Our first visit to The Valley since 2011, meaning that this will be a new ground for a whole generation of Southampton supporters, so for those going for the first time or those not since 2011, we bring you all the information that you will need.
Charlton have played at the Valley since 1919, apart from a short spell back in 1923/24 when they moved to Catford and then another sojourn away from 1985/86 season when they moved to ground share with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park due to disagreements with the owner of the ground.
They stayed until 1991 when they moved to play across the river at West Ham United's Upton Park where they would stay until the renovation of the Valley was completed in December 1992 and they have remained there ever since, slowly building the stadium up to it's current 27,111 all seated capacity in 2001, less than half the 75.031 who watched an FA Cup tie with Aston Villa in 1938, when the ground was basically a massive terrace terrace on 3 sides of the ground with a small main stand on one side with terracing.
The Away Section
Saints fans will have the entire Jimmy Seed stand which is behind the goal and holds about 3,000 supporters all covered.
It has a slightly raised terrace meaning it has an elevated view of the pitch even if you are in the front rows.
There are however some some pillars supporting the roof, that might slightly obscure your view.
There is the usual selection of food & drink in the ground at either side of the stand itself, but they are in areas a bit cramped for space.
Getting There.
By Rail
This is usually the easiest option, up to Waterloo and then across to Waterloo East where you can then get a train straight through to Charlton Station which is less than a 5 minute walk to the Stadium itself.
But this weekend the line is closed between Basingstoke to Woking which means replacement bus services between the two stations, South Western Trains will be running an hourly service from Southampton to Waterloo via Havant & Guildford, which will take longer than the usual time, but is direct.
Another option would be taking a Southern Train, usually much cheaper than South Western, but that will mean not only a longer journey time to London, but changing at East Croydon and taking a train to London Bridge and then from there to Charlton.
By Road
A little bit tricky this one, M3 to the M25 and then head East towards Gatwick and then either stay on the M25 to the junction with the A2 and head in to Charlton from there, a journey of 115 miles taking about 2 hours.
A shorter routs would be taking the A23 toward Croydon, but although shorter in mileage, with a lot of traffic in busy urban roads it could take longer.
Parking.
As you would expect in London, around the ground and Charlton Station there are parking restrictions in place, there are some industrial estates nearby that offer matchday parking, other than that it is just parking far enough away from the ground for there to be no restrictions.
Eating & Drinking
Just outside Charlton Station is the Antigalligan, other pubs include.
The Angerstein Hotel, 108 Woolwich Rd, London SE10 0LE
Anchor & Hope, Riverside, London SE7 7SS
The Royal Oak – 54 Charlton Ln, London SE7 8LA
Rose of Denmark, 296 Woolwich Rd, New Charlton, London SE7 7AL
If you are going by car and parking a little bit away from the ground there may be other options.
The Valley
Capacity:
27,111 (all seated)
Address:
Floyd Road, Charlton, SE7 8BL