Respect. Its Simple!

Once settled at The Valley, facilities were not at there best standard so the players use to use the local fishmonger/fish shop to get changed for games and stories claim that the owner of the fish shop nailed a haddock to a board and use to 'clap' two together when the team was at home and hence the nickname 'Addick' was born. True? You decide!!

Once elected to the Football League in 1921, the club found their way up the divisions and got into Division One in 1936.

In 1937 Charlton finished Division One runners-up. They finished fourth in 1938 and in 1939 they finished third.

After the war had ended, Charlton were runners up in the 1946 FA Cup final and in 1947 they went one better and won the FA Cup. At one stage during this part of Charlton's history they regularly played in front of crowds in excess of 40,000 and The Valley was the largest football ground in the League with attendances in excess of 70,000. Some say this is the reason why Arsenal or Woolwich Arsenal moved out of the borough.

It seems that Charlton's fortunes started to dwindle in 1957. Jimmy Seed, manager for 25 years, was sacked and Charlton was relegated. They stayed in Division Two until 1972 when they were relegated to the Third Division. Support ebbed away and even though the club was promoted back to the Second Division in 1975, support still stayed away.

Again relegation to the Third Division happened in 1980, but bounced straight back to Division Two in 1981. Turmoil, boardroom shuffles, relegation and promotion caused the club to go into administration in 1984. THe club was reformed immediately as is known as Charlton Athletic (1984) Ltd.

Charlton was forced to ground share with hated rivals Crystal Palace and the further ground share with West Ham United at Upton Park. Simply because the local Greenwich Council refused to sanction plans for ground re-developments. Although support at matches was pretty poor, supporters formed their own political party and won over 15,000 votes which forced Greenwich Council to re-think their previous decision and allow re-development at The Valley to take place.

1992 is the year embossed in Charlton's history. Under the managership of Alan Curbishley, Charlton returned to The Valley and got promoted to the Premiership in 1998 only to be relegated the following year. Regaining Premiership status in 2000, Charlton's in 2nd place with four wins from four and without conceding a goal.

Chelsea's five from five and without conceding a goal. So a 100% record has to go tomorrow. Who's? You decide (LOL).

Alan Curbishley has been in charge for 600 games. Two famous fans are Jim Davidson and ex-Sun man Garry Bushell.

Famous ex-Charlton players include: Derek Hayles, Alain Simonsen, Garry Nelson, Colin Powell (who I believe is Head Groundsman at The Valley - or was).

In previous meetings at The Valley. Charlton has won 12, Chelsea 11 and 9 have been drawn.. Charlton has scored 54 goals and Chelsea 48.

Last season Chelsea won 4-0. Season before that on Boxing Day Chelsea was thumped 4-2. On the opening day of the season before that Chelsea won 3-2 after being 2-0 at one stage.

Charlton v Chelsea encounters have always had games with lots of goals. There are three that stick in my mind. A midweek game in 1976/77 - Chelsea got stuffed 4-0 and The Valley got wrecked. Next in 1982/83 Chelsea again got stuffed 5-2 with Danish International Alain Simonsen getting a hat-trick and all these little boys kept wanting to fight. Who got thrown out?? They did LOL, even though I was in the Home End. And I think it was 1981/82 Chelsea won 4-3 with old boy and now London cabbie John Bumstead (I think) scoring a goal from about 40 yards.