Football | Charlton’s play-off final preview
Charlton fans are getting very excited
It will be a London derby against Leyton Orient that will decide whether they will play in the Championship next season
Author - Edward
Charlton fans spent the weekend securing their seats at Wembley Stadium for the League One play-off final
Nearly 37,000 tickets went on sale on Saturday afternoon, with the keenest away followers given first priority in the online sale.
This was followed by season-ticket holders and others with loyalty points. If there are any tickets left, they will go on general sale from Wednesday afternoon.
READ MORE | How Charlton reached this stage
It is six years since Charlton last made it to Wembley, when a late winner from Patrick Bauer secured promotion to the Championship. However, they only spent a single season in the second tier, a campaign that was disrupted by ownership issues and wider problems that didn't involve football.
The impact of a Charlton win
They have endured five difficult years in League One, but off the pitch there are signs of renewed stability under the ownership of SE7 Partners.
There were jubilant scenes at The Valley after the final whistle of the play-off semi-final against Wycombe Wanderers. A tense contest was settled by an 81st-minute strike from Matty Godden, sparking a pitch invasion from delighted home supporters.
The Addicks now face Leyton Orient in the League One play-off final at Wembley, a challenge that promises to be anything but straightforward. Orient, managed by Richie Wellens, have found form at just the right time and booked their place at Wembley after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Stockport County.
When the final whistle sounded last week, attention briefly turned away from the players. Television cameras captured a poignant moment as Charlton manager Nathan Jones dropped to his knees in prayer on the touchline.
"A new sense of pride around the club..."
"This club belongs in the Championship. That is where Charlton should be and everyone connected to the club knows it," says Paul, a long-time season ticket holder. "There is a new sense of pride around The Valley. The fans, the players, the staff. Everyone seems to believe again. For the first time in a long while there is real momentum. You can feel it in the atmosphere, in the songs, in the conversations on matchdays.
"We have been through tough times but this team has brought back something we had been missing. They play with heart, with purpose, and they care about this club. Getting back to the second tier would mean more than promotion. It would show that Charlton are finally moving forward again. This weekend is not just about the result. It is about further restoring belief and proving that this club deserves to be back where it belongs."
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