THE GROUND
The Valley
Floyd Road
London
SE7 8BL
Charlton first took up residence at The Valley in 1919, but have spent time away from their spiritual home.
They spent a year in Catford in the 1920s and in 1985 were forced to move away, firstly to Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park and then to West Ham United’s Boleyn Ground, before they moved back to The Valley at the end of 1992.
Three sides of the ground have been redeveloped since Charlton’s return and The Valley now holds 27,111 spectators.
Visiting fans are housed in The Jimmy Seed Stand, behind one of the goals, and there is room for 3,000.
THE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
It is approximately 19 miles by road from Griffin Park to The Valley.
The shortest route by road involves going through the centre of London.
Drivers crossing the River Thames at London Bridge or Tower Bridge can take the A200 and then the A206 straight to Charlton.
From the M25, the A2, junction two, leads in to the A206.
Parking is reserved at The Valley for permit holders only and street parking is difficult, with restrictions for non-residents.
It is advised that supporters travel by public transport.
The nearest station is Charlton, which is less than a quarter of a mile away.
Charlton station is on the line operated by Southeastern and trains to Charlton run from Waterloo East, Charing Cross and London Bridge, with less frequent services running from Victoria and Cannon Street.
Pontoon Dock station, on the Docklands Light Railway, is just over a mile away.
The Supporters’ Association will be running coaches to every game this season – details of times and prices will be announced in due course.
THE FIXTURES
Brentford will make their first ever visit to the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday December 20.
The Bees then welcome the Welsh side to Griffin Park on Saturday March 14.
THE RECENT HISTORY
Charlton put together a decent end of season run to ensure their second season in The Championship did not end in relegation.
They will start their third season at this level at Griffin Park in August but it is a long way from the established top tier club they were less than a decade ago.
Following their nomadic existence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Charlton secured their status as a Premier League club, winning promotion in 1998, and then again in 2000 following immediate relegation.
Under Alan Curbishley they were settled in the top flight but he left in 2006 and they went down a year later.
In 2009 they dropped to the third tier and it took them three years to get back.
They lost in the Play-Offs in 2010 but came up under Chris Powell in 2012 with an expensive assembled squad.
Their first year in The Championship was a success as a late run took them to ninth, just three points outside the top six.
However, 2013/14 did not go as well.
Charlton won one of their first ten games, beating eventual champions Leicester City, and spent most of the season in the lower reaches of the division.
They were bottom with two thirds of the season played and Chris Powell was replaced by José Riga.
The Addicks won seven of their last 14 games to climb away from danger but will be hoping for better this time around.
THE MANAGER
Bob Peeters was appointed Charlton boss, officially Head Coach, last month after José Riga’s short spell in charge was brought to an end when the 2013/14 season concluded.
The 40-year-old won 13 caps for Belgium during a playing career that saw him play for Millwall, among others, as a striker.
He started his managerial career in his homeland at Cercle Brugge and moved to Charlton from Waasland-Beveren.
THE TOP SCORER
Marvin Sordell and Yann Kermorgant both scored eight goals in all competitions for Charlton last season.
Sordell scored seven of his in The Championship with five of Kermogant’s were in league competition.
Neither, however, will be at Charlton at the start of 2014/15.
Kermorgant moved to AFC Bournemouth in January while Sordell was on loan from Bolton Wanderers and has returned to Lancashire.
THE KEY MEN
Charlton are in the middle of a large squad rebuild, with a large number of players leaving this summer.
The most recent departure was Player of the Year Diego Poyet, who has turned down a new contract less than six months after making his Charlton debut.
Goalkeeper Ben Hamer, who played 32 Championship games for The Addicks in 2013/14, has joined Leicester City while 11 players were released.
Most of those were players not involved in many Championship games in 2013/14 but midfield player Bradley Pritchard did feature in 17 matches.
Dorian Dervite, who played 40 games in defence, left to join Bolton Wanderers and Richard Wood, who featured in 21 games in the back line, has joined Rotherham United.
Central defender Michael Morrison has signed a new contract after missing just one Championship game last season.
Other key figures staying at The Valley are midfield pair Johnnie Jackson and Jordan Cousins, right back Lawrie Wilson, who made 42 Championship appearances last term, and striker Simon Church, who played 38 games.
The Addicks have signed former Belgium Under-21 international midfield player Yoni Buyens on loan from Standard Liege, and Angola international striker Igor Vetokele.
THE FIRST MEETING
September 24 1921, Football League Third Division South – Brentford 0 Charlton Athletic 2
Brentford line-up: Young; Bethune, Rosier; Howe, Amos, Kerr; Capper, Elliott, Shields, Anstiss, Hendren
England international cricketer Elias “Patsy” Hendren was part of the Brentford team beaten by The Addicks.
THE LAST MEETING
January 2 2012, npower League One – Charlton Athletic 2 Brentford 0
Brentford line-up: Lee; Bennett (sub Alexander), Legge, Eger, Woodman; McGinn, Bean (sub Dean), Douglas, Diagouraga, Weston (sub Saunders); Donaldson
Subs (not used): Moore, Forrester
Brentford started 2012 with a London derby defeat.
THE MEMORABLE DAY
December 14 2010, Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Southern Section Semi-Final – Brentford 0 Charlton Athletic 0 (Brentford win 3-1 on penalties)
Brentford line-up: Lee; Wright, Legge, Osborne, Woodman; Simpson (sub Spillane), O’Connor, Diagouraga, Bean (sub Wood); MacDonald, Alexander
Subs (not used): Hamer, Balkestein, Forster
Richard Lee saved three penalties as Brentford beat Charlton to progress to the Southern Section Final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
THE ODDS
Sky Bet is offering 40/1 on Charlton Athletic winning The Championship next season.
Those who back The Addicks can get ¼ of the odds if they finish in the top three.
Every bet you make with Sky Bet benefits Brentford FC – click here to see the Championship market.