Your memories of Chris Solly ahead of his testimonial game on Saturday

Ahead of Chris Solly’s testimonial game at The Valley on Saturday, we asked you for your favourite memories of the Charlton man.

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We looked through some of your memories of Solly and it’s clear to see how much he means to supporters after more than 10 years of service at The Valley.

Below are some of your memories…

Gary McKendry

My memorable Chris Solly moment is not one moment, it’s 10 wonderful years playing for Charlton. The man has given everything for us and of course there’s times when he could have moved on, But he didn’t. He is one of a select few that are loyal and he bleeds Red and White. Chris Solly is Charlton Athletic and I hope he has a great day. He deserves it. 

Adam Connolly 

I’m an Irish Addick and as I’ve been a right back myself most my life, Sols has been one of my favourite Charlton players over the last number of years. My earliest memories of Chris were the brilliant, famous song about him being 5”3 and better John Terry and flying down the right flank. 

More recent memories include him scoring that belter of a goal at Bloomfield Road and celebrating like Alan Shearer and the huge impact he had in 2011/12 season in gaining us promotion to the Championship.

My dad, brother and I are travelling over on Saturday morning to London for a two-week holiday and will be straight to The Valley for the match and for the first home game again Stoke.

Steve Jones 

It was the morning of the October 28th 2017, waking up with anticipation knowing my daughter would be walking out with the players at The Valley being a mascot against AFC Wimbledon. 

What a memory for my daughter and myself, being told she will be walking out with the captain who was Chris Solly. Poppy was so excited, seeing her walk out from the tunnel, chatting, smiling and taking the moment in her stride. 

It was amazing to see how good Chris was, chatting away like they had known each other for years! It absolutely made her day, poor Chris was having his ear chewed off good too, but he was brilliant with her and is CAFC through and through. This man is one of a kind and was an absolute legend with my daughter! 

That memory will last forever, especially for my daughter Poppy. To add to the most amazing day for my daughter it was a super proud moment for me and a fantastic birthday present for me! 

Thank you Charlton Athletic, and thank you Chris Solly, a true servant to this club and a legend. 

Marc Kentsley

Our favourite memory is a very recent one, but a great memory and it was that penalty against Doncaster in the play-off semi final. That penalty showed true leadership and guts to step up first and put it away in such a fashion.

The passion Chris showed after scoring shows how much he loves this club.

Steve Barnes 

My son and I both used to watch the youth team that did well in the FA Youth Cup, that Chris Solly and Jonjo Shelvey played in, eventually falling in later rounds to a Sunderland team featuring Jordan Henderson and Martyn Waghorn, from those games Chris became a firm favourite for both Joe and myself.

On the April 30th 2011 we played Walsall away and Joe and his friend Ollie were mascots for the day, they had their picture taken with Chris Powell before the game, but also Chris Solly and Scott Wagstaff who both played, they were so excited to have the photo taken with their favourite players. 

Even at their young age and knowing it was the last away game of the season, they asked Chris and Scott if they could have their shirts at the end of the game. As the game finished Walsall fans (who had won 2-0) came streaming on the pitch and a heavy line of stewards stood in front of the away fans.

Chris and Scott came running over to look for the boys to give them their shirts, the stewards were having none of it and wouldn't let them through. However, once they spotted Joe and Ollie, they gave the stewards the swerve, it was hilarious they fainted one way which the stewards fell for and dashed the other came running over and gave the boys their shirts. It really was a wonderful moment. From that moment there has only ever been one player for Joe and myself; Chris Solly.

A couple of years later I got an excited call from Joe as he had gone to play golf at Cray Valley Golf Club and bumped into Chris and made sure he got his photo taken with him. 

Chris has been a legend at Charlton and to cap his testimonial season with promotion has made it extra special,

Helen Charlesworth

My favourite Chris Solly memory is not from a match but from his testimonial dinner earlier this year. It was on my daughter's 19th birthday and I messaged him to ask him if he would mind getting her a card. My daughter had no idea I had done it. He did get her a card and gave it to her on the night. She was so happy! She enjoyed the whole evening and on the way home, she said it was her best birthday ever! What more could a mother wish for! 

Not yet got your ticket to the game? It’s not too late, click here to purchase.

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