20 years on.... Netaddicks stirs some not so good memories of a Saturday lunchtime 20 years ago today when 6,000 or so supporters (including me) were handed a piece of paper with some half-cock story and a map of another football ground on it.

I had had some prior warning - a mate of mine was a copper at Bexleyheath nick and told me the night before - but like other Charlton fans who had heard rumours we didn't dare believe it.

The game seemed to pass without incident (we beat Palarce 3-1) but it was the days after when it only started to sink in. There was demonstrations / trouble at the away games at Oldham and Wimbledon that followed I remember and of course the pitch invasion(s) at the final game at home to Stoke.

I know Rob Lee pretty well and I remember him telling me many years later that the players were pretty non-plussed by it all at the time and it was only when they were ensconsed at Selhurst that it started to sink in for them. All in all though in that first season away from the Valley the players seemed to handle the move a lot better than the fans as of course they went on to win promotion (which was a remarkable acheivement) under Lennie Lawrence.

20 years is a long time and my how things have changed during those two decades, well at Charlton anyway, Sellout is still the dump it always used to be. Today as current captain Luke Young - our best full back since John Humphrey - wins his 4th England cap, the board, the players and most importantly us the fans (new and old) can be very very proud of what we have witnessed in that time.

Staying in the (old) 1st Division against all the odds, the flourishing early management years of Alan Curbishley at Upton Park, the move back to the Valley, Roger Alwen's (who held down a day job too) determination, the astute refurbishment of the stadium, the openness and financial backing of the board and in particular it's Chairman, the successful youth system, the players that have worn the red shirt that have given us their best (that is all we ever ask) and the increasing support of Charlton in the little corner of SE London that is spreading throughout the world.

We should remember that day 20 years ago for ever, but not for bad reasons because it was the day that we became one. Us the supporters.

Let's remember that this season, when we are losing with a couple minutes to go, when we go a goal down early, when we are winning easily, when we consider if a trip to an away game is really worth it, when the person next to you or behind you stands up to sing - join him or her because they are one of us.

Come on you Addicks.  ¶ 09:41