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Charlton Athletic

Heartbreak#13411.7

London, London · England · Championship

Major cups
1
last 1947
Top-2 finishes
1
Top-4 finishes
3

Power-ranking history

Hover a season for its rank and score
Rank (1 = best)1386Score (per-season normalised)0.00.51.089/9094/9599/0004/05

Against expectation

Every English top-flight match this club has played, scored against the odds an Elo rating gave it before kick-off. Over 26 seasons from 1936-37 to 2006-07 it has fallen short of them by −5.8 match points.

Charlton Athletic: surplus against expectation, 1936-37 to 2006-071936-37: +12.3 league points vs expected (54 on 41.8, 2 for a win) · bar height +6.1 match points1937-38: +0.6 league points vs expected (46 on 45.4, 2 for a win) · bar height +0.3 match points1938-39: +4.0 league points vs expected (50 on 46.0, 2 for a win) · bar height +2.0 match points1946-47: −8.7 league points vs expected (34 on 42.7, 2 for a win) · bar height −4.4 match points1947-48: +1.4 league points vs expected (40 on 38.6, 2 for a win) · bar height +0.7 match points1948-49: +0.4 league points vs expected (42 on 41.6, 2 for a win) · bar height +0.2 match points1949-50: −5.3 league points vs expected (32 on 37.3, 2 for a win) · bar height −2.6 match points1950-51: +0.6 league points vs expected (37 on 36.5, 2 for a win) · bar height +0.3 match points1951-52: +4.5 league points vs expected (44 on 39.5, 2 for a win) · bar height +2.3 match points1952-53: +5.8 league points vs expected (49 on 43.2, 2 for a win) · bar height +2.9 match points1953-54: −0.1 league points vs expected (44 on 44.1, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.1 match points1954-55: −3.3 league points vs expected (40 on 43.3, 2 for a win) · bar height −1.7 match points1955-56: −1.1 league points vs expected (40 on 41.1, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.5 match points1956-57: −10.8 league points vs expected (22 on 32.8, 2 for a win) · bar height −5.4 match points1986-87: −5.5 league points vs expected (44 on 49.5, 3 for a win) · bar height −1.7 match points1987-88: −2.1 league points vs expected (42 on 44.1, 3 for a win) · bar height +0.2 match points1988-89: −1.1 league points vs expected (42 on 43.1, 3 for a win) · bar height −0.0 match points1989-90: −11.5 league points vs expected (30 on 41.5, 3 for a win) · bar height −4.0 match points1998-99: −7.8 league points vs expected (36 on 43.8, 3 for a win) · bar height −2.4 match points2000-01: +7.9 league points vs expected (52 on 44.1, 3 for a win) · bar height +2.6 match points2001-02: −2.1 league points vs expected (44 on 46.1, 3 for a win) · bar height −0.1 match points2002-03: +3.0 league points vs expected (49 on 46.0, 3 for a win) · bar height +0.5 match points2003-04: +5.3 league points vs expected (53 on 47.7, 3 for a win) · bar height +1.9 match points2004-05: −2.1 league points vs expected (46 on 48.1, 3 for a win) · bar height −0.7 match points2005-06: +0.3 league points vs expected (47 on 46.7, 3 for a win) · bar height −0.3 match points2006-07: −6.0 league points vs expected (34 on 40.0, 3 for a win) · bar height −1.9 match points
1936-37one bar per season · height in match points · hover for that season2006-07
Best season against expectation
1936-37 +12.3 league pts
54 points on 41.8 expected as Charlton Athletic
Worst season against expectation
1989-90 −11.5 league pts
30 points on 41.5 expected as Charlton Athletic

Season points use that season’s own scoring, two for a win before 1981-82 and three after; the bars use match points so the whole series is comparable.The rating only starts telling you much after about 1960. Before that, knowing the era’s home-and-away split is almost as good as knowing the teams.

London against expectation →How this is measured →

Greatest games

Charlton Athletic's top matches by the club Game Score: closeness, stakes, quality and upset over one unified rating of league and European play.All-time board.

#DateStageResultScore
11947-04-26FA Cup · FinalNW 1-0 v Burnleygame score 71.8
21947-03-01FA Cup · QuarterfinalsHW 2-1 v Preston North Endgame score 64.2
31953-04-06First DivisionAL 2-3 v Manchester Unitedgame score 62.3
41950-04-29First DivisionAW 2-1 v Derby Countygame score 61.1
51954-01-14FA Cup · Round 3HL 2-3 v Portsmouthgame score 60.6
61947-01-25FA Cup · Round 4AW 2-1 v West Bromwich Albiongame score 58.9
71953-04-18First DivisionHW 2-1 v Preston North Endgame score 58.8
81953-04-04First DivisionHL 1-2 v Manchester Citygame score 58.5
91946-03-23FA Cup · SemifinalsNW 2-0 v Bolton Wanderersgame score 58.3
101938-04-09First DivisionHW 2-1 v Sunderlandgame score 58.3

Footprint

Tiers played
L1, L2, L3
Top-flight (L1) seasons
26
Lower-tier league seasons
72
First season
1922
Most recent season
2026

The Heartbreak Index11.7 · #134

The Damned · Major trophy, 1947

11.7
Heartbreak
#134
of 1,139 clubs
#66
in Football
8.8
agony · 2.9 despair
The clocks
  • Major trophy since 19478.6
  • Major final appearance since 19474.3
Heaviest wounds

relegated from the top flight, 2007 · relegated from the top flight, 1990 · relegated from the top flight, 1999 · relegated from the top flight, 1957

One formula, every club the site covers. See the whole board →

Season-by-season

Most recent season first. Covers Levels 1 through 5 of the English pyramid. Rows tagged "national playoff" are pre-modern formats where the workbook records only playoff participants, not round-robin standings.

2027
Championship (2) · P6● live
7 P · 3-3-1 · 6:7 · -1
12
pts
2026
Championship (2) · P19
46 P · 13-14-19 · 44:58 · -14
53
pts
2025
League One (3) · P4↑
46 P · 25-10-11 · 67:43 · +24
85
pts
2024
League One (3) · P16
46 P · 11-20-15 · 64:65 · -1
53
pts
2023
League One (3) · P10
46 P · 16-14-16 · 70:66 · +4
62
pts
2022
League One (3) · P13
46 P · 17-8-21 · 55:59 · -4
59
pts
2021
League One (3) · P7
46 P · 20-14-12 · 70:56 · +14
74
pts
2020
Championship (2) · P22↓
46 P · 12-12-22 · 50:65 · -15
48
pts
2019
League One (3) · P3↑
46 P · 26-10-10 · 73:40 · +33
88
pts
2018
League One (3) · P6PO
46 P · 20-11-15 · 58:51 · +7
71
pts
2017
League One (3) · P13
46 P · 14-18-14 · 60:53 · +7
60
pts
2016
Championship (2) · P22↓
46 P · 9-13-24 · 40:80 · -40
40
pts
Show all 99 seasons
2015
Championship (2) · P12
46 P · 14-18-14 · 54:60 · -6
60
pts
2014
Championship (2) · P18
46 P · 13-12-21 · 41:61 · -20
51
pts
2013
Championship (2) · P9
46 P · 17-14-15 · 65:59 · +6
65
pts
2012
League One (3) · P1↑
46 P · 30-11-5 · 82:36 · +46
101
pts
2011
League One (3) · P13
46 P · 15-14-17 · 62:66 · -4
59
pts
2010
League One (3) · P4PO
46 P · 23-15-8 · 71:48 · +23
84
pts
2009
Championship (2) · P24↓
46 P · 8-15-23 · 52:74 · -22
39
pts
2008
Championship (2) · P11
46 P · 17-13-16 · 63:58 · +5
64
pts
2007
Premier League (1) · P19↓
38 P · 8-10-20 · 34:60 · -26
34
pts
2006
Premier League (1) · P13
38 P · 13-8-17 · 41:55 · -14
47
pts
2005
Premier League (1) · P11
38 P · 12-10-16 · 42:58 · -16
46
pts
2004
Premier League (1) · P7
38 P · 14-11-13 · 51:51 · 0
53
pts
2003
Premier League (1) · P12
38 P · 14-7-17 · 45:56 · -11
49
pts
2002
Premier League (1) · P14
38 P · 10-14-14 · 38:49 · -11
44
pts
2001
Premier League (1) · P9
38 P · 14-10-14 · 50:57 · -7
52
pts
2000
First Division (2) · P1↑
46 P · 27-10-9 · 79:45 · +34
91
pts
1999
Premier League (1) · P18↓
38 P · 8-12-18 · 41:56 · -15
36
pts
1998
First Division (2) · P4↑
46 P · 26-10-10 · 80:49 · +31
88
pts
1997
First Division (2) · P15
46 P · 16-11-19 · 52:66 · -14
59
pts
1996
First Division (2) · P6PO
46 P · 17-20-9 · 57:45 · +12
71
pts
1995
First Division (2) · P15
46 P · 16-11-19 · 58:66 · -8
59
pts
1994
First Division (2) · P11
46 P · 19-8-19 · 61:58 · +3
65
pts
1993
First Division (2) · P12
46 P · 16-13-17 · 49:46 · +3
61
pts
1992
Second Division (2) · P7
46 P · 20-11-15 · 54:48 · +6
71
pts
1991
Second Division (2) · P16
46 P · 13-17-16 · 57:61 · -4
56
pts
1990
First Division (1) · P19↓
38 P · 7-9-22 · 31:57 · -26
30
pts
1989
First Division (1) · P14
38 P · 10-12-16 · 44:58 · -14
42
pts
1988
First Division (1) · P17
40 P · 9-15-16 · 38:52 · -14
42
pts
1987
First Division (1) · P19PO
42 P · 11-11-20 · 45:55 · -10
44
pts
1986
Second Division (2) · P2↑
42 P · 22-11-9 · 78:45 · +33
77
pts
1985
Second Division (2) · P17
42 P · 11-12-19 · 51:63 · -12
45
pts
1984
Second Division (2) · P13
42 P · 16-9-17 · 53:64 · -11
57
pts
1983
Second Division (2) · P17
42 P · 13-9-20 · 63:86 · -23
48
pts
1982
Second Division (2) · P13
42 P · 13-12-17 · 50:65 · -15
51
pts
1981
Third Division (3) · P3↑
46 P · 25-9-12 · 63:44 · +19
59
pts
1980
Second Division (2) · P22↓
42 P · 6-10-26 · 39:78 · -39
22
pts
1979
Second Division (2) · P19
42 P · 11-13-18 · 60:69 · -9
35
pts
1978
Second Division (2) · P17
42 P · 13-12-17 · 55:68 · -13
38
pts
1977
Second Division (2) · P7
42 P · 16-16-10 · 71:58 · +13
48
pts
1976
Second Division (2) · P9
42 P · 15-12-15 · 61:72 · -11
42
pts
1975
Third Division (3) · P3↑
46 P · 22-11-13 · 76:61 · +15
55
pts
1974
Third Division (3) · P14
46 P · 19-8-19 · 66:73 · -7
46
pts
1973
Third Division (3) · P11
46 P · 17-11-18 · 69:67 · +2
45
pts
1972
Second Division (2) · P21↓
42 P · 12-9-21 · 55:77 · -22
33
pts
1971
Second Division (2) · P20
42 P · 8-14-20 · 41:65 · -24
30
pts
1970
Second Division (2) · P20
42 P · 7-17-18 · 35:76 · -41
31
pts
1969
Second Division (2) · P3
42 P · 18-14-10 · 61:52 · +9
50
pts
1968
Second Division (2) · P15
42 P · 12-13-17 · 63:68 · -5
37
pts
1967
Second Division (2) · P19
42 P · 13-9-20 · 49:53 · -4
35
pts
1966
Second Division (2) · P16
42 P · 12-14-16 · 61:70 · -9
38
pts
1965
Second Division (2) · P18
42 P · 13-9-20 · 64:75 · -11
35
pts
1964
Second Division (2) · P4
42 P · 19-10-13 · 76:70 · +6
48
pts
1963
Second Division (2) · P20
42 P · 13-5-24 · 62:94 · -32
31
pts
1962
Second Division (2) · P15
42 P · 15-9-18 · 69:75 · -6
39
pts
1961
Second Division (2) · P10
42 P · 16-11-15 · 97:91 · +6
43
pts
1960
Second Division (2) · P7
42 P · 17-13-12 · 90:87 · +3
47
pts
1959
Second Division (2) · P8
42 P · 18-7-17 · 92:90 · +2
43
pts
1958
Second Division (2) · P3
42 P · 24-7-11 · 107:69 · +38
55
pts
1957
First Division (1) · P22↓
42 P · 9-4-29 · 62:120 · -58
22
pts
1956
First Division (1) · P14
42 P · 17-6-19 · 75:81 · -6
40
pts
1955
First Division (1) · P15
42 P · 15-10-17 · 76:75 · +1
40
pts
1954
First Division (1) · P9
42 P · 19-6-17 · 75:77 · -2
44
pts
1953
First Division (1) · P5
42 P · 19-11-12 · 77:63 · +14
49
pts
1952
First Division (1) · P10
42 P · 17-10-15 · 68:63 · +5
44
pts
1951
First Division (1) · P17
42 P · 14-9-19 · 63:80 · -17
37
pts
1950
First Division (1) · P20
42 P · 13-6-23 · 53:65 · -12
32
pts
1949
First Division (1) · P9
42 P · 15-12-15 · 63:67 · -4
42
pts
1948
First Division (1) · P13
42 P · 17-6-19 · 57:66 · -9
40
pts
1947
First Division (1) · P19
42 P · 11-12-19 · 57:71 · -14
34
pts
FA
1939
First Division (1) · P3
42 P · 22-6-14 · 75:59 · +16
50
pts
1938
First Division (1) · P4
42 P · 16-14-12 · 65:51 · +14
46
pts
1937
First Division (1) · P2
42 P · 21-12-9 · 58:49 · +9
54
pts
1936
Second Division (2) · P2↑
42 P · 22-11-9 · 85:58 · +27
55
pts
1935
Third Division South (3) · P1↑
42 P · 27-7-8 · 103:52 · +51
61
pts
1934
Third Division South (3) · P5
42 P · 22-8-12 · 83:56 · +27
52
pts
1933
Second Division (2) · P22↓
42 P · 12-7-23 · 60:91 · -31
31
pts
1932
Second Division (2) · P10
42 P · 17-9-16 · 61:66 · -5
43
pts
1931
Second Division (2) · P15
42 P · 15-9-18 · 59:86 · -27
39
pts
1930
Second Division (2) · P13
42 P · 14-11-17 · 59:63 · -4
39
pts
1929
Third Division South (3) · P1↑
42 P · 23-8-11 · 86:60 · +26
54
pts
1928
Third Division South (3) · P11
42 P · 15-13-14 · 60:70 · -10
43
pts
1927
Third Division South (3) · P13
42 P · 16-8-18 · 60:61 · -1
40
pts
1926
Third Division South (3) · P21
42 P · 11-13-18 · 48:68 · -20
35
pts
1925
Third Division South (3) · P15
42 P · 13-12-17 · 46:48 · -2
38
pts
1924
Third Division South (3) · P14
42 P · 11-15-16 · 38:45 · -7
37
pts
1923
Third Division South (3) · P12
42 P · 14-14-14 · 55:51 · +4
42
pts
1922
Third Division South (3) · P16
42 P · 13-11-18 · 43:56 · -13
37
pts
Domestic Cup Finals

Most recent first. Every domestic cup final the club has played, including losses. Scheduled finals (date not yet passed) are flagged.

1947
FA Cup
Won
1946
FA Cup
Runner-up