Monday 27 May 2019

The morning after the night before

I'm still coming down from yesterday's excitement. I didn't dare to believe that we could win.

I would like to remember those Charlton fans who have passed away during the past year and were unable to be with us. In particular, I remember two whose funerals I attended: Dick Sheppard and Vernon Roper. Chalfont St. Peter Addick Dick was also known as 'Statto' because of his ability to assemble obscure statistics and affectionately as 'Uncle Albert' because of his appearance. He is always remembered whenever the 'Rodsters' get together, these days at the River Ale House or in the summer at Barnes.

Vernon Rover was the driving force between the still existing West Sussex branch of CASC. Maggie and I used their minibus to get to away games as they collected us in Warwick. Vern was a dedicated Addick and a fighter for animal rights. The West Sussex prediction competition is named 'The Badger League' in his honour.

Brian Cole addresses the Valley faithful, unfortunately not many of them had arrived.

Brian Cole was a superb orator at both funerals and is still very much with us. It was a pleasure to see him interview the legendary Sasa Ilic at pitch side yesterday and afterwards to join us in the 'Rodsters' block. By the way, the pitch announcer won £340 from a £10 bet on Patrick Bauer scoring the last Addicks goal.

Many Addicks have said how fair minded most Mackems fans were, congratulating them after the game. You wouldn't get that from many clubs. My pharmacist was at the game with his two sons and he told me at the beginning of the season that Charlton would beat Sunderland in the play off final.

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