Fan-Attics

Tim Crane trawls through the archives to take a look at some of the memorabilia produced by encounters beween the Hammers and Charlton...

The possibility of a West Ham United v Charlton Athletic FA Cup semi final is a wonderful prospect and one which will be more poignant to servants of both clubs such as Alan Pardew, Alan Curbishley, Mervyn Day and, before them, Derek Hales and the legendary Billy Bonds.

The clubs, split by a river, have proud traditions and today's Premiership game is the latest encounter in a long line of local, friendly rivalry.

Looking at the programmes of each club from the 1950s, one is instantly aware of just how commercial the game has become.

West Ham United's black and white single pagers from that period sell for around £30 each, while the Charlton equivalent injected a little more colour and sells for around the £10 mark. Both clubs are recognised as having some of the keenest collectors of memorabilia in the country, which often applies an upward pressure on the prices paid for each items.

Take for instance the lovely old programme from West Ham United and Charlton's first ever game in the Football League Cup. The game came in 1961 and had great old players such as Jackie Dick, Malcolm Musgrove and Bobby Moore on the scoresheet for the Hammers and Stuart Leary scoring the only goal for Charlton. The programme is much sought after by collectors, often selling for over £30.

One of the more charismatic players to have pulled on both shirts is Derek Hales and it was no surprise when he chose West Ham as the opposition for his Testimonial game in 1986. The hirsute Hales was, and still is, a real character who left behind some fantastic memories at both clubs.

It is only fitting that we sign off with a look at West Ham's most famous encounter with Charlton in the FA Cup, which came at Upton Park in the third round clash in 1964. Geoff Hurst, Peter Brabrook and John Sissons ensured a comfortable victory for the Hammers.

This formed part of West Ham's first ever successful route to cup glory, culminating in victory over Preston, 3-2, at Wembley. Any programme which forms part of a victorious cup run always commands a higher price and you can expect to pay over £10 for this one, considerably more if signed by Ronnie Boyce, Ken Brown, Johdn Bond, Jim Standen, Eddie Bovington and Peter Brabrook as illustrated.