Charlton Athletic is a professional football club based in London, England, currently competing in the English Football League Championship. The club, founded in 1905, plays its home matches at The Valley in Charlton, a stadium known for its passionate atmosphere and distinctive covered stand. The team's traditional colors are red and white. Under the ownership of Thomas Sandgaard and the management of head coach Michael Appleton, the Addicks have a rich history. They were formed by a group of teenagers in the southeast London area, with the name derived from the Charlton district. The club's peak era came in the late 1990s and early 2000s, famously achieving promotion to the Premier League via a dramatic playoff final at Wembley in 1998. They enjoyed several stable seasons in the top flight, with stars like Scott Parker and Jonatan Johansson becoming fan favorites. In the modern era, the club has navigated between the Championship and League One, with a current squad featuring key players like striker Miles Leaburn and midfielder George Dobson. The fan base remains one of the most loyal in the country, symbolized by the mascot Tommy the Cat, and they consistently create a vibrant matchday experience at The Valley as the team pushes for a return to the Premier League.