Last month marked 10 years since Charlton Athletic have not competed in the top flight of English football, as well as the resignation of one of the most admirable men in Charlton’s eyes, Alan Curbishley.
To the majority of Charlton Athletic fans, Curbishley was, is and will continue to be a legend of the South East London side, and if there was ever a name for another stand, it would be Curbishley.
It all started in 1991, when our other club veteran, Lennie Lawrence resigned as manager and Curbishley became joint manager with Steve Gritt.
In 1995 Steve Gritt left the Valley and Curbishley absorbed full managerial control of the Addicks and this is where his legendary reign truly begun, with fans starting to witness thrilling and exciting football at the Valley.
In the 1997 / 1998 season Charlton was promoted to the top flight of English football and the internationally renowned Premier League, a club and a side which had witnessed their ground be closed not too many years before and had little to no funds.
The Addicks’ promotion was a true beacon of hope for all football sides, no matter the size of them, any club could become successful within the football world with a man like Curbishley leading at the front and fans like the Addicks rallying behind him.
That season we were promoted through a play-off final with Sunderland which was a thrilling game and has been regarded as the best play-off final in history. The game ended with a total of 8 goals, 4 for each side, but Charlton were able to win on penalties (7-6).
Throughout our first season in the English Premier League, Curbishley won two manager of the month awards, for some exceptional results and strong draws, including: 5-0 win at the Valley against Southampton, 0-0 against Arsenal and Newcastle United and a 4-2 win against West Ham.
However, Charlton ended the first season with a relegation back down to Division One.
But all hope and love was not lost, the fans rallied behind Curbishley once again, and the Addicks’ were the Champions of Division One in the 1999 / 2000 season, bouncing back at the first port of call.
Charlton won 27 out of 46 league games, accruing 91 points, beating Manchester City to the top spot. Andy Hunt netted 24 goals for the Addicks’ that season, along with others: Clive Mendoca (9), John Robinson & Graham Stuart (7) and Richard Rufus (6).
With the swift return to the Premier League, Charlton saw a 4-0, first day of the season victory over Manchester City, followed by a 4-1 victory later on in the season to make it a full 6 points.
Curbishley went on to secure the Addicks in the top half of the Premier League table that season in 9th place, thanks to formidable performances throughout the season, including a 3-3 draw with Manchester United, and home wins against Chelsea and Arsenal.
Most of the season finishes afterwards saw Charlton finish between 14th and 10th, securing establishment for the small South East London side in the Premier League.
However in the 2003 / 2004, it was an extraordinary season for the Addicks, with Charlton pushing for a Champions League spot for a large part of the season, but ended the season in an impressive 7th place.
In may of the 2005 / 2006 season, Alan Curbishley made an emotional speech to the fans and the club, thanking them for their formidable, exceptional and valiant support over his 15 years of tenure, hoping that they had enjoyed his company as much as he enjoyed the clubs. The speech ended with many tears, and a huge standing ovation around the Valley ground, with chants of pure passion and joy for the man who brought to Charlton some of the most successful achievements in their club history.
Despite the recent turn of events at Charlton Athletic in the current day, the Addicks will have their chance once again in the future to return to fantastic glory under another manager and team which mirrors similar qualities and characteristics of that under Curbishley.
