NEWS Shopper’s regular Charlton correspondent Liam Happe got the chance to strut his stuff on the hallowed Valley turf recently in the annual Football Aid game at the stadium.

Here is his account of his debut in SE7.

I was invited by Football Aid to join other members of the public on the SE7 pitch for a full-length competitive match and as a Charlton fan myself, I wasn’t going to turn the offer down.

Football Aid have for the last 10 years staged these contests which replicate the full match day experience, including professional officials, changing room access and post-match sandwiches.

Charlton are just one of a number of clubs across the country to take part in the scheme, with the Addicks being on board from day one.

Although it had been a few years since I’d donned the shorts and studs, I was quietly confident I wouldn’t become too much of a burden to the lads who had donated generously to selected charities for the honour of performing at The Valley.

This confidence was soon wiped out by both intense heat on the warmest day of the year and the news several withdrawals meant my 45 minute cameo had been bumped up to just over an hour on the huge pitch.

But after strolling into the visitors’ changing room to see my surname on the back of a shirt hanging up, changing into full kit and feeling far less uncomfortable than I feared during a lengthy pre-game warm-up, I posed for the team photo.

By this stage I was confident I could channel more Chris Powell than Djimi Traore into my left-back role.

As a natural left-footer, and being more defence-minded than attack, I seemed situated in the perfect place to make an impact on the game.

And although that impact was nowhere to be found, I’m pleased to report I made a couple of decent interceptions and possess one hell of a throw-in.

Thankfully, my chances of performing as disastrously as I feared I might were just cut short by a fantastic effort from the rest of the back line, marshalled by our side’s man of the match Marcus Webb.

There was also an impressive performance between the sticks from keeper David McClelland.

Unfortunately, a good effort all round in searing conditions nonetheless ended in a thrilling 4-3 defeat.

After taking the lead three times, we eventually succumbed to a controversial winner five minutes from time.

The home side had all donated and booked their places together for captain Michael Risely’s 30th birthday, with his dad John even making rolling substitute cameos, complete with squad number 60.

They collectively showed a great deal of continuity, making our performance in defeat all the more valiant.

But ultimately, not even the after-game showers could wash away the heartbreak of succumbing so late on.

However, captain Gareth Allen’s penalty for 3-2 after an individual 10-year wait for a Football Aid goal and McClelland’s moment-of-the-match double save will live long in the memory.

Extremely cramped and exhausted, this rusty reporter can nonetheless confirm the Football Aid experience is a must for any charitable hardcore football fan, even for hacks like me and 60-year-olds such as John Risely.