CHARLTON are celebrating an historic first after selling out The Valley's 27,111 capacity a week in advance of Tuesday's Premiership match against Liverpool.

In the past, the club have sold out games on the day but never so early. The news will fuel optimism that the club will easily be able to fill the stadium when capacity is first increased to more than 30,000.

Even though there is a full Premiership programme that night, including the televised Arsenal v Manchester United clash, Charlton reported brisk business at the ticket office until the sold out signs went up on Tuesday.

Because the match is sold out, the attendance will exceed 27,100, beating the previous highest since the club returned to The Valley which was 27,048 for the home game against Norwich on November 13.

Richard Murray, chairman of Charlton PLC, pointed to the team's success and the overwhelming response from Kent football fans to the club's recently introduced Valley Express for the sharp upsurge of support.

He said: "It goes without saying that we are thrilled and delighted to have sold out a game so early, especially as there is a full Premiership programme that night.

"This has never happened since we returned to The Valley and we hope it will be the first of many sell-outs. I believe this is a tribute to the character of the team in climbing the table, while Valley Express has exceeded all expectations.

"The idea was to make it easier for supporters to get to The Valley without having to worry about parking. In short, we wanted to make it easier for supporters to get to home games.

"We are no different from a shop. We have to get people in and keep their custom. It has been especially pleasing to see so many youngsters taking advantage of the cut-price travel because they are our supporters of tomorrow.

"We need them to help fill when we increase capacity at The Valley because they are our future. It's one thing watching football on television but there is no substitute to being there."

Charlton chief executive Peter Varney added: "To be able to put up the "sold out" signs this far in advance of a match is not something we have experienced since we returned to The Valley.

"This is testament to the fact that the work we are doing behind the scenes is having a huge effect. Demand for tickets has been exceptional in the last few days and extensive advertising of our games is clearly paying dividends.

"That, allied to the massive success of Valley Express and the team's excellent victory at Everton on Saturday, has led to this sell-out.

"Valley Express brought more than 700 fans to the Birmingham game and that figure will be in excess of 1,000 for the Liverpool match. Our call centre has been receiving a call every 30 seconds and apologise to the hundreds of fans who have been left disappointed."