Beloved ex-Premier League ground was in disrepair during seven-year abandonment

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    • Charlton Athletic's The Valley was left unrecognisable during a seven-year abandonment – with fans even having a bonfire on the playing surface.

    With the site first being known by the current name back in 1919, the ground once welcomed 75,000 for an FA Cup game in 1938 – before falling into disrepair before their Premier League stint.

    The decline, which stemmed from a lack of investment and subsequent fears over safety, forced Charlton to ground share with Crystal Palace at their Selhurst Park home from 1985, as well as over a season at Upton Park.

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    During their time away from their home, which was ended in 1992 following fresh investment which was helped by player sales, The Valley became unrecognisable.

    With no staff to keep the ground secure and a lack of security, fans would enter the ground to look around as nature reclaimed the once packed-out venue.

    Photos taken at the time show youngsters playing football on the overgrown turf and others even starting a bonfire, with a broken shopping trolley to complete the apocalyptic scene.

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    Since their return to the ground, after it was moulded into an all-seater with a capacity of 27,111, three of the four stands have been completely redeveloped.

    With Charlton playing in the Premier League for eight of nine seasons less than a decade after their return, there was even talk of a further extension to the ground.

    The club detailed in 2004 that a planning application was underway to make allow them to hold 30,900, with an eventual plan of 40,000.

    With Charlton relegated to the Championship and then League One, they have since spent time in both the second and third tiers.

    Currently 11th in League One, the ownership of the club is again up in the air after Thomas Sandgaard took over from East Street Investments Limited.

    With the average attendance sitting at 13,350, supporters will be dreaming of a future return to the top flight in their South London home.

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    • Premier League
    • Charlton Athletic FC
    • League One

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