“Addick! Addick! Addick and Chips!”
Arthur shouted above the bustle. “Cheer yourself up with some lovely Addick!”
Matchdays in South East London were often bittersweet. The streets outside The Valley would flood with fans—some hopeful, many disappointed. Arthur, however, always saw opportunity. Win or lose, the crowd still had to eat.
Arthur was a local fishmonger with a shop just a short walk from Charlton Athletic’s stadium. He knew that even after another tough loss, a paper-wrapped haddock and chips could work small miracles. And as he hollered from his stall, waving that crispy golden fish, few could resist.
What most fans didn’t realise was that Arthur’s fish and chips weren’t just post-match comfort food—they were helping give birth to a nickname that would stick with the club for over a century.
Why Are Charlton Athletic Called “The Addicks”?
Charlton Athletic Football Club, based in the heart of South East London, proudly carries one of the more curious nicknames in English football: "The Addicks." It’s unusual, memorable, and has deep local roots that go all the way back to the club’s early days in the early 1900s.
The most widely accepted origin of the nickname comes from—you guessed it—fish. More specifically, haddock. Back when the club was founded around East Street in 1905, players and supporters would often visit a nearby fishmonger after matches. That fishmonger was none other than Arthur Bryan, who generously handed out portions of haddock and chips to the team and fans alike.
As the story goes, the South London accent did its thing, and “haddock” gradually morphed into “Addick.” The name caught on, stuck around, and eventually became part of the club’s identity.
It’s one of those charmingly odd football traditions that says a lot about the close-knit, working-class roots of the game—and the importance of a good post-match snack.
Other Theories (But None as Tasty)
While Arthur Bryan’s haddock story is the fan favourite, there are a few alternative theories floating around.
Some say “Addicks” may be a twist on the word “Athletic,” altered by local slang over time. Others believe it could have come from a particularly enthusiastic group of early supporters who coined it on the terraces.
Still, these explanations never quite stick like Arthur’s fish and chips story—which has been passed down through generations of fans and is even backed by club historians.
The Addicks Today: A Name That Stuck
More than 100 years later, “The Addicks” remains a point of pride for Charlton Athletic supporters. Whether you're at The Valley waving a scarf or watching from afar, the nickname still rings out loud and proud. It represents more than just tradition—it captures the spirit of the club: humble, hardworking, and deeply rooted in its local community.
Even though other nicknames like The Valiants or The Robins have surfaced over time, none have stuck quite like “The Addicks.”
And for those curious to explore even more Charlton history, you can take a stadium tour of The Valley, the club’s iconic home ground. And if you're into music as well as football, you might want to read The Night a Stadium Broke Records, the incredible story of when The Who set the world record for the loudest concert ever—right at The Valley.
Charlton’s nickname is one of the quirkiest in the game, but it’s also one of the most endearing. It’s a reminder that football isn’t just about goals and glory—it’s also about people, place, and the odd haddock here and there.