Lee Bowyer’s Charlton blasted their way into the club’s record books on Tuesday evening by thrashing Stevenage 8-0 in the Checkatrade Trophy.
The victory – which was secured by a hat-trick from senior debutant Toby Stevenson plus goals from George Lapslie, Igor Vetokele, Nicky Ajose and Darren Pratley – goes down as the Addicks’ all-time record victory.
Charlton’s previous record win had come in the old First Division against Middlesbrough in September 1953.
A treble from Eddie Firmani, doubles from Sid O’Linn and Gordon Hurst and a strike from Stuart Leary secured an 8-1 success. A seven-goal winning margin was matched in January 1956 when the Addicks beat Burton Albion 7-0 in the FA Cup.
Prior to that, Charlton had tasted an 8-0 win, though it came on Christmas Day of 1919 before the club turned professional. They beat Ordnance FC at The Valley.
Hat-trick hero Stevenson – making his first senior appearance – also entered the record books in midweek.
He became the 82nd Addick to score on his debut for the club, and the first player in the club’s professional history to notch a hat-trick on his Charlton debut.
In the past, Trevor Edmonds, Alexander McCrae and Darren Bent had scored debut doubles but Stevenson became the first to bag a treble on his maiden Charlton appearance.
