Chicago Addick in New York

It was always going to be an interesting encounter. We've been described in the local media variously as "The two giants of the American Charlton blogging scene" and "The very epitome of what it is a US-based Addick blogger should aspire to."

Would our respective giant egos clash like two meteors? Would my recent unprecedented two-figure advertising deal rankle with Chicago Addick and his less materialistic blue-collar sensibilities?

Just as I did for Frankie Valley, I chose the Pig & Whistle pub, a suitably relaxed Irish joint ideal for a chinwag about Charlton, but more importantly a place where I was unlikely to be recognised. The last thing I needed was Chicago Addick letting on to my New York 'connections' that my high-flying image was all a ruse when infact I was just a regular bloke who likes beer and footy.

I arrived first, found a suitable table and waited to see if I would be able to spot the man who described himself in our emails as 'a cross between Robert Redford and Neil Redfearn.' Right on time, he showed up and I recognised him instantly thanks to his unique Charlton-style outfit:


Unlike Frankie who showed up flanked by security guards, Chicago only drew looks because of the outfit not because of who he was. It was in keeping with the style of a man who admits his Mum is an avid reader of his blog, though it's not clear how she felt about the deep Midwestern drawl he has developed.

However, although their styles were polar opposites, Chicago must have regretted not having read Frankie's reflections on our meeting because if there is one thing guaranteed to have me boring my drinking companion into submission, it's a rare opportunity to 'talk Charlton' with someone.

And 'talk Charlton' I most certainly did pausing only to eat and to visit the restroom twice. Indeed I became concerned towards the end that Chicago was only ordering drinks in the hope of falling unconscious, in the style of those unfortunate passengers sat next to Ted Striker in 'Airplane': "Well I could probably go on for hours, but I'd probably bore you to death..."

And although we are based 719 miles apart, our views on the club were surprisingly similar as readers of both the blogs may have picked up. In short, whilst some elements of our discussion are a little fuzzy this morning, I think those views can broadly be summarised as follows:

- we need to be patient with Dowie (and even so, the Board won't sack him anyhow)
- the reign of Curbs had reached a natural and satisfactory end
- if we survive this season (even in 17th place) it should be seen as a successful season
- our fondest Charlton memories were largely from the 'old days'
- the 1998 Play-Off Final was the best day of our lives (regardless of what we may have told loved ones then or since)
- Bryan Hughes isn't very good (but he's probably a nice fella)
- we had hoped Curbs' book might elucidate more on what made him so successful (but expect to be disappointed)
- if we are still bottom in January, the club might have to consider selling Darren Bent (even though it would seal our fate)
- Americans have to have therapists because they don't form the same deep friendships as us Brits (ok, this is nothing to do with Charlton but we did stray off-topic at times)
- the calm hurricane season this year has been a surprise to us both