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Charlton Athletic Ground Name: The Valley |
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| Contents | |
| What's The Ground
Like? Future Developments Looking Towards The North Stand (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Where To Drink? The North Stand On Match Day (photo) How To Get There By Car And Where To Park By Train/Tube Ground Layout What Do The Charlton Fans Sing? Local Rivals Admission Prices Fixtures 2007-2008 Programme & Fanzine Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Other Places Of Interest Own A Share In Charlton Athletic Feedback Return To The Main Menu |
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| What's The Ground 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 | |
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Mike Keeler informs me;
'The Club have now got planning permission from Greenwich Council to
increase the capacity of the Valley to 31,000. 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. Formal time scales have yet to be announced as
to when this will take place, but it is believed that work will start
within the next two years'. 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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| 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. 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 and it was no surprise when just before the teams came out onto the pitch that 'Into The Valley....' 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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| 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. Alternatively alcohol is available in the away end before kick off, but strangely not at half time. |
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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. |
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| By Train/Tube | |
| The ground is in walking distance of Charlton railway
station, which is served by Charing Cross and London Bridge mainline 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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| Ground Layout | |
For a more detailed stadium plan visit the official Charlton Athletic website. |
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| What Do The Charlton Fans Sing? | |
| Sung to the tune of 'Mull Of Kintyre'; Valley Floyd Road, The Mist Rolling in from the Thames, My Desire, Is always to be found at Valley Floyd Road. Many Miles have I travelled, Many games have I seen, following Charlton my favourite team, Many hours have I spent in the Covered End Choir, Singing Valley Floyd Road, My Only Desire... Sung to the tune of 'When we get to Wembley'; Goodbye horse, Goodbye horse, Saying Goodbye to his Horse And as he was saying Goodbye to his Horse Saying Goodbye Goodbye horse Goodbye horse.. Oh South London, Is wonderful, Oh South London, Is wonderful, Its full of ****, the Valley and Charlton, Oh South London is wonderful. Hello, hello, we are the Charlton Boys, Hello, hello, we are the Charlton Boys, And if you are a Palace fan, surrender or you'll die, We all follow the Charlton. We are Charlton, super Charlton, We are Charlton, covered end.... Lets all laugh at West Ham, Lets all laugh at West Ham, la, la, la, la... Chim-chimeny, chim-chimeny, chim chim charoo, We hate the ******** in Claret and Blue! To the tune of Amarillo: Sha la la la la la la la, Sha la la la la la la la, Sha la la la la la la la, We sent the Palace down! Thanks to Nick Rice & Mike Fitzpatrick for supplying the song information. |
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| Local Rivals | |
| Crystal Palace, Millwall & West Ham. | |
| Admission Prices | |
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All
areas of the stadium: |
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| Fixtures 2007-2008 | |
| For the Charlton fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website). | |
| Programme & Fanzine | |
| Official Programme £3.
Valley View Fanzine £1. |
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| Disabled Facilities | |
| For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. | |
| 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: 2006-2007: 26,195 (Premier League) 2005-2006: 26.196 (Premier League) 2004-2005: 26,403 (Premier League) |
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| Fans Reviews Of The Valley | |
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Mick
Hubbard ((Doing the 92) 25/11/06 Steve Beattie (Watford) 21/9/06 Sarah McFall (Tottenham Hotspur) 27/8/02 |
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| Hotel Accommodation | |
| If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure. 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. To access their Charlton and general London page click here. | |
| Other Places Of Interest | |
| The ground is in walking distance of the River Thames and the Thames Barrier, which is worth a visit, if only to admire the views of Canary Wharf and the Millennium Dome. | |
| Own A Share In Charlton Athletic | |
| Framed Share allow you to buy a genuine share for someone else, which you can then give to them unframed, or in a frame of your choice. The recipients name will be on the share certificate, which shows that the person is now a shareholder in Charlton Athletic plc. As a shareholder that person will receive the annual accounts of Charlton Athletic plc and allow them to attend the Annual General Meeting of shareholders of the Club, where the Clubs senior officials attend and take questions. To find out more on how to purchase a share in Charlton Athletic for yourself or someone else click here. | |
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If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me and I'll
update
the guide. |
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