Unlike so many other English clubs, Charlton Athletic are the creation of the community. The club was formed on 5 June 1906 by a group of lads living in the streets by the Thames in an area, which now borders the Thames Barrier. If you think the nomadic endeavours of Charlton Athletic occurred only in the last fifteen years in the club’s history you’d be wrong. Siemen’s Meadow, Woolwich Common, Pound Park, the Angerstein Athletic ground in Horne Lane and the first spell at The Valley in 1920 all saw the red and white colours of the club.
A proposed amalgamation with Catford Southend ignited a move to The Mount in Catford in 1923, coinciding with the introduction of light and dark blue striped shirts. Charlton Athletic returned to The Valley, wearing red shirts again, in 1924.
The ground saga of course reignited in 1985 when Charlton took up residence at Selhurst Park, moving on to Upton Park in 1991, only to welcome with fanfares and fan acclaim a return to the Valley in 1992.
Red has stayed as the predominant colour of the shirts throughout all of these moves, with just one flight in the early Sixties when white shirts with a red yoke were worn. In their old days badges were not regularly worn on shirts, except for special occasions. From the 1930s Charlton Athletic adopted a badge that appears to be a “club”, as in playing cards with the letters CAF. After the war, the design changed to include a robin perched on a football, placed on top of a quartered shield. It was used for only a brief period, including the 1946 FA Cup final.
Again, for a very brief time- late 1940s till early 1950s- Charlton adopted the arms of the old borough of Greenwich. It never appeared on shirts, only on club blazers. Having regard to the unique position occupied by Greenwich as the place from which the standard of time is taken, and the point from which nautical and astronomical calculations are made, the former council considered that the arms should as far as possible be emblematic of these subjects. The result is manifestly exemplified.
In the centre of the shield, an hourglass in silver on a blue background typifies time. Above it is the radiated silver star symbolising astronomical science in reference to the observatory. The six blue stars on a silver ground represent the nautical side of the observatory’s activities. The arms’ crest, consisting of a black ship with golden anchors, is a symbol of the shipbuilding industry with which Greenwich was so closely associated.
The sword image was introduced in the early 1960s, arguably taken from the Spencer-Percival family crest. The Percivals were leading social figures in Charlton Village in the late 19th century. This icon has been used in various guises- with a circle, without a circle, with the name circled around it as we see it today, and the same badge but placed on a shield. The sword emblem was dropped from the shirts for a short while in the 1970s when the initials CAFC were used at a time stylish monograms were very much in favour.
Although Charlton Athletic may have been valiant in battle, proudly wearing a sword on their shirts, it was the club’s location at The Valley that give rise to the nickname ‘The Valiants’. It came about after a competition among supporters in 1963-64.
Charlton Athletic are known as ‘Addicks’. There are a number of rumours and suggestions as to how this name came about. It is thought that Charlton’s “Addicks” nickname derives from South London slang for the haddock fish, although there are conflicting versions of the exact derivation. The most popular has it that in pre-league days the players would treat the visiting team to a post-match meal of haddock and chips. The fishmonger who supplied them was Arthur Bryan, trading from a shop at 77 East Street and who held the catering concession during the club’s first season at The Valley and by repute attended matches with a haddock nailed to a stick as an advertising stunt. In speech haddock developed into ‘addicks’ in South London dialect, where the ‘h’ would in any case be dropped as a matter of course and the ’o’ has become corrupted to ‘i’ with lazy usage, the most common form of language development.
Another suggestion is that the fans would watch the team in all sorts of weather and travel all over to see them, becoming know as Addicts. The simplest explanation is that “Addick” is just a derivation of “Athletic”, similar to Oldham and Wigan being called the “Latics”. It was also suggested that “Addick” comes from the Spencer Percival family motto “addique” allegedly meaning sharp, ready. By the way, the “Addicks” tag fell into disuse for many years when they were more commonly known as “The Robins” in the 1950s, inspired by the bird’s image on the red shirts. The historic label of Addicks was reinstated by public demand in the 1980s and the alternatives are no longer in use, even though the team still runs out to Billy Cotton’s Red, Red Robin at home matches.
Whatever the truth, there’s something fishy going on….
Nice article, but please note the stuff about the Spencer-Percival family crest and the Greenwich badge comes from a spoof.
The sword comes from the Corporation of London. It was introduced in the 1960s to try and encourage city workers to support Charlton.
Enjoyed it but the club was formed in 1905, not 1906.
Excellent read. I would be happy to believe the Spencer Percival myth as he was our only assassinated prime minister and his splendid home is close to the Valley. The family motto was actually “sub cruce candida” (under the white cross) which would suggest a different logo and a white home strip.
In 1963, I entered the competition to find a new nickname for Charlton Athletic, and sent in my entry (The Valiants). I believe that 25 other fans also sent in the same suggestion. Apparantly, all the names were put in a hat and my name was pulled out first. I was 16 at the time and a die-hard Charlton fan. I was ‘over the moon’ with winning two season tickets with both seats in the stands. I lived in Maidstone, and with different friends, would hitch-hike to each and every home game. The team, in those days, consisted of Rose, Hewie, Kinsey, Bailey, Haylock. Tocknell, Kenning, Edwards, Firmani, Matthews and Glover. I wonder what they are all doing now?
Thank you Robert for this highly entertaining & intriguing entry!
Cheers
Han
could be typing error the centre-half was FRANK HAYDOCK, he was LATER transferred to PORTSMOUTH.
Thank you Han. I now live in Canada, but I still support Charlton, and always will. robertclivewhite@hotmail.com
Does anyone know where the photographs are from? I’m trying to find a book which is about the histories of various football grounds and I think these pictures could be from it. If they are, what’s the book called?
I understood from two residents of East Street of the 1920’s that the fish shop smoked and sold haddock. These were hung from the awning outside the shop and when fresh supplies were produced the owner would street call “Addicks for sale”.
Unfortunately I have either forgot or was not told the owners name but he had a sight problem and spectacles with one frosted lens and so he and the shop was known as “Fog eyes”. I was also told he was instrumental in the founding of Charlton FC, hence them being called the Addicks,
Interesting stuff about ‘Fog Eyes’. His name was Arthur ‘Ikey’ Bryan. The shop was at 77 East (now Eastmoor) Street. The site is now occupied by All Fords Spares.
Stig, i believe Arthur Bryan was my great grandad. My aunty and uncles have told me lots of stories of how he would hand out fish and chips after matches and that my nan would go round with a hat collecting money for the team when they played in the park. Its been very interesting to hear all the information you have on him, can i ask where you got it from as our family would love to learn more about him and to find out if theyre are any other family members out there that we have yet to meet.
Thanks, Carla.
Interesting stuff. Can anybody tell me what the club’s away kit was for the 1954/55 season?
Arthur Bryan was my granddad never met him but would like to know more about him if possible thanks.
Hi Lynne
Arthur Bryan was also my grand father. Unfortunately your dads sister died on Friday and will be buried in Charlton cemetery at the end of the month in the family grave. I have a lot of information for you. Please send me your contact details to merc@footdown.com.
Lets hope this note gets to you.
Andrew Mercer
Hi, my name is Stuart.
A few years back I came across a chap who frequented a pub in Sydenham (The Pavilion) by the name of Ted Bryan……it turns out he is/was a well known champion Carp fisherman.
When I found out what his surname was he was enthralled to hear about Arthur.
I bought him a book about Charlton Athletic in its very early days…..(can’t remember the name of it now), in which Arthur is mentioned on several occasions. There’s even some cartoons of him that originally appeared in The Kentish Independent.
I don’t live in London nowadays but he may be traceable through angling circle publications or you could phone or go to the pub and ask the landlady to pass a message to Colin Salter, who is a regular there and knows Ted quite well. Maybe he knows how to contact him? In fact Colin’s in there every day, so there’s half a chance he’ll be there were you to pay a visit.
Hi Stuart. Ted is my brother and I now have that book and it has some good photos even has a photo of my grandad and a very good read so thanks for giving it to him.😁👍
Hi Lynne…..I have been trying to get hold of you for some time by posting on here but without success.
Would anyone else who knows how to contact Lynne please pass on my number to her……07584167898.
I am doing this to help the guys who run Charlton Athletic Museum at The Valley, as they would like to have a meet up at some point with Lynne to get some further historical facts regarding Arthur.
Many thanks
StuM.
My grandmother was Doris Atherfold (nee Langdon), who was a sister to Dolly Bryan (Arther’s wife). This make’s them my great /auntie. Fascinating stuff.
Simon…..Charlton Athletic we’re actually founded in 1905.
I own the number plate 1905 CA…..1905 appears in/on all our records, badges and merchandising etc, so I’m not sure how you came up with 1906?
StuM
I didn’t come up with 1906!
I didn’t mention a year. But I am loving the fact that so many people are getting involved in this thread. And clearly I have so
many distant cousins.
ARTHUR (Ickey) & Sarah (Dolly) were my great uncle & aunt that helped found Charlton Athletic FC & Nicknamed them The Addicks. I worked in soccer with Bobby Moore OBE & won World Coca Cola soccer ball control title. Google West Ham – Bobby Moore – Allen David Rare Footage You Tube. Up The Addicks!
Arthur Ikey bryan was my grandad the fishmonger he’s wife was Clara. and Dolly was he’s sister and not he’s wife. My dad was also Arthur Bryan Dolly’s nephew my great aunt. My mum was Elizabeth read before marriage they went on to having 13 children so there are a lot of us out there.😁
ARTHUR “Ikey” Bryan was married twice Lynne.His daughter Kathy to his first wife Sarah who helped run Charlton Athletic FC used to kick off The Addicks at The Valley. Our/your family then went onto producing more world champions at Latin & Ballroom dancing then any other organisation. So talented feet in the family. Arthur’s son in law Frank Mercer was UK diving champion in 61 & represented UK in the commonwealth games.