Ten Years Ago: 'your dinner is in the dog'

The Addicks inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Oldham at The Valley in the pre-Christmas match in 1994. My notes state, 'Oldham were the worst side I had seen all season but they held Charlton in the first half. They might have scored from a succession of corners. What exhiliration when Whyte scored for Charlton, followed by Jones.' In fact, it was the only goal that Keith Jones scored all season. With the Addicks having slumped to 19th in the table, it was an important win, providing more reassurance for supporters than the programme's injunction 'No time for panic.'

One incident I did not note, but which is mentioned in Colin Cameron's Home and Away is that Oldham player-coach Andy Holden was making his first senior appearance for four years. He had to have two stitches inserted in an eye wound after a first half clash with Carl Leaburn.

The programme recorded (twice) that keeper Andy Petterson had gone out on loan to Bradford City, no doubt thereby saving a few bob on wages. 'Young midfield player Lee Bowyer' was the subject of a profile, 'Scoop' Burrowes advising his readers that 'he knows he still has a lot to learn before he becomes the complete player.'

An attempt was made to persuade fans to acquire a 'Charlton pager' for a monthly fee. This would enable you to receive 'Charlton news' (i.e., phone Clubcall to hear about signing of new journeyman). It could also be borrowed by family members to send messages such as 'Your dinner is in the dog' (this was really given as an example).

Finally, given that Inspector Sands faithfully records current scenes on the underground, my notes recall that on the way home the Bakerloo Line train advanced a few yards at a time between Charing Cross and Piccadilly Circus.