Internet Football Ground Guide - Away Days, The Valley, Charlton

The Valley - Charlton Athletic
Tuesday 27th August 2002
Vs Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, 7.45pm
By Sarah McFall

1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be)

I always look forward to Charlton, as it's about 20mins walk from where I live or 5mins in a taxi as I usually do!

2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking

Too easy for me, though several people I know struggled as there is NOWHERE to park, and the train station just cannot cope with a huge volume of people. Ground is only easy to find if you follow everyone else, as it's really down some back road! OK if you live near and nowhere it is, and use the clubs gym on occasions too ;-)

3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?

ANTIGALLICAN pub, right near the train station. Always packed, but it doesn't seem to take too long to get a drink. No problems ever with the home fans.

4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground

It has improved remarkably in the last 4 years, looking very good from the outside. Away seats are ok, unless, like me, you get the ones behind the stand supports, two away games, and twice I am in the worst seat. I thought Ł30 for that view was a bloody disgrace.

5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..

Stewards are ok, no problems. Atmosphere was a bit flat from the home fans, this may have been due (sorry, not boasting, just saying how it is) to the fact that we were all over their team. Pies were freezing cold according to a friend of mine who took one bite and then threw it away. Also, they wouldn't take Ł20 notes at the kiosk, so some people didn't get to eat!! Toilets, well, they're a portakabin at The Valley, though clean, and effective, I think they should sort this out.

6. Comment on getting away from the ground

As bad as getting TO the ground if you're in a car. The pavements were CROWDED with people in a huge queue to get onto the platform, and I don't think, from memory, they put on extra trains. Dreadful organisation.

7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out.

Funny incident where we had Jim Davidson behind us in the cab we got to the ground on the way in, he was so frustrated with the traffic congestion, that he got out of his HUGE Bentley and started to direct the traffic in a comedy manner. We gave up our cab close to the ground and walked the rest of the way. Wasn't a DAY out as such, as was an evening game, but the Spurs fans were again in good voice, especially at Dean Kiely because he was giving off alot of 'mouth' after an incident involving Simon Davies. Referee was absolutely awful, I usually try not to comment on them, because you nearly always get at least one dodgy decision, but he made several, we were actually laughing towards the end, 0/10, not even worthy of Dr Martens League!!!