For Alan, nothing compares to watching Charlton at The Valley with his grandson, Henry, irrespective of the result.
“I’ve supported Charlton since 1967. I love coming here. I love the atmosphere, the family club,” explains Alan. “Now I can bring my grandson along and it’s brilliant, he’s immersed in the whole experience. The whole matchday experience is what we love. He’s an Addick for life now!”
As part of the club’s Nothing Compares season ticket campaign, supporters who purchase a season ticket before the early-bird deadline will be welcomed back to The Valley with five added benefits, including a free bumper handbook ahead of the first game of the season.
It has long been a ritual for grandad Alan to buy the matchday programme for Henry, who stores each one in his own Charlton folder at home.
“I always make sure to have three pounds in my pocket for it,” says Alan. “It’s important he becomes immersed in the club that way even if it's just by buying a programme, he’s part of the club.”
Henry explained: “The first thing in the morning I do is get excited, I’m like 'It’s match day! Where’s grandad? I want to watch the game now!' The moment I go to buy the programme, after we have bought it I give it a little read whilst I walk and then sit down in my seat and read the whole lot.
“My brother is just about to start to come here so I can show him all of the new players we have and he will understand it better.”
Young Addick Hannah, whose first experience at The Valley came alongside Krystian Bielik as a mascot three years ago, is another avid programme collector: “I keep them in my room at home, it’s my little Charlton library. I’ll keep them forever and look at them lots and lots.
“Me and my sister like to look at the Young Reds section and do the activities. My favourite programmes are the ones signed by Chuks Aneke and Ben Amos. I also like looking at the player interviews and the best and worst bits. I know Ben Purrington likes a roast dinner!”
Nothing compares to the togetherness at The Valley and, like Hannah, Henry can’t wait to add next season’s handbook to his fast-growing collection: “I’m really excited. I’m so grateful that the club are giving us this handbook because there’s tonnes more facts. They’re really interesting and I can learn more about the players.”
More than 7,000 season tickets have been sold in less than two weeks. Get your 2021/22 season ticket here.
Nothing compares to a full Valley. Click here to get your 2021/22 season ticket.
