19/06/2026
On Christmas Day 1937, a football match between Chelsea and Charlton Athletic was abandoned at Stamford Bridge due to the worst London fog since 1904.
Everyone left the pitch.
Everyone except Charlton goalkeeper Sam Bartram.
For the next 15 minutes, he stood alone in the thick fog, arms outstretched, guarding an empty goal — convinced his teammates were dominating at the other end and that no attack was coming his way.
It was only when a police officer emerged from the curtain of fog and stared at him in disbelief that he finally learned the truth.
"What on earth are you doing here?" the officer gasped. "The game was stopped a quarter of an hour ago."
When Bartram finally made it to the dressing room, his teammates — already bathed and back in their street clothes — were in fits of laughter.
He went on to make 623 appearances for Charlton Athletic, becoming the club's greatest ever goalkeeper. A statue of him now stands outside their stadium.
The fog took the game. It never took his focus.
.........................Statement...........…..........
We, the Engineers and Architects wanted to redesign our Juba National Stadium,—to make sure that our goalkeepers are not left in pitch during rainy day or storm. Our Juba National Stadium should be made in dome to prevent other natural parameters from interrupting our matches.
This stands as a proposal from us to South Sudan football federation's president.
Thank you,
SEA’s page admin.
University of Juba.
