FA Cup brings nostalgia for a time I wasn't alive

Sometimes, I feel like I’m too young to be a Charlton fan. I can’t compete with the stories of old that others can tell with the authority of being there, and living through them. I wasn’t alive when Charlton left the Valley and I doubt I had even heard of Charlton when we returned in 1992.

Yet, I feel like I would have fitted in quite well with those days. I absolutely love those black and white football photos from the past. Last Christmas, I bought my Dad a book of photos from the Daily Mail and I spent more time on Christmas Day looking through the book than he did. I think it might be because I’m a such a huge fan of football that I want to catch up on all that I’ve missed out on by not being alive.

This week is the FA Cup first round. The last time Charlton played in the first round of the FA Cup was 29 years ago against Harlow Town. The fact that I was born in Harlow is not the only reason why I would have loved to go to that game. Its games like this that supporters of the big big clubs will never experience. Arsenal fans the same age as me in their comfortable seats at the Emirates arching their neck to see a replay of their latest 30 pass goal on the big screen will have no concept of a first round tie against a non league side. Sure, they get to experience things that I haven’t (yet) like Champions League semi-finals and finals, but where would you rather be, standing on a one step terrace at a small ground in a small town, or a huge stadium in Europe watching the best players in the world?

I have seen us play in the Premier League. That was easy. Now its time for the newer Charlton fans to really earn their stripes. I’ll be going to Northwich Victoria on Sunday. Yes, it is one of the closest teams to where I am now, but I don’t think that’s the only reason I’m so looking forward to this game. Now I’ll see for myself what kind of thing older Charlton fans talk about. I’ve heard the stories about lower league mediocrity, cult players and disappointing seasons. Now I’ll get to live them. Until the last couple of seasons I’ve only really experienced success. I’ve seen geniuses like Claus Jensen and Paolo Di Canio. Players that have played for England, like Scott Parker and Darren Bent. Club legends like Chris Powell and Mark Kinsella.

I don’t know if I feel somewhat guilty that I came to Charlton at the beginning of the “glory days”. Maybe its because given that everyone I know are fans of Premier Division clubs, I feel like supporting a club in the lower leagues makes me a superior football fan. Or maybe its because I don’t feel like I properly fit in to the Charlton way. I haven’t seen enough dark times to justify the relative success that I have seen.

Now in 30 years time when Charlton are playing in the European Super League Premier 2, I’ll be able to talk to Charlton fans younger than I, and I’ll say, “I remember when we were shit. We lost against Northwich Victoria in the first round of the cup. You boys don’t know how lucky you are.” Then I can sit back with a smile on my face and think to myself, “now I’ve achieved it – I am a true Charlton supporter”.