Can a good ten days get any better?

The international break means our unbeaten run has been halted temporarily but, as the players say, 'we go again' tomorrow at Gillingham. In the intervening period, the gloom of 2020 has been lifted and spirits are high. Not only did Dominic Cummings finally leave Downing Street (I am convinced it was his decision) but the first of a rash of announcements on successful COVID vaccines brought the prospect of a return to a full-house at The Valley a huge step closer. 

More incredibly, Scotland qualified for a major football finals after 22 years of trying.  I was at all of their games in Euro 96 and France 98 but the pain of the failure since then has been immense as anyone who has read these wittering over the years might appreciate. To top it all, Thomas Sandgaard remains the master of all he surveys. He is facing down the loser Paul Elliott over his desperate, last-ditch, naked attempt at a dirty bung which really confirms what his interest was all along, if anyone remained in any doubt. Sandgaard is also behind a brilliant marketing plan to auction off one of the notorious Range Rovers that marked the ESI era in much the way the Sofa did Duchatelet's. All you need to do is pay to follow the Addicks on Valley Pass between now and Christmas and you could be the slightly embarrassed owner of a good-as-new Chelsea Tractor.

I reckon this will attract a lot of additional interest in Valley Pass. Some will-I-won't-I's will be moved to buy. It will attract some first time watchers and many of the, ahem, IPTV brigade may also be moved to recognise the spirit of this gesture and chip in too. For the record, I have a full collection of Valley Pass stamps and will be continuing.

So tomorrow then and a game that for once I am pleased we are forced to watch on Valley Pass. Gillingham is a direct train ride for me down the North Kent Line but a day out I have never really enjoyed previously. No offence to fans of ours who live there, but it's a dire and unwelcoming destination for the visitor. Rochester is far prettier and makes a better pre and post venue but you still have to watch the game in Gillingham.  

They are a proper small club and nothing wrong with that, but they are small club with a chip on it's shoulder, certainly when it comes to us and I am assured by mates, Millwall too. I enjoyed a bit of hospitality down there once when the club were faultless but their supporters classless. During the pre-match meal, their MC told us that they were sold out in hospitality for the first time that season and acknowledged the large number of Charlton fans who had contributed. As you would expect, the Addicks present were well behaved and suitably respectful. That wasn't enough though for a few Arses to get a bit lairy after we equalised. In the bar after the game they thought about it for a half-pint but decided it wasn't really for them when asked to dance and slithered off. I should add that the attraction of the hospitality was really more of a reaction to the thought of drinking again in any of the God-forsaken pubs in the 'town' which all seem to be inhabited by cast members from the Walking Dead.

Anyway, I am praying we can focus again once more and get the three points. I think we are a better side but they will battle tomorrow as they often do against us. They have had some sound defeats so far this season but when they get a break or are really interested, they can be a difficult side to beat. An early Charlton goal would do wonders and it would be great not to be hanging onto a one goal lead at 80 minutes. 

Did I mention that Thomas wants to bring Metallica to The Valley. Not my cup-of-tea particularly but I will be there with a crowd. Kerrraaaannnngggg!