LIVING next to a high-rise building overlooking a football stadium can go two ways – you’d either love watching free games or get driven mad by the noise on match days.
That’s the case for residents in the Valiant House apartment building, just a few metres from The Valley, the home of League One side Charlton Athletic F.C.
The Valley with Valiant House, where residents are able to watch football matches from their flats, in the distance
The stadium has been home to Charlton Athletic F.C. for the past 104 years
Those on the top floors of the building get an incredible view of the pitch and are able to watch games live from the comfort of their living rooms and balconies.
Just five minutes away from Charlton rail station, the 27,111-capacity stadium in south-east London, which has been the club’s home since the 1920s, is surrounded by several houses and apartments.
Some of the most memorable and iconic matches at The Valley include the team’s 4-2 victory against Chelsea in 2003, the first season since the Premier League club had been taken over by Roman Abramovich.
SE headed down to the south-east London club for our summer series, Life’s a Pitch, which celebrates the weird and wonderful stadiums across Britain… and the communities built around them.
Philippa Banse says she gets a good view of the pitch and is able to watch games from her balcony
Philipa’s high-rise block is just a few metres away from the stadium
Full-time mum Philipa Banse, 31, who has lived in the building for the past two years, enjoys match days standing on her balcony.
She told SE: “Living so close to the stadium is actually good because you don’t have to pay for a ticket.
“From where I live, I can see the whole pitch – I just can’t see the goal. Apart from that, I can watch the whole game.
“Some of the games I watch, but not all of them. If I hear shouting, or I hear “goal”, I may have a look to see who’s scored.
“At first, the noise was a problem for me but I’m now used to it. The issue now is parking. When they’re playing, it’s not fair to the residents, especially when we want to get out.
“One time we got told we’ve got to wait two hours before we can go out. But other than that, there’s no problem living near the stadium.”
Not so lucky
The 16-storey building was built in the 1970s and has two sections. Some living on the top three floors have a near-perfect view of the pitch – but others aren’t so lucky.
One of the unfortunate ones is hospital worker Sophia Crowl – the only thing she can see are the fans in the stand.
Sophia, who doesn’t have a view of the pitch, insists fans who attend games are normally ‘polite’
Some residents living on the top three floors of the 16-storey building have a near-perfect view of the pitch
“I can’t see the pitch itself but to be honest the fans can tell you what is going on. If they are quiet, it means the team is not doing well but if they are loud, and out of their seats, it means they’re playing well,” she says.
The 34-year-old mother adds: “It makes me feel happy [living here]. I like hearing the fans chant and my daughter, she’s like ‘look Mummy, they’re screaming.’
“On matchdays, there are police that come and make sure that everyone is behaving themselves. You don’t really see people hanging around here and misbehaving. They’re really just trying to get in and get to their seats.”
While other stadiums may have an issue with rowdy supporters causing havoc on their streets, Sophia insists that has never been a problem here.
She explains: “In terms of safety, it’s absolutely fine. The people that come to watch the games are polite. No one is ever rude and if anything should ever happen, there are enough police staff to help with that. It’s not a nuisance or anything like that – not to me anyway.”
But another resident – who lives on Floyd Road, the same as the stadium, and wanted to remain anonymous – didn’t share Sophia’s positive outlook.
She told us: “Let’s just say it’s very chaotic and extremely difficult.”
‘Busy and loud’
Despite some people’s complaints, houses on the street are still well above the average house price in the UK at £550,000, according to Rightmove.
Although circus performer Lilly Carrolle, 18, who lives nearby agrees that the street can be rowdy during match days, she insists she enjoys living in the area.
“When there’s a game, it gets very busy and loud around here, she says. “Sometimes the roads are closed and you have people walking from all areas. When you’re driving it’s really hard coming in and out. It’s okay if you’re walking.
Although it can get chaotic, Lilly Carolle says she enjoys living just a stone’s throw away from the stadium
The stadium is surrounded by numerous houses and apartment buildings
“I like living close to the stadium because I think it’s quite fun to see what’s going on and you can hear the cheering in the stadium.
“But I suppose other people who aren’t fans of football may not like that kind of vibe. But I enjoy it.”
Sean Hanley, who lives in Valiant House, appears nonchalant about the stadium being so close.
He says: “I’m a bit of a Charlton fan but it doesn’t bother me. I’ve watched the games from my apartment a few times.
“[The noise] doesn’t bother me too much either. I turn the TV up if I need to. I don’t mind living here.”
Sean Hanley says if ever the noise gets too much, he drowns it out by turning up the volume of his TV
While some residents were pleased to be in close proximity to the stadium, others were not so enthused
From the ground floor of the building, residents are able to see the fans in the stand
Most residents we spoke to at Valiant House said they enjoy living so close to the stadium
