Charlton Athletic’s fixture against Chelsea in the FA Cup Third Round on Saturday evening will be the highest-attended FA Cup Home game at The Valley for 50 years.

The last occasion when more than 25,000 attended The Valley for an FA Cup tie was on the 24th January 1976 on a Saturday afternoon when Charlton hosted Ian St John’s Portsmouth in the competition’s fourth round.

Bob Curtis put the home side 1-0 up from the Penalty Spot after 26 minutes, but a 88th minute equaliser from Norman Piper in front of 26,361 meant a replay would be held at Fratton Park 3 days later. Charlton won the replay by 3 goals to nil (Colin Powell, Derek Hales and George Hope) and went on to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the fifth round at Molineux in front of a 7,000 away following. Sub John Richards with a Hat Trick for the First Division side.

Since that run in 1976, Charlton would go on to play in the famous cup competition at the Valley over the years and here are highlights of some of those memorable afternoons and nights at the Valley.

9th January 1979 v Maidstone United 1-1 Third Round

Memorable for the wrong reasons. Charlton a goal down to Non League Maidstone after 13 minutes would make the game level after 77 minutes thanks to Mike Flanagan but it was on 86 minutes when the 13.457 crowd on a Tuesday night witnessed something unprecedented in Charlton’s history.

Flanagan and Derek Hales were sent off for fighting when after arguing with each other over an offside call, Hales lashed out a couple of times before Flanagan replied with a punch.

Charlton won the replay six days later by 2 goals to 1, minus Flanagan and Hales.

2nd March 1994 v Bristol City 2-0 Fifth Round Replay

After a 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate, Charlton came back to the Valley knowing that they would face Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Quarter Finals if they were to over come their fellow First Division opposition in Bristol City.

A penalty from Captain Darren Pitcher after 36 minutes put Charlton 1 up. The penalty was awarded for a foul on Steve Brown. Kim Grant would make the game safe after 89 minutes in front of a crowd of 8,205 on a Wednesday night. Highlights were shown later that evening on BBC One with commentary by John Motson.

Charlton reached the last eight for the first time since 1947 but would lose by 3 goals to 1 against a United side down to ten men just before Half time when Peter Schmeichel received his marching orders with the score goalless.

6th January 1996 v Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Third Round

Premier League Sheffield Wednesday were the visitors on a Saturday afternoon to the Valley in front of 13,765 to witness Charlton Athletic pull off a cup shock.

Paul Mortimer’s vision and pass to Kim Grant after 7 minutes saw Grant score pass Kevin Pressman to put Charlton one up and they doubled their lead after 36 minutes when Mortimer scored from the Penalty spot after Grant was pulled down in the area by Pressman.

Charlton would go down to ten men after 54 minutes after John Humphrey was sent off for 2 yellow cards both for fouls on Andy Sinton but the South London kept their lead intact and would go on to beat Brentford at the Valley (3-2 John Robinson, Lee Bowyer and David Whyte) in Round Four, before losing up at Anfield on a Wednesday night by 2 goals to 1 to Liverpool at the end of February in the last sixteen.

5th January 1997 v Newcastle United 1-1 Third Round

A Sunday lunchtime kick off live on Sky Sports would see Premier League Newcastle United enter the Valley with old boy Robert Lee making his return to SE7 where he made his Charlton debut just under 13 years earlier.

Lee would put Newcastle into the lead at Halftime with a goal after 33 minutes, but Charlton would equalise after 78 minutes when a strike from Mark Kinsella outside the box past Shaka Hislop in front of a crowd of 14,847.

Newcastle would go on to win the replay 10 days later by 2 goals to 1 after extra time, thanks to a goal from Alan Shearer after 100 minutes. Kenny Dalglish was appointed the new Newcastle manager the day before the game after Kevin Keegan resigned three days after the first game at the Valley.

6th January 2001 v Dagenham and Redbridge 1-1 Third Round

Non League Dagenham & Redbridge were 4 normal minutes away from one of the biggest shocks by beating a Premier League team in the FA Cup before Sub John Salako found his way with a shot passed Tony Roberts after 86 minutes. Junior McDougald put the visitors a goal up after 42 minutes in front of a crowd of 18.681 on a Saturday afternoon.

The replay took place 3 weeks later at Victoria Road on a Saturday afternoon, where a winning goal from Shaun Newton in the first minute of Extra Time saw the addicks go into the Fourth Round where they would lose by 4 goals to 2 to Tottenham Hotspur on a Wednesday night after being 2 nil up after 49 minutes.

23rd March 2006 v Middlesbrough 0-0 Quarter Final

After wins v Sheffield Wednesday, Leyton Orient and Brentford in the previous rounds, Charlton would face fellow Premier League side Middlesbrough on a Thursday night live on BBC Two in front of a crowd of 24,187 at the Valley.

Charlton were unable to find a way past Mark Schwarzer who made two important saves during the first half and would end up losing 4-2 in the replay at the Riverside the following month.

Miles Leaburn’s appearance as a Second half substitute at Preston North End on Saturday afternoon was his century up in all competitions for Charlton Athletic and joins a list of players that have come through the academy (Played in the Under 18’s) and have reached over 100 first team games for the football club.

So else is on that list and in the Last 10? Well we can start with his teammate Tyreece Campbell who reached that milestone back in January this year. From there we go to Albie Morgan who’s 100th game from the club came back in April 2022.

Goalkeeper Dillon Phillips reached his milestone of 100 when we were last in the Championship in July 2020.

Morgan Fox is next on the list and made his 100th appearance in October 2016. Then we have Jordan Cousins who played his century of games for the club in August 2015.

Lawrie Wilson made his 100th appearance in all competitions for Charlton in December 2014. After that we have Chris Solly who made his 100th game for the club in January 2013.

To the final two in the last ten, it is Scott Wagstaff with his 100th game for the club in September 2011 and finally Goalkeeper Rob Elliot who played his century of games in March 2011.

The Last Ten (With all their appearances for the club)

Miles Leaburn – 100

Tyreece Campbell – 133

Albie Morgan – 146

Dillon Phillips – 102

Morgan Fox – 116

Jordan Cousins – 136

Lawrie Wilson – 108

Chris Solly – 313

Scott Wagstaff – 141

Rob Elliot – 109

Other notable players to have come through the club’s youth system and played over 100 games include the likes of Keith Peacock, Brian Kinsey, Les Berry, Carl Leaburn, Bob Curtis, Phil Warman, Robert Lee, Richard Rufus, Peter Reeves, Shaun Newton, and Steve Brown

Sad news on Friday Morning of the passing of former Charlton Athletic Centre Half, Steve Thompson at the age of 70.

Steve joined Charlton Athletic on the 15th August 1985 from Lincoln City for £25,000 and would make his league debut 2 days later in a home win v Barnsley.

Thompson would play 41 games in all competitions in that season and was part of the 1985/1986 promotion winning side to the First Division. The following season Steve was a consistent player in the first eleven playing 46 times for the club, scoring his only goal in a 1-0 win v QPR in October 1986 at Selhurst Park in the League Cup. He was also captain of the side at Wembley in the Full Members Cup Final in March 1987 v Blackburn Rovers when Charlton lost 1-0 and played 3 times in the end of season Play Offs in May.

In his last season at the Club, he would go on to play a further 25 times before departing in July 1988 for £15,000 to Leicester City. In total Steve played 112 times for the club in all competitions for Charlton.

He ended up playing for Sheffield United and Lincoln before ending his playing career in November 1990 when he was appointed the Imps manager. He would also have spells as manager at Southend United, Sheffield United, Cambridge United and Notts County

A man mountain of a man and with legs like tree trunks he was for a lot of Charlton fans you witnessed him in a Red shirt as one of their heroes. Rest In Peace Rambo.

July 2020 saw Charlton relegated to the third tier of English football and after a few different managers and 2/3 different ownerships, the Addicks find themselves back in the Championship on Saturday lunchtime at the Valley

Since that Sunday Bank Holiday Weekend win v Leyton Orient at Wembley, Charlton have been very busy in the transfer market bringing 9 new players in. Championship experience from Luton Town with Kaminski, Bell and Burke and Rankin-Costello from Blackburn. Plus quality players from League One last season in Apter, Carey, Knibbs, Kelman and Oloafe. Only Small has departed and Charlton look equipped to give the Championship their best shot and first of all get enough points on the board to avoid relegation back to League One.

The Championship feels like the natural level for the club, however they will need time to adjust but under an experienced manager in Nathan Jones they won’t be found lacking in effort and being the best version of themselves.

A crowd of over 22 Thousand is expected (Over 11,250 plus Season Ticket Holders) this saturday lunchtime and bar the sold out away stand, they will be in full voice urging the team onto hopefully a win to kick off the season.

A breakdown of the 2024/2025 season for Charlton Athletic

League One Play Off winners, 4th in League One. 85 Points, 25 League Wins (15 Home, 10 Away), 67 League goals scored, 43 League goals conceded. 26 Clean Sheets in all competitions (20 of those in League games)

From those 25 League wins, Charlton won 22 of those from scoring first. Plus their 2 wins v Wycombe and Leyton Orient in the Play Offs. The 3 games where they came from behind to win were at home v Burton Albion and away at Bolton Wanderers and Leyton Orient.

Most Appearances (All Competitions)

Macaulay Gillesphey – 54
Tyreece Campbell – 53
Conor Coventry – 52
Matt Godden, Greg Docherty – 49
Thierry Small, Luke Berry – 48

Most Goals (All Competitions)

Matt Godden – 22
Miles Leaburn – 10
Tyreece Campbell – 9
Luke Berry – 8
Macaculay Gillesphey – 6

Most Bookings (All Competitions)

Conor Coventry – 12
Luke Berry – 10
Lloyd Jones – 9
Greg Docherty, Karoy Anderson – 8

Most Red Cards (All Competitions)

Karoy Anderson, Chuks Aneke, Greg Docherty – 1

Average Home League Attendance – 15,255

Average Away League Support by Charlton Fans – 1143

Best Unbeaten League Run – 6 games (On 4 Occasions)

Worst League Run Without a Win – 5 games

Players Used (All Competitions) – 36

Players Used (League Games Only) – 32

Supporters Player of the Year – Lloyd Jones

Young Player of the Year – Tyreece Campbell

Charlton enter for the Seventh time into the Football League Play Offs this Sunday evening away at Wycombe Wanderers. The addicks go into this first leg with 22 points from their last 10 games and have an in form striker in Matt Gooden who has 8 goals in those 10 games.

Charlton have already done the double over Wycombe with a 2-1 Home win just after Christmas and arguably their most impressive performance of the season when they won 4-0 at Adams Park on Easter Monday.

Charlton’s previous play off campaigns go as far back as 1987 in that epic Friday night at St Andrews when 2 late goals in Extra Time by Peter Shirtliff secured their place in the First Divsion.

1996 saw Charlton finish in 6th place but went out in the Semi Finals with 2 defeats to Crystal Palace, however 2 years later saw arguably one of the greatest games at the Old Wembley Stadium when they won on penalties against Sunderland, after a 4-4 draw after Extra time and that Clive Mendonca Hat Trick which saw promotion to the Premier League.

Twelve years later Charlton faced Swindon Town over 2 legs in the League One Play Offs but suffered penalty heartbreak at the Valley on that Monday night.

2018 saw Charlton under Caretaker Manager, Lee Bowyer reach the play offs but went out in the Semi Finals with 2 defeats to Shrewsbury Town, however 12 months on they secured Championship promotion with an injury time winner from Patrick Bauer against Sunderland.

So what will this time around bring? The Play Offs always brings ups and downs but it’s normally the sides going into it with a good run of form that have the confidence to go all the way, however if Charlton did reach Wembley on the 25th May they would face Stockport or Leyton Orient who have both picked up 25 points from their last 10 games.

On the 2nd July last year Charlton Athletic’s top goal scorer with 27 goals in all competitions, Alfie May is sold to fellow League One team, Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee.

24 hours later, the club announces that 33 year old Matt Godden has joined for an undisclosed fee from Championship side, Coventry City

21 goals in all competitions at the end of the regular League season has gone to show the 34 year old has been excellent when it comes to finding the net for the Addicks

Bar the opening game of the season, Godden has been in every league squad this season, and up to the goalless draw v Reading at the start of this year had scored 8 goals in all competitions

Godden came on as a sub after 61 minutes away at Rotherham in the middle of January with Charlton 4-1 down. Godden scored a great goal in injury time for the addicks but it would still see him on the bench for the next 2 league games.

Bar the Stockport and Crawley away games (Unused sub v Stockport), Godden has started every League game since, with 12 League goals in 18 games when starting up front for Charlton.

Godden now joins an elite group of players with the likes of Stuart Leary, Derek Hales, Clive Mendonca and Darren Bent who have scored 20 or more goals in a season for Charlton Athletic.

A Charlton side without Godden would be a massive hole to fill and fingers crossed he can fire Charlton to the Championship in the Play Off Fixtures starting next Sunday away at Wycombe Wanderers.

Charlton’s impressive league form at the Valley continued on Saturday Lunchtime with a comprehensive performance and result over 6th place Huddersfield Town by four goals to nil.

Since the goalless draw at home to Reading on the 4th January, Charlton have won their next 8 League home games with 6 Clean sheets (Only conceded a goal each v Peterborough and Wigan) and have scored 16 goals in those matches, which has taken them from 11th place (7 points off 6th place) after that Reading game to now cemented in the play off positions in 4th place and 8 points clear of 7th place.

Now the last time Charlton had a home 100% record on par with this one was back in 1980. Under the management of Mike Bailey in the Old Third Division. From October to December, Charlton won 8 in a row at home, with 5 clean sheets and scored 18 times. Charlton would finish the season in 3rd place and would gain promotion back to the Second Division after being relegated the previous season.

So is there anything better in than those 2 achievements? The answer is yes. Back in December 1937 to April 1938. Charlton with Jimmy Seed as manager, went 11 home league games winning them all, keeping 6 clean sheets and scoring 31 goals in those 11 games at the Valley, Charlton would finish the season in 4th place, only losing twice in their 21 home league matches.

So with 3 home league games left this season, that club record can be equalled. With the believe the squad is showing at present that is a possibility. Onwards and Upwards.

Sad news over the weekend that former Charlton Athletic winger, Mike Kenning has passed away at the age of 84 in South Africa

Kenning was signed by Manager Frank Hill from Shrewsbury Town in November 1962 for a club record fee of £10,500 and would go on to make 165 League and Cup appearances, scoring 47 goals before being sold to Norwich City in December 1966 for £27,000.

Kenning spent just over a year at Carrow Road before being sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 1968 for £35,000.

March 1969 would see Kenning return to the Valley when he was signed by Manager Eddie Firmani for £20,000 and in his second spell at the club he played another 73 League and Cup appearances, scoring 12 goals before being sold to Watford in January 1972 for £9,000.

After spending just over a season at Vicarage Road, Mike moved to South Africa spending time as a player manager and manager at 3 different clubs.