Valley Away
Valley Away coach seats can be booked at the commercial centre, via 0871 226 1905 (open 8am-6pm weekdays, 9am-1pm Saturdays) and for most matches online.
Away travel 2008/09
Coaches will usually operate to away matches from all the following places
Canterbury (Victoria Hotel)
Faversham (A2 nr football ground)
Maidstone 1 (Armstrong Road)
Maidstone 2 (Somerfield Hospital)
Larkfield (Spotted Cow)
Medway Services
Gravesend (Tollgate underpass)
Bromley North (station)
Eltham Well Hall (roundabout, Well Hall Road north)
Bexleyheath (rear of Civic Offices, Albion Road)
Charlton (Anchor & Hope Lane)
Dartford (Heath Lane/Princes Road)
Toddington Services (when on route)
Please note that we may be unable to run from all advertised pick-ups if insufficient bookings are received to run all routes. In that event passengers who have booked will be offered the nearest available pick-up.
Valley Away - frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Who is it run by?
CAFC took over running the away travel service in 2006, after many years in which it was provided by Charlton Athletic Supporters' Club (CASC). This followed requests from supporters, but the stewards have remained the same. Wendy Perfect is in charge and she ran the supporters' club travel for years.
Are there any other coach services?
Not in Kent or South East London as far as we know. We do occasionally run away coaches from East and West Sussex, but when we do booking information will be on this page.
What do you charge?
The aim is to get more people to go, not make a profit. For 2007/08 we charged £15 to every away game, except for Palace and Watford (£8 each) and Colchester (£12). The aim is to cover the hire cost of the coaches over the season and to reward people who go on the longer trips by offsetting the higher hire charges against a small surplus from the games in the Midlands. However, this does mean we have to be cautious about putting on extra coaches that are not likely to be full, especially to the games in the north. We advise you to book early to avoid disappointment.
Can I pay on the day?
No. All fares must be paid in advance through the commercial centre or online. The only exception is that Maidstone CASC members can book through Sue Townsend if they wish for their local pick-ups and the arrangements we sometimes make for Sussex coaches. Maidstone and Sussex CASC members can also book through the club like everyone else.
Can my child travel away without an adult?
Not if he or she is under 16. We are unable to take responsibility for U16s and therefore we will only allow them on board when accompanied by a responsible adult who is aged at least 21. Our stewards have authority to turn away unaccompanied U16s who present themselves for boarding on the day of the match.
Can I get on without my coach ticket?
We will send you a ticket to confirm the booking if time allows and it will be helpful if you bring it. The steward will also have a list of names. But if you don't have a ticket and you're not on the list you won't be able to travel.
What if I change my mind?
You can cancel your seat up to 48 hours before the game. After that we will only give you a refund if we can sell it to someone else.
Can I go on the disabled coach?
This coach is now also being run by the club, and will run according to demand, picking up at Bromley, Eltham and Charlton only. Unfortunately, we cannot cover the other pick-ups. If you require a fixed wheelchair place on the coach please tell us as early as possible and at least four days before the game as this requires the coach to be reconfigured and less seats are then available for other passengers. The disabled coach may be booked via the commercial centre on 0871 226 1905. Helpers travel for half price.
Can I have a drink on the coach these days?
The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol Etc), Act, 1985, specifically prohibits the carrying or consuming of alcohol on coaches travelling to or from designated sporting events, which includes all senior football matches. Not only would you be at risk of arrest, but police have powers to turn the coaches around, causing all passengers to miss the game. We don't make the law but we have to enforce it, so please don't take it out on the steward or the club. If you don't like it, contact your MP.
What about seat belts?
All Valley Away passengers are reminded it is now a legal requirement for everyone over the age of 14 to wear seat belts during coach journeys. The onus to ensure they do so is on passengers, not drivers or the football club as hirer, and police have the power to levy spot fines against people who don't wear them.
Are you running trains?
No. Speak to independent Addicks fan Syd Cheeswright on 020-8688 3916 between 6.30-9.30pm from Monday to Friday. There's also an information page on the club website giving more details, and before calling fans should note the deadline for bookings, which can be some time ahead of fixtures.
For information about the Valley Express coach service to home matches, click here.
