great little player. I think the then manager. Eddie Firmani, rescued him from West Brom reserves. Scored some spectacular long range goals. One in particular that everyone seems to remember against Derby at the Valley in 68/9.
He now runs a travel agency in Dublin and through some contacts, I managed to get him to sign a "vintage" Charlton shirt with a 50 on the back for my brother's 50th birthday. He was happy to do it and pose for pictures.
Probably best remembered for his two goals to win us an FA Cup replay away at Palace in 1969 (I think). We then played Arsenal away in the next round.
Classy player and you could see why a good first division (as they were back then) club like WBA took him on. He combined well with Matt Tees too picking up Matt's knockdowns. The obvious cliche is little and large except that Matt was small for a targetman but timed his leaps so well he won nearly everything in the air.
He scored the 'best' (most spectacular) goal I ever saw an Addick score......FA Cup V Palarse at Smellhurst at the now Supermarket end...hit it from 40 yards out....it was still rising as it smashed into the back of the net...I swear if the net hadn't been there the ball would have ended up in Sydenham!
The terrace at the other end was jam packed with Addicks and it was a huge mud/grass embankment.....I ended up about 25 yards away down the embankment....we went absolutely fooking mental..never had a more exhillerating moment watching my Lovely Red Boys ........................................................other than Wembley of course.
Ray Treacy was a very good player. He worked tirelessly and was able 'to look after himself' against the heftier centre halves of that era. I can still picture the goal he scored at Palace - one of the great goals. Whether he would have been as good without Matt Tees alongside him is a good question.
"Mars Bars, Beano's and Ray Treacy", was our chant at away matches in those days.
"Ray of Sunshine", I remember one newspaper headline calling him.
And in his early days at The Valley, he was often referred to as Pat Treacy - as Irish as they come, and a regular Eire international.
Ray was only 21 when he signed for £20,000 from West Brom with what was left of the Lenny Glover transfer fund, the day before the QPR match at The Valley in Feb 68 - he didn't score in that game, we had a kid making his debut in goal, a couple of players missing one getting married and another best man (!), and another kid making his debut in midfield.
The young keeper ended up in hospital, we played most of the 2nd half with 10 men, no recognised keeper and were 3-1 down against the League leaders, starring Rodney Marsh and the Morgan twins - and a referee so inept it was unbelievable.
Treacy must have wondered what he'd let himself in for.
But 2 goals in the last couple of minutes squeezed out the most unlikely point, and we went the next week all the way to Plymouth Argyle, where we slaughtered them 4-1, Treacy getting off the mark for us.
I also remember Treacy getting a hat-trick in the last match of the season, when we hammered Hull City 5-1.
He contributed a fair number of goals in between, scoring about 9 in all in around 15 matches that season.
He wasn't tall for a centre forward but he was strong, courageous in the air, and packed a venomous wallop of a shot.
The season he really made his mark for us, was 68-69, when his goals made a big impact on our promotion drive.
Once Charlton were relegated from the real Division 2 in 1972, he was sold on together with Paul Went as our only saleable assets, to raise survival funds.
Was my favorite player when i first started following CAFC. Great leap for not a tall guy. His travel business was at the front of the organised footie trips for the RoI.
I remember Killer getting Goal of the Season on The Big Match with an overhead against Hull before being flogged to Derby. When asked why he thought he was being less successful at Derby he said he thought they should sign Paddy to set him up!
Ray's spectacular goal at Selhurst Park is one of my most treasured memories. In those days you were all mixed in with the home fans and us Charlton boys went mental when that thunderbolt went in. (Millwall/Morts in the snow and Wembley play off final are the others in my top three games.)
In the season being referred to, not only did Ray score that goal against Derby (from memory he hit it first time, full volley as the ball reached him from slightly behind him, about 28 yards out, covered end...really brilliant goal), and the goal at palace...well and accurately described above by Soundas, but also an absolute screamer that season away at Fulham, headed on by Tees (an ace player himself) and screamed in at the Hammersmith end, which we had taken over. Incidentally in that game the Charlton support was so lively and vocal that our bouncing up and down made the whole underfoot 'structure' wobble and I thought it was going to collapse.
[cite]Posted By: Oggy Red[/cite]"Mars Bars, Beano's and Ray Treacy",was our chant at away matches in those days.
"Ray of Sunshine", I remember one newspaper headline calling him.
And in his early days at The Valley, he was often referred to as Pat Treacy - as Irish as they come, and a regular Eire international.
Ray was only 21 when he signed for £20,000 from West Brom with what was left of the Lenny Glover transfer fund, the day before the QPR match at The Valley in Feb 68 - he didn't score in that game, we had a kid making his debut in goal, a couple of players missing one getting married and another best man (!), and another kid making his debut in midfield.
The young keeper ended up in hospital, we played most of the 2nd half with 10 men, no recognised keeper and were 3-1 downagainst the League leaders, starring Rodney Marsh and the Morgan twins - and a referee so inept it was unbelievable.
Treacy must have wondered what he'd let himself in for.
But 2 goals in the last couple of minutes squeezed out the most unlikely point, and we went the next week all the way to Plymouth Argyle, where we slaughtered them 4-1, Treacy getting off the mark for us.
I also remember Treacy getting a hat-trick in the last match of the season, when we hammered Hull City 5-1.
He contributed a fair number of goals in between, scoring about 9 in all in around 15 matches that season.
He wasn't tall for a centre forward but he was strong, courageous in the air, and packed a venomous wallop of a shot.
The season he really made his mark for us, was 68-69, when his goals made a big impact on our promotion drive.
Once Charlton were relegated from the real Division 2 in 1972, he was sold on together with Paul Went as our only saleable assets, to raise survival funds.
I seem to remember one of the chants being Ra-Ra Zigga Zagga Ray Treacy (or am I imaging that?)
The goal against Fulham was my favourite as it was a bit cheeky and unexpected - the mark of a good striker. I'd forgotten the stand bouncing up and down until you mentioned it, but we took a fair old crew down there that day.
Treacle was well liked in those days and was the type of striker that worked his socks off. He was given a chance with us and grabbed it. It's great to hear he is doing well.
[cite]Posted By: Badger[/cite]Was one of my favourites was at the derby game,great little player along with matt tees.
We had some great players in those days even after players like England international Mike Bailey and Lenny Glover had been sacrificed for the money - great ability but could be inconsistant ........Harry Gregory and Alan Campbell, for instance, sublime ball skills but sometimes they didn't show; Keithy Peacock out wide, and neat tidy passing and thunderous shooting from skipper Graham Moore.
Can't remember who we were playing but it was in the 2nd half , he was runningdown the left wing with the ball (towards the covered end) then the next second the ball was in the back of the net - amazing player. he was one of those players that whenever he had the ball you thought something might happen!
Ray Treacy, Alan Campbell, Matt Tees, Keith Peacock....what a team we were back in season 68/69 the year I really became a lifelong Valiant.....Charlie Wright, Bob Curtis, Brian Kinsey, Graham Moore, Peter Reeves, Harry Gregory (named my son after him) all stuff of legends.
Sorry guys, I get your drift of course but to this day I can 'never' bring myself to use the name Valiants...it was like a bad dream...I was born an Addick and I'll die an Addick.....all this Robins and Valiants stuff makes me cringe!
[cite]Posted By: SoundAsa£[/cite]Sorry guys, I get your drift of course but to this day I can 'never' bring myself to use the name Valiants...it was like a bad dream...I was born an Addick and I'll die an Addick.....all this Robins and Valiants stuff makes me cringe!
SoundAs,
I was just picking up on what Tel in Oz says in his post, so was a little tongue in cheek.
It was like a blast from the past.
But, of course, all the club's marketing material and press coverage referred to Charlton back then, as The Valiants.
And as kids back then, we didn't know any different.
So growing up, we all knew Charlton as The Valiants.
It was my dear old Grandad who told me in the 60's, that back in his day when Charlton were a new club they were known as Addicks, because they used to meet upstairs above the chip shop.
But Addicks was an anachronism back in the 60' and 70's (and much earlier) and virtually nobody used it commonly, until we were gathering pace to return to The Valley.
Edit: Just thinking, probably Voice of The Valley was instrumental in recovering the Addicks name, back in the Selhurst 80's years.
Henry will know. ;o)
A player in the true spirit of Charlton, hard working and had flair and talent.a favourite with myself and all my mates because he tried, his work rate was an example to present days footballers.
[cite]Posted By: SoundAsa£[/cite]Sorry guys, I get your drift of course but to this day I can 'never' bring myself to use the name Valiants...it was like a bad dream...I was born an Addick and I'll die an Addick.....all this Robins and Valiants stuff makes me cringe!
SoundAs,
I was just picking up on what Tel in Oz says in his post, so was a little tongue in cheek.
It was like a blast from the past.
But, of course, all the club's marketing material and press coverage referred to Charlton back then, as The Valiants.
And as kids back then, we didn't know any different.
So growing up, we all knew Charlton as The Valiants.
It was my dear old Grandad who told me in the 60's, that back in his day when Charlton were a new club they were known as Addicks, because they used to meet upstairs above the chip shop.
But Addicks was an anachronism back in the 60' and 70's (and much earlier) and virtually nobody used it commonly, until we were gathering pace to return to The Valley.
Edit: Just thinking, probably Voice of The Valley was instrumental in recovering the Addicks name, back in the Selhurst 80's years.
Henry will know. ;o)
Oggy is spot on.
At that time the Kentish Independent etc always referred to "The Valiants." Those of us who went back a few generations in their support knew better of course as Oggy says but it cannot be denied that the mid late sixties was the era of The Valiants and the fifties, after Billy Cotton Senior did his bit, was the era of The Robins.
Thankfully now normal service has been resumed and we are The Addicks again and I suspect that, as Oggy mentions, Voice of The Valley was instumental in that.
Just to let you know....there was a fishmonger from around the streets where the club was founded(near the Thames Barrier) back in 1905/1908 called Arthur Bryan who supported/sponsored Charlton....he would turn up at matches dressed in his straw bloater, striped apron and wheeling a haddock tied to a pole above his head.....this was no doubt done as much to promote his shop as to support the team.
From that moment in 1908 we started to be called in the press(The Kentish Indepentent that is) the Haddocks/Addicks....Arthur himself was known as The Addicker.
Yes, he did used to give fish and chip suppers to the players of both teams after the games.
Comments
Classy player and you could see why a good first division (as they were back then) club like WBA took him on. He combined well with Matt Tees too picking up Matt's knockdowns. The obvious cliche is little and large except that Matt was small for a targetman but timed his leaps so well he won nearly everything in the air.
The terrace at the other end was jam packed with Addicks and it was a huge mud/grass embankment.....I ended up about 25 yards away down the embankment....we went absolutely fooking mental..never had a more exhillerating moment watching my Lovely Red Boys ........................................................other than Wembley of course.
Ahhh, so Ray Treacy is heading the takeover - good stuff!
NLA - get over to Dublin now!
"Ray of Sunshine", I remember one newspaper headline calling him.
And in his early days at The Valley, he was often referred to as Pat Treacy - as Irish as they come, and a regular Eire international.
Ray was only 21 when he signed for £20,000 from West Brom with what was left of the Lenny Glover transfer fund, the day before the QPR match at The Valley in Feb 68 - he didn't score in that game, we had a kid making his debut in goal, a couple of players missing one getting married and another best man (!), and another kid making his debut in midfield.
The young keeper ended up in hospital, we played most of the 2nd half with 10 men, no recognised keeper and were 3-1 down against the League leaders, starring Rodney Marsh and the Morgan twins - and a referee so inept it was unbelievable.
Treacy must have wondered what he'd let himself in for.
But 2 goals in the last couple of minutes squeezed out the most unlikely point, and we went the next week all the way to Plymouth Argyle, where we slaughtered them 4-1, Treacy getting off the mark for us.
I also remember Treacy getting a hat-trick in the last match of the season, when we hammered Hull City 5-1.
He contributed a fair number of goals in between, scoring about 9 in all in around 15 matches that season.
He wasn't tall for a centre forward but he was strong, courageous in the air, and packed a venomous wallop of a shot.
The season he really made his mark for us, was 68-69, when his goals made a big impact on our promotion drive.
Once Charlton were relegated from the real Division 2 in 1972, he was sold on together with Paul Went as our only saleable assets, to raise survival funds.
QPR went up that year
Treacy was one of my favourites too, got some great goals, I remember a real classic at home to Derby in 1969
When asked why he thought he was being less successful at Derby he said he thought they should sign Paddy to set him up!
I seem to remember one of the chants being Ra-Ra Zigga Zagga Ray Treacy (or am I imaging that?)
Treacle was well liked in those days and was the type of striker that worked his socks off. He was given a chance with us and grabbed it. It's great to hear he is doing well.
Doubt it, because the match was televised by ITV. Not sure whether they had an equivalent award at the time.
We had some great players in those days even after players like England international Mike Bailey and Lenny Glover had been sacrificed for the money - great ability but could be inconsistant ........Harry Gregory and Alan Campbell, for instance, sublime ball skills but sometimes they didn't show; Keithy Peacock out wide, and neat tidy passing and thunderous shooting from skipper Graham Moore.
Up The Valiants!
SoundAs,
I was just picking up on what Tel in Oz says in his post, so was a little tongue in cheek.
It was like a blast from the past.
But, of course, all the club's marketing material and press coverage referred to Charlton back then, as The Valiants.
And as kids back then, we didn't know any different.
So growing up, we all knew Charlton as The Valiants.
It was my dear old Grandad who told me in the 60's, that back in his day when Charlton were a new club they were known as Addicks, because they used to meet upstairs above the chip shop.
But Addicks was an anachronism back in the 60' and 70's (and much earlier) and virtually nobody used it commonly, until we were gathering pace to return to The Valley.
Edit: Just thinking, probably Voice of The Valley was instrumental in recovering the Addicks name, back in the Selhurst 80's years.
Henry will know. ;o)
Oh how footballers have changed now a days.......
Oggy is spot on.
At that time the Kentish Independent etc always referred to "The Valiants." Those of us who went back a few generations in their support knew better of course as Oggy says but it cannot be denied that the mid late sixties was the era of The Valiants and the fifties, after Billy Cotton Senior did his bit, was the era of The Robins.
Thankfully now normal service has been resumed and we are The Addicks again and I suspect that, as Oggy mentions, Voice of The Valley was instumental in that.
From that moment in 1908 we started to be called in the press(The Kentish Indepentent that is) the Haddocks/Addicks....Arthur himself was known as The Addicker.
Yes, he did used to give fish and chip suppers to the players of both teams after the games.
;-)