This season, BETDAQ launched the #PrideOfTheValley to reward die-hard Charlton fans. Each home league game, a fan is selected to win the reward and the individual will be presented with a signed shirt on the pitch.
This week, Seb Lewis has been nominated and last saturday's game was a very special one for him. The match against Doncaster Rovers was the 1,000th consecutive Charlton Athletic first team game Seb has attended! We asked him for some of his Charlton memories.
Why I became a Charlton fan: My local club. My Brother, Ollie, had been a fan for quite a while before and for a while I was kind of following Charlton from afar going back to before the return to The Valley. But I didn’t start going till after we returned.
My first game at The Valley was: November 13th, 1993, a 5-1 win against Notts County sitting in the West Stand. We went behind after about five minutes. Carl Leaburn levelled just before half time when the ref had to get out the way. That was a ‘What happened next?’ on A Question of Sport once. But two goals from Garry Nelson, a Shaun Newton screamer and one from Colin Walsh came in the second half to give us the big win.
My first away day with Charlton was: A 2-1 win against Watford at Vicarage Road 10th February 1996. Kevin Phillips gave Watford a half time lead. But second half goals from John Robinson and a teenaged Lee, Lee, Lee Bowyer gave us the three points. I remember going mental.
On May 25th, 1998 I was: At Wembley. It was match 16 in my long consecutive run. I was with Ollie and one of his mates sat 18 rows from the front level with about the six-yard box on the opposite side from the Royal Box. I went through every emotion. I remember feeling myself welling up at 1-2 and 2-3 down. But what elation in the end.
My favourite Charlton game (not including the play-off final) is: A 1-0 win at Anfield, the 4-2 at Highbury and thrashing Chelsea on Boxing Day 2003 in the Premier League stand out in mind. But in more recent years, winning promotion at Carlisle on the longest journey was just simply amazing. So many more I could mention.
My favourite Charlton player is: Two great inspirational leaders in Mark Kinsella and Johnnie Jackson. Have to probably give a shout for Sir Chris Powell and Super Clive Mendonca as well.
My favourite Charlton kit is: I don’t really have a favourite at all because there are so many home and away shirts I have been very fond of. But if I had to pick one, I would say probably the red Mesh shirt we wore at Wembley in 1998.
The best part of being a Charlton fan is: The community feel. What the fans did to get the club back to The Valley. There are just so many fantastic people around the club.
My Charlton starting XI would be: Phillips, Solly, Bauer, Pearce, Page, Reeves, Cullen, Aribo, Fosu, Taylor, Grant.
The Charlton player of the season will be: I reckon Lyle Taylor. Think he will get a few important goals. And also for what he has done for charity this season.
The game I am most looking forward to is: I reckon away games at grounds I have never been to. We have already done Accrington which was my first visit there. But now looking forward to both Mansfield and Burton away as I have never been to either of those yet.