The return of Charlton’s Red, White and Black Day this year, sees club legends Carl Leaburn and Paul Mortimer back leading the line.
Members of the Charlton family will be happy to see former forward Leaburn who enjoyed a successful nine year spell at the club, racking up 53 goals in 344 league appearances during his time for the club, put on an Addicks shirt once again, alongside former teammate and midfielder Paul Mortimer who accumulated 34 goals in 199 league appearances, over two spells, 1987-1991, 1994-1999.
Charlton also welcome a range of other guests including the Mayor of Greenwich, Peter Brooks, Councillor Christine May and the involvement of local school children as they prepare to parade around the pitch, ahead of the fixture against rivals Portsmouth on Saturday.
History dating back
The Red, White and Black Day which has been running for over 25 years, celebrates the diversity in the area. Club legend Leaburn reminisced about his first involvement: “As a player we’d be wearing t-shirts. We just did our part to publicise it. Thankfully it’s kept going.”
It is estimated that 100 members from the Charlton family will participate in this celebratory event, including people from various backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures across the community coming together. Leaburn also went on to say: “It’s fantastic. It was probably Jason Morgan (Charlton Athletic Community Trust) alone back in the day, 20 years ago. It just keeps growing and growing and growing.
“As always, anyone who has any sort of connection with Charlton has always mentioned the family feel that the club have always tried to keep and as I say it literally feels like a family. You’re always made to feel welcome so I’m looking forward to that,” added Leaburn.
What it means
Speaking on his involvement in the Red, White and Black Day, why he got involved and what Charlton Athletic football club means to him as a supporter, Leaburn added: “I think it’s quite important for Charlton. I’ve represented Charlton in my time so it’s quite important that I can come back and do certain things.
“I’m not only representing myself, I’m representing my family; my son, my daughter, my brothers. It’s all about diversity and different races coming together to celebrate.”
In a competitive period for the Addicks, in which they see themselves battling for a playoff spot come the end of the season, their fans and everyone involved in the club have found a way to make it a joyful time despite the pressure they may be under for promotion to the Championship next season, after narrowly missing out last season.
