The Valley Stadium

There is a unique relationship between Charlton fans and The Valley. Though the club might prefer to play their games elsewhere the fans are very much behind the storied old stadium. That is, perhaps in part, because they helped to build it. When the club found an abandoned chalk pit that they believed would be the ideal location for their new ground it was actually an army of Charlton supporting volunteers that cleared the space at the bottom of the pit for the pitch, whilst the excavated material was used to create makeshift stands.

General information

Arena capacity: 27,000 spectators

Address: Floyd Rd, London SE7 8BL, UK

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 51°29′11″N 0°2′11″E

Year of construction: the official opening – 1919

Construction cost: unknown

Field: grass lawn with dimensions of 112 yd × 73 yd (102 m × 67 m)

Seating plan of the The Valley Stadium

The opening of the North Stand in 2002, completely transformed the look of the ground. What was a single-tiered separate stand, is now a large two-tiered affair, extending and completely enclosing the North East & North West corners. In total it houses 9,000 fans. Both sides were also redeveloped in the mid-1990’s and anyone who saw the derelict Valley some years back, now wouldn’t believe their eyes.

The West Stand on one side is a good sized two-tiered stand, whilst opposite is the smaller single tiered East Stand, where the vast open terrace, reputedly the country’s biggest, was located until demolished in the 1990’s. There is a row of executive boxes that run across the back of this stand and it has a television gantry suspended beneath its roof.

The older South Stand, behind the goal, is given to away supporters and now looks out of place in its smart surroundings. On one side of this is a police control box.

The stadium doesn’t have any floodlight pylons as such but has rows of small floodlights running across the tops of the stands. The stadium is overlooked by a block of flats beyond the South Stand and it is not uncommon to see fans out on their balconies watching most of the game for nothing and others hanging flags from their balconies in support of other teams. In one corner of the stadium between the Jimmy (South) Seed & East Stands is a large video screen. Outside the ground, there is a statue of Charlton’s legendary former goalkeeper Sam Bartram.

Visiting supporters

Away fans are housed in the Jimmy Seed (South) Stand at one end of the ground, which is slightly raised above pitch level, making for a generally good view. Up to 3,000 away fans can be accommodated in this end. There is one solitary supporting column in the entire ground and guess where it is? Right in the middle, behind the goal, in the away supporters end. Very annoying it is as well.

However, the stewards can be commended for taking a relaxed attitude to the away supporters who stand throughout the match, although expect to be searched on the way in. Otherwise, the height between rows is good and the stand quite steep, keeping you fairly close to the playing action. It is worth noting that there are refreshment areas on either side of the stand.

As to be expected those located by the entrance turnstiles, tend to be busiest, whilst those on the other side of the stand are normally less congested. Food on offer includes a range of Pies; Peppered Steak (£4), Chicken Balti (£4) and Cheese & Onion Pies (£4),  These outlets are supplemented by separate hot dog stalls (£4 per Hot Dog). There is also a Ladbrokes betting kiosk inside the ground. There is a decent fish and chip shop at the top of Floyd Road, which you pass on the way to the away fans entrance.

The Charlton fans are clearly passionate about their team but in a non-intimidating way. The loud P.A. system plays some great music before the game commences which rocks around the stadium. It is worth noting that you can only gain entrance to the ground by ticket, which you have to buy from a ticket booth beforehand.

Where to buy tickets?

Charlton have refined their ticketing prices recently, keeping things nice and simple. How much you’ll pay to see them live depends on two factors: How old you are and where in the ground you’d like to sit. Here are the cheapest and most expensive prices for adults and concessions:

Jimmy Seed (South) Stand

• Adults £24 (£21);
• Concessions £19 (£17);
• Under 18’s £10 (£10);
• Under 11’s £5 (£5).

There are three main ways to buy ticket for Charlton games. You can get them online from the club’s website at any time of the day or night, so that’s the best place to start. If you’re more about communicating with humans, though, then you’ll want to either call into the ticket office at The Valley, which is open from 9.30am-5pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am until 1pm on non-matchday Sundays, or else phone the ticket office, which is open at numerous different times.

How to get there?

Leave the M25 at Junction 2 and follow the A2 towards London. After around 12 miles the road splits with the A2 going off to the left and the right hand lanes becoming the A102. Proceed on the A102 towards the Blackwall Tunnel. Leave the A102 at the next slip road (sign posted Woolwich & Ferry A206).

At the bottom of the slip road turn right at the traffic lights towards Woolwich/Charlton. Proceed along the A206 passing the Antigallican pub on your right (the ground and away entrance are diagonally behind this pub). For the main club entrance and car park go straight over the next roundabout, passing a retail park on the left. At the next roundabout, go right around it turning back on yourself along the A206.

Then take the first left into Charlton Road (beware that there is a seven feet width restriction along this road). Cross over the railway and after passing the Royal Oak pub on the right, turn right into Harvey Gardens. The ground is down on the left.

Parking at the ground is for permit holders only. There is street parking, but due to a local residents parking scheme, not in close vicinity to the ground or Charlton railway station. However as you come off the A2 onto the A206, there is some street parking to be had on your right, in a couple of streets, before you reach the Rose of Denmark pub.

There is some street parking to be had around the industrial estates in the area, in Westmoor Street, Eastmoor Street (the very road where the club was apparently formed 100 years ago!), Warspite Road and Ruston Road.  If you are coming up the Woolwich Road from the the Blackwall Tunnel, then as you go past the ground, the industrial estates are on the left hand side.

Post Code for SAT NAV: SE7 8BL

By train

The ground is a short walk from Charlton Railway Station, which is served by trains from Charing Cross, London Bridge and Waterloo East stations. On Saturdays there are also services from Cannon Street station.

Come out Charlton station into Charlton Church lane (all exits lead onto this road) and turn right and cross over to the other side. Take the next left into Floyd Road and then right into Valley Grove for the away section entrance.

Although Charlton station is very close to the Valley, many people will find it easier to take the (far more reliable) London Underground. Using the Jubilee Line to get to North Greenwich station and then take a short ride on buses 161, 472 or 486 to get to the ground.

Remember if travelling by train then you can normally save on the cost of fares by booking in advance.

Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the Trainline website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets.

Bus

The Valley Express operates on match days from locations across the South East, dropping off at the stadium. There are also a number of local buses that run from across London and stop at the ground. Bus numbers 53, 54, 161, 177, 180, 422, 472 and 486 all call to near the ground, dropping off either on the A206 or in Charlton Village, both of which are a short walk away from the ground itself.

Taxi

Taxis in London are expensive, perhaps because the best way to get around the capital is via the likes of the underground. If you get a train into Euston, however, and want to get a taxi from there then you might have to pay through the noise for the privilege. It will take you just under an hour to complete the journey and will cost in the region of £50. That’s assuming that everything goes smoothly on your journey. If it doesn’t then it will take longer and cost significantly more.

Facilities

Though the ground’s newest stand was redeveloped in 2000-2001, the whole place is starting to look its age. You’ll still get everything you’d expect to find from a football ground, such as a place to buy a drink and a bite to eat, just don’t expect the concourses to look as shiny and new as some other grounds in the Football League.

Hospitality

Like most clever clubs in the Football League, Charlton have realised that hospitality is an area where they can make good money if they offer decent options. They cater for both large-scale corporate events as well as for smaller, more intimate parties. Here are some of the choices available to you:

• Centre Circle Dining. This package is all about the experience of watching the match itself. Yes you’ll get a glass of champagne on arrival, a five-course meal and complimentary drinks at half-time, but far more important is the seat located smack bang on the halfway line from where you can watch The Addicks play.
• The Royal Greenwich Suite. Named after the local area that is home to The Valley, this package promises a reception drink, a five-course carvery meal, hosting by a Charlton legend and the chance to watch the Man Of The Match presentation after the game.
• The Vista Lounge. This newly refurbished lounge is a much more chilled out option than the other suites. It offers more of a ‘pub’ feel to your experience, with roast baps, homemade pies and other British classics on option as well as access to a cash bar.
• The Millennium Suite. This is something of a halfway house between the classy suites and the more relaxed atmosphere of The Vista Lounge. You’ll be able to buy yourself some nice drinks and a selection of premium food offerings, plus you’ll get free tea and coffee at half-time.

Private hire

Charlton have an events website dedicated to The Valley’s private hire options, so it’s fair to say that the club offers a number of great packages for those hoping to host an event at the home of The Addicks. Whether you’re hoping to hold a conference in the club’s vast North Stand, with the executive boxes offering the ideal location for breakout meetings, or you’re hoping to host a more intimate gathering in one of the smaller suites, Charlton Athletic have got you covered for events in South East London. They even do weddings!

The Valley Hotels

London is your oyster if you’re hoping to stay somewhere the night before or after a Charlton game. Greenwich itself has quite a few hotels, too. Here are our recommendations for you to consider.

1. The Antigallican Hotel – £55+. Address: 428 Woolwich Road, Charlton, London, SE7 8SU. Less than half a mile from The Valley is this hotel with 21 guest rooms, a bar and even a library.
2. Holiday Inn Express London Greenwich – £70+. Address: 85 Bugsbys Way, Greenwich, London, SE10 0GD. Located in nearby Greenwich, this branch of the Holiday Inn chain promises a restaurant, a bar, self-parking and a free hot/cold buffet breakfast. You’ll also get access to the hotel’s free Wi-Fi.
3. Aloft London Excel – £100+. Address: 1 Eastern Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1FR. About one and a half miles from The Valley is this classy hotel on the waterfront. It has a restaurant, a bar, a conference space and a fitness centre with an indoor pool.

Pubs & Bars Near The Valley

With the main pub for away fans the Antigallican closing down and the nearby ‘Rose of Denmark’ no longer admitting visiting supporters, the choice of pubs for away fans has been severely depleted. This just leaves the Anchor & Hope pub, which is around a 15 minute walk away from the Valley Ground.

It is situated beside the Thames and although on the small side it does have some tables outside from which you can sit looking across the river. To find this pub then if you come out of Charlton Railway Station and turn left and then with the Antigallican Hotel on your right and go straight across the dual carriageway and into Hope and Anchor Lane.

Just proceed straight up this road (going across one small roundabout) and at the end, turn left and the pub is just on the left. Alternatively, alcohol is available in the away end in the form of; John Smith’s (£4 pint), Fosters (£4 pint), Bulmers Cider (£4 bottle 330ml) & White Wine (£4.50 miniature bottle).

For those travelling by train, then you could get off at Blackheath (just four minutes journey time from Charlton Railway Station) and go to the pubs there. Near the station is the appropriately named Railway pub. A few minutes walk away; are the Crown, O’Neills, the Morden and Zerodegrees Microbrewery.

Whilst overlooking Blackheath itself is the CAMRA Good Beer Guide listed Hare & Billet. If travelling via London Bridge then there are a number pubs close by, including some excellent ale houses around Borough Market. Blackheath is a pleasant place to wander around although the pubs can be somewhat on the pricey side.

If you have a bit of time of your hands and want to experience a different way of going to a football match, then you could catch a River Bus that sails along the Thames from Westminster to Greenwich. There are then a number of pubs and eating places in Greenwich itself and you can get one of a number of buses that run down the Woolwich Road to Charlton.

History

The stadium’s name comes from the valley-like appearance of the area it was built in, with the first game at the ground being played before any seats or terraces were in place. Instead there was a roped-off section for the pitch and the crowd stood or sat on the earthworks in the surrounding area.

It also seemed as though Speedway could be coming to The Valley, with an application for a track around the perimeter accepted by the local council. In the end the plans were abandoned due to the fact that Speedway racing would be considered a noise nuisance.

When the club’s finances were sorted and they were ready to move back to The Valley, with supporters working together to clean it up. They wanted to build new stands, too, but the local council refused them permission. This led to fans forming their own political party, The Valley Party, to run in local elections, putting pressure on the council to approve plans for a new stadium.