Auction of Colin Cameron memorabilia

Collections of Charlton memorabilia from the estate of the late Colin Cameron are being auctioned at Sotheby's today by sports specialist Graham Budd. The catalogue is online with good quality illustrations of the programmes on offer. The Cameron lots can be found on pp.189-94: Colin Cameron.

Twelve Charlton Athletic programmes from the 1929-30 season have a guide price of £1,400-£1,800. The programme was then black print on a dark red background. Later programmes had a stylised sketch on the cover and there are a number of examples from the 1930s, as well as one from a friendly versus Partick Thistle in 1939, accompanied by one for a Subsidiary Competition fixture against Chelsea in February 1940.

An official photograph of the team in 1907-0 with the Lewisham league and Woolwich League trophies is billed as one of the earliest original photographs of the club and is expected to fetch £400 to £600. It is believed that the total raised was around £16,000.

It is unfortunate that some of these items could not be obtained from the new Charlton museum, but the funding is not really available yet. However, it is understood that a wealthy Charlton fan purchased some of the items to secure them for the club.

Voice of the Valley is back

Rick from Ramsgate, Editor in Chief

There has been some mystery surrounding the whereabouts of Rick Everitt since his enforced departure from The Valley last autumn. He has been seen at games, but there have also been rumours of a forlorn figure riding his bike on the highways and byways of the Isle of Thanet in a search for gainful employment.

However, it now appears that he has been beavering away with the help of his elves on the return of Charlton fanzine Voice of the Valley. It will be on sale outside The Valley tomorrow and can also be purchased online. The cover pays tribute to departed Addicks historian Colin Cameron, and I may have something in it myself if it has survived the editor's blue pencil. More here: Voice of the Valley.

Not every legend is on the pitch

Tributes have been pouring in after club historian Colin Cameron passed away early on Christmas Day. Rick Everitt described him as 'the number one Charlton fan, bar none.' Steve Brown referred to him as Mr Statistic, describing him as a 'fine human being.' From the United States Doug Chapman said, 'A very nice man who possessed more knowledge about the history of Charlton Athletic than anyone else. A virtual walking encyclopedia who loved his club and its supporters.' Phoptographer Tom Morris has said how helpful he was when he needed to identify anything. Fans have talked about his approachability.

In a message to the club, Colin's family have said, 'CAFC was Colin's life for 60 years.' Perhaps one day we can have a small museum at The Valley and dedicate it to him.

Colin was meticulous in his collection of data about Charlton. There was a time when I covered the odd youth team match in the Midlands for the Greenwich Mercury. Charlton won 6-1 at Rushden & Diamonds and Colin questioned me rigorously about whether we had scored the last goal or had it been tipped in by the keeper to make it an own goal.

Charlton Home and Away is one of my most treasured books and the one I would take on a desert island. I often consult it for these posts and the same applies to The Valiant 500. His contributions to the programme were always among the most interesting items. Truly, we will not see his like again.