Another match “from the archive.” Is there one you want to remind us of? Let us know here.

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Charlton Athletic vs Birmingham City 2003 – Sitting at the wrong end.

This game took place on Easter Saturday 2003 during our first season in the Premier League.  It’s memorable for me because I was living in South East London at the time just a short bus ride from the Valley.  I didn’t get to many games that season but this was one I wasn’t going to miss even though I couldn’t get a ticket in the away end.  Instead I got on the 54 bus and sat towards the bottom of the East Stand with the Charlton fans.

Blues went into this game with six points clear of the relegation zone after a comfortable home win against Sunderland.  They stuck with the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ front pairing of Christophe Dugarry and Geoff Horsfield with Damien Johnson joining Robbie Savage in midfield.  Blues started the game brightly creating some early openings and could have been awarded a penalty when Horsfield appeared to be tripped in the box.  It was mostly one way traffic and the breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Horsfield turned on the edge of box and pulled the ball back towards the near post where Dugarry flicked it in the back of the net with his heel.  It was a brilliant bit of skill but fortunately for me I didn’t have a great view of it so managed to resist the urge to jump up into the air which would have blown my cover amongst the Charlton faithful.

Charlton came back into the game at the start of the second half but the Blues defence held firm.  Then in the 55th minute Robbie Savage was put through by Horsfield and had a coming together with Chris Powell in the box.  To my surprise, and I had an excellent view of this one, the referee pointed to the spot.  Savage duly dispatched the penalty and while the fans around me were berating the referee I allowed myself a secret fist clench in celebration.  That made the game safe but there was one more great chance that nearly blew my cover.  Man of the match Horsfield played a one-two with Stern John to put himself clear but then fired the ball narrowly over the crossbar.  I instinctively raised my arms in anticipation of the net bulging but saved myself by swiftly moving into a big yawn.  Further chances for Horsfield and John could have made the win even more emphatic.

The game finished to chants of ‘The Blues are staying up!’ as I trudged out with the remaining Charlton fans trying my best to look unhappy.  Once outside my frown turned into a massive grin celebrating a good performance and an excellent three points.  I was also blessed to have had a chance to watch first hand the genius that was Christophe Dugarry.

Blues went on to win their next two games to secure their Premier League future with two games to spare.