We appealed for Charlton fans to get in touch yesterday and five responded, sowe now have a 2 part article, here is the first featuring the views of 2 fans
A bit about you:
Name: James Watt
Current home town: Gloucester Birthplace: Greenwich, London
How long have you supported your team? My first match at The Valley was a 0-0 draw with Millwall in 1980. Wasn't much of a game, but the atmosphere was superb.
Overview of your club:
Favourite thing about your home ground: The Valley is special to many Charlton fans, not just because it's the home of our team, but because having been exiled from it in the 80s and the work that went into winning it back, it gives us an extra connection to the stadium. It's home, and we love it and I hope we will never let it go again.
Favourite match played by your team & why: Play-off final against Sunderland at Wembley, the game had everything, high drama, lots of goals and most of all it ended with our promotion to the Premier League for the first time. An amazing day out.
Favourite player of all time who played for your club: Derek Hales. Aside from being a deadly striker, Derek was actually born in a village that I grew up in for a while. He was a bit of a local hero as a result. I knew of Derek a good few years before I became a Charlton supporter.
About our forthcoming match against you:
Your favourite current player in your squad and why? Rhoys Wiggins. A full back that seems to have it all and will do well at this level. Can defend, bombs up the wing for the overlap, and sends over some great crosses for our strikers.
Player in your squad we should most fear and why? Look out for Kermorgant, he will be looking to show you guys what he is really like. I know he didn't have a great time at Leicester, but he has been a big success with us.
Player in our squad you most fear and why? Paul Konchesky for the simple reason that our old boys always seem to do us damage…
Up and coming prospect in your squad? Chris Solly. Player of the year last season and our most improved player. Solid and dependable even though he is still only young.
Where do you think you’ll finish this season? Hopefully 12th or above, though I would be happy with 18th. Consolidation is key.
How do you think you’ll do against us? I think it's going to be a tight game, but I think we might just nick it by the odd goal. Powell will be looking to beat his old mentor and a couple of ex-Leicester boys will be fired up.
Chris Powell was an absolute legend at LCFC for his work as a coach, mentor, on the pitch and his community and fan based focus and attitude, what are your thoughts of the man? Powell is a Charlton hero. As a player he made over 250 appearances for us and gave everything each time he pulled that shirt on. Chris had an amazing bond with the fans as a player, and that is still there today as our Manager, it's special. He is doing a fantastic job for us and long may it continue. Chris has restored pride back in our Club after some really tough times and I would love him to lead us back to the Premier League.
Any other comments? This is a game that I have been particularly looking forward to. It's one of the bigger matches for us to look forward to, and as with the Birmingham game on Saturday it's a yardstick for us to see what we can realistically achieve this season. With the connections we have in terms of players (Morrison, Kermorgant, Konchesky) and of course Chris Powell, it could be a very competitive game. Good luck!
And on to the views of a second fan
A bit about you:
Name: Connor Jennett, 17 years old, 6ft 4" and a regular lover of football, I play as a goalkeeper, probably easy to tell because of the height. I study for medicine at the moment and am now entering my second year in sixth form at eltham college in south east London.
Current home town: Chislehurst, Kent Birthplace: Queen Mary's hospital, Sidcup
How long have you supported your team? At my age of 17, I've been a season ticket holder with my dad for 15 years.
Overview of your club:
Favourite thing about your home ground: The atmosphere in the north upper block is truly fantastic, where I sit there is never a dull moment, and of there is, there is always at least one man trying to ignite the fans chants. Truly energetic supporters!
Favourite match played by your team & why: When I was younger and when Charlton were in the premier league, Charlton travelled to arsenal on a Sunday, also known as the infamous 'black sabbath' to beat arsenal when they were so high up in the football rankings by a score of 4-2 at high bury was fantastic.
Favourite player of all time who played for your club: I'm sure I answer for everyone when I say Clive Mendonca. He's the reason we won the playoffs vs Sunderland by a score of 4-4 on penalties.
About our forthcoming match against you:
Your favourite current player in your squad and why? Sorry Leicester fans, but it has to be Yann Kermorgant. He has set an example to all football players, he is the hardest working player I have ever seen play for Charlton and is definitely playing for the team. That, and his unbelievable ability to contest and win every single header. Thats no word of a lie, in the 30 games I saw him play last season, he won EVERY header. Kasper beware!
Player in your squad we should most fear and why? Our captain, Johnnie Jackson. He is currently playing a central midfielder role and is the anchor to our team. He is capable of scoring a number of goals and assists and is definitely one of the main reasons of our storm to the league 1 trophy.
Player in our squad you most fear and why? Wes Morgan, he had a stunning game against Peterborough and I fear he will strike again. Although the prospect of having Kasper in goal against us isn't good news, a top quality goalkeeper.
Up and coming prospect in your squad? I think our youngsters are fantastic, most notably with our right back Chris Solly, he was the most consistent player for our last season and has unbelievable strength for such a small young lad! After winning 3 awards I clouding player of the year last season, I think he will be one to watch.
Where do you think you’ll finish this season? With optimism, I believe Charlton can reach the playoffs, but realistically I think around 8th would be a decent start to life in the championship.
How do you think you’ll do against us? I think it will be a close game, but I believe Charlton will edge it with the home advantage, and the motivation given by how close they were to winning st St Andrews on the weekend.
Chris Powell was an absolute legend at LCFC for his work as a coach, mentor, on the pitch and his community and fan based focus and attitude, what are your thoughts of the man? I think Chris Powell is a legend. One of my favourite players for Charlton, never seen him without a smile on his face, he loves to show those ridiculous white teeth! As a manager I think he's got it all. He has completely reformed the Charlton team and masterminded their return to the championship. He loves the fans and every single fan loves him. At press conferences he always says the right thing and before I forget, being one of only two black managers in the football league, I think he's done a fantastic job for himself, and for Charlton athletic.
Any other comments? COME ON YOU REDS!!