Andy Nelson Turns 90

Henry Irving

An article by an Orient historian on Andy's time with the Os.

Interesting that the article mentions two former Charlton players, Fenton and Ufton, in their roles as managers.

charlton4ever

Great memories of the Charlton period with Andy in charge. 

DaveMehmet

He was the manager when I first started going in ‘78. Honestly thought he’d passed away, glad he’s still about. 

SoundAsa£

Arrogant sod if you ask me.

Richard J

An interesting article 

Andy is my second manager although really he is the first manager who I remember vividly. My Dad was a bit frustrated in the mid 70's and we started attended regularly after the 74/75 promotion. This is why I have some empathy with the many non attendees from L1 this time. Dad similarly became disillusioned but enthusiastically returned when we got into the second tier and I was old enough to join him.

As much as many felt Nelson benefitted from Foley's team. Could Theo have delivered promotion in 74/75? When you consider Andy only brought in David Young and during the season Harry Cripps this was a great achievement. 

There are two autobiographies which discuss Nelson V Foley. Neither are fans of Andy. Graham Tutt bemoans Theo leaving as does Eamon Dunphy. Eamon seems weirdly detached from this promotion in his description and particularly criticises the omission of Keith Peacock from the crucial promotion sealing Preston game. He knew Nelson previously from Millwall and understood that he wasn't his type of player although in the third tier Nelson knew ' he had his uses'.

When I have had the honour of meeting some players from that era they confirmed that analysis. Theo was loved. Andy wasn't  

I remember the next phase and the Flanagan , Powell and Hales era in the second tier. It was an exciting time to support Charlton. During lockdown we were reminded from the Big Match Revisited some encounters from that era. That showed how enjoyable that football was and how influential players like Dick Tydeman were.

However , it did go wrong towards the end of his spell and his firm style of management seemed to not work and we got relegated in 79/80.

What his overall tenure taught me was that every manager has a time and place where they make an impact and shouldn't stay too long. In the same way as Nelson won 74/75.with mainly Foley's team , Mike Bailey revitalised Charlton to come back in 80/81.
 

ChicagoAddick

Great post @Richard J that evokes a lot of childhood memories. My first season was the one after promotion in 75/76 when just like you and yours, my previously disillusioned Dad got the spark back helped by my constant nagging of me wanting him to take me to a game. 

Sometimes we think the game has changed immeasurably but like now Div 2 was full of ‘proper’ clubs with real grounds and support unlike what we’d left behind in Div 3. That era of Powell, Flanagan, Hales, Peacock, Bowman, Curtis, Tydeman etc. was a great time to be a young fan. 

Powell2ThePeople

Richard J said:

An interesting article 

Andy is my second manager although really he is the first manager who I remember vividly. My Dad was a bit frustrated in the mid 70's and we started attended regularly after the 74/75 promotion. This is why I have some empathy with the many non attendees from L1 this time. Dad similarly became disillusioned but enthusiastically returned when we got into the second tier and I was old enough to join him.

As much as many felt Nelson benefitted from Foley's team. Could Theo have delivered promotion in 74/75? When you consider Andy only brought in David Young and during the season Harry Cripps this was a great achievement. 

There are two autobiographies which discuss Nelson V Foley. Neither are fans of Andy. Graham Tutt bemoans Theo leaving as does Eamon Dunphy. Eamon seems weirdly detached from this promotion in his description and particularly criticises the omission of Keith Peacock from the crucial promotion sealing Preston game. He knew Nelson previously from Millwall and understood that he wasn't his type of player although in the third tier Nelson knew ' he had his uses'.

When I have had the honour of meeting some players from that era they confirmed that analysis. Theo was loved. Andy wasn't  

I remember the next phase and the exciting Flanagan , Powell and Hales era in the second tier. It was an exciting time to support Charlton. During lockdown we were reminded from the Big Match Revisited some encounters from that era. That showed how exciting that football was and how influential players like Dick Tydeman were.

However , it did go wrong towards the end of his spell and his firm style of management seemed to not work and we got relegated in 79/80.

What his overall tenure taught me was that every manager has a time and place where they make an impact and shouldn't stay too long. In the same way as Nelson won 74/75.with mainly Foley's team , Mike Bailey revitalised Charlton to come back in 80/81.
 

ChicagoAddick said:

Great post @Richard J that evokes a lot of childhood memories. My first season was the one after promotion in 75/76 when just like you and yours, my previously disillusioned Dad got the spark back helped by my constant nagging of me wanting him to take me to a game. 

Sometimes we think the game has changed immeasurably but like now Div 2 was full of ‘proper’ clubs with real grounds and support unlike what we’d left behind in Div 3. That era of Powell, Flanagan, Hales, Peacock, Bowman, Curtis, Tydeman etc. was a great time to be a young fan. 

Great from both of you.    Appears we’re similar vintages.       Those names still crop up with my friends.    Wonderful times.          

Bailey

Lives in Spain, still calls Colin Powell and Dick Tydeman the best players he had under his management. Great days to watch Charlton but he did make some bizarre team choices, Gary Churchouse at sweeper in a three nil home defeat to Preston, dropping and never playing again Jim Giles, and playing a rookie in Peter Shaw who suffered something terrible. I think he also brought a couple of players in Lawrie Madden and Tony Hazell who were just plain nasty to both their team mates and us, the fans.

Lewis Coaches

For a player what Andy Nelson did at Ipswich Town over those two seasons was outstanding. His first few seasons at Charlton were refreshing, building on what Theo had started.
To call us Village idiots will never forget.

End of his term by Charlton turned sour and Mike Bailey with almost the same players gained us promotion in his first season.

But I would still wish him all the best on his 90th Birthday.

AddicksAddict

One promotion, one relegation. About par for the course.

Happy Birthday, Andy. 

DOUCHER

Bailey said:

Lives in Spain, still calls Colin Powell and Dick Tydeman the best players he had under his management. Great days to watch Charlton but he did make some bizarre team choices, Gary Churchouse at sweeper in a three nil home defeat to Preston, dropping and never playing again Jim Giles, and playing a rookie in Peter Shaw who suffered something terrible. I think he also brought a couple of players in Lawrie Madden and Tony Hazell who were just plain nasty to both their team mates and us, the fans.

I met him in a bar in Spain about 5 years ago - he was watching the football 

Big William

Some of my best Charlton memories are from Nelsons reign, you used to go down there thinking anything could happen, and it often did. He always seemed to be a dour sort of character, although the football was thrilling - bit of Paul Scholes syndrome. Most of the old players don't say much nice about him, he seemed to always lay into his centre backs in particular, remember him very publicly blaming Dave Shipperley for all five goals in the Bristol Rovers 5-5 draw. It all fizzled out in the end, the Village Idiots episode didn't help his cause although I must confess it did make me chuckle - just seemed such a quaint sort of insult. Maybe someone could write a book about being a Charlton fan "From Village Idiot to Vinegar Pisser".

For all that, it's good to hear he's still around, he oversaw some great moments, although Gary Churchouse playing sweeper wasn't one of them!

Orpingtony

Our only manager to get sacked twice?

Lincsaddick

Takes me back to 1961/62 and my Ipswich supporter dad taking me to all the Ipswich games in London during their remarkable title run
My old hero Ray Crawford can't be far short of 90 

Lincsaddick

Big William said:

Some of my best Charlton memories are from Nelsons reign, you used to go down there thinking anything could happen, and it often did. He always seemed to be a dour sort of character, although the football was thrilling - bit of Paul Scholes syndrome. Most of the old players don't say much nice about him, he seemed to always lay into his centre backs in particular, remember him very publicly blaming Dave Shipperley for all five goals in the Bristol Rovers 5-5 draw. It all fizzled out in the end, the Village Idiots episode didn't help his cause although I must confess it did make me chuckle - just seemed such a quaint sort of insult. Maybe someone could write a book about being a Charlton fan "From Village Idiot to Vinegar Pisser".

For all that, it's good to hear he's still around, he oversaw some great moments, although Gary Churchouse playing sweeper wasn't one of them!

whatever happened to Gary Churchouse ? .. a player I'd long forgotten

killerjerrylee

Lincsaddick said:

Big William said:

Some of my best Charlton memories are from Nelsons reign, you used to go down there thinking anything could happen, and it often did. He always seemed to be a dour sort of character, although the football was thrilling - bit of Paul Scholes syndrome. Most of the old players don't say much nice about him, he seemed to always lay into his centre backs in particular, remember him very publicly blaming Dave Shipperley for all five goals in the Bristol Rovers 5-5 draw. It all fizzled out in the end, the Village Idiots episode didn't help his cause although I must confess it did make me chuckle - just seemed such a quaint sort of insult. Maybe someone could write a book about being a Charlton fan "From Village Idiot to Vinegar Pisser".

For all that, it's good to hear he's still around, he oversaw some great moments, although Gary Churchouse playing sweeper wasn't one of them!

whatever happened to Gary Churchouse ? .. a player I'd long forgotten

He immigrated to Australia and worked for an electrical contractor in Queensland. Now aged 68 so possibly retired. All such information about ex-Charlton players can be found in 'The Valiant 1000,' vols 1 & 2 with vol 3 out next year. 

Lincsaddick

killerjerrylee said:

Lincsaddick said:

Big William said:

Some of my best Charlton memories are from Nelsons reign, you used to go down there thinking anything could happen, and it often did. He always seemed to be a dour sort of character, although the football was thrilling - bit of Paul Scholes syndrome. Most of the old players don't say much nice about him, he seemed to always lay into his centre backs in particular, remember him very publicly blaming Dave Shipperley for all five goals in the Bristol Rovers 5-5 draw. It all fizzled out in the end, the Village Idiots episode didn't help his cause although I must confess it did make me chuckle - just seemed such a quaint sort of insult. Maybe someone could write a book about being a Charlton fan "From Village Idiot to Vinegar Pisser".

For all that, it's good to hear he's still around, he oversaw some great moments, although Gary Churchouse playing sweeper wasn't one of them!

whatever happened to Gary Churchouse ? .. a player I'd long forgotten

He immigrated to Australia and worked for an electrical contractor in Queensland. Now aged 68 so possibly retired. All such information about ex-Charlton players can be found in 'The Valiant 1000,' vols 1 & 2 with vol 3 out next year. 

many thanks

ChicagoAddick

@killerjerrylee Can you remind me or link me to where I can buy your Valiant books please? 

queensland_addick

Lincsaddick said:

killerjerrylee said:

Lincsaddick said:

Big William said:

Some of my best Charlton memories are from Nelsons reign, you used to go down there thinking anything could happen, and it often did. He always seemed to be a dour sort of character, although the football was thrilling - bit of Paul Scholes syndrome. Most of the old players don't say much nice about him, he seemed to always lay into his centre backs in particular, remember him very publicly blaming Dave Shipperley for all five goals in the Bristol Rovers 5-5 draw. It all fizzled out in the end, the Village Idiots episode didn't help his cause although I must confess it did make me chuckle - just seemed such a quaint sort of insult. Maybe someone could write a book about being a Charlton fan "From Village Idiot to Vinegar Pisser".

For all that, it's good to hear he's still around, he oversaw some great moments, although Gary Churchouse playing sweeper wasn't one of them!

whatever happened to Gary Churchouse ? .. a player I'd long forgotten

He immigrated to Australia and worked for an electrical contractor in Queensland. Now aged 68 so possibly retired. All such information about ex-Charlton players can be found in 'The Valiant 1000,' vols 1 & 2 with vol 3 out next year. 

many thanks

Interview with Gary Churchouse here:

https://m.soundcloud.com/wefc_history/royalists-down-under

He talks about how he came to join Charlton and also talks about Andy Nelson 

killerjerrylee

ChicagoAddick said:

@killerjerrylee Can you remind me or link me to where I can buy your Valiant books please? 

Lot of places in the UK,the Museum, the club Shop or direct from me, but I assume you mean from overseas. If so, the easies way is buy from Amazon. The price of the books are the same, but the postage works out much cheaper.

Bilko

So you’re saying Andy Nelson was only 40 when we got promoted in 75. Bloody hell!!!

Ashers

Was only 39 when promoted, turned 40 in the close season! He must have had a tough paper round as a kid and a brutal playing career!

Covered End

Although I was a kid back then I thought he was in his 50's.

Bailey

Some great stories about Andy Nelson from Dick Tydeman. As mentioned on here previously, Andy had a thing about centre half's, being one himself, none could match his version of what a centre half should be, Arthur Horsfield went to centre half when Andy dropped Bobby Goldthorpe, he also had a wonderful habit of singling out certain players for bad results, Luton's 7-1 victory against us was Bob Curtis's fault, the 4-3 home win against Alan Mullery's Brighton wouldn't have been as close if Les Berry would have played better, the 5-5 draw against Bristol Rovers was Dave Shipperley's fault, the 4-4 draw at Burnley after being 4-1 up Bob Curtis again. Dick was not immune either, when he stated that the 5-4 league cup win at Chesterfield was 'just one of those games Boss' the tea cups flew.