Colin Walsh: Charlton's Return to The Valley
Words from SE7 Charlton Podcast
The goal itself was executed well enough by Colin Walsh and ably assisted by Darren Pitcher but the enormity of the moment and what it meant to Charlton Athletic fans seeing that goal go in to end 7 years of a nomadic existence away from their spiritual home was indescribably acute.
It could not conjure up the usual archetypal goal celebration that we fans experience normally when our team scores. No, this would be a one off. A joyous bleary eyed phenomenal moment that put to bed all the struggles of fans and certain directors at the time had endured in bringing our wonderful beloved club back to the Valley. That goal was also for the Valley Party who contested elections in the Greenwich borough to get us back to SE7. That goal was for the army of volunteers who cleared debris off the pitch to be ready for this first game back. That goal was a rebuke to people who had ridiculed the protestors on the pitch some 7 years before as their home was taken away from them.
That goal was for justice in a world of money. Finally, that goal was for Darren Pitcher, Rest in Peace.
The SE7Podcast is the Charlton Athletic fan show on LoveSport Radio. Starring three season ticket holders armed with a lot of niche facts. Follow them here: twitter.com/SE7Pod
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