Members of the Swedish Addicks Supporters’ Group Hans Holmgren and Lars Liljegren spoke of their excitement ahead of their annual trip to The Valley which takes places this Saturday.
The pair, along with fellow members, will be in attendance as Nathan Jones’ side take on Wrexham in Sky Bet League One.
It will be a special day for Hans in particular who celebrates his 50th anniversary as a Charlton fan, having enjoyed his first fixture in SE7 back in March 1974 - a 4-1 win against Oldham Athletic.
“When I came to London, at the time I didn’t know about Charlton,” Holmgren explained. “We were searching for a game, and we found out that Charlton had a game at The Valley. We got a taxi across to the ground.
“When my friend and I came down to The Valley, we liked the atmosphere as it was a little bit rough. When we entered the stadium, it was very enthusiastic with the big stand where the Alan Curbishley Stand is now. We really liked the stadium and the atmosphere.
“From there, Charlton took a place in my heart.”
The pair will return to The Valley on Saturday, admitting that they are relishing the opportunity to return with over 21,000 supporters set to be in attendance on the day.
“I'm feeling incredibly enthusiastic to return. It’s been 50 years since my first game - a long time - but time flies so it feels like yesterday! I have been over for the last 15 years for a couple of games. I’m really looking forward to the trip.”
Liljegren added: “I’m a little bit younger than Hans but have been supporting Charlton since 1978. We're a group that founded 20 years ago, and we've been arranging a trip every autumn, mostly to home games and sometimes away games. It's one of our top moments every year.”
The Swedish Addicks group currently consists of over 50 members spread across the country. Alongside their annual trip to The Valley, the group hold a yearly meeting where all members come together to discuss ongoings at the club.
“We are well spread across the country. We have this trip and an annual meeting; those are the two key events where we get together. Otherwise, we have our own webpage addicks.se where we write pre-match and post-match reports for nearly every game, as well as a Facebook group where we discuss all things Charlton.
“Some of us in the bigger cities sometimes meet if there opportunity arises. Sometimes the game can be found in a pub, if not we follow the club on CharltonTV.”
The duo also spoke highly of the team’s start to the season, claiming that there is a new-found energy under Nathan Jones.
“I think we have started the season in quite a brilliant way,” said Holmgren. “There has been a lot more energy in the team.
“I’m quite happy with most of the results so far,” added Liljegren. “The victory against Birmingham City was fantastic. With the Bristol Rovers game and the Birmingham one, it looked like two completely different teams. Nathan Jones has got a lot of energy in the team, we play with pressure all over the pitch and that's what we need.”
Liljegren also emphasised the importance of these supporters’ groups, admitting that it brings the fans closer to the club and allow them to market Charlton on an international scale.
“We advertise and market Charlton as an alternative. In 1969, they started to show the games on Swedish television every Saturday. People in our age group have grown up with First Division and sometimes Second Division games live on a Saturday.
“Charlton play in League One, hopefully in the Championship soon, and people in Sweden are more interested in down to earth football. In the Premier League you have all the fantastic players and venues, but it's too fantastic and it costs too much. If you want to watch a game and you’re not a member of that club, it could cost you around £200 just for that game.
“Especially since Charlton is situated in London, it's a fantastic alternative for people to watch English football when they come to London. That is what we market to other people to hopefully adapt them.”
For fellow international Addicks looking to join or set up their own Supporters’ Group, please contact fans@cafc.co.uk. Alternatively, click here to find out more.
