THE VALLEY
The Valley has been a League ground for 99 seasons
from 4 December 1992 to the current day
and from 1 July 1924 to 22 September 1985
and from 1 July 1921 to 9 December 1923
The 121st ground to be used for a League game
Current capacity: 27,111
Opened: 1919
GROUND HISTORY
adapted from "The Ultimate Directory of English & Scottish Football League Grounds"
The site was a disused sand and chalk pit when Charlton Athletic FC moved here from the Angerstein Athletic Ground in 1919 and bought it for Β£3,000. Apart from embankments at each end and a large embankment on the east side there were no facilities and players had to change in a house in Ransom Road until a 2,500 seat stand was opened on the west side in 1922, one year after joining the Football League.
A cover was installed at the north end in 1934 and although the record attendance of 75,031 was set at the FA Cup 5th Round tie v. Aston Villa (1-1) on February 12th, 1938 no alterations were made to the ground until the 1970s when the main stand was re-roofed, seats installed at the north end and a new all seat stand constructed at the south end. Charlton Athletic FC moved out in 1985, to groundshare with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, and the ground fell into disuse and decay.
The club returned in 1992 and the ground was substantially redeveloped with a refurbished all seat stand at the north end and new all seat stands constructed on the other sides giving a capacity of 20,043. In 2001 the north stand was rebuilt as a two tier structure with corner stands linking it to the east and west sides bringing the ground capacity up to 27,116 at the start of the 2007/8 season. The pitch size was 112 x 73 yards.
GROUND DETAILS
adapted from "The Extreme Groundhoppers Guide"
- Ground address
- The Valley, Floyd Road, Charlton, SE7 8BL
- Main phone
- 020 8333 4000
- Ticket office
- 0871 226 1905
- Ticket prices
- Adults Β£30 (Β£25), Over 60's Β£22 (Β£20), Under 18's Β£10, Under 11's Β£5
Charlton grade games with three different pricing structures depending on the opposition. They also run a Football for a Fiver scheme for one or two games each season. - Food & drink
- The Antigallican pub at 426 Woolwich Road. Located on the corner of Woolwich Road and Charlton Church Lane, Antigallican is a stoneβs throw from the CFC football ground and Charlton station and the do a very good sandwiches.
The Rose of Denmark 296 Woolwich Road is a very attractive looking pub. The pub is Charlton Athletic through and through, but don't let that put you off - it's a welcoming place; you don't see many footie pubs with photos of away fans from previous seasons. There are three large television screens showing sporting events.
The chip shop on Charlton Church Lane is the best in the area. - If driving
- Exit M25 at junction 2 and follow until the road becomes A102 (M). Continue along to the A102 (M), until you reach the exit sign-posted Woolwich Ferry. Turn right onto the A206 Woolwich Road. At the first set of traffic lights turn right and Floyd Road is the 2nd turning on the left.
Parking at the ground is for permit holders only. There is street parking, but due to a local residents parking scheme, not in close vicinity to the ground or Charlton railway station. However as you come off the A2 onto the A206, there is some parking to be had around the industrial estates in the area, in Westmoor Street, Eastmoor Street (the very road where the club was formed 100 years ago!), Warspite Road and Ruston Road. If you are coming up the Woolwich Road from the the Blackwall Tunnel, then as you go past the ground, the industrial estates are on the left hand side.
There is also street parking to the South West of the ground - look out for the "Free" parking signs.
- Public transport
- The ground is in walking distance of Charlton Railway Station from London Bridge station. Come out of Charlton station into Charlton Church Lane and cross over to the other side of the road. Turn right into Valley Grove. Alternatively, use the Jubilee Line to get to North Greenwich station and then take a short ride on buses 161, 472 or 486 to get to the ground.
VISITOR COMMENTS
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Comment last updated on 1 January 2014
Parking:
There are parking restrictions on most of the side-streets around the ground and no car-parks available. Some roads further away, to the south-west of the ground are unrestricted. Don''t use the local DIY chain car-parks as they sometimes clamp cars.
Eating:
Best chip shop is up Charlton Church Lane opposite the Liberal Club.
Drinking:
The Rose of Denmark (296 Woolwich Road) welcomes home and away fans.