Former Premier League ground left unrecognisable during seven-year abandonment

A former Premier League stadium was left in disrepair during a seven-year abandonment.

Back in 1919, Charlton Athletic’s home ground was first known by the current name, The Valley.

The stadium hosted 75,000 people for an FA Cup match back in 1938 but was then left in disrepair before Charlton reached the Premier League.

After a lack of investment and fears over safety, Charlton were forced to leave The Valley behind and had to share Selhurst Park with Crystal Palace from 1985. They also played a season at West Ham’s former ground Upton Park.

Before Charlton’s spell away from their home ground ended in 1992, The Valley became unrecognisable.

Photos taken at the time showed people having a kickabout on the turf that has been left to grow.

Alamy

Whilst some even started a bonfire in the middle of the pitch.

Fans were able to enter the ground due to the fact that no staff were there to keep the ground secure and there was a lack of security.

After they made their return to The Valley, the ground has seen a number of improvements.

The Valley was turned into an all seater, with a crowd capacity of 27,111. Whilst three of the four stands underwent redevelopment.

PA Images

During Charlton’s time in the Premier League, the club spoke about adding a further extension to the ground.

In 2004, a planning application was started which detailed the club’s plans to increase the capacity to 30,900, before eventually increasing to 40,000.

However, those plans were hampered after Charlton were relegated to the Championship and then to League One.

Today, they are currently playing in League One but the club’s ownership is facing yet another uncertain future with former Leeds owner Massimo Cellino linked with a takeover of the club.

Charlton are in league action on Saturday afternoon as they face a trip to Cambridge United.