League One)
2008-2009: 20,894
(Championship League)
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| Fans Reviews
Of The Valley |
Chris
Connolly (Chesterfield) 24/9/11
Paul O'Shea (Doing
The 92) 2/4/11
Philip John
(Gillingham) 20/3/10
Daniel Eskdale
(Middlesbrough) 13/1/07
Steve Beattie
(Watford) 21/9/06
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| Hotel
Accommodation |
| If you require hotel
accommodation in the area then first try a hotel
booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all
types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets
from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast
establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced
Apartments. Plus their booking system is
straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will
earn a small commission if you book through them, but
it will go to help with the running costs of keeping
the Guide going. The Hotels listing also includes
details of how far away the accommodation is located
from the football ground. Access their Charlton
and general London Hotels and Guest Houses
page.
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| Map showing the
location
of the Valley football ground, railway station and
listed pubs. |
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Instructions for using
the map:
- Use the bar on the left of the map to zoom in /
out using the + / - keys.
- Click and drag an area of the map to move around
or use the up/down, left/right arrows
- Click the Satellite button to see aerial view
photograph.
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Feedback
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If
anything is incorrect or you have something to
add, please e-mail duncan@footballgrounds.net
and I'll update the guide.
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