Let the train take the strain

The pictures of the Charlton squad at New Eltham station yesterday really brought home the glamour of League 1.  But it's sensible given that it would have been 6-7 hours on a coach.   Presuambly they got some sort of family or advance ticket deal, although if the latter the referee had not better add too many minutes on this afternoon.

I was uncertain whether Hartlepool had any hotels beyond a basic B & B, but apparently they are staying overnight in Darlington.

It wasn't so long ago that we were chartering plans to games, even on one occasion taking supporters to 'Boro from Gatwick, although the outcome was disappointing.   I also remember getting on a Sleazyjet from Liverpool to Luton and encountering Alan Curbishley, while Salako was giving it large in the row in front.

At one time the team would have routinely gone to away games by train.   On one famous occasion when trains still ran on Christmas Day they drank the restaurant car staff under the table.   Given that they were playing on Boxing Day, this would not be seen as good match preparation these days.

I used the £10 voucher I won on Valley Gold at the club shop last week to buy Matthew Eastley's Charlton Athletic: On This Day.   It contains history, facts and figures from every day of the year.

It may be a good omen that on this day in 1955 Charlton beat Arsenal 4-2 at Highbury.   Reporters reckoned they were unlucky not to score six.  There was some vintage left-wing triangle play between Billy Kiernan, Ron White and my hero 'Squib' Hammond.

There are now a substantial number of books about Charlton and it would be a good idea to compile a bibliography some time.

Paul May will be on his way oop North soon and will be providing your report.   COYR!

I have to decide whether to see Brakes take on the Centurions at Cirencester, Leamington's Sam Bartram style goalkeeper Tony Breeden having left during the week after a falling out with manager Paul Holleran.  Breeden liked to come out of goal and play on the wing and his goal from the halfway line was one that I particularly enjoyed.   A more orthodox keeper has now been brought in from AFC Telford, but it will be less fun.