It was Flannagan when they were playing, then he went up the road so it became Hales. Until my missus asked him to sign my Joma boots after the CL game and he asked her "what sort of a prat plays in white boots" now I'm undecided, unless Mr Hales still has a gun!!
Killer was my first real hero, even when he put me on my backside in the Covered End warming up with a shot that Andy Peake would have proud of, I remember little birds flying about and my dad laughing at the word Mitre imprinted on my face.
I also remember him driving a Red Ford Cortina down Floyd Road on a matchday, one handed as he held steady a crate Skol Lager with his other.
I never saw him in a Palace shirt.....
Flanagan was Robin to Hales's Batman, for me there was only ever one winner
Flanagan was a ridiculously talented, exciting, attacking player, who would strike fear in opponents and would turn games in a "flash".
But... Hales. All day, every day.
Sorry, I need to add one thing to this. Missing out on seeing Derek Hales play at the peak of his career is one of the few things that I feel sorry for those people too young to have done so.
If you're in that bracket, you really, really missed out. Incomparable. But, imagine your absolute favourite ever player from more modern times. Johnny Robinson? Clive Mendonca? Darren Bent? Chris Powell? Yann Kermorgant? Jacko? Ricky Holmes? Whoever *your* favourite, all-time, number one Charlton hero was, he'd have raised his game if Hales was in the team with him.
He had Rommedahl-like speed and could finish like Wright-Phillips. And, if you ever got on the wrong side of him, you knew it. Whichever team you played for.
For me, Killer was the best Charlton player, ever.
Hales, no question. However, Flash was a great player. Did a fantastic job for us when he returned and scored some very important goals for us during our 85/86 promotion season.
Flanagan was a ridiculously talented, exciting, attacking player, who would strike fear in opponents and would turn games in a "flash".
But... Hales. All day, every day.
Sorry, I need to add one thing to this. Missing out on seeing Derek Hales play at the peak of his career is one of the few things that I feel sorry for those people too young to have done so.
If you're in that bracket, you really, really missed out. Incomparable. But, imagine your absolute favourite ever player from more modern times. Johnny Robinson? Clive Mendonca? Darren Bent? Chris Powell? Yann Kermorgant? Jacko? Ricky Holmes? Whoever *your* favourite, all-time, number one Charlton hero was, he's have raised his game if Hales was in the team with him.
He had Rommedahl-like speed and could finish like Wright-Phillips. And, if you ever got on the wrong side of him, you knew it. Whichever team you played for.
For me, Killer was the best Charlton player, ever.
Slightly hard to compare the players, as I've barely seen either play live, and those memories are hazy
My impression is that Flash was a slightly more versatile player, he could be the main striker or play off him as the No 10, to use modern terminology. He also had more success outside the Valley too, including a really successful spell in the US
Hence I'm still sitting on the fence!
A shame we didn't have a half decent defence during the 70s, Killer and Flash together would have been an excellent 1st division partnership
Kinsella in his prime came close but deadly Derek has always been my all time favourite player.
He was waiting at the station after the 81 promotion game at Carlisle (where else) and he opened up a new packet of cigarettes. "Anyone want one lads?" He was left with one in the pack. A true Charlton legend.
Comments
Should you meet him ask about the incident with the thief at charlton station.
Nuff said
Killer all the way for me. The complete Charlton legend.
Can I pick them both?
Or are we talking the punch up so I have to choose one?
I also remember him driving a Red Ford Cortina down Floyd Road on a matchday, one handed as he held steady a crate Skol Lager with his other.
I never saw him in a Palace shirt.....
Flanagan was Robin to Hales's Batman, for me there was only ever one winner
But... Hales. All day, every day.
If you're in that bracket, you really, really missed out. Incomparable. But, imagine your absolute favourite ever player from more modern times. Johnny Robinson? Clive Mendonca? Darren Bent? Chris Powell? Yann Kermorgant? Jacko? Ricky Holmes? Whoever *your* favourite, all-time, number one Charlton hero was, he'd have raised his game if Hales was in the team with him.
He had Rommedahl-like speed and could finish like Wright-Phillips. And, if you ever got on the wrong side of him, you knew it. Whichever team you played for.
For me, Killer was the best Charlton player, ever.
The best player to wear our shirt in my lifetime.
My impression is that Flash was a slightly more versatile player, he could be the main striker or play off him as the No 10, to use modern terminology. He also had more success outside the Valley too, including a really successful spell in the US
Hence I'm still sitting on the fence!
A shame we didn't have a half decent defence during the 70s, Killer and Flash together would have been an excellent 1st division partnership
Killer!
He was waiting at the station after the 81 promotion game at Carlisle (where else) and he opened up a new packet of cigarettes. "Anyone want one lads?" He was left with one in the pack. A true Charlton legend.