The #PrideOfTheValley campaign launched last season to reward the most dedicated Charlton fans. Each home league game, a fan is selected to win the award and the individual is presented with a signed shirt.
Last week Lewis Smith was nominated by the Charlton Athletic Museum. Lewis is an avid Charlton fan and a professional boxer, who was cheered on by four first team players as he beat Naheem Chaudhry at York Hall last week to take his record to 4-0.
We asked Lewis for some of his Charlton memories…
Why I became a Charlton fan: I became a Charlton fan because I used to come watch games as a child with my Sunday league team and decided this was the team I was choosing to support.
My first game at The Valley was: Charlton vs Middlesbrough in 2006, it was a 2-1 win. Darren Bent got two that day and it was enough for the win. After that Charlton was the team for me.
My first away game with Charlton was: against Gillingham in September 2017. It was raining and it was in that awful away stand they have down there and we lost 1-0 to a Tom Eaves goal so it wasn’t the best day.
On 26th May 2019 I was: I was at Wembley right behind the goal, memories from that day was just mental all over, from start to finish. An unbelievable day
My favourite Charlton game (not including the play-off finals) is: Doncaster in the play-off semi-final at home on May, 18th. It was a whirlwind of emotions and it epitomised Charlton’s struggles but ultimately how far as a club we have come.
My favourite player is: I’m going to go with a current player, because I feel he doesn’t get the credit he should, and say Darren Pratley I think he was quality last season especially at Wembley and this season he has gone up a level and gives everything for the team and is everything I like in a player and he is still 34 years young.
My favourite Charlton kit is: The away kit for the 2006-2007, black and gold Joma. I like the black and gold and just loved the look of it.
The best part of being a Charlton fan: is how, after everything the club has endured over the years, that the fans will always stick together and by each other to support the team regardless. The fans travel everywhere to support this great club.
My all-time Charlton XI would be: Dean Kiely; Chris Solly, Richard Rufus, Patrick Bauer, Chris Powell; Claus Jensen, Matt Holland, Mark Kinsella, Johnnie Jackson; Yann Kermogant, Darren Bent.
The Charlton player of the season will be: Conor Gallagher. For me, he has just made the step up from youth football to a good quality standard in the Championship and he has just been a breath of fresh air for the team.
The game I’m most looking forward to: Millwall at home because I know we have never got on well at The Den but at home I fancy us to beat anyone on our day and I think that will be our perfect opportunity especially because they are not so great away from home.
