Deep into an eight-month deployment in Afghanistan, Sergeant Haydn Lees opened up an unexpected parcel, confused as to what it’s contents could possibly be.
As he tore through the packaging, a glint of red appeared and the memories began flooding back, from the tragic relegations to the magical promotions.
Lees unfurled the contents of the package to reveal a personalised Charlton home strip, complete with the signatures of each Addicks player.
‘Remarkable’
“It was such a remarkable gesture, I wasn’t expecting anything and was confused when the parcel arrived,” he said.
Lees revealed that shirt was a gift from the club
He added, “As I opened it and saw the red shirt I assumed someone has bought it for me – then I saw a card inside saying it was from the club and I was speechless.
“The look on all the lads’ faces who had all asked their clubs for stuff! Priceless.”
Lees’ Charlton Love Affair
Now a member of the Military Provost Staff based in Colchester, Lees’ love affair with Charlton, who he refers to simply as “The Club”, began in testing circumstances and has weathered countless storms bred from gruelling situations.
“My family were all Manchester Utd supporters and I grew up in a United supporting household.
“I broke the mould in my teens when I got a mind of my own and as we were in the South East of England I supported the Club and haven’t looked back since.”
While supporting Charlton in Lees’ line of work offers a host of unique struggles, some difficulties remain all too familiar for the bulk of football followers.
“If anything the lads I work with are all football lovers and they can’t wait to rub in a bad result!”
Fanaticism
However, the greater challenges of supporting the club in environments not conducive to football fanaticism have shaped an eternal Addick.
“The main challenges for anyone in the Forces will be the same- the locations you’re posted and the time away on Deployments and Operations.
“Away from the latter, we do get plenty of downtime, and if anything it’s easier as we can get tickets for matches from Tickets for Troops, who the club allocates plenty of tickets to on a monthly basis and that is much appreciated!”
‘This Club Means A Great Deal To Me’
A love for the club has always been present, ever since that shrewd defection from his United family, but seeing the Addicks’ close connection to the armed forces has nurtured an even greater respect and admiration for the club.
“This club means a great deal to me, it did when I was a civilian and it does now as a member of the Armed Forces.
“As a member of the Armed forces I personally appreciate the Club in a different light than I did as a civilian, this is due to the club being very Pro-Forces.
“Nothing sums this up more than when I was in Afghanistan in 2012.
“A number of the lads I was deployed with (who supported the bigger clubs) wrote to their clubs asking for them to send out a signed picture or a scarf – they got nothing back, not even a reply.
“When I told my wife about this she (without my knowledge) sent an email to Charlton – the next thing I knew I received a parcel from the Club containing a Charlton football shirt!
“Not only that but my name was printed on the back and all the players signed it- it was an incredible gesture and one that got me through some hard times.”
A Special Club
Ultimately, Haydn and his story demonstrate everything that is special about this football club.
Never a one-way relationship, Charlton has been forged by a loyal fanbase, personified by Lees, while the supporters have always been the club’s priority.
Last May, Lees’ Charlton journey reached a joyous pinnacle as he joined the 38,000 Addicks supporters crammed into Wembley to watch Patrick Bauer send the club back to the Championship.
“I was able to attend the game at Wembley, it was an amazing experience and what an atmosphere. Both sets of fans were unbelievable and what a way to win it,” he recalls.
If following this club was easy and prosaic, then it simply wouldn’t be Charlton.
Haydn Lees supports ‘The Club’ because he’s Charlton at heart and despite the challenges, moments like that one make it all worth it, and then some.
