| Years in sports |
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1992 in sports |
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1992 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.
Charlton Athletic FC return to The Valley after a seven year exodus playing at Selhurst Park and Upton Park, and a long struggle to return:
Charlton supporters formed a political party called 'The Valley Party' to contest the local May 1990 Greenwich elections on one single policy: to return to The Valley.
It was a lively and passionate debate about something which mattered deeply to the community, and using a professional poster campaign that startled the mainstream political parties, The Valley Part obtained 14,838 votes as the team slipped back into the Second Division. A modest proposal for The Valley was put together – and promptly delayed for six months by a strike in Greenwich’s planning department.
In April 1991, a scheme was at last approved. The final matches were counted down at Selhurst, only to have to report, mid-summer, that the new venue would not be The Valley but Upton Park.
The club had run out of time to get the ground ready for the start of the 1991/92 season. Weeks later it became clear it had also run out of money. The contractors had pulled off site because they had not been paid.
The financially stricken Norris quit the board. New directors Martin Simons and Richard Murray took up the slack, along with Roger Alwen, who had become chairman in 1989.
Yet another season rolled by until the club and fans came up with the Valley Investment Plan to contribute towards the necessary finance. It was launched in June 1992.
The scheme, which offered fans ten years of free or discounted tickets in return for an upfront payment, pulled in £1m, towards an eventual £4.5m bill. Another £1m was contributed as a grant by the Football Trust. Directors bravely stumped up the rest.
So finally, in December 1992, seven years, two months and two weeks after the “last” match at The Valley, the Addicks returned home, amid many tears and cheers, beating Portsmouth 1-0.
AWARDS and HONORS
*College World Series Pepperdine Waves defeat Cal State Fullerton Titans 3–2
Phil Taylor (darts player) won his second world title
The Professional Darts Corporation was formed but did not have its first world championship until 1993
Men's professional
Men's amateur
Women's professional
Steeplechases
Flat races
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Main articles: 1992 in motorsport and List of 1992 motorsport champions |