I missed the Oldham game as I was in Mexico for my granddaughter's christening, and the two weeks since I got back have been desperately hectic. Here at last is the photo taken that day of the visiting Oldham supporters.
Geoff, who took the photo in my absence, wrote to me: 'A very nice group of people who were keen to visit a ground most of them had never been to as they don't think we'll be in the same division next season, i.e. they think we'll be promoted. I hope they're right!' Since then Charlton have stumbled a bit, and although we're still in second place (as of 7th November) we've lost touch with Leeds a bit and the teams below us have caught up.
The flag that the Oldham supporters are holding honours a former player who died last year of cancer at a ridiculously early age. You can read all about it at http://www.ernieflag.co.uk/site/ and they also have a nice report about their day out in 'Sarf Lundun'.This is all about football's roots in local communities and is a million miles away from the madness of the Premiership and its ludicrously, overpaid, dissolute, arrogant prima donnas.
It's a pleasure to meet real supporters like Oldham's, and it reminded me of when we played Preston last season and they all turned up in bowler hats in memory of departed friends. Real people, real communities.
