CHARLTON Football Club chairman Martin Simons will be the guest of honour at the first of several social functions planned for the New Year by supporters based in East Kent.

The introduction of the club’s Valley Express matchday service has helped identify strong support for the Addicks in Ashford and along the Kent coast from Whitstable to New Romney.

Supporters in those areas have never had the benefit of local social events. That is set to change with the intitial intention being to provide three events in different parts of the region during 2007 under the auspices of Charlton’s Target 40,000 committee.

Fans will get the opportunity to meet players and coaches, raise issues with directors and club officials while socialising together.

Mr Simons will start the ball rolling as guest of honour at a supporters’ dinner at Boughton Monchelsea Golf Club on Thursday, February 1.

Tickets for the launch dinner, which will include a question and answer session, are priced at £25 and can be ordered on 0871 226 1905.

There is more good news for Charlton supporters living in East Kent as the Valley Away Coach service will operate from Canterbury with effect for the Arsenal game at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, January 2.

The coach will then make pick-ups at Medway Services and the Tollgate Hotel on the A2.