A good article on Mortimer in The South London Press
Charlton legend Paul Mortimer admits he found it really tough being forced out of football by injury all those years ago – but takes pride in having contributed so much to the game since quitting.
The midfielder, who had two spells at the Valley between 1987 and 1999, gracing the midfield in the old top-flight days, was 31 when he was forced to admit defeat because of back injury, and still remembers how terrible that felt.
“You feel powerless. Life starts again and it’s difficult to deal with, at first,” he said. “I found it mentally and emotionally difficult that I wasn’t able to quit on my own terms.
“Most people at Charlton still talk about my injuries when they see me, and it’s a shame people have that memory of me because I felt I played quite a lot of good football.
Remember in particular his strikes against Chelsea at Sellout and the goal at Highbury....and that night in the snow at The Den when he was just unplayable.
Not sure I would agree with Morts about Charlton people he meets always talking about his injuries (maybe he's just unlucky with the people he meets!).
When I think of Paul, I only remember what a top, top quality player he was and the pleasure he gave us - one of the best I've seen in a Charlton shirt. I never think of Morts and reflect on his injuries.
Paul Mortimer to dribbling is akin to Yann Kermorgant to winning headers.
Quite simply, I’ve never seen anyone better at it in a Charlton shirt.
That's a really good point, we've not had many good dribblers or headers of the ball in recent times. From the last few years
Jerome Thomas had a gorgeous first touch and was excellent with the ball at his feet, Andy Reid could carry a ball well although everything he did as classy as it was looked like it was straining every fibre in his muscles, Tony Watt also stands out. Rommedhal used to scare the piss out of defenders running with the ball probably just because of his speed he didn't have fantastic ball control but his pace and fitness were a gear above most footballers
Headers of the ball, Darren Bent I always thought dominated centre halves and they won less than him, his technique was very solid too. Yann had perfect timing and direction but Johnnie Jackson pips it for me, his intent and aggression off set pieces makes him the best header of the ball. Something he was so underrated for and I always thought if a side just focussed on out tall players we would be a good delivery away from scoring at a corner or wide delivery into the box
He will always hold a very special place in my heart, for the one and only time I have ever seen us take the absolute piss down the toolbox. In my memory he was the chief matador as spanners slid left right and centre unable to get near him and we olayed and olayed as the snow fell.
My favourite memory of him isn’t of him scoring or dribbling effortlessly past the opposition but a feint as if he was going to volley a dropping ball in the opposition penalty area but instead he gently laid laid it off to Colin Wash to crash it home.
My favourite memory of him isn’t of him scoring or dribbling effortlessly past the opposition but a feint as if he was going to volley a dropping ball in the opposition penalty area but instead he gently laid laid it off to Colin Wash to crash it home.
Paul Mortimer to dribbling is akin to Yann Kermorgant to winning headers.
Quite simply, I’ve never seen anyone better at it in a Charlton shirt.
That's a really good point, we've not had many good dribblers or headers of the ball in recent times. From the last few years
Jerome Thomas had a gorgeous first touch and was excellent with the ball at his feet, Andy Reid could carry a ball well although everything he did as classy as it was looked like it was straining every fibre in his muscles, Tony Watt also stands out. Rommedhal used to scare the piss out of defenders running with the ball probably just because of his speed he didn't have fantastic ball control but his pace and fitness were a gear above most footballers
Headers of the ball, Darren Bent I always thought dominated centre halves and they won less than him, his technique was very solid too. Yann had perfect timing and direction but Johnnie Jackson pips it for me, his intent and aggression off set pieces makes him the best header of the ball. Something he was so underrated for and I always thought if a side just focussed on out tall players we would be a good delivery away from scoring at a corner or wide delivery into the box
What he seemed to be able to do better than virtually anyone I've seen, was to be going like a train, stop dead, switch feet and roll the ball into the corner of the net.
If I listed my top 10 Charlton goals in terms of individual skill, I reckon Morts would probably scored half of them at least.
Paul Mortimer to dribbling is akin to Yann Kermorgant to winning headers.
Quite simply, I’ve never seen anyone better at it in a Charlton shirt.
That's a really good point, we've not had many good dribblers or headers of the ball in recent times. From the last few years
Jerome Thomas had a gorgeous first touch and was excellent with the ball at his feet, Andy Reid could carry a ball well although everything he did as classy as it was looked like it was straining every fibre in his muscles, Tony Watt also stands out. Rommedhal used to scare the piss out of defenders running with the ball probably just because of his speed he didn't have fantastic ball control but his pace and fitness were a gear above most footballers
Headers of the ball, Darren Bent I always thought dominated centre halves and they won less than him, his technique was very solid too. Yann had perfect timing and direction but Johnnie Jackson pips it for me, his intent and aggression off set pieces makes him the best header of the ball. Something he was so underrated for and I always thought if a side just focussed on out tall players we would be a good delivery away from scoring at a corner or wide delivery into the box
Headers of the ball, you cant type that sentence and not mention Bartlett, fck me, that geezer could time a header better than anyone Ive seen, Shearer included.
Comments
A good article on Mortimer in The South London Press
Charlton legend Paul Mortimer admits he found it really tough being forced out of football by injury all those years ago – but takes pride in having contributed so much to the game since quitting.
The midfielder, who had two spells at the Valley between 1987 and 1999, gracing the midfield in the old top-flight days, was 31 when he was forced to admit defeat because of back injury, and still remembers how terrible that felt.
“You feel powerless. Life starts again and it’s difficult to deal with, at first,” he said. “I found it mentally and emotionally difficult that I wasn’t able to quit on my own terms.
“Most people at Charlton still talk about my injuries when they see me, and it’s a shame people have that memory of me because I felt I played quite a lot of good football.
https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-favourite-found-it-tough-to-hand-up-his-boots-but-admits-ive-learned-there-is-more-to-life-than-football/
Not sure I would agree with Morts about Charlton people he meets always talking about his injuries (maybe he's just unlucky with the people he meets!).
When I think of Paul, I only remember what a top, top quality player he was and the pleasure he gave us - one of the best I've seen in a Charlton shirt. I never think of Morts and reflect on his injuries.
Paul Mortimer - a Charlton legend!
Quite simply, I’ve never seen anyone better at it in a Charlton shirt.
Jerome Thomas had a gorgeous first touch and was excellent with the ball at his feet, Andy Reid could carry a ball well although everything he did as classy as it was looked like it was straining every fibre in his muscles, Tony Watt also stands out. Rommedhal used to scare the piss out of defenders running with the ball probably just because of his speed he didn't have fantastic ball control but his pace and fitness were a gear above most footballers
Headers of the ball, Darren Bent I always thought dominated centre halves and they won less than him, his technique was very solid too. Yann had perfect timing and direction but Johnnie Jackson pips it for me, his intent and aggression off set pieces makes him the best header of the ball. Something he was so underrated for and I always thought if a side just focussed on out tall players we would be a good delivery away from scoring at a corner or wide delivery into the box
My favourite memory of him isn’t of him scoring or dribbling effortlessly past the opposition but a feint as if he was going to volley a dropping ball in the opposition penalty area but instead he gently laid laid it off to Colin Wash to crash it home.
Those were the days: Morts and Walsh in midfield!
Yes, midfielders who could actually score goals!!
Scored a blinder at Everton in a night game. Pretty much the whole ground applauded it was that good. We still lost 3-2 though.
Found it on youtube:
the crowd can't be right 16,316 , surely there was more than that there
What he seemed to be able to do better than virtually anyone I've seen, was to be going like a train, stop dead, switch feet and roll the ball into the corner of the net.
If I listed my top 10 Charlton goals in terms of individual skill, I reckon Morts would probably scored half of them at least.
Ah, but it was rammed upstairs. Well not really......