Nice tributes to possibly the best player I saw in a CAFC shirt. Saw him play cricket for Kent several times. Not mentioned so far was his great ability as a fielder, 381 matches 362 catches, including 6 in one innings.
First saw him play in the season after we were relegated from the old 1st division, round about 1956/57. Later remember when he became captain used to lead the team out by juggling the ball on his foot, very impessive! Was also a brilliant slip fielder for Kent, 1 always used to get to the Rectory Field for Kent v Surrey or occasionally v Essex. Tragic that he died so young.
I saw much of Leary's Charlton career from the top of the old East Terrace at a height considerably above the back of the current East Stand. This position was so far above the pitch that it was almost like an aerial view - the players looked like ants way down below and you had a clear view of the gaps between them into which the players could potentially pass the ball. From there you could really appreciate Leary's ability to build attacks by threading the best available passes through those gaps (which you would think must have been much harder for him to spot from pitch level) and then often get forward to finish the move off with a goal.
What a player. Did he really play for the same club as the endless stream of forgotten and soon to be forgotten nonentities trotted out during the last 3 years by the one still going under the name Charlton Athletic?
Narrowly missed him as a Charlton player as he was transferred to QPR some weeks before I was taken to The Valley for my first game.
I saw him bat for Kent quite a few times though and would concur, particularly in the early to mid sixties, that he was not the most exciting batsman to watch generally working the ball away to leg for singles when he scored. In his defence though He often found himself wandering in at number five with only a few runs on the board and had a "shoring up" role to perform. I'm talking pre Denness and Luckhurst as regular openers. Lucky in fact would often come in at six or seven and help Stuart rebuild the innings. As others have said he was a brilliant close fielder most usually at leg slip and his leg spin was useful as a partnership breaker from time to time.
He did manage to lead the six hit league one year in the very early days of the John Player league which was quite some achievement for a reputed defensive batsman.
RIP Stuart. Those who saw you play football or cricket remember you with affection.
This is almost exactly what I was going to post @LenGlover.
Never saw him play for the Addicks but have fond memories of him playing for Kent.
He was a strong sweeper of the ball. I do remember a barage of sixes on a couple of John Player games.
Only saw him a couple of times before he was sold so felt cheated a little bit. If we had as many agents operating then as now, I would have been very surprised if Stuart Leary had not ended up at a better club than QPR were at that time.
Never saw him play football,but did see him play for Kent in a charity game at Blackheath. He smashed the ball all over the place.It would have been in late 60z i think
Just too young to have seen him play. What I do remember was there was a minute’s silence for him at the opening game of the 1988/89 season against Liverpool. Throughout the whole minute there was booing and loud renditions of “ Who the fucking hell was he?” from the Liverpool supporters. It wasn’t a small minority either.
Just added to my loathing of that club and their adherents.
Stuart Leary I think probably the greatest player I have seen for Charlton, when I was young Eddie Firmani was my favourite, but then we sold him and Stuart took over as my favourite.
Charlton have had some great players over the years, but I think the players you see when you are a young boy or girl, always stand out.
Stuart was playing when I was first taken to the Valley by my Dad. I remember standing at the front of the East Stand feet on the concrete holding onto the railings. Stuart a hero but for some reason I had soft spots for Sam Laurie and Roy Matthews. At that time we seemed to go through goalkeepers- Willie Duff, Mike Rose , Ken Jones, Peter Waklin, Noel Dwyer, settled when Charlie Wright arrived.
Clyde FC in Cape Town is now Clyde Pinelands Association Football Club (CPAFC), so before they added the Pinelands bit i assume they would have been CAFC.
I will go and visit them for a game when i am back in Cape Town next month, as Pinelands is not far from where i live, and see if i can put some Charlton memorabilia in their clubhouse.
As for some others, so for me: Stuart Leary
was my favourite player. I have especially fond memories of what was to be his
final season at the club: 1961-2.
We had a disastrous start, winning one,
drawing two and losing nine of the first twelve games, and were already
detached from the rest of the league. By
the start of December our W:D:L record was 3:3:13 and we looked absolutely certain
to be relegated. However, during this period some critical changes were made.
Frank Hill replaced Jimmy Trotter as manager, and Mike Bailey and Roy Matthews
were brought into the team for the first time. From early December a
transformation occurred. I remember in particular three successive home games
during December against Preston, Leeds and Sunderland which we won 4-0, 3-1 and
2-0, Mike Bailey scoring four of those goals from left-half, but even more
importantly Stuart Leary was pulling the strings. From then on, we were in
promotion form, as is demonstrated by the following points turnaround (using two
points for a win) from 9 points from the first 19 games to 30 from the last 23.
When I say promotion form, this was literally the case in that our points- per-
game average for those last 23 games (1.30) was just superior to that of Leyton
Orient (1.29 over the whole season) who finished second and so were promoted.
For me, that season Leary came as close as
it was possible to get to being single-handedly responsible for Charlton
achieving what seemed impossible: avoiding relegation. And then, so sadly, we
lost him because of a dispute over whether he should take his well-earned rest
from all-year round professional sport during the football season or the
cricket season. So, next season he joined QPR.
I was so dedicated to watching him that I
used to take myself down to Loftus Road just to see him play for QPR. Objectively,
he wasn’t able to reproduce at QPR the magnificence of his last season at
Charlton, although his stats weren’t too shabby in his four years there: 94
matches, 29 goals.
The highlight of my own totally nondescript
football ‘career’ was to find myself playing at inside left for my university
against a QPR team which Alec Stock brought along for a training match against
us. Playing for them at right half was none other than Stuart Leary. I couldn’t
quite mentally absorb the fact that I was being marked by none other than Him (Gods
merit a capital). I remember his saying to one of his team mates that this wing
half business was easy and he could go on playing for years there. I think he
was confusing the doddle of playing against a nineteen-year-old student with
the rigours of the professional game, for that turned out to be his last season
before retiring.
As for some others, so for me: Stuart Leary
was my favourite player. I have especially fond memories of what was to be his
final season at the club: 1961-2.
We had a disastrous start, winning one,
drawing two and losing nine of the first twelve games, and were already
detached from the rest of the league. By
the start of December our W:D:L record was 3:3:13 and we looked absolutely certain
to be relegated. However, during this period some critical changes were made.
Frank Hill replaced Jimmy Trotter as manager, and Mike Bailey and Roy Matthews
were brought into the team for the first time. From early December a
transformation occurred. I remember in particular three successive home games
during December against Preston, Leeds and Sunderland which we won 4-0, 3-1 and
2-0, Mike Bailey scoring four of those goals from left-half, but even more
importantly Stuart Leary was pulling the strings. From then on, we were in
promotion form, as is demonstrated by the following points turnaround (using two
points for a win) from 9 points from the first 19 games to 30 from the last 23.
When I say promotion form, this was literally the case in that our points- per-
game average for those last 23 games (1.30) was just superior to that of Leyton
Orient (1.29 over the whole season) who finished second and so were promoted.
For me, that season Leary came as close as
it was possible to get to being single-handedly responsible for Charlton
achieving what seemed impossible: avoiding relegation. And then, so sadly, we
lost him because of a dispute over whether he should take his well-earned rest
from all-year round professional sport during the football season or the
cricket season. So, next season he joined QPR.
I was so dedicated to watching him that I
used to take myself down to Loftus Road just to see him play for QPR. Objectively,
he wasn’t able to reproduce at QPR the magnificence of his last season at
Charlton, although his stats weren’t too shabby in his four years there: 94
matches, 29 goals.
The highlight of my own totally nondescript
football ‘career’ was to find myself playing at inside left for my university
against a QPR team which Alec Stock brought along for a training match against
us. Playing for them at right half was none other than Stuart Leary. I couldn’t
quite mentally absorb the fact that I was being marked by none other than Him (Gods
merit a capital). I remember his saying to one of his team mates that this wing
half business was easy and he could go on playing for years there. I think he
was confusing the doddle of playing against a nineteen-year-old student with
the rigours of the professional game, for that turned out to be his last season
before retiring.
Fabulous post KHA, thanks for sharing.
Only saw Stuart the once, in my first ever visit to the Valley in Easter 1962 against Bristol Rovers. He scored one of the goals in a 2-1 victory, although I was too young to remember much about it. I was taken by my Uncle (Harry Lennon's granddad!) and caught the Charlton bug on that first visit.
Me and my brother used to love going to Charlton with Uncle John until we reached an age where we started going with our mates. Ironically my Uncle got sick of the lack of ambition at Charlton and when his own boys came along he took them to Spurs and they all became Spurs fans, as is Harry.
I count myself fortunate to have seen Stuart Leary play many times. He was, simply, the most creative and inventive player I've ever seen at Charlton. I saw him play a few times in the old First Division, but mainly in the Second, after relegation. Frankly, he was wasted there.
A poster above mentioned the cup tie at Spurs in the year they did the double. You saw the "real" Stuart Leary in the big games. He put on a show that day that I'll never forget. He could also, at times, be infuriating. In one game he took a bit of a knock on the head, and shortly afterwards a perfect cross came over with him standing, alone, five yards out, right in front of the goal. Instead of heading it, he made a handstand and tried to backheel the ball into the net. It is a tribute to his skill, ability and timing that he made any contact at all. Unfortunately the ball went just wide and he got a fair bit of stick from the crowd.
I also saw him play cricket for Kent at Blackheath and Dartford. Against any kind of spin bowling he would would sweep everything, no matter how far the ball was outside the off stump. His style of play was unique, just like the way he played football.
My boyhood hero. Saw him play many times, great partnership with Eddie Firmani. Absolutely gutted when he left. Also saw him play for Kent at Blackheath. You're right he swept everything.
Lucky enough to have seen Stuart play,my stand out memory was in our relegation year,when we played Wolves at the Valley and against all odds won 2-1,Stuart turned on a sixpence put the great Billy Wright on his arse and took the net out.Saw him play for kent,in those days Kent played all over the county,with a regular game against Surrey at Blackheath rectory field,great days bunking off school to see the likes of Peter May,Jim Laker,Godrey Evans and many more.Stuart was a fine all rounder,when bowling he would often stop about 2-3 yards short of the bowling crease and bowl from about 25 yards,causing some confusion for the batsman.Lovely man,great all round sportsman from a by gone era.
I first started going to Charlton around February 1962, so saw the last few months of Stuart Leary and Sam Lawrie.
I remember Leary did not enthuse me, which just shows my lack of footy knowledge at the time. Do remember my favourites that first season were Mike Bailey, Roy Matthews and the antics of long John Hewie.
I first started going to Charlton around February 1962, so saw the last few months of Stuart Leary and Sam Lawrie.
I remember Leary did not enthuse me, which just shows my lack of footy knowledge at the time. Do remember my favourites that first season were Mike Bailey, Roy Matthews and the antics of long John Hewie.
Sadly you never saw Stuart, in he's younger days, I think the best player I ever saw for Charlton, Mike Bailey was some player as well, but typical Charlton sold him.
I first started going to Charlton around February 1962, so saw the last few months of Stuart Leary and Sam Lawrie.
I remember Leary did not enthuse me, which just shows my lack of footy knowledge at the time. Do remember my favourites that first season were Mike Bailey, Roy Matthews and the antics of long John Hewie.
Sadly you never saw Stuart, in he's younger days, I think the best player I ever saw for Charlton, Mike Bailey was some player as well, but typical Charlton sold him.
Comments
Not mentioned so far was his great ability as a fielder, 381 matches 362 catches, including 6 in one innings.
A no mark like Johnson does not belong on a thread about a legend like Leary.
round about 1956/57. Later remember when he became captain used to lead the team
out by juggling the ball on his foot, very impessive!
Was also a brilliant slip fielder for Kent, 1 always used to get to the Rectory Field
for Kent v Surrey or occasionally v Essex. Tragic that he died so young.
What a player. Did he really play for the same club as the endless stream of forgotten and soon to be forgotten nonentities trotted out during the last 3 years by the one still going under the name Charlton Athletic?
Never saw him play for the Addicks but have fond memories of him playing for Kent.
He was a strong sweeper of the ball. I do remember a barage of sixes on a couple of John Player games.
If we had as many agents operating then as now, I would have been very surprised if Stuart Leary had not ended up at a better club than QPR were at that time.
I did see him play for Kent many times. Very strong on the leg side - the classic one knee sweep was one of his most effective shots.
He was also a great fielder during the time when in the average standard in county cricket was poor.
Just added to my loathing of that club and their adherents.
Stuart Leary I think probably the greatest player I have seen for Charlton, when I was young Eddie Firmani was my favourite, but then we sold him and Stuart took over as my favourite.
Charlton have had some great players over the years, but I think the players you see when you are a young boy or girl, always stand out.
Stuart a hero but for some reason I had soft spots for Sam Laurie and Roy Matthews. At that time we seemed to go through goalkeepers- Willie Duff, Mike Rose , Ken Jones, Peter Waklin, Noel Dwyer, settled when Charlie Wright arrived.
Clyde FC in Cape Town is now Clyde Pinelands Association Football Club (CPAFC), so before they added the Pinelands bit i assume they would have been CAFC.
I will go and visit them for a game when i am back in Cape Town next month, as Pinelands is not far from where i live, and see if i can put some Charlton memorabilia in their clubhouse.
As for some others, so for me: Stuart Leary was my favourite player. I have especially fond memories of what was to be his final season at the club: 1961-2.
We had a disastrous start, winning one, drawing two and losing nine of the first twelve games, and were already detached from the rest of the league. By the start of December our W:D:L record was 3:3:13 and we looked absolutely certain to be relegated. However, during this period some critical changes were made. Frank Hill replaced Jimmy Trotter as manager, and Mike Bailey and Roy Matthews were brought into the team for the first time. From early December a transformation occurred. I remember in particular three successive home games during December against Preston, Leeds and Sunderland which we won 4-0, 3-1 and 2-0, Mike Bailey scoring four of those goals from left-half, but even more importantly Stuart Leary was pulling the strings. From then on, we were in promotion form, as is demonstrated by the following points turnaround (using two points for a win) from 9 points from the first 19 games to 30 from the last 23. When I say promotion form, this was literally the case in that our points- per- game average for those last 23 games (1.30) was just superior to that of Leyton Orient (1.29 over the whole season) who finished second and so were promoted.
For me, that season Leary came as close as it was possible to get to being single-handedly responsible for Charlton achieving what seemed impossible: avoiding relegation. And then, so sadly, we lost him because of a dispute over whether he should take his well-earned rest from all-year round professional sport during the football season or the cricket season. So, next season he joined QPR.
I was so dedicated to watching him that I used to take myself down to Loftus Road just to see him play for QPR. Objectively, he wasn’t able to reproduce at QPR the magnificence of his last season at Charlton, although his stats weren’t too shabby in his four years there: 94 matches, 29 goals.
The highlight of my own totally nondescript football ‘career’ was to find myself playing at inside left for my university against a QPR team which Alec Stock brought along for a training match against us. Playing for them at right half was none other than Stuart Leary. I couldn’t quite mentally absorb the fact that I was being marked by none other than Him (Gods merit a capital). I remember his saying to one of his team mates that this wing half business was easy and he could go on playing for years there. I think he was confusing the doddle of playing against a nineteen-year-old student with the rigours of the professional game, for that turned out to be his last season before retiring.
Only saw Stuart the once, in my first ever visit to the Valley in Easter 1962 against Bristol Rovers.
He scored one of the goals in a 2-1 victory, although I was too young to remember much about it.
I was taken by my Uncle (Harry Lennon's granddad!) and caught the Charlton bug on that first visit.
Me and my brother used to love going to Charlton with Uncle John until we reached an age where we started going with our mates.
Ironically my Uncle got sick of the lack of ambition at Charlton and when his own boys came along he took them to Spurs and they all became Spurs fans, as is Harry.
Great reading these memories. Takes me back ...
I remember Leary did not enthuse me, which just shows my lack of footy knowledge at the time.
Do remember my favourites that first season were Mike Bailey, Roy Matthews and the antics of long John Hewie.
Sadly you never saw Stuart, in he's younger days, I think the best player I ever saw for Charlton, Mike Bailey was some player as well, but typical Charlton sold him.